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Apalachicola, Florida
November 6, 2026
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Most people don't enjoy talking about money, especially in church. It’s associated with anxieties of the world. But let's be honest: money is necessary in modern society. Does that make it inappropriate to discuss in a sacred space? Perhaps the problem isn't money itself, but how it occupies our lives.
The Episcopal Church Foundation has written about a culture of scarcity that arises from constant fundraising, scrambling for resources, and worrying about the future. Those concerns are real: prayer doesn't keep the air conditioner going. Many churches treat fundraising as necessary. The late theologian Henri Nouwen suggested something different: fundraising as an invitation to participate in God's work.
As you consider giving to Trinity for the coming year, begin with gratitude and possibility, not fear or obligation. Trinity touches lives across this region, far beyond what Sunday attendance suggests. Scarcity asks what we lack; generosity asks what we can make possible together.
Generosity comes in three forms: time, talent, and treasure. The biblical tithe establishes ten percent as a traditional standard of giving (Genesis 14:18–20; Leviticus 27:30–33; Numbers 18:21–32). But Jesus reminds us that giving must never be separated from justice, mercy, and love (Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42).
Stewardship encompasses more than financial resources. It includes volunteer hours, baked goods, participation in ministries, and the talents you bring to Trinity.
I invite you to reconsider the principle of the tithe by extending it into your life. Giving a tenth of what we have means little if we withhold the love and justice God asks of us. Consider what combination of time, talent, and treasure you feel called to offer. It's not merely the portion of income we give, but the portion of our lives we offer to God, the world, and this church.
Of course, Trinity needs financial resources. I can't bless our expenses away. Ministries, buildings, staff, and maintenance all cost money. We don't ask for pledges because God's love has a price. We ask because ministry has real expenses.
Pledging helps your Vestry plan responsibly. A pledge is an intention, not a binding obligation or spiritual scorecard. No priest at Trinity sees individual pledge information.
We remain beneficiaries of time, talent, and treasure given long before we arrived. What we offer today will touch people we may never meet. And as we approach Trinity's bicentennial, that truth becomes especially meaningful.
Generations before us sustained a community whose future they couldn't imagine. Now it's our turn to offer what we can, trusting that generosity reaches beyond our own lifetimes.
There is plenty good room for all of us in this work. What will you offer?
Love Big and Be Well,
Stephen +
| | Thanksgiving Dinner at Trinity | | Creating Glory With Local Greenery | |
Trinity's Episcopal Church Women (ECW) gathered on Monday when Helen Purvis and Jana Walling from the Tallahassee Garden Clubs brought their horticultural skills to Apalachicola where they demonstrated how to use greenery from your (or your friend's) yard, to creatively assemble holiday decor for your home. Using palm fronds, pine boughs, and magnolia leaf clusters, they built stunning wreaths and centerpieces. Those who attended were inspired to look a little more closely at what is growing around us and envision how to transform local greenery into imaginative decorative glory.
ECW’s December meeting will be a festive Christmas party & auction.
Watch for details soon!
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Trinity Expands Memorial Garden
Trinity's Memorial Garden will soon have 16 new niches, as Phase II
of development gets underway. Construction will begin once the
church exterior painting project has been compieted.
The new niches (see diagram below) are now available for purchase
at a price of $1,500 to any member of Trinity for use by the
member and their immediate family. There is room for three
named plaques on the front of each niche.
Reservation forms are now available in the church office.
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Seafood Festival Bake Sale! Bring your cookies, cakes, pies, and savory treats to Benedict Hall today (Friday, November 6), 3-5 pm. Also, please lend a hand, if you are able, with the sale on Saturday, 9 am - 1 pm.
Advent Reflections Still Available! We have a few slots left for those of you wanting to contribute to our parish-wide love offering this December. Fellow church members (and a few surprises) are working on their 100- to 200-word reflection on a particular verse and centering word chosen for that day. If you would like to participate, the sign-up sheet will be in Benedict Hall after church this Sunday. We will need all contributions in by mid-November to allow for distribution on the First Sunday of Advent on November 29.
