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Weekly E-News September 7, 2017
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The Sunday service on September 10th has been cancelled due to Hurricane Irma. The FUUn LUUnch and all church meetings afterwards are also cancelled. The church campus may be shut down from Friday, September 8- Sunday, September 10th. We will send an all church email notification by 2:00p Thursday if that is the case.
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Worship in September: Calling/Vocation
As the beginning of fall invites reflection through both secular and religious traditions, the worship theme of the month is about Calling/Vocation.
This month should give you and your family an opportunity to think of “what’s next” and where you are being called in life.
The Water Communion Sunday Service, New Member Ceremony, and FUUn LUUnch have been cancelled for September 10th.
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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 September: LIFE
LIFE (an acronym for Lee Interfaith For Empowerment) is a five-year-old organization in Lee County that is committed to JUSTICE ministry. The organization is made up of several members from 12 different religious congregations throughout Lee County.
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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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From the President
Please join me in thanking Albie Johnson and Rachel Spiller for their service on the board. They have both resigned to pursue other interests. They have been valuable additions to the board during this past year.
In that regard, this leaves several vacancies on the board that we need to fill. We really need the help of those willing to serve as volunteers for the board. This is an exciting and critical time as our membership is growing, and we seek to pursue the mission of the church. If you are willing to serve as a volunteer on the board, please contact Jill Carville at
[email protected]
and she will get your name to me and the board. Thank you!
Steve Eisenberg,
Board President
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Board of Trustees Meeting
The next scheduled meeting of the Board of Trustees is Tuesday, September 12th at 6:30p. All are invited to attend.
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Music Notes
Musical Calendar
September 10:
The Water Communion Sunday Service has been cancelled due to Hurricane Irma.
September 17: For our service celebrating the Fall Equinox, the Choir harmonizes the powerful UU song
Circle Round for Freedom, and Austin Pierce shares his talents.
September 24: As we honor the Jewish high holy days, the Choir sings the Hebrew
Hashiveinu, and the Band plays the rousing traditional
Haleluhu.
The next
Music Committee
is Wednesday, September 27th at 3:00p in Room 7.
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 9:00-10:00a 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
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2017-2018 Musical Season
An exciting new season of music is in store right here at our church!
• A dozen
new Choir anthems
• Oct. 1
classical guest musician TBA
• Beautiful
Thanksgiving service Nov. 19 with Choir accompanist
• Third Annual
Holiday Sing-Along Sun., Dec. 3 at 1p: bring a friend, sing along, feel the holiday spirit, and eat cookies. We'll pass the Santa Hat for the South Fort Myers Food Pantry.
• Maternity leave music sub:
Suellen Kipp! Suellen will work with our Choir and Band from Dec. through March while I am enjoying time with my newborn. She is a talented pianist, singer, and conductor who currently serves as the Director of Music at Temple Beth El here in Fort Myers, and previously served in the same role at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fort Wayne, IN for 11 years. She has also taught vocal music and dance in schools for 17 years and holds a degree in Vocal Education. This is a wonderful opportunity for us and I hope you enjoy getting to know her.
•
Easter morning service April 1: I'll be back to sing beloved Alleluias with you.
Don't forget:
The best part of our music program is you. What gifts and talents do you feel called to share in the coming year? What songs ring in your heart that you could request to hear on a Sunday morning or at the Holiday Sing-Along? Most importantly, singing in the pews and sharing an encouraging word with our music volunteers is the life blood of our vibrant music program. Let's create a wonderful year together.
Amy Laursen, Director of Music
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Pachamama Alliance of SWFL
Hurricane Irma is coming and many have already evacuated. We are sorry to cancel the Game Changer Gathering this Thursday evening, September 7th with Cyndy Nayer. We will reschedule her speaking soon. She is brilliant!
However, our very important event on Friday Sept 15 is on. Come find out about the SWFL4Justice Coalition and how we can intersect with the work. Meet dynamic activists Cynthia Oderina and Suzanne Cherney:
From Social Activism to Electoral Victory
Friday evening Sept 15, 2017
UUCFM Hobart hall
6:30p
with Suzanne Cherney and Cynthia Odeirna
The SWFL Justice4All Coalition now has close to 50 affiliates, ranging from political organizations to totally non-partisan groups. Cynthia and Suzanne will explain how and why they founded the Coalition in the wake of the explosion of political and social activism in southwest Florida following the November 2016 election. The burning question now is, what next?
How do we continue to strengthen the Coalition and make our work even more goal-directed? How do we keep our eyes on the prize despite the distractions emanating from the carnival barker in the White House? How do we maximize our impact on legislation? And - now that the 2018 mid-term elections are drawing closer - how do we balance our other activist priorities with the unglamorous work of getting like-minded people elected?
