The Bridge
May 28, 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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New Service Times Beginning May 23, 2021
9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite I (in-person in the church)
10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II (in-person in the church and Zoom)
1:00 p.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II - Spanish (in-person in the church)
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From the Rector
What an amazing celebration of the Feast of Pentecost we had last week! It was great to see so many people celebrating together both in person and online in our sanctuary. We even had our first baptism of the year. Welcome Yulian to our Christian community.
I want to thank all the people that made our celebration as well as our indoor picnic possible: the Altar Guild led by Catherine, the Choir led by Phillip, the readers led by Fay, the Vergers led by Bill, the tech team led by Marvin, and a huge shout out to our hospitality team led by Sheri and Maria. And, of course, for all of you who made this possible through your generous pledges and offerings
I know the last 14 months have been difficult as we have navigated a pandemic, civil unrest, attack on our nation's capital, and a winter storm. Through it all we continued to worship together and tried to be a faithful community of disciples of Jesus. As we begin to gather in person, we will continue to discern together how we are to be the Church for this time and in this place. Many things have changed and new insights have been gained. This June we will observe Becoming a Beloved Community: Celebrating Juneteenth. Our Christian Formation offering for the month of June will focus on learning about the struggles and contributions of our African American brothers and sisters.
Our congregation will continue to adapt to meet the needs of our parishioners and the community we are called to serve. You will notice that it is no longer necessary to register for our Sunday services. This and other changes will be made following CDC guidelines while caring for our most vulnerable members of our community.
I am excited to be on this journey with all of you and look forward to seeing where the Holy Spirit will lead us.
See you all on Sunday.
Mother Minerva+
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A Perspective on Returning to
In-Person Worship inside the Church
Ann Foxworth
Sunday, May 23 - The Day of Pentecost
March of 2020 was the turning point for St. John's Parish as we acknowledged it would be wise to close the doors of the physical church and open the hearts of the spiritual church, to worship and serve in such ways as to reduce the possibilities of spreading COVID. So began a year of cyber-worship. No one was happy with this prospect, but we learned that we could include more people in our services because some of our members and friends haven't been able to come to in person church in a long time, due to physical illness or infirmity. We made the best of it and became our best community as we struggled through the vagaries of band width, wi-fi strength, and our own varied set of tech skills.
Each person often spoke of that longed for day when we could be together in the same space, hug each other and look around us at beloved faces and our beautiful St. John's nave. I, personally, even dreamed I was in church and woke up feeling sad that it was only a dream. I imagined how it would feel and sound to be there again. I knew it would feel something like I've imagined Heaven will be; finally being reunited with loved ones I haven't seen in a long time. And, today, that is just how it was for me. I will never take getting up on a Sunday morning, getting ready, and attending a service at St. John's, for granted. It is a privilege and one not to be taken lightly.
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Sunday Worship at St. John's |
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We worship God in a variety of ways. |
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9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite I |
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This is an in-person service inside the church. Safety protocols will be observed, i.e., masks, distancing, and limited attendance.
In accordance with updated guidelines from APH and CDC,
St. John's is no longer requesting registration for our indoor in-person services.
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10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II |
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This is a combination in-person and virtual service. Safety protocols will be observed in the church, i.e., masks, distancing, and limited attendance.
In accordance with updated guidelines from APH and CDC,
St. John's is no longer requesting registration for our indoor in-person services.
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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 Waiting Room is enabled for this event and is monitored by the Host of the day. Participants are admitted into the service when the pre-service practice is over and as people arrive.
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Please note: Everyone except those people who have an active role in the service will be muted. This is to minimize background noise. At the Prayers of the People, you will be invited to put any prayer requests into the "Chat" and Deacon Victoria will read these at the appropriate time.
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The virtual 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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Trinity Sunday - A non-sequitur for the ages
"If a non sequitur were an animal, its head would not match its tail. If a non sequitur were a song, its first note would bear no relationship to its last. And if a non sequitur were a conversation, you would be eavesdropping on Jesus’ clandestine conversation with Nicodemus.
