Friendship

I’ve been thinking lately about friendship. And as I am wont to do when I’m interested in something, I looked up the word. The dictionary definitions I found were frustratingly meager and said something like this: the emotions or conduct of friends; the state of being friends. 

When I looked more widely than dictionaries, I found more satisfactory descriptions of friendship, like this one, adapted from the American Psychological Association Dictionary of Psychology:

A voluntary relationship between two or more people that is relatively long-lasting and in which those involved tend to be concerned with meeting the others’ needs and interests as well as satisfying their own desires. Friendships frequently develop through shared experiences in which the people involved learn that their association with one another is mutually gratifying.

I like the mutuality in this description as well as the recognition that time is a necessary part of developing friendships. You don’t become friends with another person in a hurry, nor is a relationship lacking mutuality a friendship. 

Friendship is a gift that we give one another - a gift of time, of vulnerability, of trust. In friendship we recognize others in their particularity, in the ways in which we are similar and different, and we celebrate both the similarity and the difference.

In a true friendship, we want the best for the other person, even when that requires something from us. Love is essential in friendship and that love is not sentimental, but sacrificial. 

I wonder if it could be helpful to think of Christian community as friendship. In the Church, we talk about community often and community is cited by many people as a reason they come to church. It can remain just an idea, though, without the practice of friendship, of sacrificial love for one another and the larger community in which we find ourselves.

What if we were more intentional in our friendships in the community? What if we listened to one another as carefully as we do our close friends? What if we were genuinely concerned with meeting the needs of the community as much as our own needs? What if we took the time to get to know the hopes of our neighbors in White Bear Lake?

I wonder how that effort would transform us individually and as a church community.

Kate, OSB

A Centennial Celebration

Sunday, November 16th - 10am

On Sunday, November 16th at 10 am we'll conclude our year of Centennial Celebrations with a special Cornerstone Centennial service marking 100 years in our beloved church building. Together we will offer prayers of thanksgiving and remembrance, honoring those who laid our cornerstone and all who have built upon it since. Stay after the service for cake and fellowship as we give thanks for a century of faith within these walls, and look with hope to all that God has in store for St. John in the Wilderness. 

Rejoice & Give Thanks - 2026

Dear Friends in Christ, 

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus! As Thanksgiving approaches, we find our hearts overflowing with gratitude for the people of St. John in the Wilderness. Our people are praying and growing and serving, and the Spirit of God is flowing powerfully in our parish community. We are supporting each other in our lives of faith, and we are witnessing to the love of God in so many ways in the larger White Bear Lake community. 

......... For over 160 years, the faithful people of St. John in the Wilderness Church have risen to the occasion to support the work of God through this parish. We are confident that you will understand the vital need for the Church to continue its witness to God’s love in these current challenging days. Please consider giving generously to St. John’s in 2026..

Read the full letter here. You can find a pledge card at church or download one here. You can also find an online form here!

Men’s Monthly Lunch

Join us this second Monday, November 10th, 11:30am, at Cabin 61, for good food and conversation.

We need to keep our food shelf stocked.

More then 44,000 of your neighbors here in Minnesota (almost 8%!) are scheduled to lose their food assistance in November. Our little free food shelf will be used by more people then ever.

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.

Mark Your Calendar for Thanksgiving Eve!

Wednesday, November 26th is our Annual Thanksgiving Potluck Feast.

Parish Chef Mark Sears will provide the turkey, mashed potatoes, & dressing! You bring the sides, salads, & dessert!

We are also asking for donations for our Free Food Shelf. See the list of needed items on the Serve bulletin board. Financial Donations also accepted!

Ladies Who Lunch

Ladies Who Lunch will be lunching at The Manitou Bar & Kitchen, 2171 4th St. WBL MN on Friday November 21, 2025 at 11:30. Please call Barbara Maloney at 414-940-4100, no later than November 19th for a reservation.

Ladies Who Lunch Christmas Luncheon!

Please join us for our annual SJW Holiday Womens’ Christmas luncheon at Lake Elmo Inn on Saturday, December 6th at 11:30 am. The address is 3442 Lake Elmo Ave., Lake Elmo, MN.

Please call Barbara Maloney 414-940-4100 by November 21st to ensure your reservation, along with your menu selection. Reservations will be limited to 50.

Please click on the link here for the menu selection or refer to the list below. Separate checks will be issued to everyone. Lake Elmo Inn is not offering The Pecan Chicken Salad this year as a menu option.

Menu Entrees:

1 Short Rib sandwich ($25)

2 Lake Elmo Reub-Inn ($22)

3 Elmo’s Chopped Wedge Salad ($21)

4 BLT Chicken Salad ($23)

5 Canadian Walleye ($31)

6 Chicken Pot Pie ($27)

Also, if you have any red flower vases from prior Christmas luncheons, please connect with Stephanie Sulentic at 651-483-3517.

Join the company of other theater lovers for this local theater event. Direct questions to Chantell Knauss at SJWFellowship@gmail.com or 651.387.8288.

FUTURE THEATRE EVENTS:

• Thursday, March 5 at 7:30pm at the Orpheum – “Water for Elephants” musical Broadway touring production
• Saturday, March 28 at 11am Lunch Seating; 1:00pm – Curtain at Chanhassen Dinner Theater – “Guys and Dolls” musical
• Sunday, April 26, 2026 at 2pm at Mahtomedi High School – “Hadestown” musical
• Sunday, May 10, 2026 at 7pm at the Orpheum – “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” Broadway touring production

What at you doing on your Wild Wednesdays?

Join us for a community meal at 5:30pm, Cleanup at 6, and programs at 6:15.

(We need help for cleanup, if all pitch in it will happen quick!)

All age events, Youth Group, Adult programs! Make Wednesday nights a St. John’s night

Adult Offerings

AMA - Ask Me Anything! - October 22 - November 19

Want to get to know others in the parish but don't always know how to get a conversation started? Come to AMA at Wilderness Wednesdays in October and November. Each week we’ll explore a few fun and thought-provoking questions in creative formats - like speed conversations, group questions and more! You’ll laugh, share, and discover new connections along the way. No preparation necessary- just come curious and leave connected!

Advent! - December 3, 10 & 17 (17th is pageant practice)

Come and celebrate the season of preparation for the coming of Jesus on Wednesdays in Advent! 

12/3 Making Advent wreaths

12/10 Decorating cookies

12/17 Pageant rehearsal

Open call for choir members

Hello St. Johns community! Choir season is in full swing, and we’re looking for new singers interested in joining. Whether you’re a veteran singer or new to choral music, you are welcome. 

Rehearsals are Wednesday evenings from 7:15-8:30pm. Our first Sunday singing will be October 12th, continuing with 2nd and 4th Sundays after that.

Please email alec@stjohnwilderness.org if you are interested, or talk to your friendly neighborhood music minister after a service.

Stay in Touch!

Our dear friend and parishioner, Janet Kelber is moving to Texas as of October 30th, to be near a daughter and family. This move will be hard for her, so please send notes and cards to let her know she is still a beloved member of St John’s.

Her daughter’s address is :

Roberta Lutgen

7502 White Dove Dr

Corpus Christi, TX 78414

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 Howe for more information.

Office Hours

Our parish office is open:

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

Stop by and say hi!

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., Amy., Mitch., Terry, Tom H.

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 blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost

• Job 19:23-27a
• Psalm 17:1-9
• 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17
• Luke 20:27-38

Connect! Our Main number: 651-429-5351

Our parish office is open:

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

Wednesday 9am-5pm,

Thursday, 9am - 11:30am. 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
• 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
• 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.