Trinity Bay View

Apalachicola, Florida

January 7, 2022

A Message From Our Bishop

Christmastide greetings!

In the midst of all the confusion and calamity of the most recent surge in cases of COVID-19, I pray that the gift of joy and wonder found you in the last few weeks. Peace be with you.

Given the recent rise of infections and hospitalizations due to the Omicron variant, I am writing to inform you that I am not re-instituting any diocesan-wide mandates. We have learned much about how to live together during this pandemic. One of the most important lessons I have learned is the power of the Incarnation when we are gathered together. Like you, I do not want to forget that lesson, nor do I want to again lose that opportunity.

While I do not have any mandates, I do have two recommendations:

First, until this surge ebbs, I will resume wearing a mask at all indoor events. I invite all clergy to do likewise. Let’s wear masks when presiding at indoor worship service or other gatherings. And let’s continue to encourage our people to do the same, especially those who serve at the altar with us.

Second, until the surge calms, I encourage you when planning worship, to consider the duration of your services. Let’s remember the initial research that raised serious concerns about the extent of time congregated in enclosed spaces. No one has ever complained to me that a service or sermon was not long enough.

Some of you have re-instituted more stringent protocols; I support your discernment and decisions. I am greatly encouraged by the care, patience, and cooperation of our people, and I am deeply grateful for your leadership. I look forward to being with you at our convention in February.

A blessed Epiphany to you, Russell+

The Rt. Rev. J. Russell Kendrick

Bishop of the Central Gulf Coast

In keeping with the Bishop's recommendations:

Monday school postponed until omicron subsides
Penny's Worth temporarily closed due to omicron surge
Fewer verses of hymns and perhaps reduced readings
Masks encouraged
Vaccinations and booster strongly encouraged
Contact tracing book should be signed
No wine on Sundays

Eric+

Readings for January 9, 2022, the First Sunday after the Epiphany

Readings for January 16, 2022, the Second Sunday after the Epiphany

AROUND THE CHURCH

Randy and the Broken Advent Wreath

-- a Trinity Christmas Story

The Advent Wreath was broken.

Diligent Alter Guild ladies had used folded bulletins and anything that they could find, to try to make the candles stand up straight. I decided that I would try to repair it; it was already broken after all. Loading it in the car I noticed that it was basically like a wheel with a ring, four spokes, and a hub. One of the spokes had come out of the hub with no apparent way to keep it back in. It seemed at the time to be a very bad design and I went to bed that night racking my brain on how to effect a repair. The next morning I found that in the center of the hub was a bolt which was rather loose. After removing the bolt and taking out the center of the hub, I discovered that the end of the spokes were not square as I had imagined, but were elegantly shaped so that the center piece locked them securely in place when the bolt was tightened.

While working with the wreath I discovered that it has a small plaque on one of the spokes which reads:

TO THE GLORY OF GOD IN MEMORY OF REV. JOHN OVEN

SERVED TRINITY 4/21/1872 TO 7/17/1873 DIED 4/7/1875

I have to tell you that I got chills thinking about the fact that the congregation of Trinity has been using this Advent Wreath to celebrate Advent for at least 146 years. My mind was spinning with the fact that it was in use in the years of the Yellow Fever Epidemic; the fire that destroyed half the town; the Spanish Flu Pandemic; the Hurricane that knocked the Church off its foundation; World War I; the Great Depression; World War II; and, the current COVID-19 Pandemic.

Trinity has seen many times of great tribulation. But I started thinking about the hope and joy of births and baptisms, marriages, worship and concerts, coffee hours and church picnics, Easter morning, and Sunday Schools. Through all these times, both wonderful and trying, the Trinity Advent Wreath has symbolized the expectation and hope of our lives together as a Family of Believers.

-- Randy Mims

Next Week at Trinity

Vestry meets on Monday, January 10 at 5 pm in Benedict Hall

2022 budget to be approved

Tour of Homes Meeting -- Friday, January 14

Calling all interested people! The next Historic Apalachicola Home and Garden Tour 2022 Meeting is Friday, January 14 at 2 pm in Benedict Hall. At this time there needs to be a discussion whether to continue the tour or not. This decision is not being driven by COVID but by the needs of the overall Tour of Homes (TOH).

At this time there are not chairs for the following components for the 2022 TOH -- Evensong Reception, Luncheon, Pillars, Greeters, Publicity, Appreciation Party, Secretary, Set Up/Grounds, and Ticket Sales. Has the TOH run its course? Are there people who want to step up to chair these committees? If you have an opinion or want to share a suggestion, please come to the meeting.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at Trinity

Franklin County Children Treated to

Polar Express Christmas Fun

Franklin County Schools PK Learning Center, Bring Me A Book Franklin, and Trinity Episcopal Church sponsored a Polar Express family event in December at the school. Children told Santa their holiday wishes, made snow, listened to Jerry Hurley read The Polar Express, and decorated cookies. Bring Me A Book Franklin gave books to all of the children. Trinity's Outreach Committee provided dinner for the 80 families who participated.

Ralph & Susie Wagoner Celebrate 60th Wedding Anniversary

The Wagoner family celebrated Ralph and Susie's 60th anniversary with a family gathering in December. Enjoying their time together at the beach were son Joe, daughter-in-law Rachael, daughter Amanda, and grandchildren Ryan and Charlotte.

Graveside Services Held for Bill McCluskey

Graveside Services, conducted by The Rev. Martha Harris, were held for Bill McCluskey on December 9 at Magnolia Cemetery. Bill's mother, Edith “Toto” Coombs McCluskey, is seated in the photo above. She grew up in the Coombs House here in Apalachicola and was married William Thomas McCluskey, Sr at Trinity on Christmas Eve in 1947. Her daughter Claire (right) has donated a couple of Torreya trees to the Orman House in memory of her brother.

OUR GREATER COMMUNITY

Classical Guitar Concert January 9

at Trinity

Ilse Newell Fund for the Performing Arts Presents Connor Barney, Classical Guitar on January 9, 2022, at 4 pm at Trinity Episcopal Church in Apalachicola. Admission is $10 per person, and there will be social distance seating. Connor Barney has entertained audiences with his classical guitar repertoire at venues as varied as the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado and La Guitarra Festival in Granada, Spain. His performance here will include music by Chaccone, J.S. Bach, and Elliot Cole.

Help ECCC Fill New Year's Baskets

You can help Franklin County's Elder Care Community Council (ECCC) fill New Year's Baskets. Now in its 5th year, the New Year's Basket project will fill 125 laundry baskets with supplies that food stamps won't purchase. To participate, you can make a donation from the list below; send a check (ECCC, PO Box 335, Eastpoint, FL 32328); or by credit card at: PayPal.me/ecccfranklin. Specify "New Year's Baskets" so your donation will go to help fill the baskets.

Items for the baskets: