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Worship in July: Awakening
Looking for enlightenment and awakening? This Sunday gives you invitations for just that. Explorations of dreams, wisdom from within and from new teachings come to you this month.
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Humanist Forum
The Humanist Forum regularly meets every Sunday at 9:15a in Hobart Hall. All are welcome to attend.
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Sunday Coffee Hour
Sunday's Coffee Hour is provided by volunteers from The Women's Circle on the first Sunday, CUUPS, on the second Sunday, Humanist Forum on the third Sunday, Men's Group on the fourth Sunday and if there is a fifth Sunday, it is All Church.
Any donations of food, snacks or cash are welcome.
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Community Sharing in July: SWFL Pachamama
Our Mission
Our mission is catalyze a community of conscious pro-activists who want to work together for an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, and socially just human presence. We support the Mission of the Pachamama Alliance and will grow and nurture a local SWFL Pachamama Alliance Community supporting people to become pro-activists. We will offer support and pro-activist trainings and then help people plug in where their passion lies.
Our Community Story
We began in the summer of 2016 by inviting 12 people in our region to take the Pachamama Game Changer Intensive at the same time. We offer these events free of charge.
We offered our first Awakening the Dreamer Symposium in early October. After that our core group came together and hosted a community pot luck and a Citizens Climate Lobby Group Start for Lee and Collier Counties. Then our newly formed core group produced and led our first Symposium on March 4, 2017 at the Lamb of God Church and Community in Fort Myers. It was well attended by 43 people from a span of 3 generations.
The core group has been meeting regularly and we hope to be able to offer events and speakers in the coming year. Our next Symposium with be on the Florida Gulf Coast University campus in the fall. We have been asked to present at the Calusa Sierra Club, and All Faiths Church as well.
We helped a Citizen's Climate Lobby Chapter open in SWFL and will be supporting other environmental groups to work together more; and we intend to get Move to Amend more visible through monthly community gatherings at UUCFM every first Thursday of each month.
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Humbled
I am humbled by the events of last week that occurred during a time that was supposed to feel playful and safe; a Sanctuary for our legislators and possibly one of the only times they experience fun and unity together. Another senseless shooting, this time in the heart of Washington DC. Once again, no matter what side of the aisle one sits, we collectively learn as a nation that violence is not the answer.
In our congregation, we have a small But Mighty part to play and being agents of peace and joy in the world. Systemic ills that plague us and Lead only to more violence include cycles of domination and oppression. Racism. White supremacy. Patriarchy. The culture of Empire and colonization. Commodification of our mother earth . Ignoring the humanity of our neighbors even in Lee County.
As a religious people, it becomes clearer and clearer to me that doing nothing is no longer an option for the future Generations. And, I am so proud of the love in your hearts that motivates you to do something. My great prayer is that this congregation continues to be a place where you feel you are doing something. You are doing your part. We make decisions that awaken and emboldened us to do our part as a liberal religious presence in SWFL . For there is joy in this hard work. It is nothing more than a collaboration with the spirit of Love itself; it is holy work.
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Religious Education News
Our summer curriculum, We Are Made of Stardust, is an exciting opportunity for our congregants to connect with our children and youth. The program explores the ways science and spirituality intersect through story, experiments, and discussion. Our summer program operates as a one-room schoolhouse with all our children and youth together to share in the experience. If you'd like to join us for a
Sunday
morning this summer and explore our cosmic roots through the eyes of our amazing kids, let me know! We'd love to have you involved!
Our youth lock-in will begin on
Friday, July 28th. 6th - 12th graders are invited to attend and bring their friends! Parental units will drop their youth off at
6:00p in the Sanctuary and come back the following day at
noon to collect them in the same place. Middle and high school kids will be sleeping in separate, chaperoned rooms according to our safety policies. There will be workshops, worship, and loads of fun for all. If you're keen on helping facilitate the lock-in, have questions or concerns, or would like to share ideas for workshops, please get in touch!
Jenn Blosser, Director of Religious Education
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From the Office...
