The Bridge
March 19, 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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Palm Sunday and Holy Week Schedule
The service schedules for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Day are being sent out in a separate "Special Edition" email. In that email, you will find links for joining online services, registering for in-person outdoor services, and other information related to Holy Week at St. John's.
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Lent in Story
This week we continue with our stories from the pews telling experiences, feelings, learnings about Lent from a personal perspective. You are invited to send your story to share during Lent. The hope is to have at least one story each week, 300-500 words long. Or it can be much shorter - a one liner even - something which tells us about how a specific Lenten practice has affected you. Send your stories to me at Fay Jones, Editor - deadline is March 24! |
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From Laurie Williams:
Growing up in El Paso and having a lot of Roman Catholic friends who attended church regularly (we didn’t begin attending church until, at 15, I asked my parents to please let us start going church). Lenten season at this part of my life was learning about friends giving up something for Lent and eating fish on Fridays.
In my 20s, I decided that I would prefer to take on something to improve myself and start a new positive habit. That process has stayed with me since then. That is, until this year.
Major surgery three days before Ash Wednesday put a big kibosh on my usual practices during Lent. This year, taking part in Thursday Bible Study and Wednesday night studies became a challenge since accessing my computer has been a difficult, but we figured out a way to let me be on my laptop for a short period.
I am looking forward to life as normal soon. I’ve been taking things a day at a time and exercising to get my knee stronger. Maybe, this was also a little “Lenten discipline,” not worrying about getting better, not depending on someone else to get me moving. I guess I did take on something after all…self-care.
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Rite of Reconciliation of a Penitent
If anyone would like to schedule a time for the sacramental Rite of Reconciliation of a Penitent, they can contact Mthr. Minerva to schedule a time. Mthr. Minerva or 512-593-1778.
"The Rite of Reconciliation of a Penitent is available for all who desire it. It is not restricted to times of sickness. Confessions may be heard anytime and anywhere." (BCP p. 446)
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This is a map of where water lines have leaks and where they are in the repair schedule:
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Continuing Vaccine News
Although many people are being vaccinated, we understand that many also have been unable to make appointments for their first dose. We will continue to offer information about the vaccine process, here and on the Facebook Fellowship page.
Mthr. Minerva has told us that she has contacts who are skilled in outwitting the registration process. Please contact her at Mthr. Minerva if you need assistance.
If you need access information for vaccine registration, please go to the church website Austin St. John's.
Currently groups 1A, 1B, and 1C are authorized to receive the vaccine in Texas.
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News from UT
Dear UT Community,
We are writing to let you know that a new COVID-19 variant known as B.1.429, originating in California, has been identified through our campus testing, monitoring and sequencing efforts. This is the second variant identified in our community, the first being the B.1.1.7 variant we identified last month. We are still learning about the B.1.429 variant. There is very little data available at this point regarding its transmissibility, whether it can lead to more severe illness, and the degree to which currently available vaccines protect against it.
Individuals who tested positive for the variant have been informed. Because these individuals were previously notified of a positive test result, they have followed isolation protocols, and public health professionals have already notified primary close contacts and advised those contacts to self-quarantine and get tested.
We have an advantage when it comes to detecting even small numbers of variants in our community through our aggressive employment of Next Generation Sequencing of the virus with UT’s state-of-the-art Genomic Sequencing and Analysis Facility. These efforts provide the state and nation with early, essential epidemiological data on the emergence and transmission of variants. Although we sequence only on-campus tests, we assume that these cases are representative of the wider community and are working with local and state health authorities accordingly. The emergence of new variants stresses the need for increased vigilance in practicing protective behaviors. Please know that by doing your part to help us reduce transmission, you are helping to prevent the emergence and persistence of new variants.
Additional Actions
To help prevent exporting or importing variants if traveling for spring break, and to prevent a surge in cases after spring break, it is critical that members of our community strictly follow public health measures. This includes remaining vigilant with social distancing, double masking, avoiding indoor dining/gatherings, hand washing, and routinely getting tested through UT’s Proactive Community Testing (PCT) program. We also recommend you get immunized when eligible vaccines are available.
PCT continues to operate throughout spring break, and we will be offering a PCT clinic on Sunday, March 21 from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. to increase access to testing upon return. Please schedule your appointment online in advance or plan to take advantage of walk-ups.
Thank you for your attention.
Stay well,
Terrance Hines, M.D., FAAFP
Executive Director & Chief Medical Officer,
University Health Services
Amy Young, M.D.
Vice Dean of Professional Practice, Dell Medical School Chief Clinical Officer, UT Health Austin
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CDC Guidelines for Fully Vaccinated People
"This is the first set of public health recommendations for fully vaccinated people. This guidance 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."
The guidance for being considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 is at least 2 weeks after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, as well as at least 2 weeks after receiving the single-dose vaccine (Johnson and Johnson (J&J)/Janssen).
Click here to read the entire article:
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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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Click this button for a partial list of businesses which still require a mask during the pandemic: |
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How Can YOU Help? Volunteer!
This message from Travis County gives information about how you can help get our county vaccinated!
"Come make a difference in our community!
We collectively need to mobilize to respond to the needs of our Central Texas community – from vaccine clinics to water and food distribution. We can partner to make it happen.
We can make Central Texas healthier and safer by joining together to meet our community's needs."
This link will take you to the website to register as a volunteer:
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Prayer
"To pray is to listen to the One who calls you 'my beloved daughter', 'my beloved son', 'my beloved child.' To pray is to let that voice speak to the center of your being, to your guts, and let that voice resound in your whole being."
Henri Nouwen in Strength for the Journey, Renee Miller, Morehouse Publishing, 2011
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Sunday Worship at St. John's
We worship God in a variety of ways.
- 9:30 a.m. Morning Prayer 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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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 so that you can replay a service at your convenience. 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 (watch for new liturgical accessories for Mthr. Minerva and Deacon Victoria!), 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 unable to bring their own.
A recording of the English sermon will be available on our website later in the day.
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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 shortly 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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Lenten Series
THE WAY OF LOVE
Practices for Jesus-Centered Life
When: Wednesday evenings during Lent at 7:00 pm
This year’s Lenten series is being offered in both English and Spanish virtually via Zoom. We begin with a time for bilingual prayer and then split into two classes, English and Spanish. Each week, we will turn, learn, and pray our way through the desert, toward resurrection life with Jesus.
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More information about The Way of Love can be found by clicking this link: |
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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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Temporary Exemption: Property Damaged by Disaster (from Travis County)
GENERAL INFORMATION: Property owners use this form to claim a temporary property tax exemption for property in a governor-declared disaster area with at least 15 percent damage. (Tax Code Section 11.35)
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FILING INSTRUCTIONS: File this form and all supporting documentation with the appraisal district office in each county where property is located no later than the 105th day after the date the governor declares the area to be a disaster area. Do not file this document with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. |
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Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services (TWS-VRS) provides a variety of services that assist eligible people with disabilities in preparing for, obtaining, retaining or advancing in competitive integrated employment.
Their brochure, as well as a Guide for Applicants, can be downloaded here:
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As we gradually return to in-person services and open offices, we will let you know of the hours and days. St. John's will continue to be conservative in our gatherings, requiring masks and distancing, with limited attendance.
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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
Virtual Sunday Services
In English - 9:30am (Zoom)
In-Person Outdoor Holy Communion
In English - 11:15am
In Spanish - 1:00pm
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