The Bridge
February 12, 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.
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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.
The Racial Justice Team is working on a way to share the jewels of this treasure trove with you. Until that’s ready, we would like to direct you to these offerings:
PBS Special: “The Black Church: This is Our Story, This Is Our Song” will air on February 16 and 17 at 8:00 pm.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture: The museums website offers stories and events. Link to the museum: https://nmaahc.si.edu/. Link to Black History Month offerings: https://nmaahc.si.edu/blog-post/celebrating-black-history-month
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From Our Rector
As the Season after Epiphany draws to a close I am starting to look towards Lent, and yet before we enter Lent this Sunday I am reminded that we celebrate the Transfiguration of our Lord. At transfiguration, as at the baptism, a voice is heard. At the baptism “a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.’” At the transfiguration, “there came a voice, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!’”. God added a little and yet profound clause to what he said at the baptism. Listen to him. As we prepare for our Lenten practice two questions to consider are: what does Jesus say and how are you listening to Him?
During our Lenten series, we will be studying the Way of Love. This will be an opportunity to take time to listen closer to what Jesus is saying to us. It is an opportunity to reflect with one another how we can put Jesus’s teachings into action in our daily lives. We will learn together how to be better tuned in to Jesus’s teachings so we can make better decisions in our lives. Decisions that will help us transform our lives and our community.
I encourage all of you to seriously consider committing to participating in the Lenten series Wednesdays at 7pm via Zoom. We will walk together in this journey during Lent to prepare ourselves for the great coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Minerva Camarena Skeith+
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Caregiver Support
“Breaking the Ice: A Hospice Conversation for Caregivers” Caregiver Seminar on February 20th:
AGE of Central Texas will host this free virtual caregiver support seminar on Saturday, February 20th, from 11:00 to 11:30 a.m. Baylor Scott & White Hospice Care Consultant Chiquita Watkins, MHA, MBA, will explore the basics of hospice care and how it can provide comfort, support, and peace of mind for both patients and caregivers. She has a Master’s in Health Administration, and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and has been in the medical health care field for 10 years. Registration for the conference is free, but space is limited. Participants can register by calling (512) 600-9275, or online at http://www.TinyURL.com/AGEfebruary2021.
"GPS Navigation for Caregivers" February 22 - 26, 2021
AGE of Central Texas and Riverbend Church are hosting a week of workshops designed just for the caregiver of a loved one. Discover local caregiver resources, learn new skills, and connect with local experts on aging. Each day during the week there will be one 90-minute webinar from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
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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:
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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.
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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 serve basis. Follow these links to look for COVID-19 vaccine availability locally and in contiguous counties:
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Starting February 8th in Texas, pharmacies set to begin receiving COVID vaccines; here are their appointment registration links: |
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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).
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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. |
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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."
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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:
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You may also join the service by telephone -
dial (346) 248-7799 and enter the meeting ID when prompted.
Meeting ID: 879 9502 6837
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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. |
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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. |
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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).
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Church Photos for Zoom Background
As many of you have expressed an interest in using photos of the church as your Zoom background, Bill Cox took several pictures from different aspects and here they are! Notice that we now have a couple of "backrow pew" photos!
Simply right click on a photo and save it to your computer. When you are in Zoom, go to the lower left corner of the screen where you will see a little video camera with a small arrow or "caret" - click on the arrow. This will take you to a screen where you can choose a background. Click on the + sign and browse your photos to find the one you want. Double click the photo to add it to Zoom backgrounds, then choose that one from the array. This should give you the background you have chosen. You do not need a green screen although if the room behind you is "busy" the background may not work well.
Please Note: These instructions may be a little different for a Mac, phone, iPad , etc.
Also Note: Virtual backgrounds may not be available on some older computers or on computers that have limited processor or memory capacity. In general, the Zoom meeting software will not allow you to select a virtual background if your computer is not capable of displaying it.
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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:
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Knitting Us Together
All knitters, crocheters, cross-stitchers etc. are invited to bring a project to Sunday's zoom coffee hour! We will gather every Sunday after the 10:00 a.m. service (about 10:45) as we share time with our St. John's community.
Whether you are a member of our Loops and Stitches ministry or just interested in needle work you are welcome to join us. If you have questions, call 512-423-9935 to speak to Lisa Shirah-Hiers.
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Let's Do Pancakes!
On February 16 - Shrove Tuesday, Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras - the day before Ash Wednesday, we traditionally celebrate with a pancake supper hosted by our Vestry. However, as we will be unable to gather together for this event, we will host a Zoom meeting beginning at 6:00 p.m. during which you are invited to have pancakes (and bacon!) in your own homes while sharing fellowship with our St. John's friends.
Those of you who have attended Pancake Suppers in the past may remember the sour dough pancakes prepared by Roger Hall. Laurie Williams has graciously shared with us a link for preparing your own sour dough starter so you can make these at home with her recipe!
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Ash Wednesday Service
Ash Wednesday - February 17 at 7pm. This will be a bilingual service via Zoom. At the appointed time during the service, we will have an opportunity for self imposition of ashes. If you are interested in participating, you may gather ashes from your home or dirt from your garden. Rubbing your fingers on a recently extinguished candle wick also provides ashes. [more information]
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Lenten Series
THE WAY OF LOVE
Practices for Jesus-Centered Life
When: Wednesday evenings during Lent at 7:00 pm, beginning February 24
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 will be offered in both English and Spanish virtually via Zoom. We will 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.
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Living Compass Lenten Meditation Guide
Here is a link to Living Compass Living Well Through Lent 2021. The print copies in English are sold out, but there are several online options, including the opportunity to receive a daily email. If you have any questions, please contact Fay Jones (fay@austinstjohns.org).
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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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Fay Jones, Editor (fay@austinstjohns.org) |
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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
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