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Apalachicola, Florida
August 16, 2024
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I recently heard about a man who faced a big challenge in his life, one that so often leads to the same old outcome. And because this challenge has a far-too-common result, I had already prepared myself to assist in the fallout and the next phase of their life.
But I was told last week that somehow, some way, they had avoided the precipice; they had pushed back against the momentum of the monstrous wave that sank so many before him. I was elated to hear this news and very happy. While I believe a big part of the outcome was due to the prayers offered up by family and friends, I remained joyfully surprised.
As I processed this unexpected news with a friend of mine, I blurted out loud a statement I’m still pondering; for I said, “I’m sad that I’m so surprised.”
When we pray for a good outcome; or when we ask God for just a little more time, a little more forbearance to fight our demons; when we look up and ask Jesus to be with us, I wonder if there aren’t two little parts of us battling for dominance. These parts are like the two wolves in the Native American parable, where the one that wins is the one we feed. The first wolf laughs and snickers at our request for a better outcome by saying, “How silly of you to think that it could work out!” The second wolf quietly intercedes on behalf of love, wholeness, and reconciliation.
I believe that my surprise at the man’s unexpected outcome was due to my feeding the first wolf. Or put another way, my sadness at being surprised was due to my withholding the sustenance needed by the second wolf. You see, I had already prepared for the figurative funeral. And I was witness to a one-in-a-million miracle, yet my eyes were closed. That has convicted me in my failure at that moment to see the power and provision Jesus freely offers through God’s grace.
Grace is not something we request; it is something quietly given. Had I not been lulled into submission by the first wolf’s cry, I might have heard the song of grace coming from the second wolf’s still, small voice.
I am learning to listen better and to be more attentive to the quiet spaces among, between, and within our lives. And sometimes that means sending
the first, louder wolf to bed without supper. To paraphrase Luke 10:42,
may God give us all the strength to turn, to hear and choose the better
part, because that can never be taken away.
Love Big and Be Well,
Stephen +
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Fall Stewardship Campaign. Summer is in full swing and everything slows down just a little. We do not see everyone on Sunday because of summer travel, and some Trinity activities are on summer hiatus. When September comes, the pace quickly changes with the Stewardship campaign, one of many things requiring our attention. Now is a good time to start thinking about making a pledge for Trinity when the campaign starts this fall. The theme for the Fall Stewardship campaign will be “Walk In Love”. We are reminded of that call with the offertory sentence, one of which comes from Ephesians 5:2: “Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God.” Please take some time during the summer to prayerfully consider what you will share with Trinity next year.
– Barry Lawson, Stewardship and Finance Committee
Wednesday Compline. If you love the Order for Compline from our Book of Common Prayer and want to participate from the comfort of your home, you are in luck! On Wednesdays at 8 pm Eastern, Trinity is pleased to host an online Compline via Facebook Live. And don’t forget that we have Morning Prayer on Wednesdays at 8:15 am.
Visit the Trinity Library. Our library is in the church office, and it includes books and CDs on theology, spiritual formation, fiction, plus reference material. Stop by during office hours (Monday - Thursday, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm). As we continue the work of organizing our collection, volunteers are welcome to assist. Contact Susan Galloway at 850-323-0801 to learn more.
Trinity Church Directory. Our online Directory allows our parish family to stay in touch with each other. If you are not in the Directory, or if you need to update your contact information, please fill out the attached form and return it to the church office.
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A Note from Toonie Waddell
To My Church Family:
With grateful hearts we thank you for the lovely reception
after Jimmy’s service. Your thoughts and prayers for us
helped and are still helping us through this difficult time.
My son, my grandchildren, and I are thankful to you.
Love, Toonie
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Looking For A Few Good People. With four vestry members ending their term in December, Trinity is looking for people who want to help guide this church into an exciting future. A desire to be part of shaping the next few years of this church as we move closer to the bicentennial decade (!!!) is required.
Trinity is currently accepting nominations to fill four vestry positions for the year 2025. Vestry members are elected for a three-year term. They are required to be confirmed, active communicants, and current pledgers. These are qualifications not only for election but for continued service on the vestry.
Nomination forms are available in the office and in Benedict Hall, and may be returned to the office or emailed to info@trinityapalachicola.org. Nominations are due by Sunday, November 3, 2024. Short bios of candidates will appear in the Bay View newsletter between November and the Annual Meeting and will be posted in Benedict Hall.
You may have served on the vestry before (thank you!) and wish to be part again. Or you may not even know what the vestry does. In this attached article we want to explain the role of the vestry and how it works closely with the rector to meet the goals of care and ministry. Much of the information is derived from Crossroads, a ministry of the Episcopal Church Foundation.
