Saints, Sinners and Sand service a hit on Shell Island

By Madge Smith
Holy Nativity, Panama City

PANAMA CITY, FL — On Sunday, August 7th, more than 200 members and friends of Holy Nativity Episcopal Church gathered for a service in what promises to become a parish tradition. The “Saints, Sinners and Sand” service took place on Shell Island, a barrier island in Panama City that is a favorite of both locals and tourists. “The whole idea began as a joke,” said The Rev. Steve Bates, Rector of Holy Nativity. “As with many coastal parishes, our summer attendance takes a hit,” Father Steve said. “Knowing so many of my parishioners are taking ‘Sabbath time’ at the island, I joked that one day I’d bring church to them.” John Darrah, a Holy Nativity parishioner, took that statement as a challenge and began making plans to bring such an event to reality.

“We identified an area on the island, invited people to bring their own boats and rented the St. Andrew’s Bay Ferry,” Father Steve said. Additionally, it was decided to have a picnic following the service and invite people for an entire afternoon of fellowship on the island. The youth group provided music for the service. Choirs members sand “I Went Down to the River to Pray” for the offertory. The service included seven baptisms in St. Andrew’s Bay. Already, parishioners want to know when the next Shell Island event will take place. An additional rain shower late in the afternoon sent parishioners for cover. Yet, when the skies cleared a double rainbow stretched across St. Andrew’s Bay. “It was a wonderful day,” Bates said. “We are so blessed to live in such a beautiful place and so blessed to be able to gather in such a place to worship God.”