St John in the Wilderness

Gathering in Love to Serve

Featured Events



Featured Events
February - March 2010



The Sacred Cosmos, Beginning January 3

Sundays January 3 to February 7, David Monyak leads a 5 part Adult Formation series The Sacred Cosmos, based on the book by Terence L. Nichols. The book presents a vigorous challenge to the "new atheism," the "naturalistic" thinking that the natural universe is probably all that there is, a world view responsible for the widespread decline of Christianity in Europe and a half-hearted faith among many Christians in America. Instead, we are offered a persuasive vision of a world of many-leveled richness, whose Creator is continually active within its unfolding history. Professor Nichols is a professor of theology at the University of St. Thomas here in St. Paul.

The sessions are:

  • Jan 3: God and Nature, Historical and Modern Views
  • Jan 10: Origins: Creation and the Big Bang
  • Jan 24: Evolution: The Journey into God
  • Jan 31: Human Nature: Embodied Self and Transcendent Soul, Part 1
  • Feb 7: Human Nature: Embodied Self and Transcendent Soul, Part 2. Conclusion: the Sacred Cosmos

Please sign up at the Activity Table if you would like to order a book; they are not required.

A Journey Through the Psalms, Beginning January 6

On Wednesday Evenings at 6 pm, January 6 through February 10, our clergy lead A Journey Through the Psalms, learning about their history, the writers’ viewpoints, and usage. Each Wednesday evening we will look at a set of psalms from a particular perspective and see how they speak to us and for us in our lives today.

St Johns @ 150 Focus Groups, February 6

St. John's @ 150: A Planning Task Force is readying for the Church's Sesquicentennial. All are encouraged to help shape plans so our 150th celebration (September 2010 -September 2011) can make positive differences in our parish and community life into the future. Be part of a focus group discussion; sign up for Wednesday, 1/27, 6-7 pm, or Saturday, 2/6, 10-11 am, in the Parish Hall. Contact: Richard Lee, or 651/748-8162.

8th Grade Rite of Affirmation, February 7

What is the Rite of Affirmation? Why do we have this opportunity? As our Youth go through the different steps of life we acknowledge their growth in wisdom, maturity, and in this case their faith life. As a faith community it is our mission to recognize the young people’s steps through faith. In 8th grade (age 13 or 14) young people are moving into a place of independence from their parents. This is our opportunity to recognize their growth and to recognize our role as a community of supporters and guides on their faith journey. The Rite of Affirmation is an opportunity for us all to gather around our young people and say that we recognize you are growing up and maturing, and we want to support you on your journey. Join us as we affirm our Youth in their spiritual journey Sunday, February 7 at the 9 am Eucharist worship service.

Chili Cook Off and Super Bowl Party, February 7

Get ready for the 2nd Annual Super Bowl Chili Cook-off on Sunday, February 7! Sign up at the Activity Table to enter your recipe in the competition, or to bring another item for the pot luck supper. We’ll also need help serving and cleaning up. The fun starts at 4 pm – Kickoff @ 4:30. Questions? Contact Barb Maloney (651-773-4079) or Rev. Marilyn.

Mardi Gras Celebration and Burning of the Palms, February 10

Our Mardi Gras celebration this year will be held on Wednesday, February 10th. Join us at 5:30 pm for a potluck supper. Our Youth will be serving pancakes and sausages to go along with the dishes you bring. You are cordially invited to participate in our Spamalot Talent Show, starting at 6 pm, as a performer or audience member. If you would like to be a performer or bring a dish, please sign up at the Activity Table. All ages and abilities are welcome. Costumes are encouraged, but not required. The festivities will culminate in the Healing Eucharist followed by the Burning of the Palms on the front lawn Celtic Cross. Please bring your palms from last Palm Sunday or drop them off with an Altar Guild member prior to the liturgy.

Consecration of the IX Bishop of Minnesota, February 13

Get on board Saturday, 2/13! We've chartered On Eagles Wings, a motor coach, to Brian Prior's consecration as the IX Bishop of Minnesota. The bus is not 'officially' handicapped accessible, but we've been assured that its stairs aren't high, and they'll help us board. The bus departs St. John's at 10 am and drops us off and picks us up at the front door of the Minneapolis Convention Center. We depart around 1:30 pm, returning by 2 pm. Due to a 57 seat limit, you must sign-up and pay $8/each in advance to reserve yours, between liturgies today or next Sunday. If you miss both Sundays, be in the parking lot on Saturday, 2/13 before 10 am to see if any seats remain; you can pay and board at that time. Please join us! Contact: Deacon Deb.

