Beloved in Christ,

Since September we have collectively shared in the unrivaled suffering and heart break of seeing our sacred sanctuary in shambles. While this has been a challenge of Biblical proportion, God has been with us every sea sludge step of the way, and I know God is with us guiding and encouraging us in our All Angels Campaign to Restore our Spiritual Home.

Restoring our spiritual home is a big job. Financially, it will cost approximately $2 million for the structures alone. Fortunately, we have a big God who has been working among us and through us from the moment the wind and the waves subsided to surpass that $2 million reconstruction need.

St. Michael’s is a place where all are welcome, all belong and that belongs to all. So we are calling on ALL angels to rise up and help at whatever level they can. Whether big or small, fast or slow, all gifts matter, all gifts are needed, and all will be valued.

I witnessed a sign of God at work just a few weeks after the storm when an anonymous angel among us called to offer to match the first $500,000 in donations/pledges made in our general campaign with the hope it would inspire the spirit of generosity in all of us which it did.

Many thanks to the angels among us who have made our journey home more achievable by already pledging over $2,250,000 toward the reconstruction.  All of these generous donors are a sign of God working among us.

As you pray and contemplate your gift, I ask you to consider those in our church whose homes and lives have been hit the hardest, as they may not be able to contribute as generously as they have in previous times. I also pray you will open your hearts to see the suffering in our community that has left voids that only the love of Christ can fill and know that perhaps now is the most opportune time for St. Michael’s to let all people know they are truly welcome.

So please join me in giving generously so that our beloved spiritual home will continue to be a beacon of God’s light and love for ALL.

Peace,

Bill+

Compelling Community-Minded Reasons To Give Generously

SIGNIFICANCE:  Preserve Our Island’s “All are Welcome” History. Not only do we practice inclusion and celebrate diversity now, as Southern Florida’s first church to offer racially integrated church services, we have a bold, rich history of not just welcoming all but aspiring to make all know they are equally valued, celebrated, loved and truly belong. Your generosity will ensure there is always a place on Sanibel where all are welcome, all are loved and all belong.

SERVICE:  Restoring Our Ministries

Restoring St. Michael’s will allow us to resume important church ministries like Noah’s Ark Thrift Shop. The faster we get the main building back, the faster the ark will be able to resume operations. Noah’s Ark has served as a vital life boat equipping us to have a shared purpose of volunteering and serving others. By becoming a legendary destination bargain hunting experience, Noah’s Ark has generated over $7,000,000 in proceeds that have been awarded to community-wide nonprofits serving those in need since its inception over 60 years ago. Please give generously to help us restore our beloved Ark!

SHARING OUR SPACE: Our Restored Space Will Be Used by Other Island Nonprofits. By supporting the restoration of our space, you will be supporting the entire community. In the interim the ark building will play a major role as The Gathering Place @ St. Michael’s, a place where we can worship together, staff can work, and parish meetings can be held. In addition we can offer space to essential service nonprofits like F.I.S.H., Center 4 Life/Island Seniors and AA groups. The ark building will serve as a lifeboat now by hosting community groups. Your generosity to help St. Michael’s will always be treated as a trust. It’s not about us. It is about serving as a beacon of Christ’s love, providing tangible help and room in the Inn, to others now and for generations to come.

Leave a Legacy of Love and Light. A Prayerful Call to Action.

Gracious and Loving God, You have blessed us with a beautiful, spiritual home on our island of Sanibel. We stand in a long line of believers who opened the doors to everyone who came seeking a deeper relationship with you and the love of Christian community. We thank you for the gifts of faith, fellowship and service that have been fostered over the years. As we rebuild after the hurricane, bless and guide our efforts. We pray for the success of our All Angels Campaign to rebuild our spiritual home. Give us a spirit of generosity so that we can return to the place we love and continue to grow and serve you. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.