The Rector’s Page August 1, 2006

The honor paid to Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ, goes back to the earliest days of the Church. Two Gospels tell of the manner of Christ’s birth, and the familiar Christmas story testifies to the Church’s conviction that he was born of a virgin. In Luke’s Gospel, we catch a brief glimpse of Jesus’ upbringing at Nazareth, when the child was wholly in the care of his mother and his foster-father, Joseph.

During Jesus’ ministry in Galilee, we learn that Mary was often with the other women who followed Jesus and ministered to his needs. At Calvary, she was among the little band of disciples who kept watch at the cross. After the resurrection, she was to be found with the Twelve in the upper room, watching and praying until the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost.

Mary was the person closest to Jesus in his most impressionable years, and the words of the Magnificat, as well as her humble acceptance of the divine will, bear more than an accidental resemblance to the Lord’s Prayer and the Beatitudes of the Sermon on the Mount.

Later devotion has claimed many things for Mary which cannot be proved from Holy Scripture. What we can believe is that one who stood in so intimate a relationship with the incarnate Son of God on earth must, of all the human race, have the place of highest honor in the eternal life of God. A paraphrase of an ancient Greek hymn expresses this belief in very familiar words: "O higher than the cherubim, more glorious than the seraphim, lead their praises, alleluia." Lesser Feasts and Fasts.

O God, you have taken to yourself the blessed Virgin Mary, mother of your incarnate Son: Grant that we, who have been redeemed by his blood, may share with her the glory of your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Exodus 34:29-35

2 Peter 1:13-21

Luke 9:28-36

Psalm 99

Deuteronomy 8:1-10

Ephesians 4:25--5:2

John 6:37-51

Psalm 34 or Psalm 34:1-8

Proverbs 9:1-6

Ephesians 5:15-20

John 6:53-59

Psalm 34:9-14

Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-25

Ephesians 5:21-33

John 6:60-69

Psalm 16

Present: Therese Branby, Sr. Warden; Alison Feigh, Children & Youth; David & Linda Monyak, Adult Education; Judy Kroesch, ECW, Liturgy & Music; George Gorbatenko, Outreach & Social Justice; Sally Holtz, Welcoming & Evangelism

We discussed the Sunday schedule and the possible need to hire additional clergy. Should we continue with 2 Sunday morning liturgies after summer and if so, at what times? How do we make adult ed a priority with the current schedule? Should we add a Sunday afternoon liturgy? There is concern about clergy scheduling and how a 2 service Sunday schedule might affect the current youth/family liturgy structure. Committee members should talk to parishioners and forward any ideas to Liturgy & Music for further discussion.

George reported that a Russian Orthodox a-cappella choir (L.Y.R.A) from St. Petersburg will tour the US in Summer 2007. He’s spoken with Fr. Mark and will contact June Bennett of Liturgy & Music to discuss the possibility of St. John’s hosting a concert. The cost would be about $700, and we would need to provide housing for 5 or 6 choir members. The public would be invited to the concert.

Alison reported that a "Jonah and the Big Fish"-themed Vacation Bible School would be the week of June 26. Fifteen students from pre-school through 3rd grade are registered. Jr. & Sr. High Youth are helping.

Sixteen High School Youth will attend the summer mission trip to New York City. They will volunteer at a homeless shelter, an AIDS dinner, a food pantry, lunch program and other daily service projects. A group website will link to the St. John’s website, www.stjohnwilderness.org.

David Monyak reported that Christianity 101 (inquirer’s class) is finishing up. "God after Darwin" will begin July 23. Many adults are unable to attend education sessions between Sunday liturgies. Is there a better time to hold Adult Ed? Presentation ideas for Sundays or Wednesdays are always welcome. Suggestions included discussions on current topics or issues, Diocesan updates, General Convention outcomes.

George reported that St. John’s and 2 other churches will collaborate on building a Habitat for Humanity house in Woodbury on September 11, 2006. Two more houses will be built in the Spring. George suggests holding a posh, perhaps Valentine-themed dinner in February as a fund raiser for Habitat.

Therese asked Ministry Forum to look at the strategic plan proposed for St. John’s to really become a "program" church. She also noted that about $170,000 was realized from the sale of property left to St. John’s by former Rector Greenly Haynes.

Judy reported that new altar vestments will be consecrated during an 8 am Sunday liturgy, BeFrienders, (trained in pastoral care) will be commissioned during a 10 am Sunday liturgy, and the ECW will clean the kitchen this summer.

Alison closed the meeting with a prayer.

