Beloved in Christ,

Easter arrives as a preposterous, laughable story from the margins. When the women who first witness the resurrection run and tell the apostles, the fact that “it seemed to them an idle tale” is an understatement for the ages. 



It’s a literally in-credible thing to claim. The idea of resurrection works just fine as a pleasant metaphor, or an interesting idea. But when the physical, tortured body of Jesus is first totally missing, and then later shows up breathing, talking, eating, and touching, that’s not something any reasonable person can buy. Even worse, it is first told by women who are a marginalized subset of an already marginalized group. 

Easter is a preposterous, laughable story from the margins, and it’s the only crazy thing that can truly save us in a world gone mad. It makes the outrageous claim that the forces of death, hatred, and oppression have no lasting power, despite all the evidence. Being irrational enough to center our whole life on this story gives us the power to resist those forces, and live as an alternative community of love, peace, and justice. Easter isn’t something to be explained, or rationalized, or rendered more accessible to modern sensibilities. It is to be claimed, and boldly announced to a world held in the grip of death. 

Let your Easter be crazy. Take time to just soak in what it means to just believe the women who tell it. The world has gone mad as it digs around in heaps of bones, looking for life in acquiring more, or bringing back some imagined past long dead. In such a moment, let God’s crazy overtake you, that we might join those holy women in running into a world hell bent on death, and announcing, with every moment we are given, God’s irrational, unreasonable, world-healing life, love, and endless joy. 

Grace and Peace,

The Right Reverend Craig Loya

Bishop X

Episcopal Church in Minnesota

100 Years: Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future: Pray, Grow, Serve 



Head up to the Parish Hall for special memories!

As part of our continuing centennial series, our “Our Building. Our Stories.” museum event will take place throughout the month of April in the Parish Hall, showcasing items from our church’s rich history. A special slideshow will feature moments from our shared past—baptisms, weddings, celebrations, and milestones that have taken place within our walls. 

You could still send us photos from your time at Saint John in the Wilderness, we would love to include them! Please send digital copies to centennial@stjohnwilderness.org by to be part of this tribute to our legacy. Thank you for sharing your family’s special moments with the St. John’s community! 

Go With the Flow!

All men of the church! Join us on April 26th from 9am-3pm for a one day retreat as we get out of town to reflect on the many images and stories of water in the Bible. We're calling the retreat Go With The Flow! The retreat will be in a beautiful space at Jackson Meadow, a unique community just outside of Marine on St. Croix. We will study, talk and pray together. We will also play cards, hike, eat, and laugh! There is no charge for the retreat, and we can guarantee that you will be enriched by this experience. Art Hancock will be our retreat leader and Mike Lovett will be our retreat host. For more information, speak with Mike or Art. There is a signup sheet in the main hallway, or you may simply send an email to art@stjohnwilderness.org to be put on the list.

Windows to Heaven -

Praying with Icons

Women’s Retreat 5/3/25

May 3, 2025 from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm 

An icon (from the Greek eikon meaning resemblance or image) is a sacred representation of holy persons and events. Iconography is an ancient Christian art form with rich symbolism that dates back to the early Church. In the Orthodox Churches, icons are considered ‘windows to heaven’ that allow for relationship with and participation in what is represented by the work of art. 

In this retreat we will prayerfully interact with several icons of Jesus, Mary and events from scripture. We will also learn a bit about the history and traditional symbolism of this sacred art form. 

There will be time for quiet reflection and expression as well as opportunities for conversation about our experiences. Lunch will be provided! 

There is no cost for this event, which is open to all women in the community. Friends are welcome! Sign up on the poster in the hall leading from the parking lot to the sanctuary so we know how many people to prepare for.

History of White Bear Lake and St John in the Wilderness 

Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 6:15pm

St John in the Wilderness has a long and fascinating history. Dedicated in 1861 by the first bishop of MN, Bishop Whipple, St John's in the Wilderness was the first church established in White Bear Lake. Want to learn more about the history of this church and the surrounding area we call home? Join the Googlemeets call with historian and author Catherine Carey.

Catherine Carey researched and wrote the book White Bear a History, and is also the publisher of Town Life Magazine, covering the White Bear Lake area. 

Join us on May 7, 2025, by clicking here for the Google Meet!. We will also have a watch party at the church, and hope most can join us to allow more to watch online! We will serve a light supper and then watch Catherine together. Bring your questions!

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? Join us for an informational meeting and dinner at Father Art's home on May 4th at 5pm!

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

Rummage Sale News

Yes, we are planning a Rummage Sale again this year. Please start saving your sell-able items and paper grocery sacks for bagging and the bag sale. Please plan on helping, too, if you can. It really is enjoyable work and we provide lunch. More information, such as when we can start bringing in sale items, will follow as the dates get closer. Meanwhile, for any questions, please call Lynn Gadbois at 651-270-8934.

Ladies Who Lunch

Ladies Who Lunch will NOT be meeting in April and will resume lunch again in May. If any questions call Barbara Maloney at 414-940-4100.

Update on Parlor and Kitchen!

Thanks so very much to all of you who have given generously for the renovation of the parlor and the kitchen. Both projects are progressing well and the results are exciting. The Parlor has a new ceiling and lights and a new smart television that will enable us to hold hybrid meetings much more easily. New carpet will be installed soon, with new furniture to be purchased thereafter. The Kitchen has a new commercial refrigerator (replacing a broken one). There has been much discussion and work regarding the very old stove and hood system. The decision has been made to keep the old stove but to replace many parts in it so that it will be safe and useful for years to come. New kitchen counters and other equipment will be purchased once we have completed and paid for the work on the stove. These much needed improvements to our beloved building will serve us well for years to come! Again, many thanks to all of you who have given so generously!

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., Tom H., Bill M., Pam H., Ben, Baby Theo & Family

In Thanksgiving for the life of Jane Johnson, and prayers for her family and friends.

Redby For the month of April – please pray for the work of the House of Prayer and all spiritual directors serving in the Episcopal Church in Minnesota, and pray for all engaged in Faithful Innovation and New Christian Communities.

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, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Easter Day

• Acts 10:34-43
• or Isaiah 65:17-25
• 1 Corinthians 15:19-26
• or Acts 10:34-43
• John 20:1-18
• or Luke 24:1-12
• Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

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.