Adult Education and Formation

Passages

Easter Flowers

Lost and Found

Music For Easter

Vestry Hilites

Bible Readings

The Campaign for St. John in the Wilderness

Xcel Concession Fundraisers Update

Sunday Morning Coffee

Help Needed April 22nd

Welcoming and Evangelism

Newcomers' Luncheon, Sunday, April 23, 11:30 am

Rummage Reminder

Office Volunteers Wanted

Our Growing Healing Ministry

Images: Beach Party

Depression: How To Get Help

Vestry Affirms Goals for 2006

Advisory Committee to the Vestry

Ministry Forum

April Birthdays

St. John in the Wilderness Student of the Month

Images: Brendan Patrick Johnson

Youth Voice

Children’s Ministry

Calling All Parishioners! Cemetery Clean-Up!

Stewardship

Lay Ministries Schedule

Calendar

The Rector’s Page April 1, 2006

(Nursery Care from 5:30-7:30 pm)

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

Q. What is Reconciliation of a Penitent?

A. Reconciliation of a Penitent, or Penance, is the rite in which those who repent of their sins may confess them to God in the presence of a priest, and receive the assurance of pardon and the grace of absolution. (B.C.P. Page 861)

Now there is rejoicing in heaven; for you were lost, and are found; you were dead, and are now alive in Christ Jesus our Lord. Go in peace. The Lord has put away all your sins.

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 going to healing service together.

7:30 -9:00 pm: Adult Choir

7:30 am, 9:00 am, & 10:30 am Palm Sunday (Nursery Care). At 9:00 and 10:30 am the blessing of the palms and procession will begin in the Parish Hall.

7:00 pm Holy Monday Eucharist(Nursery Care)

Noon Holy Tuesday Eucharist (Nursery Care)

7:00 pm Holy Wednesday Healing Eucharist (Nursery Care)

6:00 pm All Parish Potluck (Nursery Care)

7:00 pm Maundy Thursday Liturgy (Nursery Care)

8:30 pm Vigil (all ages; sign up in Parish Hall) & Youth Lock-in

9:00 am Morning Prayer

Noon Good Friday Liturgy

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

5:00 pm Easter Vigil with Holy Baptism (Nursery Care). Bring a small bell to ring in this child friendly liturgy, followed by Agape supper and Easter egg hunt. This special feast is offered in the honor of our Lord’s Resurrection. It is a culmination of the spiritual journey that we have been on since Ash Wednesday when we were told, “You are dust and to dust you shall return.” On this day we celebrate eternal life in Christ as we proclaim, “Alleluia. Christ has risen. The Lord has risen indeed. Alleluia.” All are welcome to join in on this meal experience organized by George Gorbatenko. George is a former Russian Orthodox member who brings this rich tradition to our faith community. If you want to help out in any way with this event, please call George at 651/653-4699. You do not need to sign up for this meal. Simply come to the Easter Vigil and experience the power of this liturgy coupled with this shared meal. A free will donation will be accepted to cover the cost of food.

8 & 10 am Easter Day Eucharist (Nursery Care)

On Sunday mornings April 2 and April 9, from 10 to 11 am in the Parlor, we complete 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.

On Sunday, April 23 from 10 to 11 am in the Parlor we will begin a 10 part video series exploring the essentials of Christianity. Each meeting will consist of a 25 minute video with Tom Wright, Bishop of Durham in the Church of England, former Canon Theologian of Westminster Abbey, and former professor at Oxford and Cambridge Universities. Discussion will follow after each video. Whether you are a newcomer or a cradle Episcopalian, if you seek a renewed, deeper, or more mature knowledge of our Christian faith, this program is for you. If you worship at 10:30 am, please come and join us for the 25 minute video.

On Wednesday evenings during Lent, we are exploring 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 is The Prophetic Imagination, by Walter Brueggemann, Augsburg Fortress, 2001.

  Apr 2 The Gospel of Matthew. Judgment is Coming: The Coming of the Son of Man and the Judgment of the World (24:1—25:46)

  Apr 9 The Gospel of Matthew. The Passion and Resurrection of Jesus. Finale (26:1—28:15)

  Apr 16 no meeting (Easter Day)

  Apr 23 Living Faith 1. The Story and Message of the Bible

  Apr 30 Living Faith 2. The Hebrew Scriptures

  Mar 29 The Prophetic Imagination 4

  Apr 5 The Prophetic Imagination 5

  Apr 12 no meeting (Holy Wednesday)

  Apr 19 please check the Small Voice

  Apr 26 please check the Small Voice

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? Our next meeting will be Sunday, April 23, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm in the Parlor. For more information, please contact Contact David Monyak: phone 651/481-8697, or .

  Adrianne Bruce 3/2/2006

  Robert Bruce 3/2/2006

To donate towards Easter flowers, please complete a flower donation card (from the parking lot entry bulletin board). Make your $35 check payable to St. John's Altar Guild and place it in their mail slot by the office. You can donate flowers in memory of a loved one or in thanksgiving for many blessings. Call Barb Van Steen, 651/484-1614, with questions.

Please check the Lost & Found box near the Parish Hall. All items unclaimed by the end of April will go to the Episcopal Church Women to sell as Spring Rummage.

No more exultant music exists than that associated with Easter. The liturgy and hymns, the anthems and organ music all reflect that. Our Easter Choir — an augmented version of our faithful Chancel Choir — is in the midst of preparing not one but three choruses from Handel’s Messiah ("Worthy is the Lamb that was slain," "Blessing and honor,” "Hallelujah!") and the exquisite "Alleluia" by Randall Thompson for Easter morning. Trumpeter Michael Brudevold will again join us for both the 8:00 and 10:00 am Eucharists — and for the 5:00 pm Easter Vigil on Saturday, April 15.

The Vestry met on March 14, 2006.

Committees are asked to prepare annual goals and budget requests for 2007, due no later than August 1, 2006.

Recommendations regarding banking accounts were discussed.

The Property Committee reported that a variance for the air conditioning system is in the process of being signed by the church neighbor. Choir Room repairs in addition to the flooring are needed. The Security System has been installed and is functioning.

The following motions were passed:

1. The Vestry approves the 2005 Parochial Report as written.

2. The Vestry approves the stated goals for 2006.

3. All accounts currently held at Central Bank will be transferred to US Bank with the exception of the ECW account. Once CDs that are held at Central Bank come to term they will be reinvested at US Bank.

4. The Altar Guild and Gifts and Memorial checking accounts will be consolidated into the general checking account with the committees retaining control over their annual budget.

The Vestry meets next on April 11, 2006 at 7 pm in the Church Parlor.

Italicized verses are read at the family service.

We are approaching the halfway point of our three year campaign. We have pledges totaling $773,495.94, and, to date we have received payments of $494,160.48.

The Campaign has enabled us to move forward on several initiatives. We first had to pay off the loan that had been taken out to fix the roof and paint the church. We have been able to continue Rev. Joanie’s ministry, extend the hours of Alison Feigh, employ Jim Knauss as sexton, and we recently installed a fire and security system. In addition, plans are in place to air condition the church proper prior to summer. Much has been accomplished, and we want to thank everyone who supported the Campaign.

If you are making a payment to the Campaign by check, please make the check payable to “The Campaign for St. John’s.” If you pledged a Campaign payment in 2006, a Campaign pledge envelope will be included with your 2nd quarter contribution statement which will be mailed in July.

If you have any questions regarding your campaign pledge, please contact Parish Administrator Maureen Vruno via or 651/429-5351, or Campaign Co-Chairpersons Fosten & Beverly Boyle at 651/429-6769.

The report time for the Saturday, April 8 Kenny Chesney Concert is to be announced. All trained volunteers would be graciously accepted.