The office will be closed the week of June 27th to July 4th. If you need a key or want to reserve a space on the calendar, please call or email the Office Manager by June 23rd. There will be no newsletter on June 29th. Thanks,
Jill Carville, Office Manager
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Music Notes
June 25:
The joy of classical music. Amy Laursen presents a bouquet of beautiful Burgmüller piano études, delicate and refreshing.
Saturday, July 1st at 7:00p: Jim Scott CONCERT right here at UUCFM! See article below for details.
July 2: Jim Scott, famous UU singer/songwriter/guitarist leads this musical service and shares his songs. The Choir harmonizes
Let All Our Hearts Open Wide and
Peace Be with You Always.
July 9: Get Woke! The Choir covers
Emma's Revolution's
inspiring folk song
Keep On Moving Forward.
July 16: Dream Work. Amy Laursen covers the sparkling 2009 pop hit
Fireflies by Owl City.
July 23: Awakening the Dreamer. The Choir sings the rousing climate change march song
The Tide is Rising by
Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman and Yotam Schachter
.
Do you love music and concerts? The
Music Committee needs new members! The next meeting is
Wednesday, August 23rd at 3:00p in Room 7. Contact Judie Marble, Chair, for more details.
[email protected]
The UUCFM Choir rehearses most Wednesday nights from 6:45-8:15p, and on Sunday mornings from 9-10a in the Sanctuary. It's free and there are no auditions. Please email me in advance so that a music folder can be prepared for you. Come join us in singing!
The UUCFM Band rehearses most Wednesday nights from 6:00-6:45p, and on Sunday mornings from 9-10a in the Sanctuary. If you would like to play your instrument during a Sunday service, please email me to coordinate the details. Come join us in making music together!
Amy Laursen, Director of Music [email protected]
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FUUn BUUnch
The FUUn BUUnch meets Friday,
June 23rd at 7:00p at
Bianca's Ristorante Italiano
16251 Cleveland Ave.
North Fort Myers, 33903 (ph: 239.995-3272)
Directions: Go Northbound over the Caloosahatchee River Bridge. Continue on N. Cleveland Ave. past Bianca’s Restaurant on the left. Go over Littleton Road and make the first “U” Turn. Bianca’s is in the Tamiami Plaza on the right.
Arrangements have been made with the management for us to have a semi private area. This is a social event- we will have fun, eat, and talk together.
Please RSVP John E. Fischer by
June 21st
at
267 992 6566
or at
[email protected]
to reserve your place at the FUUN BUUNCH DINNER at Bianca's Ristorante, 23rd at
7:00p
. The restaurant needs our numbers to schedule staffing and reserve our space.
FUUn BUUnch Help
The FUUn BUUnch needs restaurant suggestions for dining, one Friday each month, May through December.
Restaurant must:
- Be within 35 to 40 miles of Shire and Daniels.
- Be capable of serving 15 to 40 people in close proximity of each other.
- Provide selections from their regular menu.
Call
John E. Fischer with suggestions 267-992-6566.
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Kitchen Cleaning
If you enjoyed a meal or cup of coffee in Hobart Hall this year, this is the time to repay by coming to the Kitchen Cleaning on Monday June 26th from 9:00a to 12:00 noon. Many meals and receptions are prepared in OUR kitchen and it deserves OUR attention. Please join in anytime you are able. Contact
[email protected]. THANKS!
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Jim Scott Weekend- July 1-2
Jim Scott will be leading our service and song on Sunday, July 2nd. He will also be putting on a concert here at UUCFM on Saturday evening, July 1st at 7:00p. Tickets will be sold at the door.
Jim Scott has visited more than 600 Unitarian Universalist (UU) Churches over a span of three decades. His much loved “Gather the Spirit” and a number of others are included in the two most recent UU hymnbooks. Former Co-chair of the UU Ministry for the Earth, Jim was involved in creating the “Green Sanctuary” program. He was awarded a grant from the Fund for Unitarian Universalism to compile and arrange the Earth and Spirit Songbook, a collection of over 100 songs of earth and peace that has been acclaimed as a great resource for worship and RE programs.
In concerts and Sunday services, Jim speaks with passion on ecology, justice and peace, and often works with choirs, inspiring singers to new levels of expression. His lyrical poetry and stories are calls to action, full of hope and gentle wit. Though Jim is often brought in as the “speaker,” his services are always very musical. As song-leader he lifts joyous participation from congregations.
