Hi Hyde Park Team,

Sunday we focused on the Serenity prayer. Such a prayer is especially appropriate for the summer season as Hurricanes must top of the list of physical natural forces we can’t change. 

Something we can change is our hurricane preparation. Long-time Florida residents probably have their go-to piece of advise. Mine is= Eat down your freezer storage now from oldest to newest. Replace the space with containers of clean drinking water for ice later. While, you’re at it, use those unusual refrigerated ingredients like capers, you bought for that one recipe that one time. 

There are official versions of preparation guides at Publix and downloadable from wusf.org or your county’s website. (Hillsborough’s is very good.)

One crucial thing I never see in those guides, Meet your neighbors. Geographically-close community can give you somewhere to run, provide a chainsaw, or share some generated power. If you evacuate, your neighbors can let know you what happened to your tree or give you updates on flooded streets. 

Good community, as well as good mission practice, is built on mutual relationship. All of the benefits are as much for us to give, as to receive. You can help each other find a missing cat, or blown away trashcan. You can help host the neighborhood gathering dedicated to grill all themeat before it spoils.” Maybe your porch becomes the hang out because your wifi is first to be restored. 

It’s a bit like the story of Jesus feeding the crowd of five thousand with 2 fish and 5 loaves. It isn’t just a story about the divine power displayed, or the training of the disciples to faithfully serve others or respond to an inconceivable request. It is also a story of the crowd sharing their meager lunch offerings with one another. In any neighborhood in the world, even seat mates in a row of airplane travel, neighbors can be an essential relationship of safety and comfort. And like the Bible story teaches, it helps when you bring snacks to share.

So now is the time to make some bread or cookies but maybe forego using the capers. Knock on some doors or chat while taking out the garbage. Let me know if you make some friends or discover something good. Can’t wait to hear about it.

Grace and Peace,