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Apalachicola, Florida
March 14, 2025
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Remember the Robert Fulghum book All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, published in 1986? Fulghum, a Unitarian Universalist minister, wrote this collection of essays to highlight the simplicity of living out a life full of sharing, being kind, cleaning up our messes, and helping others. We learn these key points in childhood, then spend the rest of our lives navigating these truths around the contexts and compromises.
Fulghum’s book has been called trite, pollyannish, and outdated for the real world. How am I supposed to share when people take and take and take? How am I supposed to be kind when all day long are tales of woe, harbored resentments, and a world that doesn’t care if I’m gone tomorrow? Why should I clean up my mess when you can’t even see my neighbor’s house? Why should I help others when I get heartache and pushback?
We all face the challenges of applying kindergarten wisdom in a world full of dilemmas. It’s the same with the gospel: Jesus didn’t exactly tell us to look out for #1. Or #2 or #3 for that matter. Jesus said to look out for the last in line, those who aren’t in line, and those clinging to their last line of hope. And maybe that’s the sticky part of being a believer in the gospel message: we are taught to meet people where they are, no matter what. We are to look past the differences and see what unites. We are to love like no one is looking.
I get it. These nuggets of wisdom seem too difficult for this day and age. But maybe that’s where we might begin again every day: with God’s help, to be reminded that, if we aren’t going to do it, who will? If not now, when? As for me, I am OK with existing in a world that is divided. Because in a world divided, there is a choice to be had. May you continue on the journey towards choosing the better part of you, because that can never be taken away (Luke 10:38-42).
I would rather share, even if people take. I would rather show kindness
than meanness, and not because my kindergarten teacher said to.
I would rather clean up my mess than spend a moment deriding someone else’s condition. I would rather help, even if people refuse it.
Because I can’t help but live out what I learned in kindergarten.
How about you?
Love Big and Be Well,
Stephen +
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The Tour of Homes Needs You!
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Planning for the 31st Annual Trinity Episcopal Church Historic Apalachicola Home and Garden Tour is underway! Tickets for the May 3 tour open online starting March 15 at apalachicolahometour.org.
In addition to great houses, the event also features a silent auction and jumble sale on Trinity’s grounds. An Evensong service the night before is a special Trinity tradition.
In addition to purchasing admission, a free ticket and an invitation to Saturday’s Volunteer Appreciation Party is available by:
Becoming a Pillar - Trinity’s Pillar Program is a vital part of the Tour of Homes ministry. Four levels of participation include tickets, and all include recognition in the tour booklet, website, and on special signage. Contact Jason Carter for details.
Volunteering - The Tour of Homes could not exist without its volunteers, particularly Trinity’s parishioners. Many committees need your help now and on tour day. Contact a committee chair below to sign up!
Silent Auction and Jumble Sale – Ginger Lawson, Kathy Rushmore
Auction help is currently needed for tasks including everything from cleaning china and glass, to polishing silver, to organizing clip boards.
Greeters – Bella Rudo
Greet participants during a two-hour shift in one of the featured homes. Sign up online or download a greeter signup form to get started.
Hospitality – Kerry Petty
Do you love to cook? Organize and serve dinners? Your assistance is needed for the Evensong reception and the Volunteer Appreciation Party.
Tickets – Jo Branch
Tickets seeks smiling friendly faces to help with check-in and sales on tour day.
Set-up/Grounds – Chris Presnell
Set-up starts a few days before the tour. A sign coordinator is needed to put up directional signage on May 2 and to take signs down after 4 pm on tour day.