The Manitou Days All-Parish BBQ on our beautiful front lawn

Our Manitou Days Grand Parade Unit

Bible Garden perennial plants $200

Ocean Springs, MS Outreach Trip: $400

(1/2 fuel & transportation cost) $400

NYC Youth Mission Trip $396:

2:13-passenger vans into city $220

2:13-passenger vans to airport $176

Additional travel expense $100

Episcopal Youth Music Camp $700:

5 Scholarships @ $100 $500

1 Scholarship @ $200 $200

Children’s Ministry $500:

Tower (bookshelf) $300

Children's Books $200

Parlor Redecoration Committee $750:

Insulating blinds $350

Valances $400

Name Tags (entire cost ;$1 more/each)

Margaret, Janet, Joann & Alison at the Pet Parade

Manitou Days Pet Parade

Commissioning of the BeFrienders

Summer must be well nigh over, for this announces that a new school year is just around the corner. As in the past several years, our parish will again sponsor the collection of school supplies for the children of low-income families. This effort is in partnership under the coordination of the St. Paul Area Council of Churches.

We’ll gather in these supplies on August 13th & August 20th.

Items needed are backpacks, pens, pencils, notebooks, crayons, markers, etc. Please bring them to the altar, to be blessed for their intended use.

Help Wanted

We seek a volunteer to coordinate the Red Cross blood drives held at our church. The task involves communicating with the Red Cross to arrange suitable dates for the drives, and organizing the help needed. The Red Cross takes care of all other details. Contact Peggy Holper, 651/484-4872 or Dave Seitz, 651/426-5824 if this sounds like a job for you.

The Episcopal Church Women’s 12th Annual Birthday Luncheon will be held at the North Oaks Country Club on Saturday, September 16th at 11 am. This year’s entertainment will be A Banjo Belle Jazz Band, along with great food and door prizes. Bring your family and friends! We need help to create 6 centerpieces relating to the months of April, May, June, July, August & December. Please sign up on the sheet posted on the triangular board in the Parish Hall. Please call Cyndi Domin 651/653-1262 or Susie Mahoney 651/429-3505 for more information. We hope to see you there.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, thankful for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel thus about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruits of righteousness which come through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

(Philippians 1)

As Christians, Episcopalians and children of God, we are called to stewardship (the giving of our time, talent and treasure) each day of the year. Biblically, the growth of faith communities and one’s partnership in that growth are seen as fundamentally good.

Sunday September 17th, a week after Rally Sunday on the 10th, is our special day this year together to make our 2007 commitment of treasure to the continued growth and success of St. John in the Wilderness. In preparation for Commitment Sunday, you will be taken on a journey of witness to savor and celebrate all that is good and working here in this remarkable church community. Expect also to be challenged some as well, in your thinking, praying and deciding about your financial pledge to the church.

Our planning and commitments as a whole church are toward growth - and a significant evolution from a "Priest-Centered" to a "Program-Centered" faith community, and is already underway! As a testimony to our desire for success and growth, last year’s Capital Campaign was very successful - the largest in many decades for St. John. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Here are some quick current facts about stewardship at St. John:

  Although not at an historic high, we have had very good growth in number of households pledging.  2006: 203,   2005: 195,  2004: 169,  2003: 162,  2002: 185,  2001: 199, 2000: 213

  Modal (the most common) pledge giving level in 2006: $500 to $1,000 range ($10-$20/week)

  Average amount given by household:  $1,692 (Diocese of Minnesota average is about $2,100 per household. The MN Diocese ranks 34th nationally in the Episcopal Church, not very high.)

  Number of Heritage Society members:  Many active members. Please join them by specifically including St. John in the Wilderness in your estate plans. 

  2006 Pledge Breakdown (number of households)

  <$500 42

  =$500 to $1,000 63

  >$1,000 to $1,500 37

  >$1,500 to $2,000 15

  >$2,000 to $3,000 22

  >$3,000 to $4,000 10

  >$4,000 to $5,000 3

  >$5,000 11

The Stewardship Committee has these as our goals for 2007 (this is the "challenge part" of our message). Meeting our growth commitments and budget by:

  Getting as many from the Church membership to pledge as possible, adults and youth/children (we are at about 61% of households now pledge).

  Getting our average giving per household up closer to (if not beyond) the average for all the others Churches in our Diocese. We want to be "Lake Wobegon" and above average here at some point soon. Please consider, perhaps, moving your giving to the next level in the chart at left.

  Achieving an increasing average giving by household to meet or exceed the Diocesan average.

Thank you for helping us in our service and our growth!

Your Stewardship Committee

  Keiko Snell & Jonathan Breyan 7/22/2006

  Dena Jensen & Will Rogers, Jr. 7/29/2006

  Richard Frederick Schradle 7/10/2006

No, not quite yet. But even at the peak of summer it is time to set priorities and fall schedules. This, then, is to alert the faithful (of which we hope will be an ever expanding number) that the first Chancel Choir rehearsal will be Wednesday, 9/6 (2 days after Labor Day), at 7:30 pm in the Choir Room. So please mark those calendars now. Further details will be in the September Voice.

