The Bridge
January 6, 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.
|
|
From Our Rector
Happy New Year! I am so excited to begin 2021 as the 5th rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church. Although last year was challenging, there were moments of great joy. In January 2020, many of you attended my ordination to the priesthood. And, in July 2020, I received in the mail the signed call letter to be your rector. It was one of the happiest moments in my life.
I hope Sunday was as joyful for you as it was for me. It was such a gift to worship with you and see all your faces. Of course, I would have preferred to have worshiped in person with you in our sanctuary, and visit with you in our parish hall eating the delicious treats. But, in true St. John’s form, we made the best of it by coming together virtually. We heard Deacon Victoria read the Gospel, heard beautiful voices, and saw some of our church friends that we had not seen in some time. I hope I will see you all again on Sunday and I hope you will invite others to join us for Sunday worship.
Thank you all for the welcome basket. My family has been enjoying the delicious treats. We enjoyed the bread and cranberry sauce for breakfast. The sweet treats have been delicious with tea and for dessert. I am also happy to let you know that Catherine and I are working to get the vestments I need. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve you and look forward to discerning God’s invitation to St. John’s community.
|
|
 |
Gift Basket provided by parishioners to welcome The Rev. Minerva Camarena Skeith as the 5th Rector of St. John's Episcopal Church |
|
|
|
Mthr. Minerva receiving her Gift Basket on January 3, 2021 |
|
|
|
A message from Deacon Victoria
Y’all have far exceeded the definition of generosity! I can’t tell you how astounded I was with your very generous Christmas gift. I have some ideas about how to spend the money. First of all, I am tithing the gift with a donation to the Central Texas Food Bank. As for the rest, I’ve had my eye on a couple of clergy apparel and vestment items. After I’m vaccinated for COVID-19 and assuming it’s safe to travel, I would like to plan a spiritual retreat later this year. It’s been too many years since my last spiritual retreat. It will be fun to start planning! Thank you.
|
|
COVID Safety Guidelines from Austin Public Health
Please click this button to read the latest suggested guidelines to stay safe and healthy during the pandemic:
|
|
Sunday Worship at St. John's
We will celebrate Morning Prayer via Zoom.
- 10:00 a.m. Morning Prayer in English
- 12:00 noon Morning Prayer in Spanish
- To participate in our Sunday services, you do not need to have a Zoom account or download Zoom. Simply click this button to attend the service:
|
|
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 Greeter 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 services will be recorded and video from both services will be posted on the St. John's Facebook page via Facebook Premier later in the day so that you can replay a service at your convenience. Links to the recordings will be posted on our website (www.austinstjohns.org).
|
|
Holy Eucharist on the Lawn
To be consistent with City of Austin Stage 5 guidelines,
the 1:15pm outdoor Holy Eucharist services are suspended until further notice.
|
|
Virtual Coffee and Fellowship:
Provide your own beverage and treat of choice
Join friends for a virtual coffee "hour" every Sunday! This will begin shortly after the 10am service (about 10:45am), 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:
|
|
You may also join the coffee hour by telephone -
dial (346) 248-7799 and enter the meeting ID when prompted.
Meeting ID: 879 9502 6837
|
|
To protect the participants from any possible "trolls" who might try to interrupt our worship and fellowship, the Waiting Room is enabled for this event. The Greeter will admit you to the meeting as quickly as possible. |
|
Evening Prayer and Epiphany Party!
Today, January 6, 2021 is Epiphany! This 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?
|
|
You may also join the service by telephone -
dial (346) 248-7799 and enter the meeting ID when prompted.
Meeting ID: 813 2691 4726
|
|
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. |
|
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 Greeter will admit you to the service as quickly as possible. |
|
Bible Study for Adults
Thursday morning Bible Study (Zoom) will resume on Thursday, January 7, at 10:ooam.
|
|
Wednesday evening Lectionary Bible Study (Zoom) will resume on Wednesday, January 13, at 7:00pm. |
|
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:
|
|
Relief of Emergency Needs for Tenants (RENT) Assistance Program
"The Relief of Emergency Needs for Tenants (RENT) Assistance Program Application is Now Closed. The Relief of Emergency Needs for Tenants (RENT) Assistance Program provided up to six months of full rent payment for income-eligible Austin renters who experienced a COVID-19-related income loss. All funds have been expended and the program is now complete. "
More eviction information, help with paying utilities and related housing services are available on the Housing Resources webpage."
|
|
Caring for Each Other
If you, or someone you know, need prayer or would like to be contacted by the church, please contact Mthr. Minerva (revminerva@austinstjohns.org) or Deacon Victoria (512-297-5953) to add names to the Prayer List.
|
|
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.
|
|
Only Mthr. Minerva and essential support staff will be in the Church for the streaming of services as we continue to follow the direction of government officials and the guidance of our Bishop.
|
|
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.
|
|
Fay Jones, Editor (fay@austinstjohns.org) |
|
|
|
St. John's Episcopal Church
P. O. Box 81493, Austin, TX 78708-1493
Virtual Sunday Services
10:00 am in English (Zoom)
Mediodía en español (Zoom)
In-Person Holy Communion
Suspended Until Further Notice
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
