|
| |
|
|
The Rector's
Page: Beach Party Carnival |
|
The
Rector’s Page February 1, 2006
Have too many days with no
sunlight gotten you down? Are you tired of bundling up to go out in
the cold weather? I have just the thing for you.
Between
Epiphany and Ash
Wednesday comes Carnival, an antidote to cabin fever. The word
Carnival comes from the Latin words for “meat” and for “goodbye”--it
literally means “goodbye to meat”--and the Carnival period has
historically been a time of partying and good eating that precedes
Lent.
On Wednesday, February 22,
2006, join us at 5:30 pm in the Parish Hall for our first “Beach Party
Carnival”. Wear your summer clothes. (You know you really want to wear
that tacky Hawaiian shirt to church!) Bring a side dish or dessert to
share. George Gorbatenko (A.K.A. the Grill Master) will be cooking
hotdogs and hamburgers, and there will be fun games and activities for
children.
The evening will end around 7
PM with a brief Eucharist and the Burning of the Palms in the “Holy
Weber” in the center of
our new Celtic Cross, as we prepare to enter
into the liturgical season of Lent.
Create in me a clean heart, O
God, and renew a right spirit within me!
In Christ’s love, Fr. Mark
|
Wherever you are on your faith journey... St. John’s welcomes you.
|
Adult Education and Formation |
|
The Gospel of Matthew
On Sunday mornings in
February, from 10 to 11 am in the Parlor, we continue our study of the
Gospel of Matthew. Our primary references are
The Gospel of Matthew (Interpreting Biblical Texts series), Donald
Senior, Abingdon Press, 1997; and
Reading Matthew. A Literary and Theological Commentary, David E.
Garland, Smyth & Helwys, 2001.
Lectio Divina Bible Study
On Wednesday evenings in
February from 6 to 7 pm in the Parish Hall, we will have a lectio
divina bible study on the upcoming Sunday’s lectionary readings.
The
Adult Christian Formation Schedule
Sundays (10 to 11 am, in the Parlor): The Gospel of Matthew
 Jan
29 Doubt, Indifference, and Dissent (11:2—12:45). The Mysteries of
the Kingdom Revealed (12:46—13:58)
Feb
5 Power and Mercy for God's People (14:1-36). Bread for All
(15:1—16:12). Building the Church on Bedrock (16:13-20)
Feb
12 The Shadow of Death and the Promise of Glory (16:21—17:23).
Living Together as the Family of God: Life Within the Community of the
Kingdom (17:22—18:35)
Feb
19 What's in It for Us? The Demands and Rewards of the Kingdom:
Teachings on the Journey (19:1—20:16). Jerusalem Meets Its King
(20:17—21:22)
Feb
26 Jesus Lord in the Temple: The Teacher and His Opponents
(21:23—22:46). False Teachers Lead Others to Ruin: Condemnation of the
Scribes and Pharisees (23:1-39)
Wednesdays (6 to 7 pm, in the Parish Hall): Lectio Divina Bible Study
Feb
1 Lectionary Readings for the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
Feb
8 Lectionary Readings for the Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
Feb
15 Lectionary Readings for the Seventh Sunday after Epiphany
Feb
22 Lectionary Readings for the Last Sunday after Epiphany
Mar
1 Ash Wednesday. No Meeting
Our Web Site and Committee
www.StJohnAdultEd.Org includes series information, our
schedule, and downloadable prior presentation overheads or PowerPoint
slides.
Comments, questions or
suggestions? Interested in joining the Adult Education and Formation
Committee?
Contact David Monyak: phone
651/481-8697, or .
|
|
I came upon your website
about a year ago. Your adult education series has been a lifesaver to
me -- in writing a few of my papers while in seminary and in providing
information that I use extensively for some of the education courses
that I teach.
I'm a member of Christ
Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh, PA. I'm studying to be an Episcopal
priest. I currently attend Pittsburgh Theological Seminary; my last
year of study next year will be at Trinity Episcopal Seminary in
Ambridge, PA.
