The Rector's Page: Thanksgiving Eve Dinner, November 23, 2005

Join Our Celebration of Smiles! New Parish Photo Directory

Adult Education and Formation

Passages

Dr. Terence Fretheim Here December 7

Bible Readings

Vestry Hilights

Lessons and Carols: Singers Wanted!

Wanted! Members Who Would Enjoy Reading A Lesson During Worship

House Groups @ St. John's

The Grace of Ordinary Days Presentation and Book Signing

Images: St. Francis Blessing of the Animals

Images: Children's Sabbath Guest Preacher, Dr. BraVada Garrett-Akinsanya

Commitment Sunday Pancake Breakfast

Outreach Opportunities and Out-To-Lunch Recognition

Bazaar

Images: Spiritual Spa Invocation Service

November Birthdays

St. John in the Wilderness Student of the Month

Children's Ministry

Images: Children's Sabbath

The Youth Voice

Images: Confirmation

Lay Ministries Schedule

Calendar

Biology & Belief: Conversations in Faith & Science

On Sundays November 6 and 13 in Adult Education and Formation, we will have our last two sessions in the series Biology and Belief. Each session consists of a 20 minute video of a talk with a researcher in the field, followed by discussion. A handout of the session will provide a summary, topics to think about, and references for further reading. We meet from 10 to 11 am in the Parlor. If you worship at the 10:30 am Eucharist, join us! You can still catch the entire video and grab a handout.

On Sunday morning November 20, we begin a bible study of the Gospel of Matthew. Each meeting will consists of a 20 to 25 minute presentation, followed by reading and discussion. If you worship at the 10:30 am Eucharist, please join us! You can still catch the entire presentation and grab a handout.

On Wednesday evenings from 6 to 7 pm in the Parish Hall, we continue our series on the God of the Old Testament. What sort of God is described in the Old Testament? By reading the biblical text closely, we find that the God described in the Old Testament is a God “who suffers, . . . who has entered deeply into the human situation and made it his own.” Our primary reference will be The Suffering of God. An Old Testament Perspective by Terence E. Fretheim, Fortress Press, Philadelphia,1984. Dr. Fretheim himself will join us for the last session on December 7!

  Nov 6 Biology and Belief:: Christian Faith, Farming and the Care of Animals

  Nov 13 Biology and Belief:: Science vs. Belief? The Challenge of Naturalism

  Nov 20 The Gospel of Matthew 1.

  Nov 27 No meeting (Thanksgiving Weekend)

  Dec 4 The Gospel of Matthew 2.

  Nov 2 The Suffering of God 4. God's Presence & Power in the World

  Nov 9 The Suffering of God 5. When God Appears in Human Form

  Nov 16 The Suffering of God 6. Neglected Metaphors for God

  Nov 23 No meeting (Thanksgiving Eve Parish Potluck)

  Nov 30 The Suffering of God 7. Old Testament Prophets and the New Testament

  Dec 7 The Suffering of God 8. Prof. Terence Fretheim joins us!

The Adult Education web site (www.StJohnAdultEd.Org includes information on past, present and upcoming series as well as the latest schedule. To review the overhead transparencies or PowerPoint slides of a prior presentation, simply download them from the web site.

Anyone with comments, questions or suggestions, or who is interested in joining the Adult Education and Formation Committee, please talk with me or drop me a note, .

  Tyler Richard Canterbury 10/2/2005

  Adam Walter Gadbois 10/2/2005

  Haley Marie Gilbert 10/2/2005

  Henry Francis Schneider 10/2/2005

  Jean Stevenson Watson 10/2/2005

  Brian Andrew James 10/4/2005

  Daniel Andrew Woods 10/4/2005

  Kole Andrew James 10/4/2005

  Holly Anne McNaughton 10/4/2005

  Joseph Robert Paredes 10/4/2005

  G. Marguerite Guarnera

On Wednesday, December 7 from 6 to 7 pm in the Parish Hall, Dr. Terence Fretheim, the Elva B. Lovell Professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary, will join us to share his love for the “Godly Old Testament” and his passion about God as “a God who weeps, who gets angry, who rejoices ... a God who is in genuine interaction with the world.”

Please mark your calendars for this special event.

All are welcome!

Click on the PDF icon to download a flyer on Dr. Fretheim's visit:

(83 KB)

Ecclesiasticus 44:1-10,13-14

Revelation 7:2-4,9-17

Matthew 5:1-12

Psalm 149

Wisdom 3:1-9

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

John 5:24-27

Psalm 130

Ecclesiasticus 2:(1-6)7-11

Ephesians 1:(11-14)15-23

Luke 6:20-26(27-36)

Psalm 149

Zephaniah 1:7,12-18

1 Thessalonians 5:1-10

Matthew 25:14-15,19-29

Psalm 90 or 90:1-8,12

Ezekiel 34:11-17

1 Corinthians 15:20-28

Matthew 25:31-46

Psalm 95:1-7

Isaiah 64:1-9a

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Mark 13:33-37

Psalm 80:1-7

The Vestry met on October 11, 2005.

