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The Bridge
July 23, 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.
ST. JOHN’S GATHERING POLICY:
Updated for COVID Stage 3 or 4

St. John’s requires masks and social distancing at all indoor worship services. For now, the Parish Hall is closed until further notice. Masks are not required for visiting outdoors. 
Worship at St. John's
We worship God in a variety of ways.
Sunday Service Times
 9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II
1:00 p.m. Santa Eucaristía, Rito II
Safety protocols will be observed in the church, i.e., masks, distancing, and limited attendance.
To participate in our virtual Sunday service at 10:30 a.m., 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
The Waiting Room is enabled for this event and is monitored by the Host of the day.
Please note: In order to minimize background noise, everyone except those people who have an active role in the service will be muted. You are invited to put personal prayer requests into the "Chat" to be read at the appropriate time during the Prayers of the People.
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, a recording of the English sermon will be available. Links to the recordings will be posted on our website (www.austinstjohns.org).
Virtual Coffee and Fellowship

Join friends for a virtual coffee "hour" every Sunday! This begins after the 10:30am service (about 11:15am), 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:
Please Welcome The Rev. Benjamin Long

During the month of July, while Mthr. Minerva is on vacation, Fr. Ben will serve as our supply priest at all Sunday services. Please extend to him our warm St. John's welcome!
BAPTISM, CONFIRMATION, RECEPTION

Mthr. Minerva will offer classes for anyone wishing to receive the sacrament of Baptism or Confirmation or to be received in the Episcopal Church, during the month of August. Bishop Monterroso will be here for his episcopal visitation on September 5. If you are interested, please email Fay Jones , and Mthr. Minerva will be in touch with you soon (fay@austinstjohns.org)
Consider This
The pages in my book of affirmations which draw my attention today start with an invitation to Embrace Change. We have certainly been exposed to much change over the past many months, and change continues to confront us on a daily basis. Returning to Stage 4 has raised my anxiety level and made me feel frustrated and even angry at times. It also has reminded me that we can truly Take Nothing for Granted – the news that even those who are fully vaccinated can get COVID has me masking up again! I pray for each of us, and our families, and friends, and the person I haven’t met, that we can do our part to Make a Difference.
Live Good, Compendium Publishing, 2007
St. John's Notices and Activities
Lectionary Bible Study - Zoom
Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.

All are invited to join our study of the assigned lectionary for the following Sunday. Please click this button to access the class.
Thursday Morning Bible Study - Hybrid
Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.

All who are comfortable with meeting in-person are welcome to join us at about 9:55 in the Parish Hall or you may join via Zoom. The Zoom link will be sent out in the Christian Formation email on Tuesday, and will be the same every week.

St. John's Gathering Policy: 
  1. Masks are required for everyone in the parish hall.
  2. No masks if you are at home zooming!

If you want more information, please contact Elaine Jackson.
(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 Keepers
Every Wednesday morning at 8:00am, a group of dedicated members gather to keep our grounds and buildings neat and clean. You are invited to join them - for a day, for a month, or regularly. Many hands make light work! If you have questions about this ministry, please contact Hal Hughes (click on the name to send an email).
Labyrinth Community Garden
The Labyrinth Community Garden is continuing to provide produce to our local food bank. If you are interested in obtaining a bed for you and your family, please contact Patty Arnold (click on the name to send an email).
Office Volunteers
Volunteers staff the Parish office during the week. The office is open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am-12pm.
Coffee Hour after Morning Services
A time for fellowship following the 9:00a.m. and 10:30a.m. services. Please join friends in the Parish Hall for fellowship!
The Episcopal Church
Union of Black Episcopalians invites all to ‘outpouring of Spirit’ for churchwide revival
By Pat McCaughan

The 53rd annual conference of the Union of Black Episcopalians, from July 27-30, will include “a fresh wave of divine love, guidance and power,” in the form of a good old-fashioned revival, and everyone’s invited.
Forward Day by Day is a booklet of daily inspirational meditations reflecting on a specific Bible passage, chosen from the daily lectionary readings as listed in the Revised Common Lectionary or the Daily Office from the Episcopal Church's Book of Common Prayer.

