The Bridge
May 6, 2022
The Mission of St. John’s is to be a community of God’s people who heal brokenness, build bridges, and exemplify borderless kindness.
|
|
Resurrection
The Lord is risen! He is risen indeed!
Ever since my Dad went to seminary in 1961, our family has greeted one another with these words on Easter Sunday. My siblings and I continue this practice to this day, whether it’s by phone, text, email or in person. During his last years of life, Mother and Dad would teach this greeting to the children in their church. During coffee hour, Mother would send a child to “Father Jerry” with the instruction to say, “The Lord is risen!” to him. When they did this, my Dad would say enthusiastically, “He is risen indeed!” and give them a piece of candy. You can imagine that some children made several return trips to Father Jerry.
I often greet people coming out of the church on Easter Sunday with these same words. And I would say these words with enthusiasm and gusto. The responses are interesting. Most everybody would have a momentary look of puzzlement. A few would respond quickly “He is risen indeed!” with equal enthusiasm. Others would take longer to respond and maybe not so much enthusiasm. Many would respond with ”Happy Easter.”
Our Lord’s resurrection is an essential part of who we are as Christians. We believe that God truly humbled himself to join humanity in the form of a man named Jesus. We believe that he humbled himself to the point of death. But Jesus didn’t just disappear never to be seen again like Enoch who “walked with God and disappeared because God took him.” (Genesis 5:24, Hebrews 11:5) Jesus returned in human form. He could be touched. He could breathe. He could eat. He could speak.
Jesus’ encounter with Thomas emphasized this. Jesus didn’t cut Thomas out from being an apostle when he doubted. Jesus made sure that Thomas could experience the truth of his resurrection with all his senses, especially touch.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the reason we believe in the power of love, the grace of forgiveness, the hope of reconciliation. It is through the Resurrection that we believe that God loves us fully and without reservation.
Alleluia! The Lord is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!
Deacon Victoria
|
|
Pentecost Parishwide Potluck
Sunday, June 5
As we have returned to breaking bread together in the Eucharist, we are now going to break bread together in the parish hall! Plan to join your St. John's family on Sunday, June 5, for a celebratory potluck luncheon! More details next week!
|
|
Christian Formation Classes return to Sunday Morning -- starting June 12
Adding a Christian Formation class to our Sunday morning programs requires that we slightly adjust the times of our worship services. Our new Sunday morning worship and education schedule, effective starting June 12, is:
- 8:30am - The Holy Eucharist Rite I (English)
- 9:45am - Adult Christian Formation Class
- 11:00am - The Holy Eucharist Rite II (English)
- 1:00pm - La Santa Eucaristía Rito Dos (Spanish)
Our Wednesday evening and Thursday morning Christian Formation classes will continue as usual.
|
|
Sunday Services - May 8
The Fourth Sunday of Easter
9:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite I (In-Person)
10:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite II (In-Person and Zoom)
1:00 pm Santa Eucaristía Rito II (en persona)
|
|
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. |
|
Meeting ID: 879 9502 6837
No passcode is required
|
|
You may also join the service by telephone -
dial (346) 248-7799 and enter the meeting ID when prompted.
Meeting ID: 879 9502 6837
|
|
The video recording of the 10:30 a.m. 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).
|
|
"There are always two worlds. The world as it operates is largely about power; the world as it should be, or the Reign of God, is always about love. Conversion is almost entirely about moving from one world to the next...Nevertheless, our task is to learn how to live lovingly in both worlds until they become one world - at least in us. True Kingdom people bridge worlds..."
Richard Rohr, Yes, And, pp 167, 165
Franciscan Media, 2013
|
|
St. John's Notices and Activities |
|
Important Announcement from your Junior Warden
Your Junior Warden, Kevin Flegal, has been hard at work to improve security and air conditioning in the Parish Hall. As a result, several changes will occur during the month of May!
1. We have new AC/Heating equipment, controlled by several “Nest” thermostats in the various areas of the Parish Hall. These thermostats are locked and controlled by a limited number of people. If you need an adjustment to the temperature while you are in the building, you may contact Kevin Flegal (512-924-7838), Mother Minerva (512-593-1778), Maria Angie Hernandez (512-760-4151), or Steve Kriechbaum (512-791-3823). The thermostats can be controlled remotely by these authorized persons.
2. A new monitored security system will be installed during the month of May, covering the Church, Parish Hall, and Annex. If you have a key or keys to any buildings or spaces, please meet with Kevin Flegal to register those keys or turn them in. When you register your key or keys, you will be issued a security PIN which will give you access to the areas for which you have a key. Without a registered key and authorized PIN, the monitoring company will notify the Austin Police Department if the buildings are entered. Security is everyone’s responsibility!
|
|
DAUGHTERS OF THE KING TEA PARTY
Sunday, May 15, 2:00pm
All women and girls at St. John’s are invited to a tea party given by our Woman at the Well Chapter of the Daughters of the King. Learn more about this religious order for lay women and girls in the Episcopal Church and how we might start a chapter for girls here at St. John’s. This will be a bilingual event. Come join us Sunday, May 15th 2:00-3:30 pm in the parish hall.
