Apalachicola, Florida
May 14, 2021
Be Prepared to Reanimate the Potential Power of the Holy Within You
They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my
hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not
have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” While in their joy they were disbelieving
and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him
a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence.

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with
you -- that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the
psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures,
 and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from
the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be
proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses
of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay
here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. 
While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. 
And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they
were continually in the temple blessing God.


My Friends in Christ,

It may have been Garrison Keillor who said that the Easter season is the time when Christians ask themselves two questions: “Do I really believe all this stuff? And if so, why do I live this way?” Perhaps that is why Ascension Day falls within the Great Fifty Days of Easter.

In our Book of Common Prayer, within Eucharistic Prayer A, we proclaim the following words, “recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension we offer you these gifts…” In the Nicene Creed we proclaim a portion of our faith when we pray, “he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.” I have to admit that other than The Feast of the Transfiguration, this is one major feast day that I often have trouble both recalling and believing … literally. I’m more interested in what these two major feasts teach us rather than determining whether Jesus floated, levitated, or rode up into heaven on some retractor beam; or if God, Moses, and Elijah had a conversation on a mountain with Jesus.

The life, death, resurrection, AND ascension of Jesus of Nazareth do inform and guide our lives, our ministry, worship, and theology. The Episcopal Church is not just a liturgical or hierarchical church; it is a teaching church because throughout his ministry on earth, Christ did a lot of teaching, especially in his post-resurrection appearances. The reading for Ascension Day, immediately follows upon the story about Jesus’ joining Cleopas and another disciple on the road to Emmaus. On that trip to Emmaus, Jesus opened the Scriptures to the two bewildered and yearning disciples. Ascension Day’s pericope from Luke occurs, as I said, immediately after that famous walk. Jesus then appears to the disciples and joins them in a fish dinner. There again, immediately before his departure for Bethany and to the right hand of God, Jesus opened their minds to the scriptures.

Franciscan Friar Richard Rohr writes that the core work of all spirituality is to “have three spaces opened up within us, all at the same time: our opinionated [mind], our closed-down heart, and our defensive and defended body.” If Jesus’ desire and the total of his ministry was to “open their minds” then I imagine that their hearts and bodies would soon follow in being released from their self-made imprisonment. I imagine that for the next ten days (until the day of Pentecost) the disciples’ hearts burned within them.

I believe at times I need this teaching, and to have my mind, heart, and body released from captivity -- to allow myself to hear the proclamation of the year of the Lord’s favor. Don’t we who are the Church need to have our minds opened to Jesus’ Jewish roots, his culture and biases, as well as his all-encompassing love? As we are opened to this new way of seeing the world, we come to see Jesus in a new light. Couldn’t you or someone you know, and love, be the recipient of the gift of being released from the captivity of our own minds? Don’t we all yearn to hear Christ’s voice and the teachings that will release us from the self-made prisons of our own opinions? If not now, when?

As America begins to emerge from a worldwide pandemic and hopefully emerges from political turmoil, the world finds itself with many nation states fighting rebellions or revolutions (Kashmir, Myanmar, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Maghreb, Yemen, Palestine, Tigray, Somalia, Sudan, the Catatumbo campaign in South America, and the list goes on and on) as well as this life-snatching pandemic. How open, how free do we want our minds to become where we daily live out, and not just read, “love your neighbor as yourself”?

On Ascension Day, as they prepared to head for Bethany, Jesus asked his disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they were clothed with power from on high. This Pentecostal power is the same power we receive at our Baptisms, Confirmations, and Ordinations. The etymology of the word power is found in the Greek word du-na-mis from which we derive the word dynamite. As one who worked with dynamite in quarries and mines, I can attest to its potential and power. It is frightening at times to think that this is the power received by those in Jerusalem on Pentecost and that same spirit and potential power is within us.

