The Bridge
March 5, 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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Editor's Note:
Please read all the way to the end of the newsletter, as we have lots of new and important information all through.
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Exciting News!
Beginning Sunday, March 7, St. John’s will have a weekly in-person Spanish Holy Communion service outdoors, at 1:00pm. The bread will be distributed to each person in their place.
We ask that you use our registration system for our contact tracing protocols and in case we need to give you updated information about the service. We will continue to require the wearing of masks while on the St. John’s campus, as well as social distancing of non-household members. Please bring your own chairs or blankets. A recording of the Spanish sermon will be available on our website.
Beginning Sunday, March 14, St. John's will have weekly English and Spanish Holy Communion services outdoors. The English service will be at 11:15am. We will continue to have virtual English services. However, in order to accommodate the outside services the virtual English service time will be 9:30am.
Please click on this button to make a reservation:
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Lent in Story
This week we continue with our stories from the pews telling experiences, feelings, learnings about Lent from a personal perspective. You are invited to send your story to share during Lent. The hope is to have at least one story each week, 300-500 words long. Or it can be much shorter - a one liner even - something which tells us about how a specific Lenten practice has affected you. Send your stories to me at Fay Jones, Editor - deadline is March 24! |
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From Anne Faithful:
I am Southern by birth and Texan by the Grace of God. So naturally, I love bacon. I mean I really love bacon. Crispy, chewy, bits, strips, grease in beans and other things, I love it. Yes, I do know it is one hundred percent bad for me. I do not care. Lent 1996, I decided that I would give up bacon, all bacon. Those forty days were the longest ever. The biggest, meatiest slab of bacon was bought for Easter breakfast. It was hidden in a bag at the back of the fridge. I knew it was there, but I could not see it, smell it, touch it. The anticipation for Easter breakfast was almost more than I could bear. The feeling was like what I experience on Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Knowing that Jesus is not visible during that time. Longing for Him to be there. The anticipation for His return almost unbearable. On that Easter morning, I was overcome with joy. Jesus had returned. The bacon had returned. All was right with the world.
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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.
Please click this button to reserve a time if you wish to enter the church:
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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)
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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
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An Invitation for Tea
The Episcopal Church Women chapter of St. James Episcopal Church has invited St. John's to attend a virtual Tea on Sunday, March 14, at 3:00pm. The invitation is here:
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Please note that the link to join the ceremony is at the bottom of the invitation, and there is also a password which you will need to enter in order to join the Zoom meeting. |
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This is a map of where water lines have leaks and where they are in the repair schedule:
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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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Click this button for a partial list of businesses which still require a mask during the pandemic: |
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How Can YOU Help? Volunteer!
This message from Travis County gives information about how you can help get our county vaccinated!
"Come make a difference in our community!
We collectively need to mobilize to respond to the needs of our Central Texas community – from vaccine clinics to water and food distribution. We can partner to make it happen.
We can make Central Texas healthier and safer by joining together to meet our community's needs."
This link will take you to the website to register as a volunteer:
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Continuing Vaccine News
Although many people are being vaccinated, we understand that many also have been unable to make appointments for their first dose. And that some of us are not in the open categories. We will continue to offer information about the vaccine process, here and on the Facebook Fellowship page. If you need access information for vaccine registration, please go to the church website Austin St. John's.
Currently groups 1A and 1B are authorized to receive the vaccine in Texas.
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Sunday Worship at St. John's
We worship God in a variety of ways.
- 10:00 a.m. Morning Prayer in English (Zoom)
- 1:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist in Spanish (outdoors in-person)
- 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 English service will be recorded and video 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 (Austin St. John's) .
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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! If you have questions, call 512-423-9935 to speak to Lisa Shirah-Hiers.
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Lenten Series
THE WAY OF LOVE
Practices for Jesus-Centered Life
When: Wednesday evenings during Lent at 7:00 pm
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.
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More information about The Way of Love can be found by clicking this link: |
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for other ways to make a donation.
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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. If you need pastoral care please contact Mthr. Minerva or Deacon Victoria. If you would like the Daughters of the King to include you in their prayer list, please contact Sandra Ward.
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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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Temporary Exemption: Property Damaged by Disaster (from Travis County)
GENERAL INFORMATION: Property owners use this form to claim a temporary property tax exemption for property in a governor-declared disaster area with at least 15 percent damage. (Tax Code Section 11.35)
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FILING INSTRUCTIONS: File this form and all supporting documentation with the appraisal district office in each county where property is located no later than the 105th day after the date the governor declares the area to be a disaster area. Do not file this document with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. |
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Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services (TWS-VRS) provides a variety of services that assist eligible people with disabilities in preparing for, obtaining, retaining or advancing in competitive integrated employment.
Their brochure, as well as a Guide for Applicants, can be downloaded here:
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As we gradually return to in-person services and open offices, we will let you know of the hours and days. St. John's will continue to be conservative in our gatherings, requiring masks and distancing, with limited attendance.
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All indoor 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)
In-Person Outdoor Holy Communion
en español a las 13:00 horas a partir del 7 de marzo
In English - beginning March 14 - 11:15am
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