The Bridge
April 8, 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.
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Mother Minerva's Musing
Our Lent Season will come to a close with Holy Week. In this fast paced life that we lead, few of us are able to stop and reflect during this very sacred time. Even fewer can participate in all the services during this holy time: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil, and Easter Service.
I personally did not know or experience the fullness of Holy Week until I was in seminary. My first experience with Maundy Thursday was when I was in High School. My church came up with the idea to have 12 young men represent the apostles and the priest Jesus. It was the first time I went to a Maundy Thursday service. I would like to say that I went because I wanted to more fully experience Holy Week. However, I went because I had a crush on one of the young men.
During college, I took a religion course and was more curious. I went back to my home church only to be seriously disappointed. During the Maundy service I was in the confessional booth when the priest got up in the middle of the confession to chastise the congregation for leaving when the lights were turned down low. The people thought that the service had ended and started exiting the church. Needless to say, I did not go back to “extra” services for a while.
Why attend services during Holy Week? After all, isn’t the BIG day Easter Sunday. Yes. Easter Sunday is a major Feast Day. And, I have come to believe that in order to truly appreciate the magnitude of this Feast Day one needs to experience the services that lead to Easter Sunday. They provide a chronology of the events that lead to Easter Sunday. Along with the chronology, one can experience the change of mood. It allows us to feel the pain and suffering that Jesus experienced. It allows us to walk along with the disciples on those difficult days when they thought all was lost. These lows can heighten the highs. We can rejoice together at the discovery of the empty tomb.
Maundy Thursday sets the stage for what is about to happen. It is an opportunity to see how Jesus chooses to say goodbye. To hear the last lesson that he chooses to teach his disciples. On Friday, we experience the betrayal, arrest, interrogation, crucifixion, and burial of Jesus. On Holy Saturday we mourn with Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary as they sit and watch over Jesus' tomb. If you have not had an opportunity to participate in the Easter Vigil. It is a very exciting experience. There is fire, there is singing, and there is the retelling of God’s creating and protecting powers. It allows us to hear God’s experience with his creation starting at the very beginning. The lessons narrate the times God made Godself present to protect and liberate his people. We end the lessons with the Gospel of Luke telling us of that Sunday early morning when a group of women including Mary Magdalene, Johanna, and Mary the mother of James heard the wonderful news that Jesus had risen.
This trajectory from unknown, to suffering, to sorrow, to rejoicing allows us to go through a range of emotions and give us a better understanding of the incredible sacrifice that Jesus made for us. Jesus was willing to give up his life so that we may have eternal life. Reengaging the scriptures during these services may deepen our commitment to living a resurrected life. The life Jesus wants for all of us.
I invite you to join our Holy Week services. And if you are not able to join us, I encourage you to read the appointed lessons and meditate on them. Let us come Easter Sunday rejoicing saying “Alleluia! The Lord is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!”.
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Sunday Services - April 10
Palm Sunday
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)
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You are invited to come to the communion rail to receive the Eucharist or a blessing. You may receive the wine either by intinction, sipping, or not at all. Receiving the Eucharist in one kind is full reception. You may receive standing or kneeling. If you need a gluten free wafer, please tell the minister. If you prefer a blessing, please stand in the line with the priest and cross your arms over your chest. |
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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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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).
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"Be kind,
for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."
attributed to Plato; from Henry Welles
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St. John's Notices and Activities |
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COMMUNITY ACTION TEAM - AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Upcoming Fun Volunteer Opportunity to Support Affordable Housing in Our Community!
The Affordable Housing Community Action Team at St. John’s has set up an opportunity for St. John’s members to support Habitat for Humanity (HFH) by working a volunteer shift at the HFH “Restore.” The Restore is a not-for-profit store operated by HFH that offers affordable building materials to all community members.
The Restore is largely supported by volunteers who stock shelves, create displays, help customers, clean, etc. We have set up a three hour shift for St. John’s, 8:30-11:30 am on Friday, May 20 at the Lake Hills Restore. We need about ten volunteers.
This is a real easy and fun group way to support Affordable Housing in Austin. Let’s get together to make it a big success!
