October 4, 2024

Dear Hyde Park Family,

“Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine.

When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.

When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down.

When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end—

Because I am God, your personal God, the Holy of Israel, your Savior.”

(Isaiah 43:1-3, The Message)

The devastation from Hurricane Helene is continually evident throughout our community. As the days go by, we hear stories of grief and loss, from those here in Tampa Bay and loved ones and friends as far away as Western North Carolina.

As I shared in a video shown in the in-person worship services last Sunday, the saying “things can be replaced” is helpful, but it falls short of calculating the true cost of a tragedy like this. Over this past week, many of you have been expending energy and time from depleted reserves, working hard to move forward. Those expenditures exact an emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual toll that cannot be replaced.

However, by God’s grace, they can be replenished.

The words of the prophet Isaiah remind us that God is with us, to replenish the energy required to make it through one more day, to cross one more thing off the seemingly endless checklists, and to wait just a little longer for the next step in a myriad of processes for recovery.

What is also with you is the presence of community, like this Hyde Park congregation, which has proven time and again to come together for mutual support, love, and encouragement.

If you are going through the difficulties of storm recovery, here is a complete and current status of our congregational response:

The “I Need/I Can Help” List

If you or someone you know in this congregation needs help with recovering from the storm, add that need to our growing database by clicking here. And if you are willing and able to help in some way, click here to offer your skills and availability. We will work to match up needs with skills. For more information, contact Heidi Aspinwall, our Director of Missions.

Cleaning/Flood Buckets

We have received a large shipment of fifty Cleaning/Flood Buckets from the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), which anyone can pick up, for themselves or someone in need. They are available in the entrance to the lobby of the Chapel on the Hyde Park Campus.

Letters of Love

A simple and powerful way to help that does not require extensive physical labor is to write a note of prayerful support to someone in need. Stop by the Chapel Lobby on the Hyde Park Campus, where we have blank cards on which you can write a personal note. We will distribute them to people who need them. All supplies are provided, or you can bring your own.

Red Cross Shelter

In the immediate aftermath of the hurricane, we have been hosting the American Red Cross in our Magnolia Building to serve as an emergency shelter for about 30 displaced individuals. That service will continue as long as there is need.

Financial Donations

To make a financial contribution, go to our website to give to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) which is the disaster response agency of our denomination. 100% of your gifts go directly to help people in need in disasters like this one.

Emotional Coping Workshop

Therapist and church member Erica Clark is offering a workshop titled “Coping After a Natural Disaster” at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church this Sunday, October 6, at 12:15pm. You can click here to make a reservation.

Pastoral Support

Your pastoral team is available to offer you spiritual and prayerful encouragement and support. Please contact pastoral administrative assistant Kim Harcrow to connect with Sally, Justin, Bernie, or myself.

Efforts from the Florida Annual Conference

We will keep you informed on wider, coordinated efforts throughout our denominational connection in Florida over the weeks and months to come.

This Sunday, we observe World Communion Sunday, in which we affirm that we are all connected together in ministry and mission. Especially in the wake of a disaster, we are grateful that none of us are every really alone.

Grace and Peace,