And do enjoy the rest of the good ol’ summertime, even though the days are already getting shorter.

—David Gehrenbeck,

Organist/Choirmaster

The goal of the Advisory Committee to the Vestry was to develop a strategic plan for the next 18 months that would guide this faith community’s growth and transition from a pastoral to a program church. This plan, along with measurements for each goal and an appendix containing detailed discussion information on each focus area is available for your review on our website.

Members of the Vestry wish to credit the hard work and dedication of our Advisory Committee for the following revision of our strategic plan. Your thoughtful approach to church growth has resulted in a valuable tool to guide us in our work through 2007. Our sincere thanks for a job well done!

Members included Will McBride, Judy Kroesch, James Anthony, Gayle Kasmani, Janet Waller, Max Stevenson, Krista Sullivan, Joanna Torgerson, Nancy Jagusch; Tim Hammond, Vestry Representative; Therese Branby, Senior Warden-Advisory; Fr. Mark, Rector-Advisory; and Amy Hawley, Chair.

Strategic Plan

Strategy: To develop and implement methods to connect the various parts (clergy and staff, lay leadership, committees, members, and the community) of our church effectively with one another so that all the activities and programs of St. John’s are well coordinated toward fulfilling our mission to the greater glory of God.

1. Define and support the Rector’s role in a program church and educate the parish.

2. Develop a communications plan to educate and integrate new members into the parish community.

3. Restructure communications between the many working committees, and between them and church leaders.

4. Better integrate St. John’s into the surrounding community.

Strategy: To develop a program to integrate new members into St. John’s.

1. Expand new member orientation.

2. Formalize the membership process.

3. Expand adult education offerings to suit differing needs of parishioners.

4. Improve hospitality.

5. Expand and improve ministry offerings

Strategy: Enable St. John in the Wilderness to meet the needs of a growing congregation, to pinpoint the church as a central figure in the larger White Bear area community, and to allow for a stronger and more diversified future by effectively using our space consistent with the goals of a program church.

1. Reconfigure our existing space.

2. Update what we have.

3. Plan for future expansion.

Strategy: Provide a structured environment for growth and continuity so that we can easily assimilate staff members and all church members. The structure should enable ease of transition, enhance the flow of information, and avoid duplication of effort.

1. Analyze and identify the various functions of St. John’s.

2. Examine the goals/best use of resources with regard to each component.

3. Determine needs of each component.

4. Review in what ways the needs of each component overlap or conflict.

5. Prioritize and institute needs on a workable schedule.

Approved by the Vestry on June 13, 2006.

1 Amy Whillock

2 Michael Ban

2 Shirley Chapman

2 Isaac Jemielita

2 Robert Peck

3 Nathaniel Watkins

4 Lynne Ware

6 Beverly Boyle

6 Lynn Gadbois

7 Kate Kidwell

8 Richard Livesay

8 Stephen Prochnow

10 Richard Halbert

11 Janet Waller

12 Jacquelyn Gardner

12 James Knauss

12 Elaine Napiwoski

14 Frances Baborsky

14 Olivia Hawley

15 Arlene Glander

16 Kelly DeSmet

17 Ethan Herrera

17 Janet MacNally

17 Troy Peterson

18 Victoria Canterbury

18 Timothy Hammond

18 Gregory Schmit

19 Aidan Herrera

20 Sally Keep

20 Verne Pickering

20 William Swanson

20 Maureen Vruno

21 Loretta Seitz

22 Elizabeth Plocher

23 Patricia Pickering

23 Nancy Purcell

24 Suzanne Schradle

24 Sandra Stevenson Watson

25 Holly James

25 Kathleen Johnson

25 Charles King

25 Kenneth Peatross

27 Elizabeth Hyduke-Kelm

28 Sarah Prochnow

29 Isabelle Carpenter

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.

Moms/Dads/Tots: join us for our last few summer play dates on Thursdays at about 10 am with your own picnic lunch. Children of all ages are welcome!

  August 3 Podvin Park, 1700 9th St, WBL (west of Hwy 61)

  August 10 Memorial Beach Park, 4980 Lake Ave N, WBL - Meet at playground, then we'll cross the street to the beach.

  August 17 Wedgewood Park, 211 Wedgewood Dr, Mahtomedi - North side of County Rd E , 1st street east of Century Ave / E County Line Rd

  August 24 Memorial Beach Park - last play date of this summer!

If it rains we’ll meet in the church nursery. If you would like to continue having a scheduled play date at the church during the school year, please talk to Beth Hyduke-Kelm, 651/490-0477.

Our Youth represent the Parish to the White Bear Lake Community at MarketFest

Our 2006 Vacation Bible Schoolers in the Children’s Gathering Room

We really appreciate the kind thoughts, prayers, and support of our New York City mission trip. We could not have served without the financial and emotional support from the people of St. John’s.