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COMMUNITY ACTION TEAM - PASTORAL CARE
Your Pastoral Care team is working very hard to meet the needs of our current congregation. To that end, we are trying to identify drivers who would be available to drive members for various reasons. If you would not mind driving a few times a month, please let Christi Crow know. Contact at 903-235-1455 or heartsandroses13@sbcglobal.net
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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.
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We are planning to have eggs hidden for our kiddos - members and families - after the 10:30am and 1:00pm services on Easter Day. Maria Angie Hernandez will happily accept volunteers for stuffing and hiding eggs for our searchers!
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YOU are invited to bring cookies and other treats to share on Easter Day - April 17. This will be a day of celebration and joy as we gather together after each service to enjoy Extravagant Treats and fellowship. Please bring your cookies & treats ready to serve. St. John's will provide plates and napkins, as well as coffee and tea. |
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Easter Bonnets are so much fun! In the past few years, the men of St. John's have shown that they love hats too! We were asked to give lots of notice this year so you can prepare your best bonnets and hats for Easter Day - April 17. |
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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.
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ALTAR FLOWER DEDICATIONS
Donations received during Lent will be used for our Easter Lilies.
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Wednesday Bible Study will not meet during
Holy Week.
We will resume meeting via Zoom on Wednesday, April 6, at 7:00pm.
The Sunday readings will be found in each week's Christian Formation email sent out on Tuesday.
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Cornerstone Literary Circle will not meet during
Holy Week.
Cornerstone Literary Circle is continuing to read John Meacham's book on John Lewis, His Truth is Marching On: John Lewis and the Power of Hope. Our next meeting will be Wednesday, April 6th at 5:30pm-6:30pm. We will be reading Chapters 4 and 5.
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:
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Thursday Morning Bible Study will not meet during Holy Week.
We will resume meeting in person and via Zoom on Thursday, April 7, at 10:00am.
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The link to join the class is here: |
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(please refer to our website www.austinstjohns.org or to the Christian Formation email sent every Tuesday for more information and links)
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WEDNESDAY MORNING GROUNDS CREW
Thanks to everyone who came out on this beautiful Spring day to make our campus beautiful for Easter!
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For more information about this ministry, please contact Kevin Flegal.
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LABYRINTH COMMUNITY GARDEN
Pictures of our beautiful Spring wardrobe!
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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.
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Episcopal Diocese of Texas |
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Established in 1921 by the Diocese of Texas, Camp Allen Summer Camp is widely known as the "best week of the year" by countless children each year. And after two years of the pandemic, kids need camp more than ever! Camp Allen offers action-packed and faith-filled one week summer camp sessions for ages 8-16. |
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FOR PRAYER AND PASTORAL CARE |
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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.
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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
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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. |
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for other ways to make a donation.
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Please send mail to the church post office box:
St. John’s Episcopal Church
P. O. Box 81493
Austin, TX 78708-1493
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All First Class Mail, Priority Mail and Priority Express Mail will be forwarded through Dec. 7, 2022.
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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. As we come back together, 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.
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Mr. Steve Kriechbaum, Senior Warden
Mr. Kevin Flegal, Junior Warden
Ms. Maria Caballero, Clerk
Ms. Sandra Welles, Treasurer
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Class of 2023
Mr. Steve Kriechbaum
Ms. Sandra Welles
Sr. Carlos Lugo
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Class of 2024
Ms. Maria Caballero
Sra. Maria Angie Hernandez
Ms. Sandra Ward
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Class of 2025
Dr. Carolyn Cline
Mr. Kevin Flegal
Sra. Patricia Mata
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The Rev. Minerva Camarena Skeith, Rector
The Rev. Victoria Mason, Deacon
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Ms. Fay Jones, Director of Communications
Mr. Philip Riley, Choirmaster and Organist
Sr. Alfonso Hernandez, Spanish Music
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St. John's Episcopal Church
11201 Parkfield Drive
P. O. Box 81493, Austin, TX 78708-1493
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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
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The Parish Office is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
from 10am - 12Noon.
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For more information about St. John’s Episcopal Church, please visit our website at www.austinstjohns.org
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