Apalachicola, Florida....................................................September 20, 2019
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Feast of St. Matthew
Dear Friends in Christ,
Who drops everything - a good paying job, security, and safety (even if you are hated by everyone in town) - to follow a radical, itinerant, broke, reactionary preacher? That is exactly what Matthew did.
Matthew who turned his back on the Jewish people in order to collect taxes for an occupying government, gave up everything to follow Christ. Matthew, Mark, and Luke record the calling of the tax collector in very similar terms. Jesus saw Matthew at his tax collecting booth, and said, “Follow me.” And he did.
After Jesus called Matthew, they went to Matthew’s house to eat with Matthew’s cronies, the other despised tax collectors. Jesus was ridiculed for this as usual. In one account, Jesus says to his critics, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but those who are sick.”
Was Matthew sick of denying that he too was a Hebrew and had been preying upon his brethren? Was he just sick and tired of government work? I think he was sick and tired of not becoming who God, since Matthew’s conception, had been calling him to be.
I think Matthew needed less of a conversion experience than an experience wherein Jesus demonstrated that be you a sinner, a tax collector, or a saint, we are all people, all God’s children and we all need a little love and respect.
This little meal transformed the Matthew, who cared so little about his heritage, into a disciple and an evangelist. Who would just, “up and leave everything for God?” Perhaps those who realized as he once wrote, “Blessed be the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God.”
Once we taste and see the goodness of the Lord, or experience the kingdom of heaven breaking forth in our lives, then we are like a heroin or meth addict…we will drop everything and follow him, not because we are addicts, but because to whom else can we go?
Wishing a blessed beginning of fall, I am
Your Servant and His,
Eric+
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Celebration of New Ministry
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With the arrival of The Rev. Eric Zile as our new Priest, Trinity will hold a
"Celebration of New Ministry"
on Wednesday, October 16 @ 6 pm in the Church. This liturgy is a celebration of our mutual ministry - Parishioners and Priest - as we come together in work and worship, shaping a new Trinity for ourselves and for the people of our greater community.
The Rt. Rev. Russell Kendrick, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast will be the Celebrant and the Preacher for the celebration will be The Rev. Sarah Lewis of St. Teresa. Rev. Zile will receive symbols of our shared ministry, including keys to the church, a bible, and a prayer book. In addition, area Ministers will be invited to participate. There will be a reception in Benedict Hall following the service.
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Trinity Joins National Commemoration
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Presiding Bishop Michael Curry asked every congregation to ring their bells at 3 pm on Sunday, August 25
to commemorate 400 years of African American History in the New World. Trinity joined congregations all over the nation as we reminded our friends and neighbors of America’s original sin… and our struggle and duty to overcome it. Parishioners Patti & Bill McCartney, Jason Carter, Ralph & Susie Wagoner, and Candice & Ed Springer (& Darby), along with The Rev. Eric Zile, answered the call and rang our church bell to share this commemoration with our friends & neighbors in Apalachicola.
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Finance Committee Reports Stable Income & Expenses
The Finance Committee of Trinity Episcopal Church met on September 12. Members present were Toonie, CT, Tom, Kim, and Ralph and we were joined by Eric.
The year-to-date income is doing very well and expenses are falling within anticipated parameters. While there have been a few expense surprises, we have been able to absorb them and the outlook through the remainder of the year is good. Tom Edwards shared the investment report. Our endowment and quasi-endowment funds are invested with the Episcopal Foundation and returns so far have been good. As you may remember, last year’s investment numbers were flat, hence the solid performance so far this year is a welcome sight.
We have begun developing the 2020 budget. While much will depend upon the success of the stewardship campaign, we are anticipating a budget that will maintain Trinity’s quality of service and will reflect changes in areas such as music, on-going operational needs, and continued improvements to our historic structures.
Of note:
we are anticipating that the portion of the 2020 Tour of Homes proceeds allotted to repair & restoration will be used to paint the interior of the church.
If you have questions, contact Ralph at wagoner@augie.edu
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Practice Gratitude With
United Thank Offering
The United Thank Offering (UTO) is a ministry of The Episcopal Church for the mission of the whole church. Through UTO, individuals are invited to embrace and deepen a personal daily spiritual discipline of gratitude. UTO encourages people to notice the good things that happen each day, give thanks to God for those blessings and make an offering for each blessing using a UTO Blue Box.
UTO is entrusted to receive the offerings, and to distribute the 100% of what is collected to support innovative mission and ministry throughout The Episcopal Church and Provinces of the Anglican Communion.
There are Blue Boxes located in the back of the church;
Trinity’s Campaign period is September 22 – October 13.
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A recent Foyer Group gathering at the home of Ralph & Susie Wagoner featured a German dinner of
sauerbraten and rotkraut, with apple streudel for dessert. The group welcomed
Evelyn Ogilvie's sister-in-law, Cydney Ogilvie
(above)
of Winter Park FL.
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Learn Life-saving Skills
Learn how to use our life-saving Automated External Defibrilator (AED). The device is located on the back wall in Trinity Church. A representative from Weems Memorial Hospital will lead us in a hands-on training session on
Monday, September 23 @ 5:30 pm
in Benedict Hall. If you signed up last month for this small group learning opportunity,
please attend
.
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At beautiful Lake Anna near Richmond VA,
T & Dave McLain
(above)
celebrated a great family get-together;
Kay Carson
(below, left)
delivered the family Bear to daughter
Anna
in Boston; and,
Betty & Tom Fugate
(below, right)
enjoyed a trip to Wyoming & Utah.
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September 2019
September 22
Acolyte: Bill & Fisher Van Der Tulip
Lectors: C.T. Ponder
Prayers: Ralph Wagoner
Greeters: Charlie & Brenda Galloway
Chalice: Brooks Jones & Patti McCartney
Healing: Kristin Anderson
Flowers: Evie Bettis
Altar Guild: Nita Morgan
Hospitality: Altar/Flower Guilds
September 29
Acolyte: Cindy Clark
Lectors: Rennie Edwards & Candace Springer
Prayers: Kristin Anderson
Greeters:
Chalice: Candace Springer & Susie Wagoner
Healing: Kristin Anderson
Flowers: Wesley Chesnut
Altar Guild: Nita Morgan
Hospitality: ECW
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Sunday Services are 8 am & 10:30 am, 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
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