Trinity Bay View

Apalachicola, Florida

September 3, 2021

My Friends, Let Us Be Doers of the Word....

On Sunday we heard from the first chapter of the letter of James wherein the author writes,

“But be doers of the word and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who

look at themselves in the mirror; for they look at themselves and,

on going away, immediately forget what they were like.”

James 1:22-23

This famous portion of Scripture applies to everyone, not just the young and healthy. As my former bishop once said, and I repeated on Sunday, “When we receive our AARP, or Medicare, cards it does not mean that we are finally exempt from ministry.” Granted, we may not move like we used to or be willing to have a lot of “hands-on ministry”, but it does not exempt us. One of the best ministries of Trinity is its ministry of hospitality exemplified by our wonderful, but suspended, coffee hour. How great it was to socialize and greet everyone. Now, during this pandemic, in-person socialization has come to end and those of us who are single are sometimes starved for attention.

Continuing in our time-honored tradition, I implore you to reach out to the members of this congregation. I would sometimes think my phone was broken if I had to wait for my family to call me. Perhaps some of you feel the same way. That is why we have an online parish directory. I ask that you think of someone you have not seen in a while, and as the British say, “ring them up.” This is one of the easiest ways to minister and to do ministry. Please, in the name of Christ, just pick up the phone and, “Reach out and touch someone.”

AFGHANISTAN REFUGEES: Changing subjects, but still on the topic of ministry, I’ll relate the following: As I was driving home from meeting Bishop Kendrick on Monday, the last plane with the last soldier took off from Kabul, Afghanistan. A long, bloody 20-year war is over, but the caring continues. I have been in touch with Episcopal Migration Ministries and have filled out the forms necessary to have them reach back to us. As you can imagine, they are inundated with offers to help. They are now in the process of going through our applications to decide how best we can help. As Bishop Kendrick and I spoke, we thought that since there is little to no Afghan/Muslim community here in Apalachicola, perhaps we should simply raise money to support these newest refugees.

The bishop asked me what I thought we could raise, and I blurted out, “$10,000.00.” After thinking about it, for a few minutes, I do not think this is out of the question. I would like to challenge this congregation to raise that amount to save these folks and relieve their distress. As you have no doubt seen, each refugee had less than a suitcase with them when they left their lives in Afghanistan. This Sunday I will make the first contribution to start off this campaign. Should you choose to contribute to this, please make your check payable to Trinity; however, in the memo write EMM (Episcopal Migration Ministries). We will collect the funds through the end of September, and this will permit us, during this tough time, to do one project as a united parish.

Again, as we heard from last week’s Epistle, “Let us just not be hearers of the Word, but doers.” Elsewhere hear that, “The true test of religion is how we treat the widow and orphan.” Finally, from the Book of Exodus, “When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not wrong him. The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as one of your citizens; you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.”

My friends, let us be doers of the Word by calling our current neighbors

and then welcoming and settling our new neighbors and therefore,

“Let your light so shine that they may see your good works and

glorify your Father in heaven.”

Eric+

MINISTRY MATTERS: Yesterday you saved the lives of one woman and two children. That’s no lie!

Community Action Network could not help this young woman who had been in a violently abusive relationship of many years. She had squirreled away enough money to escape their abuser and rent a small house in Carrabelle. For days they turned to every agency they could think of to assist with turning on the utilities. As Floridians you know what it is like to have small children, no food, no water, and no electricity.

We quickly provided her the funds to have her utilities turned on and then from the wagon on the front porch of the rectory, from my pantry and freezer I loaded them up with food. I gave them laundry and dish detergent. Later when I called to check on them, I told her that her documentation had her driver’s license and social security number on one of the forms and that I would blacken it out. As she was hanging up the phone, she turned to her children and said, “My God, that church can take care of everything, even protecting my identity.”

My friends, this is just one example of what your generosity and mercy can do on the second Sunday of the month or when you make designated gifts to the Discretionary Fund. Just this month we funded a few light bills that were over-due, and folks were without electricity. We assisted a woman with getting her car repaired so she can now keep her doctor's appointments and of course, most importantly, you saved the life of a young woman and her children. I know Scripture says to not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, but I think you should know what happens without your knowledge. And you did all of this in secret and in the name of Christ Jesus. Bless you and your ministry.

