Weekly E-News
December 12, 2019
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This Sunday, December 15th
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Our
Sunday Service
begins at 10:30 AM in the William Miller Sanctuary. This Sunday, December 15th, we bring you a service of Christmas Carols and their history entitled
Carols Around the World.
Many Windows
This Sunday, December 15th, we have one Many Windows offering in Room 2,
Color this Faith.
Join Jenn Blosser and Gini Gottman for an artistic hour of coloring and creating. We will be preparing work to be displayed in the Narthex in the new year. If you enjoy artistic expression, please join us for this worshipful offering.
The Humanist Forum
meets every Sunday at 9:30 AM in Hobart Hall. All are welcome to attend. Join us as we engage in a new topic each week.
Our
Community Sharing
partner for December is the
Quality Life Center.
Quality Life Center’s Arts, Character and Education (ACE) program provides after school, summer camp, and teen leadership programs to help at-risk youth realize their potential and foster their abilities. Performing arts help build confidence, discipline and resilience, and visual arts provide the opportunity for self-expression. Quality Life Center’s ACE After school Program was named a 2017 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program finalist by the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and Institute of Museum and Library Services. This national recognition established ACE as one of the top arts and humanities based programs in the country.
Quality Life Center Toy Collection
It's that time again! Time for UUCFM to
show our support for The Quality Life Center of SW Florida
and the important work they do teaching and mentoring children in under served areas of our community. We do this in two ways during December. First, as our Community Sharing Partner for the month and second,
by donating toys for their holiday party
. They appreciate unwrapped gifts for all school aged children. Please, no toy guns or other items that promote violence! Be aware that battery operated toys are very expensive to play with and are bad for the environment. Kindly bring your donations to church and
place them under the Christmas tree in the Sanctuary or in Hobart Hall by Sunday 12/15
. Members of the Social Justice Ministry will take them to The Q on 12/18. Let's help The Quality Life Center celebrate a joyous holiday season and let them know that UUCFM supports the work they do, such as after school programs, art and dance classes, summer camp and their almost complete brand new teen center!
Thank you!
Sunday's Social Hour
happens after the service every week at 11:45 AM. Come join us for coffee and snacks. Newcomers, visitors, friends, and members are all welcome. Sponsoring groups are the Women's Circle and CUUPs. Donations of food, snacks, or cash are welcome.
Last Chance!
Last chance to purchase local authors books and Next-to-New Items. Sunday, December 15th, 11:30-12:30 FINAL SALES,Hobart Hall. Ted Brown, Marge Gonzales, Barbara Boynton & Lenka Schulze have reduced priced books and bargains galore at the Next-to-New Booth. All proceeds of Next-to-New items go to General UUCFM Fund.
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Vespers Service (Blue Christmas)
Due to unforeseen circumstances the Blue Holiday Vespers Service scheduled for Sunday, December 15th at 6:00 pm is canceled. The Pastoral Care Associates are available to be of support to anyone who may need extra support or companionship during this time that we know can be difficult. Please contact Mary Cline Golbitz via phone or text at (207) 479-4082 or via email at
[email protected]
if you or someone you know can use a little extra support during this Holiday time.
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"No Rehearsal" Christmas Pageant
Mark your calendars for Sunday, December 22nd at 10:30a to attend our fabulously fun
No Rehearsal Christmas Pageant!
Bring your friends and family for this fun, silly, yet still traditional telling of the Christmas story. All ages are invited to join our impromptu cast in the spirit of that improv tradition, "Yes, let's!" See you at the pageant!
Christmas Eve Service!
Join us at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, December 24th for our Christmas Eve Service. This will be a multi-generational service featuring Christmas hymns and readings. We will end the service with our traditional candlelit singing of Silent Night.
Following the Christmas Eve Service...
Join the FUUn BUUnch with all your UUCFM friends at
Origami
Japanese/Korean & Sushi restaurant on Tuesday at 7:00 pm on December 24th, directly following the Christmas Eve Service.
8911 Daniels Parkway, Ste 5
Fort Myers, FL 33912
USE OF GPS IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
DIRECTIONS: (ORIGAMI IS ON THE NORTH SIDE OF DANIELS PKWY 0.7 MILES EAST OF SHIRE LANE.)