A Q&A session will follow their brief presentation. Donations for the space appreciated.
First Thursday Game Changer Gatherings
The Pachamama Community of Southwest Florida invites you all to gather the first Thursday evening of each month at 6:30 pm for inspiring speakers, Pachamama Alliance updates, coffee, tea and pot-luck desserts. We gather in in Hobart Hall as Game Changers and Awakened Dreamers. We will show a short inspiring Pachamama produced YouTube clip for each gathering. Here is what we have planned for the rest of 2017:
Thursday, October 5th
First Thursday Game Changer
Report from the Rainforest!
SWFL Pachamama Co-Coordinator Rev. James Reho returns from Ecuador after Shamanic Journeying and living with the Achuar tribe for two weeks.
Thursday, Nov 2,
6:30 pm
Speaker TBA
Exploring the Qualities of a Game Changer
Thursday, Dec 7th
6:30 pm
Author, Yogi and Health educator Nancy Loughan will be addressing need need for a Spiritual Practice to ground in doing the political work needed at this time.
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eBINGO Comes to UUCFM
Remember the fun of playing BINGO with friends? Well, it’s here at UUCFM in a new way. Join the eBINGO fun starting in September! Here’s how it works:
For the first 2 Sundays in September, after service in Hobart, you can buy eBINGO playcards, 2 for $10. Look for the eBINGO table. Sign-up with your email address. Buy playcards for your neighbors and members of your family. The more who play, the bigger the Jackpot, the more fun! You’ll be helping the church as well.
Starting Monday, September. 11, each day we will email one bingo number to those who bought a playcard. Mark your playcards accordingly. In the first email we will also announce the Jackpot amount (minimum of $100).
Whoever gets a bingo and has the first email received at the eBINGO email address
[email protected] will be the winner (provided they have a valid playcard). Bring in your playcard to the church office for validation. Once it’s validated, you will receive the Jackpot moneys. (A “win” is 5 squares horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.)
Once there’s a winner, we’ll start selling the playcards for the next round of eBINGO the following Sunday. Good luck!
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FUUn BUUnch
Saturday Dinner, September 30th at 6:00p
Join the FUUn BUUnch for an exotic dinner at the THAI GARDEN
Located in the College Parkway Plaza
Thai Garden
7091 College Parkway, #15
Fort Myers, FL 33907
(239) 275-0999
It is imperative you RSVP John or Bob by Tuesday, 9/15/17 if you plan to
attend and that you honor your commitment.
(The restaurant requires firm numbers by this date.)
OR
Directions:
The THAI GARDEN is in the College Parkway Plaza on the South side of College
Parkway just west of Route 41, near
Office Depot and
First Watch.
We Are Starting Something Different!
Join the FUUN BUUNCH for LUUNCH after Church one Sunday per month.
Important--This month's lunch (September 10th) at Biggy's Restaurant has been cancelled.
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Covenant of UU Pagans
As the wheel turns once more, CUUPs will gather on Sunday, September 17th for our monthly meeting at noon in Room 1. We are going to have a presentation by Albie Johnson and all are welcome. We'll look at a few different paths of diversity.
Friday, September 22nd will be an Autumnal Equinox Celebration. We gather at 6:30, with a ritual at 7. We will be at the amphitheater or fire circle depending on conditions. We will have a community sharing meal after on the lanai. Bring your favorite dish to share. Join in and celebrate the next phase of celebrations in our yearly cycle. It is a time of balance, day and night. How do we look at that? This celebration will be presented by CUUPs members Heather and Steve Robinson. See you there. We will be outside so bug spray might be needed.
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Holiday Fair and Bake Sale
This year the annual Holiday Sing-a-long will be on December 3rd as our Music Director will begin her maternity leave on December 4th. So, it will combine with our Bake Sale, Our Nearly New sale and the Arts and Crafts sale. This will take planning and volunteers. Can you help? Please bring your ideas to the September Women's Circle Lunch on September 11th. (Men are welcome at this lunch, too, as we need your thoughts). Or if you can't join us, please send along those good ideas to Susan Forsyth.
[email protected]
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Women's Circle
On September 11th, the monthly Women's Circle Lunch returns to potlucks at noon on the second Monday in Hobart Hall. This month we will talk about our summer adventures. Please bring photos, tee shirts, cell phones, or other mementos to share. We will look for a lively discussion and also start our plans for Fall and the holidays.
If power is out from hurricane, this may be cancelled. Please email Susan. Contact Susan Forsyth
[email protected]
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This year the holiday sale and Christmas Faire on December 3rd will be HUGE! It will include the Christmas Carol sing. We need to plan this together, so be sure to come and find out the details!!
