Contact us for more information:
239.561.2700
UUCFM wishes you a Happy Kwanzaa and a Happy New Year!
Come Worship with Us!
Sunday, December 30 10:30am
This Sunday our sermon topic is Miracles: A Mystery for the Ages. We'll look at miracles from a pluralistic, holistic and inclusive lens from science, philosophy, and theology. Please join us for our very special guest speaker, Scott Flaig.
Community Sharing in December
Quality Life Center
Quality Life Center has been in the Dunbar community since 1990. The center provides early learning, after school, teen leadership and summer camp programs.Your generous community sharing donation is greatly appreciated!

Humanist Forum
The Humanist Forum meets every Sunday at 9:15 am in Hobart Hall. All are welcome to attend.

Sunday Social Hour
Sunday's Social Hour happens after the service every week. It is volunteer run- by the Women's Circle on the first Sunday, CUUPs on the second, Humanist Forum on the third, Men's Group on the fourth, and if there is a fifth Sunday, it is All Church.  Any donations of food, snacks or cash are welcome. 

BURN , our High School Youth Group meets on Sundays at noon in Room 4. All youth, ages 14-18, are welcome! Questions about the group? Contact Director of Religious Education, Jenn Blosser  dre@uucfm.org
IGNITE , our junior youth group for ages 10-13, meets weekly from 12-1 pm in Room 3. (or 7) Come join us for community, conversation, and finding your call to action! Questions about the group? Reach out to Jenn Blosser:  dre@uucfm.org
Spark
SPARK  is our newest youth group. Exclusively for children ages five to nine, Spark meets weekly from 12-1pm in Room 2 to explore Unitarian Universalism and learn more about our church and each other.  dre@uucfm.org

Staff & Board News
From the Minister
As you read this, I will be on holiday with family. I wish you all the brightest blessings of the season and that you embrace the Possibility of the New Year! I encourage you to attend December 30th, when our member Suzanne Ziemer has sponsored guest speaker Scott Flaig, who is a great author and thinker.  As we wrap up the old year, author and lecturer Scott Flaig reminds us of the Big History in which we sit, and that faith and science teach us a larger story through the lens of cosmology. He will explore Mystery in this larger cosmic context. He will look at the several perspectives from general and special revelation to metaphysics, leaving us with a more pluralistic understanding of miracles. To learn more about Mr. Flaig, visit
Be sure to join us Sunday January 6th when our Director of Religious Education leads us in understanding more about how everything we do at UUCFM is faith formation. As the great liberal religious educator Angus McLean once wrote, The Method is the Message. How we do things is as important as what we hope to do.

Rev. Allison Farnum
Music News
The UUCFM Choir  rehearses most Wednesday nights from 6:45-8:15 pm, and on Sunday mornings from 9-10 am in the sanctuary. It's free and there are no auditions. Come join us in singing!

The UUCFM Band  rehearses most Wednesday nights from 6:00-6:45 pm, and on Sunday mornings from 9-10 am 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!

Suellen Kipp, Director of Music
Membership
The Membership Ministry Team is making plans for our January New Member Ceremony. Anyone interested in becoming a new member, please contact  MemberServices@UUCFM.org  to receive your membership enrollment kit.

Have You Met These Members?
We have two Karen Browns, Karen Joyce and Karen Betty (KB) .

KAREN BETTY BROWN ,known as KB, joined 2 years ago. She is newly retired December 14, 2018 from being a Librarian at Indiana University of Pennsylvania,
Karen and her spouse, Carolyn Thompson, have been married 4 years and in a committed relationship for 24 years. They winter here in Fort Myers. They enjoy the Sunday services on the listen-live link on our website when not in Florida. KB's current interests include choral singing, pickle ball, and biking. She looks forward to discovery new interests as she transitions into retirement.

KAREN JOYCE BROWN, joined us on August 31, 2018. She says UU involvement has sustained her spirit for the past 40 years. Karen J. has had leadership positions in UU churches in Maryland, Indiana, Massachusetts and New Jersey. She volunteered for our Village Council and helped out at our recent Arts & Crafts Fair. Karen says "I'm elated that I found such a warm and welcoming congregation with you and look forward to spending my retirement years as a faithful partner in the service of our faith."
UUCFM Special Events
Family Friendly Good Old Fashioned Cookout
Leslie and Doc Gatto are holding a cookout on Saturday, January 12th at 12:30 pm. The menu is burgers (beef or bean), hot dogs, beans, chips, s'mores and soft drinks. If you would like to attend, make a $10 per person donation to UUCFM (children 12 and under are FREE! ) and let me know you are coming. This was an offering at last year's service auction. The more the merrier!
Casino Night!
UUCFM will be having a fundraising Casino Night on Saturday, January 26th from 7:00-9:30 PM in Hobart Hall. Casino night will feature Roulette, Black Jack, Poker, and a Wheel of Fortune. $25 ticket includes
$3,000 in chips, and light refreshments. There will be a cash bar. Our Scout Troop is giving their time to present this night as a thank
you for being with us. Last year, Paloma Siebert won over a million "dollars" as the High Stakes person. We need everyone's support to make this fun evening happen by your help in
inviting friends and neighbors.

