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Apalachicola, Florida
March 28, 2025
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Peace be with you. At church, we say that a lot. It makes sense we do that, as many of Jesus’ teachings are about stepping into relationship with God and finding a harmony that is as boundless as the universe. It is the endpoint to which we all aspire. And what gets us there? I’m not sure, because I haven’t found it quite yet, at least in the way God speaks of it.
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them” (Matthew 18:20). While it’s true Jesus is present among us, so too is human nature. We might sense an inkling of God’s peace that passes all understanding, but often we get a heaping dollop of conflict, assumptions, misgivings, and illnesses. There has to be some middle ground to get us from where we are to where God wants us to be.
This is where serenity comes in. Serenity is not acquiescence to the world; it is a boldness to face it. It is where we are able to keep trauma, failings, and injuries from having the last say.
Each of us have reasons to not be at peace. But we have a longer list of reasons to be strong in the midst of conflict and weakness. As we do not exist in a perpetual state of peace on Earth, the next best thing we can hope for is the ability to navigate the many twists and turns of our imperfect world.
We may not be in the place where we want to be. The challenges present in our relationships and our health may be such that peace is a far cry from our current circumstances, far afield from the foxhole in which we reside.
The theologian Reinhold Niebuhr had something to say about this. In 1933 he published some prayers in the YMCA periodical The Women’s Press. See if this excerpt sounds familiar: “Oh, God, give us courage to change what must be altered, serenity to accept what [cannot] be helped, and insight to know the one from the other…” This prayer was quickly picked up by newspapers and has helped millions of people (in its current form) to face their current state with honesty:
“God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
As it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
If I surrender to His Will;
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life
And supremely happy with Him
Forever and ever in the next.” – Reinhold Niebuhr
As we near the home stretch of Lent, I pray that we someday all know the peace that passes all understanding. But until then, I pray that you live into the serenity of boldly facing the world with the love of God for you as you are.
Love Big and Be Well,
Stephen +
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Got stuff? The Tour of Homes can help! The deadline to donate quality items to the Silent Auction and Jumble Sale is April 14. Please contact Ginger Lawson (404-561-0919) or Kathy Rushmore (207-745-3990) to get started.
Trinity Needs You. Proceeds from the Tour of Homes helps us maintain the historic buildings on our campus, as well as assist those in need in our community. To help make 2025 our most successful yet, we need your help on tour day – Saturday, May 3 – and before.
Please consider lending a hand!
Auction – Ginger Lawson, Kathy Rushmore
Greeters – Bella Rudo, Greeter Sign Up Form
Hospitality – Kerry Petty
Tickets – Jo Branch
Set-up/Grounds – Chris Presnell
| | Learning New Skills! Members of the newly formed Tour of Homes Hospitality Committee met March 21 in Benedict Hall to learn more about their part in preparing and hosting Trinity’s Evensong reception and the Volunteer Appreciation Party. They also acquired new skills! Committee Chair Kerry Petty taught the group how to pipe to fill tarts, cream puffs, and macarons, as well as how to fill, pleat, and steam Chinese dumplings. (Usually, 200 are made for the Evensong reception.) To join this fun group – another learning experience is planned soon – please contact Kerry Petty at (517) 712-4025. | | |
Buy It Now! Why wait until the Tour of Homes Auction on May 3 when you can enjoy space-saving storage now? Combining craftsmanship with maximum storage, this Sullivan Secretary Desk is an essential for any home office.
Featuring a fold-down computer desk, two cubbies, and six small drawers, this piece provides an abundance of space to work and organize. When not in use, simply fold-up the desktop to keep your laptop and office supplies out of sight!(51” W x 19”D x 45” H)
A $700+ value, this secretary desk is available pre-sale for $350. To acquire it, please contact Ginger Lawson (404-561-0919) or Kathy Rushmore (207-745-3990).
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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.
