Moving Forward Update #27

Dear Friends,
 
As we journey through this Advent season of waiting and anticipation; we are also journeying through that same season of waiting and anticipation regarding our church property; as are many of you with your homes.  We have had a private appraiser evaluate the property which will help as we compare our property value to the cost of repairs. We have also submitted an initial inventory list to our insurance company. Thanks to all who helped Sue and Susan with compiling all that information. The FEMA grant management team the Diocese hired will be on site on Wednesday to tour the property and assist with a scope of work. Once we have that, what insurance will pay, and our appraisal, we can look at what the future holds. Just as Advent anticipation leads to Christmas joy; so too we know that no matter what, Christmas will come, Jesus will be born and the church; and we will rejoice at the birth of Christ. 

Speaking of Christmas; there are many things going on! Be sure to check out the website and the Friday brief for all the details. And a reminder that our monthly prayer and potluck is TOMORROW night at 6pm at Peace. Last Sunday afternoon's Savior of the Nations, Come beautiful concert at Peace was livestreamed and you can watch it here; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJAtEyVPU1Y  
 
And this Thursday at 10am is the Blue Christmas Service at Peace.  This is a year when many have suffered so much loss, their home, or part of their home, personal belongings, items that hold a lot of importance in our lives, pictures and memories. Our Blue Christmas service is a time when we can, together, acknowledge the "blue" feelings we have at Christmas time, the reasons for them, and offer them to God. This is a service of prayer, music and meditation.
 
On Thursday afternoon we will have 4 check presentations totaling $50,000 at local agencies that are receiving a portion of the St. Michael's Hurricane Relief Fund; thanks to the generosity of so many.  Because several local agencies now have set up their own relief funds, beginning December 1, 2022, all funds raised by the St. Michael’s Hurricane Relief Fund will be used for the rebuilding efforts of the church property. Funds will help to cover early shortfalls in insurance reimbursement and repairs. Because of the extensive damage, a significant shortfall is a strong possibility.  We encourage you to continue to support local agencies doing relief work, but this specific fund will be focused on the restoration of St. Michael's buildings on Sanibel.
 
Sanibel Resources: 
- The City Council meeting will be tomorrow at 9am at Big Arts; the first time it is being held back on the Island since the Hurricane. All are welcome to attend and it will be livestreamed on the city facebook page. 
 -FEMA will host a Town Hall meeting on Sanibel on Dec 8 at 6 p.m. at BIG ARTS and it will be on the city’s facebook live page.

 
 Peace, 
Bill+