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Apalachicola, Florida
July 31, 2026
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How does one accept responsibility for something they cannot fully control yet deeply love? We promise to love our spouse, to be a faithful friend, and to help others find Christ. None of those relationships comes with an instruction manual or a guarantee. They require courage, sacrifice, patience, and trust.
Each also requires a deep love, one that is wild in its own way. Each offers no handbook, only the steady companionship of God's Word. We simply begin and trust God with the rest. And it might cause heartache, require sacrifice, and could end up in tatters. But if you stay close to God throughout and hold to your core ideals, you might learn something.
On this, my fifty-fifth birthday, I still have much to learn. But perhaps that's the gift of birthdays: they remind us not only of how far we've come, but how much God still has to teach us.
First, the heartache is real. And it has hurt at times, so much that I wondered what was left of me. I couldn’t imagine God could transform the ache into growth. But that’s exactly what happened. In time, heartache became one of God's favorite tools for softening my heart. I never would have chosen it, but I can see now what it accomplished. But it sure didn’t feel like accomplishment at the time.
Sacrificing, too, has left me so sore I couldn’t move. But I was reminded of why I sacrifice this past Sunday during our Recessional. In the hymn “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” by Robert Robinson, he asks God to “tune thy heart to sing thy grace”. Sacrifice retunes the tension of our hearts so that our song might be in tune with God, perhaps even—if we are fortunate—harmonizing with God's own song. Any soreness is from being present with others in the work as we nudged the mountain just one pebble higher. Sacrifice has eventually left me satisfied. But it sure didn’t feel worthwhile at the time.
And the tatters? Those frayed ends of current or old relationships? That could be a sign it was just well loved, not misused. Remember that. They are gifts entrusted to your care. They were entrusted to you by God—to steward, to lead when called, and to follow when love requires it. And just like God, some of the things we cherish the most in the world are the things we ultimately have the least control over. The tatters remind me of a life well lived. But they sure didn’t look like gifts at the time.
Maybe your life has been stretched, torn, and stitched back together so many times that it no longer feels like—or even resembles!—the life you imagined. But perhaps that's because God has been quietly remaking it all along.
Today, take a moment to remember where God brought new life from your deepest hurts, where sacrifice bore unexpected fruit, and where you still hear the frayed edges of your life harmonizing with God's song. Think back to where God's wild love intersected your life. Look at all of it together, not as separate moments, but as one movement of God within you. Then keep loving.
Heartache doesn't mean love failed. Sacrifice doesn't mean love was
wasted. Tatters don't mean love was misused. For in God's hands,
love is always making something new.
Love Big and Be Well,
Stephen +
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Terry Nelson
Our dear friend-in-Christ Terry Nelson passed away peacefully on Thursday at his home.
His funeral will be on Monday, August 10 at 2 pm Eastern at St. John’s Episcopal Church located at 211 N. Monroe Street in Tallahassee.
Please keep his family in your prayers. May Terry's soul, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
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Unfolding the Liturgy, Part Seven:
Lectors and Readers in
The Episcopal Church
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The word “Lector” is derived from the Latin “to read.” It is applied to those who read the Lessons (other than the Gospel which is recited by ordained clergy) on Sundays or other High Holy Days. The Lessons include the first reading from the Old Testament, a portion or all of a Psalm, and a reading from the New Testament. Readings follow the Revised Common Lectionary that operates on a three-year-cycle and is found in the Book of Common Prayer. Currently, we are in Year A. Readings are delivered from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the bible.
The use of Lay Readers (now known as Lectors) in the church is a tradition that harkens back to pre-Christian times. It was, subsequently, continued by the Early Christian Church. Even women were allowed to serve as readers in this period of church history. However, it was required that readers be educated in order to decipher difficult and often unpunctuated texts. Because of the skills they demonstrated in this capacity, Lay Readers were considered to be a minor order of the church. Yet, as the church became more structured, clergy began to assume these responsibilities.
Following the American Revolution, Lay Readers reemerged because of the scarcity of clergy in the United States. Yet, as the Episcopal Church developed, the cycle repeated itself as priests once again took on the readings. Still, the Lay Readers that were used were trained by clergy, and licensing was required by the bishop (an obligation no longer imposed).
In most Episcopal Churches, the scriptures are presented from a lectern on the opposite side of the church from the pulpit. In our church, a lectern is not currently in use; thus, the scriptures are communicated from the pulpit. An additional reader (also known as the Intercessor), reads the Prayers of the People. In many Episcopal Churches, the Intercessor reads from the lectern, too.
