New Life

Spring is here and summer is approaching. You can hear the buzz, feel the breeze, and smell the earth as the rain seeps into it. Maybe like me, the emergence of new life makes you contemplate the aspects of your life that you hope could flourish. Perhaps all this new life energizes you to grow toward that which is life-giving. 

One of the already flourishing aspects of my own life is my community at St. John’s. Much of the beauty of the Rising Generations community comes from the way that we welcome each other. We invite each other into our lives in profound ways that bond us deeply. Taking a lesson from my community, I would like to extend a welcome beyond our Rising Generations sphere to the wider St. John’s community. This welcome is for grandparents, aunts and uncles, and anyone else who’s got young people in their life that are hoping to connect with a beloved community. We have a whole bunch of opportunities, and maybe one of them would suit your family or the young people you love. 

Here’s the run-down in the briefest form I can give you:

From June 21-25, we will join with episcopal youth from all over the state and spend a week at ECMN’s Youth Camp. From July 5-10, we’ve got an awesome VBS for kids ages 4-11 that we put on with St. Christopher’s. In July, we are partnering with other East Metro churches to host a Summer Connect service and fun series for youth from July 20-22. We’ll close it out with a week at Family Camp from July 26-30, where grandparents and extended family are very welcome. If camp is not for you, maybe you’ll consider joining us for a paddle some Monday evening at our Wild John Club or coming to the High Tea Party on June 28 to share a cup of tea with a young person. 

In the spirit of newness and growth, you and your people are officially invited to come and connect with us, and we will welcome you warmly when you do.

With Love,

Maggie Howe

Invite Welcome Connect: Join us Sunday, 4.26 for session 3, 11:30am in the Parlor

Invite Welcome Connect is an exciting initiative that expands the strengths of St. John’s already welcoming community. The Invite Welcome Connect process has been developed and used in dozens of parishes and dioceses across the Episcopal Church over the past two decades and has an impressive track record of growth of all kinds in congregations where it is well implemented. 

We will reflect on where St John’s is in relation to each part of IWC, engage in collaborative imagining of possibilities for the ministry at St John’s and then together plan the implementation of ideas. A light lunch will be provided. 

Invite Welcome Connect is a lay-led process, supported by clergy and other staff. For ways to get involved in IWC, ask any Core Team member: Gretchen Brunner (Welcome lead), Judy Caldwell, Pam Hove, Cindy Kallstrom, Val Koutek, Barb Livermont (Connect lead), Rona Pasch, Joanna Torgerson. 

Please contact Kate Maxwell, staff support for Invite Welcome Connect, to receive the password to access helpful online videos.

Cemetery Spring Clean-Up Day

Saturday, May 2, 8am

Did you know St. John's established the first Christian Cemetery in White Bear Lake, in 1861!? Come help us keep it clean and neat!

Bring a lawn rake, gloves and whatever tools you like to use for cleaning up plant debris.

Coffee and donuts provided.

Being With the Bible 

Do you wonder what the Bible is all about? Are you reluctant to go to a Bible study because you think you don’t know enough? Are you looking for a fresh approach to the Scriptures?

Being With the Bible may be what you’re looking for. No prior knowledge of the Bible is needed.

Each Being WIth the Bible session explores a part of the Bible story and connects it to our own experience. 

The group will have up to 12 participants and two leaders. The time is made up of 4 sections. 

• Welcome: In the first week the participants are asked what has brought them to the course and in the weeks after that the question is - what is the heart of your week? We ask everyone to respond to this. It can be telling the group anything about the week - big or small.
• Wonderings: which are related to the talk or story which is next. The wonderings are not questions but just offering a space for people to share experiences about different things like freedom or feeling trapped by something.
• Story: The story is about 8 minutes on a different topic each week, covering different aspects of the story of the Bible from perhaps a perspective you've not heard before.
• Reflection: Then there is a discussion usually related to the wonderings or the talk but can be about anything the group would like to talk about - the question to start the discussion is "what is in your heart or your head?"

