Moving Forward Update #7

Dear Friends,
On a personal note, we have just arrived back in Fort Myers and to the condo we had evacuated to; thanks to the generosity of Julie Vergin. We are not hopeful for our home on Sanibel so we are very grateful to her for letting us stay here until January. We also appreciate the support of many friends and family who have reached out and are "helping the helpers."

1. All parish zoom tomorrow A reminder of the all parish zoom tomorrow, Wednesday, October 4 at 4pm. EST We know some in the area will not be able to join us due to power/internet still being out, but wanted to get started with connecting us together again with as many as can attend. Those without internet but have power can join us over the phone. Please let people who might not be checking emails know about this. You can text those without internet the call in phone number. 

Zoom link was emailed to parishioners and not published here so that it will be just attended by parishioners. 

We will email out and post here a summary of the updates discussed at the zoom in tomorrow evening's update. 

2. In person gathering this weekend- We are also planning for a gathering this weekend and will pass along the details as we know more. Thanks to Suzy Post for heading up the Temporary Location Team. 

3. Prayer Shawl, Bible Study and Men's Fellowship will all be having their online gatherings next week. 

4. Suzy Post will have Evening Prayer via zoom this Thursday at 6pm. Link coming tomorrow

Resources:
1. Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) will be opening on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022, for limited commercial flight operations.

• The initial hours of operation for security checkpoints at RSW will be between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., with flights operating between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.
• Due to the impacts from Hurricane Ian, please use caution and leave extra time to get to the airport. The roadways at RSW are open.
• Some of the many amenities you have come to expect at RSW may not be available when we first open. Concessions will have limited food and beverage and other items may be in short supply.
• Airport Plaza gas station and the 7-Eleven convenience store are open but may have limited supplies.
• The airport is not a public shelter. We ask that only people traveling come to the airport.

2. One-way shuttle services are being offered from Hertz Arena to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Miami International Airport. The shuttle service is $35 per person, and each shuttle holds up to 55 people. You do need to register, and it is on a first come-first served basis. Long-term parking is not permitted at Hertz Arena. The shuttle schedule will continue until further notice.

3. QUESTIONS REGARDING DEBRIS? – Contact the Hurricane Ian Debris Hotline at (800) 375-0844.
 

4. Lamar Advertising Company has activated its Tarp Team program to distribute billboard vinyls for use as temporary roof coverings in Fort Myers, FL.

• Those affected can go to 14580 Global Parkway in Fort Myers to get a vinyl billboard ranging in size from 200 to 700 square feet from 9am – 5pm on October 3 and 4. Volunteers are on hand distributing the billboards on-site at no charge.

5. Verizon is offering free charging stations and Internet access to residents in Fort Myers, regardless of their carrier.

• .2525 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL (open beginning Oct 4. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)

6. Comcast Xfinity is providing free internet connectivity with Xfinity WiFi vans. The vans will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. until further notice. They are available at these locations:

• Hertz Arena at 11000 Everblades Parkway in Estero. The Xfinity WiFi van is the parking lot on the south end of the Arena.
• Fleamasters Flea Market located at 4135 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive in Ft Myers. The Xfinity WiFi Van is in front of the building when you enter at the main entrance.

7. Postal Service -Customers normally served by the Captiva, Fort Myers Beach, and Sanibel Main Post Offices should temporarily pick up their mail at the Six Mile Cypress Annex Building, 14651 Ben C. Pratt/6 Mile Cypress Pkwy. Hours for pick up are 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays, and closed Sunday. Customers must present a photo ID for mail pick-up. Retail services are available at the Mobile Retail Unit at the Six Mile Cypress Annex parking lot, 14651 Ben C. Pratt/6 Mile Cypress Pkwy, Fort Myers, FL 33912. Retail hours are 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturdays, and closed Sunday. Customers normally served by the Downtown Fort Myers Post Office can obtain retail services at the Page Field Post Office, 2655 N. Airport Road, Fort Myers, FL 33907. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturdays, closed Sunday.8.Fort Myers Beach is closed to the public for the next week, effective immediately. The area will be closed to make time for search and rescue operations, according to the Fort Myers Beach Fire District.
 

A Prayer For the People

God of healing and mercy, we come before you with our hearts filled with grief as we see the devastation.
We pray that your presence would be felt by those who are grieving, who are injured, who have lost their homes and livelihoods.
We pray for wisdom and safety for those who are responding to the people in need and the many challenges left in the wake of this event.
We pray for the people of St. Michael's, that we may be a witness to your compassion, love and care for all who suffer even as we face our own challenges.
God, you are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. For this we give you thanks and ask that you hear our prayers for all the people of Southwest Florida, the island community of Sanibel and the church family of St. Michael and All Angels In Jesus name we pray... Amen.
- Adopted from a prayer of the Mennonite World Conference

Peace, Bill+