Father Edward is Trinity-by-the-Cove’s eighth Rector. Father Edward began his ministry at Trinity-by-the Cove as an Associate Rector for Youth and Family Ministries, continued as Senior Associate Rector and in May 2014 was called to be Rector. Before coming to us, Fr. Edward served as an assistant priest and chaplain in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at a church with a K-8th grade school. Before seminary, Fr. Edward received a BA in history from the University of Texas at Austin in 1996 and a J.D., cum laude, from Loyola University School of Law, New Orleans in 2000 where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the law review. Leaving the practice of law in 2005, Fr. Edward attended Nashotah House Theological Seminary receiving a M. Div., cum laude, in May 2008. A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Fr. Edward has a wife, Virginia, and three young children, Howard, Eleanor, and Claire.
There is something electric about being a part of a Christian community that spends time together discerning God’s will for our lives and the world and at the same time simply enjoying being in fellowship with one another. Trinity-by-the-Cove is a thriving parish with wonderful and varied opportunities to love God and neighbor.
As an ordained priest, I am privileged to spend my life serving God’s people. I believe that ministry—whether ordained or not—should be personal and filled with love. That ministry is expressed through talking to people about God and sharing the powerful presence of Jesus in times of overwhelming joy and tremendous sorrow. Remembering daily how God is at work in the world and in each of our lives excites me. It’s also exciting to lead Trinity-by-the-Cove in its mission and ministry to be a loving and compassionate environment for the continuing transformation of a life in Christ Jesus.
Marcella comes to Trinity-by-the-Cove having earned a Master of Divinity from The School of Theology at the University of the South in 2021. She also received a B.S. in Natural Resources from the University of the South in 1984. In the intervening years, Marcella worked in the field of environmental science and management, taught high school science, and worked several years in an addictions counseling office. Marcella is a native Floridian, having grown up and lived on the west coast of Florida most of her life. Marcella has a son, Benjamin and two stepchildren, Christopher and Mary, and four grandchildren. She is well-managed by Charley, her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, who has his own kitty, LilyBelle.
Trinity-by-the-Cove is a parish family that is committed to bringing the love of Jesus Christ and hope of the resurrection to the world. I am excited about the meaningful opportunities for worship, and our engagement and experiences with scripture in weekly Bible study. I also enjoy the happy nature of our parish as we spend time together appreciating God’s creation here in Naples.
I love God and I love his creation! The central piece of my ministry is to listen with intention to the needs of people and to be attuned to the call of the Holy Spirit within the church and in the world. It is exciting to see how the Spirit leads parishes in ministry and to be a part of the church’s response to God’s call.
Father Steve is an assisting priest at Trinity-by-the-Cove. After graduating from Virginia Theological Seminary in 1978, Fr. Steve served as a curate at St. Marks, Palm Beach Gardens, and in 1980 he became Rector of All Saints, Grenada, Mississippi where he fostered a ministry of outreach to the neediest people in the community and expanded his interest in adult formation. In 1986, Fr. Steve became Rector of the Chapel of Saint Andrew in Boca Raton, where he developed “The Faith-Seeking Journey” a program of new member ministry.
Most recently, Father Steve served as Priest-in-Charge of Grace and St. Stephen’s Church in Colorado Springs, where he was elected Rector in 2011, and served until his retirement in 2014.
His duties at Trinity-by-the-Cove include assisting with pastoral care and sharing his Faith-Seeking Journey program with us for Adult Formation later in the fall. Fr. Steve has a wife, Kathy, and one son, Jonathan, who lives with his wife, Paulita in Colorado Springs.
Nicholas comes to Trinity-by-the-Cove having earned a S.T.M. from The School of Theology at the University of the South in 2018. He also received a B.A. in philosophy and music from SUNY Geneseo in 2005 and a M.A. in theology from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in 2008. In the years between his two stints at seminary, Nicholas stayed home to care for his first daughter, taught in the philosophy department at Christopher Newport University, and discerned God’s call to parish ministry. Nicholas and his wife, Jessica, grew up in the northeast, having lived in New Jersey, upstate New York, and Massachusetts, and, most recently, in Virginia and Tennessee. They have two daughters, Julia and Hannah.
From my very first encounter with Trinity-by-the-Cove, I was deeply moved by the idea of a community committed to living in to the fullness of our life in Christ through beautiful worship, excellent teaching, warm hospitality and fellowship, and compassionate service to others. It is truly exciting, however, to see this vision as a lived reality in the parishioners and staff at Trinity-by-the-Cove.
God has acted decisively in Jesus to bring about his kingdom. He also continues to act in and through his people to spread its influence both in our lives and in the larger world. It is exciting to play a role in God’s unfolding story of salvation and to walk alongside fellow Christians as we see, more and more each day, God working in our lives to accomplish his good purposes.
My MDiv degree from Nashotah House is my third, and hopefully final master’s degree. My prior education (in American Studies/Psychology and in Hospital Administration) helped to inform prior careers in healthcare and as a college admissions advisor from both the college side and as a secondary school counselor. Up until I received my call to ordained ministry, my career path was more about doing what I was good at instead of what God was calling me to do.
