What’s Happening at
St. John’s Episcopal Church



11201 Parkfield Drive, Austin, Texas
Sunday, April 5, 2020
A Letter from our Rector

Sacred Spaces.

We all have a difference sense of “space”. We all need a buffer, a degree of space around each of us. This is innate and we all know that feeling when someone else is getting too close and pressing in on our personal space.

Space is taking on new meaning right now. We are, for the most part, homebound. And, after a time our square footage begins to feel like it is closing in, especially if we are spending many more hours than normal with others that we live with, love dearly, but, just are not accustomed to being with to this degree!

Space is sacred. I invite each of you to make and/or find a sacred space for yourself in your home. For me, it is a corner of my living room by a pleasant window. Set this space aside. Each may contribute to a “family sacred space” (just like we do with Christmas trees).

What makes the space sacred? Your presence, your time, your desire to be quiet, to listen, to speak to God, and to hear God speak to you. In these days of extra “free time” (maybe) why not make time, physically, spiritually, and emotionally to honor God and yourself by having a sacred space in your home.

What makes a space sacred? First of all, you. You may want to put a cross, a candle, a Bible, Book of Common Prayer, devotional books, a special palm cross you saved, it is your choice, this is your space. This would be a perfect location to begin a discipline of reading/praying The Daily Office (Morning Prayer, Noonday Prayer, Order of Worship for the Evening, Evening Prayer, Compline, Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families.) Set aside time to be quiet. Initially, try just sitting and being still. If it works, try to use this space on a regular schedule or time. This might be a place to be as you follow virtual services on TV. This is your space.

You are sacred, because you are a child of God. Let this special space be a source of comfort and a presence of our Lord and Savior as we march into Holy Week, Easter and beyond.

Please hold in your prayers all the medical teams, first responders, nurses, doctors, and technicians. They are weary, tired, scared and care so much for their so many patients.

See you all this Sunday – online!

Faithfully,
Ann+
Need Help?

Please, if you find that you need help financially, with food, spiritually, emotionally, do not hesitate to call Deacon Victoria (512-297-5953) or Rev. Ann (769-257-2377).

We are a church family; and when a family member needs assistance we want to try and help that member.
Sunday services at St. John's
We are finding different ways to worship.

Sunday services of Holy Eucharist are being live streamed from our Chapel at 10:00 am in English and at 12 No on in Spanish.
 
Go to the St. John's Facebook page ( Click Here ) and scroll down to the “Videos” section of the page. The livestream for each service will be available approximately 5 minutes before the start of the service.
 
Video from all services will be posted on YouTube as soon as possible on Sunday afternoons. YouTube links will be posted on Facebook and on our website ( www.austinstjohns.org ) .
Wednesday evening study -
The Apostle

As John Williams resumes the viewing and reviewing of the movie "The Apostle" which was begun in early Lent, St. John's Episcopal Church is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Please click on the link which will take you right to the meeting. If you are prompted to do so, just type in the meeting ID and password which are shown below the link. You can also dial in on your phone using the number below ... use the meeting ID and password as prompted.

Topic : Wednesday night at the movies--The Apostle starring Robert Duvall

Time : Apr 1, 2020 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Click below to join the Zoom Meeting:

Meeting ID: 280 496 183
Password: 571641

One tap mobile
+13462487799,,280496183# US (Houston)

Dial by your location
    +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Celtic Saints

St. John's Episcopal Church is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Fr. David is back! He will be continuing his series on "some" Celtic Saints beginning Thursday, April 2, starting at 10:00 am. This presentation will be via a Zoom meeting. Please click on the link below which will take you right to the meeting. If you are prompted to do so, just type in the password which is shown below the link. You can also dial in on your phone using the number below ... use the meeting ID as prompted.

Topic: Celtic Saints -- The Thursday Morning bible study resumes with the continuation of Fr. David's series on the Celtic Saints.

Time: Apr 2, 2020 10:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada)

Click below to join the Zoom meeting:

Meeting ID: 413 471 738

One tap mobile
+13462487799,,413471738# US (Houston)

Dial by your location
       +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) 
Habits of Grace

An invitation for you, from Presiding Bishop Curry

[March 30, 2020] As we learn how to adjust our lives given the reality of the coronavirus and the request to do our part to slow its spread by practicing physical distancing, I invite you to join me each week to take a moment to cultivate a ‘habit of grace.’ Click here for Bishop Michael Curry's  Habits of Grace meditation which will be posted on Mondays through May.
Stand up and be counted!

