A Note from Alice
As I write this, I have done all I know to do to prepare for hurricane Ian.
Yard picked up ✅
Gas in the car ✅
Water, batteries, groceries (including some not so healthy snacks - just sayin . . .) ✅
Checked on neighbors, friends & family ✅
Extra dog food for Gracie ✅
I truly am one of the lucky ones. I’m not having to evacuate, I have a place to shelter in. I have the good health and the means to buy gas, food and water. I have family and friends to help if needed. But I am mindful that so many around me do not.
And I am thinking about our first responders, power crews, and shelter workers who will be working to bring comfort to those displaced and to restore life back to normal as quickly as they can. Even as you read this blog hundreds of power crews from out of state are staging around us. Shelters are opening their doors to help those who need a place to ride the storm out. Medical crews are on standby to assist as needed. Law enforcement are working to safely evacuate folks from potential danger. And those crazy weather teams are out trying to predict the almost unpredictable. We should include all of them in our prayers - especially the weather forecaster who stands out in 70 mph winds . . .
And friends, don’t think you’re off the hook on the healing end of this. As members of the UMC we will play a huge part in whatever recovery looks like whether it’s through UMCOR donations (click here to give) or through your churches support in making flood-buckets or cleaning kits. Our UMC connection is real, and I love how it shows up best when it’s needed most.
I look forward to witnessing, and hearing about God sightings over the next few days as we journey through Ian together. And I am grateful to be a part of a connection that is able to make a meaningful impact to those in need.
And friends if you need assistance in anyway, or are in an area that is told to evacuate - just do it. Allow those around you to provide the care you need so that you can do the same for someone else at another time. It’s funny how sometimes in life we give grace and sometimes we need to be the receivers of grace. God is good that way.
Regardless of what the next few days holds for us please remember that as a people of God we claim Paul’s words:
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation including Hurricane Ian (ok, I added that it’s not in scripture), will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 8:38-39.
Be safe, be blessed, and most of all “hunker down” if you need to!
Blessings,
Alice Williams
Co-Lay Leader, Florida Conference
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