We will meet on Saturday mornings from 9:30-11:00 in the parlor, from May 16 - August 15. There are no sessions on June 13, July 4 & 11, or August 8.

Please sign up on the poster in the hall leading to the church and contact Kate Maxwell OSB (kate@stjohnwilderness.org) with questions and for more information.

A Time For LIght

For people with disabilities, access to music and the arts is often limited -- not by ability, but by opportunity. Light in the Well creates inclusive musical experiences where individuals of all abilities are seen, heard, and celebrated. These moments don't just change performers -- they change families, schools, and communities.

Join Light in the Well and the White Bear Lake Area High School for a joyful, inclusive concert where music brings everyone together! Dance, clap, and sing along in a vibrant celebration featuring artists with and without disabilities.

Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 7-8:30pm

Location: White Bear Lake Area High School Performing Arts Center

5045 Division Ave, White Bear Lake, MN 55110

Thank you all!

"Dear Friends, thank you for your generous contribution of $1,776.00 in support of Casa Maria. This gift enables us to be Christ's hands and feet in our faith community by providing direct assistance to the most vulnerable of God's beloved children. The families we are serving have expressed deep gratitude for a Christian community that is assisting them with food each week. Again, many thanks!

Grace and Peace,

Fr. Rob Cavanna, Priest;

The Venerable Rena Romero, Archdeacon;

& Cyara Carabarin Carretero, Casa Maria manager"

Two Special Adult Education Opportunities with Chris Lilley, Intern

Exploring the Trinity

Have you ever wondered what we really mean when we talk about God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Join us on Sunday, May 3, at 8:45am in the Parlor for an engaging Adult Education session exploring the mystery of the Trinity, led by our intern, Chris Lilley. The Trinity is one of the central pillars of the Christian faith, but it’s not always easy to understand what it means. In this forum, we will take a closer look at the Trinity, reflect on why Christian tradition understands God as “three in one,” and consider how this shapes our shared worship life. We will explore where this teaching comes from and how it appears in our worship through the sign of the cross, in our prayers, and in the ways we bless and praise God together. We will also see how it can deepen our sense of God’s presence in everyday life. Come be part of the conversation as we explore this mystery of our faith.

Introduction to Liberation Theology

“Any talk about God that fails to make God’s liberation of the oppressed its starting point is not Christian,” writes Black liberation theologian James Cone. What might it mean to take that claim seriously? Join us on Sunday, May 10, at 8:45am in the Parlor for an Adult Education session that will challenge and encourage us as we explore an introduction to the themes of liberation theology, led by our Intern Chris Lilley. Liberation theology begins with the conviction that God not only hears the cries of people who are burdened, silenced, or treated unjustly but also stands with them, acts on their behalf, and calls the Church to do the same in courage and love. In this forum, we will look at how Scripture, the life of Jesus, and the witness of the global Church have shaped this movement, and how its insights can guide us as Christians seeking to follow the way of Jesus in our own lives. Come reflect with us on this hopeful and courageous vision of faith in action.

Rummage Sale News

Yes, we are planning a Rummage Sale for the Fall! Please start saving salable items and paper sacks for bagging. Please plan on helping, too, if you can. More information, such as when we can start bringing in the sale items will follow as time gets closer. Meanwhile, for your questions please call Lynn Gadbois a t 651-270-8934.

Contact Maggie Howe here for event information and to get on her mailing list!

We need to keep our food shelf stocked.

Please help us keep it stocked. 

You can find out more about Food Assistance Funding and connect with the White Bear Food Shelf by clicking here.



Make it a habit to get a few extra items on your regular grocery run, and drop it off on Sunday mornings! Check out the list below. As you think about what to get, keep a few things in mind. What would you have on your pantry shelf? What are the staples you always have on hand? Is what you are buying shelf stable/non-perishable? Treats for kids are always welcome! And really important, is it something you would feed yourself or your family?

