May 2019
The Communicator
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May 2019: Curiosity
May 5: Flower Communion
May 12: Curiosity
May 19:New Member & Bridging Ceremonies
May 26: Curiosity and Joyful Life
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May 2019: Planned Parenthood
Our Community Sharing partner this month is Planned Parenthood. Your generous contributions each week in May are greatly appreciated! All unmarked donations will be given to our local Planned Parenthood organization.
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Flower Communion This Sunday
This Sunday join in our yearly tradition of flower communion. This ritual is celebrated near the end of the church school year in many Unitarian Universalist congregations. To participate, bring a flower from your home or roadside to contribute during the flower communion ritual. We will celebrate the gifts that each of us bring to this community as we devote ourselves to love, grow, and serve. We will have flowers available for guests and those bereft of flowers as well! Just part of trying to be a radically inclusive and generous place. Looking forward to celebrating with you this Sunday!
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About Planned Parenthood
The mission of Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida is to provide affordable access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare and accurate health information through patient care, education and advocacy.
Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, an affiliate of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. began operations in 1966 and presently provides vital sexual health services and comprehensive sexuality education to women, men and teens throughout Southwest and Central Florida.
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The Humanist Forum
The Humanist Forum meets every Sunday at 9:15 am in Hobart Hall. All are welcome to attend. Join us as we engage in a new topic each week.
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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, Humanist Forum on the second, CUUPs 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.
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Social Justice Town Hall Meeting
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This Sunday, May 5th there will be a Social Justice/Outreach Ministry Town Hall meeting in the Sanctuary after the coffee hour. The meeting will run from 12:00-1:00 PM. If you'd like to learn about how our Social Justice ministry works, please attend! All welcome.
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This month we explore being a curious community together- one that lives into the mission of the church to Love, to Grow, and to Serve. As reflected below by my colleague the Rev Scott Tayler, curiosity should have consequences that call on us to be courageous and to allow ourselves to be transformed by our new learnings.
Also, though the departure of the minister can be an anxiety-producing event, this pivotal moment in the congregation can be approached with curiosity about what opportunities lay ahead, and what is to be learned and how Love leads you to grow. Go forth curiously!
What Does It Mean To Be
A People of Curiosity?
UU minister, Victoria Safford, speaks of curiosity using the metaphor of perception and sight. She writes,
“To see, simply to look and to see, is an ethical act and intentional choice; to see, with open eyes, is a spiritual practice and thus a risk, for it can open you to ways of knowing the world and loving it that will lead to inevitable consequences. The awakened eye is a conscious eye, a willful eye, and brave, because to see things as they are, each in its own truth, will make you very vulnerable.”
Consequences. I’m not sure I’ve ever thought of curiosity in terms of consequences.
But I think Safford’s got it right. There is a type of curiosity that is about enjoyment and adventure.
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It invites us to experience life as a playground. But there is another type of curiosity that leads to consequences, that changes us. This kind of curiosity is about more than enjoyment. Indeed, it’s the kind that drives us
past
enjoyment and comfort. It’s not about enriching oneself; it’s about altering oneself. This is the type of curiosity we Unitarians Universalists have fallen in love with—one might even say, put our “faith” in.
Just think of how we talk about our dances with curiosity. We don’t just tell stories about barraging our poor Sunday School teachers with “Why?!” and “Who says?!”; We tell stories of doing it until we were kicked out of the class. We don’t just talk about being open-minded; we talk about how our open-mindedness led us to leave home and family and walk a lonelier path than we wanted. And lately, many of us have leaned into the hard work of being curious about our role in upholding institutional racism and structures of white supremacy, none of which is just about “learning interesting new things.”
The point of all these stories is that, as hard as these curious paths are, we are grateful for them. We don’t want curiosity to just be fun or interesting. We want it to make us anew.
In other words, the message of our faith is not simply “Be curious!” It’s “Be curious until there are consequences!”
It’s fine to be inquisitive for the fun of it. But at another level, we’re called to remember that curiosity is not game. Well, maybe it’s the greatest game. The one that drives us to constantly become more, for our sakes and for the sake of others.
Rev. Scott Tayler, Soul Matters Team Lead
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From the Minister
This month worship focuses on the theme of curiosity and ways in which curiosity about the self can lead to more joyful and healthy ways of living. I recently read an essay that spoke about how it is tempting for many of us humans to find happiness in places or people or behaviors that are beyond our control. In fact, by doing so, happiness becomes virtually unattainable. The basics of Buddhism name this as suffering. And also Buddhism teaches and extends a hope beyond suffering that reaches toward a place of compassion, enlightenment, and equanimity that is available to all people, in the same way that our Universalist roots teach that God’s unconditional Love is available to all people, at any time, no matter what.
