Weekly E-News
July 12, 2018
Sunday Worship in July: Ethics
Service at 10:30 am Sundays in the Miller Sanctuary
Community Sharing in July: Pachamama Alliance, Inc.
For two years, as part of our Social justice Ministry, we have been carrying out our mission to create an environmentally sustainable, socially just, and spiritually fulfilling human presence on our planet. More than 100 people and eight organizations have joined us by participating in our programs and presentations like the Awakening the Dreamer Changing the Dream Symposia, monthly Game Changer Gatherings and special programs, like our Florida Going Solar luncheon last winter. We encourage deeper learning and interacting through our online Game Changer Intensive , and getting involved in the exciting new Drawdown programming that, when acted upon, promises to create the cleaner more beautiful world we know is possible. The Diving into Drawdown study/action group has galvanized much cooperation and collaboration with many groups working for clean water and social justice in SW Florida. We also attend and support monthly meetings of the All Faiths Congregation CAT (Climate Change Action Team) and are working on grants with them on Water awareness and hurricane resilience starting with eco-summer camps at the Quality Life Center. We continue to grow and move forward and are most grateful for the support of UUCFM.
Humanist Forum
The Humanist Forum meets every Sunday at 9:15 am in Hobart Hall.
What is sexual violence? How bad is it on U.S. campuses? We’ll be sharing the film “The Hunting Ground” this Sunday at 9:15a in Hobart Hall. All are welcome. An important film for students, parents, alumni, faculty, advisors and administrators.
Coffee Hour
Sunday's Coffee Hour happens after church every week and 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. 


BURN, our High School Youth Group meets on Sundays at noon, usually in Room 4. All youth, ages 14-18, are welcome! 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 the Narthex. Come join us for community, conversation, and finding your call to action! Questions about the group? Reach out to Stephanie Hoffman:  stephgator7@yahoo.com
The second Worship and Music Ministry meeting is Sunday, July 15th 
in the Sanctuary at 12:15. 
 
Our regular meetings are held on the third Sunday of each month  from 12:15PM-1:45PM.  
Join us if you are already or wish to be involved in this ministry that includes all things service related including the following: 
 
-Choir and Music Team
-Worship Associates 
-Audio Visual 
-Décor

Contact Board Co-Liaisons Theresa L. Bahre ( strawbahre_fields@yahoo.com) and Lesley Peterson ( unicorn@cyberstreet.com).
Staff and Board News
Music Notes
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, Acting Director of Music
Religious Education News

Jenn Blosser
Summer Adventure Packet
July has arrived and summer is in full swelter! Visit Jenn Blosser in Hobart Hall after the service this Sunday to pick up a Summer Adventure Packet so your family can find new ways to bring a dash of UU spirit into your summer. Each packet contains prayers, activities, a guided meditation, and even a discount for an adventure in Lakes Regional Park!
Volunteers Needed
We need volunteers to stay after the service on Sunday, August 5th to help manage the annual purge of the Family Ministry storage room (Room 5). Please email Jenn Blosser if you're interested:  dre@uucfm.org
Office Closing
The UUCFM Office Manager will be on vacation July 12-18 and the office will be closed on Thursday, July 12, Friday, July 13th, Tuesday, July 17th, and Wednesday, July 18th.
Music Director Search Is Underway!
The search for our congregation’s settled Director of Music has begun. We will be seeking candidates through August 15th. After reviewing applicants, we hope to welcome a well-qualified, settled director to our midst by October 1st. We anticipate that our congregation’s music program will continue to grow in a positive direction and remain an enriching part of our worship services.

The following members have agreed to serve on the Search Team:

Rev. Allison Farnum
Mary Cline-Golbitz
Jeffrey Letts
Lesley Peterson
Elise Sexton
Village News
The New Village Council
The Village Council cordially invites any and all interested people to our first official retreat Sunday, July 15th, from 2 - 5 PM in Room 7. The purpose of the retreat is to build cohesiveness in this new team by creating a vision, developing a road map on how to work together effectively, and discussing upcoming yearly events. Child care will be provided. We welcome your input and insight and kindly request that interested attendees arrive no later than 2 PM so that we are able to honor time commitments. Please RSVP to PalomaSiebert@PerspectiveView.com if you plan to attend.

This is the last call for signing up to be an OWL facilitator. We would like to hold OWL classes for middle school through adult in the upcoming months but we are falling short on interest in facilitator training for young adult and adult age groups. Please contact Stephanie Hoffman at  stephgator7@yahoo.com  if you are interested in facilitator training. 

