Dear St. Lukers,
Well, when asked to “do something”, you all absolutely step up to the plate! Our Change Makers Open House was a great success! Most everyone in worship came over to sign up for classes, studies, volunteer opportunities, and pick up a Hurricane Flood Bucket to fill! Thank you for your energy and passion!
This week started with everyone watching the potential of Tropical Storm Erin to become a hurricane and wondering what path it would take. I don’t know about you, but I’m always trying to watch all of those spaghetti models trying to time out the where and when. I was in a meeting this week as we discussed new information from FEMA and the state to know how to prepare to help if a storm hits Florida this fall. In the back of my mind, I kept hearing the call of this coming Sunday’s sermon, “Start Where You Are”, which is exactly the call Bishop Tom Berlin gave United Methodists at the annual conference when he issued the Flood Bucket Challenge.
One of the things Bishop Berlin said was that it’s Florida, we know a storm is coming, so let’s get what we know we will need then, and prepare it now. We know from history that when a storm hits, people need certain items: extra cleaning supplies, tarps, and other essentials. The idea is to have every United Methodist Church prepare Flood Buckets now and gather them in each district, so we know exactly who to call to get them to the places in need as soon as possible.
This Sunday, we are kicking off YOUR chance to help us complete our challenge. In the next two weeks, we are trying to gather at least 250 buckets. These buckets will be stored here as a central point for the Florida UMC Disaster Team to assist local churches and their communities when the need arises. You can pick up your buckets and lists this Sunday or next at tables outside each worship venue and return them by September 7. This is a great opportunity for the entire family to be involved in being change makers! We have 170 buckets that still need to be picked up, and wouldn’t it be great if we created even MORE than 250?!? Let’s make sure we fill the worship venues over the next few weeks with filled buckets we can pray over – both that they will be a gift, but also that maybe they won’t be needed!
We are also creating two Emergency Response teams to help, and we would love you to consider volunteering to be part of a team. We will have a team trained to be a second call center for the United Methodist Conference right here at St. Luke’s – to route questions, gather information, and share resources with those in need. All you need is a friendly voice and a calm, loving spirit. The other opportunity is to be trained as a part of the Early Response Team to help with deliveries, clean up, and lead work teams for tarping houses, cleaning up debris, and being a friendly neighbor of light and love when people are hurting. You can sign up at st.lukes.org/disaster or at the table after worship on Sunday.
Come join us Sunday as we learn about who is our neighbor, or better yet, how we can be a neighbor. Listen to our podcast and prepare your hearts by studying the parable of the good Samaritan from Luke 10: 25-47. Let’s be change makers together.
Blessings and grace –
Jenn.
