More than 300 members, newcomers, staff and clergy helped celebrate a new beginning for 82-year-old Trinity Episcopal Church, Vero Beach, July 6, in a special Independence Day weekend celebration.

The church recently lost about half of its active members when its former priest, the Rev. D. Lorne Coyle, his associates and vestry decided to leave The Episcopal Church and start a new congregation, Christ Church, Vero Beach.

“I would not have missed this for anything,” Bishop John W. Howe said in his brief introduction to the July 6 service. “I am so proud of you, so completely thrilled that this is still Trinity Episcopal Church, so grateful for the work of your new vestry, so pleased at the gracious way the transition has happened and so looking forward to this new chapter in your ongoing life and ministry.”

Bishop Howe thanked retired judge William Gridley for helping both sides in the split negotiate a clean break. A service July 13 is scheduled at Trinity to dedicate the church’s main doors “Gridley’s Gates” in his honor.

The congregation also gave Trinity’s senior warden, Warren Winchester, a standing ovation when Bishop Howe thanked him for his “outstanding leadership” in regrouping the congregation.

The Rev. G. Richard Lobs III, retired dean of the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, Orlando, is serving as Trinity’s interim rector.

His wife, Deacon Donna Lobs, will assist him, The Rev. Canon David C. Lord is serving as rector emeritus and the Rev. Lewis R. Gwyn III also is serving as deacon.

Dean Lobs’ Sunday sermon centered on some examples from the Bible of how splits may sometimes be used by God to further his purposes.

But he also asked the congregation to hold out the olive branch to those who have left: “Would you consider writing Fr. Coyle a letter saying ‘thank you’?”

“He would be moved enormously,” Dean Lobs continued. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful? That’s the beginning of healing.”

Clergy from throughout the Diocese of Central Florida joined in the service.

Outstanding music for the service was provided by Canon Ben Lane and his fellow musicians from the Cathedral Church of St. Luke. A catered reception followed in the Great Hall.