Anna Ellison Butler Alexander

This past Tuesday, we celebrated the feast day of Anna Ellison Butler Alexander. I must admit that, if I had ever known who Anna Alexander was, I had forgotten. And shame on me!

Anna Alexander was the first and only African-American consecrated as a deaconess in the Episcopal Church. She served in the Diocese of Georgia her entire career. She was born on St. Simon’s Island just after the Civil War, and spent her early years in Pennick, Darien, and Brunswick Georgia. In 1894 while still teaching at Darien during the week, Anna founded a mission and school in Pennick, making a 40-mile round trip by boat and foot. She supported herself by taking in sewing, and managed to buy property in 1902, where her brother Charles Alexander and other men then erected a church.

In 1907, addressing the second annual meeting of the diocese's council of colored churchmen, Bishop Cleland Nelson described Alexander as a "devout, godly and respected colored woman" and consecrated her as a deaconess. As such, Anna worked in the Altamaha River area for the rest of her life, teaching not only academic subjects, but also moral values. Alexander also became the agent for governmental and private aid for both black and white residents, and enlisted neighbors of both races to help. Anna Alexander’s birth date was never recorded, and she later gave various different dates, in part because she feared that she would be forbidden to continue to work in her final years due to her age. If they didn’t know how old she was, they couldn’t tell her to stop! In 1998, she was recognized as a saint by the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia and her diocese began advocating for larger recognition in the Episcopal Church thereafter.

Women, of course, have always had a profound impact on the course of God’s Kingdom here on earth. Throughout the Old Testament, there are numerous stories of godly women who stepped up when needed (and when godly men seemed sorely lacking). Jesus’ own ministry was characterized by uniquely gifted and strong women who demonstrated faithful servanthood and courageous leadership. The subsequent history of the church is plum-full of stories of other women who have proved their mettle. And, of course, here at St. John’s we are blessed with some of the most skilled and wise and willing women with whom I have ever worked.

The life and ministry of Anna Ellison Butler Alexander is but one more reminder of the vital impact of women upon the Kingdom of God. I am immensely grateful to be part of the Episcopal Church as, in the last fifty years or so, we are finally coming to the recognition that, when it comes to faithful, spirit-filled leadership on behalf of the Heavenly Kingdom, God shows no partiality with regard to gender (or race).

~Father Art  

Download the Fall 2024 CONNECT here and find out all that is happening at St. John's,

Rector’s Book Study

God’s Politics by Jim Wallis

Online, 7 pm, Sundays 9.22 - 10.27

You can still join Father Art for a 6-week study of Jim Wallis’ God’s Politics beginning Sunday, September 22nd. While this book was written all the way back in 2004, the issues it addresses are highly suitable for our common life in the United States today. Wallis claims that, while God is never partisan, God is always political. That is, God is always concerned with the affairs of human beings. God’s Politics offers a clarion call to make both our religious communities and our government more accountable to key moral and religious values such as love, justice, reconciliation and community. Wallis encourages us to hold ourselves, our political leaders, and our nation’s policies accountable by integrating our deepest moral convictions into our nation’s public life.

Books may be purchased through your favorite independent bookstore or on Amazon. Our conversations will be online only on Sunday evenings at 7:00pm. Here is the link: God’s Politics Book Study. 

Session discussions will follow the schedule below:

• September 22: Introduction and Part 1 (Changing the Wind)
• September 29: Part 2 (Moving Beyond the Politics of Complaint)
• October 6: Part 3 (Spiritual Values and International Relations)
• October 13: Part 4 (Spiritual Values and Economic Justice)
• October 20: Part 5 (Spiritual Values and Social Issues)
• October 27: Part 6 and Epilogue (Spiritual Values and Social Change)

Braver Angels Workshops

Skills for Disagreeing Better, October 27, Parish Hall, 11:15, with light lunch

Disagreement is a part of life. We can disagree over politics, what movie to see, and where we will go for dinner. Even small disagreements, if not handled well, can lead to hurt and estrangement in relationships. 

This workshop helps participants understand the values and concerns of those who differ from them politically, and it teaches essential skills for communicating across differences and finding common ground.

Monday 8:28 Message

Fr. Art's Monday Message is going on hiatus until Advent! Set your timers now to watch for it's return!

Are you wanting more connection at St John’s? 

Four new small groups will be offered this fall. You can find all the info and sign up sheets on the Hallway Bulletin Boards.