When Bishop Russell Kendrick visits Trinity, Apalachicola on Pentecost, be prepared to reanimate the potential power of the Holy within you. I invite us all to prepare for Pentecost throughout this Ascensiontide (the next ten days), by receiving the Sacraments and by reading the Scriptures which may allow Christ to open our, hearts, minds, and bodies to their God and Spirit given potential.

See you in church on the 23rd and remember to wear red clothing
and/or hats that day, when we will have only ONE service at 10 o’clock.

Wishing you a blessed Ascensiontide,

Eric+

PS: As Eid al Fitr began last night, I take this opportunity to say “Eid Mubarak” to our Muslim brothers and sisters.
Readings for May 16, 2021, the Seventh Sunday of Easter
Readings for May 23, 2021, the Day of Pentecost
AROUND THE CHURCH
Vignettes from your Vestry at Work
Treasurer’s Report:
  • Year-to-date income, excluding Penny’s Worth, was $67,353 while expenses were $73,757. Although we are running a deficit, it is not nearly as big as anticipated. Thank you for keeping your pledges up to date. We will be asking the diocese to withdraw $15,000 from the Young Fund this month and forward it to Trinity.

Jr. Warden’s Report:
  • Painting of the church and staining of the doors has been completed.

  • A fan in the attic of Benedict Hall needs to be repaired, and birds have made a nest in the attic of the church.

  • We are searching for a new company to perform the landscaping tasks. They must have insurance, including workers compensation, and have a license from the Town of Apalachicola to work within the town limits

  • A big thank you to the folks who cleaned and replanted the Memorial Garden.

Upcoming Activities:
  • As the spiritual leaders of the church, Vestry members will begin to call members of the congregation just to check up on you, and to see if there are any needs or concerns.

  • Thank you to the committee that drew up the job description for the office administrator we wish to hire. The ad for employment will be found in the May 13 and 20 editions of the Apalachicola Times.

  • The worship committee met this month and is beginning to gear up for our return to worshiping on a regular basis in the church.

  • May 23 is our bishop’s visitation. Three persons will be received into the Episcopal Church. As it is the feast of Pentecost, please strive to wear red clothing or hats that day. There will only be one service that weekend: it will be on Sunday, May 23 at 10 am, outdoors.
 
-- Trinity Worship Schedule --
Beginning in June, the Saturday service will continue outdoors at 5 pm, while the Sunday service will move indoors at 10 am. The vestry will revisit worship times in June. While worshiping indoors, the vestry chose to make the wearing of masks mandatory until further notice.
 
MAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE

 May 15 -- 5 pm
 May 16 -- 10 am
 May 23 -- 10 am
 
Memorial Day Weekend
 May 29 -- 5 pm
 May 30 -- 10 am

As we look at our future worship schedule, please take a few
minutes to complete this survey and return it by May 30.
(You can also pick up a survey at worship services through May).
To My Church Family,

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the surprise recognition honoring me on my Birthday. The flowers on the altar were beautiful and I enjoyed them all week. I would also like to thank everyone that took time to call and send cards. It meant the world to me.

Again, thank you for making my day so special. -- Dot Hill
Call for Lectors and Prayers Readers
As we move back toward our regular order of worship, with lay participation, anyone wishing to become a new Lector and/or Prayers of the People reader, should contact Candace Springer (clspringer@fairpoint.net) by May 25. Questions concerning this ministry can be directed to Candace at 850-653-8072. 

If you are already serving as a lector and/or Prayers of the People reader, you will be retained, unless otherwise instructed.