Turn left onto Shire La from the Church parking lot.
Turn right-west onto Daniels Parkway.
Get into extreme left lane and make first “U” turn onto E. Daniels Parkway.
Proceed east on Daniels 0.7 miles in left lane to Appaloosa La.
(Appaloosa La. is only on N side of Daniels. Look for Powers Ct. on south, right side of Daniels but turn LEFT onto Appaloosa La.)
Turn left through center median onto Appaloosa La.
Turn right, east onto Jobe Rd (first right turn).
Turn first left into parking lot.
Origami
is directly ahead of you. We will be in the back of the dining room.
Please call John E. Fischer, 1-267-992 -6566 or E-Mail [email protected] by Sunday, December 22, 2018 to reserve your place. Management needs exact numbers to staff servers.
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Work Day for Family Gardens
We have a few garden beds that need topping off of new soil. The new soil has been graciously donated by
Green Care Recycling
. Jim Morgan is organizing a work day for
Saturday, December 14th
starting at 8:30ish out by the gardens. Please come if you can spare about an hour. This is a great time of the year weather wise- being outside on a crisp morning with good friends is very rewarding. Please put December 14 on your calendars. (By the way, if you can, go on Facebook or Google and give a positive rating for
Green Care Recycling
!)
https://www.facebook.com/GreencareRecycling/
The Covenant of UU Pagans:
CUUPS will be honoring and celebrating Yule on
Saturday, December 21st
at 7:30 pm in Hobart Hall. We are going to again bring the bards with mirth and merriment. We cordially invite everyone to join us. Please bring a traditional dish of your family to our table as part of the feast. This is open to all. Bring a performance, your singing voice and your drum. Help us call in the solstice light. Dress in whatever finery you wish. We will again bring you merry measure. Join us, we cordially invite you to join our community of love and peace.
There are tiers for tickets, $25 day passes, $75 weekend passes, and $88 weekend passes includes Saturday Cycle of Season's Feast. More Details are on the Brown Paper Ticket site.
Vendors: $20.00 plus weekend pass. Tent Set Up is Friday, Jan. 31, 2020 between 2PM-4PM. Gates open at 5PM, Opening Ritual 6PM.
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Groups & Classes
New Connection Circle Coming!
Want to connect on a deeper level with other UUCFM members, visitors, and friends? Then come to the Connection Circle on Wednesdays from 4:30-6:00 pm beginning
January 8, 2020.
Our circle will be meeting every week for 6 weeks so the meetings will be January 8, 15, 22, 29 and February 5th and 12th. Small group Connection Circles like this help promote bonding in a supportive atmosphere through facilitated discussions on spiritual topics that pertain to you and your life. Come join us in Room 2 and discover more about one another and about yourself.
For more information and to register please contact Mary Cline Golbitz at
Additional Connection Circle
Another Connection Circle is forming and all visitors and new and longtime members are invited to join! Bond with others on a deep and meaningful level in this facilitated group by discussing different topics as they pertain to your life. Always lively and heartfelt, 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 after Sunday services from 12:15 -1:45 PM in Room 7 on the following dates:
January 12, February 2 and 16, March 1, 15 and 29. Please contact facilitator, Leslie Gatto, for more information and to register. 239-850-9664 (text or phone) or
[email protected]
.
T
he Men's Social Group
meets the second Tuesday of each month at 11:45 AM at Cross Creek Country Club (off Daniels at Cross Creek Blvd). This is time for UUCFM men to get together for fun, conversation, socialization, and lunch. Put this on your calendar and bring a friend. If you’re new to the UUCFM Men’s Social Group, please RSVP to Denis Jensen at
[email protected]
The Women's Circle
next meets on
Tuesday, December 17th
at noon for a potluck lunch.
UU Women from All Faiths and UU Naples have been invited to join us for the Potluck and robber "white elephant" wrapped gift exchange. Peace on Earth and with our UUCFM is the theme. The Florida UU Women's Conference in April will be previewed
.