~The NYC mission trip crew

Liz Moertel and her family will host a pool party for all rising 10th graders at 2:30 pm on Saturday, 8/5. Please bring a snack to share. Sign up in the Parish Hall to attend. You will need a yellow permission slip for this event.

The Mahoney family will host an evening at the lake at 5 pm on Thursday 8/10 for all junior high youth and their families. Sign up in the Parish Hall if you plan to join us. If your parent(s) will come, you don’t need a permission slip. Bring your swimsuit and a snack/dish to share, and NYC photos if you have some. This is a wonderful event for new 6th graders to come make connections. We always have a great time.

Nine St. John’s adults and youth will attend Episcopal Youth Music Camp at Camp Heartland 8/13-19. We look forward to a wonderful week of creating music and growing in our faith formation.

We have 58 campers and 11 leadership team members participating this summer.

There is a 2 pm public performance at camp on Saturday, 8/19. If you want to attend, please speak with Alison Feigh for more information.

Thank you to the ECW and individual donors who provided scholarships, camp supplies, and/or money to keep EYMC going strong. It is greatly appreciated.

We need recorder donations for Music Camp. Children who don’t own an instrument receive recorder lessons and music theory during the week. We ask each child to bring his or her own, but we like to have a few on hand for children who forgot to pack, or misplace theirs.

If you have recorders in your home that are no longer used, please drop them off in Alison’s office before August 13th. She will clean and sanitize each recorder before donating them to camp.

Training will be held Saturday, 8/26, 9 am—noon. Register with Maureen, through or 651/429-5351 x10, to attend. The cost is $10 for materials and your background check. Financial help is available; speak to Alison Feigh for more information. Please leave the parking spaces closest to the church for our Out to Lunch guests that day.

Dear Fr. Kelm and St. John parish,

Thank you for the lovely article and images in The Voice (July 2006) regarding the group of parishioners and friends who came to assist my husband Adam and me with our home in Ocean Springs, MS. The generosity and kindness were beyond expectations, and I am grateful to all who contributed to the re-roofing of our house.

The Gulf Coast of Mississippi has suffered from an extensive drought since Hurricane Katrina, but ironically that drought has been helpful to those with damaged houses. However, when the rain began to pour about one week ago, I rejoiced for two reasons: 1.) my lawn might live again, & 2.) my roof did beautifully well! We have had roofers comment to us on how nice a job everyone did, and Adam and I are quite comfortable now having a reliable house top.

Our thanks to all is sincere and heartfelt. We wish you the best for a wonderful summer and look forward to crossing paths again.

Warmly, Catherine Gautier

The St. John’s Outreach Team to Ocean Springs, MS

God After Darwin

Modern biology has revealed that life arose and evolved through billions of years of struggle in which a remorseless and impersonal force of “natural selection” chose a few survivors and discarded the rest as unfit. It is a story marked by colossal waste and suffering, and seems to fly in the face of any concept of a loving and providential creator. The American philosopher and atheist Daniel Dennett has written that the message of Darwin's "dangerous idea" is that there is no divine influence in nature, that the universe "just is," without message or purpose.

People of faith have often responded to such assertions by denying evolution altogether, or by simply insisting that the complex molecular machinery of life is scientific proof of God's direct intervention ("intelligent design").

A third approach to the questions posed by evolution is to accept the science of what biologists tell us, and use it as fertile ground for mature reflections on the nature of the universe and God.

In this series we will explore this third approach, using John Haught's books God after Darwin and Responses to 101 Questions on God and Evolution. Dr. Haught argues that evolution is a "gift to theology," forcing us to deepen our view of God and creation. It encourages us to see the universe as a still unfinished creation, and our Creator as the cosmic source of possibility, value, novelty, information and beauty.

Dr. Haught is the Landegger Distinguished Professor of Theology at Georgetown University and Director of the Georgetown Center for the Study of Science and Religion.

The Adult Christian Formation Schedule

Aug 6: God After Darwin, Session #3

Aug 13: God After Darwin, Session #4

Aug 20: no meeting

Aug 27: God After Darwin, Session #5

Sep 3: no meeting

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? Please contact David Monyak: phone 651/481-8697, or .

Habitat Update Monday, Sep 11 starts our build week with Ascension & Our Savior's Lutheran. We need 18 people each of the 5 days. Those who have yet to respond: turn in the form ASAP. Habitat recommends a full day minimum, but we'll try to accommodate those who can work only 1/2 days, etc. St. John's needs a food committee co-chair; each participating church should provide one. Please contact George Gorbatenko ASAP, 651/653-4699, or . The last meeting before we work is Wednesday, 8/23, 7 pm at Our Savior's, when we'll define each person's schedule and planned tasks. Put the date on your calendar; attendance is required.

To download the August 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:

(45 KB)

To download the August 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:

(71 KB)