Adult Education and Formation

Passages

Easter Choir Begins Again

Bible Readings

What is Spiritual Direction?

Organ and Vocal Performance

Lay Liturgical Minister Training Sessions

Welcoming and Evangelism

Agape Dinner

Paintings Depict Church History

Images: The Rev. Rosalie Hall

Spring Rummage Week

Episcopal Church Women Plan Twelfth Annual Birthday Luncheon

Ministry Forum

Transition Team Begins Work

March Birthdays

St. John in the Wilderness Student of the Month

Images: Presentation of the Cornelia Whipple Award

Images: Valentines for the Troops Overseas

Youth Voice

Families Inc. New Children’s Playgroup

Children’s Ministry

Lay Ministries Schedule

The Rector’s Page March 1, 2006

Noon: Ash Wednesday Liturgy

5:30 pm: Soup Supper in Parish Hall (Nursery Care)

7:00 pm: Ash Wednesday Liturgy (Nursery Care)

7:30, 9:00 & 10:30 am: Holy Eucharist (Nursery Care during 9:00 & 10:30 am worship)

10:00 am: Morning Prayer (Call Colleen Johnson or Judy Kroesch for Nursery Care)

10:30 –11:30 am: Bible study of next Sunday’s readings

5:30 -6:30 pm: Lenten Soup Supper in Parish Hall

6:00 -7:00 pm: Adult Education in Parish Hall

6:00 -7:00 pm: Children’s Choir

6:15 -7:00 pm: 1st Year Confirmation in the Parlor

7:00 -7:30 pm: Healing Service and Eucharist

7:00 -8:00 pm: Junior High Youth Group, begin by attending healing service together.

7:30 -9:00 pm: Easter Choir

10:00 –11:30 am: Moms/Dads/Tots in St. John’s Nursery (Families in Christ)

4:00 -7:00 pm: Sacrament of Reconciliation at Healing Station (Confession)

7:00 pm: Holy Monday Eucharist (Nursery Care)

Noon: Holy Tuesday Eucharist (Nursery Care)

7:00 pm: Holy Wednesday Eucharist

6:00 pm: Maundy Thursday All Parish Potluck (Nursery Care)

7:00 pm: Maundy Thursday Liturgy (Nursery Care)

8:30 pm: Song, Story and Reflection by Youth

9:00 pm: Vigil

9:00 am: Morning Prayer

Noon: Good Friday Liturgy

7:00 pm: Stations of the Cross (Nursery Care)

5:00 pm: Easter Vigil with Baptisms (Nursery Care)

Bring a small bell to ring during this child friendly liturgy, followed by supper and an Easter egg hunt.

8:00 & 10:00 am: Easter Day Eucharist (Nursery Care)

On Sunday mornings in March, 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.

“The task of prophetic ministry is to nurture, nourish and evoke a consciousness and perception alternative to the consciousness and perception of the dominant culture around us.” (Brueggemann, p. 3)

On Wednesday evenings during Lent, we will explore the prophetic vision that has helped define the community of the faithful, beginning with Moses as God’s point man in God’s contest with the Egyptian Empire, through later prophets who announce the doom of the royal consciousness and the alternative hope of God, to Jesus as the embodiment of prophetic practice. Our primary reference will be The Prophetic Imagination, by Walter Brueggemann, Augsburg Fortress, 2001, ISBN: 0800632877.

  Mar 5 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)

  Mar 12 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)

  Mar 19 Judgment is Coming: The Coming of the Son of Man and the Judgment of the World (24:1—25:46)

  Mar 26 no meeting

  Apr 2 The Passion and Resurrection of Jesus. Finale (26:1—28:15)

  Mar 1 Ash Wednesday. No Meeting

  Mar 8 The Prophetic Imagination 1

  Mar 15 The Prophetic Imagination 2

  Mar 22 The Prophetic Imagination 3

  Mar 29 The Prophetic Imagination 4

  Apr 5 The Prophetic Imagination 5

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 .

  Jennifer Tully 2/8/2006

  Jeremy Gulbranson 2/8/2006

  Harold T. “Duke” Wingfield 2/17/2006

Now that Lent is here, Easter cannot be far behind!

Chancel Choir is ready to begin its Easter music, hopefully with several new or returning voices to fill the choir chancel to overflowing.

Easter Choir rehearsals will be on Wednesdays, beginning March 8, at 7:30 in the Choir Room, continuing into Holy Week. The regular Sunday morning Chancel Choir will continue to prepare its weekly music on Sundays following the 10:30 choral eucharist, rather than staying later on Wednesday nights to rehearse for the following Sunday.

