For the first time since S.O.U.L. started in 1996, we were forced by hurricane related conditions to cancel not one, but three Sunday celebrations! We missed services on Sept. 5TH, Sept.12TH, and then again on Sept. 26TH, -- what a stress filled month!

At our Team Spirit meeting it was decided that when hurricane warnings are in effect S.O.U.L would not meet. (In such a case the city of South Miami would close the Community Center anyhow.) We also agreed we would try to e-mail or call everyone possible if cancellations occur again.

We voted to tithe $200 to RoseAnne Eliasson’s cousin, J. R. Comita, who was in the affected areas of Charley. J. R. funneled our gift to seniors in dire need. We also pledged 10% of all of our September collections to hurricane relief. We also gave a tithe of $100 to Rev. Jody Rowe Staley who staged a relief container to hard hit Jamaica.

We are indeed thankful that South Florida was spared the damages that plagued so many other parts of our state. As we enter the holidays please keep in mind all those still suffering in both Florida and the Caribbean. Your financial gifts and help are still needed to aid the continuing recovery efforts. Thanks for all that you do. Namaste!

I received the check you sent from SOUL, and I thank you and your soulmates so much on behalf of the homeless.  We do, so much, appreciate S.O.U.L.'s participation in this ministry.  I call it that, not thinking in traditional terms, but in the ministering we all do in our love and acceptance of people who just can't handle life - for whatever reason.  I have never taken S.O.U.L.'s participation for granted.  It means so much to us, but more importantly, to the homeless and very poor.  Those of you who care about the outcasts of society are very, very special to us.  I'm sorry that I don't interact more with each of you, but we're there to interact with the homeless, and I try to spend as much time with them building trust as I can.  Please tell everyone how much we appreciate everything they do - from financial contributions to the most important thing - being there!  The homeless folks really look forward to our visits, and appreciate the fact that no one preaches or tries to change them.  The used clothing, food, and love mean so much.  Thank you all for caring.

Please remind everyone that the homeless have simple needs:  Sneakers, sandals, shorts, jeans, t-shirts, and the like.  I am, once again, finding nice sports jackets, dress shoes, and ladies dresses wadded up in the pile of clothing with which we return home.  The homeless don't take them, and I either have to have them cleaned and laundered, or do them myself.  If they could just be brought separately - on hangers would be wonderful, but folded in a bag is fine, too - I will get them to Better Way or womens' organizations where they will help folks find jobs and be "suited for success"!  Also, I've found some childrens' items, which I passed on to a church that helps the poor, but I don't have an outlet for them normally.  And last, I'd rather not receive used underwear.  We provide new underwear, and the old ones are always left over for me to discard.

We express our sympathy to Robert Larson. His mother made her transition in August.

We send a warm hello to Joanne Tatham. She is now at an assisted living care center. She would love to hear from her soulmates or have visitors! Call 305-247-0446 or write to her at The Palace Garden, 1351 N. Krome Ave. Homestead, Florida, 33030-4206.

We were so happy to see Cathy Layow at a recent service. Keep up the good healing, Cathy!! (And thanks to Bob Mitchell for all his help to you and others.)

We congratulate Lawrence Furman with our ‘Do-Gooder’ award for his relief efforts in Melbourne with victims of the recent hurricanes!

We wish to thank RoseAnne Eliasson for celebrating our Birthday Sundays with her homemade cakes & her candles. We also thank Julie Dalzell for designing and producing our unique and special Volunteer Appreciation certificates. As always, we thank Nancy Moody for arranging our wonderful schedule of speakers and musicians! And we thank Robert Larson for coordinating our sound system and Martin Buel for bringing his beautiful blooming variety of orchids each week.

We recognize and thank ALL our wonderful volunteers, our generous donors and advertisers, and you-our online community. Please email us at soulchurchmiami@yahoo.com and let us know what you think of our site!