Awakening the Dreamer -

Changing the Dream

Saturday, 10.5 9am - noon

Please join Emily Brunner, Nick Howe and Katheryn Schneider on Saturday Oct 5th from 9am to Noon to view a 2 hour video called Awakening the Dreamer - Changing the Dream. This video has carefully crafted content that has inspired thousands worldwide to find their roles in creating an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling and socially just human presence on this planet.  

We’ll start with an examination of the ways in which the current "dream" of the modern world is impacting the environment, our relationship with one another, and our own sense of purpose. Then we will explore how we got here and what is possible for the future. We end by looking at what role we may play in creating change.

By the end, our hope is that some of you will want to join us for a 6 week small CONNECT group. This small group is designed to delve deeper into topics that the group wants to explore.

Second Sundays

UEC presentation, 10.13 at 11:15am

The University Episcopal Community is a ministry of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota. Director Steve Mullaney will help us understand how the UEC serves young adults near the U of M campus in Minneapolis and how we can be involved in this important work.

Radical Hospitality

Wednesday 10.9 - 11.13, at 2pm in the Parlor with Kate Maxwell

Most Episcopal congregations describe themselves as welcoming and hospitable. But hospitality goes beyond saying hi and offering food and drink in coffee hour. Join Kate in reflecting on the deeper meanings of hospitality in our lives, as described in St Benedict’s 6th century Rule and adapted to the 21st century. The group will meet weekdays in the mornings.

Fall Buildings & Grounds Cleanup Morning!

Saturday, October 12, 9am-12pm

Bring your gloves, your rakes, your spray bottles and dust-rags! Come join your Property Committee to polish and clean up our wonderful building and spruce up the outside!

Contact Chair Dennis Thoemke with questions!

Join the Churchwide Virtual Celebration

The Investiture of Presiding Bishop-elect Sean Rowe

Nov. 2, 2024

Join us for the Livestream on a big screen in St. John’s Parish Hall

In this historic and joyful season, we invite you to pray for guidance for our church and our new presiding bishop as he leads us in envisioning the reign of God in our midst. May our celebration unite us as a sacramental community, and may we be filled with new energy to bear witness to God’s work of redemption.

Who: Everyone is invited! 

What: The Episcopal Church will officially welcome the Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe as its 28th presiding bishop with a smaller, simpler investiture service aimed at reducing carbon footprint and increasing churchwide virtual participation.   

When: Nov. 2, with a prelude featuring a “roll call” of dioceses starting at 8:30 a.m. CT. The service itself starts at 10 a.m. CT. 

Ladies Who Lunch

Ladies Who Lunch will be dining at Ingredients Cafe 4725 Highway 61 White Bear Lake Minnesota on Friday, October 18 at 11:30 AM. Please call/text Barbara Maloney at 414-940-4100 for a reservation no later than Wednesday, October 16.

Please note that this year's Lake Elmo Christmas Luncheon will be held at 11am on Saturday, Dec. 7th. Further details will be forthcoming.  

For an Election (BCP p. 822)

Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States (or of this community) in the election of officials and representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

• Sunday, November 3, 5:30pm Prayers for the Nation: A Special Service of Prayer prior to Election day.
• Tuesday, November 5, 6am-8pm Prayer Vigil - Church Open for Prayer
• Sunday, November 10, Second Sunday: Post Election Conversations

SJWFellowship - Join us for a show!

Join fellow St. John in the Wilderness parishioners their families and friends for dinner and the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, "Book of Mormon” on Sunday, December 15 at 6:30pm at the Orpheum. RSVPs and payments are due by Sunday, October 13. Rides are available for anyone that wants/needs them. Complete details, RSVP and payment information can be found at this link: https://forms.gle/v2DXtbyhgfKDaxVbA

*** The New York Theatre Guide recommends this show for ages 13 and up; children under 4 are not permitted in the theater. Parental Guidance is strongly advised as this show contains near constant profanity, blasphemy, references to drugs and sex. ***

Direct questions to Chantell Knauss at SJWFellowship@gmail.com or 651.387.8288.

