Moving Forward Update #4

by Fr. Bill Van Oss

Dear Friends, 

A very busy day today, including breaking news that residents can get on the island on Wednesday from 7am to 7pm so this update will be very brief as we are working on details to attempt to inspect the church and retrieve what we can.  Residents please watch the council meeting that aired tonight for details. 

  • Members of the Vestry and Staff met via zoom at 9am to check in and then dive into the plan for moving forward.
    Highlights included:
  • an accounting of parishioners with the good news that as of 10pm, we have accounted for all parishioners that we know of who were in the area, including the remaining 4 we were most worried about.
  • creation of a Hurricane Task Force led by Jerry Davenport with 7 initial teams formed under it; Temporary Location Team, Short and Long Term Housing Team, Pastoral Care Team, Communications, Property, Supplies and Outreach to the Island Community. Some chairs have been selected, the rest soon.
  • The St. Michael's United in Love Hurricane Relief Fund was created and Sue got it live by noon and within 5 minutes an anonymous donor gave $10,000 in matching funds to kickstart the campaign, 10 minutes later, 2 others jumped on like the multiplication of the loaves and fishes with $15,000 in matching funds, an amazing way to spread God's love.
  • Conversations with Church Insurance are ongoing and we are blessed with great coverage. 

    Susan is now is back online and the church office phone has been forwarded to a separate line at her home; so if you call the 239-472-2173 Susan will be able to assist you. 
     
    More power and water is being restored in Fort Myers every day, but some are still without. 

    Updates for those in the disaster areas dealing with damage and outages:
     
    1.  Waste Pro is resuming normal garbage routes but not recycling.
    2. If you know of anyone who has a working boat, please contact us.
    3. Our friend Rev. David Knight who lost his church in Katrina and has been invaluable with advice gave an inspiring sermon and talks about St. Michael's. Here is the link,     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hM5ABLvTGQ


God is Our Refuge


God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.


Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.

God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;


God will help it when the morning dawns.


The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

- From Psalm 46
 
Blessings, Fr. Bill
 

 

Moving Forward Updates from Fr. Bill

Hope Rising Update #72

By Fr. Bill Van Oss • December 20, 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 • December 13, 2023
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