Apalachicola, Florida......October 16, 2020 |
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Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another
with whatever gift each of you has received. – 1 Peter 4:10
Dear Friends in Christ,
When we set “Faith-Filled Generosity” as the theme for this year’s stewardship campaign, none of us could have known what this year would be like. I need not remind you of the disruptions, losses, and anxieties that this year has brought to our communities, for we are all still living with the impacts. I can say, however, that although the coronavirus pandemic has tested our resolve, it has not tested our faith. We are stronger, more resilient, and more connected than we have ever been as a Church and as a community of neighbors. Thank you. Thanks to each one of you doing your part in your homes, workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, families, and here in our church.
Our stewardship and our mission this year have been focused on service. As we experienced some weeks of not being able to gather in person, the usual focus on weekly worship was spread throughout the week as we found ways to gather virtually, taking more time to pray for each other’s needs, and serve our communities. You used this time to discover, hone, and put to use the gifts you have received from our Creator God and to serve one another.
I have witnessed the countless ways that you have used your resources for the mission of the Church and to help each other. In fact, I was so inspired earlier this year that I doubled my pledge from $500.00 per month to $1000.00 per month. I have truly learned about sacrificial giving and I have found it inspiring and hopeful as we plan our work together in 2021. This coming year, we will explore the way that our generosity is inspired by our faith, how we are formed and led into relationship with each other as we share our gifts with the world. This is what we mean by “Faith-Filled Generosity.”
How will you discover and use the gifts you have been given to help our church this year? How will you hear the Gospel call to seek and serve Christ in all people, and respond with generosity? As I look at each family, each individual in our community, I realize that we are the stewards of God’s manifold grace because we give to the world from what we have received.
This year, your stewardship committee will be sending you a
packet with your pledge card and an appeal. I invite you to receive
this with grace and prayer as you consider how you will share with
God and God’s Church from what you have received.
In the spirit of generosity and love,
Eric+
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Your Vestry at Work - October Update |
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The Diocese has sent out new guidelines regarding the policies relating to the holding of annual meetings, and updating policies for in person worship. Speaking of the annual meeting, any persons who wish to run for Vestry should notify the Rector, and all reports that are usually presented should be sent to Kay Carson (see details elsewhere in this issue of the Bay View) so they can be compiled for inclusion in the Bay View in early December. At its November meeting, the Vestry will finalize annual meeting plans, based on guidelines from the Diocese. At this time it was decided to continue worshiping as we have. We will continue with no singing and no coffee hour.
The Vestry thought that the Penny’s Worth Board should meet to decide how, and if, to reopen, making sure all health and safety guidelines are followed. Monday School may begin to meet again; however, it must meet outside or in Benedict Hall, and may meet for no longer than an hour. The acoustics in Benedict Hall are not really conducive for those of us with hearing issues and Eric+ will decide in the next week (after seeing his doctors) when and where to meet.
We are cautiously optimistic that the Tour of Homes may be able to do something this coming year; however, it is still dependent upon the virus and a vaccine.
The finance committee is meeting this week to draw up a budget for 2021. It is going to be a tough year if 2021 looks anything like 2020. Please prayerfully give consideration to increasing your pledge. With the Payroll Protection Program Loan, Trinity’s financial situation at this time is fine, but not exceedingly great.
An Office Squad of volunteers is organizing to go into the church office on a regular schedule to answer calls and perform administrative tasks. Initially, the office will be open on Monday-Wednesday-Friday, 10 am-12 noon. Mask-wearing and social-distancing will be required for volunteers and visitors.
If you have updates to the directory, please forward them to info@trinityapalachicola.org. Did you know we have an app that you can download to your phone that contains the directory? Click on the instructions relevant to your device to get started:
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St. Francis Day Brings Annual Animal Blessings |
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At last week's Blessing of the Animals, we memorialized three beloved family dogs whose lives were lost this year. Clockwise from top left - Jake (Bob & Marlene Seaborn), Madi (Ralph & Susie Wagoner), and Addi (Amanda Wagoner).
Below - Eric bestowed blessings on Darby (Candace & Ed Springer) and Mia (Denise & Cliff Butler).
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Let's Load Up the Trinity Food Wagon |
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On your next trip to the grocery store, don't forget to pick up a few extra items for Trinity's Food Wagon. Shelf-stable products like mac & cheese, peanut butter, cereal, and canned fruits & vegetables are great choices. (Helpful hint - you can double your money at Dollar General with their two-for-one specials.) Just drop them off in the red wagon on the Rectory porch, and everything will be delivered to the Franklin County Food Pantry.
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Annual Report - Time to Recap 2020
2020 has been quite a year! So many of our 'normal' parish activities have been put on hold or have taken a creative turn in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Traditionally, our annual report recaps highlights and accomplishments and reminds us of the wide array of programs and services that Trinity offers its members and the community. So, if you are a committee chair, please send a few sentences about your group's 2020 activities and adaptations to info@trinityapalachicola.org by November 16. Thanks!
-- Kay Carson
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Franklin Education Foundation
Seeks Your Assistance
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The Franklin Education Foundation Inc. whose purpose is to solicit, receive, raise, hold, invest, and administer monies, property, and services, and to make expenditures for the benefit of public education in Franklin County, is kicking off its second full year of operations and we need your support.
Our most critical need is individuals with a strong desire to expand and enhance community support for our school district, schools, teachers, and students by joining us as board members or committee chairs. We especially need individuals to help seek out funding sources and to write mini-grant applications.
The next Franklin Education Foundation meeting is
Monday, October 19 at 4pm (via Zoom). For more information,
or to be added to the meeting invitation list, please contact
Equally important is your financial support. Our foundation is the fundraising organization for the School District’s Take Stock in Children Scholarship program that awards two-year college scholarships, which we hope to expand to four-year scholarships. Last year, six scholarships were awarded to 8th grade students.
To be eligible for these scholarships, students must sign behavior and performance contacts, and participate in a mentoring program. To continue awarding these scholarships, we need to raise a significant amount of funds every year. A donor has offered to cover our operating expenses this year, so all your contributions will be used to carry out our projects.
The following websites offer additional information:
-- Cliff Butler
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Chestnut Street Cemetery Ghostwalk
Hauntings will abound Saturday, October 31 in Apalachicola when local history enthusiasts don the garb and take on the persona of the cemetery’s notable inhabitants to tell their tale of life in Apalachicola for more than 180 years ago. Sponsored by the Apalachicola Area Historical Society, the Ghostwalk will be held 6:30-8:30 pm. at the Chestnut Street Cemetery on U.S. Highway 98 in Apalachicola. This tour features many longtime residents of Apalachicola, or actual descendants in costume, portraying figures from history who are buried at Chestnut Street Cemetery. Enjoy this walk through time, back to the early 1800's, when the city was a hub of activity for the maritime industry
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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
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