The Bridge
January 13, 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.
|
|
Save the Date!
On Sunday, January 31, 2021, at 11:00 a.m., St. John's will convene the Annual Meeting (via Zoom). This immediately follows the 10:00 a.m. service of Morning Prayer and you will be able to just stay on that Zoom meeting. The link to attend the service and the Annual Meeting will be sent out on Saturday, January 30.
|
|
From Our Rector
The Season between Epiphany and Lent is a time for us to pay attention to how God is revealed. Our lectionaries - designated readings for daily prayer and Sunday worship - provide lessons and testimonies of faithful people who have gone before us. As I went through the week and especially after a full day of meeting with the ministry leaders and staff, I am fully aware of the effects on our emotional health of our current political situation. There is anxiety, fear, concern, disappointment, frustration. I share these feelings too. So, we may be asking ourselves where is God?
I am drawn to the scriptures for solace. Jesus often tells us, do not be afraid. There was much to be feared during the time of Jesus - political and religious infighting, imperial domination, and threat of civil unrest. Jesus' message to all who will listen is “I am with you.” In Matthew he tells his disciples “Do not be afraid” when their boat is getting a beating from the sea and they thought they would be capsized. Again in Matthew after the crucifixion of Jesus, the disciples are terrified because they thought their beloved teacher was dead. Jesus again tells them, “Do not be afraid I will be with you always to the end of the age.”
I am also reminded of Mr. Rogers. One of the things he said after the terrorist attack of 9/11, was that he learned from his mother to always look for the helpers. He said, “if you look around in any terrible accident, catastrophe, or tragedy there will always be helpers”. And, he said, “if you look for the helpers you will know that there is hope”.
Yes, we are living in uncertain times and it is normal to be afraid. And, we can trust that God is present today as he was present yesterday and will be present always. Amid all the challenges of our times. Let us remember that God is present in our lives. Let us pay attention to where God is working and look for the helpers. Not only that, let us find ways that we too can be helpers.
Minerva Camarena Skeith+
|
|
Thanks be to God!
Epiphany
During the Advent season, I followed meditations that were compiled from the writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a 20th century theologian and member of Nazi resistance movement. These writings jostled my normal perspective of Advent and the Incarnation. I looked for something similar for the season of Epiphany. After finding only a handful of books, it made me wonder, is Epiphany a lost season for meditations and reflections?
So I turned to the Sunday lectionary for Epiphany. What I found can be summarized in three phrases: “Aha!”, “Follow me” and “healing.” The “Aha!” moments showed us Jesus is the God Incarnate – the visit of the three Wise Men, the Baptism of Our Lord and the Transfiguration. As far as we know, “Follow me” is all that Jesus said to the four fishermen – Andrew, Simon, James, and John – and to Philip. He was more verbally playful with Nathaniel and he also followed Jesus. Two Sunday readings are devoted to Jesus healing people and driving out demons.
All these moments reveal that the Incarnation of our Lord is truly found in Christ Jesus. The gift of the Incarnation is that we can know that God became human in response to the world’s need for redemption and reconciliation. This message comes to us at a time when we really need to have God with us. In our anxiety about the current events, it’s very easy to feel desolate. We don’t always see, but instances of love, kindness and courage let us know that God is with us.
If you are having a hard time finding God in the middle of this mess, I suggest that you recite the words to one of my favorite hymns –
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.
I can feel His mighty power and His grace
I can hear the brush of angels’ wings
I see glory on His face
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.
Deacon Victoria
|
|
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:
|
|
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 Greeter 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).
|
|
Holy Eucharist on the Lawn
To be consistent with City of Austin Stage 5 guidelines,
the 1:15pm outdoor Holy Eucharist services are suspended until further notice.
|
|
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:
|
|
You may also join the coffee hour by telephone -
dial (346) 248-7799 and enter the meeting ID when prompted.
Meeting ID: 879 9502 6837
|
|
To protect the participants from any possible "trolls" who might try to interrupt our worship and fellowship, the Waiting Room is enabled for this event. The Greeter will admit you to the meeting as quickly as possible. |
|
Farmshare Austin
Happy new year! Farmshare Austin is glad to be back for the Spring season with our Curbside Delivery program.
Online ordering is open for those living in North and East Austin, for residents of South Austin and Del Valle, and for those wanting to pick up from the farm.
|
|
Learn, Grow, Get Involved
The Episcopal Church is launching a campaign, “From Many, One,” to promote a new spiritual framework for Episcopalians to engage in tough conversations with family, friends and neighbors, bridging the intense divisions that threaten to tear apart communities in the United States and beyond.
Starting Jan. 18, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Episcopalians will be encouraged to invite others to join them in “conversations across difference” guided by four questions: Who do you love? What have you lost? Where does it hurt? And what do you dream?
Click on this button to learn more and register:
|
|
Panel Conversation on Race and Culture
Tuesday, January 26, 6-8pm
Learn how they bridged the gap between race and culture as they share their experiences from different vantage points of ministry. This evening will enlighten and challenge us to consider our role in making our ministries more inclusive.
Our own rector, The Rev. Minerva Camarena Skeith, is one of the Guest Speakers!
Click on this button to register:
|
|
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:
|
|
Relief of Emergency Needs for Tenants (RENT) Assistance Program
"The Relief of Emergency Needs for Tenants (RENT) Assistance Program Application is Now Closed. The Relief of Emergency Needs for Tenants (RENT) Assistance Program provided up to six months of full rent payment for income-eligible Austin renters who experienced a COVID-19-related income loss. All funds have been expended and the program is now complete. "
More eviction information, help with paying utilities and related housing services are available on the Housing Resources webpage."
|
|
Caring for Each Other
If you, or someone you know, need prayer or would like to be contacted by the church, please contact Mthr. Minerva (revminerva@austinstjohns.org) or Deacon Victoria (512-297-5953) to add names to the Prayer List.
|
|
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.
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