So this month, I hope you can get curious about what happiness is to you. If it is reliant upon circumstances or people that are most certainly outside of your control, external to your own affairs, consider how happiness shows up in you, just you. Is it to gaze upon the world like a child? Is it to tune one’s heart to gratitude instead of just hurts and complaints? Our liberal faith teaches the inherent worth and dignity of all people. That means we affirm that hope is seated in each one of us. This month, get curious in your search for truth and meaning and don’t let go of hope. No need to seek in far off places. Seek within.
Rev. Allison Farnum
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Religious Education News
I was afraid we were destined for disaster, moving from treat laden eggs to tins of green beans and ham. I was sitting at my kitchen table, planning the first annual "canned food hunt" for Easter, shaking my head and thinking "oh the kids are never going to go in for this." The idea came from a colleague, Erin Powers (the DRE in Tampa), when I reached out on the religious educator's Facebook group page to see if there was a way to do an intentional Easter hunt without stuffing hundreds of eggs with candy.
See, as a mother, I was so fed up with the countless holidays or special occasions through the year which seem to constantly be celebrated by sending my kids home with whopping bags of sweet treats. We aim to not be slap-happy with sugar in the Blosser house, so these bags end up sitting in my cupboards for ages until, when I at last permit a pack of Twizzlers for dessert, they are rock hard and my poor kids nearly crack their teeth on them! Thus, for some rather selfish reasons, I set out to find an alternative to the candy-crazed Easter egg hunt.
Easter rolled around and it was time to gather up the donated cans (the congregation was
so
generous!) and hide them around the courtyard. Youth helped me and seemed to really relish the comedy of gently rolling black beans beneath a bush or wedging tomato soup into a tree. Service then ended and the moment of truth arrived; the kids came out of the Sanctuary. I shouted out the instructions, ran out of the way, and to my great delight, the children went bananas. Toddlers and ten year olds alike, staggering back to the collection trolleys with arms clutching around three or four cans at a time! It was a delight to see them so enjoying the hunt!
One of the younger kids, Gabriel, came trundling up to the trolley with two or three cans and said to me, a smile spread wide across his face, "we're hunting cans to help people!" I nodded enthusiastically as he continued, "people who don't have enough food will get all of these cans and then they
will
have food!" That moment of validation was far sweeter than any candy could be.
Jenn Blosser, Director of Religious Education
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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
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Have you registered for the School of Wizardry summer camp yet? The camp runs from June 24th to June 28th and is held here on the UUCFM campus. We're filling up fast, so
register today!
We need youth 14+ to register as camp ghosts (volunteers) as well -
click here to apply!
If you have questions about our youth groups or Children's Religious Education program, please contact Jenn Blosser
[email protected]
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Membership
If you or a friend has been thinking about joining our faith community, you are cordially invited to pick up a Membership Enrollment Kit at our “Welcome Tables” in the Narthex and Hobart Hall on Sunday, or come by the Office and grab a Kit. (Or I can email you an Enrollment Kit.
[email protected]
.) Complete the forms in the kit and drop in the mail or bring the completed forms with you Sunday morning. It’s that simple! Wherever you are on your journey, we bid you Welcome!
Meet Our Members!
Our new Board of Trustees president, THERESA BAHRE and her partner/husband, KEVIN CARR, moved to Cape Coral from Colorado in 2014. They came to UUCFM to find a supportive community of justice-loving people in which to raise their son, Roman. Theresa has served on the Membership Committee, as both an OWL and Beloved Conversations facilitator, and as a House Leader at our School of Wizardry summer camp. Meanwhile, Kevin runs the A/V booth every Sunday and Roman keeps our nursery attendant, Liza, on her toes! Theresa is excited to be serving as your Board President in this time of hopeful change.
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The last photo taking session for the UUCFM Photo Directory is this Sunday, May 5th. This is for old and new members who do not yet have their photos in the UUCFM Photo Directory
(The Photo Directory can be accessed through the UUCFM website). Photos will be taken after church on the lawn in back of the screened in porch at Hobart Hall. Many of you whose photos are not in the Directory will receive an advance email about this session. Be sure to come if your photo is not currently in the UUCFM Photo Directory.
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South Fort Myers Food Pantry
The support that UUCFM has shown to our pantry over the years is appreciated. Along with other coalition members, the combined effort fed 26,646 people from the South Fort Myers area in 2018. There is still a tremendous need in Southwest Florida and consequently the Harry Chapin Food Bank sometimes runs low on food. When this happens, your donations of food each Sunday become so important, even if it’s just one item. Remember “Fran’s plan, just one can”? Look around church this Sunday and just imagine the amount of food, if everyone brought just one can. Protein items are always a good choice, canned ham, chicken , tuna or hearty prepared meals or soups.
