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Apalachicola, Florida
November 8, 2024
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At dawn this morning I was walking through Gorrie Square. I passed Dr. Gorrie’s monument and towards the church when a starling flitted by. It landed in the live oak in front of Benedict Hall. Then another, and another, and another came to rest. Soon the tree’s canopy was filled with thousands of starlings. They bounded from limb to branch and branch to limb, individual birds lost in the symphony of the moment. Suddenly, the tree seemed to rain acorns as the starlings tugged at the canopy’s mast crop, hoping to gain sustenance from their cracked shells.
On an on it went. I stood silent for 10 minutes, thinking about how these birds gather and, sinuously upon the wind, create massive, shape-shifting congregations that some naturalist long ago called a murmuration. But for the moment, here they were above me, tossing acorns in the air, small twigs bending under their weight, and filling the early morning air with their chatterings.
I thought of how birds, like most species in creation (save for one), exist simply to exist. They fly, make nests in cavities (and church attics), seek sustenance, and create new starlings. “They neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them” (Matthew 6:26).
Pretty soon my cat, Josie, sashayed up to me. And though she likely had ulterior motives, we watched this congregation, this murmuration, of God’s creatures work and communicate as they sought a place of Shiloh—a Hebrew word meaning peace and tranquility—a place where they might find solace for a spell.
Just as soon as I had grown accustomed to this momentary place of serenity and abundance, one starling vaulted into the air, causing the seven around it to launch, with another seven-on-seven rising instinctually; such that within seconds the sky was speckled with black dots, melting back into a murmuration that weaved to and fro and then was gone as the morning sun bathed Trinity’s cross with the light of another day.
Can we appreciate all of what God gives, such that we shift our focus towards the love of God as the source of life? For we were created by God out of love to exist as one, not created to hate and divide as many. If we live into loving the God of Creation, we will find less desire to sow, reap, and gather what we hold now as important yet is so often temporal, finite, and but dust. In its place, we will discover a deep yearning for servanthood, community, and mercy.
Who knows, we might even create a sustaining place of peace for the congregation of God—where all who seek find solace for all time.
Love Big and Be Well,
Stephen +
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Vestry Candidates Step Up | |
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Four vestry members are completing their tenures (Rennie Edwards as Senior Warden, Karen Brown as Junior Warden, Barry Lawson, and Ralph Wagoner), and we thank them for their long service to Trinity. During the upcoming annual meeting after church on December 8, we will hold a vote on four Trinity members who have stepped up to serve on the vestry: Denise Butler, Karen (KK) Kessel, Alan Pierce, and Chris Presnell. Bay View asked each candidate to provide a bio so that we can learn more about them. In this issue we present two bios; the next Bay View (11/22/2024) will feature the other two.
Alan C. Pierce – Born in Gainesville, Florida, in 1955, I am the youngest of four children. My father was born in Key West, Florida, and had a career as a Professor of Graduate Research in Marine Biology at the University of Florida. My mother was from Boston, MA. While raising four children she was active in the Gainesville community, including a term as President of the Alachua County League of Women Voters.
I grew up in Gainesville, and then in 9th grade we moved to Key West to take care of my father’s ailing parents. In 1973 I graduated from Key West High (home of the Fighting Conchs). I graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1977 and began a convoluted history of employment. Before coming to Franklin County, my work career included two years in Saudi Arabia, a high school science teacher, a retail store manager, and a tennis teaching pro. I arrived in Franklin County in 1988 equipped with a Master’s in planning from UF and was hired by the county commission as the County Planner.
From 1988 through 2016, I worked in many capacities for the county commission, ending my career acting as the county administrator. For four years, while employed by the County, I was elected Mayor of Apalachicola, 1999-2003. Apalachicola is my permanent residence, but I do have a vacation home in Brevard, NC.
The only church I have ever been a member of, is Trinity Church, which I joined in 1989 when Tom Weller was Vicar. I previously served on the Vestry in the 1990s and was Junior Warden.
Denise Dosal Butler – I am a 1st generation American born in Miami, FL. I graduated from Florida State University with a BS in Elementary Education/Early Childhood. Later, I earned an MS from FSU in Educational Leadership with an emphasis on Middle School. I have lived in Franklin County since January 1977.
I have 24 years experience in the Franklin County School System as teacher, principal, and elected School Board member. During my tenure on the FCSB, we built the new Franklin County School. I served 10 years representing Franklin County on the Gulf State College Board of Trustees. In my two-year term as Chair, we built the Advanced Technology Center. I have been honored on the local, state, and national levels for my work in education.