Trinity Sunday is a heavy lift for preachers. While all other church festivals and holy days mark events, Trinity Sunday is all about an idea. An indefensible, unverifiable, seemingly inchoate idea that has animated the church for centuries. God is three. God is one. God is undivided. God appears everywhere. God is now. God has always been.
If ever there were a non sequitur, Trinity Sunday is it... At the end of the text for Trinity Sunday, Jesus lands the coup de grace of non sequiturs: the Father loves the Son so much, the Father sent the Son to die... God as Trinity cannot be satisfactorily defined... 'God is . . .' And that is where our uncertainty starts...
Except there is no uncertainty—only absurdity, on our part. After all, doesn’t it strike you as absurd that we would attempt to name, to define, to corral the One who is both before and after, everywhere and here, singular and multiple, without gender, race, age, or address?"
- JoAnn A. Post
Sunday's Coming, The Christian Century, Trinity Sunday 2021
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Becoming Beloved Community:
Celebrating Juneteenth
from Deacon Victoria
It was this month last year when the world came to face to face with a reckoning of racial injustice. The murder of George Floyd woke many of us up with the realization that our society has a problem that needs our attention. A problem that has been a reality for 400 years, ever since 1619 when the first Africans were sold to English colonists by a Dutch privateer for food, supplies and ammunition. A few years later, the colonial government codified laws that defined race, and that denied civil rights to all enslaved Africans.
Almost 250 years later, the descendants of these and of an additional 1.5 million Africans, who were brought to the North American colonies, were freed from the bondage of slavery. The Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863, but it wasn’t until June 19, 1865, that the enslaved people in Texas would learn about their emancipation. The proclamation stated that these people shall be free and that military authorities “will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons.” This momentous day is known today as Juneteenth.
Even though the road to the reality of full citizenship for African Americans has been fraught with turmoil, violence, obstacles and has yet to be fully realized, the anniversary of the declaration of emancipation on June 19th, 1865, is a cause for celebration. Juneteenth celebrates our independence from the bondage of slavery.
Here at St. John’s Episcopal Church, we are celebrating Juneteenth as part of our commitment to the Becoming Beloved Community movement of The Episcopal Church. The Racial Justice Team invites everyone to join us in some special events during the month of June. We’ll also let you know of events and opportunities in the Austin Community. Look for information about these events in each issue of The Bridge during the month of June.
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Becoming Beloved Community:
Celebrating Juneteenth
from Sandra Ward
This is a historical time for St. John’s as we honor our commitment to The Episcopal Church’s initiative, Becoming Beloved Community.
The Racial Justice Team will be presenting a series of special events, each Wednesday, for the month of June to celebrate Juneteenth.
On Wednesday, June 2, 7-8 p.m. we will review the PBS documentary “Austin Revealed: Civil Rights Stories”. This documentary highlights the life of African Americans who lived through one of Austin’s most transitional times, segregation.
Please join us via ZOOM and see how many people you recognize in the video.
There will be a short discussion and Q & A at the end of the documentary.
Other Juneteenth Celebrations in and around Austin
(Festivals-Parades-Workshops-Virtual Events):
One Human Race Mini-Workshop: Is Race Real?
June 5 4:30-6:30 p.m.
FREE workshop that examines race as a social rather than biological construct. We will view a condensed version of Episode 1, The Difference Between Us, from Race: The Power of an Illusion and examine our own thoughts and feelings by sharing in small groups. Reserve your spot by registering at onehumanraceaustin.org.
Presenters: Gina Houston and Teresa Chang
MAYB Juneteenth Extravaganza Basketball Tournament - Liberty Hill/Georgetown TX
Fri. Jun 4, 4 a.m. – Sun, Jun 6, 4 a.m.
This tournament is a 5 game guarantee for $315, you can get registered online at www.mayb.com and or call the office at 316-284-0354Read more on Exposure Basketball Events
GEAYA/Central Texas Juneteenth – Parade
June 19, 2021 @ 10:00 a.m.
