Weekly E-News
December 13, 2018
Sunday Worship Service
All Welcome to our Service at 10:30 am Sundays in the Miller Sanctuary
Blue Holiday Service
Has Life got you feeling not so festive? Does the idea of celebrating the festival of lights make you feel even more down in the dumps? When people speak of Christmas cheer, does it feel far away from your heart and your mind? If you’re feeling a sense of loss, grief, or sadness this holiday season, our blue holiday Service is just for you. Or if you’re curious, all are welcome to attend Sunday, December 16th in our sanctuary. Join me and our director of music at 6:30 PM. If you have a friend or loved one who may need this, please extend the invitation.

Rev. Allison Farnum
December Worship 2018 MYSTERY

This coming month our worship provides opportunity for rest, reflection and renewal, a much-needed way to close an emotionally & sociopolitically challenging calendar year. For those who seek merriment, worship will give opportunity. Come to our regular Sunday services at 10:30 am on December 16th, 23rd and 30th. For those who seek solace from the bustle and the pressure to be merry, our Blue Holiday service on the evening of December 16th at 6:30 pm can offer comfort for those who feel removed from the joy of the season. Our candlelight Christmas Eve service will be at 5:00 pm on December 24th. Every Sunday we will kindle the holiday lights of the season, humbled by the Mystery of Life and open to its possibility in the coming year.
Christmas Eve Dinner

Origami Japanese/Korean/Sushi
Monday, December 24, 2018
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 SilverFischStudios@gmail.com by Friday, December 21, 2018 to reserve your place. Management needs exact numbers to schedule staff.
Community Sharing in December: Quality Life Center
Quality Life Center has been in the Dunbar community since 1990. The center provides early learning, afterschool, teen leadership and summer camp programs. Quality Life Center’s ACE Afterschool 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’s Arts, Character and Education (ACE) program provides afterschool, summer camp and teen leadership programs to help at-risk youth realize their potential and foster their abilities. Engaging educational projects help students become academically competitive, and include a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) initiative.
Christmas Gifts for the Q Children
We are now collecting Christmas gifts for the children and teens at the Quality Life Center or as it is commonly called, "the Q". We will collect gifts up until Sunday, December 16th. There are a total of 168 youths, 100 of them in the after school program and 46 being Leadership Teens; the remaining 22 are preschool and kindergarten. 

We are not asking for a specific number for each age group. Buy whatever you want and as many as you want.  Do not wrap the gifts. An open Holiday bag would be nice when possible and makes it easier for us to sort. The Q makes the following request. Please, NONE of the following: action figures, guns, Barbie dolls, or battery operated toys. Gifts may be left under the Sanctuary tree. Thank you!
Staff Envelopes
This Sunday, December 16th is the last week for the white Staff Bonus Envelopes to appear in the pews. If you would like to contribute to the staff holiday bonus, please put your donation in the envelope and drop it in the collection bag. Thank you!
Humanist Forum
The Humanist Forum meets every Sunday at 9:15 am in Hobart Hall. All are welcome to attend. The Humanist Forum will open a video and discussion this week of the history of man’s destructive influence on the Everglades. This story, which is important for all of us, opens interesting questions of moral leadership. We will likely continue it for a second week. 
Social Hour
Sunday's Social Hour happens after the service 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 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 is our newest youth group. Exclusively for children ages five to nine, Spark will meet weekly from 12-1 in Room 2 to explore Unitarian Universalism and learn more about our church and each other.  dre@uucfm.org
Youth Theater Troupe
The UUCFM Youth Theater troupe will meet on the following Wednesdays at 6:30 pm following the community meal:

December 19
January 2
January 9
January 23
January 30

Please contact Sima Robins if you missed our information session and you are interested in participating. simaleah.robbins@gmail.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, Director of Music
Membership
Membership Ministry Team Plans New Member Ceremony December 16 th
 
The Membership Ministry Team is making plans for our December New Member Ceremony on the 16 th . Anyone interested in becoming a new member, please contact  MemberServices@UUCFM.org  to receive your membership enrollment kit.
For Lay Leaders

Safety Tips-Kitchen Use
The kitchen has potential safety hazards. This includes gas for stoves, knives that could be used as weapons, ranges that can be left on creating a fire hazard, and food and supplies that could be stolen.

