The Bridge
March 26, 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, and Good Friday have been 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. The service schedule is also posted on our website: St. John's Episcopal Church
The Easter Edition will be sent out on Monday, March 29.
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Please note! Sunday services on Palm Sunday and Easter will be as usual: 9:30 a.m. - Morning Prayer via Zoom; 11:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist outdoors in-person (English); 1:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist outdoors in-person (Spanish). |
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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. Thanks to our contributors for the wonderful stories they have shared!
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From Henry Welles:
When I think of my Lent growing up in the New York metropolitan area, I think of winter, gas stoves, and hot cross buns.
We had had months of cold weather. School would only be canceled for an 8-inch snowfall. We would go out with our wooden rulers, stick them in the highest drift we could find, and hope for the best.
We would look for snow drops, the first flowers of spring. Crocuses and daffodils would follow, but snow drops were the harbingers of warmer weather.
The kitchen was the center of the house and the gas stove was the center of the kitchen. Fast food was unknown. My mother cooked for the five of us. Lent was a season of comfort food: shepherd’s pie, steamed vegetables in a double boiler, and spaghetti with meat balls, the recipe a courtesy of Italian neighbor.
Hot cross buns bought from the A&P grocery store were a highlight of Lent. We would warm them in the gas stove, take them out, plate them, and eat them with slices of stick butter. Milk or ice water were the accompanying beverages.
When I think of Lent, I think of hot cross buns, cold weather, and the enduring love of family and God.
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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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From The Episcopal Racial Reconciliation Committee
"The Episcopal Justice community is invited on the eve of Holy Week to stand in sacramental solidarity with Asian Americans and stand up against racist and xenophobic violence.
Responding to the tragedy of racially motivated murders in Atlanta, and the ongoing violence and intimidation aimed at Asian Americans, Episcopal Asian Ministries is hosting “Stop Asian Hate,” a gathering of Episcopal Asians and our allies for lament, healing, action and solidarity this Saturday, March 27, 2021 from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M EDT [or Eastern Time] - register HERE."
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For another opportunity to hear more about our Church's response to racial reconciliation and to stand in solidarity with Asian Americans, you are also invited to an event hosted by the Absalom Jones Episcopal Center for Racial Healing, Response to the Rising Hatred & Violence against Asian Americans: A Conversation with The Rt. Rev. Diana Akiyama the first Japanese American woman to be ordained as a Priest & a Bishop in the Episcopal Church. This event is Monday, March 29, 2021 7:00pm-8:00pm - Register here.
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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.
Texas health officials are opening COVID-19 vaccinations to all adults as of Monday, March 29. The Pfizer vaccine is approved for those aged 16 and older. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines have been approved for people 18 and older.
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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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God our Creator
"A sacramental understanding of life and faith redirects us to the world around us. Rather than rejecting the physical world because it is not the spiritual world, - a form of early Christian heresy called Gnosticism - it embraces the possibility of experiencing God as the divine is mediated through the physical. Those who follow the way of Christ serve a God who created this world of matter, who was willing to enter into this world as a human being so that we could know God, and who committed the Holy Spirit to comfort, challenge, and inspire us here today."
The Other Jesus, Greg Garrett, Westminster John Knox Press, 2011, p. 50
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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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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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