All the Easter music is here which will include three choruses from Handel’s Messiah (“Worthy is the Lamb,” “Blessing and honor,” and the “Hallelujah” chorus), and Randall Thompson’s exquisite “Alleluia.” Do join us if you are able!

Isaiah 58:1-12

2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Psalm 103:8-14

Genesis 9:8-17

1 Peter 3:18-22

Mark 1:9-13

Psalm 25:3-9

Genesis 22:1-14

Romans 8:31-39

Mark 8:31-38

Psalm 16:5-11

Exodus 20:1-17

Romans 7:13-25

John 2:13-22

Psalm 19:7-14

2 Chronicles 36:14-23

Ephesians 2:4-10

John 6:4-15

Psalm 122

Italicized verses are read at the family service.

The Bald Eagle Women’s Club is sponsoring an organ and vocal performance at St. John’s by Dr. David and Helen Gehrenbeck on Tuesday, March 21st at 1 pm. We invite the White Bear Women’s club, spouses, friends and all others interested in hearing this beautiful music. Please feel free to join us!

For current Lay Liturgical Ministers and persons interested in any of these ministries, there will be training sessions on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm, for Lay Readers on March 22nd, and for Lay Eucharistic Ministers and Lectors on March 29th.

In the Eastern Orthodox Faith, the celebration at Easter is probably the most important of the religious holidays... and the elaborate meals that celebrated the rising of Christ were without peer. While the religious faithful started their 40 day fast (posst), the women would begin the preparation in the kitchen. The molds for the paska were retrieved as were the forms (coffee cans) for the Kylitch (koo-leach), an Easter bread resembling a silo. I can recall wandering in my grandmother's kitchen and being assigned 100 whips of thick dough. As a starving college student, returning home at Easter was always memorable.

When Mary and I moved to Rochester, MN about 40 years ago, we first joined a Greek Church. We grew very close to the Greeks. Like the Russians, the Greeks do Easter in a big way. They seemed to take fasting more seriously... which made the church-sponsored lamb dinner served immediately after the midnight service taste all the better.

Back then, Rochester, like San Francisco, was very orthodox... the whole service was in ecclesiastical Greek... which is OK unless you had 4 kids who (not speaking Greek or Russian for that matter) began to question the relevance of going to church. We switched to Calvary Episcopal which not only did the Lord's Prayer in English, but everything else as well.

Longing for that spiritually lofty feeling, we started this tradition at Calvary. Taking what I recalled from San Francisco along with the Greek additions (notably roasted Lamb), we put on a free-will-offering church dinner after the Saturday candle lit mass. Friends and guests were welcome (no charge). It was not only a fun way to celebrate Easter, but served as outreach as well. When we moved to the Twin Cities, we continued the tradition at Ascension (in Stillwater). With St. John’s as our new family, we would like again to share this wonderful Easter tradition.

Based on past dinners, we had three Committees: Decoration, Cooking, and Clean-up. A sign-up sheet was posted several weeks before to allow anyone who wanted to participate to do so. Basically, the only rule was to not take ourselves too seriously... and have fun.

Tables had table cloths and were set with silverware. Daffodils were a popular choice of flower (not only did Christ rise, but Spring was around the corner). Rented 6 oz pear-shape wine glasses were on the table as well. Plates were at the buffet.

Hopefully, three or four couples would sign up for cleaning. Invariably, their role would turn out to be coordinating the walk-in help... which, thankfully, we had plenty of.

Tasks were divided into preparation, assembly, and service. To accomplish this, we had three shifts, each being about 3-4 hours so as to have overlap. . We would start at about 8 AM and serve around 8 PM... taking time out for communion. The priest would bless the food with special blessings... the lamb, the bread, etc.

In addition, specific tasks were done at home beforehand... making the paska (makes cheese cake look like a diet food), baking the kylich (Easter bread), and preparing pastry dough for the pirogy (sheet cake size; fillings of meat, cabbage, and fish). The priest (at Calvary, Fr. Nick) scrounged the wine from the local wine merchant.

Earlier that week I placed the food order with the local Market (church discount) and picked it up on Friday eve. Washing lettuce and storing it in plastic bags allows for crisp salad greens. Having help that night was always welcome.

Items brought from home like timers, peelers, sharp knives, and aprons were solicited. A Cuisinart is handy as well. A dozen or so large plastic ice cream pails store the food in process.

