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Apalachicola, Florida
November 21, 2025
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In just under a month, we will convene in Benedict Hall after church for our annual meeting. This is an opportunity for members of this church to reflect upon the past year, to give thanks for the God’s blessings, and to look ahead. These actions ultimately gather around Jesus’ commission to make disciples of all nations and share the gospel (Matthew 28:19).
For some, membership in a community like Trinity is a state of mind. We are a welcoming church; that means whoever wants to attend can. One sign of a growing church is having people ask me, “Am I officially a member?” Simply put, if you’ve been baptized at any point in your life, and if that baptism is recorded in our parish register, you’re a member of Trinity, and we need you December 14 at the annual meeting to vote on several key items. If you’ve been received by our bishop when he visits this church annually, you are certainly a member of Trinity. If you’ve “transferred your letter” here, you are a member.
I have no doubt there’s someone reading this and wondering if they are a member, or if you are Episcopalian. Membership is never a condition for attendance or participation. Never. Often, people are simply unclear about the details, and that’s perfectly normal. They might be unsure of their baptism, much less where; they aren’t sure that the church from two moves ago doesn’t still consider them a member (still on the mailing list and in their directory!); or they started coming to church a few Sundays ago, really like it, and interested in our ministries. Come talk to me if you’re unsure, and we will figure it out together. I can help you find answers. And depending on your faith background, that answer might be far simpler than you think.
Membership in The Episcopal Church is not a test, nor is there a fee. To become an Episcopalian has no grand certificate for display on the wall. It is a membership of your heart. God wants us to fill Trinity with hearts, no matter what got them there, no matter what they think, and no matter where they are going.
You are part of a big movement as a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, all of us 1.55 million other Episcopalians across 6,754 congregations. An Episcopalian is a member of an even bigger Jesus movement, that of The Anglican Communion, with 100 million members over 47 different member churches (denominations) and 165 countries.
Then again, those pale in comparison to the biggest movement of all:
God in our lives. I’ll take that membership privilege any day of my life.
How about you?
You are forgiven, so live like it,
Stephen +
| | Well Played, Good and Faithful Servant | | |
The end of October saw our music ministry bid farewell to two talented hands and welcome another. Martha Watson, who has been our organist since 2019, will be traveling the globe with her husband Rick (former vestry member and Junior Warden) and fully living into retirement.
Trinity is blessed to have such committed members who offer their God-given creativity for others. Martha was presented with a gift that could only come through Trinity: a beautiful pin lovingly crafted by Trinity member (and international artist) Kristin Anderson.
Prayers have been answered as to how we fill Martha’s shoes. Joy Tracy will continue to lift us up every so often with her mellifluous piano playing. The majority of Sundays will now be handled by T.J. Wolferseder (daughter Amelia), who has played off and on for the past year at services. He is a classically trained pianist, and a lot of you have been pleasantly surprised (and even shocked) that a man known for doing custom tile and building things with his hands can coax the most the difficult pieces of music into submission…and tell its story beautifully.
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Please thank T.J. and Joy for their continued ministries. Sing the hymns. Theirs is a hard job. They are one leg of the stool that binds our worship together, the others being me (as priest), and you. We can’t sit comfortably as a beloved community upon a stool with one or two legs. Maybe temporarily, but not long-term. No, we need all three. Please be assured that I am always working to ensure this critical tradition continues. | | |
Thanksgiving Potluck - November 23
Enjoy the Annual Thanksgiving Potluck with your Trinity family
on Sunday, November 23, following the worship service.
Bring the side, salad, or dessert you signed up for.
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Artistry and Fellowship Combine to
Create Chrismons for Trinity Tree
| | Last Saturday, parishioners enjoyed fellowship while exercising their hands, making these Chrismons for the Trinity Christmas tree. When the tree goes up, we will get to enjoy the artistry of this creative group. | | Trinity Branch of Giving Tree Has Grown | | |
The Trinity branch of Franklin County Schools' Christmas Giving tree has grown a little longer! The 10 additional students added to the tree last Sunday were "adopted" after church! We received 20 students initially and added 10 more, so 30 students will enjoy Christmas gifts and toys, thanks to your generosity.