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UU Book Study
The UU Book Study meets Wednesdays at 1:00p in the Library. As a bonus, bring your lunch and join us at 12 Noon to view a video of Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyers' T.V. program by the same name. The book is Joseph Campbell's
The Power of Myth. Here is the remaining schedule: September 6th, chapter 8 plus wrap-up and planning.
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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 Activities for September:
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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From Hobbyism to Political Engagement
Friday September 15
Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers
6:30 pm
With Cynthia Odierna and Suzanne Cherney SWFL Justice4All Co-coordinators
Cynthia Odierna
: Became a core member of Occupy Naples in 2011, leading the Naples Minstrels of Righteous Indignation at events. More recently joined the new chapter of SURJ (Showing Up For Racial Justice), participated in actions against police brutality and fracking, and in support of the CIW (Coalition of Immokalee Workers). Cynthia has worked to help with the plight of Haitian and Dominican orphans in the Dominican Republic. She is Co-founder with Suzanne Cherney of the SWFL Justice4All Coalition, which brings together and supports more than 40 activist groups mainly in Lee and Collier counties.
Suzanne Cherney
: Retired medical writer/speechwriter/translator (English/French) originally from New York. Politically active from the early 1960 in community organizing and rallies against the Vietnam war and in actions for civil rights and and labor rights. Participant in Occupy Naples rallies. Longtime sustaining supporter of Planned Parenthood, Human Rights Campaign, Doctors without Borders, MoveOn, JStreet, Democracy for America, and the Southern Poverty Law Center. Co-founder with Cynthia Odierna of the SWFL Justice4All Coalition, which brings together and supports more than 40 activist groups, mainly in Lee and Collier counties.
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South Fort Myers Food Pantry
The Food Pantry Newsletter for the second quarter of 2017 (April through June) is posted in Hobart Hall, next to the kitchen. I will summarize for those who may not have time to stop by and read it. During the second quarter of 2017 our pantry served 1670 clients, totaling 5,466 family members actually fed. The pantry volunteers distributed over 172,226 pounds of food.
The annual meeting of the food pantry coalition was held on June 17, 2017. The directors of the current board were elected to serve another year. The names of the directors are available in the food pantry flyer which you can get either at the social justice table or from the rack of brochures near the water fountains in Hobart Hall. The meeting was followed by a luncheon to honor the volunteers, a time to enjoy fellowship with each other.
There is an appeal for more food donations during the summer months, which you are already doing and is appreciated. There are also instructions for anyone wanting to volunteer this summer.
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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Yarn
Because of the generous gift of Judie Marble and a previous gift from Patricia Linhoff, UUCFM has a fabulous supply of yarn and some knitting needles. The intention is for this yarn to be used for the making of Comfort Shawls that the Caring Network distributes to members. You can find further information about the shawls at this link
www.shawlministry.com . The yarn can be found in the boxes inside the door of the office. The office may be accessed Sundays through the Library door, which will be unlocked.
When you have completed a shawl contact Diane Buckley at
[email protected]. Your efforts will be greatly appreciated as the shawls are treasured by their recipients.
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2018 Women's Retreat
It's time to start planning to attend the 2018 Florida UU Women's Retreat. Flyers will be available in the Narthex. This year, we are again sending this information to all the Florida UU congregations at the same time that this mailing is going out to you allowing more UU women to learn about the retreat.
DaySpring has raised the room rates for 2018, but we are not changing the rates for attendance at the Retreat. We are also again offering a $5 discount to all those who register before September 15, 2017.
So, secure your place for the April gala and remind others that there's a special deal for signing up early. It's going to be another grand weekend.
We are looking for volunteers to participate in the program planning. If you are interested and we hope you are, please contact us. Program planning can take place from anywhere in the state, so don't be reluctant to sign up to help.
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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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Shalom Life Center Help Wanted- Teen May Apply
Shalom Life Center is looking for someone to help with the setup of our weekly Friday evening services which are held either in the Sanctuary or Hobart hall. We begin on Fridays at 5:30p which involves the setting up of chairs and tables for about a half an hour and again after the service at 9:30p putting away tables and chairs and assisting with general cleanup. In addition to regular Friday nights we are also seeking help with our monthly Saturday night events which also require the set up and take down of chairs and tables and general cleanup. If you are interested please contact Lawrence Dermer at
239-218-3433
or email
[email protected]
. This is not a volunteer position, we are offering compensation as well as community service hours if applicable.
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Sept 9 Judy Burget
Sept 14 Jenn Blosser
Sept 14 Frances Pake
Sept 16 Genelle Grant
Sept 19 Allison Farnum
Sept 19 Toni Latino
Sept 24 Leslie Gatto
Sept 29 Mary Pat Fitzgibbons
Sept 30 Jen Smith
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Newsletter Editor: Jill Carville
(239) 561-2700
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