Farewell Dear Margaret!

Please join us following the 10 am worship on Sunday, August 30th for a special goodbye for Deacon Margaret. Bring a story, bring a hug for her, bring yourself.

Sunday August 30th is her last Sunday with us.

Our Next Summer Choir!

On Sunday, August 23rd, you are invited to sing as a part of St. John’s Summer Choir. This is a perfect opportunity for anyone who is choir curious, alto adjacent, sort of soprano, or barely bass. We want you to sing with us!

We’ll be singing a roster of familiar hymns, as well as a wonderful version of “For the Beauty of the Earth” for our offertory. Music will be provided, and we won’t wear robes or process. Simply show up and sing.

Rehearsal is at 9am, service is at 10am. The St. John’s Summer Choir is also an all ages affair — families and young singers are welcome. See you there!

A Heartbeat Jam Band!

For our Welcome Home Sunday we invite all tabletop drummers, egg shakers, ukulele strummers, shower singers, and even rogue tamborines to join us for a celebration of Welcome Home from summer. We will gather at 9am in the church. Questions etc contact Music Minister Alec here. We can even send out music in advance if you want, or just show up to help us make a joyful noise!

An Announcement from our deacon, Margaret Thor

Recently I announced that I am leaving St John in the Wilderness for Grace Episcopal Church in Minneapolis. My last Sunday will be August 30. My decision to change churches was not made lightly. I love being at SJW and the people and staff here. However, when I took on this assignment I was very clear that I believe that deacons should rotate from one church to another every 5-6 years (I began my ministry here in 2020). This allows other churches to hear a fresh voice and experience what it means to have a deacon in their midst. I have been in conversation with the Bishop and Archdeacon for the past year about this move. I am grateful that Grace church and their rector, Susan Daughtery, have asked me to be their deacon and that the Bishop and Archdeacon believe this will be a good fit for me. The people of SJW have done great things in living out our call to welcome and serve all of God's people. I will miss everyone and will continue to pray for you.

Celebrate 50 Years of Full & Equal

Saturday, September 5, 11am,

St. Mark’s Cathedral, Mpls

In 1976, at the 65th General Convention in Minneapolis, The Episcopal Church adopted a resolution affirming that homosexual people are children of God with a full and equal claim upon the church’s love, acceptance, and pastoral concern and care. They are gathering this Sept. 3–5 for “Full & Equal: 50 Years in Pursuit of a Promise,” a three-day gathering of worship, learning, storytelling, and fellowship, ending with a celebration Eucharist at St. Mark’s Cathedral. Preacher: The Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson; Presider: The Most Rev. Sean Rowe

ECMN’s Racial Justice and Healing Team invites you to join in theological reflection throughout the next year. Every two months, we will host a conversation or two on Zoom centered around a book on racial justice and healing. Email ECMN here for registration information.

Our hope is that it is a spiritual landing place for new faith formation, refreshment, connection with other followers of Jesus, and prayer. Each session will contain prayer and small group discussion. Attendees can sign up for one book or all of them.

The first book club will be broken into two sessions on Howard Thurman’s seminal work, Jesus and the Disinherited. This conversation will be facilitated by The Rev. Dr. Craig Lemming, Associate Rector of St. John the Evangelist, St. Paul and member of ECMN’s Racial Justice and Healing Team.

Tuesday, September 1 | 7-8pm for Chapters 1-3

Tuesday, September 15 | 7-8pm for Chapters 4-the Epilogue

Join Us for a Show! And Maybe Dinner?

Join fellow St. John in the Wilderness (SJW) parishioners, Mahtomedi High School (MHS) students, families, friends and other theater-lovers for one or two nights out on the town! Please share this information with anyone you know that would be interested in joining us for these events – all are welcome!

Questions? Contact Chantell Knauss at SJWFellowship@gmail.com or 651.387.8288.

Mystic Pizza Broadway touring musical at Ordway in St. Paul

RSVPs Due: Sunday, September 13

Event Date: Sunday, October 11 at 7:00pm (curtain)

Cost: $100 per ticket

Details & RSVP Link: https://forms.gle/VFbzp6dhQUuj3pyb6

SYNOPSIS:

Based on the 1988 classic film, the Mystic Pizza stage musical is a jukebox rom-com that follows three working-class young women—Daisy, Kat, and JoJo—working at a local Connecticut pizza parlor. The trio navigates romance, family expectations, and big dreams set to a nostalgic, chart-topping 80s and 90s pop score.

This production is recommended for ages 12 and up, its plot line includes mature themes like infidelity, sexuality, and adult relationships. The performance runs 2 hours and 20 minutes, including one intermission.

Maybe Happy Ending - Broadway touring musical at Orpheum in Minneapolis

The Broadway touring production premiere in Minnesota is only for a limited, one-week engagement and tickets were VERY difficult to secure!

RSVPs Due: Sunday, September 13

Event Date: Friday, November 20 at 7:30pm (curtain)

Cost: $89 per ticket

Details & RSVP Link: https://forms.gle/vMDDzqvZrDaQDMc96

SYNOPSIS:

Maybe Happy Ending, a six-time Tony Award winning show, including Best Musical, follows Oliver and Claire, two retired, obsolete human-like helper-bots living in a near-future retirement community on the outskirts of Seoul, South Korea. When Claire asks her neighbor Oliver to borrow his charger, the awkward encounter sparks a profound bond and a road trip to South Korea's Jeju Island. As they explore companionship, the pair go from strangers to lovers, grappling with the human emotions they're experiencing and the reality of their limited lifespans. (Wikipedia and New York Theatre Guild)

This production is recommended for ages 8 and up and runs 1 hour and 40 minutes with NO intermission.

