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Apalachicola, Florida
October 23, 2026
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Nearly two centuries ago, a group of people began something in Apalachicola that would extend far beyond their lifetimes. They gathered under the live oaks near the wharf in 1835 to worship, pray, care for one another, and establish a community of faith. They could not have imagined the world today, much less who would one day fill the pews of Trinity Episcopal Church.
And yet, here we are.
We worship in a place made possible by people we never met. Some know them as ancestors; for most of us, they are names on a page. The prayers offered have passed through generations of faithful voices. We gather around a Table that has welcomed all through wars, depressions, hurricanes, celebrations, and countless ordinary Sundays.
We are the beneficiaries of gifts given long before we arrived.
Last Sunday, we considered the question of whom we serve: ourselves or God? We were reminded that God's gift comes first. There is no debt to repay, no account to settle. Our best response to God's generosity begins not with obligation, but with gratitude.
As we approach Trinity's bicentennial, that gratitude raises an interesting question: What are we doing today that will become a gift to someone we will never meet?
Our stewardship theme this year, Plenty Good Room, takes that question a step further. Drawn from Jesus' assurance that there are many dwelling places in God's house (John 14:2), it asks us to consider not only what we will leave behind, but for whom we are making room. We often think about those who are here now, and rightly so. But what about those who aren't here yet?
What about the child who will be baptized at Trinity 50 years from now? The person who will walk through our doors a century from today, looking for a place to belong? The family that will find comfort in a time of grief, or the stranger who will discover an unexpected welcome?
We don't know their names or their stories. But we can make room for them today as others did for us.
That is part of what stewardship means. Certainly, it involves the financial resources that sustain our ministries, maintain our buildings, and make our common life possible. But it also involves how we care for one another, how we welcome newcomers, how we nurture faith, and how we prepare this community for a future we cannot yet imagine.
Those who came before us didn't preserve Trinity simply so that we could enjoy what they built. Their love for God took shape in gifts they would never see fully realized. They entrusted this beloved community to another generation, just as we will entrust it to the next.
Our story began beneath some live oaks near the wharf. In 1900, someone planted the two live oaks that now stand in front of our church. I wonder if those who planted them ever imagined how many people would one day enjoy their shade.
We aren’t the first people to make room at Trinity. God willing, we won't
be the last. There is plenty good room beneath the trees we
did not plant, and plenty good reason to plant a few more.
Love Big and Be Well,
Stephen +
| | The Episcopal Church Flag and Seal | | |
On Oct. 16, 1940, the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies adopted an official flag for the Episcopal Church. This was the 251st anniversary of the day the General Convention ratified the Constitution and Canons and adopted the BCP. It was designed by William M. Baldwin (d. 1942), a member of the Cathedral of the Incarnation, Long Island, New York.
The symbolism of the flag has been explained as follows: The white field represents the purity of the Christian religion. The red cross represents the sacrifice of Jesus and the blood of the martyrs. The red cross on a white field is the cross of Saint George, the patron saint of England, indicating our migration from the Church of England. The blue in the upper left-hand corner is the light blue of the sky, often used by artists for the clothing of the Blessed Virgin. It is called Madonna blue and represents the human nature of our Lord, which he received from his mother.
The nine white crosslets on the blue field represent the nine original dioceses of the Episcopal Church in America in 1789: Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, and South Carolina. They are arranged in the form of a St. Andrew's Cross to commemorate the fact that Samuel Seabury, the first American bishop, was consecrated in Aberdeen, Scotland, on Nov. 14, 1784. The colors red, white, and blue represent the United States and stand for the American branch of the Anglican Communion.
The same design is incorporated in the Episcopal Church seal, which was also adopted by the 1940 General Convention. The seal and flag serve as emblems of the Episcopal Church.
The design is seen on signs, publications, decals, letterheads, pins, and many other places. Some congregations display the Episcopal Church flag and the American flag in the church or parish hall.
If you would like a decal of the Episcopal Flag, they are available in Benedict Hall in a basket on the round table.
Acknowledgments to Peter Moak at Flags of the World - Episcopal Church (USA)
-- Mike Barber
| | Annual Seafood Festival Bake Sale | | |
Apalachicola’s annual Seafood Festival is fast approaching, and that means it is time for Trinity bakers to get out their cake pans, pie plates, and cookie sheets!
Each year, Trinity offers festival-goers free water, coffee, and clean restrooms. We also give them a chance to buy delicious homemade baked goods from the kitchens of our parishioners. Please join us by bringing your favorite goodies for our bake sale on Saturday November 7.