Lectors are volunteers and not required to be confirmed Episcopalians in order to serve in this ministry. To be involved you need only enjoy reading aloud, be able to project, articulate, and desire to convey the word of God to parishioners. Lectors are advised that biblical texts are not scripts for dramatic performances. Readings should be practiced ahead, studied in context, and relayed with confidence. While Lectors are not normally vested (unless serving in an additional capacity that requires a robe), it is expected that they will be attired conservatively, reflecting the reverence and respect that their role entails.
The Rev. Stewart Clem in an article entitled “On the Ministry of Lay Readers” instructs: "When we hear the Bible being read on a Sunday morning (or at any of the other offices), this is what the Spirit is saying to the Church right now. We should listen. Given the nature of public worship, our ability to listen in this context is contingent upon the reader’s performance…. The way we read the Bible in Church is a reflection of how seriously we take the Bible in the life of the Church.”
If you are interested in becoming a Lector, you may contact
Candace Springer (clspringer@fairpoint.net).
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Formation Class is, Well, Forming... Between now and the bishop’s visit in 2027, Fr. Stephen will host another series of informative classes related to the doctrine and faith of The Episcopal Church.
These are suitable for anyone who wants to become an Episcopalian or to just learn some church history. There is no obligation other than to learn! We will have a signup sheet in Benedict Hall for the next few weeks to gauge interest, or you can call the office or let Stephen know.
| | Classes will likely start in September and run through the end of the year. | | Benedict Hall -- Room 101 | | |
Demolition is underway, as Room 101 in Benedict Hall is becoming a small group gathering space.
Please refrain from entering or storing anything in the room while the contractor proceeds with his work.
| | Estimated completion date is November 1. If you have questions, ask Kerry Petty, our Junior Warden, who is in charge of the project. | |
Following its annual summer break, Penny's Worth will re-open on Tuesday, August 4. The shop is open
on Tuesdays & Saturdays, 10 am - 3 pm for shopping and delivery of donations.
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Cursillo Weekend Coming Up September 17-20. 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. The next Cursillo weekend is September 17-20.
To learn about Cursillo, the diocese has a great website, or ask someone who has been (Susan
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Keith, TJ Wolferseder, Chris Presnell, Bonnie Stewart, The Pecots, Ina Margaret Meyer, Patti McCartney, and many more).
As an added bonus, our own pianist TJ will be serving on staff as a musician. 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 August 2, pray for St. Thomas by-the-Sea, Laguna Beach and Grace Church, Panama City Beach, Florida; and on August 9, we will pray for St. Mark’s, Troy and The Order of the Daughters of the King®. For prisons: on August 2, we pray for the prisoners, families, and staff of the Clarke County Jail, Grove Hill, Alabama; and on August 9, please pray for the prisoners, families, and staff of the Pike County Jail, Troy, Alabama. | | CELEBRATING FAMILY & FRIENDS | | Steve Watkins & Karen Brown visited Butch Fell & Kathy Rushmore in Pemaquid Point, Maine. They had a wonderful lunch of Butch’s famous ham and bean soup, Karen’s sourdough bread, and Kathy’s homemade apple pie. Steve brought his appetite. Great fellowship and food was enjoyed by all. The temperature on this morning was a very pleasant 61 degrees. | | |
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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Susie Wagoner grew up in Jamestown, a small Pennsylvania Town nestled at the foot of Pymatuning Lake where she learned about water, boating, safety, and eventually became the only female lifeguard.
Her trip professionally went from third grade teacher in rural northeast Ohio to developing a program for children with learning disabilities in Kent, Ohio, to college and university counselor at Western Illinois University and Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Also, as the wife of a university president, she led many workshops at professional meetings on the role of a presidential spouse while working professionally at the same time.
As a volunteer, Susie served in many capacities, but her favorite two were the Ronald McDonald House and Southeastern Behavioral Health Care in Sioux Falls.
At Trinity, she has served on the vestry, altar guild, and rector search committee, always helping wherever she is needed and can contribute.
Greatest influence on your life (person or experience): My parents were the greatest influencers in my life. We volunteered on many committees and boards.
How would someone else describe you: Friendly, competent, easy-going, good company, loyal, risk-taking.
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Favorite part of living here: It reminds me of the town I grew up in.
Dogs or cats: Dogs
Bacon or broccoli: Bacon in my broccoli salad.
Coleslaw - vinegar or mayo: Both - I love any kind of coleslaw.
One thing you are good at: I’m a good listener.
One thing you’d rather not do: I hate going to the dentist!
What drew you to Trinity: The architecture - it captured my curiosity and I had to see the interior. Once I was exposed to the members, I was in love and couldn't wait to go back.
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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 August 12.
-- 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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