It has been my experience that culminating Easter in this fashion punctuates the Christian Experience. The food is wall-to-wall, largely ethnic, served buffet style, and displayed in a very celebratory fashion... in short, it’s a fun and memorable experience It also is an excellent opportunity to share our faith with people that need perhaps a gentle nudge.

As to fasting, the Orthodox have so many rules that it kind of takes the fun out of it. We ended up making our own rules... since it is a personal commitment anyway. We try to abstain from meat that week... which works for us.

We would feed about 100-120 people. Financially, we would break even.

All Interested parties are invited to participate. More information to follow in the Voices (Big and Small) announcing more details. For now, put Easter Eve (Saturday, April 15th) on your calendar for an event to remember.

"Voistenuh Voskreci"

(Indeed he has risen).

George Gorbatenko:

651/653-4699 (w), 651/653-7759 (h),

gorby@ece.umn.edu

In the hallway outside the Parlor hang three paintings by Edna Imm, former resident of White Bear Lake and member of our church. One painting is an impressionist’s view, in yellows and greens, of our church. We thought it could be of the old church at its first location, at the cemetery, as seen from Goose Lake. However, I telephoned Edna and asked about this painting, done so long ago. She thinks it was probably an imaginary view of the church at 1st and Clark as seen from the lake at Lake Avenue.

The middle picture shows the old red church in autumn at our present location. It was White Bear’s first church, built in 1861, at our church cemetery. In the winter of 1874, it was moved across the frozen lake, up the steep hill-side near Clark Avenue and then to 1st and Clark.

The third painting shows the present church in a winter setting. Our present church was built in 1926.

If you look around the church, you will find more of her art. In the church Parlor is a wonderful painting of Laura Aubrey who was the driving force in constructing the first church in White Bear Lake. Another delightful painting by Edna is upstairs, outside the choir room. It shows a group of St. John’s youngsters in choir robes. This dates back to when Edna’s daughter was in the choir.

When Edna lived in White Bear Lake she was a highly respected and well-known member of the Twin Cities art community. She still does some painting, at age ninety-nine, at her home in Sun City, Arizona. She retains her interest in White Bear Lake and is a member of the WBL Historical Society. Some of her paintings have been available from James Dimmers at Marine on the St. Croix.

You knew you couldn’t get away without cleaning out that closet. It’s time to prepare for Spring Rummage the first week of May. Set aside that week on your calendar so you can make those fantastic purchases as you sort.

Soup will be served Tuesday - Thursday, sandwiches or some such goodies on Friday. Nursery care is provided Tuesday - Friday.

We will sort and mark Tuesday until the end of the week from 9-3. The All Parish Sale is Wednesday from 6-8 pm.

Bring your rummage no sooner than April 1st. Stack it neatly in the shelves in the back left-hand side of the Parish Hall. Don’t block the EXIT door or leave rummage in the entry way! Only clean, workable items are accepted: no TVs, microwaves or large items unless cleared first by Lynn Gadbois, 651/426-2302, or Pat Pickering, 651/429-0223.

Corinne Livesay 651/429-8235

The Ministry Forum ideally consists of the chair or a representative of each program committee responsible for a ministry at St. John’s. The Ministry Forum goal is to provide a setting where committee members:

· Share information on upcoming activities sponsored by their committee,

· "Cross-pollinate" ideas and plant the seeds for joint activities,

· Provide ongoing support as we work on our various ministries.

The format is simple. We spend one hour together monthly sharing information in an informal setting. Basic meeting notes are taken for each Vestry member, to appear in the Voice and on the Website. The next meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, March 15 from 7:30 to 8:30 pm.

Attendance: Christine Karp, David Monyak, Linda Monyak, Pat Pickering, June Bennett, Judy Kroesch, Colleen Johnson, and Therese Branby

Morning Prayer is now scheduled at 10 am Wednesday mornings followed by Bible study. This new venture coordinated by Judy Kroesch and Colleen Johnson is similar in form to a house group. Though small in numbers at present, there is plenty of room for growth as word spreads and nursery care attracts stay-at-home parents.

There is concern about the inability of 10:30 worshipers to attend the entire Sunday Adult Education class when they leave to worship. Only 7:30 or 9 am worshipers have full access to Sunday adult education. Also, if 9 am worship ends after 10 am, the education schedule is even more compressed. If 10:30 worship were scheduled later, it might be difficult for some Altar Guild members to serve. The worship time issue was also raised during the Mutual Ministry Review as a problem that should be addressed.

Christine Karp stated that a Wednesday night Lenten series for children is planned. Social Justice & Adult Education are working in cooperation to offer a stimulating Lenten series.