Prefer to donate money? You can make out checks and send to the South Fort Myers Food Pantry. 8260 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers, FL. 33919. Be sure to write Food Pantry in the memo line. Looking for a satisfying volunteer experience?
Our Pantry needs summer help. The South Fort Myers Food Pantry thanks our winter residents for donating what was left in their cupboards before leaving for the summer. For those of you who live here year round, please, consider volunteering on Mondays during the summer months. They are desperate for volunteers who can tolerate working in the summer heat. At least go for one day to see if you can do it, even if you can only do a couple of hours. The people who need to use the pantry don’t get to take vacations during the summer months. Many have lost their seasonal jobs and only turn to us at this time of year. If you know the pantry then just go there around 10 AM for the day shift or at 4:15, 4:30 for the afternoon/evening shift. Pantry open only on Mondays.
Contact Fran Rose
617-750-0470
or email
[email protected]
.
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Covenant of UU Pagans
Blessings UU community,
May 4th, 6:30 at the fire circle, Beltaine celebration.
May 11, drum circle, 6:30 fire circle
May 12, 12:00, Cuups meeting, honoring our Mother Earth.
June 16, 10:30, Rite Of Passage, service for Rev Allison. A pot luck is offered after service. Please bring a dish to share with the community. We say goodbye to our minister of ten years. Cuups will be officiating this service. See ya all in the next few weeks.
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Yoga!
Join Mary Cline Golbitz for a month of yoga at UUCFM from 5-6pm on Wednesdays from April 24-May 29 in Room 1. All welcome. No Charge.
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Women's Sharing Circle
Every 4th Tuesday there will be a noon potluck in Hobart Hall. Bring a dish to share and your own beverage.
Tuesday, May 28th meeting
Same noon schedule of potluck. "Stories of Travel Times, in the World and United States" featuring Mary Nies & Deb Lewis in their Thailand Adventure. We'll chart where we have been in the world.
Dorothy Van Howe, 239-560-7238,
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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 Denis
at
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Mindfulness Meditation
Join us to explore the simple and satisfying practices of mindfulness and meditation. You don’t need experience with meditation, nor do you have to be a Buddhist.
Please bring intention to quiet the mind and 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 call or text Gary Robbins at 302-540-5899.
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Book Club
Book Study will resume Wednesday, May 15th from 1-2:30 PM in the Library of our Administration Building. Join up to read and discuss up to page 59 of
The Untethered Soul : the Journey Beyond Yourself
by
Michael A.
Singer
.
From the publisher: "What would it be like to free yourself from limitations and soar beyond your boundaries? What can you do each day to discover inner peace and serenity? The Untethered Soul offers simple yet profound answers to these questions. Whether this is your first exploration of inner space, or you've devoted your life to the inward journey, this book will transform your relationship with yourself and the world around you. You'll discover what you can do to put an end to the habitual thoughts and emotions that limit your consciousness. By tapping into traditions of meditation and mindfulness, author and spiritual teacher Michael A. Singer shows how the development of consciousness can enable us all to dwell in the present moment and let go of painful thoughts and memories that keep us from achieving happiness and self-realization."
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Our UU Story
Alexander Graham Bell Finds Unitarian Pamphlet
Alexander Graham Bell (March 3, 1847 – August 2, 1922) was a Scottish-born scientist, inventor, engineer, and innovator who is credited with inventing and patenting the first practical telephone. He also founded the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) in 1885.
His wife, Mabel, was deaf and he was always trying to help those who could not hear. The telephone was one of his attempts to create a device for the deaf, to assist their ability to hear. He invented the telephone so that people could communicate with other people anywhere in world. Bell was issued the first patent for the telephone in March 1876.
For most of his life he remained steadfast in agnosticism. His wife, Mabel, remarked that he never denied God. Neither did he affirm God.
In 1901 Bell came across a Unitarian pamphlet and found its theology congenially undogmatic. "I have always considered myself as an Agnostic," he wrote Mabel, "but I have now discovered that I am a Unitarian Agnostic."
Apparently, Bell was attracted to the non-dogmatic nature and acceptance of different ideas present in the Unitarian faith–indicating he was probably just turned off by the heavy-handedness of organized religion.
Bell and his family originally settled in the Brantford, Ontario, Canada area. He later moved to Boston, where he introduce the Visible Speech to the Boston School for Deaf Mutes (which continues today as the public Horace Mann School for the Deaf).
