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Hope Rising Update #60

by Fr. Bill Van Oss

Dear Friends,

A quick update as it is another busy week here in The Gathering Place:
-FISH has been distributing backpacks with school supplies
-The Small Business Administration (SBA) has representatives here working with people on disaster financial assistance.
-Today were the first meetings for senior and mental health needs and group therapy focusing on hurricane related topics like PTSD, trauma and loss.
-Project Hope offered an open discussion on post storm trauma, including mental exhaustion, decision making and financial fears.
-On Friday, FISH does a services overview and offers assistance.
- Yesterday Santiva Islanders started their programming with exercise classes, card games and a coffee bistro for all from 10am-3pm, stop by!

-Church Staff is available for meeting and to answer questions. You can reach us via phone or email as well.
-Friday book study is underway, and several meetings are being held in our conference room.
-Our monthly Prayer and Potluck is taking place TONIGHT at 6pm
And of course, services are held Saturdays at 5pm followed by a social and Sundays at 9:30am followed by coffee hour!

I am very proud of all of the effort that has brought us this far and enables us to be back on the island. I am especially pleased that at the amount of community engagement going on. The Gathering Place serves to give healing and hope to our parishioner and island neighbors as we continue to recover and rebuild.

At The Gathering Place This Week:  click here for a schedule

In Friday's brief I'll have a video update on the progress in the main building.
Peace, 
Bill+

Moving Forward Updates from Fr. Bill

Hope Rising Update #72

By Fr. Bill Van Oss • 20 Dec, 2023
Today's Excitement Dear Friends, Today was a day to celebrate! LCEC trucks arrived to install the new meter and energize it so the new HVAC system in the sanctuary can be started up! Then a couple hours later, we passed the City of Sanibel final inspection and we were given the Certificate of Completion; the final step in our permit process which started last May. We are very grateful to Councilwoman Holly Smith, City Manager Dana Souza and all the city and LCEC employees who assisted in these final steps and of course to all the FP workers and their subs for all their hard work these past several months and the Property Restoration Team; the working group was there to receive the good news today. We are very busy getting the spaces ready for opening weekend starting with our 4th Advent services this Saturday at 5pm and Sunday at 8am and 10:30am (livestreamed). Then we will have 3 Christmas Services at 4pm, 8pm (livestreamed) and 10:30am. Thanks to the volunteer teams who have been washing dishes in the kitchen, putting books on the bookshelf, hanging wreaths and a 100 other details. It is a stunningly beautiful space and we can't wait for all to experience it again for the first time in 15 months! Bill +

Hope Rising Update #71

By Fr. Bill Van Oss • 13 Dec, 2023
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