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Apalachicola, Florida
February 28, 2025
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Today, the world is convulsing. Between areas of conflict (military and otherwise), the evolution of post-modern society, and recent and unexpected tragedies in our own community, you might wonder what Jesus would have to say if he stood on the shores of Apalachicola Bay and delivered an updated Sermon on the Mount. What would a Sermon on the Coast sound like, anyway?
The world Jesus inhabited as a human may not have had any of the advancements of the past two millennia. But Jesus’ time was filled with the same things as now: mendacity and greed; but also love, charity, and kindness. As people were torn down by power structures, societal expectations, and others’ deeds in first-century Palestine, remember that the world was also pregnant with joy and selfless acts. Samaritans loved their families, homeland, and God deeply, even if they were unwelcome and unrecognized outside of their region.
In our community, the news of late might make us suspect in how God is working within our lives. But let me offer a few examples as a counterpoint. Because it is in the quiet work of everyone that I am reminded God is here.
Your Parish Administrator, Jean Bush, welcomes every community member that comes in looking for assistance. She listens carefully and asks caring questions to help them get closer to the root of why they are seeking help. It is not a test. But oftentimes, people feel as if their voice has been silenced. Jean listens with a big, open heart. She helps them find their voice by offering an attitude of hope. Trinity is blessed to have Jean and the difference she makes.
I see people walk into church each week broken and leave with a little more energy to face what they must because of the reminder they are loved and forgiven. Despite death, divorce, drugs, or all the things that tear at our peace, there are always good things to be found in the cracks, much like a Samaritan woman giving Jesus water at the well so long ago.
As one of the many volunteer readers at FCS, I see the difference engagement makes in the lives of children. On Tuesday, Sophia Fonseca and I were about to leave our class when I looked over to see a teacher’s aide using sign language with a deaf child. Not only is he totally deaf, he came from another country. The aide explained to me that she felt called to do this herself and is learning American Sign Language (ASL) as she goes.
This gave me an idea. I looked at the students and said, “The only sign language I know is the term ‘Peace be with you’. Maybe you can use this with your classmate who probably feels alone, sad, and totally dependent upon just one person to feel any connection to the world.”
‘Peace be with you’ in ASL is a simple movement of the hands, so the students got it quick. And they all did it together. I looked over at the deaf student, and what I can only describe as the face of Jesus met my glance. His huge smile pierced my soul in a way few moments ever have. His joyous face reminded me that no matter what happens in this convulsing world, there are some things that will never change. Thank God for that.
Love Big and Be Well,
Stephen +
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Valleys Overflow with Grain and
Echo with Joyful Songs
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Trinity was full of the bounty of music this past Sunday as the bluegrass group Echo Valley blessed us with their many talents. If you missed the service (or were one of the 128 folks who want to experience it again) you can see it here on our YouTube page. The six-piece, all-sibling group from Pennsylvania were in Apalachicola to play a Saturday night show at Holy Family Senior Center through the Ilse Newell Fund for the Performing Arts.
Father Stephen reached out to them, and they readily agreed to play. As they are a faithful family, Father Stephen sent them the Scripture readings for Sunday’s service and asked them to pick the songs. The result: more smiles in church, and one person saying it was among the best, most uplifting services they had seen in any church. Father Stephen even heard from one lifelong Episcopalian that it was the best service they had ever attended in their life. Thanks be to God!
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Members of Echo Valley enjoyed Trinity's hospitality hour where Stephen presented them with various souvenirs of Apalachicola to remember their joyous worship service with us. With Stephen are Emmaline, David, Lizzie, Emily, Dolly, & Olivia. | |
A Ministry of Light. Though it took a few months, the wait was absolutely worth it! On Tuesday, Father Stephen and Jean and Scott Bush reinstalled the chandelier that has graced our portico for many years. Though still technically working, the wiring was nearly shot from corrosion, and the brass was completely tarnished from exposure to the coastal elements. One of Jean’s many talents is a commitment to detail, and she not only restored the brass chandelier, she took the entire structure apart and carefully cleaned each piece. She also rewired the lighting and coated the brass in museum-grade wax to inhibit future tarnishing and corrosion. Next time you stand at the entrance, take in the restored beauty of this beacon of hope for Apalachicola. Thank you Jean! | |
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Funeral services for Caitlin Springer Smith (daughter of Ed and Candace Springer) will occur Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 11:00 am at Trinity Episcopal Church in Apalachicola with interment of ashes immediately following in the Trinity Memorial Garden. May Caitlin's soul, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Pancake Supper This Coming Tuesday. Bring your family & friends to this annual event marking Shrove Tuesday on March 4, 5 - 6:30 pm in Benedict Hall. Tickets ($8.00) are available from Parish members and at the church office. (If you volunteered food supplies, please deliver them to Benedict Hall by Sunday, March 2.)