TICKETS: Contact Jen Smith, 630-881-0000,  jenw930@gmail.com , or look
for her after the Sunday service in Hobart Hall.
UUCFM Classes & Groups
Men's Social Group
We want you to join the  UUCFM Men's Social Group.  We meet on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 11:45 am at the Cross Creek Country Club Clubhouse/Restaurant off Daniel's Parkway. For 2019, we are planning fun social activities as well as action sessions on what the Men's Group can do to help UUCFM. For information, contact Denis Jensen at 215-436-5748 or email.

Women's Circle & Potluck
Calling All Women at UUCFM!
Starting January 22nd and continuing every 4th Tuesday, there will be a noon potluck in Hobart Hall. Bring a dish to share and your own beverage. The program for the 22nd is a vote on a nickname for us-
Sisters in Spirit?, Wonder Women? (bring other suggestions), and a Guided Walk about our 13 acres. Wear closed toed shoes for the gravel and natural areas.
Feb. 26th, Noon, Program: Memories, bring a very much younger photo and we'll Guess Who!

March 26th, Noon, Program: Adventure Travel, Dorothy in Egypt, Joy in Australia....Bring your travel pics and story.

April 23rd, Noon, Program:To Be Decided

For contact information: Dorothy Van Howe, 239-560-7238,
Adult OWL
Adult OWL begins Wednesdays 6:30-8:00 pm January 9, 2019 in Room 7. Honest and accurate information about sexuality changes lives. It dismantles stereotypes and assumptions, builds self-acceptance and self-esteem, fosters healthy relationships, improves decision making, and has the potential to save lives. For these reasons and more, we are proud to offer  Our Whole Lives  (OWL), a comprehensive, lifespan sexuality education. Contact  Village@uucfm.org  to sign up 
UUCFM 15+ Group Meeting
The UUCFM 15+ Group is comprised of UUCFM members who have belonged to UUCFM for at least 15 years. Some churches call this type of group Church Elders -- but this group of "elders" chose to be called the 15+ Group! We will be meeting at noon in the Narthex on Sunday, January 13, 2019. If you would like to have an item put on the agenda, please contact Ellen Erickson  andy.ellen.erickson@gmail.com or 239-694-6833.
Join the Circle
Next Connection Circle to Begin January 27th
Calling all visitors and new and long-time members who want to get to know each other in a deep and meaningful way to come to the next Connection Circle! Bond with others in this facilitated group by discussing different spiritual topics as they pertain to your life. Always lively and heart-felt, participation in the Connection Circle is a great way to meet new folks and to deepen connections to those you already know. This facilitated 6-session group will meet from 12:15-1:45 pm after church in a classroom (to be determined) beginning January 27th and continue on 2/10, 2/24, 3/10, 3/24, and 4/14. Participants are expected to attend all 6 sessions.  For more information and to  register , please contact Nancy Letts at  njletts@gmail.com  or call at 401-741-2712.
Book Club
The UUCFM Book Club meets Wednesdays at 1:00 pm in the Conference Room. There is no book club meeting for a few weeks. We will be starting a new book the first Wednesday of January: David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell.   https://www.amazon.com/David-Goliath-Underdogs-Misfits-Battling/dp/0316204374
Come having read Intro and Part One.  All welcome to attend.
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  pachamamaelder@gmail.com.
Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Group
The Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist group meets Sundays in Room 1. All are welcome to join us. We have a new meeting time- 2:00-4:00 pm.
UUCFM Weekly Activities
Community Wednesday
Please join us for Chef Joy's Community Wednesday Dinners at 6:00 pm each Wednesday. We will be serving salad, soup and entree. The price is $5.00. The meal is vegetarian, but every other week will feature a meat item alternate.

Attention: There will be no Community Dinner served on January 2. There will be no band or choir rehearsals either. Check with your other Wednesday evening activity leaders for their holiday schedules.