Compiled by Joy F. Sokeitous
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Shop at Amazon and Help UUCFM
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Did you know your purchases can make a difference? AmazonSmile donates to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers when you do your online Mother's Day shopping. Follow this link:
smile.amazon.com/ch/59-1160337
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Desperately Needed: FUUn BUUnch Coordinator
A new coordinator for the FUUn BUUnch dinners is needed. Effective with the MAY 31st meeting, I will be stepping down as the coordinator of the FUUn BUUnch dinners. The dinners are great for the church but if they are to continue, a new coordinator must be found. Most of the work is computerised and requires a minimum of time and effort.
Please, if you have enjoyed the dinners, Christmas Eve and otherwise, step up and take charge. Don't allow the May dinner to be the last. This needs to continue. Respond to: John E Fischer 267-992-6566
[email protected]
John E Fischer
Coordinator
Fuun Buunch Dinners
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Wanted: Car Pool from Cape Coral
A new visitor, Mary Moldawski from the Sandoval Community (near Veterans & Surfside Pkwys) would like to know if any Cape residents would like to carpool to church on Sundays. Contact Mary at
[email protected]
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Our Greater Community Events
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Student Recipients of Youth Violence Prevention Grants Present Programs
The recipients of the Youth Violence Prevention Grants from the Unitarian Universalist Church and the United Way will present their programs to the public on
Friday May 24
th
, at 5:30 p.m
. at the Unitarian Universalist Church Sanctuary. Attendance is open to the public.
The Youth Violence Prevention Partnership (YVPP) is a collaboration of the Unitarian Universalist Church and the United Way to encourage the development of programs that bring awareness of youth violence and the risk factors that contribute to it. The project funded over $15,000 in grants for student-driven programs. Proposals were submitted, and a student committee selected the projects that were funded. The recipients include the following:
Human Trafficking Awareness Partnership
I WILL Mentorship Foundation
Quality Life Center
South Fort Myers High School
WellFit Girls
Young Life –Dunbar High School
Girl Scouts – Individual
In addition to the student presentations, Dr. Mike Martin, President of Florida Gulf Coast University, and Jim Nathan, adjunct professor of Health Services at FGCU will be featured speakers.
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Save the Date: LIFE Celebration
You are cordially invited to LIFE's 8th Annual
Celebration at Mount Hermon Ministries on May 28 at 7pm 2856 Douglas Ave, Fort Myers, FL.
We are joining together to celebrate you and each other. We will be celebrating our past victories and hearing from those impacted by our work (with a potential special guest or two). We will celebrate this year's Nehemiah Action with photos, videos, and update on behind-the-scenes work leading up to and after the event. And we will celebrate each other with music, fellowship, food, and raffles. We will also have a special celebration for Rev. Allison Farnum from UUCFM who will be departing Fort Myers for new opportunities in Chicago. The Celebration is our opportunity to join together to reflect, honor our work, and grow together. We are hopeful that the Celebration will close out our investment drive for the year and if you feel so led- feel free to bring along your checkbook or credit card. Otherwise, bring yourself and be ready to take part in the joy of celebration, together.
Sincerely,
LIFE Board of Directors
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Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Group
The Rissho Kosei-kai group meets Sundays at 2:00 PM in Room 1. Contact Mary Tracy Sigman for info
[email protected]
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May 3 Matt Hoffman
May 7 Priscilla Jeffcoat
May 8 Peg Clayton Fischer
May 9 Alison Carville
May 9 Helen Dixon
May 9 Walter Peterson
May 12 Fran Rose
May 14 Jim Stout
May 17 Elaine Swank
May 21 Mary Golbitz
May 23 Cathy Snow
May 24 Nancy Beecher
May 24 Elise Sexton
May 29 Stephanie Moreland
May 30 Diane Buckley
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Calendar Connections
Click on the name on each event for more information or inspiration.
Interfaith:
●
Visakha Puja
-the birth, the enlightenment & death of the Buddha.(Buddhist) - May 18-19 (more
here
)
Unitarian Universalist:
● American Unitarian Association founded May 25 (1825)
National & Cultural:
● Asian/ Pacific American Heritage Month
●
May Day
/International Workers Day - May 1 (more
here
)
● First HIV/AIDS death in North America - May 15 (1969)
● Memorial Day (US) - May 27
For Fun and On the Fringe:
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Board of Trustees
President
Theresa Bahre
President Elect
Lesley Peterson
Secretary
Alison Carville
Treasurer
Eddie Grimes
VP Finance
Alanis Garcia
VP Programming
Cathy Snow
VP Ministerial Services
Karen J. Brown
VP Operations
Dorothy Van Howe
Member at Large
Helen Leddy
Staff
Minister
Director of Music
Director of RE
Office Manager
Building Supervisor
Nursery Supervisor
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