Holiday Shopping Begins! Penny's Worth is jumping on the holiday shopping bandwagon early this year, and will be open the Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 28. Anticipating a busy day, two additional volunteers are being requested. If you want to join the crew and welcome shoppers, contact Dot Hill at 850-653-9297.
| | Gathering Room Takes Shape | | |
As the evolution of Room 101 in Benedict Hall continues, parishioners recently got a sneak peek of how the gathering space is being transformed. A seating arrangement of a small sofa and two chairs, along with built-in bench seating, and a dressing table will accommodate small meetings and pastoral conferences, as well as groups preparing for weddings and funerals, while a closet wall will create robing and storage area for our choir. New windows, light fixtures, and a mini-split will also enhance the space.
Opportunities to underwrite the new furnishings are available, such as funding a chair, sofa, lamp, or work of art, in the range of $500-$1,500. Donations can be anonymous, or recognized. Contact Junior Warden Kerry Petty for more information, or deliver your donation to Jean Bush in the church office.
| | Diocesan Cycle of Prayer. For churches and ministries: on November 8, pray for St. Paul’s, Mobile, Alabama; and on November 15, pray for St. Thomas, Citronelle, Alabama. For prisons: on November 8 we pray for the prisoners, families, and staff of the Mobile County Metro Jail and the PASCO Re-entry Home Program in Mobile, Alabama; and on November 15, please pray for the prisoners, families, and staff of the Gulf County Jail, Port St. Joe, Florida and the Washington Country Jail, Chatom, Alabama. | | |
The TRINITY TEN, a ten-point questionnaire that provides a light-hearted,
yet sincere, profile of Trinity parishioners, is designed for us to get
to know each other a little better. Your responses, along with a
photograph, will appear regularly in the Bay View.
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Martha Watson was born in Jacksonville, Florida and lived in the
Jacksonville area until she was 12, when her family moved to
Thomasville, Georgia.
As a young professional violinist, Martha played in the Orquesta
Filarmónica de Caracas in Venezuela. She says that living in a foreign country for nine years changed her whole outlook on life.
She was the organist/pianist at Trinity for six years.
Greatest influence on your life (person or experience): I was blessed with wonderful parents. I am still amazed at their dedication in caring for my profoundly disabled brother. They accepted this challenge with love and gladness of heart. I mention them in conversation every day.
How would someone else describe you: Having a spirit of adventure
One thing people might be surprised to know about you: I am a fan of sumo. I checked off an item on my bucket list when Rick and I were in Japan last January and attended a sumo tournament. It was everything I had hoped for!
Favorite part of living here: The people. There is such a sense of community. Also, the natural beauty is pretty special, too. For years, I had an active eagle’s nest in my
front yard!
Dogs or cats: Hummingbirds
Bacon or broccoli: Both
Coleslaw - vinegar or mayo: It depends. I like the mayo
version with barbeque and shrimp baskets. Vinegar coleslaw
is more versatile.
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One thing you are good at: Planning trips
One thing you’d rather not do: Attend meetings
What drew you to Trinity: Although raised Baptist, I was confirmed in the Episcopal church as a teenager. Over the years, I played at churches of other denominations, so I did not attend many Episcopal services during that time.
In 2019, when Trinity needed a temporary musician for a couple of months, I agreed to fill in until a full-time organist could be found. I ended up staying in the “temporary” position for six years! I enjoyed the feeling of returning home after all those years outside the liturgical tradition.
Being a part of Trinity’s music ministry was a blessing I never expected.
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Trinity's Online Calendar
Trinity also has a new, online calendar which offers the
freshest view of all events going on at Trinity.
This cloud based calendar can display: by day, week, month, or by list
and is maintained in real-time by Trinity's Office staff.
Find this on our website at: www.TrinityApalachicola.org/calendar
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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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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 November 18.
-- Kay Carson, Editor
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Worship Service at 10:30 am Sunday
Morning Prayer at 8:15 am Wednesday
Compline at 8 pm Wednesday - Facebook Live
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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