The Chapel is an active participator in the Beach Ministries, consisting of all the churches on the island of varying denominations and deities. Their homeless program provides assistance to those living on the island, surrounding islands, people who live on boats and/or fishermen. They have a variety of programs including God's Table which serves two free meals a day, free haircuts, clothing and showers, free medical care and assistance with prescriptions, a food pantry where food is donated to families in need either by coming in and picking it up or having it delivered, access to rental assistance and paying of utilities, assistance for Veteran's, a visiting Parish Nurse, counseling services, amongst other programs.

On Friday, August 13, 2004, Fort Myers Beach was hit with Hurricane Charley, a level 4 storm. Many evacuated, but many had stayed. And, the ones who did stay witnessed a political and religious abomination. Not one church's door was open for those seeking shelter, nearly 1,000 people, nor did those who remained receive support from the Town and Emergency Operation Committee. When approached, they were told they were to evacuate and shouldn't have stayed in the first place.

This was the message told to us 3 days later when we went down to the air-conditioned, dry, safe, Administration building stocked with food, drinking water, etc., after we eagerly listening to our radios to hear what the surrounding islands such as Sanibel and Captiva's emergency teams were informing their residents of what they could or could not do to protect their personal property, safety and dwellings. We were also told no one was allowed to enter the island, including ALL clergy, which included the Pastor for the Chapel's Homeless program.

You see, prior to the hurricane I had been volunteering at the Chapel's Homeless Program, working closely with the Parish Nurse. On Thursday, August 12th, it was confided to me the program was in dire need of financial support and if the hurricane hit as predicted, it would nearly be wiped out which she believed the Town was hoping for. Additionally, she disclosed they would be providing shelter services for the homeless from the hurricane as it had been prearranged with the Red Cross to come and assist those in need, as there are always people who stay!

After the hurricane settled, not identifying myself as clergy, I went to the Town and Emergency Operation Committee explaining I had been working with the Chapel's homeless program and was aware of the arrangements made with the Red Cross where I was again told they weren't letting ANYONE on the island — including the Red Cross! I left and returned shortly afterward bearing my clergy credentials from ULC Headquarters and the state of WI. I showed them to them not saying a word. I then returned home and contacted Father Andre at ULC Headquarters in Modesto, CA. Needless to say and to make a long story short, the mere act of showing my credentials and insinuation of national exposure, within an hour I received a phone call from the Town stating the Red Cross would be on the island within a couple of hours, and they were right on my street, passing out water and later food.

But, as I stated, it was already day three. People were homeless, hungry, and getting angry. The next day the Red Cross shelter was opened at the Chapel (but the Pastor still was not being allowed to enter) and as those of us later saw, about a week passed before other churches started opening their doors passing out water, food, etc. People were very upset and the National Guard was called in and people were then allowed back in their homes.

Well, the reason for this tribute is because without names being mentioned, there was a Church that opened it's doors and great kindness and bravery WAS SHOWN to those in need. I later learned that an employee of the Chapel immediately following the hurricane while knowing full-well they may be risking their job, opened the church's doors to those seeking shelter. It was only a handful of families. But, they represented a mindset of the majority who I believed would go to their church for help believing they would not be turned away but instead found their doors were closed, locked and no one available to help them.

I can't tell you how much the families the employee did that for touched my heart as they expressed their gratitude and how later the Chapel's actions reinforced their belief in the church and mine. To me, this is true Ministry at its best, as after their Administration learned about it, the employee didn't lose their job as to many they became a hero and by not punishing the employee and praising them, the church improved its image in its parishioners eyes as it was the RIGHT thing to do! The shelter had been spared and was perfectly safe for people to come inside. There just wasn't anyone with POWER to authorize it, as the Town wouldn't let the Pastor on the island even after allowing the Red Cross on to operate the shelter.

You ask why should I care so much when I have my own church and why tell my story now? The sun never sets on the ULC. We believe all are members of our church as we are one! And, we recently learned due to our current economy the Chapel's Homeless program is struggling and is in need of donations. We ask if you have ever received help from them or are now and are able to, please try to give back. If you're out of work and have a special skill, the Chapel can use you and they may know someone you can help out. If you have extra money, they could use it. If you have a skill that you can teach someone to help them get work, teach them. If you have wisdom, share it.

You may trust me on this, even if we had a homeless program or similar programs of our own, we would be doing this gesture, as we are true supporters of doing that which is right and of others who are doing God's work.

To make a donation, please contact via phone (ask about the God's Table program) or mail:
   Chapel by the Sea Homeless Program
   100 Chapel Street
   Ft. Myers Beach, FL 33932
   (239) 463-3173