Sunday school. Led by Jason Carter, the class continues to meets at 9:15 am in the Trinity office’s conference room. All are welcome.
| | | | Easter Lily dedications. Order forms are available at the back of the church and in our office. Small lilies are $20 and large lilies are $35. Deadline is April 7. | |
The Easter Bunny is coming! Bring plastic eggs filled with candy to the office or Benedict Hall by April 13.
-- Dot Hill
| | Trinity Outreach Supports ECCC Services | | Last week, Harolyn Walker, Jo Branch and Kathy Chesser of Trinity's Outreach Committee met with Valentina Webb, Director of ECCC. We discussed Trinity's continued monthly financial support of $300. Connie Finneran and her cookie committee continue to provide freshly baked cookies that are always a delight to receive. ECCC volunteers deliver 80 lunches Monday-Friday throughout Apalachicola and 8 lunches in Eastpoint. | | | |
Other ECCC programs for the community include Yoga classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays; Asani exercise on Wednesday; Chair Yoga five days a week for seniors; plus, supervised group walks around the neighborhood for fresh air and exercise. Musical entertainment features the Ukulilies who perform for the seniors and any tips are donated to the Center, and you can enjoy upcoming Coffee House Concerts April 30, May 9, and June 14, 11, & 12.
Shopping trips to Wal Mart will soon be available through a collaboration with Gulf Transporation, that offers free rides for seniors 65 and older. However, ECCC is in need of a 12-15 passenger van to transport more seniors and offer the opportunity for smaller group transportation. If you would like to help, or have insight regarding this vehicle purchase, contact Valentina Webb at 850-888-7727 or webbv1962@gmail.com.
-- Jo Branch, Outreach Committee Chair
| | Diocesan Cycle of Prayer. For churches and ministries: on March 30, pray for the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast and The Episcopal Church; and on April 6, pray for the Diocesan and Parish Youth Ministry and Chapel of St. Mary’s, Andalusia, AL. For prisons: on March 30, pray for the prisoners, families, and staff of the Holmes Correctional Institution, Bonifay, FL; and on April 6, pray for the prisoners, families, and staff of the Jackson Correctional Institution, Malone, FL. | | |
The TRINITY TEN, a ten-point questinnaire 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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Jo Branch and her family vacationed on St. George Island for over 30 years, so she and her husband, Mike, knew they would eventually make this area their permanent home.They made that dream come true in January of 2019 when they packed up their home in Lakeland, FL and moved into their home in Eastpoint.
She retired as a Physical Therapist Assistant in 2020 and now works part-time in Apalachicola at Dolce Vita and Apalachicola Bee Company. Jo is a member of the Panhandle Players, Bay Area Choral Society, and a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood.
At Trinity, she enjoys singing in the choir and currently serves as Chair of the Outreach Committee. Reading to second graders at FCS is her latest fun activity. Jo's involvement with Bring Me a Book Forgotten Coast has enabled her to make new friends and appreciate the need for increased literacy in our community.
She is an avid reader and, with Mike, she enjoys fishing in the bay. You might find them at the Apalachicola Yacht Club for SINGO or spot Jo dancing to the wonderful, talented bands and music this area offers.
Greatest influence on your life (person or experience): My parents
How would someone else describe you: Outgoing, fun, funny, kind.
One thing people might be surprised to know about you: I make wine cork jewelry.
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Favorite part of living here: The water, friendly people, slow pace of living (Unless you (I) say yes to everything).
Dogs or cats: Dogs
Bacon or broccoli: Broccoli
Coleslaw - vinegar or mayo: Mayo
One thing you are good at: My spiritual gift is hospitality.
One thing you’d rather not do:
Dishes
What drew you to Trinity:
I was baptized in and was a member of, the United Methodist Church for over 60 years. The first time I visited Trinity I was greeted by Tom Edwards and Ralph Wagoner and I felt like I was at home. I truly appreciate the inclusion of all people, the liturgy, and fellowship.
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Watch our Sunday sermons online:
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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 April 9. 2025)
-- 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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