Moving Forward Update #8

Dear Friends,
What a joy to see 75 screens filled with faces and voices at our all parish zoom this afternoon. We know many of you would have loved to be there but still do not have the ability to do so, so the gathering was recorded and you can watch it at a later time by clicking on this link. https://youtu.be/5At-Cv8Dk0A  Please note this is a private link. You need this link in order to view the video, it is not a public video, but is intended for parishioners. For those that can't watch videos yet, here is a brief summary:
Thursday October 5, 2022 zoom

1. I opened with prayer and announced the first gathering of St. Michael's in Fort Myers and then introduced Bishop Doug Scharf who joined us to offer his and Bishop Smith's support and the support of the entire diocese. 17 Episcopal parishes were effected by Ian, some more severely than others and he pledged continuing prayers and support in whatever way is needed. We did not want to focus on the war stories of the event, so as not to etch the trauma into our minds, but instead look forward to celebrate that the church is alive. Yes, the church buildings have sustained extensive damage, but not the church. The church is the people and I see the strong community of St. Michael's being the leaders in bringing the community of Sanibel back. Bishop Smith also just released a special message: https://vimeo.com/757298685
2. Accounting of all people
3.  As far as we know, all parishioners are accounted for. Praise God! That is the most important update of all!
4. It’s about people not stuff.
5. People ask “what about the church?” And I say, "the church is alive and hasn’t missed a beat, are you asking about the church building?" More about the church buildings later…but I want to honor the memory of Jerry McCullough, who passed away last Thursday and took care of our insurance for many years. Because of his dedication and experience, we are in a very good position with insurance coverage.
6. We WILL gather together this weekend! We are working out final details and based on when power comes back we will either gather indoor or if necessary outdoors, but we will gather! When the information comes out, we ask for all of you to help spread the word, call, text and/or drive or walk over to other parishioners if you can do so safely and give them the information and perhaps offer a ride. 
7. Tuesday Men’s Fellowship, Tuesday Prayer Shawl, and Thursday bible study will start next week but we need people to help those without internet by texting them the phone number for each zoom. 
8. Here is the ZOOM link for tomorrow's Thursday Evening Prayer
   Meeting ID: 835 8757 2066
     https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83587572066Phone-in (no video):1-646-931-386 Enter Meeting ID: 835 8757 2066
9. Moving Forward Task Force – What God Unites nothing can separate, love triumphs over all - will be chaired by Jerry Davenport- who has previously worked as a diocesan disaster coordinator We have several teams already with chairs. If you would like to volunteer for a team, please contact Susan Gonzalez by emailing or calling her at the church office number.
10. Pastoral Care Team- Joanne Syversen (limited tech right now)and Wendy Warner
11. Communications - Sue Van Oss
12. Temporary Location Team- Suzy Post
13. Short and Long Term Housing Team- Deb Larson and cochair
14. Property- Chuck Sterrett
15. Outreach to Sanibel community – Cindy Brown and cochair
16. Supplies - ?
17. Hurricane Relief Fund
18.  please spread the word on the fund – www.saintmichaels-sanibel.org
19. See below for today's figures
20. Office –
21.  church office number is forwarded to a separate line at Susan’s house- if you have simple questions, need information, or need a link please call the church office, as much as we love to talk to you, our plates are full, so it would be helpful if you could utilize the church office phone number and Susan as much as possible for basic information. Wanda will be coming to Susan’s home on Tuesdays to work from there. Financial questions should be directed to Susan temporarily. Church mail is being forwarded to Susan's home.
22. Staff will be working from home for the present time.
23. People have asked- how can we help? We could use office supplies to get our mobile offices running.  Perhaps you have some of these items at home or are near a place where you could get them. To get us up and running quickly, see below for the items needed. Or as an alternative if you would like to donate a gift card to Office Depot or Staples, Susan could purchase what we need. Please contact Susan G if you have these items

• a color laser printer for Susan to use- (even in the short term and she could swap you with a slower printer she has)
• A printer for Sue and I - again a gently used one or new one and some cartridges 
• file folders
• hanging file folders in a portable bin
• pocket folders
• Toner/ink for Epson Stylus NX110
• Copy Paper letter size and some legal as well (but Susan could order so not a priority)
• Webcam.
•  Letter size file folders
• In addition, for us - Basic office supplies- post it notes, scrap paper, stapler, tape, scissors, pens, spiral notebooks, legal pads etc (we don't need a lot, just to get us started since we are in a rental condo without basics like that)

1.  Self Care- I encourage each of you to take care of yourself; those who were physically present during the hurricane have suffered emotional and mental trauma, in addition to the physical losses and it has effected those who weren't there as well. The anxiety of not knowing the status of your home is taxing… helping others can be exhausting, so please put your oxygen mask on first before you put other people’s masks on. 

In order to sustain our energy and our physical, mental and spiritual health Sue and I need to take care of ourselves. We need to have a day of rest so Fridays will be our day of rest. Suzy Post will be available on Fridays so if you have a pastoral issue please contact her, otherwise you can contact Susan on Fridays. 

1. Building Update – It is far too dangerous for anyone to attempt to get to the campus right now and I do not want anyone to attempt it. When the city has given the okay, we have a team and boat ready to inspect the buildings. The insurance adjustors have to examine the building before anything is moved/cleaned and the team will go in with them before anyone else can enter. Under no circumstance is anyone to enter the buildings at this time, it is dangerous and detrimental to do so. Someone who was on the island got some photos which we shared, and the church building did sustain extensive damage and by the water lines inside it probably came up 4-5 feet.. Unfortunately the front door of the new office building was blown out so water came in up to about 5 feet and the ark roof was taken off and will most likely have to be torn down. But again I want to reiterate the the church is people, not the buildings, as beloved as they were. We will rebuild and be even stronger in our community. 

10 I concluded the gathering with a prayer. 


Other updates:
Suzy Post will have Evening Prayer via zoom this Thursday at 6pm. Link was sent out.
Resources: (please know Sue adds new resources every day, so if you just getting online now, go back and look at previous emails or go to the home page of the website and click on "view daily hurricane updates".

1. St. Michael’s United in Love Hurricane Relief Fund In just a few days we have received $10,780.00 which means the first $10,000 match donation has kicked in, so our total is now $20,780. Thank you! Please continue to share the fund information. 
2. Comcast is going to suspend billing for Sanibel, Captiva and pine island. You don’t need to contact them to put your service on hold or suspend it. They will not bill us until we can get back home. 
3. Vehicle Damage- For vehicles that sustained damage, Tire Kingdom in Fort Myers is offering free flat repair and free service checks on battery, brakes, alignment, tire pressure and wiper fluid top off until October 14

Peace, Bill+ and Sue