I thank you for making my
life so much easier. I got a few "A's" in my courses because of you.
But more importantly, the information you present is succinct,
well-presented, and accurate. God bless you all and keep up the good
work, Jan Wachter , Pittsburgh, PA
|
|
Passages |
|
Baptisms
Heather Ray Fisher 12/28/2005
Mya
Ray Hurley 12/28/2005
Davie Morgan Jaskowiak 12/28/2005
Ian
Robert Kosmerchock 12/28/2005
Amelia Ann Kroesch 1/8/2006
Donald James Kroesch 1/8/2006
Brandon James Saldana 1/8/2006
New
Transfers
Edward Rodman Titcomb, III “Trey” 1/5/2006
Megan Louise (Horan) Titcomb 1/5/2006
Lyles E. Monson 1/13/2006
Betty Monson 1/13/2006
|
|
Vestry Hilights |
|
The
Vestry
met on January 10, 2006
The average
attendance of church services was reviewed. Growth was noted.
The
Vestry,
Wardens, and Rector would like to thank our outgoing members, Steve
Johnson, John Vruno, Jason Knauss, Anne Hovland, Deb Schmit, and Larry
Mahoney for the fantastic work they have done.
The Haynes House
has been listed with Coldwell Banker.
The findings
from the Mutual Ministry Review were discussed. A smaller group will
be formed that will use this information to provide direction to the
Vestry.
A contract has
been signed for the installation of a Fire & Security System.
Staffing
concerns were discussed.
The following
motion was passed: The
Vestry
moves to elect Margaret Thor as Treasurer.
The
Vestry
meets next on February 21, 2006 at 7 pm in the parlor.
|
|
ECW Spring Luncheon and February Programs |
|
The ECW Spring Luncheon is
coming right up. Put Thursday, February 16th on your calendar now! We
will meet at Rudy’s Red Eye Grill at noon, after the ECW Program. The
checks will be separate. Please call (651/429-0291) to let Judy
Kroesch know if you are coming.
Another ECW sponsored program
is scheduled for 10 am on Thursday February 9th, one week preceding
the Spring Luncheon. The ECW provides
Nursery Care during the programs.
Delicious lunches and fun
conversation...all are welcome to join us.
|
|
Tuesday
Morning Prayer and Bible Study |
|
The Tuesday morning group has met several times for
study, prayer and discussion. Please join us at any time. We meet at 9
am in the church for Morning Prayer followed by a study and discussion
of the next Sunday’s lessons and Gospel reading. This is like the
evening house groups.
Nursery Care will be provided
starting in February if needed. We hope that our group will grow and
we will have lively discussions. This is a lay-lead group and all are
welcome. We end at 10:30 so you may go on to do other things or stay
for further fellowship. Come or contact Colleen Johnson or Judy
Kroesch for further information.
|
|
St. John in the
Wilderness Sends Help to the Gulf Coast |
|
A group of St. John in the
Wilderness parishioners is planning a trip to Camp Coast Care in Long
Beach, MS at the end of February. The Camp, operating under the
direction of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi, has been helping
the people from the area since the week after Hurricane Katrina hit on
August 29, 2005. The site is a drop-in site only; there are no
refugees fed or housed there. Current estimates are that the site will
remain open for at least five years, due to the extensive damage to
the area.
One thing the group plans to
help with is the distribution of clothing and food to residents who
lost everything in the devastating storm. The site, which has two
large tents housing donated food and clothing, is open Monday through
Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm and Sunday afternoons. Some people may help
with unloading trucks, sorting donations, or helping to maintain the
camp’s needs. In addition, work crews will go into the community to
help residents with what ever their needs happen to be. To receive
assistance, residents complete work orders for specific needs, ranging
from tearing out damaged drywall, to clearing lawns of downed trees
for later pickup, to stacking bricks that were once a family’s home.
Camp Coast Care also has a
medical tent, which assists people who need medical attention. There
is a dispensary for over-the-counter medications and also a quantity
of donated prescription drugs available if the doctors on site need to
prescribe them. The medical clinic is frequently staffed by physicians
donating their time to the effort. They have come from places as far
away as Salt Lake City or Duke University.