Community Activities for December:
6:00-6:45        Band Rehearsal in Sanctuary (Jan 2 off)
6:45-8:00        Choir Rehearsal in Sanctuary (Jan 2 off)
6:45-8:00  Spiritual Discussion group thru December 19th, 2018 in Room 7 and January 9th thru May 2019 in Room 2.
Social Justice
Pachamama Alliance
Thursday, January 3
6:30 PM
Hobart Hall

Pachamama Alliance is proud to host  Rob Moher,   President and Executive Director of The Conservancy of Southwest Florida.  
Protecting Southwest Florida’s unique natural environment and quality of life…now and forever.
Understanding the World We Live In:  Southwest Florida is an ecosystem so rich with diversity it rivals the wildest places on earth. We are fortunate to live among the spectacular network of water, land and wildlife. For more than 50 years the Conservancy of Southwest Florida has been working to protect our natural assets for future generations. Learn about our unique approach to finding a sensible balance between a growing population, and preserving very reasons that attracted us to Southwest Florida. Find out more about who we are, what we do, and why it is important to you.
South Fort Myers Food Pantry
The support that UUCFM has shown to our pantry over the years is greatly appreciated and along with other coalition members' support it has helped the South Fort Myers Food Pantry (FMFP) to feed 23,000 people in need during 2017. The Harry Chapin Food Bank is vital to our mission, to feed the needy of South Fort Myers, at a very modest cost. They are however, making some changes at Harry Chapin.

In the past, members of our congregation have financially supported the pantry by donating directly to the pantry or by sending checks to the Harry Chapin Food Bank with the stipulation the funds were to support the SFMFP. The Food Bank would then place the funds in a "Designated Grant" account for our use to purchase food. They are eliminating these accounts. As of August 1, 2018 any checks they receive in support of one particular pantry will be returned to the sender. Therefore, our pantry is requesting that any monetary donations be sent directly to and made out to:

   The South Fort Myers Food Pantry

If you feel strongly about your donation being only for food and not for operating expenses, write "for food only" on the memo line. The pantry relies on the support of the coalition churches for the funds and the volunteers needed. There are no paid positions and it takes hundreds of volunteer hours and thousands of dollars each month to accomplish our mission. If you have questions call Fran Rose and leave a message at 617-750-0470.
Caring News
Caring Network Update
Paula Copestick is doing  well! She gets around in her apartment with the assistance of her walker but is wheeled down to meals due to the distance of the dining room. She has a small speech impediment due to her stroke(s)  and some loss of hearing, but is of a very sound mind! 
 
Paula led wonderful UUCFM classes and she did a lot for our church. She still is quite a remarkable woman. Let’s reciprocate by sending her a note, a seasonal card, or a visit which is the most convenient method of letting her know "we care". It will also demonstrate that Santa and Ms. Claus are hale and hearty.
 
Paula Copestick
Brookdale in Bonita Springs
26852 S. Bay Drive. Rm 105
Bonita Springs  FL  34134 

If you have any caring concerns, please contact our Caring Network coordinator, Neil Yesu at  dbny79@aol.com
More!
Art in the Narthex
Attention supporters of the Family Village- the kids are showing what they have been doing at the intention table during the service. We hope you enjoy their efforts...maybe we could each connect with 1 or 2 little artists by commenting favorably about what they produced, and getting to know them at the same time.
Youth Violence Prevention
The United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades, and Okeechobee and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers (UUCFM) have begun a partnership designed to reduce youth violence. This initiative is a United Way Collaborative entitled the  Youth Violence Prevention Project (YVPP) . The YVPP is a community funding initiative to encourage the development of programs that will reduce youth violence and the risk factors that contribute to it.
 
YVPP focuses on giving grants to local youth centered organizations or communities who propose youth violence prevention programs with clear and measurable objectives. The project will offer a total of $25,000 in grants to fund  student-driven programs  that address youth violence prevention and awareness. Grants will be awarded in increments of $500 - $2,500.
 
Proposals will be accepted beginning  through January 18, 2019 . A student committee will then review submitted grant applications and select projects to be the recipients of the funding. Selected projects will be required to match the funding with money or in-kind donations.
 
YVPP will foster strategies that work in combination to prevent youth violence in a long-term way such as:

· Promoting family environments that support healthy development
· Providing quality education early in life
· Strengthening youth’s skills
· Connecting youth to caring adults and activities
· Creating protective community environments
·   Intervening to lessen harms and prevent future risk.
 
