Covenant News

Florida Churches Continue to Repair Storm Damage

ROYAL PALM BEACH, FL (February 11, 2005) - The hurricanes may be history, but at least one Southeast Conference congregation is still recovering from last fall's devastation to the eastern coast of Florida.

Royal Palm Covenant Church pastor Michael Rose said that the church suffered an estimated $72,000 in damage – according to insurance company figures – including both the inside and outside of the building. Thanks to the efforts of many volunteers, work is nearing completion on certain of the major project needs, according to Southeast Conference Supt. Kurt Miericke, including repairs to the roof as well as the damaged interior - pews, carpeting and doors, among other things. The youth room in the church was completely devastated and there are wiring and mold issues that have come up as assessors have looked at the overall destruction. Even the ceiling tile on the facility required refurbishing, Rose added.

While it is hoped that assistance from Evangelical Covenant churches will continue into the future, Rose's congregation of more than 100 seems to be regrouping. Rose said that parishioners Lester Warren and Howard Dillon, along with Tim Smith and others, have been especially helpful with carpentry work and help of all kinds.

"We need prayer for the families that are still reeling financially from the effects of the hurricanes, but I think we're coming out of it."

Located two hours north of Miami, Royal Palm Beach and other surrounding cities have suffered millions of dollars in property damage. Pastors Michael and Carolyn Rose were not immune to the hurricanes either. Their family (including three boys living at home) is now living in a new home after theirs was damaged. It could have been worse, said Michael.

"There was a palm tree that drooped down within three to four inches of my son's room and nothing was holding it up," he said in surveying his home after one hurricane. "Then there was another tree that was just resting on the other corner of the room. It was amazing – it was like God said, 'Not this one.'"

To learn more about Royal Palm Covenant Church, call Rose at 561-793-1077 or email him at rpcchurch@mcihispeed.net.

Repairs continue at other locations as well, Miericke notes, including First Covenant in Vero Beach that has a work team coming from California this week. "They have had several teams from all over, including the Southeast Conference, the Chicago area, Michigan and Minnesota. "They still are doing extensive interior work since the water damage really ruined much of the inside of the church."

The superintendent also reports that the Covenant church in Winter Park just discovered that their roof, while appearing to look okay on the outside, actually is in bad shape and will need to be replaced, due to damage inflicted by the storms.

For more information about other Southeast Conference congregations and their needs following last fall's hurricanes, call Conference Supt. Kurt Miericke at 407-977-8009.

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