Lenten Book Series Starting Monday, March 3. In conjunction with other churches in our diocese, we will be reading Inspired by Rachel Held Evans throughout Lent. Bishop Russell Kendrick, along with other diocesan staff, will be presenting videos each week to stimulate discussion for participants. Because of the number of people signed up, we will hold the sessions in Benedict Hall on Mondays at 10 am. There is still time for you to participate in the class, just show up! We can always get more books. If you want to get your own, just go to this link to purchase.
Lent Begins Next Week! Trinity's Ash Wednesday Services will be held at 12 noon & 6 pm on March 5.
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.
Third Thursday Bingo Continues in the New Year. Set your calendars for a fun evening of Bingo and fellowship every third Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm in Benedict Hall. As always, the first board is free with additional cards $2 each (or three for $5). All proceeds go to Parish Life. Bring a snack to share; tea and lemonade will be provided. The next three Bingo nights are March 20, April 17, and May 15.
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Never Too Late. Recently Father Stephen was visiting Bootsey George, Toonie Waddell’s sister, at Toonie’s house. She and Raney Mashburn (Dot Hill’s granddaughter) were going through the many items as they cleaned the house of our dear departed friend.
Bootsey said she had something for him and put two small envelopes in his hand. She had found them among many other boxed items. The envelopes were part of our Trinity tradition, used to hold parishioner’s weekly offerings to the church. They were stamped August 31, 2003 and given by Bootsey and Toonie’s mother, Peggy George, who was a staple of this parish for many decades.
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Stephen put the envelopes in the offering plate the following Sunday, which caused quite a stir when the counters tabulated the collection after church!
In a sidenote: before she died, Toonie also gave Father Stephen a UTO box full of coins from the 1980s. Let these serve as an enduring reminder that it’s never too late to give of yourself.
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Music Makers Unite! Do you like to play an instrument with other musicians in a laid-back environment? Or sing? The Trinity Merry Melodies Music Makers will begin a schedule of the first Monday of every month starting at 7 pm, with different locations each month. This coming Monday, March 3, we will be playing starting at 7 pm at the rectory behind the church (corner of 6th and Avenue E). | | |
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Our ‘Give Valentine to the Trinity Kitchen’ event was a huge success! Thanks to the generosity of our shoppers, we were able to replace old, unsafe items and provide much-needed new supplies. A special thanks to Constance from Betsy’s Kitchen Shop for bringing her goods and generously donating items as well. We are so grateful for everyone’s support in keeping our kitchen well-equipped and safe!
-- Parish Life Committee
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Outreach Welcomes New Members | |
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The Outreach committee had their first meeting of 2025 on February 10. Your Trinity Outreach Committee continues to provide financial support to ECCC, Franklin’s Promise Food Pantry and Ed Corps, Franklin County Schools, BMABFC. The Hillside Coalition of Laborers for Apalachicola (H/COLA) received a donation for the African American History Festival. Connie Finneran reported that there are four full-time cookie bakers baking and delivering 120 cookies to ECCC every Thursday.
We welcomed new Trinity members Barry Lawson (Treasurer), Brant Banks, Landy Luther, Travis Pecot, and Chris Presnell as Vestry Liaison. Our community at large members are Harolyn Walker, and we welcomed Greg Perkins.
The Outreach Committee welcomes volunteers to join us in hands-on support as well. Feel free to contact these committee members for information and where/when you can help:
Food Pantry/Trinity Food Wagon: Travis Pecot, Kathy Chesser
ECCC: Brant Banks, Chris Presnell, Greg Perkins, Harolyn Walker
Ed Corps: Jo Branch, Barry Lawson
Environmental Stewardship: Landy Luther, Travis Pecot
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INConcertApalachicola Continues Their 2025 Season. The Ilse Newell Fund for the Performing Arts has two more concerts this year: Abe Partridge (Singer-Songwriter-Artist) on March 30 and Sasha Kasman Laude (Classical Russian and European Piano Music) on April 13.
Both concerts will start at 4 pm in the church. Tickets are available via Eventbrite ($20) or at the event ($25). Season passes are also available.
