The Bridge
July 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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ST. JOHN’S GATHERING POLICY:
St. John’s requires masks and social distancing
for all indoor worship services and gatherings.
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From Mthr. Minerva:
It is great to be back after a wonderful vacation. The St. John’s leadership has done an amazing job continuing the work of the church. Special thanks to our wardens, liturgical team, and staff. Without these amazing people, it would be impossible for me to leave in full confidence that our congregation would not miss a beat and would continue to thrive.
We begin the month of August with new COVID guidelines. In March 2020 our community went into complete lockdown. Many of us, myself included, were looking forward to the day that all would “return to normal” and we would be done with the pandemic. We even thought it would be over in a few months. Sixteen months have passed and that day is yet to come. And we all know that normal will be different from what it was pre-pandemic. In the meantime, we will continue to adjust and respond to the pandemic in the best way we can, always taking into consideration the most vulnerable members of our community.
Based on the current conditions we will ask everyone over the age of 2, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask in all our indoor spaces at all times. Eating and drinking will not be allowed in any of our buildings. I understand that this can be very disappointing and frustrating. However, I am confident in our congregation's resiliency and capacity to adapt to any situation. Just think of all that St. John's has been able to do - we have celebrated a baptism and welcomed new members to our congregation, continued Adult Christian Education, celebrated Pentecost with an indoor parish picnic, explored racial justice through the Sacred Ground Dialogue Circles, and held Sunday services virtually and in person. I trust that with God’s help we will continue to serve our mission and grow in our discipleship.
I look forward to the second half of the year. Our next big event will be a visit from Bishop Héctor Monterroso on September 5 at 10:30am and 1:00pm. We will have baptisms, confirmations, receptions, and even a Quinceañera blessing. Let us live abundant lives and continue to trust in Jesus Christ’s promise of eternal life.
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We worship God in a variety of ways. |
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Sunday Service Times
9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II
1:00 p.m. Santa Eucaristía, Rito II
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All worship services will be in the Parish Hall. |
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Safety protocols will be observed, i.e., masks, distancing, and limited attendance. |
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To participate in our virtual Sunday service at 10:30 a.m., 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 Waiting Room is enabled for this event and is monitored by the Host of the day.
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Please note: In order to minimize background noise, everyone except those people who have an active role in the service will be muted. You are invited to put personal prayer requests into the "Chat" to be read at the appropriate time during the Prayers of the People.
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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, a recording of the English sermon will be available. Links to the recordings will be posted on our website (www.austinstjohns.org).
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Virtual Coffee and Fellowship
Join friends for a virtual coffee "hour" every Sunday! This begins after the 10:30am service (about 11:15am), 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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A Big Thank You to The Rev. Benjamin Long
We very much appreciate Fr. Ben's time with us!
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BAPTISM, CONFIRMATION, RECEPTION
Mthr. Minerva will offer a mini-retreat in English on Saturday, August 28 from 9am-12noon for anyone wishing to receive the sacrament of Baptism or Confirmation, or to be received into the Episcopal Church. Bishop Monterroso will be here for his episcopal visitation on September 5. If you are interested, please email Fay Jones, and Mthr. Minerva will be in touch with you soon.
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Disability Pride
by Scott Morizot
July is Disability Pride Month, though many people have never heard of it. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed on July 26th, 1990, and the first Disability Pride Day was held in Boston that year. Since then, there have been ongoing events promoting disability activism, inclusion, equity, and rejection of internalized shame that all fall under the umbrella of "Pride". Many events have been unofficial, though there have been local official proclamations.
Disability touches all our lives. Roughly 1 in 4 adults in the US have some type of disability. The prevalence makes it almost certain that everyone will either experience a disability themselves or have a disabled loved one at some point in their life. Despite the fact that there are 61 million disabled adults in the United States today, individual and systemic ableism remains pervasive. That ableism can range from condescending, rude, or abusive attitudes and treatment of disabled people to the systemic barriers to accessibility and inclusion disabled people face, even where technically mandated by law. That pervasive ableism is then often internalized as shame by disabled people. Similar to "Pride" movements in other marginalized communities, disability pride attempts to counter those effects and pushes for recognition and inclusion.
I have personal experiences represented by the white, yellow, and blue stripes. (Please click on the flag image for flag description and color interpretation.) Aspects of disability can be a part of a person's identity but that's not necessarily the case for every disability. In my case, I am autistic. It's part of who I am. I was born autistic, have always been autistic, and will die autistic. Autism describes the way I experience the world around me, the way I think, and shapes many of the ways I act and react. There is no part of my identity, of who I am, that is not formed in some way by my autistic experience.
However, I lived most of my life with no idea that I was autistic. That didn't mean I wasn't labeled by others. Nor did that mean it wasn't a part of my identity, but the internalized label I absorbed and accepted was 'broken'. For me, the autism label was explanatory and freeing though changing my deeply internalized negative self-conception remains an ongoing process.
But I do not see the disabling aspects of my complex PTSD as part of who I am. My traumatic stress responses are the result of things I experienced. They distort and impede aspects of my core self. I have been and will continue to work to transform and heal them. I don't know how long that process will take, but I hope for a day when PTSD will no longer be part of my experience.
