The Bridge

September 2, 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.

Mother Minerva's Musings

Mother Minerva's Musings

Labor Day gives us an opportunity to reflect on how our country treats its workers. In the 1800s when this federal holiday was created, the United States was at the height of the Industrial Revolution. Although many innovations and economic growth are touted as great benefits of this time, it is important to remember that many workers were exploited. “The average American worked 12-hour days and seven-day weeks in order to eke out a basic living. Despite restrictions in some states, children as young as 5 or 6 toiled in mills, factories and mines across the country, earning a fraction of their adult counterparts’ wages.”* Fortunately, people began to organize and fight for worker rights. The worker protections and rights that exist today are a result of their efforts: the 40 hour

work week, minimum wage, and prohibition on child labor are a few examples. There have been several other periods in our history when workers have organized to continue to improve their working conditions and wages.  

During the pandemic many of us became alarmingly aware of the important role workers have in our community, calling some workers essential and heroes. I remember walking in my neighborhood and seeing thank you signs for the people who delivered food and other essential goods. Our newspapers and social media feeds were full of impassioned articles and stories

of unsung heroes in our communities. People realized that people who do essential jobs – like nurses, teachers, paramedics, truck drivers, grocery employees, and garbage collectors – should be paid better wages.  

Unfortunately, as part of our desire to get back to normal, we have stopped talking about the value of essential work. Those thank you signs that were in my neighborhood have faded away. The parades cheering our hospital employees have ceased. However, the workers of today still need to know through words and actions that they are integral to the success of

our communities and they should be treated with dignity and respect. 

As disciples of Christ we have promised that “we will strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human

being”.** Part of respecting people’s dignity is ensuring that they are paid a living wage. No one who works should be food insecure, unsheltered, or without access to healthcare. Workers today are experiencing some of the same unsafe conditions experienced by workers during the industrial revolution. Many are working 12 hour days six to seven days a week to make ends meet. These conditions do not reflect God’s vision for His people. Jesus tells us there is a cost to discipleship. Maybe we need to pay more for our goods and services. Maybe we need to be willing to pay higher taxes so that local, state, and federal employees can make a living wage. Maybe we need to stand with workers supporting their rights to organize so they can get better wages and safer working conditions.

Workers' lives can improve when people of faith stand together with workers. The city of Austin and Travis County have both adopted a

minimum wage of $20, which comes out to about $41,600 per year. It is still lower than the cost of living in Austin, but it is a $5 increase that will help many families have a better quality of life. The wage increase did not come about easily. Hundreds of hours by Central Texas Interfaith leaders who are Christians, Jews and Unitarian Universalists, labor union leaders, and members of other organizations was required to create the political will to increase city and county wages. And, there is a financial cost to all taxpayers. However, as Christians we believe that we are to stand for justice even when there is a cost to us.   

As you enjoy your Labor Day picnic or your three day weekend, do not forget the workers among us who will not be celebrating or taking time off. They will continue to stock our shelves, provide medical care for loved ones, and deliver our packages. The least we can do for them is

offer a prayer of thanksgiving and stand with them when they call on their employers and our government to improve their wages and working

conditions.   

*https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/labor-day-1

**BCP p. 305

Notices and Activities

Thanks for Your Generosity!

We are excited to announce that we have received $1,181.38 for the Fan Drive this summer. Thanks to all of you who donated so generously and to the Daughters of the King for making this happen!

Check Traffic on the 183 North Mobility Site

You can click on the following link to check traffic that might affect your drive to church:

183 North Mobility Project

School Supply Drive

Thanks to all of you that contributed to the school drive. Everyone at McBee was so appreciative. This is a picture of the first load of supplies.

There will be more deliveries after they determine what else is needed. Thank you again for your support.  

Margaret Beare

Last day to donate is Sunday, September 4^th.

New Christian Education Offering Sundays

Aug 28-Oct 2

St. John's Adult Christian Education team is presenting a six-part series based on Welcome Homeless, a book written by Austin philanthropist Alan Graham with Lauren Hall. Graham started Mobile Loaves and Fishes to feed the Austin homeless. He also helped organize Community First! Village to give shelter to homeless Austinites. Each hybrid session will occur from 9:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m on Sundays starting August 28th.

This Sunday, September 4 -- We have a guest speaker from Mobile Loaves and Fishes/Community First! Village; September 11 -- stories and Bible verses related to two homeless people profiled by Graham.

September 18 -- stories and Bible verses related to two homeless people profiled by Graham;

September 25 -- Update on St. John's team working on affordable housing;

October 2 -- Speecial Guest,  Walter Moreau from Foundation Communities 

Save the Date for the Blessing of the Animals

Sunday, October 2nd we will have our annual blessing of the animals. Stay tuned for more information.

The Bishop is Coming!

The Bishop will be at St. John’s on Sunday, October 9^th. Details about confirmation classes will be coming soon. If you have questions about baptism, reception or confirmation please contact Mother Minerva.

Save the Date for Jamaica

Jamaica is back! This fall festival will take place Saturday, October 15th from 10 am to 5pm with food, games and music. Prepare to share your talents and your dollars in a day of fun for all the family.

Sunday Morning Christian Education

St. John's Adult Christian Education team is presenting a six-part series based on Welcome Homeless, a book written by Austin philanthropist Alan Graham with Lauren Hall. Graham started Mobile Loaves and Fishes to feed the Austin homeless. He also helped organized Community First! Village to give shelter to homeless Austinites. Each hybrid session will occur from 9:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Meeting ID: 840 2173 3267

Passcode: 295084

Cornerstone Literary Circle -

Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

Ann and Glenda are hosting the next book.  It comes in 3 formats.

Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century 

Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook – June 30, 2020  by Alice Wong 

Our hosts have provided a syllabus for this. So if you have not been part of Cornerstone before, but would like to join us as Ann Foxworth and Glenda Born host the reading, please contact Laurie Williams so that she can send the syllabus to you.

Wednesday Night Bible Study - 7:00 p.m.

We will study the lectionary readings for the upcoming Sunday:

• Exodus 32:7-14
• Psalm 51:1-11
• 1 Timothy 1:12-17
• Luke 15:1-10

The class meets via Zoom: