This week I received an email from friends who live in New England. They are presently in New Mexico on vacation, trying, as they put it, ‘to get away from everything.’ They then went on to say how distressing the rhetoric is from all sides and how hard it is to get, much less maintain, a sense of hope these days. I suspect that many of us can identify with my friends’ predicament. 

The approach of the elections only intensifies the stress. Regardless of our place on the ideological spectrum, we are bombarded constantly with emotion-provoking ads and commentary. And that doesn’t even take into account personal worries and the toll of the news cycle or the difficulty of gas and food prices. It’s exhausting.

Most of us are just plain weary of it all. In our longing for some equilibrium, some have quit following current events. It is all too much. Too much information, too much contradiction, too much violence, too much to take in. 

We might learn something from the men and women who lived in the wilderness in the early centuries of the Church who are known as the Desert Abbas and Ammas. They moved to the desert to find a simpler life where they could pray without ceasing. Some of them attracted followers who lived in their vicinity and took on their lifestyle.

A monk named Cassian travelled through the Egyptian wilderness and visited many of the Abbas and Ammas. He collected and wrote down their sayings in his Institutes and Conferences. Because of Cassian, we have a great deal of information about the teachings and practices of those early figures in the Church.

One of the teachings that has come down to present times from that period is the practice of ‘guarding thoughts.’ There was an entire theory of human nature that went into this practice, not all of which is very helpful in our time. But the practice of noticing what we are thinking, what we are allowing to fill our minds and imaginations, can be very useful. 

The desert elders taught that we are not at the mercy of every passing idea. With the practice of guarding our thoughts, we learn that we have a choice about what we let into our minds. We can think about something or not think about it. We can examine the effect that any given thought has on our lives. And we can make choices about the thoughts we live with. 

This is not an easy practice for us modern folks. We are so used to constant stimulation in our society that we hardly even notice individual thoughts. But it is possible to notice and sort through what we are thinking. When an idea has hold of us, we can ask ourselves how the thought makes us feel. We can examine where a thought comes from. We can learn to notice when certain ways of thinking predominate in our minds. And we can decide how much energy and attention to give to them. 

We all have the ability to think about our thoughts and where they take us. With practice, we become more conscious of the patterns and can choose what we will feed with our attention. This is an important spiritual practice in these days of information overload.  

Try it with a distressing thought. Stop. Think about the thought. Where did it come from? How does it make me feel? Where does the thought take me? If the thought leads me into fear or hopelessness, replace it with a simple prayer: God, come to my assistance. Do this regularly and see its effect. You might be pleasantly surprised. 

Kate, OSB

A Halloween Party and Haunted Basement!

Wednesday, October 28th

Dinner at 5:30pm

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On Wednesday evening Rising Generations is hosting a Halloween Party for the entire parish! We will have music, food, treats, tricks, and a haunted undercroft put on by the children and youth. Come at 5:30 for dinner, and then around 6:15, we will begin bringing groups through the undercroft. Feel free to wear a costume if you're feeling festive!

All Saints Sunday

As part of our worship celebrating the Feast of All Saints and All Souls Day on Sunday, November 1st, we will be reciting names of those who have had an exceptionally important place in our lives and/or those departed from us this past year.

Please send the names of anyone you would like included to Kate Maxwell by October 26th.

You are also invited to bring photos of your loved ones and to place them in the church on the windowsills and the steps below the rail on both the Pulpit and Lectern sides.

Mark Your Calendars Now!

The annual St John in the Wilderness Women’s Christmas luncheon at the Lake Elmo Inn will be held in the Kohler room on Saturday, December 5, 2026 at 11:00. Per request of the Lake Elmo management they would like us to arrive no earlier than 10:45 AM.

Please mark your calendars to save this date. More information will be forthcoming regarding menu selections and reservations.

If any questions, please contact Barbara Maloney at 414-940-4100.

Join us for a day or two out on the town!



Please share this information with anyone you know that would be interested in participating in group theater events with us – all are welcome! Questions? Contact Chantell Knauss at SJWFellowship@gmail.com or 651.387.8288.

Our next two....

• Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street musical at Century College, RSVPs Due: Sunday, October 25. Event Date: Sunday, November 8 at 2pm (curtain). Cost: $17.50 per ticket

Details & RSVP Link: https://forms.gle/nS4BntyzKcGpCvW98

• Pippin musical at Mahtomedi High School, RSVPs Due: Sunday, October 25. Event Date: Sunday, November 15 at 2pm (curtain). Cost: Adults-$16; Students-$5

Details & RSVP Link: https://forms.gle/XWKmWeNC9xgxMy9f8

Wilderness Wednesdays Adult Programs in November

We gather for a shared meal at 5:30, and then at 6:00 we offer a variety of programming for people of all ages, which includes adult formation offerings, youth groups, book studies, and music rehearsals for Heartbeat and Chancel Choir.

Restorative Circles

As the days become shorter, we look inward as a community during November's Wilderness Wednesdays. Join us for a three-night exploration of the restorative circle- a way for groups to reflect, mediate, and make decisions where all voices are heard. Co-facilitated by Colleen Johnson and the adult formation committee.

11/4: Learn about the origins of the circle and how they are used in modern life, and experience the circle first hand.

11/11: We'll use the circle to process the St. John's priest transition. Emily Brunner will join us to help guide the circle and share her experience as co-chair of the transition committee.

11/18: The circle gathers a final time to discuss community and values. We'll talk about where we've been and where we would like to go, centered around what we value the most.

Prayers for Election Day - Tuesday, November 3rd

Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States in the election of officials and representative; 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.

Book of Common Prayer, p. 822

On past election days St. John's has opened up our space for prayers and mediation for the community and especially those voting next door at the library. To do so, we need to have people to be present, welcome, and answer questions. We will have signs directing people from the parking lot entrance, our "hosts" can be sitting quietly in the church to welcome people in the Clark St entrance.

We are especially looking for hosts for the hours of 7-9am and 3-8:30pm. There is a sign up clipboard on the table in the parking lot lobby, we are wanting two people per two hour slot.

This is both a way to offer up prayers for our community and country, and be a space for that for our local community!

A Women’s Retreat

The women of the Guild of the Black Madonna/Holy Trinity invite the women of St John's in The Wilderness to participate in our gathering on Saturday, November 14, at Holy Trinity. The retreat’s theme is Seasons of the Spirit, and will be led by the Rev. Kate Maxwell from St. John in the Wilderness, White Bear Lake.

We will gather from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm in the Undercroft of Holy Trinity. Lunch will be provided. To register, please send your name, email, phone number, and dietary needs to Lars Christensen at admin@holytrinitystpaul.org. Freewill offerings are welcomed on the day of.

Lessons & Carols not to be missed

On Sunday, December 6th at 4pm, please join us for our annual Festival of Lessons and Carols. Starting in late 19th Century England, this service is a musical offering of choral music and hymn singing, interspersed with readings that tell the story of creation leading to Nativity. 

Led by the Chancel Choir, this year’s Lessons and Carols will feature well-loved carols for us all to sing together, as well as music from the medieval period, mysterious and contemplative contemporary composers, and even an original composition from St. John’s own William Merrill!

Lessons and Carols is a beloved tradition here at St. Johns, and we hope you will join us in celebrating Advent, and the coming of the light of Christmastide.

St. John's Food Shelf Needs You!

Let's Make November Food Shelf Month.

If everyone worshiping on Sunday morning brought 1 food item for our shelf, we would have a fully stocked food shelf every week! Start a new habit, and bring in something to share when you come to give thanks to God for all you have.

Have you noticed how bare our food shelf has been? Recently a generous donor brought in around $100 worth of groceries and stocked us up. It was gone by the next day! Grocery costs are going up every day. More and more are needing help to feed themselves and their families. And more and more are finding our judgement free 24 hour food shelf.

And don't forget, you can follow the QR code below to place an order through Amazon to be delivered directly.

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.

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: David S., Alex & Carol, 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., Marilyn C., Jan K.

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, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost

• Deuteronomy 34:1-12
• Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17
• 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8
• Matthew 22:34-46

Connect! Our Main number: 651-429-5351

Office Hours:

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

Monday - Wednesday, 9am - 2:30pm Thursday, 9am-12noon

• 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
• 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.