Shell Island Worship Service

PANAMA CITY BEACH – We all know Shell Island is a vacationer’s paradise but did you know it isn’t just a party place?

Father Steve Bates asked a member of his church, Holy Nativity Episcopal Church, where everyone was on Sunday morning and was told, they are at the beach. Father Steve thought, why don’t we take the church to the beach. For the past 13 years, once a year, it has been “beach church” for Father Steve and his parishioners.

So those parishioners who come by boat, pontoon, or skidoo bringing family and friends, come for a day of worship and relaxation. They all bring a dish to share and the church provides the meat.

At 11.30 am they all gather on the edge of the water for a brief service of singing, Bible verses and communion. After a prayer they are off to the food line to fill their plates and find a place in the sun or shade to eat. Then it is fun time with a pontoon with slides, walks over to the Gulf side and groups hanging out in the water talking.

The trip to and from Shell Island is pretty spectacular too. Seeing the beautiful homes, a different view of the marina, and all the wildlife makes the trip an adventure.

Father Steve is retiring in early 2024 after 17 years at Trinity and this was his last beach church day on Shell Island. He will be off to travel and enjoy his retirement. The church hopes to continue the tradition in his absence. Good luck, Father Steve.