There is no shortage of things to get excited about at Trinity by the Cove. The parish is vibrant and growing; and I love the way parishioners and clergy here are enthusiastic about finding new ways to worship and to spread the Good News while staying true to our Episcopal Tradition.
My ministry at Trinity encompasses two areas: Youth and Worship. While those might not seem connected, they both contain the end goal of encouraging fruitful, informed, and engaged ways to celebrate and cherish the presence of Jesus in our lives. Having the opportunity to explore and create new or better ways to reach that goal is tremendously exciting.
Dexter “Tripp” Kennedy began as Director of Music at Trinity-by-the-Cove as Director of Music in September 2021. Before coming to Naples, he worked for seven years as the Assistant Director of Music and Organist of Christ Church in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. In 2014 he won first prize in the Grand Prix de Chartres organ competition at Notre Dame in Paris, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious organ competitions. He is a well known organ recitalist, having performed throughout the United States and Europe. Tripp holds a Masters degree from Yale University, and an Artist Diploma and Bachelor’s from the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music.
Trinity-by-the-Cove is an amazing community full of friendliness, curiosity, intellect, and talent. The sense of hospitality both within the parish as well as the great work Trinity does in the community is inspiring to be a part of. I am lucky to be able to serve a congregation with such a history and appreciation of first rate sacred music!
Sacred music has been an integral part of Christian liturgy and worship for over 1,000 years. Therefore the music in liturgies must be chosen with intentionality so that all of the components of the worship service intertwine with one another to form a cohesive liturgy. As a musician, one is a lifelong learner, and this is also true about one’s faith journey. I take pride in using music as a vehicle for people to explore and elevate their own faith journeys.
Carrie joined Trinity by the Cove in February, 2020 and brings a wealth of experience in managing office operations; including member relations, process improvements, and budget management. She and her husband moved to Naples in 2016 to follow their dreams. She got to know the area well while working in the county parks, overseeing recreation centers and capital projects. Before moving here, Carrie served as the Operations Manager for the Autism Society of Indiana.
On the weekends, Carrie enjoys exploring all the wild areas of southwest Florida, hiking and kayaking in the local, state and national parks. Because of her love of adventure and service, she and her husband recently went to Mongolia to build a playground for an orphanage. They traveled with a small group of people to build the playground and train the local residents how to build their own, so the good work would keep on giving.
There are many things to be excited about at Trinity by the Cove. What first caught my attention is that Trinity by the Cove is so much more than a place of worship, it is a community that reaches out to lift up all those in need and supports many organization all through Collier County, and around the world. I knew I wanted to be a part of that. As an educator, I love that Trinity has a strong focus on youth and adult education.
I have always tried to live a life in service to others, volunteering for any organizations throughout my life. I am at my most happy and fulfilled when I am helping others learn new things and achieve the goals they wish to achieve. I look forward to the opportunity to learn, grow, and lead here with a wonderful staff and an embracing parish community.
Before coming to Trinity by-the-Cove as the Director of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Linda was an elementary school teacher and Media Specialist for 28 years. Her love of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (and Trinity by-the-Cove) began in 1999 when Trinity hosted training for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Linda and her husband, Tom, have 3 children and love escaping to the beach for reading and relaxation whenever possible.
Trinity by-the-Cove is very intentional about welcoming all people of all ages. When young families visit and see the atriums (rooms) for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, they are immediately attracted to our children’s formation program. Trinity by-the-Cove also plans their services around the formation hours so children may attend worship. Intergenerational events are held quarterly so there is a relationship of acceptance and support within all age groups, and young family socials are held each month to further build community and lifelong friendships.
“Let the little children come to me…” Matthew 19:13
From a very young age, I believe God has called me to work with children. I find my joy and peace through relationships with others, so am particularly grateful to Catechesis of the Good Shepherd which not only uses my gifts but also continues to bless me and the children as we fall in love with Jesus the Good Shepherd. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” John 10:16
Elizabeth is a Florida native and graduate from Florida International University with a Master of Science in Global Strategic Communications. She lived all her life on the west coast and recently began life on the east coast with her new family. Elizabeth is bilingual and has a strong background in digitial media, radio and PR.
What excites her about Trinity is the opportunity to make new and meaningful connections with parishoners and staff members alike. She also looks forward to joining in on all the exciting things Trinity has to offer such as musical events, family gatherings and community ourtreach.
What excites her the most about her ministry is the chance to spread the Good News of God in creative ways. Communication is everything and being able to connect with people is what led Elizabeth to join ministry in the first place.
Welcome Tom Gemmer as the new Parish Life Coordinator.
Paula was born in Detroit, Michigan, and moved to Naples in 1970. She primarily resided in Naples, but has spent two years in the Mission Field in New Mexico where she fell in love with the West and visits as often as she can.
The "giving" attitude of the staff and parishioners is a joy to be around. In the time I have been a part of Trinity-by-the-Cove, I have been overwhelmed with awe to see the giving spirit that abounds and I am truly blessed to be a part of the Trinity family.
Serving the Lord with the time and talents He has given me. Numbers are not just something you use to do math; numbers are absolute truth. Search the Scriptures for all the times you see a number used and you will be amazed at the meaning behind those numbers.
239.262.6581
553 Galleon Drive, Naples, FL 34102
info@trinitybythecove.comPlease call me with more information about ways to get involved.
