Hurricane Ian Response

As you have seen by now, Hurricane Ian made landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast with category 4 winds and storm surges causing significant flooding and devastating the southwest area of the state and beyond. The Florida United Methodist Conference has received damage reports of varying levels from at least 150 churches in our area, and we are still assessing the full impact of the storm.

Good news: You can help!

Here are five ways you can help those in need across the state as we begin to rebuild.

1. Pray. Continue to lift the impacted in prayer.

2. Give online or in person to our church. 100% of gifts marked "Hurricane Ian" will be used to support the mission of local churches most directly affected by the storm.

3. Collect cleaning kits. Click here for a list of supplies and instructions on how to assemble a cleaning kit. Kits can be brought to the church on Sunday morning, or dropped off at the Pumpkin Patch during their open hours.

4. Donate other much-needed items: bottled water, toilet paper, paper towels, paper plates, plastic cutlery, canned food items (pop top preferred), laundry detergent, diapers. Donations can be brought to the church on Sunday morning, or dropped off at the Pumpkin Patch during their open hours.

5. Call the Disaster Recovery call center. Dial 855-CAT-FUMC to volunteer or share post-storm community needs.

Hurricane Ian Update

We are preparing for Hurricane Ian at church, and you should, too. No matter where this storm makes landfall, our area will be affected. Seminole Heights United Methodist Preschool will be closed tomorrow through Friday so our staff can prepare for the storm and be with their families.

If the church has power after the storm passes, we will open as a cooling station - stay tuned here and on social media for updates. This week's Free Dinner & Messy Church will be postponed until after the storm passes. We will share on social media when we will serve dinner for our community later this week.

And in the uncertainty around the storm, we can rest in the reminder from the Bible:

"do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be afraid, for I am your God;

I will strengthen you; I will help you;

I will uphold you with my victorious right hand."

-Isaiah 41:10

Let's support each other and trust in God to carry us through this storm, once again.

Blessings,

Pastor Tiffania

Dec. 3: Holiday Craft Fair and Bake Sale

This annual craft fair in the heart of Old Seminole Heights in Tampa has taken place for over 50 years. Do some holiday shopping and support local businesses!

We will have craft items from local vendors, homemade baked goods, jams, jellies, and food concessions for sale.

Apply to be a vendor today: https://bit.ly/dec3craftfair

Cost is $50 for a 10' x 10' outdoor space. The registration deadline is November 19. Cost includes a lunch ticket for food concessions. Craft items of any type or consultants for products such as Pampered Chef, Creative Memories, Avon, etc. are welcomed. We apologize in advance; however, we are unable to accept food vendors at this time.

Once your application is received and reviewed, you will receive instructions on how to pay for your space. This is a rain or shine event, and unfortunately, we cannot offer refunds once you have paid.

Questions? Email semheightsbazaar@gmail.com with Holiday Craft Bazaar in the subject line. We will see you on December 3!