One might expect the mood in
South Mississippi to be depressed, but the resiliency and positive
outlooks of the Mississippians one meets at Camp Coast Care are
astounding. It is a place where good things are constantly happening
and many new friends are made. Volunteers come from all over the
United States and Canada. Some people come for just a few days, as
their schedules will allow, and others have been there for months. The
feeling of Christian community fills the site as those offering their
assistance realize the impact they are having on the lives of the
unfortunate victims of the disaster.
It’s not too late to sign up
for this opportunity of a lifetime! The group plans to leave Feb. 22nd
and return Feb. 28th, although there are members of the group who have
adjusted their schedules according to their needs. Nothing is set in
stone, and any amount of help will be greatly appreciated.
If you are at all curious
about the site, want to see pictures of the devastation that occurred,
or want to read more about Camp Coast Care, go to
www.campcoastcare.com for more information, including lists of things
that are needed at the site. If you think you would like to join the
effort, PLEASE call Susan & Tim Schmuck at 651/340-9789 or via
. It’s never to late to help!
|
|
Host Families
Needed for the
Children’s Program of Northern Ireland |
|
Open your heart and home for
five weeks this summer to a 10– or 11-year old child from Northern
Ireland.
The Children's Program of
Northern Ireland aims to develop respectful relationships between
children of all traditions in Northern Ireland through cross-community
activities in both their own communities and through their five-week
summer visit with families in Minnesota.
They strive to provide
opportunities to develop understanding and respect for diversity
through these relationships and promote constructive approaches to
conflict resolution.
Over four thousand Catholic
and Protestant children from Belfast and surrounding communities have
experienced the hospitality of families like yours throughout the
Program’s thirty-three years of operation.
Children selected to
participate in the program this summer will arrive in the Twin Cities
June 26, 2006 and depart with a lifetime of memories and friendships
on July 27, 2006.
Call 651/405-1108 or check
out their website at www.cpni.org to find out how your family can
participate in this remarkable program.
|
|
Journey With Us to Europe's Oldest Music
Festival, August 4-15 |
|
Hereford Cathedral
The
Three Choirs Festival has been held annually for
nearly 300 years. Shared among the cathedral cities of Gloucester,
Hereford and Worcester, England, this year’s festival is August 6-11,
2006 in Hereford. We will also have a weekend in London. Sponsored by
St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral and St. Mark’s Music Series, and led by
Canon John Rettger, the cost is $2,100 each when sharing a room, or
$2,480 for a few with single occupancy. Air fare is not included.
For further information or a brochure, contact John
via
or at 763/757-3481. You can also view the official website
of the Three Choirs Festival at
www.3choirs.org.
|
|
Social Justice Committee |
|
The Rev. Grant Abbott,
Director of the St. Paul Area Council of Churches, will preach on the
importance of social justice for the life of a parish during all three
Sunday , Feb. 12 Eucharists. David Monyak has arranged a special
multimedia presentation for after worship. The Social Justice
Committee will provide refreshments and offer information about how
you can get involved in social justice work here at St. John’s.
As a reflection of our
greater involvement in social justice, Linda Monyak and Neil Elliott
will lead a book discussion Wednesday evenings during Lent on Walter
Brueggemann’s classic The Prophetic Imagination, 2nd ed. Brueggemann,
one of the foremost biblical theologians of our time, writes on the
particular demands of God’s Word on our lives in our time.
|
|
Mutual Ministry Review, Nov. 2005 to Jan.
2006 |
|
Why did we conduct a Mutual Ministry
Review (MMR)?
Bishop Jelinek suggested
undertaking this project to assess where we are as a Church in
relation to ministry and to better work with our Rector, Fr. Mark, to
determine where he should focus his time and attention in the coming
year.
Who worked on this review?