Here’s what we need: whole cakes and pies, breads, cookies and bars, jars of nuts or jams. The holidays are right around the corner, and many people like to buy desserts that they can pop in the freezer so they are ready for Thanksgiving! You can deliver your baked goods to Benedict Hall By 5 pm on Friday, November 6.
| | And, we always need helpers to label and price the items, answer customers’ questions, and take money. Please consider giving us an hour or two of your time that morning. Helpers are needed for setup and pricing from 3-5 pm on Friday and during the sale between 9 am & 1 pm on Saturday, November 7. | | |
This is one of several ECW (Episcopal Church Women) projects
for this year, and we hope many of you will join us.
Please let Rennie Edwards know if you will participate by texting
her at 205-936-8124 or emailing to rennie.edwards@gmail.com.
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Advent Reflections Still Available! We have a few slots left for those of you wanting to contribute to our parish-wide love offering this December. Fellow church members (and a few surprises) are working on their 100- to 200-word reflection on a particular verse and centering word chosen for that day. If you would like to participate, the sign-up sheet will be in Benedict Hall after church this Sunday. We will need all contributions in by mid-November to allow for distribution on the First Sunday of Advent on November 29.
All Saints' Day - November 1. We will celebrate All Saints' Day, along with All Souls' Day at Trinity on Sunday, November 1. It is tradition that prayers be offered to friends and loved ones who have joined the Communion of Saints since November 1, 2025. There is a sign-up sheet at the back of the church to enter names for inclusion during this service, or you may call or email the parish office no later than noon on Monday, October 26.
TRINITY Reading Group. Trinity's Episcopal Church Women (ECW) group is putting together a Reading Group (Book Club) opportunity, to meet once a month and discuss a book chosen by the members. Books might include writings by Anne Lamott, Barbara Brown Taylor, Frederick Buechner,
or any memoirs, novels, or nonfiction selections of interest. Anyone may join; no need to be a member of ECW, just anyone interested in enjoying, engaging, and discussing good books! If you are interested, please contact Patti McCartney (patti@pattimccartney.com) or Dee Crusoe (djcrusoe2@gmail.com).
| | Season of Creation Continues! Travis Pecot had a four-legged coworker join her for her shift. This lizard must know a thing or two about our loving community! | | Chair Yoga at Trinity. We Saved You a Seat! | | Chair Yoga is accessible and low-impact; it builds strength, flexibility, and joint stability, and it is perfect for improving mobility and balance. Join us on Thursdays at 10:45 am in Benedict Hall, with Yoga instructor Alison Schuster. Call of text Patti McCartney at 850-653-6504 if you have questions. | | |
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer. For churches and ministries: on October 25, pray for St. Luke's, Mobile, Alabama; and on November 1, pray for All Saints, Mobile, Alabama. For prisons: on October 25 we pray for the prisoners, families, and staff of the Butler County Correctional Facility, Greenville, Alabama; and on November 1, please pray for the prisoners, families, and
staff of the Monroe County Jail, Monroeville, Alabama.
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The TRINITY TEN, a ten-point questionnaire 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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Al Mirabella was born at the Army Air Corps Hospital in Apalachicola, and was raised here until 1968 when he left for college and then joined the Marine Corps. He served in the United States Marine Corps for 20 years as a helicopter pilot -- in Beirut twice, Grenada, and the Gulf War.
Following his years of military service, Al returned home where he served his community as the president of the Real Estate Association. He was also commander of the local American Legion Post 106 for 20 years.
At Trinity, Al has served as a greeter and Senior Warden
Greatest influence on your life (person or experience): The greatest influences in my life were the amazing people that I served with in the Marine Corps, and my wife who made sacrifices for me to have this amazing career.
How would someone else describe you: I hope that I would be described as friendly and always willing to help.
One thing people might be surprised to know about you:
Something that might surprise people about me is that I used to play drums in a rock & roll band as a teenager. That fact even surprised my granddaughters!
Favorite part of living here: There are many things to love about growing up in this paradise but to mention a few: surfing and throwing a cast net. I would run the river, hunt in the woods, and fish the river. I continue to throw a cast net and fry fish in the back yard.
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Dogs or cats: Presently I have one dog and four cats. Through the years we have rescued three dogs.
Bacon or broccoli: BACON!
Coleslaw - vinegar or mayo: Mayo
One thing you are good at: The thing I am good at is being a granddaddy!
One thing you’d rather not do: I would rather not cut grass in the summer.
What drew you to Trinity: I was drawn to Trinity for the people. We found a real community there. We were invited by Wesley Chestnut to attend services because there was no Presbyterian Church here. He was a friend of the family, and we felt at home right away.
| | CELEBRATING FAMILY & FRIENDS | | Kai rang the church bell to announce worship services last Sunday; Amelia was on hand to show him the ropes! | | |
Trinity's Online Calendar
Trinity also has a new, online calendar which offers the
freshest view of all events going on at Trinity.
This cloud based calendar can display: by day, week, month, or by list
and is maintained in real-time by Trinity's Office staff.
Find this on our website at: www.TrinityApalachicola.org/calendar
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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 November 4.
-- 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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