The Bridge
March 11, 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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Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, March 13
Don't be late!
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Diocesan Council Highlights
from those who were there!
"I was impressed by two things: 1. the variety of pastoral care ministries supported by the diocese and the Episcopal Health Foundation and 2. the number of smart, committed women that I saw at the convention." (Henry Welles)
"I loved seeing/hearing how many new churches have been planted in the Diocese of Texas in the last three years, where they are located, and what they are named. New church plants grow from a gathering, to a community, to a mission, and finally to parish status. They tend to attract new people who are not drawn to existing churches." (Catherine Turner)
"It is always a joy to attend Diocesan Council with fellow church members. The valuable time spent together, getting to know new things about each other, is priceless. Also, it gives me pride to witness the recognition, given by the Diocese, and the joyful “hoopla” that is expressed toward the newly formed congregations. It’s spiritually uplifting and you truly feel the presence of the Lord." (Sandra Ward)
"I am excited to be part of a diocese that is extremely generous. We learned of the millions of dollars that the diocese is giving to support important work throughout the diocese." (Mother Minerva)
You too, can be a Delegate!
Talk with those who have represented St. John's in previous years and prayerfully consider standing for election as a Delegate at the 2023 Diocesan Council. It is an honor and a privilege and fun! - and there is a lot to learn about your Church and your Diocese and your fellow parishioners.
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Sunday Services - March 13
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 forward to the communion rail to receive the blessed bread. Please form two lines side-by-side in the center aisle. You may receive standing or kneeling. If you need a gluten free wafer, please tell the minister. If you would prefer a blessing, please cross your arms over your chest. |
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We anticipate beginning to offer both bread and wine on Sunday, March 27. You will have the opportunity to receive the wine either by intinction or dipping. Or not at all. Receiving the Eucharist in one kind is full reception. |
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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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March, what a great time of year. It’s when the world begins to shake off the cold of winter and transition into longer and warmer days. It signals growth, change, and movement to brighter days. It’s only fitting that this would also be the time we celebrate Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day.
I encourage each of you to take a moment to reflect on the amazing women who helped shape you into the person you are today and give them thanks.
Jenny Schuster,
Diversity Champion for the Women’s Affinity Group;
Constant Contact
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St. John's Notices and Activities |
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AGENDA OF ISSUES - ACTION TEAMS
The Economic Justice (John Williams), Pastoral Care (Sandra Ward and Christi Crow), and Church Growth (Steve Kriechbaum) Action Teams will be meeting soon to prepare for regathering as a larger committee on March 21. These teams are in response to the information gathered for the Agenda of Issues. You are encouraged to join these teams to help plan for implementation of the actions and ministries important to St. John’s.
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FARMSHARE AUSTIN IS COMING SOON!
Farmshare Austin's Fresh for Less Mobile Market will return to St. John's Episcopal Church on Sunday, April 3rd 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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BIRTHDAY BASH!
Friday, March 18, 2022
On Friday, March 18, we will celebrate ALL the birthdays! Our Birthday Bash will start at 11:30am. Please bring a dish to share. We will have CAKE!
Please mark your calendars for the THIRD Friday of each month for Birthday Bash.
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LENTEN MEDITATION GUIDES
The free Lenten Meditation Guides from Living Compass are available in the narthex. You are welcome to take one for yourself and one for a friend.
If you would like to access the Guide online, and / or receive a daily emailed meditation, please visit Living Compass.
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COFFEE AND FELLOWSHIP
The Parish Hall is open for coffee and fellowship after each Sunday service!
We need volunteers to set up and clean up. Put together a team of 2 or 3 (or more!) to make the coffee, set it up, and clean up after.
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.
You may now sign up to dedicate flowers for the altar either on the flower chart in the narthex or online through our website.
The suggested donation for a dedication is $60. However, we know that some would like to give more, and some can only give less. All dedications will be honored, and any donations will be appreciated.
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Lenten Formation Series - hybrid
Wednesdays during Lent - 7pm
Continuing on the Wednesdays during Lent, we will focus on an exploration of Christian history. Each 90-minute session will include watching an episode of a BBC documentary series on the “History of Christianity” by Diarmaid MacCulloch, followed by a discussion of the video.
The topics of each episode are:
- The First Christianity
- Catholicism: The Unpredictable Rise of Rome
- Orthodoxy: From Empire to Empire
- Reformation: The Individual Before God
- Protestantism
- God in the Dock
On the final week, April 6th, Professor Dan Joslyn-Siemiatkoski from the Seminary of the Southwest will join us to wrap up our exploration of Christian history.
This is an opportunity to better understand how Christianity got to where it is today and our place in its two-thousand-year-old story. We hope to see you there! The link to the Zoom meeting can be found in the Tuesday Christian Formation email, as well as in the weekly Bridge.
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Cornerstone Literary Circle - Zoom
Wednesdays at 5:30 pm
Next week we will be finishing the discussion (Chapters 24-28) of Crazy Horse: The Lakota Warrior's Life & Legacy.
On March 23rd, we will begin John Meacham's His Truth is Marching On: John Lewis and the Power of Hope. Kim Evert (a former member of St. John's) will be our host. More details next week.
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 - Hybrid
Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.
We continue to meet both in person in the Parish Hall and via Zoom. Everyone is welcome to join our conversation - please participate at your personal physical and emotional comfort level.
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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
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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For more information about this ministry, please contact Hal Hughes.
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LABYRINTH COMMUNITY GARDEN
Annual Meeting/Open House
Saturday, March 12, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Have you ever wondered what those people were doing in the community garden? Now is your chance to find out! This year, the Labyrinth Community Garden will have a combined annual meeting and open house on Saturday, March 12th from 10:30-11:30. Weather, permitting, we will meet in the garden. In case of weather issues, we will meet in the parish hall. At the meeting, you will have the opportunity to meet the gardeners and find out what we have done the past year and what we plan for next year. We want to make this a potluck event, so please feel free to bring your favorite dish. It is very important that we know who will be attending, so please RSVP (labyrinthcg@gmail.com) as soon as possible. Hope to see you there!
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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BISHOP DOYLE'S TOWNHALL CONVERSATIONS
Sunday, April 3
Sunday, April 3
St. James’, Austin
1941 Webberville Road
Austin 78721
Town Hall at 3 p.m.
Coffee & Snacks following the presentation
Please click the button to RSVP
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COVID-19 Related Information |
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click on the image to access the Austin Public Health website |
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Based on the new CDC guidelines, masks are optional on the St. John's campus. The CDC guidelines also highly recommend that all persons who are not fully vaccinated wear masks while indoors. Please get vaccinated and boosted to keep yourselves and others safe. Thank you for your cooperation in these efforts to keep our St. John’s community safe and healthy. |
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FOR PRAYER AND PASTORAL CARE |
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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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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 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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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. 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, Clerk
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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