UUCFM will have 4 seats on the Review Committee. It will entail one or two short meetings a year. If anyone is interested in serving on the Review Committee, please let me know  bill@petrarca.net  
Bed & Breakfast Program
We are preparing for another year of UUCFM’s Bed and Breakfast program. Through the generosity of host families within our congregation, we have raised $3000 to $5000 a year for the church operating budget for many years. We provide this service to UUs and/or their friends from around the country. This program cannot happen without volunteers and we need your help!

What’s needed to be a host? The host provides one bedroom and bathroom and a basic breakfast each morning of the guests’ stay. The guests are usually one or two people. The breakfast can even be a “do it yourself” if your guests are early risers or you have to go to work and they want to sleep.

Do I have to entertain the guests or take them places? You are not expected to provide entertainment, transportation or extra food. For the most part, guests are off doing their own thing most of the day and evening.

When and for how long? Guests stay from one to seven nights during the months of January through April. (Most stay only two or three nights.) guests. I usually send out an email to all potential hosts when a request is received and the hosts respond as to their availability. Even if you can only host for two nights in March, for example, that is a big help. February and March tend to be in the biggest demand.

All money received from the guests as they stay in your home goes directly to UUCFM operating funds. I haven’t even mentioned how interesting and fun this experience can be for the hosts. We have met so many great UUs through this experience! Please consider being a host. Before you say no, talk to me! Just try it once…

Mary Nies , Program Coordinator
239-466-7933
Safety Tips
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING
SUSPICIOUS PROPERTY
 Across the country, in our communities, we share everyday moments with our neighbors, family, coworkers, and friends. We go to work or school, the grocery store, or the gas station. or church. If you see something that does not seem quite right, say something. By being alert you can protect your family, neighbors, and community.
Unusual items or situations:
 
  • A window/door is open that is usually closed, or other out-of-the-ordinary situations occur.
  • Unattended packages, briefcases, backpack, or bags.
  • Unattended vehicles that are:
  • Parked in odd locations for unusually long periods of time.
  • Appear suspiciously overloaded.
  • Vehicles that have smoke, odors, or chemicals leaking from them.
 
To report suspicious activity please contact your local law enforcement. Describe specifically what you observed, including:
  • Who or what you saw
  • When you saw it
  • Where it occurred
  • Why it is suspicious
 
If there is an emergency, call 9–1–1.
 
The "If You See Something, Say Something®" campaign was originally implemented and trademarked by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority and is licensed to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a nationwide campaign.  For more information:   https://www.dhs.gov/see-something-say-something
Edited by Joy F. Sokeitous
 
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING
SUSPICIOUS PEOPLE
Across the country, in our communities, we share everyday moments with our neighbors, family, coworkers, and friends. We go to work or school, the grocery store, or the gas station. or church. If you see something that does not seem quite right, say something. By being alert you can protect your family, neighbors, and community.
Watch out for suspicious people:
  • Behaving oddly or nervously
  • Excessively looking around
  • Maintaining minimal eye contact
  • Wearing overly large clothing or heavy coats that could hide weapons
  • Carrying an excessively heavy backpack 
  • Unusual gait, as if carrying something heavy
  • Making efforts to conduct surveillance or ‘case’ the facility
o     Extended loitering without explanation
o     Unusual, repeated, and/or prolonged observation of a building (e.g., with binoculars or video camera); taking notes or measurements
o     Counting paces; sketching floor plans, etc.
o     Inquiring about security procedures, equipment, or plans with no need to know
  • Attempting to access unauthorized areas
  • Paying unusual attention to facilities or buildings beyond a casual or professional interest.
 
To report suspicious activity please contact your local law enforcement. Describe specifically what you observed, including:
  • Who or what you saw
  • When you saw it
  • Where it occurred
  • Why it's suspicious
 
If there is an emergency, call 9–1–1
 
The "If You See Something, Say Something®" campaign was originally implemented and trademarked by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority and is licensed to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a nationwide campaign.  For more information:   https://www.dhs.gov/see-something-say-something
Edited by Joy F. Sokeitous
 
