Just because the Lord moves in mysterious ways doesn’t mean you can’t know what’s going on.

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in North Minneapolis

On Sunday, March 7, several of St. John’s vestry, Region 8 delegates, other interested members, and Mariann Budde will attend worship at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in North Minneapolis and gather for lunch and conversation with members of St. Andrew’s.

St. Andrew’s extended the invitation to St. John’s in response to our invitation in January, when a dozen members of St. Andrews joined us for worship and conversation here. The impetus for these conversations and exploration of a partnership comes from our continued involvement in North Minneapolis through a variety of ministry partners, and a desire to know our sister Episcopal congregation there.

St. Andrew’s was established around the same time as was St. John’s, as the boundaries of Minneapolis expanded both north and south from downtown. It is now a multi-cultural congregation, with many African immigrants as members.If you’d like to learn more about St. Andrew’s, visit their website at www.standrewsepiscopalch.org .

A copy of the letter of invitation from St. Andrew’s to St. John’s may be found here.

Isaiah Lenten Series
St. John’s will partner with three North Minneapolis ISAIAH congregations to host 40 Days Toward Reconciliation. Our purpose is to discuss race openly, identify the systemic causes of racism, and strengthen relationships across racial lines.  We welcome all who’d like to attend  the sessions.  Questions: please contact Michelle Dibblee, Dan Vogel, Sue Stillman or Georgia Steele.

Saturday, February 20 at 10:00 am 
St. Bridget’s Catholic Church, 3811 Emerson Ave. No., Minneapolis
Saturday, March 6 at 10:00 am 
St. Bridget’s Catholic Church, 3811 Emerson Ave. No., Minneapolis
Saturday, March 20 at 10:00 am
St. John’s Episcopal Church, 4201 Sheridan Ave. S., Minneapolis

Firm Foundations
March 3, 10, 17, & 24 | 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays*
Led by Rev. Mariann Budde and Rev. Heidi Joos
If you’d like a chance to explore the basics of Christian faith: who Jesus is, how the Gospels came to be written, the essential teachings and core Christian practices, this gathering is for you. If you’d like a firmer foundation for your faith and a chance to explore things you’ve always wondered about, welcome. This is a class for Christian beginners, which covers all of us. For more information, contact Mariann at mebudde@stjohns-mpls.org .
 
* On Wednesday evenings there is the opportunity to join in fellowship with others over dinner before class begins.  Join us at 6:00 pm.
 
Consider Who You are: LifeKeys
March 6 & 13 | 9 a.m.-12 noon Saturdays
Led by Mariann Budde, Ivy Booth and Mary Gunderson
An of your personal strengths and unique gifts, using a variety of self assessment tools found in the book, LifeKeys. Each week, we’ll consider our lives through a particular a lens, including: life gifts, spiritual gifts, personality type, values, passions, and life choices. This class is offered particularly for those experiencing transition or who are in a period of self-examination. For more information, contact Mariann at mebudde@stjohns-mpls.org .
 
Spirituality Group
Wednesday during Lent | 12:00-1:00 pm, in the library
A weekly gathering to reflect on Scripture and life. In Lent, we will be reading Jesus Freak by Sara Miles. All are welcome. Please contact Becky Wright at wrightmn@comcast.net or 612-825-5053 with any questions.

Hammers, drills and nails…oh my!
Next work day: Saturday, March 13, 8:30 am-4pm.
If you love to swing a hammer – or wish you could learn how – here’s your chance! St John’s is partnering with Urban Homeworks to help build and repair homes in north Minneapolis on the second Saturday of every month. With lots of dates to choose from and more flexible options, there’s bound to be a day (or more!) that works for you.

To learn more or volunteer, please contact John Corlett at 612.825.9208 or email jrcorlett@comcast.net.

Ministry Begins with a Personal Connection
St. John's member Scott Maida has found that connection through a dear friend who is homeless. By telling the story of his friend, advocating the needs of the homeless and simply by asking, Scott has collected and distributed warm clothing and other items four times from his fully loaded minivan. The primary provider has been St. John's, but the outreach has reached outward to a school, another church, friends, family, businesses, and strangers who have read the article he wrote for the Downtown Journal. Learn more at Scott's blog. You can also check out this video of the project here.