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The Bridge
March 12, 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.
Move your clocks ahead one hour Saturday night!
Exciting News!

Beginning Sunday, March 14, St. John's will have weekly English Holy Communion services outdoors. The English service will be 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.

We will continue to have virtual English services. However, in order to accommodate the outside services the virtual English service time will be 9:30am. The recording of this service will continue to be provided on the website later in the day.

Please click on this button to make a reservation:
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!
From Mike Davis:

Although I was a cradle Episcopalian, since my family didn't make much of the season of Lent I certainly didn't either. I didn't start taking Lent seriously until I had reached a pretty ripe age, say 54-55. By that time I was a regular at St. John in Austin. The custom of soup suppers followed by a Lenten devotional helped emphasize the season. Al Rodriguez also started the stations of the cross as a service and that added solemnity to the season as well. I even started to like the imposition of ashes. 

While I give up something that is important to me, this year it's Facebook, the real benefit of belonging to a community which takes the season seriously is to deepen spiritual growth. Some of my Lenten disciplines have become healthy habits. Others are forgotten. No matter the Lenten discipline, I always greet Easter Sunday with happiness.  
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)
Retrospective on how the pandemic affected worship at St. John's - and worship won!

Here is a very interesting retrospective compiled by Bill Cox which shows us where we have been as a worshipping community during the pandemic. We adapted in amazing ways to guidelines and directives both governmental and liturgical to continue to offer opportunities to worship together and care for each other during a very difficult time. And now, as Spring warms the air, we are able to start coming out of the darkness of our "long Lent" into a rebirth of community and worship.
Elderly and Caregiver Support

AGE of Central Texas - a regional non-profit that helps older adults and family caregivers thrive.

Here are answers to some of the questions asked of Mr. Temme last week (from Lina Supnet-Zapata, Executive Director of MIR Care Consultants):

  • Memory Care vs. SNF. Memory care is either a stand alone facility or a part of an assisted living facility focused on those with memory and cognitive impairment. It is a secured area and it’s quite costly since it is private pay. They have (usually) dedicated staff that are trained in the area of Alzheimer’s dementia.
  • SNF (Skilled Nursing) aka long term care, aka nursing home. The Skilled Nursing is the area of the nursing home that is designated for the Medicare covered skilled nursing days after someone has been in the hospital for three midnights and now requires rehabilitation (OT, PT, ST). Medicare covers at 100% the first 20 days. 21 -100 is a required co-pay and Medicare picks up the rest. 100 days are what individuals are allotted.
  • Lina mentioned three Memory Care places -- Silverado, Fairway Vista and Auberge.
  • Also, I thought for someone looking for information about Dementia and the many kinds, here is the video from a recent Caregiver Conference 
  • Sarah Hyde-Williams of Senior Living Advisors gives this presentation on "When It's Not Alzheimer's Disease" talking the different types of dementia, along with causes and treatments.

The website for AGE of Central Texas is here: AGE of Central Texas 
An Invitation for Tea

The Episcopal Church Women chapter of St. James Episcopal Church has invited St. John's to attend a virtual Tea on Sunday, March 14, at 3:00pm. The invitation is here:
Please note that the link to join the ceremony is at the bottom of the invitation, and there is also a password which you will need to enter in order to join the Zoom meeting.
This is a map of where water lines have leaks and where they are in the repair schedule:
Vaccine Eligibility to be Expanded

State health officials will expand COVID-19 vaccinations to Texans 50 and older starting March 15, a move that runs counter to federal recommendations, which say states should work quickly to vaccinate essential workers, according to the Austin American-Statesman, March 10, 2021.

Click here to read the entire article:
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:
Click this button for a partial list of businesses which still require a mask during the pandemic:
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:
Continuing Vaccine News

Although many people are being vaccinated, we understand that many also have been unable to make appointments for their first dose. And that some of us are not in the open categories. We will continue to offer information about the vaccine process, here and on the Facebook Fellowship page. If you need access information for vaccine registration, please go to the church website Austin St. John's.
 
Currently groups 1A and 1B are authorized to receive the vaccine in Texas.
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)

  • To participate in our virtual 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 Verger 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 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).
See first section above for information about the English Holy Eucharist outdoors, in-person services.
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 10:15am), 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:
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.
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.
More information about The Way of Love can be found by clicking this link:
Please visit our website (Austin St. John's)
for other ways to make a donation.
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.
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.
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)
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. 
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:

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.

Fay Jones, Editor (fay@austinstjohns.org)
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
For more information about events at St. John’s, please visit our website at www.austinstjohns.org