Hurricane Ian Update #2 from Pastor Samantha
Date: October 17, 2022
Dear Beach UMC Family and Friends,
It continues to be a difficult time here in Fort Myers Beach. As you may have seen from news pictures and videos, the devastation from Hurricane Ian is widespread and substantial. Many in our church family have lost homes and their personal belongings. Our church and parsonage also suffered extensive damage. But lots of help has arrived and the cleanup is underway.
I was able to get access to the church on Monday, October 10th to see the damage first hand. We have extensive damage on the first floor from the flooding that took place on the island. There are some pictures below. They are heartbreaking to look at and see our beloved church damaged and in such disarray. The parsonage was also heavily damaged from flood waters.
We are working with our UMC Disaster Recovery Team and our insurance carriers to assess the damages and start the next steps in the cleanup and recovery process. Many have offered to us help in this process. Thank you so much. There is info in the previous announcement on how to do that. We will post progress updates on our church Facebook page and on our website – beachunitedmethodist.org
We’re also checking with our church family members – both our full time residents and seasonal visitors, to see how they are doing, to learn if they suffered any loss, and to see if they need help. Please let us know how you are doing by sending us a message using this form on our website – Hurricane Ian Contact Form.
This is a very challenging and difficult time for our church family. We have been blessed by God with all the calls, donations, and offers of support. There are hundreds working on the island to help people clean up and recover. I thank God for everyone. It warms my heart to see and know that there are so many who care and are willing to help. You are truly the body of Christ.
Please join me in continuing to pray for those suffering from this catastrophe. We will continue to need each other and God to help console and guide us through this difficult time.
May God’s peace be with you.
Pastor Samantha
