A Rule of Life

This past week I attended the Gathering of my Benedictine community. We meet in person for a week once a year, this time at St Benedict’s Monastery in St Joseph MN, for a time of connection, prayer, reflection and study. I always look forward to this time together. Although we meet online weekly and keep up with each other through texts, email and video calls, there’s nothing like coming together physically.

It takes a lot of preparation to make the Gathering happen. There is reserving the space at St Ben’s,making travel arrangements, and arranging for time away from daily work and life for each of us. Then there is the planning of our time together, preparing for liturgies and community transitions, choosing what we will consider in our time together. 

The one thing that each one of us must do even before we begin this preparation, is to make the decision to be together in this way. We have to make this meeting a priority. There are many other ways to spend time at the end of the summer and it’s necessary to let go of other opportunities to come to the Gathering. We make time to be together because this time nurtures both our individual and our common lives. 

It’s really not much different than getting ready for a vacation or for the beginning of the program year at St John’s. There is always work in the background that no one sees but that is essential for our being together. And we have to make decisions about our priorities to participate.

The priorities we set make up our personal Rule of Life. You may think you don’t have such a Rule, but you do, whether you made it deliberately or not. A Rule of Life is simply a way of seeing what we value in life as demonstrated by the way we use our time.

If you’d like to see what your Rule looks like, just keep a time journal for a few days. Write down what you are doing at each hour of the day. Most likely, you’ll see patterns. Observe the patterns and see where you are spending time. Then consider what you really want to include in your life. It might be more time with family and friends or time for exercise or reading. 

Kate, OSB

Music Ministry Rehearsals Start Next Week

Rehearsals for both the Chancel Choir and Heartbeat begin next Wednesday, August 28. Heartbeat rehearses twice-monthly at 6:30pm. The Chancel Choir rehearses every Wednesday at 7:15pm. If you would like to join either group, contact David or Carrie for more info!

Ladies Who Lunch!

We are lunching at The Brickhouse in downtown WBL at 4746 Washington Square, WBL, MN.on Sept 20th at 11:30am, We will be dining on the second level of the restaurant as there will be less noise. You can either take the stairs or they do have an elevator. Please call/text Barbara Maloney at 414-940-4100 by Wednesday, September 18th for a reservation.

Ministry Fair - Sunday, September 15th

If you would like to connect at SJW more deeply or you have always wondered how what happens at St John’s happens, come on Sunday September 15 after the 10:00 service to the annual Ministry Fair in the Parish Hall. This is an opportunity to discover the many ways that members of St John’s serve our parish and the community around us. Members of various ministries will be on hand. So grab some coffee and refreshments and browse the hall!

SJWFellowship - Join us for a show!

Join fellow St. John in the Wilderness parishioners and Mahtomedi High School students, their families, and friends to kick off the holiday festivities with lunch and a matinee performance of Irving Berlin’s classic holiday musical, “White Christmas” at Chanhassen Dinner Theater (CDT) on Saturday, November 2. Transportation is available for those who need a ride to CDT. Main Floor, center stage tickets are $85 each, which includes both the meal and show. Tickets MUST be pre-ordered and pre-paid by Sunday, September 22. Complete details, RSVP and payment information can be found at this link: https://forms.gle/32GSerJAt2a4XPoT6

SYNOPSIS:Based on the beloved, timeless film, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas comes just in time for the holiday season. After World War II, two veterans, Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, begin a successful song and dance act, following two singing sisters to their Christmas gig at a Vermont resort lodge. With classic standards such as “Blue Skies,” “How Deep is the Ocean,” and the titular hit, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas is a stirring and delightful musical that stands the test of time. (Playbill)

This production is generally suitable for all ages and contains some moments depicting war. The show runs 2 hours and 30 minutes including an intermission.

Direct questions to Chantell Knauss at SJWFellowship@gmail.com or 651.387.8288.

Future Fellowship Events:

• Sunday, November 17, 2024 at 2pm – “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” play at Mahtomedi High School
• December 15, 2024 at 6:30pm – “Book of Mormon” musical at the Orpheum
• March 29, 2025 at 1pm Curtain; 11am Lunch Seating – “Grease” musical at Chanhassen Dinner Theater
• April/May 2025 (exact date/time TBD) – “Purple Rain” musical at the State Theater

Braver Angels Workshops

Depolarizing Ourselves, September 22, Parish Hall, 11:15am, with light lunch 

In the Baptismal Covenant, we promise with God’s help to respect the dignity of every human being. All too often, in heated disagreements, we forget that other people are the image of God as we are. We can stereotype and dismiss others who disagree with us. That leads to polarization, which prevents us from engaging others in a healthy and Christian way.

The Depolarizing Ourselves Workshop is designed to help us lessen the effects of polarization when we encounter them in our political conversations. Note that by “polarization,” we are not referring to healthy disagreements over issues or philosophy. We are talking about how we regard and talk about large groups of ordinary people on the other side of our own politics as if they were enemies.