June Bennett shared that volunteer Lectors, Lay Eucharistic Ministers & Lay Readers continue to increase in number. There are also 3 Vergers. Training is available for all who wish to minister during Sunday worship. June is working with Linda Monyak to develop computerized scheduling including automatic reminders for those with email access.

Judy Kroesch explained the role of the Gifts and Memorials Committee which meets 3 or 4 times a year. They generate a list of needed items from suggestions made by clergy, committees or members. The Committee helps families select an appropriate memorial from the list. The Anne Rodgers memorial will be discussed at the next meeting.

David Monyak mentioned that Adult Education is considering a 10-part series serving as an introduction to Christianity that may be used in rotation with the Alpha series. Both courses would be good for newcomers or those who want to study the basics.

We briefly discussed the need for an Inquirer’s class for those considering Episcopal Church membership, the definition of the un-churched, and the possibility of evangelizing those in the White Bear Lake area who fit that category.

Meeting minutes will be E-mailed to all Committee Chairs, Vestry Members and interested parties. If you would like to be added to the circulation list, E-mail .

The Vestry and committee chairs recently completed a Mutual Ministry Review (MMR). A full report of this venture was attached to the Annual Report and published in last months Voice. The MMR identified that some basic work remains, for St. John in the Wilderness to complete the transition from a Pastoral sized congregation to a Program sized church, and to strengthen programs that support church growth.

An Advisory Committee to the Vestry has begun work on a focused strategy to support the Church’s primary ministry and identify needs, such as personnel policies, to provide a firm foundation for a lively, growing congregation. Work commenced February 13 with the goal to provide the Vestry a final report for review and approval in May.

An excellent team has been assembled from a cross-section of actively involved parishioners to conduct this important work. Members include Amy Hawley, Chair; Krista Sullivan; Joanna Torgerson; James Anthony; Janet Waller; Max Stevenson; Gayle Kasmani; Will McBride; Nancy Jagusch; Judy Kroesch; Tim Hammond, Vestry representative; and Therese Branby, Warden.

The congregation will be fully apprised of the committee’s work moving forward. Please keep the Transition Team in your prayers.

1 Jeff Halbert

1 Jennifer Lief

2 Samuel Todd

3 Margaret Thor

3 Kevin Todd-Peterson

4 Gary Johnson

5 Jessica Thoemke

6 Louis Karp

11 Betty Barron

12 Dennis Thoemke

13 James Davidson

13 Elizabeth Moertel

13 Robert Zierdt

14 Rachel Monyak

15 Mary Jo Lohn

17 Joanie Delamater

17 Lynda Halbert

18 Barbara Merrill

18 J. Dixon Tews

19 Kole James

20 Stephen Anthony

20 Fosten Boyle

21 Timothy Cossalter

22 Marcella Kobinski

22 Collin Lief

22 Kathryn Smith

23 Karen Herrera

24 Andrews Allen

24 Fred Baborsky

24 Debra Schmit

25 Cathryn Bashore

26 Ruth Mattlin

27 Tyler Canterbury

27 Rosie Hammond

28 Margaret Holper

28 Stacy Reichert

29 Desneiges Pool

31 Tiffany Canterbury

31 John Johnson

31 Hannah Smith

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.

  Name Peter Schneider

  High School Grade 10

  School/Community Activities Soccer & Basketball

  Church Activities Volunteer Usher, Mission Trips, Confirmation Program & Ski Trips

  Favorite Song Favorite bands: Foo fighters, AudioSlave, Seether, Ratt, and Nine Inch Nails

  Proudest Moment snowboarding when I did my first board slide to 180 Indy off

  Collections none

  Favorite St. John’s Memory San Diego Mission Trip, the whole thing

  Favorite movie any comedy

  Last good book you’ve read I don't like to read.

  Best advice you’ve been given I don’t know.

  Where you hope to be in 10 years in a building that I designed. That is of course after I graduate from college and become an architect.

  If you could have dinner with any person, whom would you choose? I would have a 5 star dinner with all my friends.

  How can church become more youth friendly? I don’t think it’s possible for the church to be more friendly.

Christine Karp is presented with the Episcopal Church Women’s Cornelia Whipple Award during the parish Annual Meeting on January 15th. Multi talented and dedicated Christine is also our Children’s Ministry Chair and Clerk of the Vestry.

Parishioners of all ages joined with Families in Christ to decorate and personalize valentines after worship on Sunday, January 2nd, for our nation’s military troops who are stationed overseas. A pizza lunch was served after this second annual event.