Sunday Worship in September: Vision
Service at 10:30 am Sundays in the Miller Sanctuary
Teacher Appreciation Sunday Service, September 23
rd
UUCFM is honoring our local teachers – public, private, homeschoolers, retired.
Please invite
your friends and neighbors who are/have been teachers to our September 23
rd
Sunday Service. All are welcome! The Service will be honoring those who have/are dedicated/ing their careers to teaching our children and grandchildren.
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Community Sharing in September: LIFE (Lee Interfaith for Empowerment)
LIFE is a congregation-based community organization that examines the needs and interests of our community for the result of doing justice. Over the years, LIFE has examined and implemented more fair policies on the topics of increasing the use of civil citations, created a Children's Service Counsel, re-opened and solving more unsolved murder cases and adopted a fair chance hiring policy (also known as "banning the box" where previously jailed/felonized individuals would immediately be eliminated in the job application process.)
LIFE for Justice, Justice for LIFE!
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Humanist Forum
The Humanist Forum meets every Sunday at 9:15 am in Hobart Hall. All are welcome to attend.
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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.
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BURN, our High School Youth Group meets on Sundays at noon in Room 4. All youth, ages 14-18, are welcome! Contact Director of Religious Education, Jenn Blosser:
[email protected]
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IGNITE
, our junior youth group for ages 10-13, meets weekly from 12-1 pm in Room 3. Come join us for community, conversation, and finding your call to action! Questions about the group? Reach out to Stephanie Hoffman:
[email protected]
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SPARK
is now forming! 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.
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From the Minister
Being Made
We are beginning to understand that the world is always being made and never finished; that activism can be the journey rather than the arrival; that struggle doesn’t always have to be confrontational but can take the form of reaching out to find common ground with the many “others” in our society who are also seeking ways out of alienation, isolation, privatization, and dehumanization by corporate globalization.
—Grace Lee Boggs (1915-2015); author, activist, feminist, philosopher
I am heartened by the long-term view that Boggs offers. We are works in progress, participating in progress. I am also always inspired and heartened and enlivened by working with you as minister. Unitarian Universalists are so fabulous! This is why I have orchestrated another pulpit swap for this Sunday, this time with Rev. Tony Fisher of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greater Naples. I want to show you off! And we get to live deeply into our convenantal roots by lifting up our connections with sibling congregations.
The following Sunday, it's time to show off again- this time sharing the love of our faith and inspiring hope with our
Teacher Appreciation Sunday
. It's a great time to invite someone new or curious about our congregation who is a teacher of some kind (corporate, public, home, private, religious, etc).
I long for a day when I no longer hear someone say, "I was Unitarian Universalist for years and just didn't know it!" or "Where was this church when I was growing up?" So invite your loved ones and anyone who might find sanctuary to come! Come into the space of humbling ourselves to life-long learning--- we are always being made.
Rev. Allison Farnum
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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.
On September 19th we will meet in Room 1 due to the Yom Kippur Celebration in the Sanctuary and Hobart Hall
. Come join us in making music together!
Suellen Kipp, Director of Music
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Religious Education News
Our Whole Lives (OWL) Sexuality Education for Grades 7 - 9 registration is now open!
If you are unfamiliar, OWL is a comprehensive sexuality education program divided into different age levels from kindergartners to adults. Such education is an important offering for our community within and without the church as it fulfills a need which is greatly lacking in our current school system.
Registration costs $75 per youth
Jenn Blosser
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From the Office
Memorial Tiles
If you would like to reserve a Memorial Tile and a spot on the wall please email the office. I can send you a Tile form. The tile cost covers lifetime care of the Memorial Garden and is $100 per tile. We save all pre-made Memorial Tiles here at UUCFM and they will be installed on the wall when you pass, in the location you choose.
Jill Carville, Office Manager
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Village News
Family Game Night with the UUCFM Gaming Group
Saturday, September 15th from 5:30 to 9:30 pm
This is our first Saturday night potluck gaming event. All ages are welcome and encouraged. Think of this as a date night with your nerdy church friends. Break out of the Monopoly doldrums.
Also, Dungeons and Dragons is being revived at Family Game Night. One or more tables will be set up to continue the campaign from many months ago or to start a new campaign.
We will have a babysitter on hand for this first event. Contact Stephanie Hoffman at
[email protected]
with questions. The next Game Night is tentatively scheduled for October 6th. Stay turned for more info.
___________________________
Have you seen our commercial kitchen? It is amazing and intimidating if you haven’t worked in food service. Meet at the bell in Hobart Hall at noon this Sunday for a tour of the kitchen facilities.
___________________________
OWL News:
OWL is comprehensive sexual education spanning the needs of Our Whole Lives. More than just a biology lesson, OWL explores and guides deeper thought on issues of gender, relationships, and development of our own identity. More information on the curriculum can be found at
www.uua.org/re/owl
.
The parent meeting for our middle school OWL group was a resounding success. Classes will start September 16th at 12:30 pm. Please remember to pack a lunch or lots of snacks for these rambunctious kids.
