The Bridge
December 24, 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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Mother Minerva will hold a symbolic candle during the singing of "Silent Night" on Christmas Eve.
You are invited to bring a flashlight or use your smart phone to display the flashlight (how 21st Century is this!). We will dim the lights in the church as usual. Please ensure that you point your light down so as not to shine in anyone's eyes.
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Calendar of Events
Advent, Christmas, Epiphany
(updated)
- Friday, December 24 - Christmas Eve
- 5:00 pm Holy Eucharist Rite II with music (bilingual)
- 10:30 pm Choral presentation
- 11:00 pm Holy Eucharist Rite II with music (English)
- Saturday, December 25 - Christmas Day
- 9:00 am Holy Eucharist with music (English)
- Sunday, December 26
- Regular service schedule
- Sunday, January 2 - Feast of St. John the Evangelist
- 9:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite I in English
- (no music)
- 1:00 pm Bilingual Holy Eucharist
- (special lessons and music)
- 2:15 pm Parish Potluck luncheon - Weather Permitting!
- Sunday January 9 – Feast of the Epiphany observed
- Trifles and Roscas at 11:30 am in the Parish Hall
- Ungreening of the Church at 2:15 pm
- Sunday, January 16 – MLK Jr. Day observed
- Regular service schedule with special liturgy and prayers
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Rosalinda, Mary Anne, Carlos |
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We traditionally ask for donations to cover the cost of poinsettias to decorate our church for Christmas. If you would like to "purchase" one or more of these lovely plants, the suggested donation is $25 per plant. As usual, the poinsettias will be available for taking home after we celebrate Epiphany on January 9, 2022. |
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What goes up, must come down! We will ungreen, undecorate, put the church back to "normal" on Sunday, January 9, at 2:15 pm. We invite any and all who can be with us to help - many hands make light work. We will especially need "strong young men" to climb ladders and carry boxes back to the Annex. And, of course, we will have refreshments for those who are on hand to help!
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Thank you to everyone who helped make St. John's Posada 2021 a wonderful success. Over 100 people participated despite the cold weather. The food was delicious, the piñata full of candy, and the fellowship abounded. There was even a dance with music provided by Sudath Tennkoon. |
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Sunday Services
9:00 am Holy Communion Rite I (in person)
10:30 am Holy Communion Rite II (in person and Zoom)
1:00 pm Santa Eucaristía, Rito II (en persona)
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Please refer to the Calendar of Events at the top of this newsletter for special times and services
during the Christmas season.
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Offering Plates:
For those of you who have missed the passing of the collection plates, we have resumed this tradition. The collection will be taken after the Peace, during the singing of the Offertory Hymn.
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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. English 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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St. John's Notices and Activities |
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As Communications Director, I would like to personally thank Bill Cox, Nancy Mangham, and Sheri Rasmussen (and probably others as well!) for their untiring work in getting the many bulletins, posters, and other communications ready for Christmas. Many hours were put into creating, editing, printing, and folding. Thanks and Christmas blessings on you! |
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The parish offices will be closed, and staff will take a well-deserved break the week between Christmas and New Year’s. If you need pastoral care during this time, please contact Mother Minerva at 512-593-1778. |
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On Sunday, January 2, 2022, we will celebrate the feast day of our Patron Saint, John the Evangelist. We will have Holy Eucharist Rite I at 9:00am, and a bilingual Holy Eucharist Rite II at 1:00pm. Following this service, we will celebrate with a parish wide pot luck luncheon, weather permitting. |
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Thank you, Don Robertson!
After years of steady and reliable service, Don Robertson is retiring as Assistant Treasurer and member of the St. John’s finance committee, effective December 31.
Don has been a member of the St. John’s family since 2010, when he and his late wife, Darlene, joined our congregation.
Don served a term on the vestry from 2012-2014, including two years as senior warden. His terms as senior warden overlapped the ministries of the Rev. Al Rodriguez and the Rev. Matt Seddon.
Don continued his service to St. John’s as an assistant treasurer and member of the finance committee. He also is a faithful member of the church’s building and grounds committee, aiding in the Wednesday morning cleanup and beautification projects.
Prior to joining St. John’s, Don served his country in the United States Army as a junior officer at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. A Certified Public Accountant, Don worked for a law firm in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex for many years before moving to Round Rock.
Don, we salute your service and you as a person. Thank you.
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An Anonymous Giver?
St. John’s Episcopal Church recently received a gift drawn from Wells Fargo Bank. Church finance officials are not sure if the giver wishes to remain anonymous or wishes to be credited for her/his gift as a pledge.
Church officials respectfully request the giver identify themselves to Sandy Welles, church treasurer, by Friday, December 31, if they want their gift to be credited to their name or names.
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We know there are people interested in providing non-perishable food to the food pantry and we thank you! We are in the process of reorganizing this ministry as things have changed during the pandemic. In the meantime, if you want to donate, please take it to the Vincentian Center located at 901 W Braker Ln, Austin, TX 78758. Follow the link to their website so you can see what they need and their hours of collection.
