Moving Forward Update #4

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