Other committees include:
Pillar Program and Vestry Liaison –Jason Carter
Advertising and Website – Kay Carson
Tour Booklet and Publicity – Tara Carter
Evensong Service – Joy Tracy
Photography – Mandi Singer
Treasurer – Toni McIntosh
-- Sabrina Fornes and Tara Carter, 2025 Co-Chairs
Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram @apalachicolahometour
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Sunday School Class. The Sunday school class led by Jason Carter is beginning a study of Acts. The class starts at 9:15 am in the office building conference room. All are welcome. | |
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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. | | |
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Estate Planning Seminar. An estate planning seminar is being held at Benedict Hall at noon on Wednesday, March 26. Lunch will be provided. Allan Taylor of Wealth Strategies in Birmingham, Alabama, will lead the seminar. Please share with others that might have interest in this important topic. | |
Lenten Book Series Continuing Through Lent. 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. | |
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A Note of Appreciation. Candace and Ed Springer asked us to share the following letter of gratitude for the Trinity family:
Our hearts are full of gratitude for the kindness and support extended to us by Trinity parishioners upon the recent loss of our beloved daughter, Caitlin. We thank you for the beautiful reception following the service. The menu, flowers, and hospitality not only represented the best talents of our congregation, but, also in the effort on our behalf, manifested love and compassion.
For holding us close to your hearts, for your continuing prayers, and for your presence in our lives, we give thanks.
God’s blessings on you,
Candace and Ed Springer
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Auction Items Available Now! | |
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Why wait until the Tour of Homes Auction
when you can enjoy these things now?
92-bottle Wine Enthusiast Wine Cooler
Gently Used $450 (New $1200)
Trestle-Style Coffee Table with Granite Top
Enjoyed a good life in Benedict Hall but now needs a good home!
$50
Very Basic All-Wood Workshop Table or Desk
$25
View these items in Benedict Hall. To purchase, please contact
Ginger Lawson (404-561-0919) or Kathy Rushmore (207-745-3990).
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The next Bingo nights are March 20 and May 15. April 17 is Maundy Thursday, but we will announce an April date soon if possible. | |
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Trinity BINGO is the third Thursday of each month. Lots of laughs, food, and shouting "BINGO!" happens at 6:30 pm in Benedict Hall. The first card is free with additional cards $2 each (or three for $5). All proceeds go to Parish Life.
Bring your family, friends, neighbors, and a snack to share; tea and lemonade will be provided.
Plus prizes! Please consider donating a gift certificate from your business or a favorite local spot, homemade baked goods, food items, or regifting something you don't need. Contact Mandi Singer or Karen Kessel about your donation.
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Clarification: The Outreach Report in the previous edition of the Bay View misstated the number of bakers in the cookie ministry. There are four pairs of bakers (eight individuals) who regularly take a week each month, plus an extensive list of substitutes who help out when the regular bakers cannot be available, or for the months that have five Thursdays. | | |
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Ashes to Go. In addition to the two Ash Wednesday services, Father Stephen walked downtown to offer the imposition of ashes to visitors to our town. Calling it “Ashes to Go”, it was an easy way to practice evangelism in the community. Hopefully this will become an annual tradition!
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Community Turns Out for Pancake Supper | |
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer. For churches and ministries: on March 16, pray for the Commission on Cursillo and St. James, Fairhope, AL; and on March 23, pray for the Commission on Prison Ministry and Chapel of St. Dismas, Atmore, AL. For prisons: on March 16, pray for the prisoners, families, and staff of the Graceville Correctional Facility, Graceville, FL; and on March 23, pray for the prisoners, families, and staff of the Gulf Correctional Institution, Wewahitchka, FL. | |
Cursillo Weekends Continue. 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. We ask for your prayers for the pilgrims and staff of Cursillo #172, going on March 13-16. Our own Susan Keith will be attending this weekend. | |
The next Cursillo will be held September 11-14. To learn about Cursillo, the diocese has a great website or talk to someone who has been (Chris Presnell, Bonnie Stewart, Brant Banks, 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! | |
Dispatch from the Central Gulf Coast Diocesan Convention | | |
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“Does anyone have a divine right to the land of Israel?” asked Archdeacon A. Paul Feheley, Middle East Partnership Officer of The Episcopal Church. He detailed the evolution of the boundaries of Palestine in 1922 under the British after 1,300 years of Arab and Turkish rule, and from the Six-Day War in 1967 to the Israel-Egypt peace treaty in 1982.