New All Parish Bible Study, Beginning February 14

New All Parish Bible Study Group begins 10 am Sunday, 2/14 in the Fireplace Room (adjoining the office). Join Pam Hadley for a 6 week survey of a few key Old and New Testament people and events yielding a fuller, richer picture of the work and person of Jesus the Christ. Planned sessions are:

  • 2/14 Week 1: What Is The Bible? Guest speaker and select Scriptures
  • 2/21 Week 2: Adam, Abraham and Moses: Genesis 1-3; 12; 15 and 18; portions of Exodus
  • 2/28 Week 3: David, Elijah, Hosea: 2 Samuel 5-7, portions of 1 Kings, portions of Hosea
  • 3/07 Week 4: John the Baptist; Matthew's Genealogy; the Cross: John 1/ Matthew 3/ Luke 3; Matthew 1 and 2; John 18-20 and Isaiah 53
  • 3/14 Week 5: The ministries of Peter and Paul: Acts 2,10,11,13,15,16; maybe some of 2 Timothy
  • 3/21 Week 6: The return of Christ (a general fly-by): Revelation 19-22

Weekly reading and preparation before attending will be helpful and enriching. Contact Pam, or 651.481.0249, for questions and readings and/or a syllabus. Then join us with your Bible, coffee and questions!

Themes and Theology of Sacred Music, Beginning February 21

A new Sunday Adult Formation Series, “Themes and Theology of Sacred Music” will be taught by our own Dr. David Gehrenbeck. From 10 - 10:50 am in the Parlor, David will offer a presentation, music, and reflection, on sacred themes used in our worship. The planned sessions are:

  • 2/21 Out of the Depths
  • 2/28 Friend of Sinners
  • 3/7 Groaning for Redemption
  • 3/14 God's Gift of Liberation
  • 3/21 Rejoicing in Grace

Our Anglican / Episcopal Past, Present and Future, Beginning February 21

During the Sundays in Lent (February 21 - March 21), your clergy will be offering an instructional class on our Anglican/Episcopal Past, Present and Future. From 11:45 am to 12:45 pm in the Gathering Room (located downstairs from the Parish Hall, across from the Child Care Room), we will welcome all newcomers and members to join us for this informal series. Opportunities for dialogue and questions will be made possible at each standalone session. The planned sessions are:

  • 2/21 Identity, led by Rev. Marilyn
  • 2/28 Authority, led by Fr. Mark
  • 3/7 English Reformation; BCP, led by Rev. Joanie
  • 3/14 New American Church, led by Rev. Marilyn
  • 3/21 At Work in the World, led by Rev. Rick

Pretzel Making Event, February 28

Pretzel time is here! Join us in the Parish Hall following 9 am family- friendly worship on February 28. We will make pretzels, a traditional symbol of prayer. See the Children’s Ministry board for more information on the history of the pretzel. We need volunteers to pre-bake pretzels, bring in dough, and man the ovens. Contacts: Christine Karp or Sheila Foster.

Project Home, March 8-15

Calling all volunteers for your chance to make a difference! Project Home provides a safe place to sleep for families in need. Many volunteered in November at First Lutheran and really enjoyed it. Mahtomedi's Unitarian Church will host for March. We're committed to covering March 8-15. Evening and overnight shifts are available. There will be a short training session before March. Project Home staff will be present each night to assist with any questions that might arise. Families are welcome to volunteer; plenty of children would love to play with someone before bedtime. Contact: Becky Emerson, 651/653-3883 or .

 

Great Northern Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) Weekend, March 19-21

TEC is a spiritual renewal weekend for 9th – 12th grade Youth who attend the weekend as a Candidate one time during high school. Candidates arrive at 10 am on a Friday and participate in a weekend that is all about “YOU.” The Candidates are asked to leave all of the worries about school, tests, friends, family, and all the things that can weigh a young person down, and commit to a weekend that for some will transform the rest of their lives. Many Youth remain involved in TEC as a Team Member. The TEC Team provides all of the care of the Candidates over the weekend. The number one rule for the Team is that the weekend is for the Candidates. If you are a high school Youth and have not yet been a TEC Candidate, please consider making this the time. The Spring Northern TEC will be held at St. John in the Wilderness, and we would like to see every youth possible participate in the March 19 – 21 weekend. Registration forms will be available on the Youth Board in the Parish Hall.