Parade starts at MLKing Jr Blvd/Salina St. and ends at Chestnut Ave/Pleasant Valley. If you are interested in attending and would like a map of the parade route, please contact Sandra E. Ward at 1redsand2@gmail.com or 916-501-4719.
Park Festival
June 19, 2021 - following Central Texas Juneteenth Parade
Location: Rosewood & Boggy Creek Park
2300 Rosewood Avenue, Austin 78702
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St. John's Notices and Activities |
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Becoming Beloved Community: Celebrating Juneteenth
Wednesday evenings in June - 7:00pm
June 2:
- Mthr. Minerva Opening Remarks
- "Austin Revealed: Civil Rights Stories" from our local PBS station (30 minutes). Sandra Ward will then talk about her story in this context.
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- Scripture Based Book Study: Thursdays at 10:00am (Zoom)
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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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Honoring Our Graduates
Sarah Hiers, daughter of Scott and Lisa Shirah-Hiers, graduated from Southwestern University with BA in Biology on May 8th, 2021.
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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
These volunteers staff the Parish office during the week. The office is open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am-12pm. Duties include being a presence on our campus, answering the phone, and some light clerical tasks. If you are interested in this ministry, or would like to have more information, please contact Sheri Rasmussen (click on the name to send an email).
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COVID-19 Related Information |
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Children 12 to 15 years old eligible for vaccine
The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are currently authorized for those aged 18 and up. The Pfizer vaccine is currently authorized for those aged 12 and up.
To read the entire article, click here:
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COVID Safety Guidelines from Austin Public Health
Austin Public Health (APH) has published a color-coded chart to help residents of Austin-Travis County understand the stages of risk and provide recommendations on what people should do to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Just a reminder: People are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 ≥2 weeks after they have received the second dose in a 2-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or ≥2 weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson and Johnson (J&J)/Janssen).
Austin-Travis County is currently in Stage 2
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click the image to view the color coded guidelines |
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Please click this button to read the latest suggested guidelines to stay safe and healthy during the pandemic:
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Regardless of vaccination status or stage, individuals need to continue to follow the additional requirements of local businesses, venues and schools, as the Health Authority Rules remain in place through June 15.
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Community Notices and Activities |
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Capital IDEA is a nonprofit providing education and career opportunities to income-eligible adults
"Could you make good use of a FREE education and a new career? Capital IDEA is a nonprofit providing education and career opportunities to income-eligible adults. Come to our next CareerUp info session, and we’ll tell you about the best local career opportunities. These are positions in important career fields like healthcare, technology, and trades. These fields need more workers, offer good salaries, and will hire individuals with the right training. The best part is — we’ll pay for the training!"
click this button for more information:
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For Prayer and Pastoral Care
St. John's is interested in meeting the pastoral needs of our community. If you have prayer requests please contact Sheri Rasmussen. If you need pastoral care please contact Mthr. Minerva or Deacon Victoria. If you would like the Daughters of the King to include you in their prayer list, please contact Sandra Ward. (Click on the name to send an email.)
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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 contact 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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Our facilities are available for use at 25% capacity. We continue to require masks and social distancing for all in-person worship services and other gatherings in which persons who are not fully vaccinated may be present. An air purifier will be operated in our facilities.
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. Please wear your mask and practice social distancing when coming to the office.
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Ms. Paula Foy, Senior Warden
paf57@hotmail.com
Mr. Hal Hughes, Junior Warden
hhughesjr@austin.rr.com
Ms. Sandra Welles, Treasurer
sandraewelles@gmail.com
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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
revminerva@austinstjohns.org
The Rev. Victoria Mason, Deacon
deaconvic@austinstjohns.org
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Ms. Fay Jones, Director of Communications
fay@austinstjohns.org
Mr. Philip Riley, Choirmaster and Organist
philip.riley@earthlink.net
Sr. Alfonso Hernandez, Spanish Music
alficapone2099@hotmail.com
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for other ways to make a donation.
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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 am Holy Communion Rite I, English (Indoors)
10:30 am Holy Communion Rite II, English (Indoors & Zoom)
1:00 pm Holy Communion Rite II, Spanish (Indoors)
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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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