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The Bridge
May 7, 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.
A Message from Mthr. Minerva

I am happy to announce that we will be worshiping Sunday Eucharist inside our sanctuary on Pentecost Sunday (May 23). St. John’s staff and leadership have worked very hard to make this possible. There have been several things that needed to be in place in order for us to take this step. First and foremost we want to be safe. The current rate of infection and current rate of vaccination makes it possible for us to go inside. Through your generosity, we have purchased medical grade air filters for our campus. We also wanted to ensure that people who are not able to join us in person would have the opportunity to continue to participate online. The tech team, Marvin Rasmussen and Bill Cox, have worked tirelessly to make this possible.  

I remember when the signed paperwork from St. John’s that made it official that I would serve as your rector arrived in the mail. It was one of the happiest days of my life. Although we were under strict pandemic guidelines, I was hopeful that by January, we would be able to gather in person. As it turned out, in January there were more CoVid cases and our health care system was close to breaking point. Although it was my hope to worship in person with the congregation on my first Sunday at St. John’s, it was not possible.   

St. John’s, in true St. John’s fashion, made the best of the situation and held beautiful interactive virtual services until we could gather in person. Our first in person service would have to wait until March 7. For some having in person outdoor services was better than worshiping online. However, it is fair to say that everyone has been longing to worship inside St. John’s sanctuary. On Pentecost Sunday we will be able to do just that - worship inside our sanctuary. There will be three services: 9 Rite I, 10:30 Rite II (in person and zoom), and 1pm Rite II Spanish. We will celebrate the feast of Pentecost and our return to inside service with an outdoor picnic. There will be more details in the weeks to follow. For now, let us thank God for the blessing to worship our Lord: online at home, outdoors on our grounds, and inside our sanctuary! 
Sunday Worship at St. John's
We worship God in a variety of ways.
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.
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
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.
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 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).
Virtual Coffee and Fellowship

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:
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.
Consider This

The Sixth Sunday of Easter is traditionally known as “Rogation Sunday” because it’s the Sunday before the feast of the Ascension.

Traditionally, the three days before the feast of the Ascension (the fortieth day after Easter) focus on celebrating the agricultural season of planting. Over time this has become to include fishing, “commerce and industry, and the stewardship of creation.”

"Rogation Days. Traditionally, these are the three days before Ascension Day on which the litany is sung (or recited) in procession as an act of intercession. They originated in Vienne, France, in the fifth century when Bishop Mamertus introduced days of fasting and prayer to ward off a threatened disaster. In England they were associated with the blessing of the fields at planting. The vicar “beat the bounds” of the parish, processing around the fields reciting psalms and the litany. In the United States they have been associated with rural life and with agriculture and fishing. The propers in the BCP (pp. 207–208, 258–259, 931) have widened their scope to include commerce and industry and the stewardship of creation. The BCP also permits their celebration at other times to accommodate different regional growing seasons. The Book of Occasional Services contains material for a Rogation procession, including petitions to be added to the Great Litany and the prayers of the people. The term is from the Latin rogatio, 'asking.'”
(The Episcopal Dictionary, An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church) 
St. John's Notices and Activities
Christian Formation

  • Lectionary Based Bible Study: Wednesdays at 7:00pm (Zoom)
  • Scripture Based Book Study: Thursdays at 10:00am (Zoom)

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

Graduation time is here, and we’d like to honor all of our graduates—high school, college or other—in the May 28 issue of The Bridge. Parents, or grandparents, aunts and uncles, send your graduate’s name and a brief, one-sentence bio to Fay Jones, Editor by Tuesday, May 25.
Wednesday Morning Grounds Keepers

Every Wednesday morning at 8:00am, a group of dedicated members gather to keep our grounds and buildings neat and clean. You are invited to join them - for a day, for a month, or regularly. Many hands make light work! If you have questions about this ministry, please contact Hal Hughes (click on the name to send an email).
Labyrinth Community Garden

The Labyrinth Community Garden is growing! Spring veggies and herbs are abundant in the leased raised beds. If you are interested in obtaining a bed for you and your family, please contact Patty Arnold (click on the name to send an email).
Office Volunteers - An Invitation

These volunteers staff the Parish office during the week. Currently we are in need of someone to be in the office from 10am-12pm on Wednesday mornings. If you are interested in this ministry, or would like to have more information, please contact Sheri Rasmussen (click on the name to send an email).
COVID-19 Related Information
U.S. Health & Human Services Alert

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General is alerting the public about fraud schemeChrs related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Scammers are using telemarketing calls, text messages, social media platforms, and door-to-door visits to perpetrate COVID-19-related scams.