Adult OWL is coming to UUCFM this December. Cathy Snow and Stephanie Hoffman were recently trained to lead young adult and adult OWL. More information will follow.
Stephanie Hoffman
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The FUUn BUUnch
FUUN BUUNCH DINNER
AT THE SIAM HUT
4521 Del Prado Blvd
(USE OF GPS IS STRONGLY SUGGESTED)
Cape Coral, Fl
Saturday, SEPTEMBER 29th
6:00 pm
RSVP TO JOHN E FISCHER, BY SEPTEMBER 25, 2018.
DIRECTIONS:
From College Parkway in FORT MYERS, proceed west over the bridge to Cape Coral. Continue on Cape Coral Parkway to Del Prado Blvd. Make a right onto Del Prado Blvd.
Continue through the first light, over the canal, through the second light to the SIAM HUT.
From Cape Coral Blvd and points east and south in Cape Coral, drive on Cape Coral Blvd to Del Prado Blvd. Turn left onto Del Prado and c
ontinue through the first light, over the canal, through the second light to the SIAM HUT.
From North of Cape Coral Blvd, find your way to Del Prado and proceed south toward Cape Coral Blvd. The SIAM HUT will be on your left.
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Reflections on Hurricane Irma
- Art Quilters Unlimited Exhibit
Miller Sanctuary Narthex
August 6-September 29, 2018
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
[email protected]
.
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
.
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Save the Date: Boycott Wendy's
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Book Study
Join us at Book Study on Wednesdays at 1:00 pm. We are reading the book
Sapiens
by Yuval Noah Harari. Come having read the first few chapters. We meet in the Church Library.
From Amazon.com:
"One hundred thousand years ago, at least six different species of humans inhabited Earth. Yet today there is only one—homo sapiens. What happened to the others? And what may happen to us?
Most books about the history of humanity pursue either a historical or a biological approach, but Dr. Yuval Noah Harari breaks the mold with this highly original book that begins about 70,000 years ago with the appearance of modern cognition. From examining the role evolving humans have played in the global ecosystem to charting the rise of empires, Sapiens integrates history and science to reconsider accepted narratives, connect past developments with contemporary concerns, and examine specific events within the context of larger ideas.
Dr. Harari also compels us to look ahead, because over the last few decades humans have begun to bend laws of natural selection that have governed life for the past four billion years. We are acquiring the ability to design not only the world around us, but also ourselves. Where is this leading us, and what do we want to become?"
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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
[email protected]
.
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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.
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It's Time to Think "Connection Circle"
Come one, come all to the next 6 sessions of the Connection Circle beginning after church on Sunday, November 11th! New members, potential members, visitors and long-time members all are welcome. As we discuss meaningful spiritual topics by sharing our own life experiences as guided by a trained church-member facilitator, we get to know each other (and sometimes ourselves!) on a rich and deep level. We will meet every other Sunday, ending on January 20th. Participation in all six sessions is expected. For more information and to register, please contact Nancy Letts at
njletts @ gmail.com
or call at 401-741-2712.
Thank you.
My best,
Nancy Letts
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Community Wednesday
Community Dinners will return soon--Possibly the last Wednesday of September. Stay tuned!
Activities for September:
6:00-6:45
Band Rehearsal in Sanctuary (Sept 19 Room 1)
6:45-8:00
Choir Rehearsal in Sanctuary (Sept 19 Room 1)
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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 I will return your call.
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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.
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
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Lee County Sheriff’s Office
SAFETY & SECURITY TIP
Debit Card Danger Zones
Would you knowingly allow a stranger to have access to your bank account? It may seem like a silly question, but if you are using your debit card instead of your credit card to make purchases at risky locations, this is exactly what can happen. Although the two cards may look alike, their transactions are very different as purchases made with a debit card withdraw cash from your bank account, while credit card purchases use a line of credit extended to you by the issuing bank. No matter which card you choose to use, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office recommends that you never use your debit card at the following locations:
·
Outdoor Automated Teller Machines (ATM)
present a perfect opportunity for thieves to skim your debit card with devices that are placed over the real card slots or inserted into the machine. These skimmers capture information on the card’s magnetic strip and are often hard to spot.
Tip:
Use an ATM located inside a retail outlet, banking institution or other high-trafficked, well-lit place.
·
Gas stations
. While pretending to get gas, a fraudster can install a skimmer on a pump in just a few seconds. Pump skimming is popular with thieves because these skimmers can capture hundreds of card numbers in just one day.
Tip:
Use cash or credit card when filling up; however, if you must pay with your debit card, go inside the gas station and pay the cashier.
·
Online purchase
s. Just because you can order online with a debit card does not mean you should. Data breaches and malware can leave your bank account vulnerable to intrusion.
Tip:
For better protection and less risk against unauthorized transactions, use only a credit card for internet purchases.
·
Restaurants.
Anytime your debit card leaves your hands, fraud is possible. Restaurants, delivery orders placed over the phone, and merchants who do not take the necessary steps to safeguard your payment information can be problematic for consumers.
