The Bridge
October 29, 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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The Ingathering (collection) of giving cards for 2022 will be Sunday, October 31, at all services. If you have any questions about giving at St. John’s, please contact Mthr. Minerva.
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BE A GOOD CITIZEN—VOTE NOVEMBER 2ND!
St. John’s encourages members who are registered voters to vote on Election Day, the first Tuesday in November. There are important Constitutional amendments and City of Austin resolutions on the ballot that affect our rights, responsibilities and the way our City and State will operate going forward.
Get educated by studying a non-partisan Voter’s Guide and Sample Ballot like the one provided by the Austin League of Women Voters at this link. A hard copy of the Voter’s Guide is also provided in the Narthex.
Here is information from Central Texas Interfaith about Proposition A.
Vote November 2d. Make your voice heard!!
St. John’s Racial Justice Team
St. John's will be a voting site on Tuesday, November 2.
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ST. JOHN’S NEW GATHERING POLICY:
St. John’s requires masks at all indoor worship services. Masks are optional at all other events on the St. John's campus. Based on the CDC guidelines, all persons who are not fully vaccinated are encouraged to wear masks while indoors.
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Austin Public Health is encouraging everyone to take precautions according to their vaccination status and level of risk due to underlying conditions. With that in mind, if you are not vaccinated or you are at high-risk because of medical issues, we encourage you to come to the 10:30 service via Zoom. The Zoom link is also provided further down below.
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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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The video recording of the 10:30 a.m. English 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).
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Virtual Coffee and Fellowship
Our virtual coffee "hour" provides a time to greet those who do not feel comfortable attending in person. Stay on Zoom when the service ends or click on this button to say hello:
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Coffee Hour and fellowship outdoors would be so enjoyable now that the temperature feels more like Fall! If you are interested in hosting this opportunity to spend time with friends after the 9:00 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. service, please let Fay know!
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2021 Stewardship Campaign |
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Our stewardship journeys are as varied
as all discipleship journeys. Here is a message from Henry Welles:
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The Parable of the Sidewalk
(or how Jesus might explain stewardship in Austin, TX in October 2021)
Once upon a time there was a sidewalk in Austin Texas in the 78758-zip code near St. John’s Episcopal Church.
The couple who owned the land cut the grass between the sidewalk and the street curb. They let anything larger than grass grow if its seeds came by themselves.
The first visitor to arrive was a grape vine that grew up by the owner’s mailbox. The second visitor was a western mulberry tree. The third visitor was a hackberry tree.
The owners welcomed the vine and two trees. All had leaves that released oxygen and helped the owners live. The vine and trees quietly did their work, which began haphazardly.
The owners had a different plan for their front yard between the sidewalk and their home.
The woman had a bigger green thumb than her husband. She planned where to plant flower beds and place flowerpots. She fertilized the flower beds and pots. She watered. She chased away squirrels.
The couple practiced stewardship in their front yard and at St. John’s Episcopal Church. They knew that just as their front yard needed a plan and resources, so did the church.
And the vine, trees, flowers, couple, and church all planned to live happily ever after.
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Our stewardship journeys are as varied
as all discipleship journeys. Here is a message from Jessica Glasebrook:
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All Hallows' Eve,
commonly known as Halloween
It may come in the guise of cute children dressed up in all manner of costumes, but our pre-Christian and Christian ancestors in the faith would recognize Hallowe’en as that night when you stared at, and stared down, death. But just as we know the answer to Good Friday is not despair but Easter, so the answer to Hallowe’en is not fear but All Saints’ and All Souls'. Each remind us that we can stare death in the face and be triumphant.
Br. James Koester, Society of St. John the Evangelist
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St. John's Notices and Activities |
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Altar de Los Muertos
The Altar de Los Muertos will be set up in the narthex following the 1:00 p.m. service on Sunday, October 31. If you would like to bring something on Sunday to have put on the Altar, please do so. You may also bring items to be displayed the following week during office hours (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10:00 a.m. – 12 Noon). We will celebrate All Saints Day on Sunday, November 7 at all services. If you have names of loved ones you would like to have remembered, please send them to Fay Jones (fay@austinstjohns.org) no later than Wednesday, November 3.
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What a great Talent Show!
Thanks to Philip Riley and all the participants for making this happen!
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Becoming Beloved Community
Sacred Ground Dialogue Circles
Sacred Ground participants were blessed and commissioned to continue working to bring peace and justice to our world.
