Moving Forward Update #17

Dear Friends, 

How good it was to be together yesterday in a marvelous spirit of music, scripture, prayer and communion to remind us of what's important and to lift up people who are signs of God's presence in big and small ways.  Just a reminder that staff are available in the fellowship hall during coffee hour on Sundays and on Wednesday afternoons from 11:30pm-3:00pm in the Jericho room off the hall. As you can see below, we have a lot of opportunities to gather in person and online during the week; I encourage you to continue to connect with one another in these and other ways. 
 
Work on the church buildings continues to go smoothly and the team is ahead of schedule with the removal and drying process. Content removal is almost complete and the sanctuary and adjoining buildings are completed sealed off to facilitate the process.  I receive daily briefings from the director of the team and visited today to thank the large crew who are dedicated to the restoration process. At the bottom I will add a photo of just some of the massive equipment and portable power they are using. 
 
Coming up at St. Michael's Mainland this week: 
Men's Fellowship  Tuesday, October 25th at 8:30 a.m.
(ZOOM Only but we are working on a hybrid option for in person as well)
On October 25 we will discuss voting, a basic right in our country. First we have updated information from Lee County Supervisor of Elections regarding voting places and procedures as a result of Ian's damage. Then we will address broader questions, such as: should Election Day be a national holiday? Should voting be made mandatory, as it is in some countries? This will not be a partisan discussion. This meeting will be via Zoom.
The ZOOM meeting ID: #820 0070 2322 
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82000702322
Phone-in number is: 1-929-205-6099 ~ Enter meeting ID above when prompted.
 
Prayer Shawl Ministry gathering via zoom at 12:30pm  https://zoom.us/j/92617170685
 
Wednesday Morning October 26 Eucharist 9:00 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church
Wednesday Staff Open Office Hours 12:00-3:00 p.m. in the Jericho Room (off the Fellowship Hall)
Ring the door bell at the main doors at Peace, the door will be unlocked and then go to the right through the Good Samaritan fellowship hall to the Jericho Room where we will be set up. 
 
Thursday, October 27: 10:00am Bible Study via zoom
ZOOM Meeting ID#: 930 4599 7623 https://zoom.us/j/93045997623
 
Compline via zoom 6:00pm Zoom Meeting ID: 83587572066 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83587572066
Phone-in (no video): 1-646-931-3860 Enter Meeting ID: 835 8757 2066

Friday, October 28 10:00am at Peace Lutheran Church “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. We have offered this opportunity to gather to member of Peace Church and you are welcome to bring someone you know who might find comfort from gathering as well. 

Saturday October 29 Interfaith Prayer Vigil at 10am at Fort Myers Christian Church - outdoors, 5916 Winkler Road, Ft Myers, 33919. Join us as we gather our community together for a time of prayer and healing. All are welcome!
 
Wednesday November 2, 2022. Prayer and Potluck Returns 6pm at Peace. PLEASE RSVP by October 30 so we know how many brats to purchase. You can do so by emailing parishsecretary@saintmichaels-sanibel.org, calling the office at 239-472-2173 or signing up at coffee hour next weekend.
 
St. Michael's Hurricane Relief Fund- Thanks to all who have contributed and/or spread the word about the fund. A reminder to please write checks out to St. Michael and All Angels and then put Hurricane Relief in the memo line. The St. Michael's United in Love Hurricane Relief Fund online or text SMAA IAN to 73256 (SMAA*space*IAN)

SMAA Temporary Housing update  October 20, 2022



We continue to request HAVES and WANTS among our parishioners for TEMPORARY HOUSING. As we begin to recover and heal from Hurricane Ian, many parishioners have located alternative housing either temporary or long term. Some still have a need.  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
 
If you have need of accommodations for a night or two or three while you check on your home. Please text or email Deborah Larson.   deblarsonrealestate@gmail.com  or text :703-966-9474 KC (Kara) Cuscaden will be heading the effort for more long term housing. Please contact Deborah Larson and information will be relayed to KC. 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. Deborah Larson
 

Information and Resources from tonight's city briefing: 

1. Causeway: New Hours starting tomorrow- 6am -9pm, but starting October 31 Mondays and Tuesdays will be for emergency responders and contractors only. The curfew remains in effect from 9am-6pm with no private vehicles or pedestrians on streets during those hours. 

2. Bailey's and Jerry's have been business partners for many years and today announced how they are working together for the community, including a $20,000 donation to F.I.S.H. Jerry's reopened on Friday and several of the stores in that plaza. We are all encouraged to shop local as much as possible to support our local businesses. 

3. John Lai, President of the Chamber announced there are now WIFI hot spots at the Chamber, Jerry's and Island Inn with additional spots coming soon. 

4. A sign of hope for our sanctuary island, SCCF is creating a wildlife reporting tool and large flocks of birds have returned, gopher tortoises, bald eagles and bobcats among other species and foliage is budding out. I have to say each time I visit the island and talk to those present, I see signs of hope amid the many challenges as well. 

5. Resources available: Water at F.I.S.H., Community church and Sea School. Ice at Sea School, Sanibel Deli parking lot and Community Church. Hot food after 12 noon at the Shack Monday-Saturday while supplies last and Operation BBQ at Sanibel Deli parking lot. Cleaning supplies at F.I.S.H. along with non perishable food items and hygiene equipment. Laundry, showers and charging stations at Community church parking lot. At Palm Ridge fire station there are tarps, 4 sheets of plywood and carbon monoxide detectors for residents. The Army Corp of Engineers is starting to tarp homes starting tomorrow and the deadline has been expanded to November 1.   

6. November 7 is the target date for the city to begin accepting emergency building permits for those with minor damage to their homes. 

Peace, 
Bill+

The green Sunbelt rig is one of several portable generator units that power the large drying units, which are accomplishing their goal in a measured way to prevent any damage to the wood in the buildings.