Keep the kitchen doors (front and back) locked when not in use and give keys only to those who need to access it. When in use, the kitchen should have an adult supervisor.
UUCFM Special Events
Covenant of UU Pagans Medieval Feast
Medieval Feast Update: The feast is CUUPs' big fundraiser and it falls on Winter Solstice. We now move towards Solstice with many different rejoicings that occur at this time. Entertainers have stepped up and for those that have paid or reserved space to our event we are very grateful. We have only so many tickets we can sell. The Royals do command quite an audience ... much to say it is not to be missed. We will be in the hall each Sunday to make sure entrance on December 21st is assured. Dress in all finery. Child care is provided for under age 6. If you are on the list and can not come please let us know because someone may want to attend and needs your place. Thank you,

Joy Purcell hawkmistrs@aol.com
Dinner Go Round 2019

Dinners-Go-Round are now forming for January through April 2019!
Denis and Linda Jensen are organizing Dinners Go Round. These monthly 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, please email Denis Jensen by December 15th at  dalanjensen@gmail.com   and let him know.  Please include your names, telephone numbers, addresses and email addresses in your email to Denis and also let him know if you would consider being a host for one of the four monthly dinners or if there is one or more of the four months where you would not be able to participate.  Also advise Denis if you will require wheelchair accessible dinner sites.
UU Women's Retreat

Celebrating Sacred Places
9th Annual Florida Unitarian Universalist Women’s Retreat
April 5-7, 2019
DaySpring Episcopal Conference Center Ellenton, FL

A weekend for Exploring, Enriching, Expressing our Spirits in a Gathering of UU Women

 Friday evening we will get to know one another and create
community
 Saturday, 4 one-hour workshops offer choices: Awakening our
Spirits, Sacred Dance, Meditation, Expressive Art, Book and Topical
Discussion Groups, Personal Time, Relaxation.
 Sunday we share a UU Service bringing it all together
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.

A non-refundable deposit of $20 for a semi-private room or $30 for a
private room will reserve your place. Final payment is due January
15, 2019. Come join us for an enriching and memorable weekend.
To register or for more information contact Helen Leddy: helen.leddy@gmail.com
UUCFM Classes & Groups
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,

Note: We have some very interesting new women members who might breathe some fresh life into the womens group. In line with the idea and need for small group discussion groups forming- Let's Do It!
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.
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 at 239-694-6833.
Book Club
The UUCFM Book Club meets Wednesdays at 1:00 pm. Our current book title is Tribe, On Homecoming and Belonging by Sebastian Junger.  
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.

Community Activities for December:

6:00-6:45        Band Rehearsal in Sanctuary
6:45-8:00        Choir Rehearsal in Sanctuary
6:45-8:00 Spiritual Discussion group thru Dec.ember 19th, 2018 in Room 7 and January 9th thru May 2019 in Room 2.
Social Justice
Pachamama Alliance
Thursday, Jan 3
6:30 PM
Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers

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.
Changes to the Food Pantry re: Donations
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 and Fran will return your call.  
Caring News
If you have any caring concerns, please contact our Caring Network coordinator, Neil Yesu at dbny79@aol.com
More
Thank You to All
December 2nd & 9th Sundays Craft & Bake Sale events were richly rewarded with UU Community Spirit and upwards of nearly $1,000 for the General Budget. Thank you to all who contributed in time, donations, and dollars, by the Chairs, Patricia Linhoff and Suzanne Ziemer. Next December we might have Joy's lunch of quiche and fruit salad! Keep Crafting!
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.
UUCFM Announcing: Youth Violence Prevention Project
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  
We Need YOU to Keep our Bed & Breakfast Program Going
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
bedandbreakfast@uucfm.org
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.
  • A set of car keys (Toyota) were lost on church property on Sunday, November 11th. Contact Mary Nies at niesrobert@hotmail.com or 239-466-7933.

  •  A new visitor, Sally Farina, needs a ride to church on Sundays. Can anyone be of help? She lives near Orange Grove Blvd in North Fort Myers; 239-258-1722; sallyfarina7@gmail.com.
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.
Celebrating Farmworker Justice:
A fundraiser dinner in honor of CIW's 25th Anniversary

Friday, Dec. 21, 2018 from 5-7:30 p.m.
$25-$50 Suggested Donation
Coalition of Immokalee Workers
110 S 2nd St, Immokalee, FL 34142
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 17 Kay Flatten
Dec 21 Harvey Heckes
Dec 26 Melinda Machones
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
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
Director of Music   
Suellen Kipp music@uucfm.org
Director of RE        
Office Manager       
Building Supervisor   
Nursery Supervisor