Representatives of various
committees and Vestry members were asked to participate in the MMR. It
was recommended that we hire a consultant with experience in
conducting a MMR to work with us. We hired Sue Bennitt, a consultant
referred to us by Canon Missioner Susan Moss. Two meetings were held
for a total of 5 hours. Father Mark was interviewed privately for 1
hour. The following individuals attended one or both meetings: Foss
Boyle, Personnel; June Bennett, Music & Liturgy; John Vruno, Property
; Chris Hawley, Music & Liturgy; Deb Schmit, Youth; Janet Waller,
Altar Guild; Anne Hovland, Stewardship; Krista Sullivan, Welcoming &
Evangelism; David Seitz, Outreach; Christine Karp, Children’s
Ministry; Peggy Holper, Outreach; David Monyak, Adult Education; Tim
Hammond, Vestry; Steve Johnson, Warden; Jason Knauss, Fellowship;
Therese Branby, Warden; Tom Long, Vestry; Mike Carpenter, Vestry;
Janet Kelber, Hospitality; & Fr. Mark Kelm, Rector
What did we do?
We began by naming all of our
ministries and then focused attention on larger ministries that use
more human and financial resources and have a wider impact. Each
ministry was briefly reviewed.
Following ministry review we
identified the strengths of our individual clergy team members
including Reverend Joanie, Deacon Rick and Father Andy, Assisting
Priest. We were given homework to assist us to identify Father Mark’s
greatest assets as our Rector compared to what each of us decided were
the greatest needs of the Church. (A separate report was generated on
this topic.)
What were our findings?
It is time for an intentional
move from a pastoral church to a program church. A strong committee
structure with delegated authority and responsibility for the
day-to-day management of congregational life to lay leadership is key
to running a competent program church. The following paragraph from
Sizing Up a Congregation, by Arlin Rothauge, is descriptive of a
program Church:
“It will no longer be
possible for the central leader to maintain pastoral contact with the
whole congregation. The priest and church staff will be delegating
more responsibility and authority to the laity…. The Church staff and
lay leadership will require more training and pastoral support for
their expanded ministry. The central pastor becomes a pastor to the
lay pastors.”
We confirmed that St. John’s
has a good committee structure, membership size, budget, and the
motivation to complete the transition. We need to shift to a new
paradigm that places the needs of the many before the needs of the
few, and to challenge the old message, “we don’t do things that way at
St. John’s”. There is a pressing need to increase clergy staff to
support our growing membership and to work in tandem with Father Mark
to establish annual work priorities and action plans.
We also recognized the need
for continued work on some specific issues at a Vestry or committee
level:
Use
of funds from the sale of the Haynes property
Emphasis
on social activities designed to attract newcomers
Dialogue
regarding service times in relation to our commitment to education
programs
Definition
of the relationship between Social Justice and Outreach Committees
Further
evolution of programming for children, including the choir
Training
and commissioning of lay people to participate in healing and other
ministries
Use
of both traditional and contemporary worship styles
What are the next steps?
An hour was spent dreaming
about what the Church might look like if we had the human and
financial resources to do whatever we wanted to do over the next few
years. A record was generated for future discussion.
We also named current members
who might serve on a short-term advisory committee to the Vestry. The
purpose of this “Dream Team” would be to identify where the Church
should concentrate its energy and resources in 2006 and 2007, and
report recommendations to the Vestry for review and decision early in
2006. This activity will assist the Vestry, staff, and ministry
committees to re-focus our common vision for the future, and to
provide a necessary update to our strategic plan, originally written
in 1999. Ministry committees could utilize the resulting plan to
design goals, objectives and activities that support this common
vision.
Thank you!
I believe the MMR was a
successful tool to help the leadership of the Church to identify
strengths and weaknesses in our current structure. It has given us the
tools and a common language to move forward to achieve our goal of
become a thriving, program-sized Church dedicated to the greater good
of the community in Jesus’ name. Thank you to all who participated,
for your time and valuable insights.
EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY PREPARED BY THERESE BRANBY, WARDEN
|
|
February
Birthdays |
|
2 Madalyn Harding
4 Patricia Gagin
4 Mairin Torgerson
5 Nancy Jagusch
5 Amanda Vickstrom
7 Corinne Livesay
7 Jeanie Long
8 Eric Gadbois
8 James Kroesch
8 John LeFevre
9 Jean McMillan-Rowland
9 Cynthia Stuck
11 Angela Harding
12 Dorothy Dokmo
14 Elizabeth Ackerman
14 Kristen Van Steen
16 John Irvine
16 Tess McVay
18 Barbara Monson
18 Barbara Rooney
18 Jan Stellmacher
19 Erienne Fullerton
20 Benjamin Long
20 Will McBride
20 Neil Vruno
21 Katherine LeFevre
22 Frances Goodwin
22 Jill Todd
24 Emily Brown
24 Muriel Gilbert
24 Jean Tews
28 Lura Ann Jensen
If you have a birthday this month but are not listed
above, please
or telephone the Parish Administrator at the church office. Records are not
always complete.
Thank you.
|
|
St. John in the
Wilderness Student of the Month |
|
Name
Ann Watson
High
School/Grade Sophomore at Centennial High School in Circle
Pines
School/Community
Activities Mock Trial, Speech Team, Family Career and
Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Class Committee, Swim Team and
other stuff like that
Church
Activities mission trips,
TEC, ski trips, and coffee hour
sometimes
Favorite
Song Irene by Toby Mac or Walking in Memphis by Marc Cohn
Proudest
Moment my second grade spelling contest
Collections
pictures of friends
Favorite
St. John’s Memory
San Diego Mission Trip
Favorite
Movie too many to count!
Last
good book you’ve read Harry Potter series
Best
advice you’ve been given If you live in the past you will
be too busy to enjoy the present.
Where
you hope to be in 10 years somewhere outside of the United
States
If
you could have dinner with any person, whom would you choose?
Audrey Hepburn
How
can church become more youth friendly? MORE SKI TRIPS!
|
|
Families Inc. |
|
Fight the winter blues--Join
us in the Parish Hall on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 at 5:30 p.m. for
the St. John's Carnival! Wear your summer clothes and bring a dish to
share as we prepare together to usher in the season of Lent. Hotdogs
and hamburgers will be served, and there will be games, small prizes,
and activities for the kids. Then, join us for the Burning of the
Palms and Eucharist.
|
|
Children’s Ministry |
|
In response to parents’
requests and young children’s attention spans, the Children’s
Christian Education time will now be held from 10:00 am to 10:50 am.
Please remember to come down to the Children’s Education wing to pick
up your children from their classrooms. If you are attending the 10:30
service, please notify the teachers and they will escort your children
into the service following class time. Parents are also welcome to
stay in the classroom with their children.
Our next
Children’s Ministry
meeting will be on February 19th, at 11:00 am in the Parish Hall. You
are welcome to join us to share ideas, concerns, or to learn more
about our program.
|
|
Rite
of Affirmation
We will honor our 8th graders
in a special service Sunday, February 5th at 9 am. All Senior High
youth planning to assist with the service: please be at church at 8:30
am on Feb. 5th.
Super Bowl
Senior High youth are invited
to Rich Oswald’s home in New Brighton for a Super Bowl party. We will
gather around 5 pm for some football, commercials, food, and low-key
fun. If you aren’t into football, come anyway. We’ll also work on
Valentine’s cards for college students. Please bring a food or
beverage to share. Sign up in the Parish Hall if you plan to join us.
Contact Rich for directions.
Register for Giant’s Ridge Ski Trips by Feb. 1st
Our Senior High youth planned
a ski trip for Feb. 17th-18th. We’ll leave church at 3:30 pm Friday
and return Saturday night. The $40 fee is due by Feb. 1st. Connect
with Libby Mahoney, Ann Watson, or Alison Feigh if you have questions.
St. Stephen's Episcopal
Church organizes an annual Ski Trip for 6th-9th graders. This year’s
is March 4th-6th. Registration forms are available in Alison's office
or online at
http://www.ststephens.com/stst/ski_trip.
