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Ukrainian Refugees

by Fr. Bill Van Oss

St. Michael’s recently received an invitation to join with Iona Hope Episcopal Church to sponsor a refugee family from the Ukraine. Vestry approved moving ahead with this last week. We will be working with Episcopal Migration Ministries “Neighbor to Neighbor” program. https://episcopalmigrationministries.org/neighbortoneighbor/  We commit to sponsor a family for up to 2 years.


Obviously, this will require fundraising. It will also require finding housing, healthcare, transportation, employment and schooling for the children. I already have several people who have offered to serve on the committee that will be working with Iona Hope on this effort. If you have any questions or are interested in being part of this (especially if you have expertise in one of the above-listed areas) please let me know. 


This is an exciting opportunity to reach out and offer friendship and the love of Christ to a family in need. Let us continue to pray for the suffering people of Ukraine and all those displaced from their home and their homeland:


God our Creator: We ask for your loving presence and for your peace to be with refugees in our local communities and around the world. Be with all who are in fear. Be with those whose lives and livelihoods are under threat, and whose religious freedoms are being compromised. Be with us as we strive to enact your will in our welcome and support of refugees. Be with those in positions of leadership, that their decisions may bend toward peace and not division, and that they might realize the power they hold to do justice. Give us all strength and courage. Equip and empower us to be witnesses to your love – as advocates and as servants, as ministers of welcome and bearers of hope, especially for those seeking refuge. In your Holy name we pray. Amen  (from the Refugee Community Center at the Episcopal Church of the Mediator, Allentown PA)


Peace,


Bill+

Moving Forward Updates from Fr. Bill

Hope Rising Update #72

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