Skills for Disagreeing Better, October 27, Parish Hall, 11:15, with light lunch

Disagreement is a part of life. We can disagree over politics, what movie to see, and where we will go for dinner. Even small disagreements, if not handled well, can lead to hurt and estrangement in relationships. 

This workshop helps participants understand the values and concerns of those who differ from them politically, and it teaches essential skills for communicating across differences and finding common ground.

Contact Maggie Howe here for event information and to get on her mailing list!

Rummage Sale Week is Coming This Fall 

Beginning Sunday, September 8, but not before, please place your no longer needed but sellable contributions/treasures and paper grocery sized sacks in the Northeast corner of the Parish Hall on the left side behind the big movable dividers. Note: NO TVs, microwaves, computers, mattresses, furniture, or other large items. These things don't sell and we must pay to have them hauled away.

Organizing and marking work will begin Sunday, September 22, after the last service, and continue through the following week except Thursday when we rest. Lunch will be provided Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.

Sale dates and times"

Wednesday, Sept 25, sale for parishioners and workers only, 6 - 8pm.

Thursday is a rest day.

Friday, Sept 27, sale for public, 9am to 3pm.

Saturday, Sept 28, $2.00 per bag sale for public 9 to noon, when clean-up begins.

Believe it or not, this all is enjoyable work and our helpers come back year after year. If you can't help during the week, please come on Saturday to help with clean-up from noon to 1pm or 1:30.

Questions? Please call Lynn Gadbois at 651-270-8934.

Weekly News and a Weekly Message from Bishop Loya

The Episcopal Church in Minnesota also has a weekly e-news, where you can read a message from Bishop Craig Loya, (or sometimes a special guest author), and read about what is happening in the Episcopal Church in MN and beyond! A great way to stay connected and learn about our church outside the walls of St. John's. 

To receive the ECMN news go here, scroll to the very bottom right and sign up.

Parish Family Prayer List

We ask your prayers for:

Angie G. Cindy K. Pat P. Jean T. David G. Larry K.  Megan J. Tony and Amanda,

Kim K. Mark K. Kala K. Landon K. Gladys A. Josh L. Allan B. Louie M.



Click the button below to fill out the web form, or email prayer@stjohnwilderness to request prayers and to be added to the parish prayer list. Please let us know if you would like the request to be publicly listed or private. Unless specifically requested, prayer requests will be kept on the list for a month.

For an Election (BCP p. 822)

Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers

and privileges: Guide the people of the United States (or of

this community) in the election of officials and representatives;

that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of

all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your

purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the Parish (BCP p.817)

Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven

and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen

the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent.

Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring

us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCP p. 817

Morning Prayer & Compline

Join us on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 8 AM for morning prayer and

Monday and Friday evenings at 8:30 PM for Compline.

Both prayer services are held via Google Meet. All are welcome.

The word liturgy comes from a Greek term meaning “public work or work done on behalf of the people.” Liturgy always referred to an organized community. A work, then, done by an individual or a group was a liturgy on behalf of the larger community.

If you would like to become part of the many ministries that help make our work, our worship, our liturgies, our community, please talk to one of our clergy.

Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost:

• Joshua 24:1-2a,14-18
• Psalm 34:15-22
• Ephesians 6:10-20
• John 6:56-69

We Have a New Phone System!!

The main number, 651-429-5351, remains the same. There are new extensions, a new voice mail system that works, and staff have the ability to have a transferred call go to their cell phone! There are also direct numbers, noted below. 

Connect!

Our parish office is open Monday - Thursday, 9 am - 2:30pm. Stop by and say hi!

• Financial Coordinator: Maureen Vruno | Office hours M,T, Th, 7:30am - 2:30pm maureen@stjohnwilderness.org ext. 4 or 763-329-7415
• Rising Generations Coordinator: Maggie Howe maggie@stjohnwilderness.org ext. 5 or 763-329-7398
• Music Director: David Lim david@stjohnwilderness.org ext. 6 or 763-329-7200
• Parish Coordinator: Carrie Thomas carrie@stjohnwilderness.org 651-429-5351 ext. 3
• Deacon: The Rev. Margaret Thor margaret@stjohnwilderness.org
• Associate Priest: The Rev. Kate Maxwell, OSB kate@stjohnwilderness.org ext. 2 or 763-329-7394
• Rector: The Rev. Arthur Hancock art@stjohnwilderness.org ext. 1 or 763-329-7203

Our current Health & Safety Protocols

• St. John’s encourages all of its members to get vaccinated and boosted.
• If you feel sick or have the typical symptoms of Covid-19, we ask you to worship with us online.
• Masks are optional while inside all parish buildings for those who are boosted and vaccinated. If conditions change and we experience another surge of Covid-19, we may alter our protocols.