Joy F. Sokeitous, UUCFM Security Committee Chair
Thank you from CUUPs
Cuups would like to thank all our guests that supported us for the medieval feast. The videos and photos are just amazing. We are so grateful for the support you give us. As a group CUUPS pledges $700 plus every year to our beloved church. The feast is one of many things which make that possible. I wish to thank some very talented performers, Matthew and Shellie Halstead with young Sophie, Jen blosser, Lesley, Mark, Keith and Karen of Silver Branch with Walter Peterson, Lily Hoffman, Katie Ireland, Ryan Callahan, Holley Rauen, Ladies of the Lake, Toni and Tony, Dave and Barb of Cantigus Interuptus for lending hands, performing, cleaning up. My Sisters of heart Albie and Carol who held things for a bit. Brothers of Cuups , thank you for holding heart. Gratitude to Marshal Hoffman for picking up garbage, helping clear up and vacuuming at the end. For ones that performed that is a ton of work but what an evening. Thank you one and all for supporting us. We might switch up things in February with Love Potions and Laughter..... more on that in a bit. It takes community working together each day to grow strong. I am very honored to be part of such a community. Again all heartfelt gratitude for all support, the evening was lovely, happy with lots of mirth. love and peace to all.
-Joy Purcell
Thank You from Staff
The UUCFM Staff would like to thank the congregation for so generously donating our Christmas bonus this year. We thank you very much, indeed, and have a Happy New Year!
Shop & Help UUCFM
Did you know your purchases can make a difference? AmazonSmile donates to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers when you do your holiday shopping at   smile.amazon.com/ch/59-1160337 .
Member to Member
Do you have something to offer, trade, or sell? Are you looking for something? Free ad space here for personal items only. Will run ad for 4 weeks. Email  uuchurch@uucfm.org .

*I woudlike to get rid of my pool table for $100.00. It includes 3 Cue sticks, all balls and rack, and misc. items.
Please see attached picture. I can be reached at 239-738-3473. I will deliver with your help. ~Mickey K.

Our Greater Community
NAMI LCH Family Connection
LCH Family Connection is a new program designed to provide peer-led education, support and system navigation guidance to families caring for a mentally ill loved one. Drawing extensively from the evidence-based curriculum of the NAMIFamily-to-Family Education Course, this new program will delve more deeply into several of the topics covered in class and allow the time and flexibility for discussion, support and sharing of coping skills and lived experiences to help and guide others. It will be held at:
Lee Memorial Hospital2776 Cleveland Avenuein Medical Room 3 Fort Myers, FL 33901
(must check in at front desk with valid ID and receive a visitors pass)
January 8 and 22, 2019 - For many families the first and often biggest challenge is simply getting your loved one to accept that they need help. We will use Class 2: The 3 Major Mental Illnesses/Critical Periods to explore strategies for getting your family member diagnosed and receiving treatment. 
February 5 and 19, 2019 - Sometimes communicating with your ill family member can be difficult and frustrating. Using shared experience and Class 8: Communication Skills Workshop as a guide, we will learn specific techniques that can help you communicate with your ill family member in a more positive, effective manner. 
March 5 and 19, 2019 - Mental illness affects the whole family and a treatment plan should involve them too. Using concepts from Chapter 6 we will explore the challenges of HIPAA and how to work WITH health care providers to ensure your family member is being properly treated and supported in their recovery. 
April 2 and 16, 2019 - Pulling from an array of information throughout the Family-to-Family manual. we will discover and discuss what you can realistically expect from your ill loved one during an episode and also during recovery. 
May 7 and 21, 2019 - Caring for an ill loved one takes a toll on individuals, families, and marriages. Including material from Class 9: Relative Groups and Self-Care we will be discussing the importance of self-care and some different ways we can care for ourselves and our healthy family members while caring for our ill loved one. 
The time is from 7-8:30 PM on the above dates. Since space is limited, call the office to register at 239-337-9024. Education of the family is often a predictor of recovery in mental illness so please try to get the word out.
Dec 30 Bruce Marble
Dec 30 Joy Sokeitous
Board of Trustees
President               
Matt Hoffman 239-222-4836  mwaters106@yahoo.com
President Elect
Secretary  
Alison Carville 239-634-0487  alisoncarville@gmail.com
Treasurer
Jen Smith  630-881-0000   jenw930@gmail.com             
VP Finance
Vacant 
VP Programming
Cathy Snow 239-896-3693 cm snow23@gmail.com
VP Ministerial Services
Lesley Peterson 239-839-4434  unicorn@cyberstreet.com
VP Operations
Mary Alice Pierce 239-267-4429  piercemaryalice@gmail.com           
Member at Large
Don Ehat 239-947-8143  don.ehat@gmail.com

Staff
  Minister             
Rev. Allison Farnum  239-561-2700x204   minister@uucfm.org
Director of Music   
Suellen Kipp  music@uucfm.org
Director of RE        
Jenn Blosser  239-561-2700x208   dre@uucfm.org
Office Manager       
Building Supervisor   
Nursery Supervisor