  • Don't share a photo of your COVID-19 vaccination card online or on social media. Scammers can use content you post, like your date of birth, health care details, or other personal information to steal your identity. Be cautious of COVID-19 survey scams. Do not give your personal, medical, or financial information to anyone claiming to offer money or gifts in exchange for your participation in a COVID-19 vaccine survey.

If you suspect COVID-19 health care fraud, report it online or call 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477). TTY users can call 1-800-377-4950. You can see more information by clicking this button:
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.
COVID Safety Guidelines from Austin Public Health

Austin-Travis County is currently in Stage 3
click the image to view the color coded guidelines
Please click this button to read the latest suggested guidelines to stay safe and healthy during the pandemic:
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:
Regardless of vaccination status or stage, individuals need to continue to follow the additional requirements of local businesses, venues and schools, as the Health Authority Rules remain in place through May 18.
Community Notices and Activities
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA)

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) program was recently reinstated. DACA is a program that provides protection from deportation and a work permit for a 2-year period, which can be renewed. With a work permit, a DACA participant can apply for a Social Security Number and a driver’s license.
 
You or your family members may be eligible to apply for these benefits if you fit the following requirements:
  1. Under age 31 on June 15, 2012
  2. Came to USA before your 16th birthday
  3. At least 15 years old when you file for DACA benefits
  4. Continuously resided in USA since June 15, 2007
  5. Physically present in USA on June 15, 2012 and at time of DACA application
  6. Had no lawful immigration status on June 15, 2012
 
If you are interested in finding out more about this program, please contact John Williams at church or by telephone at
512-924-0591.
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!"
Caring for Each Other
For Prayer and Pastoral Care

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.
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.
Our Gathering Policy
Our facilities are available for use at 25%. We continue to require masks and social distancing for all in-person worship services and other gatherings in which persons who are not fully vaccinated may be present. An air purifier will be operated in our facilities.

  • Fully vaccinated means:
  • Pfizer and Moderna – 2 doses plus a two-week waiting period
  • Johnson & Johnson – 1 dose plus a two-week waiting period

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.
Our Vestry
Ms. Paula Foy, Senior Warden
paf57@hotmail.com
Mr. Hal Hughes, Junior Warden
hhughesjr@austin.rr.com
Ms. Sandra Welles, Treasurer
sandraewelles@gmail.com
Class of 2022
Ms. Paula Foy
Mr. Hal Hughes
Sra. Rosalinda Rodriguez
Class of 2023
Ms. Jessica Glasebrook, Clerk
Mr. Steve Kriechbaum
Ms. Sandra Welles
Class of 2024
Ms. Maria Caballero
Sr. Alfonso Hernandez
Ms. Sandra Ward
Our Staff
The Rev. Minerva Camarena Skeith, Rector
revminerva@austinstjohns.org

The Rev. Victoria Mason, Deacon
deaconvic@austinstjohns.org
Ms. Fay Jones, Director of Communications
fay@austinstjohns.org

Mr. Philip Riley, Choirmaster and Organist
philip.riley@earthlink.net
Please visit our website (Austin St. John's)
for other ways to make a donation.
Fay Jones, Editor (fay@austinstjohns.org)
St. John's Episcopal Church
11201 Parkfield Drive
P. O. Box 81493, Austin, TX 78708-1493
Sunday Services
8:00 am        In-Person Holy Communion Rite I, English (Indoors)
9:30 am        Virtual Liturgy of the Word Rite II, English (Zoom)
11:15 am        In-Person Holy Communion Rite II, English (Outdoors)
1:00 pm       In-Person Holy Communion Rite II, Spanish (Outdoors)
For more information about St. John’s Episcopal Church, please visit our website at www.austinstjohns.org