Ignite, the youth group for ages 10-13, has chosen to study gun violence in schools this season. As part of their exploration, Katie Ireland, Louvi Grimes, Lily Hoffman, and Kate Jones (not pictured) attended the March for Our Lives, Road to Change town hall at FGCU on Monday, June 25th. Many questions were raised by the information presented at the town hall and by our earlier discussions. We are working towards putting together a UUCFM panel discussion on gun violence in schools. Please keep an eye out in your weekly news for more information. If this looks like fun (and it is!) contact Jenn Blosser ( dre@uucfm.org ) or Stephanie Hoffman ( stephgator7@yahoo.com ) for more information on how to get involved. 

Stephanie Hoffman, Communications
Community Sharing
Here are the ways the congregation can volunteer with or support our
Community Sharing Sunday (CSS) partners:
Our Mothers Home : Our friends at our Community Sharing Partner, Our Mother's Home, can sure use a handyperson to install their mailbox. It was knocked down and all their volunteers are on vacation. Do we have someone we can send over to assist? If so, please contact ASAP:

Karen Watson , Executive Director 
Our Mother's Home
Mailing address:  18011 S. Tamiami Trail #16 -106
Fort Myers, FL 33908
(239) 267-4663 Office
GRACE ( Guatemalan Rural Adult and Children’s Education Project) website here .

If you would like to volunteer or participate in anyway, please contact Dr. Genelle Grant- grantgenelle@gmail.com

1.This coming week is the second week of the Happe Summer EcoCamp for farmworker children at the Happehatchee Center, of which GRACE is a sponsor. There are 30 Guatemalan children learning about the environment, canoe safety and stewardship of the Earth. If anyone would like to visit the camp this week, please let me know.
2. The Women’s Health Class at the New Image Tabernacle in North Fort Myers is on summer break. It will begin again in September.
3. We always need people to make Fertility Bracelets. Helen Dixon puts Kits of the beads together, or people could purchase the beads on their own (very helpful). Beads are red, purple, and green pony beads.
4.In July, we will begin meeting on Wednesdays to sew and assemble the menstrual Kits. People can contact Dr. Grant if they want to participate.
5. There is a Trip planned for Guatemala for the first week in December, if anyone wants to volunteer and contribute to the workshops in Guatemala.
South Fort Myers Food Pantry:
Volunteers are needed during the summer season as snowbirds have gone home. There is still a great need during the summer for local families when children are not being fed in school. Please contact the food pantry at (239) 628-3191 if you would like to participate on Mondays for food distribution.
Cypress Lake Presbyterian Church


Planned Parenthood:
If you know anyone in need of services offered by Planned Parenthood, please direct them to a local center.

Planned Parenthood Fort Myers
(239 ) 481-9999
Special Events
FUUn BUUnch
THE CLAM BAKE RESTAURANT
16520 S. TAMIAMI TRAIL, SUITE 152
FORT MYERS, FL 33908
239-482-1920
JULY 28, 2018
5:30 pm

(USE OF GPS IS STRONGLY SUGGESTED)

NOTE NEW TIME FOR THIS DINNER ONLY.
TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EARLY BIRD PRICING, WE MEET AT 5:30 P.M.

RSVP TO JOHN E FISCHER, BY JULY 25, 2018.

DIRECTIONS:
From the corner of Cleveland and Cypress Lake (Daniels Dr.), proceed south toward Alico Road. Shortly before Alico Road, make a right turn onto Island Park Road and immediately turn left into the parking lot. The restaurant sits almost in the inside corner of the shopping center.
(DO NOT CONFUSE THE CLAM BAKE WITH THE RAW BAR ON THE CORNER OF THE SHOPPING CENTER AND TAMIAMI TRL.)
"Reflections on Hurricane Irma" - Art Quilters Unlimited Exhibit

Miller Sanctuary Narthex
August 6-September 29, 2018
Open Reception Thursday, August 9, 2018 5-7 p.m.

Art quilters create fine art wall hangings based on their experiences, imagery and ideas, rather than on traditional patterns. Art Quilters Unlimited is a group of fiber artists interested in expanding their knowledge and pushing the boundaries of their creativity. Our very own, Rev. Margaret L. Beard is a member of this group!

For more information, please contact Pam Richardson, Exhibition Committee Chair at pjrichfiberart@comcast.net .
 
To confirm access to the exhibit, please call the Church Office at (239) 561-2700. For more info, check out the public event page here .

UU Women's Retreat
Celebrating Sacred Places

9th Annual Florida Unitarian Universalist
Women’s Retreat
April 5-7, 2019

DaySpring Episcopal Conference Center Ellenton Flo The retreat begins Friday at 5:00pm and ends Sunday.
DaySpring Conference Center is conveniently located off I-75 just north of Sarasota on Florida’s West Coast. The beautiful campus nestled under ancient oaks and located on a cove of the Manatee River offers a serene setting for our annual retreat. Take a look.