I became an insurance agent and was President of Cook Insurance Agency and then opened and operated the Butler Agency. I was honored one year as a finalist for the National Flood Agent of the Year award.
I was chairman of the Franklin County Public Library for 26 years, during which we built two public libraries in Franklin County - Carrabelle, and Eastpoint. I retired at age 72 and continue to serve on local boards addressing education and affordable housing.
I have been married to Cliff Butler for 53 years, and we have two married daughters (both married at Trinity) and four cherished grandchildren ages 13 to 21. My church activities have included Tour of Homes (Chair and Co-Chair for three years), Stella Maris Guild and Parish Council (St. Patrick’s Catholic Church), Vestry Clerk, Trinity Pancake Suppers, Vacation Bible School, Altar Guild, and Delegate to the 2024 Diocesan Convention.
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Thanksgiving Potluck - November 24 | |
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Join this annual Trinity tradition - sign up in Benedict Hall to bring a
side dish, salad, or dessert to delight, as well as the number of family members that will participate. Turkey & ham will be provided.
Also, please invite guests to join us in making this a
seasonal community holiday event!
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Writers Sought for Bulletin Reflection. The last page of our weekly service bulletin is devoted to a short reflection on the readings for the day. This was a decades-long ministry of the lovely Pat Horn. At times poignant and other times challenging or uplifting, her writings captured how God was working in her world. We would like to assemble a group of Trinity members to write 250-word reflections on a rotation and carry on Pat’s ministry. Please contact Fr. Stephen at the office or email if you are interested.
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.
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Monthly Bingo at Trinity
Thursday, November 21
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Helping in the Post-Storm World. There are several ways to assist those recovering from hurricanes. As we examine more sources we will include them in this list and on our social media pages. For now, these three are more than adequate:
At Trinity: give to Hurricane/Disaster Relief at Trinity via our online donation page, by regular giving on Sundays, or sending your check to the office. For any donation please be sure you specify “Hurricane/Disaster Relief” in the memo line.
Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast: Bishop Russell is working with Episcopal Relief and Development's US Disaster Program along with other dioceses in the southeastern US, who all have reports of significant damage. If you feel called to donate, please give to the Hurricane/Disaster Relief fund managed by our diocese. You can do that here (be sure to select Hurricane/Disaster Relief from the dropdown menu). This is going to be a marathon, not a sprint.
Franklin County Sheriff’s Office (Sheriff Tony “AJ” Smith): Most of us know that the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department often responds quickly to these events by bringing water and other supplies to affected areas. They have a website for their charity relief work for which you can donate here.
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Giving Tree for Local Students | |
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The satellite Giving (formerly Angel) Tree for Franklin County School is available in Benedict Hall. There are 30 ornaments with a needy child’s sizes and wishes for Christmas. Complete instructions for purchasing and returning gifts will be at the tree with the sign-up sheet. Please be sure to record the number of the ornament along with your name and contact information.
All gifts must be returned to Benedict Hall no later than Sunday, December 8, in an opaque garbage bag with the student’s ornament number visible on the outside.
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Outreach Committee Open Meeting: The Outreach Committee will hold its second annual Open Meeting during Hospitality Hour this Sunday, November 10! It will feature presentations from our partners, Franklin’s Promise and the Elder Care Community Council (ECCC) as well as updates from our Food Wagon, Cookie ministry, Volunteer Reader program, the Franklin County School (FCS) satellite Angel Tree, and partnership with the Apalachicola Community Garden and FCS.
So please stay if you can, grab a tasty treat from the Altar Guild, take a seat, and learn about Trinity Outreach. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 11:45 am and end at 12:30 pm.
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Penny's Worth Celebrates Volunteers | |
Penny's Worth held its annual salad luncheon yesterday to show appreciation for its loyal volunteers, and to welcome new members to the team. Dot Hill, Chairman, reviewed a few procedures that keep the thrift shop running smoothly, and thanked everyone for their involvement. | |
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Recent landscaping improvements, including attractive fencing, have created a safe and welcoming environment for Penny's Worth shoppers. | |
Pounds & Dollars Fall Food Drive. We’ve had a successful year collecting for the Food Pantry. Thank you to everyone who has contributed. To round out 2024, we are announcing a competition to energize the masses. Using the honor system, keep track of all your Food Pantry donations (money or material) since mid-October through the end of the year. Every pound is equal to one dollar and vice versa. Everyone who participates will be entered to win some fun prizes. But there’s more! For every 20 pounds or $20 given, you are entered into a separate drawing to win a river cruise with Captain Chris. For every 50 pounds or $50 given, you are entered into the Grand Prize drawing to win a 5-course meal, prepared by Father Stephen and Travis at the Rectory. Multiple entries are encouraged, so load up! And as an extra special enticement, your donations brought on Sunday November 24 (the day of our Thanksgiving Potluck) will count twice, doubling your entries!There is a sheet in Benedict Hall labeled “Pounds & Dollars Fall Food Drive” where you can log your progress, or you can let Fr. Stephen know. | |
A portion of the Keaton Beach distribution hub, showing the myriad items available to residents recovering from the recent hurricanes. | |
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Recently, Stephen and Travis Pecot drove to Keaton Beach and the Steinhatchee area to gain some perspective on the recovery efforts underway. 90% of homes in Keaton Beach were destroyed by the 15-foot storm surge during Hurricane Helene. In all, the region has experienced three landfalling hurricanes in 13 months: Idalia in August 2023, Helene in September 2024, and Milton in October 2024. But on this trip, the Pecots experienced rays of service and recovery.
