As the Rector of St. John in the Wilderness, I have struggled with how best to speak to the many actions being taken by the current presidential administration that are, in my estimation, a direct assault on so many innocent, poor and marginalized people for whom our Lord calls us to come alongside in support. Recognizing that members of our parish come from both sides of the political aisle and not wanting to speak in a partisan way, I have been reluctant to speak my mind and heart. Clearly, part of my job as Rector is to hold our faith community together. It is expected also, however, that I speak God's truth as I understand that truth. The following letter from the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, entitled Acting Faithfully in Troubling Times, names much of what I have been thinking and feeling. I include it here so that you may carefully and prayerfully consider where many leaders of the Episcopal Church are finding themselves. Pray for me in the coming days as I do my best to help all of us at St. John's to both speak and act faithfully in these challenging days.

Art+

Acting faithfully in troubling times: A letter from Presiding Bishop Rowe

Dear people of God in The Episcopal Church:

I am writing to you from Geneva, where I am meeting with global partners at the World Council of Churches and the United Nations Refugee Agency. As we have discussed how our institutions might act faithfully and boldly in these turbulent times, I have been reflecting on how we Episcopalians can respond to what is unfolding around us as followers of the Risen Christ whose first allegiance is to the kingdom of God, not to any nation or political party.

The events of the last several days lend urgency to this spiritual challenge. Earlier this week, President Trump’s executive order banning or restricting travel from 19 countries went into effect. This order impacts countries that are home to dioceses of The Episcopal Church and many of our Anglican Communion partners, and I have written to the bishops and primates in those countries to express our concern.

The unwarranted deployment of the National Guard and U.S. Marine Corps on the streets of Los Angeles also signals a dangerous turn. As the bishops of California have written, these military deployments risk escalating the confrontations unnecessarily and set a dangerous precedent for future deployments that heighten tensions rather than resolve them. As Christians committed to strive for justice and peace among all people, we know that there is a better way.

What we are witnessing is the kind of distortion that arises when institutions like the military and the State Department are turned on the people they were meant to protect. These mainstays of the federal government, designed to safeguard civil society and promote peace and stability, are now being weaponized for political advantage.

The violence on television is not our only risk. We are also seeing federal budget proposals that would shift resources from the poor to the wealthy; due process being denied to immigrants; and the defunding of essential public health, social service, and foreign aid programs that have long fulfilled the Gospel mandate to care for the vulnerable, children, and those who are hungry and sick.

With all of this in mind, we are finding ways to respond as Christians to what we see happening around us. We are exploring options to support litigation challenging the travel ban on the ground of religious freedom; advocating for federal spending that safeguards the welfare of the most vulnerable; caring for immigrants and refugees in our congregations and communities; and standing in solidarity with other faith groups. In short, we are practicing institutional resistance rooted not in partisan allegiance, but in Christian conviction.

At its best, our church is capable of moral clarity and resolute commitment to justice. I believe we can bring those strengths to bear on this gathering storm. Churches like ours, protected by the First Amendment and practiced in galvanizing people of goodwill, may be some of the last institutions capable of resisting the injustice now being promulgated. That is not a role we sought—but it is one we are called to.

In Geneva, I have been reminded that we are part of a global communion of hope in the Risen Christ. We do not stand alone as we live by our baptismal promises: to persevere in resisting evil, to strive for justice and peace among all people, and to respect the dignity of every human being. In these troubling times, may we find courage and resilience in our identity as members of the Body of Christ.

Yours in Christ,

The Most Rev. Sean Rowe

Presiding Bishop

The Episcopal Church

You are invited to volunteer with "Accomplices in Hope" at St. Paul Pride!

We're excited to share the message that LGBTQIA2+ folks are welcomed, embraced, and celebrated in our faith communities. As a volunteer, your role is to be engaging and welcoming! Smile, say hello, and ask booth visitors if they have questions.

Clergy and other faith leaders will also be present to offer support. To sign up, click here!.

We are looking to support several 2 hour shifts where we will greet people and answer questions. The event will be held at Dual Citizen Brewing Company in St Paul. Find out all about this years festival here.

Contact our Deacon, Margaret Thor, for more info!

Congratulations!

This Sunday 6/15, we will be celebrating our graduates, Jenna, Xavier, and Cendall, at the 10:00 service. Please pray for them as they begin this next step of their journeys. If you would like to write notes or cards, you can bring them to the service on Sunday.

Ladies Who Lunch

Friday June 20th at 11:30am

We will be meeting at The Wildwood Tavern

located at 80 Mahtomedi Ave., Mahtomedi MN.on Friday June 20th at 11:30am. Please call Barb Maloney at 414-940-4100 by Wednesday June 18th for a reservation.

Prayers during Communion

Beginning this Sunday, members of a Prayer Team will be stationed at the back of church to pray with anyone who desires special petition or who desires prayers for someone else. There will be two stations with a Prayer Team member at each station. After receiving communion, all those desiring special prayer are invited to proceed directly to the prayer stations. Prayer requests should be relatively brief, and this time of special intention will conclude prior to the postcommunion prayer.

