Weekly E-News
January 23, 2020
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This Sunday, January 26th
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Our Sunday Service
begins at 10:30 AM in the William Miller Sanctuary. This Sunday, January 26th we bring you a service entitled
Can You Hear Me Now?
The Humanist Forum
meets every Sunday at 9:30 AM in Hobart Hall, sometimes in Room 7. All are welcome to attend. Join us as we engage in a new topic each week.
Our Community Sharing
partner for January is the
GRACE Project.
The Guatemalan Rural Adult and Children’s Education (GRACE) Project designs and delivers health, art, and teacher capacity-building programs for Latina, Maya and Mixteco women, youth, community leaders, and educators in Southwest Florida and in Central America.
The GRACE (Guatemalan Rural Adult and Childrens’ Education) Project began in 1997 and grew through collaborations between the Lee County School District’s Migrant Education Program, the Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking (FCAHT), the Florida Migrant Interstate Program at Florida Gulf Coast University.
The Director of the program is Genelle G. Grant, Ed.D, who has worked with indigenous and migrant farm worker families in Southwest Florida since 1993 and is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers.
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.
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Upcoming Events
The FUUn BUUnch
FUUn BUUnch will resume on Saturday, February 8th at 6:00 PM at
Monarca's Mexican Restaurant
at the Edison Mall. (4125 Cleveland Ave.) The UUs who participated there last year gave the restaurant rave reviews. FUUn BUUunch offers opportunities to meet other UUs and to enjoy a good meal at the same time. You can order from their yummy menu and pay for your own tab. You don't want to miss this. RSVP to Linda
[email protected]
by February 5th. See you. Adios. Linda
Scout Sunday February 9th
Scout Troop 3300 will be presenting
Scout Sunday
during the service on Sunday, February 9th. This is a short presentation at the beginning of our service performed by all of our Scout groups. Following the service, the Scouts will offer a luncheon for all on the Screen Porch. Donations welcome!
Service Auction February 22nd
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The 2020 Service Auction will be Saturday, February 22nd at 5:00 PM in Hobart Hall. Tickets are $20 in advance and will be available in Hobart Hall after the service. Ticket price includes food and auction paddle. Drinks will be available for a donation. We now need services, gift cards, treasures and donations to auction off! Please donate your item online at
togetherauction.com/uucfm
The Covenant of UU Pagans Imbolc Gathering
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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Will Tuttle Lecture!
Join Will and Madeleine on Monday evening, February 3rd in the Sanctuary at 6:00 PM. $10 suggested donation at door. All welcome! See details below!
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Permaculture Action at Next Pachamama Gathering
What's that? Come find out at the next Game Changer Gathering,Thursday, February 6, at 6:30 PM which features our Special Guest Presenter, Sharon Joy Kleitsch.
Sharon Joy hails from The Institute of Noetic Sciences, Florida Interfaith Climate Action Network, and Connection Partners in the St. Pete/Tampa Bay Area. She is all about bringing our movements in Florida into "Whole System Engagement" for positive change. This means taking "Permaculture Action."
Creating a sustainable culture--a Permaculture--goes beyond addressing the environment. In fact, as Sharon Joy will demonstrate, there are seven different pathways for us to consider as we work toward creating positive change. Because we all want to preserve life, the well being of our communities, and the healthy existence of our earth, we need to do what we can to be a part of the "New Story." So we need to ask ourselves, "What is my gift to share at this time, based upon what is needed?"
Sharon Joy will be introducing us to the "Seven Domains of the Permaculture Flower." Don't miss this opportunity to raise your consciousness about and expand your ability to see the big picture...to help bring about sustainable cultural change.
Come journey with us on February 6th at 6:30 in the Sanctuary.
