Dearly Beloved,

To say the past 8 days have been a struggle may very well be the understatement of the decade. Consistent communication channels have been practically non-existent during this time. All the information we have been able to gather is that everyone in the parish is safe. I want to thank Dss. Cynthia for all her hard work trying to ensure that all parishioners are safe. She attempted phone calls, texts, scrounging through Facebook posts, and receiving second-hand information from others. She is the one who kept the “list, checking it twice!”

As power, water, internet, and phone service (landline & cell) are being restored, I wanted you to know that we are aware of 2 homes that have been significantly damaged. Sandy & Randy Peningers’ home was hit by a tree, impacting what looks like the 2 bedrooms on the end of the house. They are safe with their son over in Candler. I went by there today and have the following picture to share with you.

The other home damaged was my own. Kathy and I were in the kitchen last Friday when a 120 ft. tree came down on the roof over the master bedroom causing extensive roof damage and destroying the wall on the northeast side of the house. We were blessed by my daughter Katie and her husband Nathan coming up from Florida that day bringing storm supplies, Nathan and I were able to build 5 roof trusses and rafters and a new outside wall over the course of the past week. All this is temporary until proper reconstruction can be made. Here are a few pictures for you to see.

If anyone else has significant damage, please let me know. Our national church, the Anglican Province of America, has established a hurricane relief fund for all of our churches and members in our area. We know that, even with good insurance, there are gaps that need to be filled and our brothers and sisters across the country can help us with that. The website for that is anglicanprovince.org.

Now on to a few other things.

Worship on Sunday, October 6.

As noted above, we will have one combined service tomorrow, October 6, at 10:00 a.m. We may or may not have power, but that will not stop us from celebrating the Holy Communion! The Holy Communion is also known as the Great Thanksgiving. I can think on no better way to give thanks to our Lord, for our deliverance from Tropical Storm Helene, than to receive him in the Blessed Sacrament. There will be no classes tomorrow.

Water

The church has clean, drinking water. If you need water, bring your jugs with you tomorrow and we’ll fill you up. Also, if you need clean water before then, there is a hose bib directly under the big red cross on the east side of the church. There is also a spigot beside the back, kitchen door. Please know this is available to you as long as necessary.

Fish Fry

As many of you are aware, were unable to hold the Fish Fry yesterday. We have transferred that event to Friday, November 1. That is actually the Feast Day of All Saints, the perfect day for us, as a parish, to have a joyful party after what we have endured. That also means you will still be able get tickets!

Mid-week classes and activities

Our mid-week Bible Studies are cancelled for this coming week, Tuesday, Oct. 8 & Wednesday, Oct. 9. We will worship on Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m.as usual. If there is power by then, the choir may have their usual practice at 6:30 p.m. Dr. Foster and the choir members will make that decision later and we will advise you.

Visitors today

These hard working folks were at the church today when I stopped by. This whole crew is from Indiana. I am sure none of us could possibly thank these men enough!

If any of you have any other needs, please call me directly at 828-620-0860. My cell service seems to be stable. Since there is no power at the church, we cannot receive phone calls on the church line.

Please know I am praying for all of you and I hope to see all of you tomorrow morning!

Blessings,

Fr. Erich