Tip:
Using a credit card or cash is the best way to keep unscrupulous employees from emptying out your bank account.
For more information about this Safety and Security Tip or to report a fraud or scam, call the Sheriff’s Office fraud line at 258-3280. To request a Crime Prevention Specialist to speak to members of your community, business, or organization call Community Relations at 258-3280.
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More Upcoming Events and News!
Read more about upcoming events for this winter and spring on the front page of our website!
uucfm.org
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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
[email protected]
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Free Singing Lessons!
If you have occasionally said to yourself,
“Gee, it would be fullfilling to sing with the UU choir if only I knew how.”
Well, believe me, everyone can sing. All most of us need is a little encouragement and a few lessons. Here’s your chance. Join several us UU’s and take these free lessons taught by an expert. No obligation to join the choir. . None of us are “great” singers. We just love to sing and contribute to the beauty of our Sunday services. But if you do, you’ll find our director, Suellen a very supportive and inspiring director.
Glenn Siebert
, UU choir member
(440) 572-5558
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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.
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Just Acts:
In Hope for Electoral Justice- UUs Join TogetherSept. 11th, Oct. 9th
This summer the UUA, UUSJ and the Interfaith Organizing Initiative held a joint Electoral Justice Webinar. We began with a song composed by Batya Levine entitled "We Rise" which begins:
We rise… humbly hearted
Rise… we won’t be divided
Rise…with spirit to guide us
Rise!
In hope, in prayer, we find ourselves here
In hope, in prayer, we’re right here!
We’re right here now -- 62 days away from the mid-term elections. We know that many of you are involved in local and state campaigns and appreciate the energy we UUs are bringing to electoral work to faithfully bend the arc toward justice and challenge white supremacy and the attacks on so many in our communities.
As part of this resistance, the UUA is lending our support to two key state ballot initiatives led by front-line organizers that will have a huge impact in enfranchising over 1.4 million formerly incarcerated people in Florida and dismantle much of the mass incarceration system in Ohio.
We hope you can join us and that UUs from all over the country will join UU Justice Florida in phone banking to people in Florida on September 11th and October 9th.
You can do this anywhere – all you need is a phone and a laptop. Please see more details and sign up here at
Love Resists
. You’ll also see there a sign-up form for getting connected to the campaign in Ohio with UU Justice Ohio and our partners. Please share and spread the word.
If you missed our Electoral Justice Webinar you can
view it here
.
The upsurge of energy we are seeing around the country can help create great momentum forward for stopping the criminalization of our communities, creating democracy, and building the world we dream about. Many progressive people are running for office and inspiring new support across generations, race, and class. As Batya Levine writes:
We rise, all of the children
Rise, elders with wisdom
Rise, ancestor surround us
Rise!
We rise, up from the wreckage
Rise, with tears and with courage
Rise, fighting for life
Rise!
We rise… humbly hearted
Rise… we won’t be divided
Rise…with spirit to guide us
Rise!
In hope, in prayer, we find ourselves here
In hope, in prayer, we’re right here!
In solidarity and hopefulness,
Susan Leslie
UUA Congregational Advocacy and Witness Director
Multicultural Growth & Witness Staff Team
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What's That Hut For?
Sukkot
Beginning five days after
Yom Kippur
, Sukkot is named after the booths or huts (sukkot in Hebrew) in which Jews are supposed to dwell during this week-long celebration. According to rabbinic tradition, these flimsy sukkot represent the huts in which the Israelites dwelt during their 40 years of wandering in the desert after escaping from slavery in Egypt. The festival of Sukkot is one of the three great
pilgrimage festivals
of the Jewish year. Sukkot is often referred to as “The Harvest Festival.” And much of the imagery and ritual of the holiday revolves around rejoicing and thanking God for the completed harvest. The sukkah represents the huts that farmers would live in during the last hectic period of harvest before the coming of the winter rains. As is the case with other festivals whose origins may not have been Jewish, the Bible reinterpreted the festival to imbue it with a specific Jewish meaning. In this manner, Sukkot came to commemorate the wanderings of the Israelites in the desert after the revelation at Mount Sinai, with the huts representing the temporary shelters that the Israelites lived in during those 40 years.
The Shalom Life Center invites you to visit their hut located on the grass next to the back parking lot from
September 23 – 30.
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Lee County Election Deadlines
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:
- 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
.
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Sept 14 Jenn Blosser
Sept 14 Frances Pake
Sept 16 Genelle Grant
Sept 19 Allison Farnum
Sept 19 Toni Latino
Sept 21 Deb Leigh
Sept 24 Leslie Gatto
Sept 29 Mary Pat Fitzgibbons
Sept 30 Jen Smith
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Board of Trustees
President
President Elect
Secretary
Treasurer
VP Finance
VP Programming
VP Ministerial Services
VP Operations
Member at Large
Staff
Minister
Director of Music
Director of RE
Office Manager
Building Supervisor
Nursery Supervisor
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