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The Bridge
February 26, 2021

The Mission of St. John’s is to be a community of God’s people who heal brokenness, build bridges, and exemplify borderless kindness.
A Hot Meal is Available

Steve Kriechbaum has offered to cook warm meal for anyone that might need one. 

If you are still having difficulties as a result of last week's storms and outages, please contact Steve at click here for a hot meal.
Winter Storm Update
 
From what we have learned so far, St. John’s parishioners have emerged from our Winter Storm without much damage to our homes/apartments. Thanks Be to God!
 
If it turns out that you do need help, please contact this organization:
 
Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN)
 
St. John’s is one of many faith communities that are part of this network. ADRN is coordinating efforts to assist those who have been affected by the storm.
 
Here are a couple of helpful phone numbers from ADRN:
 
  • Winter Storm Response Survivor Hotline:
  • 1-800-806-0800
 
  • Crisis Cleanup:
  • 1-800-329-8052 (if you need help with clearing debris, cleaning, or plumbing)
 
If you are interested in individual volunteer opportunities to help, call ADRN at 512-825-8211.
 
Team St. John’s?
 
  • If you are willing to be put on "stand-by" as someone who can help (representing St. John’s as a team of volunteers to work on one project), please contact Paula Foy via email (Paula Foy). Please specify the type of tool/skills you could offer.
 
Thanks!
Paula Foy, Senior Warden
Lent in Story

When I was a student at the Texas School for the Blind, I was a member of the Baptist Church and knew nothing but one thing about Lent. My Roman Catholic friends in my dorm, would often give up dessert for Lent, and there were a lot of them. We Protestants would go to them prior to the beginning of Lent and lay claim to their desserts, specifying exactly which desserts we were willing to take off their hands. I always requested the lemon soufflé and ice cream. We thought those girls were nuts, giving up desserts for 40 days. Then, I found the Episcopal Church in my early forties. Once I went through Confirmation classes and learned about Lent, I realized that Lent and the pre-Easter services would be the most meaningful time in the Church year for me.

I have taken on more prayer time, and a practice of praying for one individual throughout each day.

I love that we celebrate Easter for forty days before the actual Easter Sunday. The Maundy Thursday service is one that means most to me because the excruciating agony of that service makes Easter morning much more dear. I will myself not to know the end of the story as I worship through Maundy Thursday service and welcome the sadness and dread to take over my soul. I rarely ever “wish I could see” but I find I do wish I could see the elements leaving the nave during the service, because I know that my soul’s response would be sharper with that visual in my head. I had a friend describe what is done, so while it is carried out, I can imagine the process.

COVID Lent has been difficult and I think that is because of the sadness throughout the world this year, along with the added sadness of the horrendous death tolls we hear about every day. 

Ann Foxworth
Rite of Reconciliation of a Penitent

If anyone would like to schedule a time for the sacramental Rite of Reconciliation of a Penitent, they can contact Mthr. Minerva to schedule a time. Mthr. Minerva or 512-593-1778.

"The Rite of Reconciliation of a Penitent is available for all who desire it. It is not restricted to times of sickness. Confessions may be heard anytime and anywhere." (BCP p. 446)
This is a map of where the water lines have leaks and where they are in the repair schedule:
Black History Month

February is Black History Month and the Episcopal Church at all levels is providing links to stories, articles, websites and events to help us all learn more about Black History. There’s also a wealth of information out there in the world wide web.

PBS Documentary:

Creative Action and George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center:
Saturday, February 27 / 11:00 a.m.
Black History Month Kids' Day + HBCU Day (Historically Black Colleges & Universities.)
The Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity.
FREE Online Public Event
Click here to register: The Black Family

Union of Black Episcopalians:
  • One Human Race Mini-Workshop: What Caused the Racial Wealth Gap?
Saturday, February 27 / 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
This free workshop explains how national housing policy created the racial wealth gap. We'll watch a condensed version of Episode 3, The House We Live In, from Race: The Power of an Illusion and examine our own thoughts and feelings by sharing in small groups. Reserve your spot by registering at onehumanraceaustin.org.

  • One Human Race Workshop
Saturday, March 20 / 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
This free workshop examines the foundations of racism in the U.S. We'll watch a condensed version of Race: The Power of an Illusion and examine our own thoughts and feelings by sharing in small groups. Reserve your spot by registering at onehumanraceaustin.org

The National Museum of African American History and Culture: The museums website offers stories and events. Link to the museum: The National Museum of African American History and Culture. Link to Black History Month offerings: Celebrate Black History Month at the Museum
Elderly and Caregiver Support

AGE of Central Texas - a regional non-profit that helps older adults and family caregivers thrive.
 
For over 30 years AGE of Central Texas has been providing ongoing support through the Thrive Social and Wellness Center, which provides daytime care and social wellness support for older adults with physical and cognitive needs.

There is a Health Equipment Lending Program which includes wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs, and other mobility equipment along with free incontinence products to lower income older adults. 

There is a Resource Information Center for those seeking information about area resources to help navigate the realities of aging and/or caregiving. 