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Donations for Afghan Refugees
Refugee Services of Texas needs twin and full-size mattresses and bedframes for several refugee families who are coming to Texas.
Please click one of the links provided below to view the items they need and please consider making a donation!
1) Write a check or make an online donation to St. John’s and designate “Afghan Refugees”
2) Use this link to the Refugee Services of Texas - Austin web page: Refugee Services of Texas, click on “Amazon Wishlist” and select the appropriate VISA card amount.
3) For your convenience, click here to go directly to the wish list: RST Wishlist
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A Call for Ushers!
As we move towards more open church, we are in need of folks who are willing to serve as Ushers for the 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services. The more we have, the less often you serve!
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We have new offerings on the book cart! |
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Christian Formation at St. John's |
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Lectionary Bible Study - Zoom
Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.
All are invited to join our study of the assigned lectionary for the following Sunday.
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Thursday Morning Bible Study - Hybrid
Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. - Hybrid
To participate in person, join us at 9:55am in the Parish Hall. To participate virtually, enter Zoom meeting number 821 5253 7149 in the Zoom app or click this button to enter the waiting room for the meeting:
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St. John's Gathering Policy:
- Masks are now optional for meetings in the parish hall.
- No masks if you are at home zooming!
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(please refer to our website www.austinstjohns.org or to the Christian Formation email sent every Tuesday for more information and links)
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Wednesday Morning Grounds Keepers
The Grounds Keepers and Weed Warriors welcome the cooler weather and shorter days which signal an end to the hard work of summer. However, there are projects to be done all year, and your participation would be very welcome! They start about 8:00 a.m. and finish about noon.
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If you have questions about this ministry, please contact Hal Hughes.
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Labyrinth Community Garden
As the Garden prepares to rest, work is still being done to prepare for the next season. If you haven't taken a look at all the improvements over the past couple of years, you are in for a pleasant surprise.
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If you are interested in obtaining a bed for you and your family, please contact Patty Arnold.
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COVID-19 Related Information |
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Austin-Travis County is currently in Stage 3
Community Precautions Urged
Cases and hospitalizations are slowing in Travis County, but new variants, such as the Delta variant, are still spreading throughout the community. During Stage 3, vaccinated people should take precautions at private indoor gatherings and while traveling. Additionally, vaccinated individuals who are considered high risk due to certain underlying conditions should continue to take precautions when dining.
Partially vaccinated and unvaccinated people should take precautions in private indoor and outdoor gatherings and while shopping, dining, and traveling. For partially vaccinated or unvaccinated high-risk individuals, private indoor and outdoor gatherings, shopping, dining, and travel should be avoided unless these activities are essential.
As we obtain more information about the variants, we will update the recommendations.
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COVID-19 Testing
Anyone with any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 should get tested, regardless of vaccination status or prior infection. If you get tested because you have symptoms or were potentially exposed to the virus, you should stay away from others pending test results and follow the advice of your health care provider.
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Community Notices and Activities |
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Helpful Resources:
Here are several resources related to Mental Health and Financial Health. Please use the links provided for more information.
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Volunteer Voter Registration Training
If you are interested in helping with voter registration in the future, here is the link to the volunteer voter registration zoom trainings that you can sign up for with the Travis County Tax Collector’s office. In my experience they swear you in at the end of the training and send you a certificate in the mail.
John Williams
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For Prayer and Pastoral Care |
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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.
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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.
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Ms. Paula Foy, Senior Warden
Mr. Hal Hughes, Junior Warden
Ms. Sandra Welles, Treasurer
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Class of 2022
Ms. Paula Foy
Mr. Hal Hughes
Sra. Rosalinda Rodriguez
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Class of 2023
Ms. Jessica Glasebrook, Clerk
Mr. Steve Kriechbaum
Ms. Sandra Welles
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Class of 2024
Ms. Maria Caballero
Sr. Alfonso Hernandez
Ms. Sandra Ward
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The Rev. Minerva Camarena Skeith, Rector
The Rev. Victoria Mason, Deacon
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Ms. Fay Jones, Director of Communications
Mr. Philip Riley, Choirmaster and Organist
Sr. Alfonso Hernandez, Spanish Music
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for other ways to make a donation.
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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.
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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
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Sunday Services
9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II hybrid (in-person & Zoom)
1:00 p.m. Santa Eucaristía, Rito II
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The Parish Office is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
from 10am - 12Noon.
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For more information about St. John’s Episcopal Church, please visit our website at www.austinstjohns.org
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