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Diocesan Convention Wrap-up. This past week Father Stephen, Penny Marler, and Debbie Hooper (above, with Bishop Russel Kendrick), attended the 54th Convention of the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast. It was hosted by Christ the King Episcopal Church in Santa Rosa Beach, FL and was held at the Destin-Ft. Walton Convention Center in Destin. The keynote speaker was Dr. Bertice Berry. Trinity’s beloved church banner made the trip and was carried by Debbie during the closing Eucharist on Saturday. Father Stephen found the whole convention to be quite uplifting with “zero drama”, in his words (always a good thing for a diocesan convention). He, along with other priests in the diocese, were the featured musicians for the 2-day meeting. Next year’s convention will be hosted by St. Francis Episcopal Church in Gulf Breeze, FL. | |
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Cursillo Weekend Coming Up. Cursillo is a three-day retreat offered to persons who wish to deepen their faith and walk with Christ. It is offered through our diocese at Beckwith Conference Center in Fairhope, AL. Cursillo is currently offered two weekends each year, and it is free to attendees. There are two weekends scheduled for 2025: March 13-16 and September 11-14. To learn about Cursillo, the diocese has a great website or talk to someone who has been (Chris Presnell, Bonnie Stewart, The Pecots, Ina Margaret Meyer, Patti McCartney, and many more). Check it out. Who wouldn’t want to be loved on and pampered for three days? You deserve it! De Colores!
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer. For churches and ministries: on March 2, pray for Chaplains to Retired Clergy, Spouses and Surviving Spouses and Church of the Epiphany, Enterprise, AL; and on March 9, pray for Episcopal Relief and Development and Holy Cross, Pensacola, FL. For prisons: on March 2, pray for the prisoners, families, and staff of the Calhoun Correctional Institution, Blountstown, FL; and on March 9, pray for the prisoners, families, and staff of the Century Correctional Institution, Century, FL.
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CELEBRATING FAMILY & FRIENDS | |
Kristin Anderson Honored by
Franklin County Commission
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Trinity parishioner and ong-time Apalachicola resident and artist, Kristin Anderson, was recognized by the Franklin County Commission on Tuesday for her years of service on the Weems Memorial Hospital governing board. Kristin is retiring from the board, which oversees operations at the local hospital. She served from 2018 until this year – including as board secretary from 2018 to 2019, and as vice chairperson from 2021 to 2023.
Franklin County Commissioners presented her with a resolution of appreciation in recognition of her outstanding service and her many years of promoting excellence in health care in Franklin County. Hospital CEO David Walker also presented Kristin with the “Making a Difference” award for her service on the board.
Pictured are (front row): Weems Hospital Board Chairman Duffie Harrison, Kristin Anderson, Hospital CEO David Walker, Weems Clinics Office Manager Susie Buskirk, and Hospital Board member Myrtis Wynn; (back row): County Commissioners Jessica Varnes Ward, Cheryl Sanders, Ricky Jones, Ottice Amison, & Anthony Croom, Jr.
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Parishioners Enjoy Mardi Gras Barkus Parade | |
Travis Pecot & Kerry Petty with George & Boomer; Bonnie Stewart on the Mystic Krewe of Salty Barkers float with Lamby; and, Lydia Countryman with her innovative dog puppets, complete with crowns of milk bones. The annual Mardi Gras Barkus parade benefits the Franklin County Humane Society & the Florida Wild Mammal Association. | |
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Clarification: In the last issue of the Bay View, we misstated the details of Karen Brown's retirement. She has not retired from being a pharmacist; she has only retired from being the Pharmacy Manager at Ascension Sacred Heart Gulf. She has transitioned to a PRN Clinical Pharmacist position. | |
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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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Kerry Petty was born in Biloxi, Mississippi and grew up in Tallahassee. In 2020 she moved to Apalachicola from Lansing, Michigan.
She is an International certified pilates instructor as well as a National Licensed Dressage judge.
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At Trinity, Kerry is a member of the vestry and serves as junior warden. She is also active on the Parish Life,
Pastoral Care, & Tour of Homes committees, and at Penny’s Worth, she is a volunteer and vestry liaison.
Greatest influence on your life (person or experience): my Mom - she always told us kids we could do anything in life & she taught us to love the Lord as she did.
How would someone else describe you: Energetic, intense
One thing people might be surprised to know about you:
I was on The Family Feud TV show (we lost).
Favorite part of living here:
Quiet, friendly town & a great place for walking my dogs.
Dogs or cats: Dogs (but the cat is in charge)
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Bacon or broccoli: Broccoli cooked in bacon fat!
Coleslaw - vinegar or mayo: Vinegar!
One thing you are good at: I love to cook & bake
One thing you’d rather not do: Clean
What drew you to Trinity: My brother first, and then the friendly ushers - Tom & Ralph
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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 March 12)
-- 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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