MY AMERICAN FLAG: On Independence Day I did a little teaching about the Episcopal Flag. Today, I want to tell you about the star-spangled banner that waves in front of the rectory. I have received more than few questions about it from tourists when I’m outside. It is very different as it has only 15 stars and, yet, 15 stripes. In the Battle of Baltimore, this type of flag (although the original was 30 feet by 42 feet) flew over Fort McHenry on September 12-13, 1814, and it was this flag about which Francis Scott Key wrote The Defense of Fort McHenry, which we know as our National Anthem or the Star-Spangled Banner.

When Vermont and Kentucky joined the Union a new star and a new stripe were added to our national emblem. This did not change from 1785-1818, until Congress realized that adding a stripe was impractical. Finally, the Flag Act of 1818 changed the style of the flag back to 13 stripes and added five new stars for Tennessee, Ohio, Louisiana, Indiana, and Mississippi. Just another piece of historical trivia for your brains.

Readings for September 5, 2021, the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Readings for September 12, 2021, the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

AROUND THE CHURCH

Message from Bishop Kendrick

Dear friends,

It saddens me to report the death of Glenn Totman [retired clergy living in Apalachicola, FL] who died this past Saturday morning, August 28, 2021.

Information on funeral arrangements will be shared once those have been made.

Please keep Glenn's wife Nancy and family in your thoughts and prayers during their time of loss.

"May the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace and rise in Glory."

Peace,

+Russell

New Grandchild: Camden Miles Merrill, grandson of Michelle and Jon Brubacher was born on August 22, 2021 at 1:22 pm in Fairfield, Ohio to parents Jennifer and Mack Merrill. He weighed in at 8.7 pounds and 22 inches. In the next three days, he grew five inches, now measuring 27 inches! Camden joins three brothers, Chase, Tino, and Tyler, and a sister, Carley; plus, four-legged Sadie who has assumed the role of Camden's chief protector.

Fond Farewell: The Fugates are leaving us and moving to Hendersonville, North Carolina, where Betty has taken a position with the Health Department. We will miss Betty’s gentle leadership on the Vestry, and her medical advice, as she and her husband Tom begin the next chapter in their lives. May God bless them in all their endeavors!

Trinity's Annual Audit: The annual audit was due September 1; however, the rector forgot and is now scrambling to find volunteers. The bishop has given us an extension, but we need volunteers to review our income and expenses for 2020. Please contact Kirk Hadaway, Treasurer, or Eric+ to help out on this once-a-year ministry.

OUR GREATER COMMUNITY

Relief for Hurricane Ida Victims

The Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast offers opportunities for donations to aid the people of the Diocese of Louisiana. You can donate through the Diocese or through Episcopal Relief & Development.

Also, The Franklin County Sheriff's Office has organized a relief drive for LaFourche Parrish, LA. You can purchase items from the list below and leave them at designated collection sites, or you can make a monetary donation. Checks can be made out to Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Charity Fund for Hurricane Ida Relief and dropped off/mailed to: 270 State Road 65, Eastpoint, FL 32328. Online donations can be made at Franklin County Sheriff's Office Charity Fund.

Your Vote Counts in City Election

Attention Apalachicola Residents: The City-wide election for City Commissioner. Seat 3, is Tuesday September 7, 2021 at the Coombs Armory, 66 4th Street. Early voting is available through Saturday, September 4 at The Supervisor of Elections Office, 47 Avenue F, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.

Winter Wonderland Coming to Apalachicola

A magical addition to the holiday season is coming to Apalachicola in the form of a Winter Wonderland Festival at the History Culture and Art Center. The elves planning this event need your holiday decorations - the ones that you've been saving but don't plan to use. You can donate, or share them for the season and they will be returned in January. Of particular interest are Christmas village houses, animated Dept. 56, or Lemax sets. Drop off at HCA on Water Street in Apalachicola, Tuesday - Saturday, 11 am - 5 pm, or contact Holly Brown at 860-918-3594 to arrange for pick-up.