The anticipated report time for the Friday, May 19 Tim McGraw & Faith Hill Concert is 4:30 - 5:30 pm. Now is the time to sign up. Let's fill this one up early!

We all seem to enjoy a cup of coffee and a goodie after church.

We need coffee makers/servers after the 9 am Eucharist on the 4th & 5th Sundays each month. This is 12 times for the 4th Sunday, and only 5 times for the 5th Sunday, in a year. We need coffee makers/servers after the 10:30 am Eucharist as well.

Thanks to our current coffee makers: Mary & Jim Bartley, Sandy Stevenson, Joanna Torgerson, Amy Hawley, Joann Smith, and Janet Kelber. Thanks also to all who buy or make our Sunday goodies!

If you can help, please call Janet Kelber, Hospitality Chair, at 651/484-7193.

The Property Committee, along with the Garden Club, needs volunteers to help spruce up the church grounds by doing general clean-up, trimming hedges, etc. Please dig out your garden tools and join us on Saturday, April 22nd from 9-11 am. Coffee and rolls will be provided. If you are interested in gardening or have any questions regarding the clean-up, please call Barb Van Steen 651/484-1614.

We are launching a new ministry, stationing "greeters" at the church doors to welcome those attending our 9 am Sunday worship. We would love to do the same at 10:30 worship but we're in need of more volunteers. Please contact Molly Anthony 651/464-3115 if you are interested in serving as a greeter.

The next Committee Meeting will be held April 25 at 6:30 pm in the Caribou Coffee meeting room at Hwy 96 & 35E. We look forward to seeing everyone who is interested in learning more about the Committee. Contact Krista Sullivan at 651/484-2263 with your questions about the Committee or this next meeting.

Watch for details in upcoming Small Voice bulletin inserts.

You may start bringing rummage April 1st. Stack it neatly behind the Parish Hall dividers on the left side only. Do not block the fire exit door or leave rummage in the church entry. Only clean, workable items accepted: no TVs, microwaves, or large items unless cleared first.

Work days are 9 am — 3 pm Tuesday, 5/2 - Friday, 5/5. Lunch and Nursery Care are provided. The All-Parish Sale is Wednesday, May 3rd, 6-8 pm. Public Sales are from 9 am-noon Friday, May 5th (as marked) and Saturday, May 6th ($2 per bag).

If you have questions, call Lynn Gadbois, 651/426-2302, Pat Pickering, 651/429-0223, or Christine Karp, 651/653-6369.

Congregation! St. John in the Wilderness is looking for office volunteers. Two hours weekly is a guideline, but flexibility is our middle name. We are looking for people to answer the phone and door, sort mail, make copies, etc.  We need people M-F between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm, and possibly 5-8 pm Wednesdays. If you are interested in supporting our church, rector and staff please Chris Hawley, call 651/466-0599, or place a written note in the Junior Warden’s mail slot describing your interest and when you will be willing to serve.

“And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God, and to perform healing.” (Luke 9.2)

In the last few months, you may have noticed the presence of lay ministers in the narthex on Sunday mornings, or you may have received laying on of hands on Wednesday evenings by a lay minister. This lay involvement reflects our growing healing ministry at St. John’s.

For over a year in our faith community, we have been reclaiming the healing ministry of the church. We aim to sustain and grow this ministry by training and commissioning more lay ministers in healing.

Healing, Paul notes in I Corinthians 12, is a spiritual gift — "a manifestation of the Spirit." Spiritual healing means to help make "whole" in body, mind, and spirit. To heal is not to cure but to help restore harmony and balance.

Chapter 9 of the gospel of Luke begins with Jesus sending the twelve out to preach and to heal. As chapter 10 opens, Jesus is sending out the seventy to do the same in teams of two. In the months ahead at St. John’s, we will train and commission teams of lay healers to work in our parish’s healing ministries.

Some of these ministers will be active in the laying on of hands at the Wednesday evening healing services and during communion on Sundays mornings. Others may act "as companions for the journey" to help us "let go and let God" when physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges seem daunting.