Pride, therefore, does not necessarily represent an individual's attitude about their particular disability. I personally experience both sides of that divide. Rather, Disability Pride in this context is a declaration that we are first and foremost human beings and deserve to be treated fully as such in every context and setting. We are not defective humans. We are not less than. We are inherently worthy of inclusion and respect as we are, not despite our disability.
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St. John's Notices and Activities |
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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. Please click this button to access the class.
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Thursday Morning Bible Study - Hybrid
Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.
To participate in person, join us at 9:55am in the Parish Hall. Masks are required in the Parish Hall. To participate virtually, enter Zoom meeting number 821 5253 7149 in the Zoom app or follow this link to enter the waiting room for the meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82152537149.
St. John's Gathering Policy:
- Masks are required for all indoor gatherings.
- 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
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).
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Labyrinth Community Garden
The Labyrinth Community Garden is continuing to provide produce to our local food bank. 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).
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Office Volunteers
Thanks to our Office Volunteers, the Parish office is open Tuesday through Friday from 10am-12pm.
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Lift Every Voice and Sing
[Episcopal News Service, July 28] The Episcopal Church is at a crossroads, church leaders said this week during the annual Union of Black Episcopalians conference and revival; if it is to flourish and maintain integrity, it must embrace a revolution in values both within and beyond its walls.
The virtual event, which runs July 27-30, includes worship services, memorials to the victims of COVID-19, panel discussions and musical performances. It also includes a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the original “Lift Every Voice and Sing” hymnal that collected African American spirituals including the title song, which The Episcopal Church Executive Council has endorsed designating as a national hymn, supporting a proposed bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.
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“Lift Every Voice and Sing” is also the theme of the event, with a verse from the song setting the tone for each of the three full days, which focus on the past, present and future of Black Episcopalians.
To read the entire article, please click this button:
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Episcopal Health Foundation - Mental Health and the Hispanic Community Conversation
The Congregational Engagement team for the Episcopal Health Foundation invites you to a conversation regarding Mental Health and the Hispanic community August 12 @ 7PM. The purpose of this meeting is to gain a better understanding of the Latino community’s needs for mental health and the challenges in engaging members of the community. We’d also like to share EHF’s current Mental Health offerings through the Congregational Engagement team and get input on how they can be improved and made more accessible to the Latino community.
Click this button to register:
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COVID-19 Related Information |
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Austin, Texas – The level of risk for contracting COVID-19 in Austin-Travis County continues to increase, especially among unvaccinated individuals as confirmed cases have dramatically risen over the past two weeks. The 7-day moving average of new hospital admissions crossed the threshold of over 30 admissions per day marking progression to Stage 4 this week.
The additional hospitalizations may take a toll on healthcare staff, which has been reduced from levels seen earlier in the year during the height of the pandemic. Local hospital systems are simultaneously seeing an increase in hospitalizations from other non-COVID diseases as more people go about their daily, pre-pandemic routines.
“Each of us has a personal choice to make – will we do our part to stop disease transmission by getting vaccinated and taking the necessary precautions to protect ourselves and others, or will we be part of its continued spread?” said Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County Health Authority. “COVID-19 is still present and continues to burden our healthcare community and we need to end the cycle of transmission.”
Read the entire article here:
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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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CIVIC ACADEMY
“Homelessness and the City of Austin and Travis County”
Tuesday August 3rd, 2021
7:00PM- 8:30PM
Join us as we discuss City of Austin and Travis County Budgets and the implications for our neighbors experiencing homelessness. This is open for CTI leaders. Come learn and see how you can be part of a fight for over $200 million to prevent and end homelessness.
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The St. John's Chapter of the Daughters of the King is once again sponsoring the Family Eldercare Summer Fan Drive during the month of August. This provides box fans for elderly residents of our community with potentially life-saving fans during the hot months of summer. As Sandra Ward (DOK president) told us last Sunday, although residents may "have" air conditioning, they are often unable to afford to turn it on. If you would like to support this ministry, please make a donation of $22.00 either through cash or check (in an envelope marked "Fan Drive"), or through electronic giving (see button below or on our website). You can also purchase a fan yourself; please deliver to the church during regular office hours (10am-12pm Tuesday through Friday) or on Sunday.
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Rebels For Humanity and MTee'Yer Deus Foundation are two non-profit organizations that serve the needs of the community – food insecurity and student mentorship. They have come together to give 300 (150 Elementary 150 Middle School) students the basic school supplies in hopes of starting them off to a successful school year. There will be a library for students to choose books of their choice. Free clothing give away. We will have music and live performances from the Founder/CEO of Rebels For Humanity Kay Jay SD1.
Saturday, August 7, 2021
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM CDT
Zion Rest Baptist Church
3341 Paisano Trail
Austin, TX 78745
All you have to do is register through Eventbrite (click button below) and come out to enjoy this free community event.
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For Prayer and Pastoral Care |
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If you need pastoral care, please contact Mthr. Minerva or Deacon Victoria. 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 requires masks and social distancing
for all indoor worship services and gatherings.
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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THE BRIDGE SUBMISSIONS
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 through 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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