It is an admittedly academic overview, so the next issue of Bay View will feature an article by Father Stephen discussing how he and the vestry work together to keep Trinity moving forward. Throughout the fall we will set aside space in the Bay View for vestry members and candidates to write about their observations regarding Trinity’s strengths and challenges.
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Trinity Landscape Improvements are in
Full Bloom!
Thanks to those who have given to the first phase of our Landscape Plan. Our goal is $20,200 and we need an additional $12,700 to complete the next phases.
You can contribute at Trinity's Electronic Giving platform (select Landscape Plan Fund) or by check (note Landscape Fund in the memo line). Contact me if you have any questions.
--Rick Watson
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Volunteer Readers. According to principal Danielle Rosson, reading to children is the most important thing Trinity does for Franklin County School. Ms. Rosson began the Volunteer Reader Program in 2023; Trinity was an original participant.
For 2024-2025, Outreach hopes to place eight regular readers and several substitutes in second grade classes to read once or twice a month. Currently, seven veteran readers and one substitute are committed: won’t you join us? Classroom reading will begin October 1 and end April 30. There will be an orientation in September.
For anyone interested in one-on-one or small group tutoring for reading,
there is opportunity for that service at Franklin County School, too.
Sign up for volunteer reading or tutoring in Benedict Hall or
contact Jo Branch (heyhobranch@hotmail.com)
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Backpacks! Boxes and bags of backpacks. Thanks to your generosity, Trinity's Jo Branch delivered over 75 backpacks plus school supplies to Danielle Rosson, Franklin County Schools Principal recently. | |
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A Journey Through (Tate’s) Hell. Now that the title has fully grabbed your attention, let us provide a public service announcement of sorts, brought to us by Jean, our wonderful Parish Administrator. Travel between Eastpoint and Carrabelle can be impacted after a storm (such as after Hurricane Michael in 2018). When that portion of US Hwy 98 or the Carrabelle bridge is unusable, the 16-mile direct route between these two cities suddenly becomes a 96-mile odyssey around Apalachicola National Forest…unless you use these instructions provided by Franklin County Emergency Management which cuts through Tate’s Hell State Forest. As an added bonus, you can forever use this route as a storytelling device for your grandkids. Thanks to Jean and her husband Scott for bringing this to our attention.
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer. For churches and ministries: on August 18, pray for Brotherhood of St. Andrew, St. Andrew's By-the-Sea, Destin, and St. Luke's, Marianna; and on August 25 pray for St. Francis of Assisi, Gulf Breeze and St. Francis, Dauphin Island. For prisons: on August 18, pray for the prisoners, families, and staff of the Conecuh County Jail, Evergreen, AL; and on August 25 pray for the prisoners, families, and staff of the Baldwin County Jail, Bay Minette, AL.
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Cursillo Weekend Coming Up! Cursillo is a three-day retreat offered to persons who wish to deepen their faith and walk with Christ. Many in our Trinity family (including Stephen and Travis Pecot, Ina Margaret Meyer, Brooks Jones, Patti McCartney, among many others) have attended this fulfilling and life-changing program. It is offered through our diocese at Beckwith Conference Center in Fairhope, AL. | |
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Cursillo is currently offered two weekends each year, and it is free to attendees. Cursillo #171 will be held September 12-15, 2024, and we already have four signed up! Only two slots remain. To learn about Cursillo, the diocese has a great website or talk to someone who has been. Check it out. Who wouldn’t want to be loved on and pampered for three days? You deserve it! De Colores! | |
CELEBRATING FAMILY & FRIENDS | |
Martha & Mickey Harris in Acadia National Park, ME on a carriage ride to Day Mountain (with Penny Marler & Kirk Hadaway). | |
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Watch our Sunday sermons online:
Generosity is a key component of our successful ministry: You can share your generosity easily and safely through our secure Electronic Giving platform.
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COMMUNITY EVENTS OF INTEREST | |
Trinity People - The Preacher on August 28 might be your Rector. | |
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Your Bay View: Trinity's bi-weekly e-newsletter, the Bay View, reaches members and friends every other Friday, sharing news and inspiration for and about our parish. Please send information and announcements, as well as photographs, to info@trinityapalachicola.org or call the church office at 850-653-9550. The deadline for submission is noon on Wednesday of each publication week. (next deadline is August 28, 2024)
-- Kay Carson, Editor
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Worship Service at 10:30 am Sunday
Morning Prayer at 8:15 am Wednesday
Church address: 79 6th Street, Apalachicola, Florida 32320
Office address: 76 5th Street, Apalachicola, Florida 32320
Mailing address: PO Box 667, Apalachicola, Florida 32329
Phone number: (850) 653-9550
Email: info@trinityapalachicola.org
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