The hours, responsibilities, and a candidate for the Sexton position were discussed.

In an effort to control fuel costs, committees are being asked to conduct their meetings during office hours or on Sunday, Tuesday, or Wednesday evenings.

Outside groups are requesting the use of our building. A subcommittee was formed to address security and fee structure issues.

New building access codes have been issued and can only be given by the office.

Therese Branby reviewed our insurance policy.

Tim Hammond reported on the inspection process related to the possible preschool program. Suggestions from the city building inspector and fire marshal were reviewed.

The Property Committee has been working with Honeywell on options for a fire/security system.

The Cemetery Committee is inquiring on surveying the unplotted cemetery property.

The Vestry will meet next on November 8, 2005 at 7 pm.

WANTED!

Members who would enjoy reading one of the lessons during worship.

Please call June Bennett

House groups are small groups of 8-12 people who meet in homes for Bible study, prayer, and fellowship. Members of the group take turns hosting and leading various aspects of the meeting. Two house groups hold regular meetings in our St. John’s community, and there is a potential to form a third group. Anyone is welcome. Please call the contacts listed for more information.

@Home in the Wilderness

@Home in the Wilderness is currently studying the book of Acts using the IBS Bible study series developed by the editors of the highly acclaimed Interpretation commentary series. This group meets on the first and third Sundays at 6:30 pm. Contacts: Therese Branby & Linda Monyak.

  Nov. 6: to be determined

  Nov. 20: David & Linda Monyak’s home

Wilderness Women is a women’s group studying the book of Genesis and is also using an IBS Bible study series guide. This group meets every other Sunday at 6 pm. Contacts: Barb Anderson, Cathryn Bashore, & Pris Campbell.

  Nov. 13: Katheryn Schneider’s home

Colleen Johnson and Judy Kroesch are exploring the possibility of forming a house group that would meet during the day. If you would be interested in joining a daytime Bible study group, please contact Colleen or Judy.

Experience a special evening, Tuesday, November 15th with loved ones or a friend. You are invited to celebrate the release of an inspiring new book entitled, The Grace of Ordinary Days.

Described as “Tuesdays with Morrie meets Georgia O’Keefe,” The Grace of Ordinary Days by nationally celebrated artists, poet Kay Saunders and nature photographer Bernie Saunders is a rare glimpse into the separate but inextricably linked lives of mother and son.

Contemplative poetry and stunning flower photography are woven together by a narrative thread in two voices. Mother and son retell their versions of memories from a shared past and how each perceived them differently. The stories shed light and perspective that leads to understanding and forgiveness. The Grace of Ordinary Days can help us to love better, and remind us of our own beauty, truth and passion.

Bernie Saunders will present photographs, read excerpts from the book and share his personal journey and collaboration with his mother, Kay Saunders before her death in 2003. Book-signing to follow presentation.

Bernie and Kay’s hope for creating The Grace of Ordinary Days was that it serve as an invitation for those looking for deeper understanding and meaning in their relationships with loved ones and to awaken the creativity that is within all of us.

Bernie Saunders believes that life is truly a work of art. He is a professional photographer, author, highly regarded speaker, consultant and organizational facilitator with more than thirty years of experience in human development. He earned his master’s of applied theology (MAT) from the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley. He advocates for people committed to claiming their natural creativity.

Kay Saunders published three books of poetry before her death in 2003. For Kay, reading, writing and teaching poetry were a way of being awake in the world, a connective way of reaching out to others and building relationships. She embraced poetry as reflection, contemplation and self-study.

For more information about The Grace of Ordinary Days go to: www.centerforlivingart.com

  DATE: Tuesday, November 15th

  TIME: 7:00 -- 8:30 pm

  LOCATION: St. John in the Wilderness Church

November 13th is the date of Commitment Sunday for St. John’s this year. Once again, our Hospitality Committee, under the very capable leadership of Vestry Member Janet Kelber, will cook up a fabulous pancake breakfast to be served after all three Eucharists!

Pledge cards for the 2006 annual operating budget have been mailed to everyone with a 2005 pledge, a Capital Campaign pledge, or any monetary contribution since January 1st, along with the 3rd Quarter Contributor Statement and the 2006 Stewardship Appeal Letter from Anne Hovland, Stewardship Chair. All others who appear in our Parish Directory but do not have a pledge or monetary contribution in 2005 have also been mailed a Stewardship Appeal Letter and a generic pledge card. If you are a newcomer, or did not receive a pledge card in the mail, please pick one up in either the Clark Avenue entry or the entry from the parking lot. Please mail the card back to the church, leave it in the Parish Administrator mail slot, or place it in the offertory plate by November 13th.

November is the month of Thanksgiving and that time we remember the bountiful gifts we have enjoyed throughout the year. In token of our thanks, we have chosen, in the past, to offer a special gifting of groceries to the White Bear Food Shelf. We shall do so again this year, and Sunday November 20th has been designated for that ingathering. Watch for details in the Sunday bulletin.