In many benefit concerts for churches, Jim helps build community and raise consciousness. Intergenerational concerts are also one of Jim’s specialties, with engaging music that suits all ages.
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Women's Circle
The Women's Circle lunch for July will be on Monday, July 10th at noon. We will lunch this month in Cape Coral just over the bridge at Ford's Restaurant on the right as you come of the bridge on Cape Coral Parkway. For more details, call Susan Forsyth,
239-424-8442.
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Optimal Living Group
The Optimal Living Group is open to all and does not require attending every session. We meet in the Sanctuary on the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 4:00-5:30p. We discuss how to live optimally, including practical ways to cope with life's challenges and issues. Helping others and developing maturity in ourselves is part of our quest. We explore many paths and techniques for enriching our lives and making a difference for others. For more information, fill out a blue card found in the pews or email Neil Yesu:
[email protected].
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Mindfulness Meditation
Join us on Monday evenings to explore the very simple and satisfying practices of mindfulness and meditation. You don’t need experience with meditation, nor do you have to be a Buddhist. Do please bring an intention to quiet the mind and the body in a supportive group of UU members and friends with a similar intention - people who want to carry mindfulness into their daily lives. We meet Mondays from 6:30-8:00p in the Sanctuary. If you have any questions, please contact Gary Robbins at
[email protected]
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The Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist group meets Sundays at 1:45p in Room 1.
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Community Wednesday
Community Wednesday is held in Hobart Hall. Bring friends and neighbors, too. Join us each Wednesday for a delicious meal prepared by Chef Joy for a small donation. After the fellowship and fine fare from 6:00- 6:45p, join your favorite programming event, committee meeting, or social activity. Child care is provided until 8:30p.
Regular Activitie
s for July:
4:00-5:30 Optimal Living Group (1st & 3rd Wed)
6:00-6:45 Community Meal
6:00-6:45 Band Rehearsal in Sanctuary
6:45-8:00 Choir Rehearsal in Sanctuary
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New Book Study
Join in reading
The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times by Pema Chodron. The next book study begins
July 5th Wednesday to
July 26th. Come having read Prologue through Chapter 5. We meet in the Library from
1:00 to 2:30p on Wednesdays.
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UUCFM Historical Martial Arts Club
The UUCFM Historical Martial Arts Club is dedicated to preserving and practicing a variety of historical martial arts for entertainment and fitness purposes. We meet at various times (determined by interest) most often at 12:30p after service on Sundays to practice Archery and Tomahawk/Axe throwing. Other activities and times can be found on our Facebook page of the same name. All are welcome to join us!
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South Fort Myers Food Pantry
Many members of our congregation have gone north for the summer. We had some very generous food donations during April and early May as people cleaned out their cabinets before leaving. If we could just keep up with extra donations during the summer, it would be a big help. Summer is a busier time at the pantry as our recipients lose their seasonal jobs. The Harry Chapin Food Bank selection is often limited during July, August and September, so donations of protein items such as canned tuna, chicken, and ham are very important. Peanut butter is also a good choice. The pantry depends on donations from year round residents at this time of year. So my UU friends, try to donate a little extra while our seasonal members are away. Our neighbors in need are here year round and most appreciate whatever we can share with them. If you have questions or are interested in volunteering, email Fran Rose at [email protected]. Put "Food Pantry" on the subject line of your email.
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Christmas in July
Think ahead for the Arts Fair/All Church Bake Sale after Sunday services, December 3rd and December 10th, 11:30a -1:30p.
New this year is a "Next to New" booth for your donations or consignment (50/50}, to recycle your nice, but unwanted items. Shop early for those gifts you give to others. For more info, contact
[email protected] or phone
812-332-3450, cell in Wisconsin. For specific questions on Arts & Crafts Booths contact Patricia Linhoff's email,
[email protected]
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Photo Directory on Hold
Sorry, but due to technical issues, the photo directory is delayed
until further notice. If you wish to add your photo as a Member or
Friend, and did not do the photo shoot in March, contact John Swank,
415-1453 or
[email protected]. We especially want to add new
members to the hundreds of photos we have collected.