Over the next few months, our lay ministers in healing will share study programs, training, and spiritual practices as they work with Rev. Joanie to build this ministry. Please keep this healing ministry — and those called to it — in your prayers.

Chris Hawley and George Gorbatenko broke out the new grill for the Beach Party and fed about 115 people!

St. John’s children go fishing for fun at the Beach Party.

Are you feeling sad, helpless, hopeless, or overwhelmed? If you have these feelings and they are interfering with your life, you may need help. It may even be critical to seek the help of a licensed, competent, mental health professional. People with depression who do not seek the help they need, suffer needlessly--some may even be suicidal. Depression is often masked by alcohol and drugs. It may also appear as being irritable, angry, or discouraged.

Psychotherapy offers the opportunity to identify the factors that contribute to the depression and develop goals and strategies to overcome the depression. By identifying options and setting realistic goals, steps can be taken to succeed in regaining proper mental health and happiness.

So, do not delay, seek out the help you need. If you have a family member or friend who is depressed, please help them seek out professional care. You may find referrals by contacting the church office, your doctor, community clinic, employee assistance program, health insurance company, the American Psychological Association, or other mental health professional organization. So again, please, take good care of yourself and help others find the care they need. Thank you.

James Anthony

The Vestry is committed to providing leadership and support for our parish through work focused in the areas of finance and property. It is not possible to measure our success without setting reasonable goals to guide our progress. While additional goals may be added to this work plan during this Vestry term or revised due to a need to rethink priorities, the Vestry has approved the following goals for 2006:

1. The Advisory Committee to the Vestry has been charged with development of a focused strategic plan for 2006-2007 to support our primary ministries and provide infrastructure for the Church. The Vestry has final approval over any recommendations made by the committee and responsibility to support and implement resulting plans. A final report is due in May when additional goals will need to be developed related to implementation.

2. Assess need for additional clergy staff; analyze costs and recommend availability of funds for this purpose.

3. Work with the Stewardship Committee to design suitable fund raising strategies to support the work of the Church.

4. Establish a policy and procedure for the rental of Church space to outside groups.

5. Complete the sale of the Haynes property and determine use of funds moving forward.

6. Oversee installation of air conditioning units prior to the beginning of the cooling season in May 2006 as approved in 2005.

7. Ensure installation of the Church Security System approved in 2005.

8. Complete installation of a Columbarium approved in 2005, establish policies and procedures as necessary for operation of the Cemetery and affirm prices for the purchase of plots/units.

9. Approve bids for the purchase of grounds maintenance service as recommended by the Property Committee.

As goals are achieved they will be reported to the Congregation. Minutes for all Vestry Meetings will be posted near the side entrance, in the Voice and on our web page so you can follow our progress.

The Advisory Committee to the Vestry has begun work on a focused strategy to support the Church’s primary ministry and identify needs 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 on May 9th.

A 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 committee has met twice with the 2nd meeting focusing on the what the church might look like on January 1, 2008. By the end of March the team will have developed 3-4 rough draft strategies around which to begin building a plan.

The congregation will be fully apprised of the committee’s work moving forward. Currently minutes from all meetings can be found on the bulletin board in the entry way, a monthly article will be provided in the voice, and other communications are currently being developed. Please do not hesitate to speak to a committee member if you have any questions or comments.

The Ministry Forum ideally consists of the chair or a representative of each program committee responsible for a ministry at St. John’s. The goal of the Ministry Forum is to provide a setting where committee members share information on upcoming activities sponsored by their committee, identify needs and discuss problems, "cross-pollinate" ideas and plant the seeds for joint activities, and provide ongoing support for one another as we work on our various ministries. The format is simple. We spend one hour together monthly sharing information on programs and activities in an informal setting. Meetings are held the 3rd Wednesday monthly from 7:30 - 8:30 pm, in the Parish Hall or the Parlor based on availability. Mark your calendar to attend on April 19, May 17 & June 21.

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 .