The Bridge - January 14, 2022

The Bridge

January 14, 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.

The Feast of the Epiphany

All the goodies were enjoyed by members after the 10:30am and the 1:00pm services!

Thanks for the help! All the decorations came down in about 30 seconds! Seriously, our Epiphany elves swept through the church and the parish hall in record time - and our Altar Guild with a special helper, has readied our sanctuary for celebrating the Baptism of Our Lord on Sunday!

Consider This

Although I prefer to keep these reflections short, I believe this is so pertinent to our lives as we begin another year, and especially given our re-commitment liturgy during our celebration of the Feast of St. John the Evangelist two weeks ago and our observance of the Baptism of Our Lord this week. You may access the whole article by clicking on the button below this excerpt:

"Luke also reminds us that through the baptismal waters, Jesus was claimed by the Holy Spirit as the beloved son. Remembering our baptism should be a regular practice for the church of Christ today. Living out our baptismal vows every day should be an expectation for every Christian. Often, our baptismal covenant becomes an accomplishment—an ending point. Luke reminds us that when Jesus was claimed by the Holy Spirit as the beloved son, it was the beginning of Jesus’ path toward the cross.

Living out our baptismal covenant on a daily basis should lead us to the same path. Living our baptismal vows today might lead us to uncomfortable places, to let go of relationships, to establish new friendships with people we would never expect, to unlearn and redeem oppressive theological and political convictions, and to resist and seek transformation of the current systems that perpetuate oppression and dehumanization.

Jesus’ baptism is the reminder that our baptism is just the beginning, our joining of God’s plan for all humanity to experience liberation. More than ever, the body of Christ on earth needs to rise, resist, and reclaim this world as God’s world. As we intentionally seek to live out our baptismal covenant daily this new year, may we also remember that the Spirit that claimed Jesus as the beloved son is the same Spirit that claims us today as the beloved children of God."

The Christian Century, Sunday's Coming, January 3, 2022

Baptism - a beginning

Worship at St. John's

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)

Church is happening!

The pandemic has not stopped us from offering worship services. The choir continues to lead us in a joyful noise unto the Lord, the altar is prepared beautifully for the sacrament of Bread and Wine, our clergy preach a sermon every week, bulletins are created, copied, and folded, and we have worship services both in person and via Zoom.

You are encouraged to continue to participate with friends and neighbors in Sunday worship at St. John's. You can participate either in person or via Zoom. You chose what is more comfortable for you and your loved ones. Part of our "new normal" is using a variety of ways to connect and communicate. We look forward to seeing you either in person at 9, 10:30 & 1 or on the screen at 10:30.

It was so heartening to see many faces last Sunday! We are celebrating who we are - God's chosen people - by joining our voices in prayer and praise, whether in person or virtually.

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

Zoom link for Holy Eucharist Rite II

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).

St. John's Notices and Activities

GREETINGS FROM THE ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH CHAPTER OF THE ORDER OF THE DAUGHTERS OF THE KING

Sunday, January 23, 2022, 2-3:30 p.m.

We cordially invite all ladies from our 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 1 p.m. church services, to join us for a “Sunday Tea”. Also, young girls from the age of 7 are invited and encouraged to attend.

We will meet outdoors in the St. John’s quad area. We will have an informative chat about the DOK Order and enjoy a couple of short presentations, all while sipping on our tea and snacking on pastries and sweets.

For this day, January 23, local forecasters predict a temperature of 69 degrees, and that it should feel like it’s a balmy 72 degrees. Inclement Weather: We’ll meet in the church sanctuary, put on our masks and follow safe distancing protocol.

All presentations and literature will be provided in English and Spanish.

For more information, please contact Sandra Ward, President

Please note: All mail should be addressed to:

St. John’s Episcopal Church

P. O. Box 81493

Austin, TX 78708-1493

All First Class Mail, Priority Mail and Priority Express Mail will be forwarded through Dec. 7, 2022.

Newspapers and magazines will be forwarded until Feb. 5, 2022.

