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The Bridge
November 12, 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.
A Call for Lay Servers!

As we move towards more open church, we are in need of folks who are willing to serve as Readers, Lay Eucharistic Ministers, Acolytes, and Ushers for all services. The more we have, the less often you serve!

Please contact Mother Minerva if you are ready to return to active eucharistic ministry.
Worship at St. John's
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
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, recordings of the English and Spanish sermons will be available. Links to the recordings will be posted on our website (www.austinstjohns.org).
Virtual Coffee and Fellowship

Our virtual coffee "hour" provides a time to greet those who do not feel comfortable attending in person. Stay on Zoom when the service ends or click on this button to say hello:
Coffee Hour and fellowship has resumed in the Parish Hall! There is a sign up sheet next to the coffee maker - let us know when you want to make coffee!
Consider This
Let your friends know about St. John's

All of us have friends who may be exploring issues of faith and meaning in their life. Why not let them know about St. John's and what we are up to? And since most people will want to know a little bit about us before visiting in person, an easy way to do this is to like and share our Sunday Service video stream on our St. John's Facebook page. This is a simple thing that we can all do each week to help our friends see if St. John's might be a good place to support their exploration. If you have any questions about sharing your experience with others, please contact Mthr. Minerva or 512.912.7913.
St. John's Notices and Activities




Happy Birthday, Maria!
Donations for Afghan Refugees

Refugee Services of Texas needs twin and full-size mattresses and bedframes for several refugee families who are coming to Texas.

Please click one of the links provided below to view the items they need and please consider making a donation!
1)    Write a check or make an online donation to St. John’s and designate “Afghan Refugees”
2)   Use this link to the Refugee Services of Texas - Austin web page: Refugee Services of Texas, click on “Amazon Wishlist” and select the appropriate VISA card amount. 
3) For your convenience, click here to go directly to the wish list: RST Wishlist
Christian Formation at St. John's
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.
Thursday Morning Bible Study - Hybrid
Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. - Hybrid

To participate in person, join us at 9:55am in the Parish Hall. To participate virtually,  enter Zoom meeting number 821 5253 7149 in the Zoom app or click this button to enter the waiting room for the meeting:
St. John's Gathering Policy: 
  1. Masks are now optional for meetings 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)
SAVE THE DATE! NOVEMBER 13 and NOVEMBER 14 WORK DAYS

Our fall St. John’s Work Days are scheduled for Saturday, November 13 and Sunday, November 14. (Rain Day: November 20) We have outdoor projects scheduled for Saturday starting at 8:00 AM, and indoor projects scheduled for Sunday starting at 2:15 PM. Light refreshments will be served.

Tentatively, we plan to:

  • Clean and dust the Sanctuary
  • Wash windows of Sanctuary
  • Defrost and clean refrigerators and freezers
  • Put additional decomposed granite and stones in the labyrinth
  • Plant the Memorial Garden

Our 2021 stewardship campaign is finished,
but stewardship continues!
If you have questions about this ministry, please contact Hal Hughes.
Labyrinth Community Garden

Can you spice up our fundraising?

Our garden campaign starts on November 15th
Our annual fundraising campaign for our community garden will launch on Monday, November 15th at noon Eastern Time. Although our donate button won't be activated until noon on November 15th, our campaign page is already publicly viewable here:
 
 
Once the donate button on our campaign page goes live, we will have 30 days to collect online donations and qualify for a challenge grant from SeedMoney. SeedMoney is offering 370 grants this year which means that our project stands an excellent chance of winning a grant.
 
Our goal is to raise $1200 this year so we can build more beds. Please direct your questions to Hal Hughes or Patty Arnold.
If you are interested in obtaining a bed for you and your family, please contact Patty Arnold.
Our Community
El Buen Samaritano’s annual Hands for Hope event

This annual event raises funds and awareness about hunger in Austin. On November 20th, we will serve 1,000 families impacted by food insecurity in our community with a holiday meal kit containing a frozen turkey and sides for Thanksgiving. This year, Hands for Hope will take place as a drive-through event on our campus, and all volunteers will be required to wear a mask and be fully vaccinated. Individuals can apply to volunteer and learn more about our event, by visiting elbuen.org/volunteer.
Voter Education

Travis County Tax Collector-Assessor and Voter Registrar Bruce Elfant is presenting a voter education program on Monday, November 22 at 6pm via Zoom. The topics include:
  • How voter turnout impacted the November 2 election 
  • The role and importance of Volunteer Deputy Registrars for those who have already taken VDR training and those who are considering it
  • A review of the new voter laws, their impact, and what people need to know to vote in Travis County
 
COVID-19 Related Information
ST. JOHN’S GATHERING POLICY:
St. John’s 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 who are not fully vaccinated are encouraged to wear masks while indoors.
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.
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

Mr. Steve Kriechbaum
Ms. Sandra Welles
Class of 2024
Ms. Maria Caballero, Clerk
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.
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.
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 Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
from 10am - 12Noon.
For more information about St. John’s Episcopal Church, please visit our website at www.austinstjohns.org