We have been told that the food pantry at the Vincentian Center was empty the day after Thanksgiving, and the need is anticipated to be that strong for Christmas and New Year’s weekends. Taking food to the pantry on those days will be very helpful, as will monetary donations to allow the Center to purchase what they need.
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Christian Formation at St. John's |
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Cornerstone Literary Circle
Beginning January 5, 2022 - Wednesdays, 5:30 pm - Zoom
NEW!
Many participants in the recent Sacred Ground class were interested in continuing their learning though a book study group. Cornerstone Literary Circle was developed to facilitate this book reading and discussion of other’s perspectives.
Cornerstone will meet weekly on Wednesdays from 5:30pm-6:30pm on Zoom and is open to anyone who is interested. The first meeting will be January 5th.
On January 5th, the Cornerstone Literary Circle will begin a discussion of Ta-Nehisi Coates' "Between the World and Me." To be prepared for the discussion, please read pp. 1-64 (stopping at the break). Our discussions on that Wednesday will center on content on those pages.
Please contact Laurie Williams if you are interested and watch for news in the Bridge and the Tuesday Christian Formation email as January 5th gets closer.
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Wednesday Evening Bible Study - Zoom
Wednesdays at 7:00pm
The lectionary Bible Study will resume on Wednesday, January 5, 2022.
The link to join the class is here:
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Thursday Morning Bible Study - Hybrid
Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. - Hybrid
The Thursday Morning Bible Study will resume on Thursday, January 6, 2022.
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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
There are projects to be done all year, and your participation would be very welcome! We start about 8:00 a.m. and finish about noon.
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If you have questions about this ministry, please contact Hal Hughes.
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If you are interested in obtaining a bed for you and your family, please contact Patty Arnold.
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SAVE THE DATE!
St. John’s Annual Parish Meeting will be held in the church on Sunday, January 30, at 12 Noon. Please plan to be there to learn about our plans for 2022!
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Help For Tornado Victims
On Friday and Saturday, December 10 and 11, a line of severe weather spread across the central United States, spawning over 50 tornadoes. Many lives were lost in these storms, and homes and businesses were severely damaged or destroyed. Episcopal Relief & Development is in contact with the affected dioceses as they assess the needs in their communities and stands ready to assist in the coming days and weeks. Please pray for the people impacted by the deadly tornadoes.
Donations to the US Disaster Fund will support Episcopal Relief & Development and its partners as they respond.
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COVID-19 Related Information |
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Vaccination and Testing
Because some of our readers and/or their families may be traveling during the holidays, here is where to find information from the CDC no matter where you are:
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and here is information about testing: |
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Dr. Brian Metzger, medical director of infectious diseases at St. David's HealthCare has the following information to share:
Are vaccines working against omicron?
Yes. Metzger sees hospitalizations of mainly unvaccinated people who are usually in their 40s and 50s...Breakthrough infections of people who are fully vaccinated and even boosted are happening, but those cases are not likely to end in hospitalization or death...Having had a previous infection, though, is not as good as having been vaccinated. Because of the immune evasiveness of omicron, natural infection from an earlier strain doesn't provide as much protection against this strain, Metzger said...That's why getting a booster is important if it has been six months since the last mRNA vaccine or two months after the Johnson & Johnson vaccine..."Three doses provide significantly more protection both against breakthrough infection and against hospitalizations," Metzger said...People who suffer breakthrough infections often are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, but there is a spectrum, Metzger said. Some could be miserable for a few days or even need to be hospitalized.
Should we still gather for Christmas and New Year's Eve?
We really need to lean on testing, [Metzger] said. Take a rapid test, either one done by a clinic or pharmacy or one that you can do at home on the day of the gathering before you arrive...Continue to do all the things we know help: masking, washing your hands, social distancing, getting vaccinated and improving ventilation by using an air filter, opening up windows or being outside — the high temperature in Austin is expected to be in the 80s on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Consider your own health risks, who is in your household or with whom you're in contact.
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click on the image to access the Austin Public Health website |
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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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St. John’s requires masks at all indoor worship services. Masks are optional at all other events on the St. John's campus. Based on the CDC guidelines, all persons who are not fully vaccinated are encouraged to wear masks while indoors. |
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St. John's gathering policy continues to be updated as conditions change relative to the COVID pandemic. St. John's holds the health and safety of our community as a top priority.
Your understanding and cooperation are very much appreciated.
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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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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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Ms. Paula Foy, Senior Warden
Mr. Hal Hughes, Junior Warden
Ms. Sandra Welles, Treasurer
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Class of 2022
Ms. Paula Foy
Mr. Hal Hughes
Sra. Rosalinda Rodriguez
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Class of 2023
Mr. Steve Kriechbaum
Ms. Sandra Welles
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Class of 2024
Ms. Maria Caballero, Clerk
Sr. Alfonso Hernandez
Ms. Sandra Ward
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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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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
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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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