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St. John's Episcopal Church
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This issue of the newsletter is also available as a downloadable pdf file. Click here for it.
Contents of this Issue (click on an article title to jump directly to that article): Kelly Jo and Adam Waldo and Ricky Rasberry A Single Service on June 29th -- Come All for a Celebration St. John's Contact Information
“Times, they are a-changing” Bob Dylan’s very old song, “Times, they are a-changing,” was prophetic in the Vietnam era that it was composed and recorded. Our world has indeed changed; some for good, some for bad, and other things still need the test of time to determine whether God’s people or citizens of the world are making progress or not. It seems that at St. John’s something significant change occurs every four to five years. In 1989, the last remodeling of the old church took place. In 1995, St. John’s went from being a subsidized mission of the Diocese to becoming a self-sustaining parish. In 1999, I was called as the new Rector, and in 2004, the congregation dedicated the newly constructed church, and we started to get used to the idea that St. John’s was now a moderate sized church, and not one reflecting an extended family. It is now 2008 and we have again changed by recognizing and celebrating that our congregation is becoming more intercultural and multi-ethnic. It is becoming more reflective of the surrounding community. With its five worship services on Saturday and Sunday, it is attempting to be responsive to different forms of worship styles and spiritualities. The Saturday service gets a decent following of regulars. Sunday’s 8 a.m. service is still drawing those that prefer a more formal language and not too much liturgical “fu-fu.” The 10:15 a.m. worship time has become the popular “family” service, and the 11:45 musical praise time attracts those who want to groove in the spirit of the praise music. And most recently, the addition of the Spanish-language service at 1:30 pm. on Sundays has been drawing an average of 65 persons per Sunday. Remarkably, close to 200 persons attended this past Sunday at the 1:30 service on account of fourteen First Communions being celebrated. A similar number is expected on Pentecost day when 16 baptisms will be celebrated. With such worship and language diversity taking place, the Vestry strongly recommended to the Rector that the congregation be proactive in making sure that St. John’s doesn’t become five separate and isolated sub-congregations, where people only know those who come to a specific service. Taking the example of other Episcopal churches, the Vestry and the Rector jointly decided to have one combined Sunday service at 11 a.m. on June 29 and invite all parishioners to this one service. That means that the Saturday, June 28th service and all the Sunday services on the 29th would be suspended in order to have one combined Sunday service at 11 a.m. It is anticipated that a combined service might be held every three month or so. I realize that this Vestry-Rector joint decision to have an occasional combined service may not elicit a unanimous yea vote from all parishioners, but we are going to try it and see who salutes. The risks are minimal and God willing, the positives and benefits of having a more cohesive congregation may override any scheduling inconveniences that may arise. Father Al †
Senior Warden’s Message
“You and I are indispensable instruments in fulfilling God’s mighty purpose.” — from GENEROSITY AND HUMAN TRANSFORMATION by Rev. Dr. George F. Regas, Rector Emeritus, All Saints Church, Pasadena CA. Distributed by The Episcopal Network for Stewardship
Being indispensable — what a concept! But it’s true! You are indispensable! That’s certainly true here at St. John’s. Most of what happens at St. John’s is dependent upon hardworking volunteers. These good stewards give countless hours to help ministries, committees, and even basic maintenance run smoothly. At the Wardens & Vestry Conference in March, I attended a session presented by Rev. Steven Rottgers of Grace Church, Georgetown. He talked about the 20/80 Rule. — 20% of the people do 80% of the work; 20% of the people are active participants in 80% of the goings on at church; 20% of the people pledge 80% of the annual giving. Well, we all know that rules are made to be broken. Being God’s stewards and being Jesus’ hands (as I mentioned last month), wouldn’t it be horrible to tell God and Jesus, “Sorry, but I was part of the 80% of the people who weren’t active.” Rev. Rottgers shared how they were handling breaking some of the 20/80 Rule at Grace Church. One suggestion was to ask parishioners to think of 3 ministries that interest you, rating them 1-3. Next, find out how to become a member of your top 2 choices. Finally, notify the head of your 3rd ministry interest that you can be “on-call” for work sessions they call. You and I ARE indispensable instruments in fulfilling God’s mighty purpose: There are ongoing ministries and committees that could use your invaluable help. We also have new ministries that are beginning and are in dire need of your help in getting them going (Evangelism; Newcomers; Event Promotion & Facility Use; Intercultural; and Stewardship). Let’s not perpetuate the 20/80 Rule! Opportunities to find ways to participate at St. John’s are available. You can wait until you are asked…but you can also be the one to do the asking: “How can I find out how to participate in…?”