|
|
Agenda of Issues - Action Teams
AFFORDABLE HOUSING TEAM UPDATE
The affordable housing advocacy team created with the help of last December's discernment process has been busy. We are signed up to work at the Habitat for Humanity "Restore" operation on May 20th, and have attracted 10 St. John's volunteers for the event. We have gotten in contact with Foundation Communities to see what they are doing to address homelessness in our community. We volunteered our parking lot to support an upcoming Foundation Communities event, and they have invited St. John's members to an open house at their Laurel Canyon Apartment Community so we can see how they are working to house our fellow community members. If you are interested in volunteering or attending the open house, please get in touch with John Williams 512-924-0591 jfwilliams29@yahoo.com
Finally, St. John's affordable housing team has joined Central Texas Interfaith efforts to advocate for affordable housing with Austin and Travis County leaders. We have attended a meeting with CTI to understand better their agenda and their strategy to achieve it. Big picture, the CTI affordable housing agenda includes:
- address homelessness by supporting affordable housing, especially for low income individuals and families;
- urge the city to continue rental assistance payments for those in need; and
- continue to work to prevent abuses of mobile home renters.
|
|
FARMSHARE AUSTIN
Sunday, from 11am-1pm.
Come shop for fresh, delicious, and affordable fruits and vegetables, local eggs and honey, and a variety of pantry staples!
The market accepts cash, credit, debit, SNAP, and
Double Up Food Bucks.
|
|
COFFEE AND FELLOWSHIP
The Parish Hall is open for coffee and fellowship after each Sunday service!
Thanks to our volunteers who make the coffee, set it up, and clean up after. And always, thanks to Sheri Rasmussen who keeps us in iced tea!
If you would like to bring snacks, you are invited to do so. Please take your dishes home with you so you won't have to wonder what happened to that plate Dear Old Aunt Gladys gave you.
|
|
Wednesday Bible Study - Zoom
7:00 p.m.
The Sunday readings will be found in each week's Christian Formation email sent out on Tuesday.
|
|
Meeting ID: 818 0719 2209
No passcode is required
|
|
Cornerstone Literary Circle - Zoom
Cornerstone Literary Group just finished His Truth is Marching On. Next week, we will begin a new book, The Kindness of Color by Janice Munemitsu. We'll be reading the Foreword and first three chapters. Mary Hutka will host this book recommended by Kim Evert.
The reading assignments will be found in each week's Christian Formation email sent out on Tuesday.
The link to join the class is here:
|
|
Meeting ID: 865 2855 1870
Passcode 446185
|
|
Thursday Morning Bible Study - Hybrid
We will continue meeting in person and via Zoom on Thursday, at 10:00am.
|
|
The link to join the class is here: |
|
Meeting ID: 821 5253 7149
No passcode is required
|
|
(please refer to our website www.austinstjohns.org or to the Christian Formation email sent every Tuesday for more information and links)
|
|
WEDNESDAY MORNING GROUNDS CREW
As Spring brings us rain and sunshine, the tasks needed to be completed for the continued beauty of our campus grows. Please consider joining this dedicated group of volunteers between 8am-12pm on Wednesdays.
|
|
For more information about this ministry, please contact Kevin Flegal.
|
|
LABYRINTH COMMUNITY GARDEN |
|
To learn about how our Labyrinth Community Garden serves the community, or for information about obtaining a bed in the Garden for you and your family, please contact Patty Arnold.
|
|
Christi Crow will be unavailable for providing transportation for several weeks. Please contact Sandra Ward, Ann Faithful and or Cap Metro for assistance. |
|
FOR PRAYER AND PASTORAL CARE |
|
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.
|
|
A Prayer for Ukraine
God of Peace and Justice, we pray for the people of Ukraine today.
We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons.
We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow. that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them.
We pray for those with power over war and peace, for wisdom, discernment, and compassion to guide their decisions.
Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear, that you would hold and protect them.
We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
Amen.
Archbishop Justin Welby
Archbishop Stephen Cottrell
|
|
Masks are optional on the St. John's campus. The CDC guidelines highly recommend that all persons who are not fully vaccinated wear masks while indoors. Thank you for your cooperation in these efforts to keep our St. John’s community safe and healthy. |
|
for other ways to make a donation.
|
|
Please send mail to the church post office box:
St. John’s Episcopal Church
P. O. Box 81493
Austin, TX 78708-1493
|
|
All First Class Mail, Priority Mail and Priority Express Mail will be forwarded through Dec. 7, 2022.
|
|
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. 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.
|
|
Mr. Steve Kriechbaum, Senior Warden
Mr. Kevin Flegal, Junior Warden
Ms. Maria Caballero, Clerk
Ms. Sandra Welles, Treasurer
|
|
Class of 2023
Mr. Steve Kriechbaum
Ms. Sandra Welles
Sr. Carlos Lugo
|
|
Class of 2024
Ms. Maria Caballero
Sra. Maria Angie Hernandez
Ms. Sandra Ward
|
|
Class of 2025
Dr. Carolyn Cline
Mr. Kevin Flegal
Sra. Patricia Mata
|
|
The Rev. Minerva Camarena Skeith, Rector
The Rev. Victoria Mason, Deacon
|
|
Ms. Fay Jones, Director of Communications
Mr. Philip Riley, Choirmaster and Organist
Sr. Alfonso Hernandez, Spanish Music
|
|
|
|
|
St. John's Episcopal Church
11201 Parkfield Drive
P. O. Box 81493, Austin, TX 78708-1493
|
|
Regular 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
|
|
The Parish Office is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
from 10am - 12Noon.
|
|
For more information about St. John’s Episcopal Church, please visit our website at www.austinstjohns.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
