Hope Rising Update #43

Dear Friends,
 
Where were you six months ago today? We were hunkered down in a sturdy condominium near HealthPark hospital watching the wind and rains ravage the trees behind our unit and praying for all who were in harms way and hoping everything would be okay. Now six months later, evidence of the destruction still surrounds us but there are many signs of hope. Sue and I have been the recipients of kindness in many forms from a cold bottle of water to a gracious host who let us stay in that condo for several months. As a church we have been embraced by the good people of Peace Lutheran and have received countless messages of support, prayers and offers of assistance. Many people within our parish have stepped forward to assist with all of the many tasks involved with insurance, rebuilding and fundraising. Our community has witnessed neighbors helping neighbors in countless ways. Much progress has been made, yet there is still more work to be done but with the guidance of God's steady hand we will come to the day when we can return to our beloved spiritual home. 

Holy and Mighty God,
you who spun the planets into motion
and who moved over the waters of chaos at creation,
we remember today how the waters of Hurricane Ian overwhelmed our cities 6 months ago.
We remember and we lift up to you the lives lost during the hurricane and in the days and weeks that followed,
but also the countless more lives who were displaced and scattered,
those who were injured and traumatized
and still bear the scars left by the storm.
Bind up these wounds and bring your healing touch as we grieve –
the dead, the lost, and the vestiges of our cultures and heritage that exist now only in memory and story.
 
God of resurrection,
our story reminds us of your greater story for all of creation –
that you never leave us in the depths of the tomb,
desperate and without hope,
but are continually raising us to new life,
one of a future and of abundance.
 
We thank you for your presence and signs of hope;
in the resiliency and grit of the people of SW Florida
in the families that have returned and rebuilt their lives
in the many volunteers who showed up day after day, reminding us that we had not been abandoned.
 

We thank you for the mysterious ways your will is worked out
even in the darkest of circumstances,
and we are grateful for ways the storm changed us for the better,
showing us what love of neighbor looks like in action,
and reminding us always to never take for granted your good gifts.
 
God of peace and grace,
continue to guide and guard us into the future you have planned for us.
Help us to remember to always care for one another
as siblings, friends, and neighbors,
Help us to follow in your ways
to build a better city and a better society where we all can thrive,
regardless of race, class, gender, or religion.
Help us to care for the earth you have given us,
to be better stewards of the land and waters,
and to preserve the delicate balance between our human activity and the wild nature of creation. 
 We pray all these things, in the name of your Son, our Savior, who lives and reigns with you, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
 
Adapted from a prayer by the Reverend Sarah Chancellor-Watson on the 15th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina

Peace, 
Bill+ 
 
  Sanibel Information:
1.  TODAY March 28 from 3-5pm visit the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village's celebratory opening and the new Sanibel lighthouse exhibit. 
 2. TOMORROW March 29 4-7pm We're Still Standing Celebration of the 95th Anniversary of the Community House. 
3. THURSDAY March 30 On the Table Conversations during the day, with several locations on Sanibel and Fort Myers https://onthetableswfl.com/ and Volunteer Expo 4-7:30pm - hosted by the Charitable Foundation of the Islands will be held on March 30 from 4:00pm-7:30pm at BIG ARTS. Go to www.mycfi.org to learn more and register for this great evening.
4. April 4 Ding Darling Reopens!  Wildlife trail and Visitor center open, 7am-5pm with a ribbon cutting at 9:30am 
5. April 8 Community Egg Hunt at the Sanibel School Pavilion St. Michael's will be providing a craft activity for the kids. 
6. April 9 Easter Sunday - 8:30am Easter Service for the Island at the Sanibel Rec Center, hosted by St. Michael's. Our main service will be at 11:30am at Peace Lutheran. 
 
Mail delivery has resumed on Sanibel if you have a mailbox installed at your residence and do not have an active forwarding address request. 
 
F.I.S.H. could use help with Easter tasks; picking up supplies, preparing bunny baskets and distributing items from their Sanibel location. If you can help please contact Kim at 239-472-4775 or kim@fishofsancap.org