Trinity Bay View

Apalachicola, Florida

November 26, 2021

I Give Thanks to God for this Congregation

Dear Friends in Christ,

First and foremost, I want to give thanks to God for this congregation. Many times, you are not aware of the ministry which takes place here. You truly saved the life of a homeless juvenile this month and kept the heat and water on for many people in town. You provided over 70 bags of food to Franklin’s Promise. Finally, you neither see the ministry which takes place within the walls of the office, nor the ministry which takes place in the streets and in the homes of our neighbors. These neighbors and I are truly grateful for Trinity Episcopal Church.

Our annual meeting will take place on December 12 following the 10:30 am service in the church, as coffee hour/dining are still prohibited due to COVID restrictions. Committee Chairs, please submit your annual report to Donna by NOVEMBER 30.

We have three candidates who feel called to the vestry: Rennie Edwards, Barry Lawson, and Ralph Wagoner. We will also be voting to amend our bylaws, changing the current bylaw regarding the vestry membership from “3 to 30”, to a specific number: 7.

I will be on vacation following the service this Sunday and return in time for the annual meeting on December 12. Brooks Jones will lead morning prayer on December 5. While the service will not be a celebration of the Holy Eucharist, the readings and hymns will remain the same.

A proposed budget will be submitted for approval to the new vestry on December 13. Pledging is down substantially. If you have not returned your pledge for 2022, please do so as soon as possible.

Advent, a time of preparation and reflection, begins this Sunday. We are striving to make our Christmas Eve service as traditional as possible, including the candlelight singing of Silent Night.

Donna and I have been working on correcting copyright violations. By broadcasting hymns on YouTube, I have violated certain copyright laws; therefore, we will no longer be broadcasting the entire service. We will continue to record and broadcast the sermons.

The first recorded Thanksgiving service was held at Berkley Plantation on December 4, 1619. This is now known as Harrison Landing (home of presidents Benjamin and William Henry). On Wednesday evening we celebrated the Holy Eucharist in the same manner as our forebears. Thanks to those who decorated the altar with fruit and vegetables.

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving and a blessed Advent,

Eric+

Readings for November 28, 2021, the First Sunday of Advent

Readings for December 5, 2021, the Second Sunday of Advent

AROUND THE CHURCH

Let's Bake

Cookies for Franklin County's Homebound Residents

The Elder Care Community Council of Franklin County (fondly known as ECCC) prepares over 100 meals every weekday for delivery to homebound seniors, or take-out plates for those who can pick up their meals and take them home. Before the pandemic, ECCC had over 50 seniors who came to join others and eat inside the building. Hopefully, inside dining will return in the future.

Our own Evelyn Ogilvie is a recent volunteer who helps with these meals twice a week. Evelyn soon realized there were no desserts with the meals, so she reached out to the Trinity Outreach Committee. Very quickly we signed up nine volunteers who bake 120 cookies or cupcakes each week. Some work in teams of two; some bake by themselves. For the past few months we have made certain there is something sweet with each meal on Thursdays.

As much fun as the bakers (“Cookie Ladies”) are having, we would love to share this ministry with others who would like to help us. With more help we could take turns less frequently, or we could provide dessert more often. This is a fairly easy way to reach out to others.

If you would like to help the Cookie Ladies, please call Patti McCartney (850 653 6504) or email her at patti@pattimccartney.com. We invite you to become a part of this enjoyable and enriching outreach to our community.

-- Patti McCartney

Dedicate a Poinsettia This Holiday Season

Dedicating Poinsettias at Christmas is a lovely Trinity tradition. To participate, please provide the following information along with $15 per poinsettia, to the office by December 17.

Poinsettia Dedication:

In Memory of...
In gratitude for...
In Celebration of...
Dedicated by...

Penny's Worth Holiday Schedule

Penny's Worth will be closed on Saturday, November 27, in observance of Thanksgiving week-end. The shop will re-open on

Tuesday, November 30 and will be open for holiday shopping on

Tuesdays and Saturdays, 10 am - 3 pm through Saturday, December 18.

Enrich your Worship Experience Through Participation in Sunday Services

Anyone wishing to become a new Lector and/or Prayers of the People Reader, should contact Candace Springer (clspringer@fairpoint.net) by December 10. Questions concerning this ministry can be directed to Candace at 850-653-8072. Lectors serve appoximately 3-4 Sundays within a 6-month period.

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

A schedule for Lectors and Prayers of the People readers will be prepared in December, covering Sundays starting Jan.uary 1, 2022 and continuing through May 2022.

Trinity Provides Nutritional Supplements to

Big Bend Hospice

The Trinity Outreach Committee (represented here by Patti McCartney) would like to thank everyone who donated Ensure, Boost, and other nutritional supplements for Big Bend Hospice. The October drive to collect these products was a wonderful success, and Big Bend Hospice is grateful to have these needed supplements to pass on to their patients.