The Bridge
June 25, 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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Social Justice Opportunities |
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Voter Action Needed to Support Medicaid in Texas
We have until June 28th to get written testimony supporting Medicaid Expansion via supporting the 1115 Waiver to the Health & Human Services Commission so that it will be included in the information to be sent with their new request to the federal government. (The first one was returned due to the lack of required public input.) The state’s current 1115 Waiver proposal asks for federal Medicaid funding to help cover safety net hospitals and mental health providers that treat uninsured patients. These dollars are crucial, but they are not a substitute for healthcare coverage and are not permanent. Texans deserve continued coverage, not just emergency care. They deserve regular check-ups, ongoing treatment for chronic illnesses like asthma, and affordable access to medication. And when emergencies do arise, they need access to follow up care.
before Monday June 28th at 5:00 pm.
Click this button to read a document which more fully explains the importance of this effort and provides a template for writing your own personal letter:
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We worship God in a variety of ways. |
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Sunday Service Times
9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite I (in-person)
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II (in-person and Zoom)
1:00 p.m. Santa Eucaristía, Rito II (en persona)
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Safety protocols will be observed in the church, i.e., masks, distancing, and limited attendance. |
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On Sunday, June 27 at all services, St. John's will celebrate the Feast of Pauli Murray with a special liturgy. We hope all will join us for this joyful occasion.
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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
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The Waiting Room is enabled for this event and is monitored by the Host of the day.
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Please note: In order to minimize background noise, everyone except those people who have an active role in the service will be muted. At the Prayers of the People, you will be invited to put any personal prayer requests into the "Chat" to be read at the appropriate time.
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The 10:30 a.m. 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. Additionally, a recording of the English sermon will be available. Links to the recordings will be posted on our website (Austin St. John's).
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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:
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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!
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Bishop Héctor Monterroso will visit St. John's on Sunday, September 5, 2021. If you are interested in Baptism, Confirmation, or Reception, please send an email to Fay Jones.
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Galatians 3:28-29
There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise.
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Becoming Beloved Community |
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This Sunday is a very special feast day for the Episcopal Church, when we celebrate Pauli Murray as a "Holy Woman" of the Episcopal Church. For those of you who attended Christian formation class this past Wednesday, you have already learned what a special leader and accomplished person Murray was. As explained on the Diocese of Texas website, " The Rev. Pauli Murray is one of the Church’s contemporary saints. She is the first African American woman ordained priest. She was also a renowned civil rights lawyer and helped to strategize some of the most important civil rights cases. She worked with Ruth Bader Ginsburg, then an attorney, to successfully devise a constitutional test to protect women against discrimination."
These are just a small sampling of Murray's many contributions to the advancement of civil and human rights in the U.S. In honor of this amazing person, the Sunday offering plate this week will be dedicated to the Pauli Murray Scholarship Fund at Austin's own Seminary of the Southwest. The seminary explains that "the purpose of this fund is to provide academic scholarships to enrolled students of color (with demonstrated financial need) pursuing a degree in the seminary's Master of Divinity program of Diploma in Anglican Studies program."
Please consider a generous donation to the scholarship fund as your offering this Sunday; you may use the envelope included in your bulletin or go to our church website, Austin St. John's, where you can go to the donation page and make a donation, which you should designate as for the "Pauli Murray Scholarship Fund."
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St. John's Notices and Activities |
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Lectionary Bible Study - Zoom
On Wednesday, June 30 at 7:00 p.m., we will return to our study of the assigned lectionary for the following Sunday. Please click this button to join us.
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Scripture Based Book Study: Thursdays at 10:00am (Hybrid: In-Person and Zoom) |
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A Message from Elaine:
As of Thursday, July 1, the 10:00 a.m. Thursday Morning Bible Study will be hybrid, as the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service is now. We will begin a new study, using the book “Bible Women: All Their Words and Why They Matter.” The author is Lindsay Hardin Freeman, and the book is available through Amazon or Forward Movement Publications. Forward Movement’s telephone order number is 800.543.1813, or you can order online. Some of us studied the book several years ago, but several who were not there requested it, and I think it is worth reading again.
