The Bridge - January 28, 2022

The Bridge

January 28, 2022

The Mission of St. John’s is to be a community of God’s people who heal brokenness, build bridges, and exemplify borderless kindness.

All services will be in person this week!

The 10:30 a.m. service will also be on Zoom.

Worship at St. John's

Sunday Services - January 30

9:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite I (In-Person)

10:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite II (In-Person and Zoom)

1:00 pm Santa Eucaristía Rito II (en persona)

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

Zoom link for 10:30 a.m. service

The video recording of the 10:30 a.m. 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).

It's Finally Here!

St. John’s Annual Parish Meeting will be held in the church and via Zoom on Sunday, January 30, at 11:45 a.m. Please plan to be there to learn about our plans for 2022!

Zoom link for Annual Meeting

Link for "Our Journey through 2021" video

Consider This

In January 2021, Bishop Andy Doyle wrote these words:

"We will make this together...We will be courageous together. We will take each day and week as a step towards God's reign. We will embrace God's mission and the work of Christian evangelism and service to the world. We will do so because Christ walks with us, buoys us with the Holy Spirit, and beckons us to follow. Indeed, we will go where Christ goes and walk in his well-worn footsteps in order to join him in transforming the world in which we live. I am grateful to take these next steps into our future with you. As I have prayed often this year, 'God, we give thanks for tasks, work, and mission that demand our best efforts, and we are grateful for a goodly fellowship with whom to do the work.'"

I believe we can take these words to heart again this New Year. May you be blessed beyond expectation!

St. John's Notices and Activities

A white cotton tablecloth has been found in our kitchen. It is marked "Virgie R. Sanchez". If this tablecloth belongs to you, or you know who it belongs to, please contact Fay Jones. Thank you!

CHRISTIAN FORMATION

Cornerstone Literary Circle - Zoom

Wednesdays at 5:30 pm

Our next book will be "Crazy Horse: The Lakota Warrior's Life & Legacy" The Edward Clown Family as told to William B. Matson. Sandra Ward will be the host for this book.

Please contact Laurie Williams for more information.

The link to join the class is here:

Cornerstone Literary Circle

Wednesday Evening Bible Study - Zoom

Wednesdays at 7:00pm

This group continues to review and discuss the lectionary readings for the following Sunday. Please watch for the email which goes out on Tuesday for the scheduled readings.

The link to join the class is here:

Wednesday Evening Bible Study

Thursday Morning Bible Study - Hybrid

Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.

We continue to meet both in person in the Parish Hall and via Zoom. Those of us who attend in person are masked and spread out around a large table. Everyone is welcome to join our conversation - please participate at your personal physical and emotional comfort level as we continue to navigate the pandemic.

For more information, please contact Elaine Jackson .

The link to join the class is here:

Thursday Morning Bible Study

(please refer to our website www.austinstjohns.org or to the Christian Formation email sent every Tuesday for more information and links)

WEDNESDAY MORNING GROUNDS CREW

There are projects to be done all year, and your participation would be very welcome! We start about 8:00 a.m. and finish about noon.

For more information about this ministry, please contact Hal Hughes.

LABYRINTH COMMUNITY GARDEN

To learn about the how our Labyrinth Community Garden serves the community, or for information about obtaining a bed in the Garden for you and your family, please contact Patty Arnold.

Community Information

BECOMING BELOVED COMMUNITY

The Austin area Episcopal congregations that have conducted Sacred Ground are beginning to work with one another to continue the ministry of racial reconciliation. If you are interested in learning more about issues and history concerning racial justice, here is a list of upcoming events that are sponsored by St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church.

St. Matthew’s, Zoom – Sunday, Jan 30, 2pm – screening of Traces of the Trade documentary. See Zoom registration link on the home page at https://stmattsaustin.org/

St Matthew’s, Huffman Hall – Sunday, Jan 30, 1-5 pm – open to the public. Exhibit on loan from Neill-Cochran House Museum, Reckoning with the Past – Slavery, Segregation, and Gentrification in Austin. (Can visit at other times when the church office is open, and Huffman Hall is not in use – check before coming 512-345-8314.)

EL BUEN SAMARITANO FOOD PANTRY

Starting Tuesday, February 1, 2022, the Food Pantry at El Buen Samaritano will be open Tuesday and Thursday from 9am to 11am.

Diaper distribution will continue to be the first and third Thursday of each month from 9am to 11am.

AUSTIN INTERFAITH

Please join over 300 Central Texas Interfaith leaders at the CTI Delegates Assembly and Candidate Accountability Session by zoom on February 6, 3PM. CTI Leaders (delegates) from our institutions will convene to set our agenda and organizing strategy for the year, as well as ask candidates for Congress and State Senate to commit to our agenda.

As a delegate from our institution, you will be part of committing to a Central Texas Interfaith 2022 community action plan, and you'll hear how candidates for US Congress and State Senate stand on our non-partisan agenda of issues. Please Save the Date and register now at the link shared below. We hope you will be part of our delegation at the assembly!

Delegates Assembly - Austin Interfaith

COVID-19 Related Information

click on the image to access the Austin Public Health website

St. John's requires masks and social distancing for all indoor worship services and gatherings.

Masks and vaccines are our best protection against COVID-19. Please get vaccinated to protect yourself and others.

Thank you very much for your cooperation in these efforts to keep our St. John’s community safe and healthy.

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.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO ST. JOHNS;THANK YOU!

Please visit our website (Austin St. John's)

for other ways to make a donation.

Please send mail to the church post office box:

St. John’s Episcopal Church

P. O. Box 81493

Austin, TX 78708-1493

All First Class Mail, Priority Mail and Priority Express Mail will be forwarded through Dec. 7, 2022.

Newspapers and magazines will be forwarded until Feb. 5, 2022.

Packages, Catalogs and Standard Mail will not be forwarded.

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.