Contact Suzanne Ziemer 239-463-9020
[email protected]
The Book Club
meets Wednesdays at 1:00 PM in the Library. All are welcome to join in facilitated discussion and group bonding. We are reading
On the Brink of Everything
, by Parker Palmer. Palmer explores the question age raises and the promises it holds.
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Great Decisions
Want to learn more about China's Road into Latin America? Artificial Intelligence? Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking? Our Great Decisions group is now enrolling new participants. We meet for 8 Thursdays starting on January 23 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM in Hobart Hall. For more information, please contact Helen Leddy
[email protected]
Dreamwork Group
"All dreams come in the service of health and wholeness." --Jeremy Taylor
Come discover the wisdom of your dreams. Learn to interpret your dream symbols and unique dream language as well as the universal archetypes throughout. Participate in the safety and support of a caring group where we share dreams and learn the concept of "Projection," taking responsibility for what we contribute.Reservations: Debra Leigh, Facilitator
[email protected]
or (831) 818-1418. We meet in Room 2 from noon till 1:45 PM on the following Sundays-January 19, February 2, February 16, March 1, and March 15.
A
rt in the Narthex
Every month the art work of our member artists is hung in the Narthex.
The paintings for December were done by Priscilla Jeffcoat. They are done in a variety of mediums and styles and represent what has inspired the artist for the past 25 years. The show is titled "The Orange Show" due to a unifying element that can be seen in all the works. Each month a member artist will be featured on our Narthex wall. If you would like to be a member of this group email Priscilla at:
[email protected]
Caloosahatchee Mindfulness
and UUCFM members
invite participants to join our weekly meditation book group. The group meets weekly on Wednesdays from 10:00 to 11:30 AM in Room 3. Please contact Helen Leddy if you want to join.
The UUCFM Choir
rehearses most Wednesday nights from 6:30-8:00 pm, and on Sunday mornings at 9:30 in the sanctuary. It's free and there are no auditions. Come join us in singing!
The UUCFM Band
rehearses most Wednesday nights from 5:45-6:15 pm, and on Sunday mornings at 9:10 in the Sanctuary. Are you interested in playing an instrument with the UUCFM band for worship? If so, please schedule an audition time with me by email. Come join us in making music together! Suellen Kipp, Director of Music
Mindfulness Meditation
Come explore the simple and satisfying practices of Mindfulness 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 6:30-8:00 PM
in the Sanctuary. Contact Gary Robbins at 302-540-5899.
Wednesday Connection Circle
Lilibeth Grimes facilitates a
once monthly Wednesday evening circle,
Principles of Joy
. The goal for this circle is to serve as a bridge between UUCFM and the broader community. This is open each month to all members, family, and friends. Please email by the Monday before each circle to RSVP.
We meet the second Wednesday of each month at 6:00 PM.
January 8: Seventh Principle: Respect for the Interdependent Web of all Existence of Which we are a Part.
[email protected]
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News
Staff Holiday Bonus
There will be white envelopes marked "Staff" in the pews on December 1, 8, and 15. Please consider donating to our hard-working, loyal staff. This is the only bonus they receive each year. Place the envelopes in the collection basket during the offertory. Thank you!
Looking for a Few Good UUs!
Have you ever been interested in leading worship or greeting the congregation from the chancel? Have you ever been interested in providing a personal reflection, reading/writing a sermon or homily? If you are interested in getting involved with Sunday Service creation, join our Worship Associates team! Contact Jennifer Grant at
South Fort Myers Food Pantry
As you may know the South Fort Myers Food Pantry began a fund drive in June to replace their aging truck used to transport food from the Harry Chapin Food Bank to stock the Pantry shelves. The goal was to raise $45,000 of the total estimated cost of $75,000.
Although the goal was not met in full, they were able to reduce the cost to $70,000 and they received a trade in value for the old truck of $5,000; thus reducing the cash needed. They have collected $36,000 from the 16 Coalition Members and Supporting Partners, Pantry volunteers and friends of the Pantry. To this, they added the balance from the reserves for equipment replacement to reach the needed $65,000. As the truck fundraising effort comes to an end, the South Fort Myers Food Pantry Coalition, Inc. expresses their gratitude to the UUCFM members. They hope to have our continued support in the future as they strive to fulfill their mission, to feed the needy of South Fort Myers.