By that time, Palestine shrunk from its original boundaries—essentially those of contemporary Israel—to three smaller territories including Gaza, the West Bank, and the Golan Heights in Syria.
About a million Palestinians were displaced in 1967, the majority to Jordan. The 20th century contest over the “land from Dan to Beersheba” was provoked in the 19th century by a Zionist movement and accelerated through Jewish immigration after the Holocaust.
The Diocese of Jerusalem is seat of the independent province of the Anglican Communion that includes Cyprus and the Gulf, and Iran. The Diocese of Jerusalem includes about 7,000 members in 28 congregations scattered across Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Israel.
This diocese oversees more than 30 institutions including hospitals, schools, clinics, rehabilitation centers, and retirement homes. Its mission is to provide healthcare and education in poorer communities “making no distinction between religion, ethnicity or gender.”
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BLUE - Diocese of Jerusalem
RED - Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf
GREEN - Diocese of Iran
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Education efforts seek to raise up a next generation of leaders to “engender a spirit of peace, respect, and cooperation—all based on Christian values.”
The Episcopal Church (USA) is an original partner, along with the Church of England, the Church of Ireland, and the Church of Scotland, in the restructuring of the Province (and Diocese) of Jerusalem. We continue to work closely with the Diocese of Jerusalem providing financial support, advocacy for peace and justice, and fostering interfaith cooperation and humanitarian efforts through our Global Partnerships (https://www.episcopalchurch.org); Episcopal Relief and Development, especially emergency support for Al Ahli hospital in Gaza where 700-1000 persons are treated daily (https://episcopalrelief.org); and the Good Friday Offering (https//www.epsicopalchurch.org/good-friday-offering/).
Archdeacon Feheley emphasized that the positions of the Diocese of Jerusalem are spiritual and humanitarian. not political, “we are neither pro-Biden or Trump, and we have challenged both.”
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-- Penny Marler, Lay delegate and reporter, February 21, 2025 Convention workshop “Understanding the Elusive Quest for Peace” | |
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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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Ina Margaret Meyer is a native of Apalachicola and has been an active member of Trinity since childhood. A choir member, she has served as organist and pianist off & on since she was in 10th grade. She has also served on the vestry and as senior warden.
An educator by profession, Ina Margaret taught Kindergarten for about 38 years and was a principal for three and a half years. When she taught Kindergarten, her class planted a garden every year. She was a member of the Apalachicola Library Board Member and is a past president of Philaco.
Greatest influence on your life (person or experience): My parents and maternal grand-parents; I have learned so much from each of them. Trinity and the Episcopal Church have played a big part in my life. My greatest music experience was singing at Carnegie Hall this past December with the large group of choirs and orchestra.
How would someone else describe you: Outgoing and friendly (most of the time).
One thing people might be surprised to know about you: I went to Coventry Cathedral in Coventry, England between my junior and senior years in college. A group from America and Northern Europe gave tours of the Cathedral. We had prayers in the Chapel of Unity and volunteered in Youth Homes.
Favorite part of living here: Having a place at Indian Pass to fish and relax. Also, having my home in Apalachicola to evacuate to. I love my Indian Pass Book Club.
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Dogs or cats: Dogs; however, I like “Josie”, the Trinity cat.
Bacon or broccoli: Bacon
Coleslaw - vinegar or mayo: Mayo
One thing you are good at:
Working with, and teaching, young children, especially teaching them fun songs.
One thing you’d rather not do: Sew and clean out closets.
What drew you to Trinity: I came to church with my Dad on Wednesday nights in Lent when I was in second grade. I loved the beautiful church and I was very close to my Dad. Also, my Brownie Scout Leader was the Priest’s wife.
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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 26, 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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