Laurie Williams
Again, a big THANK YOU! to everyone who helped out with the buildings and grounds maintenance. If you are able to help us in keeping up our buildings and grounds, even if just a little, please call Clara or myself. Your efforts are much appreciated. There are a couple of things to mention this month: · The kitchen dishwasher is still broken. The replacement part for the broken latch has been ordered and replaced, but the latch mechanism is still binding and needing excessive force to operate (which probably explains why that part broke in the first place). Additional parts have been ordered. · We are investigating putting baby changing tables into the church Narthex restrooms, but until they are installed, we suggest using the changing table in the Nursery.
Marvin Rasmussen
You are invited to participate in the Commencement Festivities for ETSS on May 12 – 13, 2008. Evensong will take place on Monday, May 12 at 6 p.m. in Christ Chapel with a reception following in Weeks Campus Center. Tuesday, May 13 at 10:00 a.m. Commencement will be held at St. Matthew’s followed by a reception in the Courtyard. Edson’s graduation invitation is posted on the bulletin board in the parish hall.
Follow-up Announcement on the Discovery Series for Adults The Adult Forum held on Sundays at 9:15 a.m. is still focusing on the Discovery Series, which used to be called an “Inquirer’s Class.” Besides preparing someone for Confirmation, this new Discovery Series aims at attracting new members of the parish who are interested in learning more about the inner workings of St. John’s, its ministries, how the Vestry operates and is administered, etc. It also goes into some length into the Prayer Book and other pertinent things and current issues related to what it means to be an Episcopalian. The Rector, Al Rodriguez, invites any person who might want to explore the Discovery Series and its various components or learning modules to come to the Sunday presentation. Father Al †
The Outreach Ministry is looking for volunteers. At the present time we are looking for people who can help us at the Oak Crest Manor Nursing Home on 4th Monday from 7 to 8 p.m., drivers for seniors at the North Central Caregivers during day to transport seniors to medical appointments, the grocery store or to pharmacy. We also need people to help with a can food drive for the St. John’s Community Center, teachers for English as a second language (ESL) and if there is anyone who would teach parishioners how to converse in Spanish. Some of the other possibilities are working with the homeless thru the Foundation for the Homeless, helping repair senior’s houses thru Austin Inter Religious Ministries. As you can see there is a world of possibilities. Please respond!! Call me at 785-5584 for more information.
Bill
Beare
March 17, 2008 Vestry passed the cupola repair amount of $475.00 and elected to take it out of the major maintenance line item. March 15th was a workday on the church grounds and was successful. Work included mowing, weeding, and tree trimming. Katherine Lilly discussed the proposal by Alicia Terry of On-Point Communications & Training regarding website content/message development and training. The bid proposal amount totaled $2,935.00 dated November 17, 2007. The Vestry members who attended the Warden’s and Vestry Conference gave a short description of what workshops they attended.
April 21, 2008 A consensus was reached by the Vestry to have one service at 11:00 a.m. on June 29., which is the 5th Sunday of the month. This service gives the opportunity for the people of different service times to get together at one time and get to know one another. 198 people were in attendance at the Spanish service April 20th. There were 14 children who received their First Communion. Graduates for this year will be Fr. Edson Way and Sean Jones.