Or turn on your computer as the case may be. The census provides critical data that lawmakers, business owners, teachers, and many others use to provide daily services, products, and support for you and your community. Every year, billions of dollars in federal funding go to hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other resources based on census data.

The results of the census also determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives, and they are used to draw congressional and state legislative districts.

It's also in the Constitution: Article 1, Section 2, mandates that the country conduct a count of its population once every 10 years. The 2020 Census will mark the 24th time that the country has counted its population since 1790.

There's also a pdf coloring book for kids which you can download!
Do YOU sew?

Ministry continues! Here are two opportunities to help support medical personnel in our community. There are not enough protective masks to meet the needs. Making protective masks is a great way to help during this critical time.


Thanks to Carol Acurso, here is a link to a program which provides safety masks for healthcare workers:

and another one from Deacon Victoria:
Caring for Each Other

As we journey through this difficult time of "social distancing" and requirements to stay at home, it is ever more important to stay in touch with, and pray for, each other. To this end, many people are checking in with friends and family on a regular basis.

It is also important for the church, as the church, to stay in touch, especially with our vulnerable and more "at risk" members. Your vestry has taken on the ministry of calling certain members of the parish regularly, in order to ensure they are cared for. This also provides an opportunity to pray together.

We also continue to pray for our regular prayer list, both during Sunday worship and by the Daughters of the King.

If you, or someone you know, need prayer or would like to be contacted by the church, please contact the Reverend Ann McLemore at 769-257-2377 or RevAnn@austinstjohns.org to add names to the Prayer List.
Sharing Stories

What have you realized you don't really need?
Has this situation changed your prayer life?
What have you realized you do really need?
Have you invited anyone to virtual church?
What new thing(s) have you done at home?
How clean is your closet?

And the hard questions:
What have you missed most of all?
What has been the most frustrating part of this?

Our question for you:
What can St. John's do for you in this time? Call Rev. Ann (769-257-2377), Deacon Victoria (512-297-5953), or a Vestry member if you need assistance or just someone to talk to. We are together while alone.

Wash your hands - Stay home - Keep calling and checking on family, neighbors, other parishioners.
Giving at St. John's

People have asked how to continue their giving. The ministry of the Church continues.

There are several ways you can continue to give:

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 pay online through our website: Click here to donate online

Use this button to go directly to our online giving site:
Missing your Book of Common Prayer?


Here is a link to The Book of Common Prayer online: Click here for BCP online


Although this is a difficult time to "do church", we at St. John's are making it happen! Quite a few people joined us online last Sunday, and we hope for more participation this week.

Please note: The church buildings are closed until further notice. Only Rev. Ann, Philip (music), and Bill (technical support) will be in the chapel for the streaming of the Sunday services. 

In his message on March 26, Bishop Andy Doyle stated: "The closure of offices and suspension of public services ... in accordance with the local and statewide guidelines remains in effect" Bishop Doyle is offering guidance to the Diocese on a weekly basis. Episcopal Diocese of Texas COVID-19
Holy Week and Easter

See below for more information about Holy Week and Easter.
All services through Palm Sunday and Holy Week and Easter will be broadcast from the St. John's Chapel.

Here is the schedule for Holy Week and Easter:

Palm Sunday - The Blessing of the Palms and Palm Sunday liturgy will be broadcast from the Chapel at 10:00 am in English and 12 Noon in Spanish.

Maundy Thursday - the Maundy Thursday liturgy will be broadcast from the Chapel at 7:00 pm in English.

Good Friday - the Good Friday liturgy will be broadcast from the Chapel at 12 Noon in English and 7:00 pm in Spanish.

Easter Vigil - We invite you to participate in the Christ Church Cathedral (Houston) Easter Vigil, Saturday, April 11th, 8:00 pm (click here for Christ Church Cathedral, Houston ) or Trinity Wall Street Easter Vigil, Saturday, April 11, 7:30 pm (click here for Trinity Wall Street )

Easter Day - Christ is Risen! Alleluia! This celebratory liturgy will be broadcast from the Chapel at 10:00 am in English and 12 Noon in Spanish.
All meetings and activities at St. John's are temporarily suspended.

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

Christian Formation classes are being resumed via Zoom or other online methods.

Fellowship, refreshments, and Convivencia will resume when we are able to return to our regular service schedule at the church.

We will post a notification here, on Facebook, and on our website when this restriction has been lifted.
Virtual Sunday Services
10:00 am in English (Facebook)
Mediodía en español (Facebook)
For more information about events at St. John’s,
please visit our website at www.austinstjohns.org