Apalachicola, Florida......February 5, 2021 |
|
Tell Me Your Birthday & Other Tidbits |
|
Dear Friends in Christ,
This will be less theological than informational. On February 2, I asked quite a few people if they knew what the day was, and everyone told me it was Groundhog Day. While technically and secularly correct, it was also the Feast of the Presentation of Christ and the Purification of Mary. If you look in your Books of Common Prayer, I believe, beginning on page 16, you can see which Feasts and Lesser feasts are celebrated throughout the year.
Next year I hope to buy enough liturgical calendars for us all to have one to hang in our offices or kitchens. The purification and presentation which, by Hebrew Law, had to take place 40 days after Jesus’ birth, are important parts of the life of Christ and His Church. There is a special service called Candlemas, where all the candles used in the coming year are blessed, it represented the middle of winter, and there was even a tradition similar to Groundhog day.
February 2 is when we hear the Nunc Dimittis said by Simeon when he saw Jesus in the temple, and said:
“Lord now lettest thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen the salvation which thou has prepared before
the face of all people. To be a light to lighten the Gentiles and to be the
glory of thy people Israel.” BCP page 51 and Luke 2:29-32
I kind of feel like Simeon today as I received a text to get my first vaccine for COVID. As you are reading this on Friday, I will be in Panama City getting my first jab! I can’t wait.
As I said this is going to be less theological, so here goes:
-
The painting of the interior of the church goes on. We have asked the diocese to withdraw the $17,500 from our Maintenance account to cover the costs. I hope to see it completed in a few weeks. They have just finished sanding and caulking every board that is to be painted and by the time you read this the painting will have begun. They are working hard and doing a great job.
- Three members of the congregation have had COVID-19 and none we hospitalized. I’m sorry to relate that Dot Hill's niece lost her battle with cancer this Tuesday. There are no arrangements at this time and when they are made, they will be private. On a brighter note, Lee Sewell has returned and is in very good health after fighting Lymphoma. Evie Bettis just celebrated a birthday this week as did others.
- Speaking of birthdays, I wish you all would let me know when it is your birthday so that I may bless you for the year ahead. In fact, I’d like to know wedding anniversaries as well. These milestones, these rights of passage are significant, and I’d be honored to pour out God’s blessing upon you.
-
With the church building still closed, and finally, with the number of cases declining in Franklin County, we will resume outdoor worship beginning this Saturday and Sunday IF it is above 50 degrees and IF it is not raining.
-
Ash Wednesday service is at 12 noon on February 17 and we have been given directions and suggestions on the distribution of Ashes. To get to the point, ashes will be in individual bags and parishioners will sign themselves or their partners with the ashes as I speak the words, ‘Remember that you are dust…” I will not touch your foreheads. The service will also be shortened.
-
Pledging: A number of us have neither returned our pledge cards nor have kept up with their pledge, including some on the Vestry. If there is a problem affecting your situation, please let me know in confidence. I forgot to send mine in for January! I know it to be easier to give when you participate in worship, but I was reminded by those on the finance committee that our pledge is not an entrance fee, but it is a gift to God and The Church. To those of you who mail your pledge in regularly, I say thank you.
- Speaking of finances, I wish to thank Ralph for being a man of his word and an excellent leader of the Finance Committee during this terrible time. When I arrived in August of 2019, Ralph said he would stay on for 18 months. Those 18 months have flown by and he has tendered his resignation. I want to thank Ralph his leadership since I have been here. The virus has greatly decreased our income, but he has led us through the storm. Ralph, thank you and God Bless you my friend.
- Marlene Seaborn is discerning a new ministry and is leaving the Outreach Committee. She has heard God calling her to another ministry and although she is not sure what it will be during this pandemic, she knows, like Ralph, God is calling her in a new direction. At a future Vestry Meeting we will discuss the formation of the Outreach Committee. Marlene, thank you for your years of service and may God lead you to greener pastures in your ministry here at Trinity.
- Also, I extend our gratitude to Charlie Galloway, CT Ponder, and Randy Mims, whose term of Vestry service has ended.
-
Finally, the Vestry will meet this Monday, February 8, 2021 at 5 pm. Don’t tell me you forgot, because now it is in print. That’s all the news that is fit to print. May God bless you, wear a mask, wash your hands, socially distance and get vaccinated, not just for you but for the health of God’s people. I am …
Yours in Christ,
Eric+
|
|
DATES TO NOTE:
Vestry Meeting -- Monday, February 8 at 5 pm
Ash Wednesday Service -- Wednesday, February 17 at 12 noon
In-person, outdoor worship -- Saturdays at 5 pm & Sundays at 10 am
(IF it is above 50 degrees and IF it is not raining)
REMINDERS:
Eric's email address is: vicar.zile@verizon.net
The Church Office will again be open by volunteers on Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays from 10 am 'til 12 noon beginning Monday, February 8. Voice mail and email (info@trinityapalachicola.org) are monitored daily.
|
|
Having Fun with the Bernie Meme |
|
|
|
We welcome visitors to worship services at Trinity, even if they are over-dressed for our climate! |
|
Museum Exhibit Honors
African-American Servicemen
|
Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum in Carrabelle presents a special exhibit to honor our country’s African-American Servicemen, February 2-27. The museum, at 1873 Highway 98 West, is open Tuesday-Saturday, 11 am - 5 pm. There is no charge for admission, but donations are gladly accepted.
African Americans served in large numbers during WWII despite being denied full rights as American citizens. African Americans served in segregated units in both the Army and the Army Air Corps, one of the most recognizable being the Tuskegee Airmen. Many trained at Camp Gordon Johnston in support units like Amphibious Truck Companies, and even these participated in combat, including at Iwo Jima, where 21 Army units supported the 4th and 5th Marines.
For more information, contact Camp Gordon Johnston Museum at
|
|
|
|
Services at 5 pm Saturday & 10 am Sunday, Eastern time
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