Jamie Burns
Attention all St. John’s members: The Pastoral Care Committee needs volunteers. One of our parishioners who has moved into a retirement villages off of McNeil Road can no longer drive. She is in need of transportation to and from the service. We would like to have several volunteers on a rotating basis, and possibly start doing this for other people in the area who would like to come to St. John’s but are unable to drive. If you are able to help us in assisting this lady, please contact Nora Jackson or the church office. It would be a wonderful opportunity for us to share God’s love, and he would really appreciate the assistance. Thanks,
Nora Jackson
YOUR PRAYERS ARE REQUESTED FOR:
Healing and Guidance: John, Christy, Allison, Bill and family, Bruce, Julian, Jerry, Mary Lou, Helen, Trish, Suzanne, Jack, Ginger, Sharon, Mary Elizabeth, Sandra, Gwyneth, Mark, Ron, Rachel, Laini, Janice, Madeline, Judy, Harris Deceased: Alvis, Riad Home Bound: Virginia, Beulah, Don, Laura
St. John’s Nursing Home Ministry is one of the most rewarding things you can do. It is a wonderful outreach that each of you can choose to participate in and immediately know that you are sharing our Savior’s love with folks who have much less than most of us have. They are so appreciative of our time and attention that it is impossible not to be filled with warm feelings after each visit. We make monthly visits to a nursing home / long-term care facility which was chosen by our Outreach Council based on the perception of the great deal of unmet needs of the residents. We have been visiting Oak Crest Manor Nursing Home for almost ten years. The residents at this facility represent a wide array of ages as well as physical and/or mental disabilities. The common denominator for all of these residents is that they lack the financial means to have many real choices for their care and most lack much family support during their stay. The residents have many physical, emotional, and medical needs. Our mission is to provide them with emotional support by routine visits and social interaction. Our goal is to share our love and compassion with them, as Christians, as we are called to do by our Christ. The impact in many of the residents’ lives over the months and years is observable as familiarity and ultimately friendships are allowed to form. Each month of the year we visit the residents on the fourth Monday of that month from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Parishioners in the Nursing Home Ministry may chose to come every month or as often as they can. At each visit, we play games and assist the residents who require help to participate. Oak Crest Manor has approximately fifty residents and an average of twenty-five to thirty participate each month. Following the games, we serve the residents refreshments. Occasionally we ask our congregation’s musicians to come and perform for the residents. This is always a big hit! Every December, we host a Christmas Party for the residents, which usually include Christmas caroling, lots of food, and gift bags for the residents. Last year we passed out lap blankets which had been crocheted by Margaret Beare to all the residents! The year before, we provided full-size fleece blankets made by a friend to each resident. Each year, the Christmas Party is a big event for the residents and is very well received. Bill Beare and Nora Jackson have participated every month in our ministry and we are blessed to have others joining us as they can. Fr. David Beer, Ruth Beer, Mary Jan Treadwell, Laurie and John Williams, Ruth and Roger Hall, Philip and Sarah Riley, Fr. Darrell Laremore, and Fr. Al have all participated in this ministry as well as many others at our Christmas party and over the years. After so many years of participating in this ministry, I feel strongly that our mission and goals are being accomplished. We want you to be a part of this vital outreach mission also. Thanks be to God! Mark Hartwell
Margaret (Maggie) Straub moved to Pflugerville in 2007 and blessed St. John’s by coming to worship with us. She grew up in San Francisco and trained to be an RN at Children’s Hospital there. She then finished her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from University of California at Berkley. After spending ten years working for the Public Health Department of San Mateo County, she joined Project HOPE, which she considers to be the highlight of her career. Her work with Project HOPE included two years in Peru, one year in Tunisia aboard the ship, and then two years as part of the land base group in Laredo Texas. She feels that her work in HOPE really made a difference! She then moved to Austin where she did public health nursing, and spent the last 10 years of her working career as librarian for the Weismann’s Travel Report. This organization published an annual publication for travel agencies concerning health conditions in every country in the world. Maggie retired with 40 years in the nursing profession. She has not slowed down a bit, and keeps busy doing volunteer work as a Docent at the LBJ Library, working with Austin Groups for the Elderly, and also helping the staff at a veterinarian hospital in North Austin. What a fascinating career! You will certainly enjoy visiting with Maggie on Sundays at coffee hour.