$220 per person covers expenses for a semi-private room and meals. 8 women share a cozy cottage with 4 bedrooms and 4 baths, a screened porch and common area. A limited number of single rooms are available at $292 each.

$5 Discounts Available for Registration before September 15, 2018.

A non-refundable deposit of $15 for a semi-private room or $25 for a private room will reserve your place. Final payment is due January 15, 2019. Come join us for an enriching and memorable weekend.
Classes & Groups
Book Study
Come join in reading Ram Dass'  Polishing the Mirror: How to Live from Your Spiritual Heart  Wednesdays in the Library at 1:00 pm beginning July 11th.

"Sometimes illumination occurs spontaneously or, as Ram Dass experienced, in a cosmic moment of the heart opening. More commonly, it happens when we remove the dust from the mirror of our spiritual heart with daily practice - to see beyond the illusion of our transient thoughts and emotions to the vast and luminous landscape of our true nature.

For five decades, Ram Dass has explored the depths of consciousness and love, and brought back insights as his service to others. With  Polishing the Mirror , he gathers together his essential teachings for being and loving, here and now, in the eternal present. For those just starting on the path, this is a primer for living from the spiritual heart. For those already practicing it, is a reference point for daily life in the spirit.
In this book, readers will discover perennial wisdom, humor, teaching stories, and guidance into Ram Dass's own spiritual practices, including:

  • Bhakti Yoga - devotion, opening our hearts to unconditional love
  • Practices for living, aging, dying, and embracing the natural flow of life
  • Karma Yoga - transformation through selfless service
  • Working with fear and suffering as a path to grace and freedom
  • Step-by-step guidance in devotional chant, meditation, mantra, and more

Polishing the Mirror  is Ram Dass' invitation to experience who we are and why we are here, and how to become beacons of unconditional love."

July 11th Introduction and Chapters 1&2
July 18th Chapters 3 & 4
July 25th Chapter 5 & 6
August 1 Chapter 7 & 8

For Book study beginning August 8th, we read  Play  by Stuart Brown and Christopher Vaughan.

"From a leading expert, a groundbreaking book on the science of play, and its essential role in fueling our happiness and intelligence throughout our lives 

We've all seen the happiness on the face of a child while playing in the school yard. Or the blissful abandon of a golden retriever racing across a lawn. This is the joy of play. By definition, play is purposeless, all-consuming, and fun. But as Dr. Stuart Brown illustrates, play is anything but trivial. It is a biological drive as integral to our health as sleep or nutrition. We are designed by nature to flourish through play. 

Dr. Brown has spent his career studying animal behavior and conducting more than six-thousand "play histories" of humans from all walks of life-from serial murderers to Nobel Prize winners. Backed by the latest research,  Play  (20,000 copies in print) explains why play is essential to our social skills, adaptability, intelligence, creativity, ability to problem solve and more. Particularly in tough times, we need to play more than ever, as it's the very means by which we prepare for the unexpected, search out new solutions, and remain optimistic. A fascinating blend of cutting-edge neuroscience, biology, psychology, social science, and inspiring human stories of the transformative power of play, this book proves why play just might be the most important work we can ever do.

Come having read Part One (first 47 pages)
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 .
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 4:00-5:30 pm. 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:   dbny79@aol.com .  
UUCFM Gaming Group
The UUCFM Gaming Group is the club for you. We do our best to meet in Room 7 on Sundays after church from 1:00-4:00 pm. Those of us with children can't always make it so please check the Facebook group page ( UUCFM Gaming Group ) to see if games are scheduled.
Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Group
The Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist group meets Sundays at 1:45p in Room 1. All are welcome to join us.
Weekly Activities
Community Wednesday  
Activities for July:

4:00-5:30        Optimal Living Group (1st & 3rd Wed)
6:00-6:45        Band Rehearsal in Sanctuary (off 1st two weeks in June)
6:45-8:00        Choir Rehearsal in Sanctuary (off 1st two weeks in June)

