The Bridge
December 23, 2020
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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From Our Interim Rector
Years ago, in the 1980’s, when we were in Cancun, a friend who worked for American Airlines came over one day and asked if we would rent out a couple of our bedrooms for Christmas (just a few days away)? He said the hotels were terribly over-booked and they were going around town asking people who might have extra room if they would be agreeable to doing this? We said “no”; as we had all kinds of company coming that year for Christmas.
However, it made us think then and me now, would we say “yes”? Would I say “yes” amidst all this Covid-19 fear and in general? A stranger, a young couple about to deliver, knocking at your door—what would any of us say?
No one ever said that being a Christian, being welcoming, is easy. Yet, in our heart of hearts we know that we need to keep striving for a “say yes” attitude. For we never know who might be an angel delivering a message from God to us!
I wish you all a blessed, healthy, and safe Christmas season. I have been grateful for these 21 months together—as I feel like we have been huddled down in the most unusual of circumstances; and in so many ways we have continued to say “yes”. You all continue in my prayers as you march forward in 2021.
Faithfully, Ann+
Pectoral Cross designed and crafted by Steve Kriechbaum
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Holiday Safety Guidelines from Austin Public Health
Please click this button to read the latest suggested guidelines to stay safe and healthy during the holidays:
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Christmas Worship at St. John's
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at St. John’s will look very different this year. We will have a single bilingual service on Christmas Eve, which will be live streamed on Facebook at 5:00 PM. The recorded service will be available for replay on our web site and on YouTube shortly thereafter. The Christmas Eve celebration will begin with a set of prerecorded musical performances from members of the St. John’s Choir, followed by the Liturgy of the Word for Christmas Eve. We will hear the Christmas story through a musical presentation of Las Posadas as part of the sermon.
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No Facebook account or login is required to attend the service, but you must log into your Facebook account to comment or to view other comments. Click this button to access our Christmas Eve service:
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There will be no services at St. John’s on Christmas Day. Here are the links to three Christmas Day services:
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Feast of St. John the Evangelist
December 27, 2020 is the First Sunday of Christmas and it is also the day that we celebrate the Feast of St. John the Evangelist, the patron saint of our church. Morning Prayer will be officiated by lay leaders at 10:00 a.m. There will be no other services on that day. Click this button to access the service:
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The live stream for the service will begin approximately 5 minutes before the start of the service.
Recorded video from the service will be posted on the
St. John's YouTube channel later in the day so that you can replay a service at your convenience. Links to the YouTube recordings will be posted on our website (www.austinstjohns.org).
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Parishioners may wish to attend the online Spanish service at Christ Church Cathedral (Houston) at 1:00 p.m.
Click on this button to access this service:
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Holy Eucharist on the Lawn
There will be no outside in-person celebration of the Holy Eucharist on Sunday, December 27, 2020.
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Virtual Coffee and Fellowship:
Provide your own beverage and treat of choice
Join us for our Virtual Coffee and Fellowship on Sunday beginning at 11 am!
This 30 minute opportunity to visit with friends you haven't seen in a while will be a separate Zoom meeting so you will need to use this link to join:
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You may also join the coffee hour by telephone - dial (346) 248-7799 and enter the meeting ID when prompted.
Meeting ID: 868 2558 3268
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To protect the meeting participants from any possible "trolls" who might try to interrupt our fellowship, the Waiting Room is enabled for this event. The meeting facilitator will admit you to the meeting as quickly as possible. |
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Morning Prayer in English
Sunday, January 3, 2021
On this, Mother Minerva's first Sunday at St. John's, we will celebrate Morning Prayer at 10:00am via Facebook Live. The service will look a little different but you may access the service the same as always, either through Facebook Live or by going to the St. John's website.
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Save the Date!
Wednesday, January 6, 2021 is Epiphany! That evening we will have Evening Prayer and an Epiphany Party - all at home via Zoom. You are invited to share the prayer service with your St. John's family and our new Rector, then "share" virtually your fancy Epiphany dessert. Wonder if we will have any trifles to show off?
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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:
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To those who have returned your giving intention for 2021 -
Thank You!
If you have not already done so, please return your giving intention (pledge) card for 2021 to the church as soon as possible.
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Labyrinth Community Garden Fundraiser
Our 30-day 2020 fundraiser for the Labyrinth Community Garden is over and we did really well. We set a goal of $1500 this year and received $1755 in donations. Additionally, we qualified for a $100 grant for being one of the campaigns with the fastest start. We also qualified for a $200 Challenge Grant. So, by the middle of January we should be getting a check for over $2,000!
This is really remarkable since last year we only got $460 in donations. Also, this year our largest donor and a significant number of other donors were neither members of the church or the garden.
So, when we can finally start working safely as a group again, we can build more beds (we have a waiting list) and finish the fence this year.
Thanks to everyone for supporting the garden - it continues to grow and bloom!
Hal
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El Buen Samaritano
Dear Friends,
In 2020, we heard so many stories of challenge, hope, and resiliency.
- Moms with children walking for miles to have a chance at securing food for their children
- Homebound members of our community, without ability to access services and resources for their illness and basic needs
- Families where caretakers have lost their jobs and are on the verge of losing their homes
- Families experiencing the mental health issues stemming from isolation, financial hardships, and children hungry and unable to focus on school
- Families grieving the loss of their loved ones
It is their stories that keep us going with untiring commitment to our community. But as we approach the end of a historically difficult year, we must be ready to face the continuing challenge that 2021 will bring.
Over the last year, your financial contributions have made a crucial difference in our community.
Consider some of the profound impacts your donations enabled during this year:
- 20,000 family visits to our food pantry
- 400 homebound families served per week with home delivered food
- 4000 families received direct cash assistance to cover their basic needs
Your end of year gift will help to ensure that El Buen continues to “be there” for thousands of individuals who come to our door.
With gratitude,
Dr. Rosamaria Murillo
Chief Executive Officer
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Relief of Emergency Needs for Tenants (RENT) Assistance Program
"The Relief of Emergency Needs for Tenants (RENT) Assistance Program provides up to six months of full rent payment for income-eligible Austin renters who have experienced a COVID-19-related income loss. Applications are open.
More eviction information, help with paying utilities and related housing services are available on the Housing Resources webpage."
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St. John's Christmas Holiday
St. John's staff and volunteers are taking a well-deserved holiday from December 25 through January 2. Classes are cancelled and The Bridge will not be published for that week. Normal activities will resume in the first week of January.
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Caring for Each Other
If you, or someone you know, need prayer or would like to be contacted by the church, please contact Deacon Victoria (512-297-5953) to add names to the Prayer List.
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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).
We are a church family; when a family member needs assistance we want to try and help that member.
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Only essential support staff will be in the Church for the streaming of service as we continue to follow the direction of government officials and the guidance of our Bishop.
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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.
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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 (Facebook and website)
Mediodía en español (Facebook y sitio web)
In-Person Holy Communion
1:15 pm Sundays
On the lawn in front of the Annex
Alternating weeks: English and Spanish
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