The Bridge
April 30, 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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Fewer than 10% of eligible voters turned out for early voting in this local election.
CHALLENGE! Can St. John’s have a 50% turnout? Wear your "I voted" sticker to church on Sunday!
St. John's is a polling place - Polls are open 7am to 7pm
Voting is part our discipleship- make your voice heard in this and EVERY election!
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Sacred Ground Dialogue Circles
As part of The Episcopal Church's Becoming Beloved Community initiative, Sacred Ground Dialogue Circles are celebrating their two year anniversary this month.
St. John's began our journey to Becoming Beloved Community by initiating two Dialogue Circles in the Fall of 2020. These Circles continue to meet and study the origins, continuation, and efforts to resolve racial injustice. Here is a link to an article which describes the way Sacred Ground is affecting our Church on a national level, as well as personal responses from participants all over the country.
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It's Finished!
We have a new back wall, and the exterior of the entire parish hall has been painted! Drop by and check it out!
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Consider this:
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."
1 Peter 1:3
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Would you like to be a Reader during worship?
Qualifications:
- ability to read aloud
- willingness to serve
Our Readers for the 9:30am virtual service, and the 11:15am outdoor in-person service are assigned a specific lectionary reading or Prayers of the People, which are sent out in advance in order to have time to practice. Readers are assigned to the service they normally attend.
With our current line-up of services, choir members who are now able to participate in music, and people who do or do not feel comfortable returning to in-person services, our list of available Readers is challenging!
If you would like to be a Reader for our 9:30am virtual service, or the 11:15am outdoor in-person service, please let me know! I will be glad to visit with you individually to answer any questions you may have and work out the best way for you to participate in this ministry. Just click on my name to send me an email, and I will get in touch with you! Fay Jones
Thanks so much!
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Need for Caregiver
One of our members is helping to care for an elderly friend (in her 90s) who has dementia and lives in her own home near Capital Plaza. Her daughter would like to ensure that her mother has round the clock care and she is looking for more caregivers. The caregiver may earn $14 an hour. If you are interested, please contact: Claudie Cantu
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Adult Christian Formation
Your Adult Christian Formation planning team would like to hear from you about your dreams and desires for adult Christian formation and education.
Our Wednesday evening lectionary-based Bible study will continue. This is not just a run-through of the lessons for the week, but is a discussion of how the Scripture impacts our lives. In keeping with our tradition of having occasional topical series, we will have a very special series of speakers in June.
Our Thursday morning Scripture-related book study will continue. Although the study is based on a book, you can join at any time.
Now - from you!
- Are you interested in a Sunday morning study? This would be a "hybrid" Zoom/in-person gathering when we are able to meet in person.
- What time would work for you?
- What topics interest you?
- What format interests you?
- If not Sunday, is there another day you would suggest?
We would really like to have your input! Please send your responses to these questions to Fay Jones. And Thank You! |
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Texas health officials have opened COVID-19 vaccinations to all adults.
The Pfizer vaccine is approved for those aged 16 and older. The Moderna vaccine has been approved for people 18 and older. If you need access information for vaccine registration, please go to the church website: Austin St. John's vaccination information.
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Assistance from the Housing Authority of the City of Austin
"Attention Austin Renters,
Are you having difficulty paying rent due to income loss from COVID-19? The City of Austin's RENT Program can help.
RENT is providing $25 million in rental assistance payments, paid directly to landlords. This includes any unpaid tenant rent portions for households participating in the Housing Choice Voucher program or other rental assistance programs.
The main benefits of the RENT Program:
- Up to 15 months from April 2020 through December 2021
- Current, past and future rent, and fees related to the lease
- Multiple months of past due rent paid at once
- Future rent paid every three months
- You do not need to be a US Citizen to apply
To learn more and apply TODAY: visit austintexas.gov/rent, or call (512)-488-1397, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for English or Spanish, Monday through Friday. Interpreters can be on the line if other languages are necessary. You may also email questions anytime to AustinRENT@cvrassociates.com.
Thank you, from your friends at the Housing Authority of the City of Austin!"
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CDC Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People
"This set of public health recommendations for fully vaccinated people will be updated and expanded based on the level of community spread of SARS-CoV-2, the proportion of the population that is fully vaccinated, and the rapidly evolving science on COVID-19 vaccines.
For the purposes of this guidance, people are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 ≥2 weeks after they have received the second dose in a 2-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or ≥2 weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson and Johnson (J&J)/Janssen)."
Click on the chart to read the article and see larger view:
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COVID Safety Guidelines from Austin Public Health
Austin-Travis County is currently in Stage 3
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Please click this button to read the latest suggested guidelines to stay safe and healthy during the pandemic:
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Sunday Worship at St. John's
We worship God in a variety of ways.
- 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist in English Rite I (in-person)
- 9:30 a.m. Liturgy of the Word in English (Zoom)
- 11:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist in English (outdoors in-person)
- 1:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist in Spanish (outdoors in-person)
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This is an in-person service inside the church. Safety protocols will be observed, i.e., masks, distancing, and limited attendance. Please register for this service using the link above. |
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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
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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 virtual 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. Additionally, a recording of the English sermon will be available. Links to the recordings will be posted on our website (Austin St. John's) .
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The English Holy Communion outdoor service starts at 11:15am. The Bread will be distributed by Mthr. Minerva or Deacon Victoria to each person in 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. We recommend you think of this like any other outdoor event in the sun - use sunblock, bring an umbrella and/or hat, water, and a chair or blanket to sit on. There will be a limited number of metal chairs available in a special section for those who are physically unable to bring their own.
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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 after the 9:30am service (about 10:15am), 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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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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St. John’s Episcopal Church requires masks and social distancing for all in-person worship services and other gatherings in which persons who are not fully vaccinated may be present.
The Parish Office is open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am - 12Noon. Please wear your mask and practice social distancing when coming to the office.
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Fay Jones, Editor (fay@austinstjohns.org) |
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St. John's Episcopal Church
11201 Parkfield Drive
P. O. Box 81493, Austin, TX 78708-1493
Sunday Services
In-Person Indoor Holy Communion
Rite I
In English - 8:00am
Virtual Liturgy of the Word
Rite II
In English - 9:30am (Zoom)
In-Person Outdoor Holy Communion
Rite II
In English - 11:15am
In Spanish - 1:00pm
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