Community Dinners are on hiatus until September. Enjoy your summer! Rehearsals and Events will continue through summer.
Social Justice
Pachamama Alliance of Southwest Florida
Our Watershed with John Cassani Thursday July 5, 6:30 pm
Pachamama SWFL is delighted to host John Cassani, Calusa Waterkeeper, to speak at our next Game Changer Gathering. Please come and bring a friend as we discuss our Calusa Watershed and all the ways we, as concerned citizens can protect, preserve and restore our precious water during these critical times. 
Every month the SWFL Pachamama Alliance gathers local people who care and we discuss one of 100 Drawdown Solutions to "global warming;" This month we explore protecting our coastal waterways. 
In his role as Calusa Waterkeeper, John Cassani, works to protect and preserve waters of the Caloosahatchee region "by combining his firsthand knowledge of the waterway with an unwavering commitment to the rights of the community and to the rule of law," His territory: Lake Okeechobee west through the Caloosahatchee River to the coastal estuaries and near-shore waters.
“Waterkeeper Alliance is thrilled to have John Cassani to be the eyes, ears, and voice for this vital watershed and community,” 
John has been part of most of the region's environmentally focused nonprofits over the years — Riverwatch, the Caloosahatchee Bromeliad Society, Audubon, the Southwest Florida Amphibian Monitoring Network and the Southwest Florida Watershed Council, which he helped found in 2001.
"Force for nature: Cassani fights for Florida environment" - The Fort Myers News Press.
6:30 pm pot luck desserts or snacks welcome. Iced tea and hot tea will be served. Please bring a friend. 
LIFE News
Big things are happening! We asked the commission to form a children's service council and while they are still refusing to even allow it on the ballot- they have increased the budget for children's services by $1.7 million. Should this budget pass we will be able to celebrate dental care for thousands of more children as well as hundreds of children getting access to full day preschool. It is still not a victory but it is a sign that work for justice is never done in vain. 

If you would like to order a LIFE t-shirt you can do so at  https://www.customink.com/g/bxr0-00bf-84j3 .  Shirts can be worn out and about and at community events.

2018-2019 Dates. See below for the newly announced dates for the upcoming year.

Annual Assembly
Monday, October 29, 2018

Rally
Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Nehemiah Action
Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Celebration
Tuesday, May 14, 2019 Community Forum

LIFE members were invited to a community forum to help the county health department decide on a focus for the upcoming few years. If you wish to participate see below:

What: Department of Health in Lee County Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) Town Hall Meeting
When: July 2, 2018
Time: 6:30p – 8:30p
Where: Department of Health Lee County
Address:  83 Pondella Road

South Fort Myers Food Pantry
 The response for food donations has been consistently good over the last year. The need is still there and UUCFM has been a strong supporter of the pantry. I have not been able to post the pantry newsletter but there is one at the Social Justice table listing the number of people fed by the pantry for the last year. Easter is early this year which means many people will be heading north earlier too. Consequently, many people will lose seasonal jobs and the need for food donations and volunteers will be just as great as it is now. Keep that in mind. Remember to bring at least one can each week and consider volunteering during the summer months. 
Questions? Email Fran Rose:  francrose@centurylink.net
Caring News
Member Harriet J. 'Harri' Wisser passed on July 1, 2018, in Minnesota. Harri and her late husband, Nat, were members of UUCFM until they moved to Friendship Village in Bloomington, MN, in 2013. In lieu of flowers to the family, donations are welcome to the Alzheimers Association.

Read her obituary online here .
Shop at  smile.amazon.com/ch/59-1160337  and Amazon donates to
Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers.
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
Our Greater Community
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 Wednesday for publication in the Thursday E-news.
Lee County Election Deadlines
The following deadlines apply to the Primary on August 28:
 
  • Register to vote – Monday July 30, 2018
  • Request Vote-By-Mail Ballot – Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018
 
The following deadlines apply for the General Election on Nov. 6, 2018:
 
  • Register to vote – Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018
  • Request Vote-By-Mail Ballot – Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018
 
Early voting will occur as follows:
 
  • Primary – Aug. 18 thru 25, 2018
  • General – Oct. 22 thru Nov. 3, 2018
 
If you are voting by mail and you will not be at the address provided, contact Lee County Elections. Your ballot will not be forwarded to a different address. For more information call 239-533-8683 or on-line at  www.Lee.Vote .
Note:
The following camp is for Home School Rocks, a renter of UUCFM. This camp is not run by or sponsored by UUCFM.
HOW TO BE A BETTER ALLY:
ALLY CONVERSATION TOOLKIT
Workshop by Dr. David Campt


Why Racism Skeptics Should Be Empathetically Listened to, and This Should Be the Work of White Allies

FRIDAY AUGUST 3rd 6-9:30 PM

Engaging white folks who are skeptical of racism, in an empathetic way, so they can examine and potentially revisit their views should be the a primary task of white allies and not a key task for people of color. 
As one journalist titled his review of new research on empathy based methods of dialogue aimed at de-biasing: “Research says there are ways to reduce racial bias. Calling people racist is not one of them.”
 
**Childcare Provided - please request it at the bottom of the ticket form**
Please contact us with accessibility requests at surjswfl@gmail.com .


July 14 Bill Petrarca
July 16 Rose Klein
July 28 Deborah Lewis
July 30 Don Klein
July 31 Kevin Carr
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
Bruce Marble 239-596-2703 bamarble44@gmail.com     
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
Acting Director of Music   
Suellen Kipp music@uucfm.org
Director of RE        
Office Manager       
Building Supervisor   
Nursery Supervisor