An amazing group of volunteers, headed by a local realtor-broker team (Haley Blanco and Hope Webb), took over the boat ramp parking lot at Keaton Beach to create a distribution hub for food, meals, and supplies. They have been serving about 100 meals daily during the week and up to 400 meals on weekend days, along with handing out household supplies and cleanup materials. In Steinhatchee, the Sowers of the Seed Food Pantry has been distributing food to local residents for a few years and has continued this ministry even after these multiple hurricanes.
Trinity will be working with these groups to provide support to these hard-hit communities.
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Stephen, Hope Webb, and Haley Blanco outside the Keaton Beach distribution hub, which serves over 1,000 meals a week to the community. | |
A Weekend of Fun, Food, and Fellowship | |
The first few days of November were busy in the lives of Trinity and Apalachicola. On Friday, November 1, the 61st annual Florida Seafood Festival kicked off with the Blessing of the Fleet at Riverside Park, with Fr. Stephen and other local clergy blessing the many vessels that enjoy the surrounding waters. On Saturday, Trinity hosted its Bake Sale in conjunction with the festival, raising over $800 for hurricane relief. During the sale, several Trinity members watched the livestream of the installation of Sean Rowe as the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. The festival itself saw an uptick in attendees with the beautiful weather and ample food and entertainment. | |
Rennie Edwards, Patti McCartney, Dee Crusoe, & Ina Margaret Meyer were pleased to announce that Trinity's annual Seafood Festival Bake Sale raised over $800 to provide hurricane relief for nearby Florida communities that received damage during recent storms. | |
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Diocesan Convention Is Coming Up Quick! Save the date for the 54th Annual Diocesan Convention to be held February 21-22, 2025, at the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center, hosted by Christ the King, Santa Rosa Beach. We will need two delegates and one alternate for the convention to serve as Trinity representatives. Any adult and confirmed Communicant in Good Standing of Trinity is eligible to serve. You can nominate yourself or someone else (ask their permission, please) to these very important roles. It is always a well-attended affair and a superb way to keep grounded in what the diocese is doing as well as the larger Episcopal Church. And it is a great chance to show the rest of the diocese all we are doing! Please contact the church office if you would like to learn more or submit the nomination by Sunday, December 1.
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer. For churches and ministries: on November 10, pray for St. Paul's, Mobile; on November 17, pray for St. Thomas, Citronelle, AL. For prisons: on November 10, pray for the prisoners, families, and staff of the Mobile County Metro Jail, Mobile, AL; and on November 17, pray for the PASCO Home Re-entry Program, Mobile, AL.
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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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Karen Brown, a Trinity vestry member, is a Franklin County native. She is a Pharmacist/Pharmacy Manager and an active volunteer with the Ilse Newell Fund for the Performing Arts, currently serving as Vice President of the Board of Directors and as Treasurer. | Greatest influence on your life (person or experience): My 8th grade Algebra teacher, Mr. Charles Watson-Clark. | |
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He encouraged me to take the advanced math and science curriculum which was only offered via independent-study. Mr. Watson was my preceptor for the studies. I excelled in the curriculum and was accepted directly from high school to the College of Pharmacy.
How would someone else describe you: Take charge person/very particular/likes things organized and clean.
One thing people might be surprised to know about you: I was a track star in high school. I still hold school track records.
Favorite part of living here: The wide-open blue sky.
Dogs or cats: Neither
Bacon or broccoli: Both
Coleslaw - vinegar or mayo: Both; before my wonderful trip to New Zealand I would have said mayo, but, NZ has introduced me to their delicious vinegar based coleslaw.
One thing you are good at:
Organizing
One thing you’d rather not do:
Get caught in the rain.
What drew you to Trinity: The traditional service. What kept me here, are the parishioners.
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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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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 November 20)
-- 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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