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For Sale
For Sale: 2005 32’ Fleetwood Terra Motor Home with one slide out in good condition. Asking price $16,500. Call Jeff Letts at 401-741 -3162.
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Transition Team Update
In November, The Board of Trustees (BoT) officially formed the Transition Team for the purpose of making recommendations to the BoT for equipping the congregation for a new ministry. Transition Team (TT) members are Tony Borras, Karen J. Brown, Lane Cook, Karen Feinen, Roy Green, Walt Ittenbach, Bill Petrarca, and Patricia Vivier-Nadl. The TT has met several times these past few weeks formulating our current situation as a congregation, where we want to be in the next 5 years, and recommendations to the BoT on how to make that vision happen.
We have a dedicated TT representing a healthy cross-section of our faith community; I am sure you know one or more of the members of the Team. The TT stands open to input from congregants during this process. We are fleshing out short-term and interim goals now. Please feel free to share your thoughts and ideas with any of the Team. Phone numbers and email addresses are on the Membership Roster (at the UUCFM website) or send thoughts to me at [email protected].
We are on the precipice of a new and exciting time for the Church—a chance to re-invent ourselves, a new beginning! The TT (also stands for Think Tank) is your megaphone in that process. Use it!
Bill Petrarca
TT Chair
Walt Ittenbach
TT Vice-Chair
Dinners Go Round Now Forming
Dinners Go Round are forming for January through April. These potluck dinners offer you a chance to get to know your fellow UUCFM Members on an informal basis. One dinner is held each month at a host UUCFM member’s home on a date determined by the host and participants. If you didn’t participate last year and would like to do so this year, Email Denis Jensen by December 15th
Include your names, number, address and email address in your email. Let him know if you would consider being a host for one of the four monthly dinners, if there is one or more of the four months where you would not be able to participate, or if you need wheelchair accessibility.
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From your Social Justice Team
Give the Gift of Freedom this Christmas
Write for Rights - Write a Letter - Change a Life
Amnesty International has its largest annual human rights campaign throughout the fall to mark Human Rights Day on December 10th. And it works! Letters we send out support people and help end abuses. Many people all over the world are wrongfully imprisoned for the peaceful expression of their beliefs or identity - Prisoners of Conscience. Here is how you can get started!
WRITE from now until Jan. 31, 2020
ASK questions and get help by contacting Zeke Johnson at 212-633-4256 or Maya Delany at [email protected].
There will also be information at the SJ Table in Hobart Hall.
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Did you know your purchases can help us? AmazonSmile donates to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers when you do your online shopping by following this special link to Amazon:
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Want to Become a Member?
If you are interested in becoming a new member, please pick up a Membership Kit Sunday mornings in the Narthex or in the office during the week. Thanks!
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Our Greater Community
Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Group
The Rissho Kosei-kai group meets Sundays at 2:00 PM in Room Number 1. We do not meet on 5th Sundays.
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The SWFL Concert Band
will be performing a holiday concert on
Sunday, December 15th
at 2:00 PM in the Sanctuary. Admission is free! All ages welcome.
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Southwest Florida Voices
(aka Southwest Florida Gay and Lesbian Chorus) invites you to join us on December 15th for our annual Holiday Choral Concert and Dinner!
This year we will be welcoming guest performers, Tropical Storm Men's Ensemble, to join us for a fun and moving musical treat of songs representing a variety of cultures that celebrate a festival of lights at this time of year. 5:30 PM: Cash Bar, 6:00 PM: Dinner, 7:00 PM: Concert. Tickets are available online through Brown Paper Tickets
Concert tickets will be available until the night of the performance.
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Happy Birthday!
Dec 12 Karen J. Brown
Dec 13 John Pittman
Dec 13 Kimberly Littleton
Dec 14 Lucy Wistreich
Dec 15 Lesley Peterson
Dec 15 Sydney Stewart
Dec 16 Matt Halstead
Dec 21 Harvey Heckes
Dec 30 Joy Sokeitous
Dec 30 Bruce Marble
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UUCFM | 13411 Shire Lane Fort Myers FL 33912
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