Hope Rising from Hurricane Ian

On this page you will find updates on the restoration project from Hurricane Ian October 2022-December 2023.

By God's grace we were able to move back into our restored building for Christmas 2023!

A brief video recapping the initial days of the restoration; thanks to Alacrity Solutions for producing this video and allowing us to share it:

Hope Rising Updates

Hope Rising Update #72

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

Show More Updates

The Big Announcement!

Videos of the Restoration Progress

Arrival of the bus!

July 7, 2023

We have a new roof !

Commencement of Work!

June 7, 2023

May 31, 2023 Removal of the subfloors and repair of the pilings and piers gets underway in the main building

May 2023- Repair of Noah's Ark Building so it can temporarily become The Gathering Place- opening this summer for worship, church offices and community use

January 23, 2023 Bell Tower Removal

December 15, 2022 Property Restoration

Memorial Gardens and Landscaping Vegetation Removal and Clean-up

December 6, 2022 Property Restoration

Diocese and DCMC (FEMA grant management company Diocese has hired) Visit

St. Michael's Restoration Fund

In the aftermath of Ian, many have personally experienced how God is a very real help in our times of need. Yes, God is right here, right now, and God is already working in and through each of us. Originally entitled the St. Michael’s Hurricane Relief Fund, a fund was created on October 1, 2022 with an initial broad scope; to restore our community of faith, our neighbors and our entire community to wholeness. An initial 60% went towards rebuilding the church property, and 40% went towards several local agencies helping those in dire need. By November 17, 2022 $128,000 was raised and $50,000 was distributed to 4 local agencies.

Because several local agencies now have set up their own relief funds, beginning on "Giving Tuesday", November 29, 2022, all funds raised are now going to the renamed St. Michael’s Restoration Fund and will be used for the rebuilding efforts of the church property. 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. The “church” is the people, and the church is alive and well; but now we begin the arduous task of rebuilding the church buildings. Funds will help to cover shortfalls in insurance reimbursement and repairs.

In the future, there will be several opportunities for volunteers to assist on the grounds as well once a restoration plan is in place. Thank you to all who have made a meaningful difference to the burdens of others during this challenging and difficult time by contributing to the fund. It will be a long road to recovery and we greatly appreciate your continued support as we seek to restore the property so St. Michael’s can continue to have a welcoming, open and loving presence on our beautiful sanctuary island.

So please join us by donating. Click on the Red "Donate Now Hurricane Relief" button or TEXT: SMAA IAN to 73256 (SMAA*space*IAN) (follow the instructions on the Text message you receive) Thank you!

Donate Now to the All Angels Restoration Campaign

$15,000 to F.I.S.H.- vestry member Jerry Davenport, CEO Maggie Fiener, Executive Director Marie Espinoza, vestry member Pat Norton, Fr. Bill and Program Coordinator Manuela Martinez

December Hurricane Relief Donation Awards

$15,000 to CHR – vestry member Pat Norton, Fr. Bill with Executive Director Melissa Rice (this amount will do directly to residents as part of a second round distribution to help them with temporary housing costs)

$10,000 to Gladiolus Food Pantry, vestry member Pat Norton, Fr. Bill, director Miriam Ortiz with board members Julie Vergin and Karen Jarboe

$10,000 to Community Cooperative - vestry member Pat Norton, Fr. Bill with Stefanie Edwards CEO of Community Cooperative

Watch "That They All May Be One" Video

from the 54th Annual Episcopal Convention

"Preparing for the Present"

from Tuesday, December 13, 2022
Watch the recording of Rev. David and Jennifer Knight sharing their insights on the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual long term aspects of post hurricane life.

Rusty Farst created the video below that includes footage of the island and St. Michael’s along with beautiful music and prayers. Thank you to Rusty for this moving experience.