SYNOPSIS:

Two young Mormon missionaries travel to Africa to preach the Mormon religion, only to discover they have a lot more to learn about the real world than they have to teach about Mormonism. When the pair of opposites land in a poverty-stricken, crime-riddled, disease-filled village in Uganda, the enigmatic over-achiever and prideful Mormon Elder Price learns that charms and good looks don’t get you far. As for his awkward and enthusiastic partner Elder Cunningham; well, he’s just happy to have a friend and be included in something. Thousands of miles from Salt Lake City and facing the biggest of reality checks, Elder Price’s faith is shaken. He must convince himself of the scriptures he’s preaching before he can convert any of the locals who are more concerned with war, famine, and AIDS than Mormonism. However, armed with his own interpretation of the Book and an innocent disposition, Elder Cunningham thrives… sort of.

Winner of 9 Tony Awards, 4 Drama Desk Awards, 3 Outer Critics Circle Awards and 4 Laurence Olivier Awards, including for best musical.

The show runs 2 hours and 35 minutes including one intermission.

Future Fellowship Theater Events:

• November 17, 2024 at 2pm – “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at Mahtomedi High School
• March 29, 2025 at 1pm Curtain; 11am Lunch Seating – “Grease” musical at Chanhassen Dinner Theater
• April 27 – May 4, 2025 (exact date/time TBD) – “Bright Star” musical at Mahtomedi High School
• April/May 2025 (exact date/time TBD) – “Anything Goes” musical at Lakeshore Players

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

One Room Sunday School House 

Join us in our One Room Sunday School House on Sunday mornings beginning 9/15 as we explore what it means to live in Beloved Community. We will grow together through exploration, play, creation, and prayer. Together we will share our wisdom and come to better understand how we can live as followers of Christ, loving our neighbors as we love ourselves. Contact Maggie for more information.

1st Saturday Service 

•  Saturday 10/5: Feed My Starving Children (Coon Rapids Location) 12:00-1:45pm

On the first Saturday morning of the month, we offer an opportunity for members of our congregation to reach out into the community and offer their service to those in need. Unless otherwise noted, these opportunities are for anyone age 5 and up. Our 1st Saturday Service fall activities are as follows:

• Saturday 10/5: Feed My Starving Children (Coon Rapids Location) 12:00-1:45pm
• Saturday 11/2: Baking treats for Election Day hospitality (SJW) 11:00am-1:00pm
• Saturday 12/7: First Nations Kitchen 10:00am-1:00pm

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 Family Prayer List

We ask your prayers for:

Angie G. Cindy K. Pat P. Jean T. David G. Larry K.  Megan J. Tony and Amanda,

Kim K. Mark K. Kala K. Landon K. Gladys A. Josh L. Allan B. Louie M.



In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer we pray for St. Matthew, Chatfield,

For the month of September, please pray for the Episcopal Homes of Minnesota, Episcopal Group Homes, Guardian Angels and all other institutions that do ministry for and with the elderly. Please pray for your local senior residential facilities and care centers. And pray also for all farmers and laborers working with the harvest, especially San Jose Obrero Mission in Montgomery and Good Courage Farm.

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer this Sunday we pray for the Season of Creation &

The Church of Pakistan (United)

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 an Election (BCP p. 822)

Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers

and privileges: Guide the people of the United States (or of

this community) in the election of officials and representatives;

that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of

all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your

purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost:

• Numbers 11:4-6,10-16,24-29
• Psalm 19:7-14
• James 5:13-20
• Mark 9:38-50

Scripture Read-along (Fall 2024)

Finding Bible Passages: Finding readings in the Bible isn’t difficult, once you know how to read the references. You can look up the name of the book referenced in the Bible’s Table of Contents.

Lk 1:5-7 Abbreviation or name of the book from the Bible (Lk = Luke)

Lk 1:5-7 Number before the colon is the chapter number in the book

Lk 1:5-7 Numbers after the colon are the verses in the chapter

Luke, Chapter 1, verses 5 through 7

A few verses of Scripture, beginning at the beginning with Genesis, is provided for each day, Monday - Saturday. Read them, think about them, and let them be with you during the day. That’s it. No classes, no discussions, just reading Scripture. Enjoy!

9/27 Friday Genesis 3:4-5

9/28 Saturday Genesis 3:6-7

9/30 Monday Genesis 3:8-10

10/1 Tuesday Genesis 3:11-13

10/2 Wednesday Genesis 3:14-15

10/3 Thursday Genesis 3:16-19

10/4 Friday Genesis 3:20-21

10/5 Saturday Genesis 3:22-24

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 or 763-329-7398
• Music Director: David Lim david@stjohnwilderness.org ext. 6 or 763-329-7200
• 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 or 763-329-7394
• 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.