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The Bridge
November 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.
Remember to set your clocks back Saturday night at bedtime! Electronic clocks (watches, computers) will reset themselves automatically. Your microwave, car, and some other clocks will need to be reset one hour back.
2021 Stewardship Campaign
Thank you!

Your Vestry, Finance Committee, and Stewardship Team thank you for your generous pledges for the support of the ministries of St. John's. If you have not yet returned your giving card, please consider your giving prayerfully and mail or bring your card to the church.
ST. JOHN’S GATHERING POLICY:

St. John’s requires masks at all indoor worship services. Masks are optional at all other events on the St. John's campus. Based on the CDC guidelines, all persons who are not fully vaccinated are encouraged to wear masks while indoors.
Austin Public Health is encouraging everyone to take precautions according to their vaccination status and level of risk due to underlying conditions. With that in mind, if you are not vaccinated or you are at high-risk because of medical issues, we encourage you to come to the 10:30 service via Zoom. The Zoom link is also provided further down below.
Worship at St. John's
To participate in our virtual Sunday services, you do not need to have a Zoom account or download Zoom. Simply click the link to join.

You may also join the service by telephone -
dial (346) 248-7799 and enter the meeting ID when prompted.
Meeting ID: 879 9502 6837
The video recording of the 10:30 a.m. English service will be posted on the St. John's Facebook page, YouTube, and the St. John's website later in the day. Additionally, recordings of the English and Spanish sermons will be available. Links to the recordings will be posted on our website (www.austinstjohns.org).
Virtual Coffee and Fellowship

Our virtual coffee "hour" provides a time to greet those who do not feel comfortable attending in person. Stay on Zoom when the service ends or click on this button to say hello:
Coffee Hour and fellowship outdoors would be so enjoyable now that the temperature feels more like Fall! If you are interested in hosting this opportunity to spend time with friends after the 9:00 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. service, please let Fay know!
Consider This
St. John's Notices and Activities
Altar de Los Muertos

The Altar de Los Muertos is set up in the narthex through the 1:00 p.m. service on Sunday, November 7. If you would like to bring something on Sunday to put on the Altar, please do so.

We ask that you put your name on any items you bring, and pick them up no later than Sunday, November 14.
Donations for Afghan Refugees

Refugee Services of Texas needs twin and full-size mattresses and bedframes for several refugee families who are coming to Texas.

Please click one of the links provided below to view the items they need and please consider making a donation!
1)    Write a check or make an online donation to St. John’s and designate “Afghan Refugees”
2)   Use this link to the Refugee Services of Texas - Austin web page: Refugee Services of Texas, click on “Amazon Wishlist” and select the appropriate VISA card amount. 
3) For your convenience, click here to go directly to the wish list: RST Wishlist
A Call for Lay Servers!

As we move towards more open church, we are in need of folks who are willing to serve as Readers, Lay Eucharistic Ministers, Acolytes, and Ushers for all services. The more we have, the less often you serve!

Please contact Mother Minerva if you are ready to return to active eucharistic ministry.
We have new offerings on the book cart!

This will be the final week for the book cart.
Christian Formation at St. John's
Lectionary Bible Study - Zoom
Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.

All are invited to join our study of the assigned lectionary for the following Sunday.
Thursday Morning Bible Study - Hybrid
Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. - Hybrid

To participate in person, join us at 9:55am in the Parish Hall. To participate virtually,  enter Zoom meeting number 821 5253 7149 in the Zoom app or click this button to enter the waiting room for the meeting:
St. John's Gathering Policy: 
  1. Masks are now optional for meetings in the parish hall.
  2. No masks if you are at home zooming!

If you want more information, please contact Elaine Jackson.
(please refer to our website www.austinstjohns.org or to the Christian Formation email sent every Tuesday for more information and links)
SAVE THE DATE! NOVEMBER 13 and NOVEMBER 14 WORK DAYS

Our fall St. John’s Work Days are scheduled for Saturday, November 13 and Sunday, November 14. (Rain Day: November 20) We have outdoor projects scheduled for Saturday starting at 8:00 AM, and indoor projects scheduled for Sunday starting at 2:15 PM. Light refreshments will be served.

Tentatively, we plan to:

  • Clean and dust the Sanctuary
  • Wash windows of Sanctuary
  • Defrost and clean refrigerators and freezers
  • Put additional decomposed granite and stones in the labyrinth
  • Plant the Memorial Garden

More information will be available next week, so watch The Bridge.

Our 2021 stewardship campaign is finished,
but stewardship continues!
If you have questions about this ministry, please contact Hal Hughes.
Labyrinth Community Garden

The Gardeners recently had a work day, so it is a good time to stroll, sit, enjoy the beds. Our bees are producing honey!
If you are interested in obtaining a bed for you and your family, please contact Patty Arnold.
COVID-19 Related Information
Caring for Each Other
For Prayer and Pastoral Care
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 email Mthr. Minerva (RevMinerva@austinstjohns.org).

We are a church family; when a family member needs assistance we want to try and help that member.
Our Gathering Policy
St. John's gathering policy continues to be updated as conditions change relative to the COVID pandemic. St. John's holds the health and safety of our community as a top priority.

Your understanding and cooperation are very much appreciated.
Our Vestry
Ms. Paula Foy, Senior Warden
Mr. Hal Hughes, Junior Warden
Ms. Sandra Welles, Treasurer
Class of 2022
Ms. Paula Foy
Mr. Hal Hughes
Sra. Rosalinda Rodriguez
Class of 2023

Mr. Steve Kriechbaum
Ms. Sandra Welles
Class of 2024
Ms. Maria Caballero, Clerk
Sr. Alfonso Hernandez
Ms. Sandra Ward
Our Staff
The Rev. Minerva Camarena Skeith, Rector

The Rev. Victoria Mason, Deacon
Ms. Fay Jones, Director of Communications

Mr. Philip Riley, Choirmaster and Organist

Sr. Alfonso Hernandez, Spanish Music
Please visit our website (Austin St. John's)
for other ways to make a donation.
Stories and Photos for The Bridge

You are invited to send photos and stories about yourself, your family, and our parish for inclusion in The Bridge. As we come back together, let's share our experiences! Please send your ideas, stories, and photos to Fay Jones, (newsletter editor) by 12:00 pm on Wednesdays.

Running event announcements two weeks prior to the date is recommended.
Fay Jones, Editor (fay@austinstjohns.org)
St. John's Episcopal Church
11201 Parkfield Drive
P. O. Box 81493, Austin, TX 78708-1493
Sunday Services
9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II hybrid (in-person & Zoom)
 1:00 p.m. Santa Eucaristía, Rito II
The Parish Office is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
from 10am - 12Noon.
For more information about St. John’s Episcopal Church, please visit our website at www.austinstjohns.org