A schedule for lectors and Prayers of the People readers will go out June 1 and will cover Sundays starting June 6 and continuing through December, 2021.
Spring Cleaning in the Memorial Garden
Last Saturday, Trinity members, with a little help from some friends, got to work cleaning up our Memorial Garden. Luke Galloway, grandson of Charlie & Brenda Galloway pitched in, along with John Clementson & Patti McCartney (above). Bill McCartney & Brenda Galloway (below) raked & pruned. John, son of Susan Clementson, drove up from Orlando to place Mother's Day flowers on his mother's niche in the garden. Other participants included Charlie Galloway, Mary Ann Siprell, Jason Carter, & Heath Galloway.
Coming This Fall -- Foyer Groups
Many of us have been missing foyer groups this past year. While restrictions are easing regarding the pandemic, we are still maintaining safe practices, for everyone’s sake. I hope to organize foyer groups in the fall, with the Bishop’s permission. Look for sign-up sheets in early September.
-- Mickey Harris, Parish Life Chair
Trinity Bunny Spotted at St. James Center
The Trinity Bunny made an appearance at St. James Health and Rehabilitation Center in Carrabelle on Wednesday, May 12. Riding with Big Bend Hospice, our bunny distributed candy and fans and got hugs and smiles from over 30 residents and staff.
Trinity Seeks Parish Office Administrator

Members & Friends: Please forward this edition of the Bay View to anyone who would be a great candidate for our Parish Office Administrator.

Trinity Episcopal is looking for a Parish Office Administrator with a minimum three years of office experience, including communications and basic bookkeeping. It is a regular, part-time position, 14 hours a week (4 days, 3.5 hours/day) at $15-20 per hour, depending upon experience and qualifications.  
 
The Parish Office Administrator will provide general office support to the parish, staff, and committees in order to support the ministries and mission of Trinity Episcopal Church. Also, the Parish Office Administrator will be a welcoming and responsive presence in our church's office.
 
For additional information about job responsibilities and
qualifications, and to apply, click here.


Joy's New Home!

While most of us were spending our COVID year indoors, working jigsaw puzzles, binging on movies, or trying new recipes, Joy Tracy found a wonderful new home. Last August, she bought, and moved into, this delightful cottage on Jaime Lane in Apalachicola - a wooded hide-away, yet close to stores and friends.
Darwig Krug - Master Pipe Organ Builder
Darwig Krug, master pipe organ builder, recently died following a long struggle with kidney cancer. Trinity benefitted from his skills when he moved, repaired, and tuned our historic Erben Tracker Organ. Darwig loved our organ. When he and his son, Brian, came to Apalachicola to work on the organ, they enjoyed meals of local seafood.

Darwig's wife, Angela, requests that gifts in his memory be given to the Trinity Erben Tracker Organ Fund. For those who would like to send condolences to Angela, here is her address and phone number:

Angela Krug
2607 Chippewa Trail 
Maitland,  Florida 32751
404-408-2880
Your Amazon Purchases Can Benefit Trinity
A few years ago, Trinity registered as an eligible charity at Amazon, which means that your purchases can meet your needs, as well as support Trinity. We have already received nearly $300 from Amazon; thanks for your participation!

Now, you can also make a difference while you shop in the Amazon app on your phone. Simply follow the instructions below to select "Trinity Episcopal Church" as your charity and activate AmazonSmile in the app. They'll donate a portion of your eligible mobile app purchases to us.

How it works:
1. Open the Amazon app on your phone
2. Select the main menu (=) & tap on "AmazonSmile" within Programs & Features
3. Select "Trinity Episcopal Church" as your charity
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to activate AmazonSmile in the mobile app
OUR GREATER COMMUNITY
Rabies Alert Issued for Franklin County
 
All residents and visitors of Franklin County should be aware that rabies is present in the wild animal population and domestic animals are at risk if not vaccinated. The public is asked to maintain a heightened awareness that rabies is active in Franklin County. Alerts are designed to increase awareness to the public, but they should not give a false sense of security to areas that have not been named as under an alert. The recent rabies alert is for 60 days.
 
The following advice is issued:
  • Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets.
  • If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact County Animal Services at 850-670-4733.
  • Call your local animal control agency to remove any stray animals from your neighborhood.
  • Do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals by leaving pet food outside, or garbage cans open.
  • Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.
  • Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
  • Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools, and other similar areas, where they might come in contact with people and pets.
  • Persons who have been bitten or scratched by wild or domestic animals should seek medical attention and report the injury to the Florida Department of Health Franklin County at 850-653-2111.
Services at 5 pm Saturday & 10 am Sunday, Eastern time

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