Kelly Jo and Adam Waldo and Ricky Rasberry: St. John’s welcomes Kelly Jo and Adam Waldo back to our congregation, and also Ricky Rasberry, who is attending with them. Kelly Jo works as an environmental inspector, and moved to Houston with her work a few years ago. She returned to Austin last summer and now works for the City of Austin where she and Ricky met. She attended Trinity Woodlands in Houston where she served as lay reader and verger. She loves to cook, garden and go fishing while not working, and is a 2-year cancer survivor. Adam was baptized at St. John’s and attended Sunday school here. He was confirmed at Trinity Woodlands last year. He attends Vista Ridge High School and is a senior airman in the ROTC at Vista Ridge. Ricky is originally from Lubbock Texas and moved to Central Texas to attend Texas State. He is also an environmental inspector for the City of Austin, and was part of the team that inspected St. John’s Church during construction. He is an avid fisherman. Kelly Jo and Ricky plan to be married in July of this year, and we wish them the very best as they celebrate their upcoming marriage. Sheri Rasmussen
Hear Ye! Presenting the Second Annual St. John’s Musical Talent Show! Start humming, singing, strumming and drumming! The Second Annual St. John’s Musical Talent Show will be Sunday, June 8, at 7:00 p.m. in the church. This is one of those family events where we offer an appreciative audience for anyone willing to perform. Last year we got off to a great start with our first show and this year’s will be even more fun. See Philip Riley with any questions, although the answer is probably “yes.” (Can I bring my old college buddies and reconstitute the rock group? Yes!) What needs doing soon? Start thinking about something to perform and start working on it. Now, if you need an accompanist for “Climb Every Mountain,” or you can’t find the music for “End of a Perfect Day,” see Philip soon. We have a number of good accompanists and lots of tricks for finding music. See you June 8! Philip Riley
Pentecost will be the subject during our May 4th Sunday school class. Please parents and youth, mark your calendars for May 18th! Father Al and I will be hosting a Town Hall meeting for parents and youth to discuss where we’ve been this past year and where our EYC is heading for the future after the 10:15 service. Also that day, after our meeting at 12:30/12:45 we will be hosting a meet and greet for our early service parents and youth and our 1:30 service parents and youth. Our English and Spanish youth will be doing a lot together in the future and this will be a great chance for everyone to meet. I went to the 1:30 service last week and had a wonderful time. There were so many youth! Over the next few months I will be going again to the 1:30 service and hope youth from our earlier services will join us. See what it’s like to skip waking up early and worshipping at a different hour (and in a different language)! Megan Flowers
St. John’s church services have broadened over the past two years to include a Praise Service and a Spanish Service. The addition of these two services and our existing services continues to grow and expand our church in a positive direction. A single church service will be held on June 29th, so that the entire St. John’s congregation can worship and fellow-ship together. Please stay tone for more details on this GLORIOUS EVENT!!!!
Episcopal Church 11201 Parkfield Drive, at Braker Lane Austin, Texas 78758, Phone 836-3974 Fax - 836-3936
Sunday Services: 8:00 / 10:15 / 11:45 / 1:30 Christian Education: 9:15 AM Wednesday: 7 PM Healing and Holy Eucharist Saturday: 5:30 PM Holy Communion
The Reverend Albert R. Rodriguez, Rector The Reverend Darrell Laremore, Assisting Clergy The Reverend Dr. Edson Way, Seminarian Mr. Philip Riley, Organist and Choirmaster
Vestry: Laurie Williams, Senior Warden Clara Daniels, Junior Warden Margaret Beare, Jamie Burns, John Gorden, Elaine Jackson, Katherine Lilly, Marvin Rasmussen, Sandra Ward
Officers: Annette VanDover – Treasurer Marvin Rasmussen – Assistant Treasurer
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