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My UU Story
John Fisher: Moral and Ethical Soil for Sons
From the age of 10 to present I researched and studied various philosophies, theologies, and religions. I don’t remember how I found it but I came to the Unitarian Universalist (UU) religion in an effort to provide my newly born son with moral and ethical soil in which to grow. All three of my sons were dedicated in the Unitarian Church a few months after their births. Without my knowledge, this moral and ethical soil became mine as well. UUism; its ideals, its principles, and its people have deeply affected me and changed the course of my life. It began with UU friends urging me to enroll in college long after graduation from high school. I earned Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Education, both with honors. These UU friends changed my life radically. As a result of this life change, I did social work for seven years and taught for 25.
The Reverend Doctor Victor Carpenter, Minister of the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, changed and reset the focus of my thinking. Victor encouraged and furthered my philosophical, theological and religious questioning, raising many questions through his answers and many answers through his questions. His sermons were thought provoking, clear and well stated. Unitarian Universalism and Buddhism fit me and nothing has replaced it. I have been a UU for more than 52 years. After all of this time, it all still fits. (I wish I could say my clothing from 50 years ago still fit.)
Not finding a proof for the existence of God that cannot be refuted, and not having been given the gift of faith, I am a lifelong agnostic. When a religion and its sacraments are not harmful and provide comfort and solace to its adherents, then that religion has merit. Unfortunately, not all religions are benevolent. Those religions and their sacraments are harmful. Christian sacraments like baptism and communion can be uplifting to those who believe. I believe we make our heaven and hell and we are our own salvation. Historically, the Bible seems to be an ancient people’s confused explanation of a natural world over which they had neither power nor understanding.
My wife, Peg, and I joined the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers (UUCFM) two years ago after moving to Fort Myers. We were looking for both a church and a community. We intended to relocate to Port Charlotte, but grew to love the people at UUCFM and could not bring ourselves to move. We have found the community at UUCFM warm, caring and loving.
About My UU Story
Each month, the Membership Committee would like to publish your UU story- either converted or born UUs. How did you become a UU, or how did our religion affect your life? Alternatively, do you have a one paragraph remembrance of your first reaction to being in a UU church and/or learning about the religion? To share your story, please contact Joy Sokeitous at [email protected]
Joy will help you edit and she will provide questions to help you develop your story.
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If you are a UUCFM Community Sharing Partner, a regular Facility User, or have UU related news to share, you are welcome to submit announcements for publication in our Greater Community section of the newsletter. Please send announcements in by each Wednesday for publication in the Thursday E-news.
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LIFE Corporate Investment Drive Needs Your Help!
To ensure we have the financial resources to hire a lead organizer we need to have a very successful corporate investment drive. We ask local business leaders to invest in LIFE because our efforts make our community a better place for them to conduct business, to attract employees, and succeed.
You can help by identifying members of your congregation who own a successful business and have a heart for justice. We have a key team of volunteers who would make an appointment to ask for their investment. Typically we would be targeting businesses that could invest $1,000.
Please send the contact information for the business to Pastor Rusty May at [email protected] or phone him at 239-560-0065.
Finally, we want to take this opportunity to thank all of the individual LIFE network members of your congregation for a very successful individual investment drive. If you are a network member who hasn’t contributed yet (or even if you aren’t a network member but want to support this ministry), please give your investment check to one of your justice ministry leaders or to your pastor. Thank you!!
LIFE FOR JUSTICE…JUSTICE FOR LIFE!!!
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June 23 Karen Brown
June 23 Roman Carr is 3!
June 24 Helen Krieger
June 25 Rosalie Kuehn
June 27 Nicolas St. Amour is 14!
June 28 Charlotte Crossen is 3!
June 28 Kim Kain
June 28 Chris Rosa
July 4 Helen Leddy
July 5 Teri Cooper
July 8 Penny Hutchinson is 2!
July 10 Barbara Mannix
July 14 Bill Petrarca
July 26 Katie Romano Griffin
July 28 Deborah Lewis
July 30 Don Klein
July 31 Kevin Carr
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Newsletter Editor: Jill Carville
(239) 561-2700
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