The class, as usual, is open to anyone who wants to study with us, no previous experience required. All who are comfortable with in-person meeting are welcome to join us at about 9:55 in the Parish Hall, around the large table. Those who are used to Zoom and want to continue that way will be included in the class with the camera and microphone in the hall, and your face on the big screen. The Zoom link will be sent out in the Christian Formation email, and will be the same every week (if you are better than I am about saving things). We will try to begin at 10:00, so it’s better to err on the side of early, rather than late, since coordination may be harder than if we were all in person. And remember, for the first few sessions we will all be doing something new.
Rules for face masks are:
- Masks are not required,
- Masks are strongly recommended for anyone not fully vaccinated,
- Anyone who is uncomfortable without a mask, please wear one, and
- No masks if you are at home zooming!
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(please refer to our website austinstjohns.org or to the Christian Formation email sent every Tuesday for more information and links)
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The Flower Chart has been placed in the narthex! Please put your dedications on the chart - more than one dedication can be made on a particular Sunday. The suggested donation for altar flowers is $50. Please refer to the "donate" information below and on the website for giving information. St. John's website
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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).
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Labyrinth Community Garden
The Labyrinth Community Garden is growing! Spring veggies and herbs are abundant in the leased raised beds. 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).
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Office Volunteers
Volunteers staff the Parish office during the week. The office is open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am-12pm.
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Coffee Hour after Morning Services
Thanks to all those who have volunteered for coffee hour after the morning services!
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[Episcopal News Service June 25, 2021] The Episcopal Church Executive Council began its June meeting with discussions on how racism is being confronted within and beyond the church, including the creation of a new working group that will be tasked with expanding the church’s ongoing antiracism and reconciliation efforts.
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, opened the meeting by announcing that he and the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, president of the House of Deputies and vice-chair of Executive Council, are forming a working group on truth and reconciliation for the entire Episcopal Church. The new working group is not intended to replace the church’s existing efforts on telling the truth about its complicity in racism and dismantling the structures that perpetuate it, but to build on those efforts and extend them to every corner of the church.
You may view the entire article by clicking this button:
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[Episcopal News Service June 21, 2021] Despite encountering resistance from neighbors and town officials, an Episcopal parish in a small Oregon town is continuing to provide critical services to homeless people...So why does St. Timothy’s persist in caring for the homeless? The Rev. Bernie Lindley, vicar of St. Timothy’s, who spoke to ENS on the 13th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, had an easy answer at the ready.
“Matthew 25,” he said. “‘Whatever you do for the least of these’ – of course, that’s our guiding passage in Scripture. … When you look at the life of Jesus Christ, it all involved healing, feeding and teaching. And we want to emulate our Savior.”
Please click this button for more information:
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COVID-19 Related Information |
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Community Notices and Activities |
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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.
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[Austin American Statesman, June 22, 2021] Austin Boy Scout makes video on vaping for teens: Cole Kosch started noticing vaping becoming part of the culture during middle school, when he started seeing his teammates vape. The 17-year-old incoming senior at Westlake High School also noticed that the information being shared with his peers from school or health authorities was more about smoking than e-cigarettes, and more about alcohol or illegal drugs than vaping. Public service announcements and other educational materials also talked down to him and his peers, he says, and were preachy, rather than informative..."People respond better when you treat them with that respect," he says.
Please click these buttons for more information and to view the video:
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[Austin American Statesman, June 22, 2021] Austin ISD requires students to return to campus in August: Austin families who opted for remote learning last school year will have to return to in-person classrooms when school begins Aug. 17. The Austin school district announced Friday it plans to return all students to campus and not offer a remote learning option for the 2021-22 school year.
Please click this button to read the article:
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For Prayer and Pastoral Care |
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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.
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St. Johns 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 that are not fully vaccinated are encouraged to wear masks while indoors.
Fully vaccinated means:
- Pfizer and Moderna – 2 doses plus a two-week waiting period
- Johnson & Johnson – 1 dose plus a two-week waiting period
The Parish Office is open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am - 12Noon.
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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
Ms. Jessica Glasebrook, Clerk
Mr. Steve Kriechbaum
Ms. Sandra Welles
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Class of 2024
Ms. Maria Caballero
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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for other ways to make a donation.
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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.
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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
(In-Person in the Church)
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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For more information about St. John’s Episcopal Church, please visit our website at www.austinstjohns.org
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