The Bridge
April 2, 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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Easter Schedule
The service schedules for Easter have been sent out in a separate "Special Edition" email. In that email, you will find links for joining the online service, registering for in-person outdoor services, and other information related to the celebration of Easter at St. John's. The service schedule is also posted on our website: St. John's Episcopal Church
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Please note! Sunday services on Easter will be as follows: 9:30 a.m. Liturgy of the Word 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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Mother Minerva's Easter Message
Easter Sunday is upon us and to be honest I have mixed feelings about its arrival. On the one hand, I am super excited to celebrate the Lord’s resurrection and conquering of death. On the other hand, I am sad because we are still under the restrictions of the pandemic and I will not celebrate this great feast day in person with all of you. I am also aware that these last twelve months have been very challenging to us personally and as a country. A lot of emotions have been felt since the pandemic began.
Our country’s resolve has been tested on several levels. The pandemic has exposed the inequalities in our workforce. Essential workers like nursing care workers, grocery store workers, delivery workers, teachers, fire fighters, police officers, nurses, and doctors have carried a greater burden during the pandemic. It has also been made very clear that some of these essential workers are the least paid and have the least access to health care.
The protests last summer in response to George Floyd’s murder and the recent attacks of Asian-Americans have called attention to the endemic racism that exists in this country. We are each faced with the challenge to look deep in ourselves and face our own prejudices and racism. We are also challenged to face the structural injustice systems in our society that keep people of color and the poor from flourishing in our society.
Earlier this year our country’s democracy was threatened when our nation’s capital was attacked. In some way it was a culmination of years of polarization in our country. For decades our country has become more polarized. Some feel like their country and way of life is no longer valued and has been replaced by outsiders. Others feel like there is an unwillingness to recognize the gifts and contributions of all members of this country.
As Christians, we wonder where is God in all of this? God is in the middle of all of this. He’s right here, alongside each of us, no matter in which part of the spectrum we are. He experiences our pain and distress, and offers hope and reconciliation. This is the point of the Passion of Christ, he suffers with us and offers a resurrected life.
The wonderful thing about Easter Sunday is that we celebrate God’s almighty power to make ALL things right - even conquer Death. No matter how challenging things may appear and impossible the path may seem for healing, nothing is impossible for God. On Sunday we will proclaim God’s glory and our reconciliation with Him and with each other. We “who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by [his] life-giving Spirit”. This Easter Day let us rejoice in the knowledge that our sins and the sins of our country will not have the last word. Jesus came into this world to reconcile the whole world to God and to make known that the Kingdom of God is at hand. Praise be to God.
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Presiding Bishop Curry's Easter Message
“Our work goes on. Our labor for love continues,” Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop and Primate Michael B. Curry said in his Easter 2021 Message, “We will not cease, and we will not give up until this world reflects less our nightmare and more God’s dream where there’s plenty good room for all God’s children. Hallelujah anyhow.”
To read Bishop Curry's message and see his video, click this button:
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CIVIC ACADEMY - “Addressing Homelessness, Housing and Rental Assistance”
Tuesday April 6th, 2021
7:00PM- 8:30PM
We will discuss key issues and barriers for people experiencing homelessness and people at risk of losing their housing, learn about opportunities for rental assistance and opportunities to work together towards solutions to get and keep people housed.
Esta Academia Cívica que aborda temas sobre la asistencia para personas sin hogar, vivienda y ayudar con el alquiler tendrá traducción en español.
CIVIC ACADEMY - “Higher Education and HBCUs”
Wednesday April 7th, 2021
7:00PM- 8:30PM
In collaboration with our Huston-Tillotson student leaders, join us as we discuss higher education, learn about Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCU) funding and opportunities to work together to support higher education opportunities.
Esta Academia Cívica sobre la educación post-secundaria y financiamiento para colegios universitarios y universidades históricamente para Afro-Americanos tendrá traducción en español.
ORGANIZING TRAINING
Saturday April 10th, 2021
9:00AM- 2:00PM
A CTI-wide training focused on building relational power, engaging leaders, and conducting small group “House Meetings”
This training will be conducted in English. A Spanish language organizing training on the same topics will be offered Saturday April 24th 9:00am - 2:00pm
Este taller el 10 de abril será en inglés. Ofreceremos la misma capacitación completamente en español el Sábado 24 de abril a las 9:00am-2:00pm.
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Williamson County has "more shots than arms"
Click here to register ...
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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 have opened 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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Sunday Worship at St. John's
We worship God in a variety of ways.
- 9:30 a.m. Liturgy of the Word 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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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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