Please note: The tag for student #26 was taken but that individual didn't add their name to the sign-up sheet. Let us know if you have the tag, so we can account for gifts for all the children.
Return your gifts, along with the tag, to the Trinity church office by Friday, December 5. Don't forget to record your delivery on the sign-in sheet in the office.
-- Bob & Susan Pruitt
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Special invitation to the People of Trinity Apalachicola
We hope many Trinity folk can join us on Sunday, December 7 at 3 pm (CST) for a rededication of this beautiful church. This Carpenter Gothic Church, located at 328 Highway 71 South in Wewahitchka, Florida, was consecrated
as St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in 1903. Presbyterians bought the church in 1943. Both congregations met in the church until August 2005,
when a new Episcopal church was built further up Highway 71.
Honoring our shared heritage and love for the church, The Rev. Dr. Carol Wood, The Rt. Rev. Russell Kendrick, Bishop of the Diocese of the
Central Gulf Coast, and the Presbytery of Florida's Stated Clerk
will be participating in the service.
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Christmas singing: You are invited to a Christmas singing event
at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in Wewahitchka on
Thursday December 11 at 7 pm EST/6 pm CST.
The church is located at 4060 North Highway 71 (Main Street) in Wewahitchka.
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Diocesan Churches Expand Outreach With New Barbeque Trailers
Trinity is one of four churches across the Episcopal Diocese of
the Central Gulf Coast adding a new dimension to ministry -- the Holy Smoker. These barbecue grill trailers are designed to strengthen parish fellowship, expand community outreach, and provide
a vital resource in times of disaster.
Read more about this innovative ministry here.
| | Diocesan Cycle of Prayer. For churches and ministries: on November 23, pray for St. Anna's and Trinity churches in Atmore, AL as well as the United Thank Offering; and on November 30, pray for Church of the Advent, Lillian, AL. For prisons: on November 23, pray for the prisoners, families, and staff of the Wilcox County Detention Center, Camden, AL; and on November 30, pray for the prisoners, families, and staff of the Bay County Jail, Panama City, FL. | | CELEBRATING FAMILY & FRIENDS | | | | Kerry Petty recently visited a knight’s church in Spilt, Croatia & dressed for formal night on the cruise with an outfit from Penny’s Worth! | | |
(Reader Reflections is a series of offerings written by parishioners on
their favorite spiritual books. If you would like to write a short review
of a book you especially love, please contact Stephen.)
| | Bob Pruitt Reflects on Berry Gordy's Autobiography - "To Be Loved" | | |
If you were alive in 1955 and you have listened to the radio, attended a high school dance, shopped in a record store - watched the Ed Sullivan Show, followed Dick Clark's TV shows, enjoyed MTV, AND LIKE MUSIC - for past 70 years - this book is for you!
Berry Gordy was a poor kid growing up in Detroit with a large family and not much else, but his family had values that instilled the determination to pursue his dream and he did - he started Motown Records and what a story!
Imagine - Jackie Wilson, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, The Marvelettes, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Jr Walker and the All Stars, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops, The Temptations, and The Jackson 5 - have I gotten your attention?
This music was the soundtrack of my youth and I bet it is of yours too!
Berry Gordy built an African American business that had never been - with honesty, integrity, ethics, and concern for people! The first and greatest record company for black music - SOUL!
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A fascinating autobiography; he ran with the rich and famous but never lost his humility and concern for his family, friends, employees and artists. By the way, he is still alive at 95 years old!
This is an incredible read and a huge insight into the artists and music of most of our lives!
-- Bob Pruitt
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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.
| | | COMMUNITY EVENTS OF INTEREST | |
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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 December 3)
-- 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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