Weekly Services
Sundays, 11:00 am
2nd week of November thru 4th week of April
Join us in person at
11580 Chapin Lane Captiva, FL
or
join us virtually on Facebook Live
Sundays, 11:00 am
2nd week of November thru 4th week of April
Join us in person at
11580 Chapin Lane Captiva, FL
or
join us virtually on Facebook Live
Chapel Announcements
Pastor Doug with the Dugan's - Lynne, our music director and her husband, Bob, who has been our volunteer sound man for years.
A New Season
November 8, 2024
By Doug Dortch
As we begin another new season at Captiva Chapel by the Sea, we once again face a momentous challenge, one that will require us to dig deeply not just to extricate sand drifts from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, but also to get rid of the despair and disillusionment that storms like these tend to layer upon our souls. This coming season will no doubt involve unforeseen questions and responses. Of course, some we know.
“What must we do to repair the damage to the Chapel and adjacent properties?”
“How much will it cost?”
“What do we do about worship in the meantime?”
Others are yet to be confronted. As we approach all these questions, I invite you to join me in doing so from the standpoint of faith. As I have shared on many occasions, faith is what believers do in the face of seemingly insurmountable circumstances. Faith always involves walking to the edge of the light we have, and then taking one step more. As the Apostle Paul wrote in his second letter to the church at Corinth, believers ultimately “walk by faith and not by sight” 2 Corinthians 5:7.
If we approach whatever arises in this light, not only will the coming months involve unforeseen tests, they will also hold unforeseen opportunities – opportunities to experience God’s blessing and then opportunities to extend those blessings to others. Only faith will ensure that neither can be missed and will confirm our confession that Captiva Chapel by the Sea is “a place where God lives,” a conviction that no calamity or disturbance can ever take away. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to begin.
Captiva’s Chapel by the Sea will hold outdoor services this season as repair work continues.
Milton Damages Captiva Chapel,
But Not Its Spirit Of Worship
October 26, 2024
By Chip Roach
Captiva’s Chapel by the Sea will hold its first service of the season at 11 a.m. Nov. 10 in the yard. Pastor Doug Dortch has a theory: “This is a time when worshiping together helps the community to heal from the two hurricanes in October, plus the residue of sadness from 2022’s storm.”
The Chapel is very comfortable with “outside services” where the minister can be seen and heard, in addition to the peace of nature with breezes, Ospreys, Pelicans, and the sound of the Gulf enhancing the hour of worship.
But Not Its Spirit Of Worship
October 26, 2024
By Chip Roach
Captiva’s Chapel by the Sea will hold its first service of the season at 11 a.m. Nov. 10 in the yard. Pastor Doug Dortch has a theory: “This is a time when worshiping together helps the community to heal from the two hurricanes in October, plus the residue of sadness from 2022’s storm.”
The Chapel is very comfortable with “outside services” where the minister can be seen and heard, in addition to the peace of nature with breezes, Ospreys, Pelicans, and the sound of the Gulf enhancing the hour of worship.
The condition of the Chapel has become clearer as the sea of sand has been gradually removed from the surrounding lane and yard. It was one to four feet deep when Bob Johnson, our construction manager, began this project with a new bigger machine. We now believe the Chapel has been moved off its foundation and needs a lift. It is currently unsafe to occupy.
This past Saturday, October 19 - we assembled experts with Bob and heard of some solutions to raise and stabilize the structure and the idea of lifting the Chapel just a bit for future protection. The Chapel executive committee and board will meet soon to discuss these options and to make a final decision on our season opening on Sunday, November 10.
We have lost a significant amount of greenery…especially important Grape Trees along the beach side of our grounds. Long-term, we will replant to make more of a protection from the Gulf and provide some shade.
The question of funding will be discussed and a special appeal from our friends considered but there is a button on the "DONATE" page to help us with this work.
Rev. Doug Dortch and his wife, Judy, will be joining us shortly, as the work continues to make their residence ready for their occupancy again. It appears to have escaped any damage or water intrusion. The sand covered their back deck, used occasionally for a “porch party” at sunset.
Our historical cemetery is covered with several feet of sand (the original gravestone with the lamb on top, is buried half-way up with sand and several are toppled). Arrangements are being made to carefully hand-dig this section. It will take some time and caring labor to accomplish that task.
Our video crew from Bright Ideas Media will meet with Doug and our sound team to determine how best to work together if we need to worship outdoors, which seems likely.
More to come. Stay tuned and pray for our recovery and gathering to worship together.
For those who follow the video mini-sermons all summer, check Doug's latest efforts on our YouTube channel or click on our web site at www.captivachapel.com
Nominations committee chair and continuing Vice President, Nathalie Pyle.
Annual Meeting Report
Our annual meeting was 30 minutes after some post-service hospitality and had a record attendance of around 30 interested people. Presentations by various officers and committee chairs were a highlight and Pastor Doug led us off with his confessions of personal growth and learning of the Chapel Way. His heartfelt appreciation of the Chapel community’s embrace of he and Judy was a highlight.
Our annual meeting was 30 minutes after some post-service hospitality and had a record attendance of around 30 interested people. Presentations by various officers and committee chairs were a highlight and Pastor Doug led us off with his confessions of personal growth and learning of the Chapel Way. His heartfelt appreciation of the Chapel community’s embrace of he and Judy was a highlight.
DOWNLOAD The 2024 ANNUAL REPORT:
| chapel_by_the_sea_annual_meeting_report_april_14_2024.pdf |
Biggest annual meeting attendance, smiling as Chip Roach, communications chair asks them to smile.
A Glimpse of Our Last Service
Sunday, November 18, 2024
See more photos in the 2024 - 2025 Photo Album.
A call to begin the service from our bell-ringer, Mary Bell of Sanibel.
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Mission table is just behind Ellen…hostess Blair Wyatt smiles in the shade there. Center & right: Greeters Nathalie Pyle & Marilyn Lewis. Left: board chair Ellen Sloan.
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No matter where you are in the world or what path you’ve taken in your journey, when you have a prayer request, we are here for you. Just click the button below to email our confidential prayer team.
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Captiva Chapel by the Sea relies solely on voluntary donations to fund our Mission Outreach commitments and the year-round maintenance of this sacred and historic space. No matter the amount, we thank you!
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All Are Welcome
Captiva Chapel by the Sea is where all are welcome regardless of their religious beliefs. We are an interdenominational ministry serving South West Florida's winter season and are recognized in the National Register of Historic Places.
Captiva Chapel By The Sea nurtures a strong community within and we also are committed to supporting mission outreach in the broader community.
There is no membership roster at our church, yet a motivated and enthusiastic group of volunteers manage to get things done "in God's time."
Historically, Captiva Chapel By The Sea has relied solely on support provided entirely by Sunday plate collections and voluntary gifts. With your support, we continue that tradition today.
Captiva Chapel By The Sea nurtures a strong community within and we also are committed to supporting mission outreach in the broader community.
There is no membership roster at our church, yet a motivated and enthusiastic group of volunteers manage to get things done "in God's time."
Historically, Captiva Chapel By The Sea has relied solely on support provided entirely by Sunday plate collections and voluntary gifts. With your support, we continue that tradition today.
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