There will be a selection of previous issues available in the narthex. Feel free to take one and preview before you subscribe.

Please click on the button below for more information about this publication:
COVID-19 Related Information
COVID Stage 4 announcement - Austin Public Health
Austin, Texas – The level of risk for contracting COVID-19 in Austin-Travis County continues to increase, especially among unvaccinated individuals as confirmed cases have dramatically risen over the past two weeks. The 7-day moving average of new hospital admissions crossed the threshold of over 30 admissions per day marking progression to Stage 4 this week... “Each of us has a personal choice to make – will we do our part to stop disease transmission by getting vaccinated and taking the necessary precautions to protect ourselves and others, or will we be part of its continued spread?” said Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin-Travis County Health Authority. “COVID-19 is still present and continues to burden our healthcare community and we need to end the cycle of transmission.”  

Read the entire article here:
COVID-19 Testing
Anyone with any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 should get tested, regardless of vaccination status or prior infection. If you get tested because you have symptoms or were potentially exposed to the virus, you should stay away from others pending test results and follow the advice of your health care provider.
Community Notices and Activities
The St. John's Chapter of the Daughters of the King is once again sponsoring the Family Eldercare Summer Fan Drive during the month of August. This provides box fans for elderly residents of our community with potentially life-saving fans during the hot months of summer. As Sandra Ward (DOK president) told us last Sunday, although residents may "have" air conditioning, they are often unable to afford to turn it on. If you would like to support this ministry, please make a donation of $22.00 either through cash or check (in an envelope marked "Fan Drive"), or through electronic giving (see button below or on our website). You can also purchase a fan yourself; please deliver to the church during regular office hours (10am-12pm Wednesdays and Fridays) or on Sunday.
Rebels For Humanity and Me'Yer Deus Foundation are two non-profit organizations that serve the needs of the community – food insecurity and student mentorship. They have come together to give 300 (150 Elementary 150 Middle School) students the basic school supplies in hopes of starting them off to a successful school year. There will be a library for students to choose books of their choice. Free clothing give away. We will have music and live performances from the Founder/CEO of Rebels For Humanity Kay Jay SD1.

Saturday, August 7, 2021
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM CDT
Zion Rest Baptist Church
3341 Paisano Trail
Austin, TX 78745

All you have to do is register through Eventbrite (click button below) and come out to enjoy this free community event.
Caring for Each Other
For Prayer and Pastoral Care
If you need pastoral care, please contact Mthr. Minerva or Deacon Victoria. 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). Please contact Deacon Victoria while Mthr. Minerva is on vacation during the month of July.

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. You can see the broader scope of the current policy here:
Our Vestry
Ms. Paula Foy, Senior Warden
Mr. Hal Hughes, Junior Warden
Ms. Sandra Welles, Treasurer
Class of 2022
Ms. Paula Foy
Mr. Hal Hughes
Sra. Rosalinda Rodriguez
Class of 2023
Ms. Jessica Glasebrook, Clerk
Mr. Steve Kriechbaum
Ms. Sandra Welles
Class of 2024
Ms. Maria Caballero
Sr. Alfonso Hernandez
Ms. Sandra Ward
Our Staff
The Rev. Minerva Camarena Skeith, Rector

The Rev. Victoria Mason, Deacon
Ms. Fay Jones, Director of Communications

Mr. Philip Riley, Choirmaster and Organist

Sr. Alfonso Hernandez, Spanish Music
Please visit our website (Austin St. John's)
for other ways to make a donation.
THE BRIDGE SUBMISSIONS

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.
Fay Jones, Editor (fay@austinstjohns.org)
St. John's Episcopal Church
11201 Parkfield Drive
P. O. Box 81493, Austin, TX 78708-1493
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
The Parish Office is open on Wednesdays and Fridays
from 10am - 12Noon.
For more information about St. John’s Episcopal Church, please visit our website at www.austinstjohns.org