• Shelf stable milk
• Juice boxes
• 100% fruit juices
• Vegetable juices
• Lunch packs - applesauce, fruit cups, jello
• Nut butters other than peanut butter
• Protein drinks
• Protein bars
• Healthy Snacks: Nuts, granola bars, etc
• Treats for children
• Ready to eat meals
• Whole-grain hot cereals like oatmeal, cream of wheat and grits
• Whole-grain crackers
• Corn or whole-wheat tortillas that don’t need to be refrigerated
• Bushs' Baked Beans
• Cooking Essentials: Oils, spices, etc
• Baby Formula
• Female Hygiene Supplies
• Personal Toiletries

Rice, beans, condensed soups, boxed macaroni & cheese are not fast moving items on our shelf. Keep in mind that many people may not even have a kitchen, or do not have the time or extra items needed to make a tasty meal of of those items.

Please do not bring anything past the expiration or used by date, we will remove it and dispose of it.

Office Hours

Our parish office is open:

• Monday, Tuesday, 9 am - 2:30pm;
• Wednesday 9am-5pm,
• Thursday, 9am - 11am.

Stop by and say hi!

Weekly News and a Weekly Message from Bishop Loya

The Episcopal Church in Minnesota also has a weekly e-news, where you can read a message from Bishop Craig Loya, (or sometimes a special guest author), and read about what is happening in the Episcopal Church in MN and beyond! A great way to stay connected and learn about our church outside the walls of St. John's. 

To receive the ECMN news go here, scroll to the very bottom right and sign up.

Parish Prayer List

We ask your prayers for: Cindy K., Pat P., Jean T., David G., Larry K., Megan J., Tony and Amanda, Gladys A., Josh L., Allan B., Louie M., Erika A., Bill M., Baby Theo & Family., Mitch., Terry, Larry & Val.

Email prayer@stjohnwilderness to request prayers and to be added to the parish prayer list.

Click the button below to fill out the web form, or email prayer@stjohnwilderness to request prayers and to be added to the parish prayer list. Please let us know if you would like the request to be publicly listed or private. Unless specifically requested, prayer requests will be kept on the list for a month.

For the Parish (BCP p.817)

Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven

and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen

the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent.

Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring

us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCP p. 817

Morning Prayer & Compline

Join us on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 8 AM for morning prayer and

Monday and Friday evenings at 8:30 PM for Compline.

Both prayer services are held via Google Meet. All are welcome.

The word liturgy comes from a Greek term meaning “public work or work done on behalf of the people.” Liturgy always referred to an organized community. A work, then, done by an individual or a group was a liturgy on behalf of the larger community.

If you would like to become part of the many ministries that help make our work, our worship, our liturgies, our community, please talk to one of our clergy.

O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Fourth Sunday of Easter

• Acts 2:42-47
• 1 Peter 2:19-25
• John 10:1-10
• Psalm 23

Connect! Our Main number: 651-429-5351

Our parish office is open.... Stop by and say hi!

Monday, Tuesday, 9 am - 2:30pm;

Wednesday 9am-5pm,

Thursday, 9am - 11:30am.

• Financial Coordinator: Maureen Vruno | Office hours M,T, Th, 7:30am - 2:30pm maureen@stjohnwilderness.org ext. 4 or 763-329-7415
• Music Minister: Alec Watson alec@stjohnwilderness.org
• Intern: Chris Lilley chris@stjohnwilderness.org
• Rising Generations Coordinator: Maggie Howe maggie@stjohnwilderness.org
• Parish Coordinator: Carrie Thomas carrie@stjohnwilderness.org 651-429-5351 ext. 3
• Deacon: The Rev. Margaret Thor margaret@stjohnwilderness.org
• Associate Priest: The Rev. Kate Maxwell, OSB kate@stjohnwilderness.org

Our current Health & Safety Protocols

• St. John’s encourages all of its members to get vaccinated and boosted.
• If you feel sick or have the typical symptoms of Covid-19, we ask you to worship with us online.
• Masks are optional while inside all parish buildings for those who are boosted and vaccinated. If conditions change and we experience another surge of Covid-19, we may alter our protocols.