We need Safe Church trained
adult chaperones for both ski trip events.
Mission
Trips
We presented spring and
summer mission trip information at our January meeting. If you missed
it but plan on participating, please call Alison for information
before the Feb. 8th registration deadline. Both trips are open to
8th-12th graders.
Camp Heartland is scheduled
for Mar. 31st-April 2nd. If you haven’t been on a mission trip before,
go on the spring weekend before going out of state.
At the time of Voice
printing, the out of state trip had not yet been decided. Call Alison
at church for destination details.
Senior High
Youth Group
Due to all the February
Senior High events and conflicts, we will have only one youth group
this month. Please plan to come on Sunday, February 26th from 6-8 pm.
Junior High
Game Night
Junior High youth group meets
Wednesdays from 7-8 pm. We will have a game night on March 15th and
play all our favorite games: keys, paper bag yoga, trash can touch,
etc. Wear comfortable running shoes that evening.
Great
Northern TEC
Forms are available for
Senior High youth participation in the Northern Teens Encounter Christ
(TEC) weekend. TEC is hosted March 17-19th by St. Paul’s Episcopal
Church in Duluth. Call Alison or any youth who have attended if you
have questions on what a TEC weekend is like.
Youth planning to work on the
team: the planning overnight is Friday, February 24th at 7pm –
Saturday, Feb. 25th at noon. Attending the team meeting is very
important to the success of the weekend. The team moves in on
Thursday, March 16th at 7 pm and the weekend concludes around 5 pm on
Sunday. If you plan to work team, sign up in Alison’s office to
organize car pools to Duluth.
Saint Paul
TEC
The St. Paul Teens Encounter
Christ weekend is set for April 21st-23rd. More information about it
will be in the March Youth Voice. St. Paul TEC, open to all Senior
High Youth, is hosted by St. John the Evangelist in St. Paul.
Prayerfully consider attending a St. Paul TEC weekend.
Thought
for the Month
“If you have only one smile
in you, give it to the people you love. Don't be surly at home, then
go out in the street and start grinning 'Good morning' at total
strangers.”
-Maya Angelou
|
|
Recommended Reading |
|
As Youth & Children’s
Minister, I surround myself with books that encourage my ministry and
help provide direction in my faith life. Here are some books I have
truly enjoyed and learned from, that you may be interested in reading:
Why Do They Act That Way? A
Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen by David
Walsh, Ph.D.
Over the years, I’ve been
approached for parenting advice. I work with teenagers and feel
confident in my ability to understand where they are coming from, but
have never parented one. So, I have referred parents to this book for
support from someone who has been there. Walsh does an amazing job
explaining the science behind adolescent brain development and
provides ideas to implement in your own home.
i am not, but i know I AM is
by Louie Giglio who spoke at a National Youth Minister's conference I
attended during my first year of ministry. I was inspired by his
message. "The story already has a star, and the star is not you or
me." This book is a wonderful reminder that in doing God's work, we
must remember that God is the one in charge. Some people are too
intimidated to jump into ministry opportunities because they feel that
they don't know enough or can't be enough. This book reminds us that
God is enough, and we are there to help tell his story.
Koala Lou by Mem Fox is my
absolute favorite children's book. My little cousin read it over and
over when I visited her in Australia, to the point where now I can
only read it in an Australian accent. It's not outwardly Christian,
but focuses on the unconditional love between parent and child. It's a
great springboard into discussing the love God has for us, that isn't
based on how fast or talented we are, but because we are all God's
children.
Alison Feigh
|
|
Lay
Ministries Schedule |
|
To download the February 2006 Lay Ministry Schedule as a
PDF file, click on the
PDF icon, or right click on
the icon and choose "Save Target As" from the menu:
(85
KB)
|
|
Calendar |
|
To
download the February
2006 Monthly Calendar
as a
PDF file, click on the
PDF icon, or
right click on the icon and choose
"Save Target As" from the
menu:
(95
KB)
|
|
|
|