Coming for Christmas, St John in the Wilderness will again adopt 2 families from the Episcopal Community Services “Adopt-a-Family” holiday campaign (click here for a PDF file brochure on the program from ECS). This program coordinates the distribution of gifts & food certificates, to families in need, during the Christmas season. Families chosen by ECS are ones who are challenged by poverty and other difficult circumstances. We provide gifts for the children and families, and the opportunity for a special holiday meal. More details are coming in late November when we are assigned our families. While participation by parishioners is voluntary, this has been a favorite outreach activity for many years. If you’d like to help, have questions or suggestions, contact Loretta Seitz.

1 Colleen Johnson

2 Haleigh Fullerton

3 Megan Ware

5 Priscilla Campbell

5 Lauren Warchol

5 Shannon Warchol

7 Helen LaBarre

8 Joseph Afryl

8 David Truchon

9 Charles Ackerman

9 Elizabeth Karp

9 Thomas Long

10 Cynthia Domin

10 Alecia Eimon

10 Elizabeth Ellerd

13 Joan Gardner

14 George Gorbatenko

15 James Delamater

15 Linda Monyak

16 Steven Babcock

16 Sarah Larson

16 Cheryll Peterson

18 James Gardner

18 Mark Kelm

20 Mary Larson

21 Judy Carpenter

23 Dana Boyle

23 Louise Harding

23 Suzette Racine

25 Elnora Ogg

25 Sarah Whillock

26 David Monyak

26 Natalie Schmit

30 Lawrence Mahoney

30 Lynn Olafson

30 Ward Sanford

  Name Emily Hammond

  High School/Grade White Bear High School, 10th grade

  School/Community Activities theatre, dance, softball, peer helper, and office volunteer

  Church Activities Northern TEC, treasure hunts, Out-to-Lunch

  Favorite Song Brighter Than the Sunshine by Aqualung

  Proudest Moment making the school play my freshman year

  Collections none

  Favorite St. John’s Memory when my dog got blessed at the Pet Blessing

  Favorite movie I like so many it is hard to choose.

  Last good book you've read It's Not About the Bike by Lance Armstrong

  Best advice you've been given The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

  Where you hope to be in 10 years I hope to have a job I enjoy, a  family that loves me, and friends who care about me.

  If you could have dinner with any person, whom would you choose? Johnny Carson

  How can church become more youth friendly? Just keep having fun youth activities.

Thank you to all for bringing in shoes during the month of October. The boxes were full!

Our ‘little saints’ have been asked to be in the processional for All Saints Sunday, November 6th at 9 and 10:30 worship. They have been practicing a song during Gathering Time in honor of this day.

Preparations for the annual Christmas/Advent play will begin in November. If you are interested please see the Youth Voice for more details.

On November 27th Children's Ministry will host an Advent Event. All are welcome to join us in the Parish Hall after 9 and 10:30 worship to create an Advent Log and make ornaments for decorating our church Christmas trees.

We will have a lock-in here at church on Saturday, December 10th beginning around dinner time and concluding after the 9 am Eucharist on Sunday. We will invite the senior high youth from St. Cloud to join us. We will provide more specific details closer to December, but mark your calendars now. Be excited.

Thank you for all of the parish support for our group of youth attending the Northern TEC weekend in October. We really were touched to receive your donations and prayer support.

Forms are still available for youth interested in attending St. Paul TEC on November 18th-20th. St. Paul TEC is open to youth in grades 10-12. The weekend begins on Friday morning and ends Sunday late afternoon.

If you are interested in attending a TEC for the first time, please connect with Alison or another TEC volunteer to answer your questions and to get you forms.

For the month of December, the Senior High youth group will meet the first and third Sunday of the month due to Lessons and Carols/Christmas conflicts on our usual second and fourth Sunday meetings. The meeting on Sunday, December 18th from 6-8 pm will be our annual Christmas party at Alison’s house in St. Paul.

November meeting times remain on our regularly scheduled Sundays, Nov 13th and Nov 27th from 6-8 pm.

All members of St. John’s interested in helping to provide quality youth programming: please consider attending the monthly youth ministry meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for October 30th at 11:30 am. We also encourage youth to join us.

We encourage all children and youth to get involved with the annual Christmas/Advent play. The sign-up and parent informational meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 9th from 7-8 pm, during the Junior High meeting time, as we ask all of the Junior High Youth Group members to be involved. Alison always writes the show after seeing how many cast members we have, so scripts and parts won’t be given out at the first parent meeting.

Rehearsals are scheduled for Wednesdays, November 16th, November 23rd, November 30th, and December 7th from 7-8 pm. We will have one Sunday rehearsal on November 20th from 12-2 pm.

We have two performances scheduled for our parents, relatives, friends and parish community. The first is Wednesday, December 14th at 7 pm, and the second is planned for 9 am on Sunday, December 18th.

We ask parents to be present during rehearsals if your children are under ten years of age.

“Don't let the best you've done so far be the standard for the rest of your life.”

Gustavus F. Swift