Save the Dates for These Future Events (productions with exact dates/times are confirmed):

• Sunday, November 8 at 2pm – Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street musical at Century College in White Bear Lake
• Sunday, November 15 at 2pm – Pippin’ musical at Mahtomedi High School
• March 9 – 14, 2027 at TBD – The Outsiders Broadway touring musical premiere in Minnesota at the Orpheum in Minneapolis
• Saturday, March 27, 2027 at 2pm (Easter weekend) – Come From Away musical at Lakeshore Players in White Bear Lake
• Saturday, May 1, 2027 at 2pm – Rumors by Neil Simon at Lakeshore Players in White Bear Lake
• July 13 – 18, 2027 at TBD – Alicia Keys’ Hell’s Kitchen Broadway touring musical at the Orpheum in Minneapolis
• Sunday, August 1, 2027 at 2pm – Love on a Stick, The State Fair Musical at the History Theatre in St. Paul

Fill Our Food Shelf!

We have an incredible group that works to keep our food shelf stocked and helping our neighbors. More and more people are using it. Judgement free, open to all, all the time! So many have left messages, or told someone in person how much they appreciate it.

To make it easier for you to support this ministry, we have created an Amazon Wish List you can order off of and have sent directly to St. John's. Follow this link. SJWFoodshelf, or scan the QR code. The list will have requested items added regularly so check often. And thank you so much for helping all our neighbors.

Food Facts: Approximately 20% of Minnesota households face hunger or lack consistent access to adequate nutrition.Children and Families: About 207,830 children experience food insecurity, meaning 1 in 4 households with children are impacted. Emergency Reliance: Roughly 18% to 20% of the state relies on the charitable food system.

Some Community News!!

The lines are going to get longer! A perennial favorite for frozen treats in White Bear Lake has been voted “America’s Best Ice Cream.” Check out the article here.

Cup and Cone, located at 2126 4th Street, has been slinging soft-serve in the community since 1973. This week, the seasonal stand won the crown of “America’s Best Ice Cream” — an award from The 64, which hosts a variety of online tournaments that cover everything from the best waterparks to the top gyros in the nation.

And have you been to the White Bear Art Center lately? You should go! Check out the ribbon winner. So wonderful to be recognized in our community. Not sure how long this exhi bition is up so don't delay.

Rummage Sale Week is Coming This Fall

Beginning Sunday after services, August 30th, 2026, but not before, please begin placing your no longer needed but sellable contributions/treasures and paper grocery sized sacks in the NorthEast corner of the Parish Hall on the left-hand side behind the big moveable dividers. NOTE: NO TVs, microwaves, computers, printers, mattresses, furniture, or other large items. These things don't sell and we must pay to have them hauled away.  

Organizing and marking work will begin Sunday, September 13th, after the last service coffee hour, about noon(?), and continue through the next week. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday work begins at 9, Friday and Saturday at 8:30. Come when you can and leave when you must. Lunch will be provided on workdays.

Sale dates and times:

•  Wednesday, September 16th, sale for parishioners and workers only, 6 - 8pm.
• Thursday is a rest day for everyone.
• Friday, September 18th, sale for public 9am to 3pm.
• Saturday, September 19th, $2.00 per bag sale for public 9 to noon when clean-up begins.

Don't miss this year as prices are likely to go up next year!

Believe it or not, this is enjoyable work and our helpers come back year after year. If you can't help during the week, PLEASE stop in on Saturday to help with clean-up from noon to just 1:00 or 1:30.

NEW THIS YEAR: Please no more donations after Monday, September 14th

Questions? Please call Lynn Gadbois at 651-270-8934.

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

Summer Hours!

Our summer office hours are Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday, 9am-3pm or by appointment.

Our deadlines for bulletins and the Sunday Print news will move to Tuesdays at noon. Deadlines for the E-news will remain Wednesdays at noon.

Our Parish Coordinator Carrie will be monitoring and responding to emails and phone calls Thursday, 9am-3pm.

August 9th - to August 30th, Carrie, our Parish Coordinator will be out of the office. She is having knee surgery on August 10th, and will be working from home August 17-28. We will be creating a schedule to cover those things that need to be done in person, such as printing! If you are interested in helping out please contact her here. The rest of the ministry team will be available via email, and we can arrange times for you if you need to come by the church!

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: Kathy S., Cindy K., Pat P., David G., Megan J., Tony and Amanda, Gladys A., Josh L., Allan B., Louie M., Erika A., Bill M., Baby Theo & Family., Mitch., Terry, Larry & Val. Derrill P.In Thanksgiving for the life of Jean Tews, may she rest in peace and rise in glory.

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.

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

• Exodus 1:8-2:10
• Psalm 124
• Romans 12:1-8
• Matthew 16:13-20

Connect! Our Main number: 651-429-5351

Summer Hours:

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

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

• 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
• 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.