Moving Forward Update #15

Dear Friends,

We had a wonderful time of worship and fellowship yesterday at our temporary home, Peace Lutheran in Fort Myers. If you are in the area, please join us next Sunday at 11:30am followed by coffee hour. If you would like to host a coffee hour please contact Susan Gonzalez at her email or the church phone number, which is forwarded to her.

1. Restoration work has begun on the church property on Sanibel! The company has set up heavy equipment and vehicles and has a crew hard at work securing and drying out the properties. A reminder to please stay away from the property so their progress isn't impeded. 

2. This week:
Wednesday, October 19 9:00am Eucharist with Healing Prayers, 11:00am Staff and Clergy Meeting, Noon-3pm Staff available if you'd like to stop in and conduct business, get questions answered or obtain information on resources available to you.
Thursday, October 20 10:00am Bible Study via zoom, 1:00pm Vestry via zoom, 6:00pm Evening Prayer via zoom
Friday, October 21 10:00am  “After The Storm - Taking Care of Ourselves and Each Other” Join us for a gathering, and support time where we can share and listen to each other. Please come and share your story in a safe, trusting prayerful place.
 
3. The Hurricane Relief Fund is now at $51,613. Thank you to all who have contributed and/or spread the word.  Vestry will be discussing disbursement of these funds at their meeting on Thursday. 
 
4. Angels on the Go Ready to Serve -Over the past year the Angels of St. Michael’s have shown acts of kindness in so many ways. We are still giving rides, shopping, fixing things, changing light bulbs, but Hurricane Ian has certainly broadened our perspective. The challenges ahead will be many, but our Angels are ready to serve in helping you with those unexpected tasks that are beyond your current ability. Just call or email the church office and we will do our very best to personally help you out, or to find a solution for taking care of your needs. Working together we will take care of each other in the challenging days ahead.
 
5. SMAA Temporary Housing update  We are looking for HAVES and WANTS among our parishioners for TEMPORARY HOUSING. If you HAVE a spare room in your home, please provide your Name, Address, contact email and cell number and size of space and number of persons you can accommodate. Also, please state whether you will allow pets and how you feel about smokers. If you NEED temp housing, Please state your name, contact email and cell, the number of people in your group and approximately what your anticipated length of stay. (We realize that this will be difficult to estimate, but best guess will be fine.) Please email to :deblarsonrealestate@gmail.com or please text to : 703-966-9474
 
As of October 14 we had three requests for housing..so far THREE to accommodate or house.  Some have been “non SMAA” people. We are trying to accommodate our parishioners FIRST (for many reasons). Most hosts who have offered will not accept pets and smokers FYI. If you even have an extra room or a property that survived Ian(condo or home) that could house someone even for a short time, we do have a great need. Snowbirds, if you have not yet returned and your property is available, this is a perfect use for it! Many thanks in advance for your your kindness and generosity.  If you have need of accommodations for a night or two or three while you check on your home, one of our parishioners can offer a room in their home in South Ft Myers. Please text or email Deborah Larson.   deblarsonrealestate@gmail.com  or text :703-966-9474
 

Resources: 
 
Info from tonight's City Briefing:
The causeway is on schedule to open on October 21 for city residents only that have a 2021 or 2022 pass (2016 will not be accepted) or a driver's license with a Sanibel address, but city officials caution you it is still an uninhabitable island with no power, water or sewer yet, nor any ground transportation. The landscape has vastly changed so please be prepared not only for long waits but also the emotional and physical toll it may take. Be prepared for waits of several hours in line to get on the island.
 
The speed limit is now 20 miles an hour island wide.
 
120 portable toilets have been set up around the island, a location map will be posted on the city's website.
 
Be sure you have filled out the form at www.islandwater.com to have your water turned on, but only if you have already turned off your main line outside your home. They will not notify you when it is turned on, so be sure your plumbing is intact before you turn in the form.  Also be sure to use dry cleaning methods on your drains when you first use them.
 
In regards to electricity, you will need to have a form filled out by a certified electrician that will be posted on www.mysanibel.com before they will electrify your home.  If your home is over 600amps it will have to be an electrical engineer.
 
If you need propane for your generator, contact Blossmans, (239) 244-1529 with your name, address and tank size. They are the only propane company currently allowed on the island. You do not need to be a current customer to get it delivered to you. They has been working for parishioners. 
 
Urban Search and Rescue's Initial assessment of property damage was not accurate in all properties, so the Army Corp of Engineers is going out tomorrow to reassessment destroyed and major designation properties.
 
You can watch a recording of the briefings at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068081412480
 
Peace, 
Bill+