Parish Profile
Parish Profile: Summary
Click here for a 2 page Parish Profile summary with headings:
- The important things to know about St. John in the Wilderness
- About the people at St. Johns
- What we are looking for in a rector
- Our aspirations as a church
Parish Profile: Who We Are
Welcome
Here at St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church, we welcome all in Christ’s name. Everyone is welcome to participate in the worship service and receive Holy Communion, the bread and wine that is Christ’s Body and Blood. Our services are child-friendly, and children of any age may receive communion. Gluten free bread is available. We base our worship on the Book of Common Prayer and the Hymnal. These books are located in the pews, and are to be used together with the worship bulletin. Healing prayer is available during communion in the Chapel of Repose in the back of the church. We share an information packet and a small welcoming gift with first time visitors. Following each service, fellowship and refreshments are available in the Parish Hall.History
St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church was the first Church established in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Founded in 1861, it was originally located at the site now occupied by St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Cemetery (also established in 1861) located at White Bear Avenue and South Shore Drive.
It was founded by John and Laura Aubrey. John and Laura Aubrey (as they were known in the White Bear area), had left England in the late 1850s, as a result of a family disgrace relating to his father’s activities in the banking industry in England. John and Laura changed their names from Laura Paul and Aubrey John Paul and traveled to the United States. They arrived in the White Bear area, in 1857, and built the first frame house in the area on land purchased from V.B. Barnum, on the S.W. shore of White Bear Lake, between White Bear Lake and Goose Lake. In 1860 the Aubreys donated land for the building of an Episcopal church and cemetery. Both Church and Cemetery were founded in 1861; however, services were held beginning in 1858. The first school opened in White Bear Lake in 1857, with Laura Aubrey as the first teacher.
The Aubreys left White Bear and returned to England after learning of the death of John’s father in 1868. Upon returning to England, the Aubreys took on their inherited titles. While they lived in the White Bear area, they withheld information about their nobility. In March 1874, the original Church was jacked up and placed onto logs, and dragged across White Bear Lake to Clark Avenue, where it was jacked up to street level and then dragged to its present location, at the corner of First Street and Clark Avenue.
The original Church was replaced by the present Church, which was built in 1925-1926.
(Based on the History Of St. John In The Wilderness Episcopal Church White Bear Lake, Minnesota 1861 – 2001, Compiled by John W. Johnson, 2003).
Parish Mission
We are a traditional Episcopal Community with a Contemporary Mission of Sharing God’s Amazing Love. In our worship, ministry, fellowship, and mission, we seek, with God's help, to provide a spiritual home for children, youth, and adults as they travel on their journey of faith through the wilderness of human experience.
Worship Services
We generally have three services, all of which are based on the Book of Common Prayer and the Eucharist: Early Risers (8:00 am) with minimal music; Family Friendly (9:00 am) is more contemporary, with greater reliance on Wonder Love and Praise and Lift Every Voice and Sing music selections; and Choral Eucharist (11:00 am). We use vergers, acolytes, chalice bearers, worship leaders, ushers in our worship services, and especially encourage children and youth to participate whenever available.
Current Staff
Clergy:
- Interim Priest (3/4 time)
- Associate Priest (part-time)
- 2 Deacons
- Music and Choir Minister (part-time)
- Worship Leader (part-time)
- Children/Youth Minister (part-time}
- Parish Administrator (part-time)
- 2 Children’s daycare providers (hourly)
- Sexton (part-time)
Budget for Calendar Years 2016 and 2017
We are blessed with a strong General Endowment, and a Children’s and Youth Endowment. We are committed to financial transparency and conservative financial practices. Click here for a PDF copy of our 2016 Annual Report. Click here for a PDF copy of our 2017 Annual Report.
Worship and Music Ministries
The Sunday worship experience is an essential ministry for many members of St. John in the Wilderness. Some of those who have committed their gifts to enhance our worship experience include Acolytes, Lay Readers, Altar Guild Members, Vergers, Ushers, Choir members, Lay Eucharistic Ministers, and Property Committee Members.
Christian Education and Formation
In order to search for, grow, and deepen our faith, we provide opportunities for children, youth, and adults to engage in faith development. Faith Formation on Sundays for children and youth includes Frolic Spark and Shine Curriculum for children, and Generation Y curriculum (which includes confirmation preparation) for high school students. Adult Faith Formation is led by lay volunteers and clergy, and encourages all to connect their faith and scripture, with their daily life. Our most recent theme has been The Beloved Community, and we have had guest speakers representing Mormon, Jewish, and Muslim traditions, theories of justice, immigration, and medical ethics. On Wednesday nights, we offer Bible Study classes for adults, choir practice, and gathering opportunities for youth. During the summer we offer Vacation Bible School for Children. The Adult Christian Education and Formation committee maintains a website with links to many past presentations and series.
Parish Life Ministries
St. John in the Wilderness offers opportunities to grow Christian fellowship outside of formal worship. Our activities have included such events as Wednesday Night Suppers, Second Sunday Brunch, Hospitality, Annual Women’s Retreat, Game nights, Super Bowl Chili Contest, Movie nights, Wilderness Wonders Book Club, Annual Rummage Sale, Agape Meal, Annual Women’s Christmas Lunch.
A video of images from our parish life together 2016:
A video of images from our parish life together 2017:
Community Service and Outreach Ministries
The mission of St. John in the Wilderness and the Outreach Committee is to help encourage, develop, and support opportunities for our members to serve others, thereby continuing the mission of Christ. Examples of those activities have included:
- Kid’s Hope
- Giving Gardens – grow food for local food shelf
- Habitat Humanity – partner with other churches
- Solid Ground – partner to support homeless in transition
- Annual Youth Mission Trip to Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota– partner with other churches
- African Friends In Need Network – support our sister church in serving local trade schools and community in Uganda since 2004
- Contributions to JRLC (Joint Religious Legislative Coalition)
- Sponsor Annual Community Pet Parade and Pet Blessing
City of White Bear Lake
Located about a 20-minute drive northeast of the geographic center of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, White Bear Lake is close enough to big city attractions such as music and art venues, professional sports and fine dining, yet it has its own small town feel and atmosphere.