High Tea in Celebration of the Feast of St. John the Baptist:

Sunday, June 22nd

To celebrate the feast day of our Patron Saint John the Baptist, we're getting fancy with a High Tea Party following the 10:00 service on June 22nd. This event is so much fun! You can get dressed up, bring your favorite teacup (if you have one), and enjoy this posh party, as we raise a teacup to the wild, prophetic, and altogether awesome, John the Baptist! At the party, we will be collecting monetary donations to support the families at Solid Ground, so please give as you are able to this important organization.

Speeches and Songs

Sunday, June 29th

8am in the church and 10am in the ChurchYard

Join us for a special commemoration for the Fourth of July. Readings and music proclaiming how the Kingdom of God may find its way into our common life together.

Wild John Club!

Matoska Park, WBL

Ice is long gone, the water is warming up! It's time to Eat, Paddle, & Pray. Bring yourself, bring a boat, bring some food. Or just bring yourself. Need a boat or a personal flotation device? (a lifejacket!) let Art know here.

Join us Monday, June 9 and every Monday through August!

• 5:30pm: Potluck Picnic
• Around 6pm: Paddle Time
• Around 8pm: Pray

Porch Bible Study - Prayer and Listening

Wednesday, June 4 - July 9 @ 10am

As Christians, we all pray, but probably most of us are better at talking and asking than listening and responding. This six week Scripture study helps us to listen and pray in a dialogue with God that can transform us - from the inside out. We will use the booklet Prayer and Listening by Jan Johnson.

At my house - Sylvia Lovett

2181 2nd St. 

White Bear Lake

Young(ish)

On Saturday evening July 12 at 6pm, we're having a dinner at Art's house as a chance for the young(ish) folks of St. John's to come together and get to know one another a little better. We're doing the meal potluck style, so if you are able to, please bring something to share. Art's house is located at 2304 6th Street, White Bear Lake, MN 55110.

Thankful for the abundance we are blessed with? Consider bringing something for our food shelf.

Items always appreciated:

• Shelf stable milk
• Protein drinks
• Protein bars
• Healthy Snacks: Nuts, granola bars, etc
• Treats for children
• Ready to eat meals
• Bushs Baked Beans
• Cooking Essentials: Oils, spices, etc
• Baby Formula
• Female Hygiene Supplies

Please do not bring anything past the expiration or used by date.

CORPS

CORPS is a small group of people committed to each other and dedicated to living the way that Jesus did. We will gather together regularly for support, spiritual development, and training. And then we will go into our community to be the heart and hands of Jesus in organized service, outreach, and advocacy efforts aligned with the Way of Love. CORPS will determine the direction of their own work, will be accountable to each other, and will be supported by the clergy and staff of St. John's. Intrigued? Contact Fr. Art or Maggie DeSmet for more information.

The Path Ahead

Wednesday, July 2nd - August 6th

6pm in the Parlor

All of us are aging and the years beyond midlife are a developmental stage that is often overlooked and neglected. The culture gives us lots of messages about getting older, many of which are negative and limiting. 

The six sessions of The Path Ahead provide opportunities to

• reflect on and share with others the joys and challenges of getting older
• explore the notion of elderhood
• claim the personal and spiritual possibilities of getting older
• reimagine the purpose of life in our older years

Contact our Associate Priest, Kate Maxwell, for more information and to sign up.

White Bear Area Food Shelf – Now Recruiting Food Rescue Drivers (especially need Fridays currently)!

Every morning, Monday-Friday, Food Rescue Volunteers collect food from nine local grocery stores and bring it to the Community Market. Using their own trucks/SUVs or driving the food shelf truck, volunteers visit their assigned store, usually one morning each week, and gather up the food that has been set out by the store. They load it in their cars and drop it off at the Community Market in time to be sorted and stocked for the market that same day.  

Food Rescue Driver volunteers either commit to a regular one-day a week (or more!) schedule or as substitutes who can fill in when needed. The shift is from 7:45-9:15 AM. This role involves lifting up to 40lbs., bending, and twisting. Volunteer must be able to pass a simple background check and have a valid driver’s license and car insurance. 

More information can be found here: https://whitebearfoodshelf.org/volunteer/

Contact Carol to volunteer or learn more about this role, carol@whitebearfoodshelf.org, 651-433-7289. 

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

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., Jane,, Erika A., Bill M., Ben, Baby Theo & Family

In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: TRINITY and HOLY TRINITY PARISHES

Anoka, Excelsior, Litchfield, Hermantown, Minneapolis, Elk River, International Falls, St. Paul

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.

Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Trinity Sunday

• Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31
• Romans 5:1-5
• John 16:12-15
• Psalm 8
• or Canticle 13 (or Canticle 2)

Connect! Our Main number: 651-429-5351

Our parish office is open Monday - Thursday, 9 am - 2:30pm. Stop by and say hi!

• Financial Coordinator: Maureen Vruno | Office hours M,T, Th, 7:30am - 2:30pm maureen@stjohnwilderness.org ext. 4 or 763-329-7415
• Rising Generations Coordinator: Maggie Howe maggie@stjohnwilderness.org ext. 5
• Music Director: David Lim david@stjohnwilderness.org ext. 6
• 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 ext. 2
• Rector: The Rev. Arthur Hancock art@stjohnwilderness.org ext. 1 or 763-329-7203

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.