For caregivers, Caregiver U provides classes such as "Powerful Tools For Caregivers" and "Savvy Caregiver" along with "A Matter of Balance" (falls prevention sessions). Also for caregivers, there are monthly webinars on topics of interest that will aid them on their journey of compassionate care for a loved one.
 
Roger Temme, Outreach Associate for AGE, will join us on Sunday, March 7 after the 10:00am service to share about some of the programs. The website for AGE of Central Texas is here: AGE of Central Texas 
COVID Safety Guidelines from Austin Public Health

Please click this button to read the latest suggested guidelines to stay safe and healthy during the pandemic:
News on the COVID vaccine front
(Quoted from KXAN News)

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Circuit of the Americas, Austin’s home of Formula 1, is set to become one of the area’s newest COVID-19 vaccination sites — with the potential to eventually administer as many as 50,000 per week.

And vaccinating local school employees along with CommUnity Care members is the initial focus.
The Department of State Health Services has so far allotted 3,000 doses for this week. Those will be given out to select recipients with appointments this Saturday.

A group of Central Texas county judges are establishing the site, which Travis County commissioners approved moving forward with the plan Tuesday. Judges Andy Brown, Ruben Becerra, Hoppy Haden, and Paul Pape worked with CommUnity Care and Ascension Texas to request additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

Doses at the site will be given out in addition to those already being distributed through local hubs.

Travis County Judge Brown says the bipartisan group is prepared to deliver as many as 10,000 doses a day, meaning 50,000 doses of the vaccine a week using the drive-thru set up.

Hopefully, after we have a good good show on Saturday and we get them into people’s arms safely, hopefully that will result in us getting a whole lot more here,” Brown said.

Brown says doses administered at COTA won’t take away from those administered by Austin Public Health. The hope is to get additional vaccines into the community, so they can be distributed at a faster rate.

“We think it will be a way to help be a little bit more efficient, help target people who have been hardest hit by COVID, give them an opportunity to get shots in greater numbers,” Brown said.
We understand how frustrating it has been to get registered for and actually obtain the COVID-19 vaccine. We hope this information about websites for local and contiguous counties will be helpful. It is often easier to find availability if you don't mind driving a bit.
 
Currently groups 1A and 1B are authorized to receive the vaccine in Texas.
 
There have been technical issues that further complicate matters due to the sheer volume of people attempting to access the websites. Please try to be kind, patient, and persistent. Check these websites often. Be flexible about when and where you can go, if possible. Ask questions about accessibility if necessary. The people who are working to get us all vaccinated are doing the best they can, and deserve our understanding.
It is suggested that you check one or more of these websites every day because once they get the vaccine they will open the registration and it is on a first come first served basis. Follow these links to look for COVID-19 vaccine availability locally and in contiguous counties:
Starting February 8th in Texas, pharmacies set to begin receiving COVID vaccines; here are their appointment registration links:
UTHealth has three categories of signups:
1. Current students, faculty and staff
2. UT retirees and other UT-related categories
3. Public signup for 1A (health workers) and 1B (those over 65 or with specific conditions).
The UTHealth protocols are evidently quite different from Austin Public Health, but UTHealth IS a state-designated mega site just as is APH, so UTHealth gets a large allotment of vaccine.
Are you a veteran?
Stay informed about getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
This website has a lot of information about getting vaccinated through the Veterans Administration!

"Sign up for an easy way to stay informed about getting a COVID-19 vaccine at VA. When you sign up, we’ll also ask about your vaccine plans. Your local VA health facility may use this information to determine when to contact you once your risk group becomes eligible."

"Note: The VA will contact every eligible Veteran in each risk group. You don’t need to sign up to get a vaccine."
Sunday Worship at St. John's

We will celebrate Morning Prayer via Zoom.

  • 10:00 a.m. Morning Prayer in English
  • 12:00 noon Morning Prayer in Spanish

  • To participate in our Sunday services, you do not need to have a Zoom account or download Zoom. Simply click this button to attend the service:
You may also join the service by telephone -
dial (346) 248-7799 and enter the meeting ID when prompted.
Meeting ID: 879 9502 6837
To protect those participating in the service from any possible "trolls" who might try to interrupt our worship, the Waiting Room is enabled for this event. The Verger will admit you to the service as quickly as possible.
Please note: Everyone except those people who have an active role in the service will be muted. This is to minimize background noise. At the Prayers of the People, you will be invited to put any prayer requests into the "Chat" and Deacon Victoria will read these at the appropriate time.
The services will be recorded and video from both services will be posted on the St. John's Facebook page, YouTube, and the St. John's website later in the day so that you can replay a service at your convenience. Links to the recordings will be posted on our website (www.austinstjohns.org).
Virtual Coffee and Fellowship:
Provide your own beverage and treat of choice

Join friends for a virtual coffee "hour" every Sunday! This will begin shortly after the 10am service (about 10:45am), so just stay on Zoom when the service ends. If you don't attend the service, you can click on this button to join the fun:
Knitting Us Together

