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Apalachicola, Florida
October 10, 2025
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Church is not just worshipping on Sundays. It is participating in a grand experiment that links our wants and needs with those of God. The answer as to how those are bound together lies beyond our prayer-soaked walls. It is how we take the gifts we are given and, in thanks and praise, go out into the world to preach the gospel.
Don’t get me wrong; in-person worship at church is vital. But how we show the world Christ’s love outside of church is important too. Preaching the gospel is what we do through church ministries. And a church that merges worship and ministry as mission is one that is healthy and growing.
Church ministry is multifaceted, and there is a ministry that fits you. Want to focus on worship? There are ministries centered around Sundays, including: Altar Guild, Choir, Flower Guild, Lectors, Lay Eucharistic Ministers, Acolytes, Greeters, and Videography/Social Media. Interested in activities going on within Trinity? There’s Parish Life (planning fun events), Christian Formation (educational classes), Trinity Merry Music Makers, Bicentennial Celebration (oral histories, archiving), Memorial Garden and Landscaping, Helping Hands (short-term assistance such as meal trains and home visits), ROMEOs, Tour of Homes, Dinner Groups, Book Clubs, and more. Are you called to interact more outside the Trinity family? There’s Penny’s Worth, Outreach, Cursillo, Holy Smoker Cooking Team, diocesan events, and worldwide ministries such as Episcopal Relief & Development and United Thank Offering. If you like organizing or just want to show up and participate, there’s something for you. Like to be outdoors? We have just the thing. Cooking, reading, praying…it’s available.
Because our time is so precious, I’m aware this is a big ask. But you are not just called to be a Sunday-only Christian. How you pledge your time, talent, and treasure the other 167 hours of the week says just as much about you as does warming a pew at Eucharist and exchanging the peace.
I know you are interested in learning more. On Sunday, October 26 after church we will host a ministry fair in Benedict Hall. Representatives from the aforementioned ministries and others will be there. Ask questions. Find out more. Try something new. Don’t just wait to be asked, as we are not mind-readers. I am asking you, right here and right now: volunteer for something; pledge support through your stewardship; encourage others to do the same. And invite someone to church that day, for sometimes people find their church through ministries.
None of the aforementioned ministries may grab your attention. Maybe that’s because it is missing what you will bring to it. Let us know how we can help, including ideas for other ministries. Come teach us what ministry can mean.
You do not have to be expert or even know a thing about the ministry.
You just need to be willing to be part of something bigger than you.
Whether that is volunteering for a ministry, pledging to the church,
or just reading this newsletter and praying now and then, they
point a deep call from God who awaits your reply. Answer.
Love Big and Be Well,
Stephen +
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Formation Class Is Coming...
Are you new to The Episcopal Church? Are you interested in becoming an official member of the parish? Or do you want to learn more about how The Episcopal Church got here and where we are going? Then we have just the class for you. Beginning in a few weeks, Fr. Stephen will begin the next Catechism/Formation series for 2025 in preparation for the bishop’s next visit in February. If interested, please reach out to the parish office. The best day/time for the class will be determined among participants.
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Wednesday Compline. If you find yourself online these days, consider catching The Order for Compline via Facebook. We go live at 8 pm on Wednesdays, but you can watch them anytime. It’s a short service to end the Daily Office (prayers said throughout the day). And don’t forget that we have Morning Prayer on Wednesdays at 8:15 am in the church.
Ministry Fair October 26. As Fr. Stephen wrote in his reflection, October 26 will be the day Trinity hosts a ministry fair in Benedict Hall. At least one person from all ministries will offer a synopsis of what their ministry is about and answer questions. Please get in touch with Travis Pecot with any questions.
Bishop’s Visit Announced…and More. In order for Russell Kendrick, our bishop, to see the greatest number of our Trinity family, we have asked him to visit us before people leave for the summer. He obliged and chose Sunday, February 15, 2026 for his next visit to Trinity. He will be confirming and receiving new members of the church. Like this year, plan for a fulsome day and a memorable service. As an added bonus, we are working to host the return of the super bluegrass group Echo Valley for a Bluegrass Eucharist that day! It will be amazing!
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Chrismons are ornaments often used to decorate evergreen trees placed in church buildings during Advent and Christmas. The designs are monograms of, and symbols for, our Lord Jesus Christ.
These designs have been used by His followers since biblical times and they are the heritage of all Christians. Chrismon ornaments are made in combinations of white and gold to symbolize the purity and majesty of the Son of God.
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Many years ago, a group of Trinity women made a number of Chrismons which adorned the large tree inside the church. Several of the Chrismons have survived and have been located in storage in Benedict Hall.
Now, it is time to create new ones. Join us for a Saturday activity gathering, on November 15 at 10 am in Benedict Hall to make Chrismons for our Trinity Tree. We will also explore the meaning of each Chrismon. Necessary materials will be provided; please bring your patience, a pair of old tweezers, and a glue gun (if you have one).
-- Patti McCartney
| | Porch Fest Apalach 2025 This Weekend. On Saturday, Apalachicola hosts Porch Fest 2025. Thirty bands (not a misprint!) will be playing music over three stages and fifteen porches from Battery Park to The Hill. Trinity is a host porch, welcoming two bands (Salvato and Manakooras) on the church steps between 1 and 3:30 pm. We will have golf cart blessings and plenty of food and sodas available via the Holy Smoker and the Trinity Grill Team. If you would like, please bring some canned sodas and individually wrapped goodies (for example, cookies) that can be enjoyed by those who stop by for a spell. Awards are going out for Best Porch and Fundraising Rockstars, so make sure you bring money to donate to a very worthy cause (Aaron Meals) and vote for your favorite stop. | | Our community's Food Pantry needs your help. Check out the display in Benedict Hall on Sunday to learn how to get involved. You can put cash in a contribution jar to enable the purchase various personal care products; your donation of $7.67 will fill a shopping bag with food and supplies; or pick up a shopping list and head to your favorite store to purchase items and return them to Benedict Hall. | | Trinity welcomed local families and their pets at last Saturday's Blessing of the Animals in Gorrie Square. Dogs, cats, and even a few animal collars received special words of blessing from Fr. Stephen at this annual event. | | Diocesan Cycle of Prayer. For churches and ministries: on October 12, pray for the diocesan Commission on Affirmative Aging; and on October 19, pray for St. Christopher’s, Pensacola, FL. For prisons: on October 12, pray for the prisoners, families, and staff of the Henry County Jail, Abbeville, AL; and on October 19, pray for the prisoners, families, and staff of the Houston County Jail, Dothan, AL. | | |
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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Steve Watkins grew up in Tallahassee and is an Attorney at Law (retired). He serves as President of the Ilse Newell Fund for the Performing Arts, Inc. and is a member of the SYDA Foundation, sevite, as well as a meal delivery volunteer with ECCC in Apalachicola.
At Trinity, Steve is an Acolyte and Lector, and has served on the Vestry and the Outreach Committee.
Greatest influence on your life (person or experience) Participation in meditation intensives and retreats, and living in ashrams in India and upstate New York.
How would someone else describe you: Introspective, off the wall, and Karen's significant other.
One thing people might be surprised to know about you:
That I have a law degree.
Favorite part of living here: The river, bay and gulf waters; the ecology and quaintness.
Dogs or cats: Cats
Bacon or broccoli: Broccoli
Coleslaw - vinegar or mayo: Both
One thing you are good at: Listening to music.
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One thing you’d rather not do: Not be happy.
What drew you to Trinity: The parishioners and the fact that my mother was very active in the Episcopal Church and I was raised Episcopalian.
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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 October 22)
-- 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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