Packages, Catalogs and Standard Mail will not be forwarded.

Christian Formation at St. John's

Cornerstone Literary Circle - Zoom

Wednesdays at 5:30 pm

The Cornerstone Literary Circle has begun. The discussion is great, come join us!

Participants are asked to journal while reading, remembering to document the page number or to reference the section where their questions/discussion points come from.

Next week, Cornerstone Literary Circle will finish Ta-Nehisi Coates "Between the World and Me." Group members are going to be reading the third chapter and keeping thoughts about their reading in journal form.

Our next book will be "Crazy Horse: The Lakota Warrior's Life & Legacy" The Edward Clown Family as told to William B. Matson. Sandra Ward will be the host for this book.

Please contact Laurie Williams if you have questions.

The link to join the class is here:

Cornerstone Literary Circle

Wednesday Evening Bible Study - Zoom

Wednesdays at 7:00pm

This group continues to review and discuss the lectionary readings for the following Sunday. Please watch for the email which goes out on Tuesday for the scheduled readings.

The link to join the class is here:

Wednesday Evening Bible Study

Thursday Morning Bible Study - Hybrid

Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.

We continue to meet both in person in the Parish Hall and via Zoom. Those of us who attend in person are masked and spread out around a large table. Everyone is welcome to join our conversation - please participate at your personal physical and emotional comfort level as we continue to navigate the pandemic.

If you want more information, please contact Elaine Jackson .

The link to join the class is here:

Thursday Morning Bible Study

(please refer to our website www.austinstjohns.org or to the Christian Formation email sent every Tuesday for more information and links)

Wednesday Morning Grounds Crew

Some of our trees were trimmed and some were removed because of the damage sustained last winter. Notice when you are at the church how much is being done to beautify our campus.

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.

If you have questions about this ministry, please contact Hal Hughes.

If you are interested in obtaining a bed in the Labyrinth Community Garden for you and your family, please contact Patty Arnold.

SAVE THE DATE!

St. John’s Annual Parish Meeting will be held in the church and via Zoom on Sunday, January 30, at 12 Noon. Please plan to be there to learn about our plans for 2022!

Community Information

Talk2Talk - A legacy of Service: Black Service Leadership and The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King

by UBE — The Union of Black Episcopalians - National

January 12, 2022

Join us for this forty-five-minute video teleconferencing event that promises to inform, equip and inspire. When: Sunday, January 16, 2022, 4-5pm Eastern Time.

Talk2Talk

Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration

Monday, 1/17/22, noon-5pm EST

Please join the Episcopal Dioceses of Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania in commemoration of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – “Embodied Peacemaking Vigil” The event will stream on Zoom from noon to 5pm, EST.

MLK Commemoration

On Sunday, January 23, 2022, the 3M half marathon will impact streets and traffic in the vicinity of St. John's. The race begins at 7:00a.m., runners will begin gathering about 5:45a.m. The course will close at 11:30a.m.

Generally: the course begins on Stonelake near Capitol of Texas Blvd; travels east on Braker Ln. to Burnet Rd.; south to Longhorn; south on Shoal Creek and Great Northern Blvd. (it winds around between Burnet and Mopac) to 45th Street; east to Duval, then south to UT and the Capitol. A course map is available by clicking on the button below:

Marathon course map

COVID-19 Related Information

click on the image to access the Austin Public Health website

St. John's requires masks and social distancing for all indoor worship services and gatherings.

Masks and vaccines are our best protection against COVID-19. Please get vaccinated to protect yourself and others.

Thank you very much for your cooperation in these efforts to keep our St. John’s community safe and healthy.

Caring for Each Other

For Prayer and Pastoral Care

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.

Our Gathering Policy

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.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO ST. JOHNS;THANK YOU!

Please visit our website (Austin St. John's)

for other ways to make a donation.

Please send mail to the church post office box

St. John’s Episcopal Church

P. O. Box 81493

Austin, TX 78708-1493

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.