All knitters, crocheters, cross-stitchers, etc., are invited to bring a project to Sunday's Zoom coffee hour! If you have questions, call 512-423-9935 to speak to Lisa Shirah-Hiers.
The Book of Common Prayer

Since it appears that Zoom worship services will be continuing for some time, if you haven't gotten a Book of Common Prayer for your worship at home, here is a link to Church Publishing. There are a variety of formats, including an online edition.
A Day for Prayers and Blessings

March 8th will mark the one year anniversary of the last Sunday we all celebrated Eucharist in our sanctuary. To commemorate this past year of pandemic we will open our campus to our members from 9am to 6:30pm. You are invited to come and walk and pray the labyrinth. You are also invited to come into the sanctuary one household at a time for a short period for prayer. Everyone will be asked to wear a mask and socially distance unless you are from the same household. Deacon Victoria and Mother Minerva will be available for prayers and blessings. 
Lenten Series

THE WAY OF LOVE
Practices for Jesus-Centered Life

When: Wednesday evenings during Lent at 7:00 pm

What is the Way of Love?

The Way of Love is a way of life. More than a program or curriculum, it is a return to the ancient pathways and Rules of Life that followers of Jesus have observed for centuries. They knew the power of commitment to a core set of practices – Turn, Learn, Pray, Worship, Bless, Go, Rest – and the power of gathering in a small group where you find love and support for living into these commitments. If we hope to not only worship Jesus but to grow more like him and bear his redeeming love in the world, we can adopt a rule of life like the Way of Love and find a community with which to practice it.

This year’s Lenten series is being offered in both English and Spanish virtually via Zoom. We begin with a time for bilingual prayer and then split into two classes, English and Spanish. Each week, we will turn, learn, and pray our way through the desert, toward resurrection life with Jesus.
More information about The Way of Love can be found by clicking this link:
In order to download the calendar for printing or saving on your computer, simply hover your pointer over the image and double (left) click to open the image. Then you can save it on your own computer, or print it out for your use.
There are several ways you can continue to give towards the mission and ministry of St. John's:

Mail your check to the Church: St. John's Episcopal Church, 
P. O. Box 81493, Austin, TX 78708-1493

Go to your bank's website and set up direct payment - the bank will send a check directly to St. John's using this address: 
St. John's Episcopal Church, P. O. Box 81493, Austin, TX 78708-1493

Use this link to learn more about online giving: Click here

Use this button to go directly to our online giving portal:
Caring for Each Other

St. John's is interested in meeting the pastoral needs of our community. If you have prayer requests, please contact Sheri Rasmussen at  sheri@austinstjohns.org. If you need pastoral care please contact Mother Minerva at revminerva@austinstjohns.org or Deacon Victoria at deaconvic@austinstjohns.org. If you would like the Daughters of the King to include you in their prayer list, please contact Sandra Ward at 1redsand2@gmail.com.
Need Help?

If you find that your situation is causing financial, spiritual, or emotional difficulties, or if you are in need of food, do not hesitate to call Deacon Victoria (512-297-5953) or contact Mthr. Minerva (RevMinerva@austinstjohns.org).

We are a church family; when a family member needs assistance we want to try and help that member.
Central Texas Interfaith

"During this difficult time, we are reminded of the importance of a safe and warm home. We are reminded that at this time, many Texans including our friends, neighbors and parishioners have faced growing financial challenges and struggled to pay rent during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Leaders at Central Texas Interfaith have worked tirelessly to fight for rental assistance. As of February 15th, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) is now accepting applications for landlords and tenants to apply for the Texas Rent Relief Assistance Program. 

The Texas Rent Relief Program is a statewide $1.3 billion rental assistance that can help renters with the following costs starting as far back as March 13, 2020 (potentially up to 11 months of past due bills):
  • Past due, current and up to 3 months of expected rent costs
  • Past due, current or up to 3 months of expected utility and home energy expenses
  • After the initial 3 months of forward assistance, you can apply for 3 additional months of assistance if funds are still available

At this time, we have closed the online Texas Rent Relief application while we review and improve the system. Information on the program is still available online.

Customers can still call 833-9TX-RENT (833-989-7368) for questions or to complete an application over the phone. TDHCA will prioritize applications received by Sunday February 28th." 


Only Mthr. Minerva and essential support staff will be in the Church for the streaming of services as we continue to follow the direction of government officials and the guidance of our Bishop.

All in-person meetings and activities at St. John's are temporarily suspended.

Ministry continues. All St. John's meetings will be held virtually (via Zoom).

We will post a notification here, on Facebook, and on our website when this restriction has been lifted.
Fay Jones, Editor (fay@austinstjohns.org)
St. John's Episcopal Church
P. O. Box 81493, Austin, TX 78708-1493

Virtual Sunday Services
10:00 am in English (Zoom)
Mediodía en español (Zoom)

In-Person Holy Communion
Suspended Until Further Notice
For more information about events at St. John’s, please visit our website at www.austinstjohns.org