Aloha Gathering March 22nd
The Membership Committee is pleased to announce the forthcoming Aloha Gathering, March 22nd, starting at 12:00 noon, in Hobart Hall. This will be a Potluck Event to celebrate joyful goodbyes and hellos. The Aloha Gathering is being held to welcome the New Member Class of 2020, bid adieu to our beloved Snowbirds (have a great summer!), recognize standout volunteers for the year, and laud membership milestones.
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Groups & Classes
15+ Group
The UUCFM 15+ Group will meet this Sunday, January 26th, at noon in the Narthex. This group is composed of members who joined UUCFM at least 15 years ago and have a long, shared history together. Some churches call them elders. If you have any questions, call Ellen Erickson at 694-6833.
Women Singing in Sacred Circle
Women Singing In Sacred Circle, facilitated by Shelley Graff, is an opportunity for each woman to look into her sister’s eyes and share voice and spirit through song. While learning short, repetitive women-centered and earth-based songs/chants from a wide variety of traditions, power rises from the center of the circle as all voices create an energy that is both empowering and healing. This opportunity is intended to allow women, regardless of singing experience, to share their voices in a noncompetitive, relaxed, safe space. Percussion instruments are welcome. Come sing along! Please contact
Shelley Graff.
Shelley Graff, the facilitator, is a longtime teacher, healer, singer, songwriter who believes her sacred journey is guiding her to share the Singing In Sacred Circle experience with other women. Shelley travels far and wide to shared the Singing In Sacred Circle experience with women all over the U.S. A few of the places that Shelley has visited are the Ann Arbor UU Women’s Retreat (MI), the Southeast Unitarian Universalist Summer Institute (SUSSI-VA), the National Women’s Studies Association Conference (IL), and the National Women’s Music Festival (IL). Shelley has been the facilitator of the Cincinnati Singing In Sacred Circle for the past eleven years. Shelley’s original music on her three CDs was inspired by and is a tribute to the healing/sounding work of the late Kay Gardner. Please visit
www.shelleyg.com
or FB
shelleygraffmusic
Wednesday Connection Circle
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
Sunday Connection Circle
Another Connection Circle has formed 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 or
[email protected]
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Women's Circle and Potluck
Join us on Tuesday, January 28th at noon for our women's monthly potluck in Hobart Hall. We celebrate a Special Welcome to returning Snowbirds. The conversation theme is "Looking Inward for Outward Strength" We will be discussing ways we all can help move UUCFM along in 2020 with its needs and roles to be filled in the coming months without a minister. Input is needed if you cannot attend. Contact Suzanne Ziemer, 239-463-9020,
[email protected]
Mark the February date for Tuesday, February 11th, noon potluck in Hobart Hall for "Sharing people and things one most loves, including UUCFM favorites that keep us together." We will preview the Service Auction offerings on the 22nd.
The
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]
Dreamwork Group
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.
Art in the Narthex
Our art display for the month of January was created by the religious education classes and features U.U. symbols and a large collage of watercolor squares made by the kids and put together by director and teacher, Jenn Blosser. I met some of the elementary students a few weeks ago and found them to be delightful children.
Each month a new 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 some Sunday mornings at 9:30 in the sanctuary. It's free and there are no auditions. Come join us in singing! Contact Suellen Kipp for details:
[email protected]
The UUCFM Band
rehearses most Wednesday nights from 5:45-6:15 pm, and some Sunday mornings at 9:00 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.
[email protected]
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.
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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
starting a new book on January 29th. It is called
Love Your Enemies
by Arthur C. Brooks. It is about how decent people can save America from the culture of contempt. Please read the first two chapters.
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News
Transition Team: Update
Our Transition Team has been meeting now for about a month with good input from many church members; we are reaching out to various groups for ongoing input. This is a short update on our focus areas.
We started out describing where we feel we are as a congregation: what’s working and what could be improved upon. We then set out to describe where we want to be in the next few years. Those two exercises created our “transition gap.” Now, how to get from here to there?
As we assessed what had to be done both short- and mid-term, we recognized that our action steps could be grouped into 4 main focus areas: vision focus, faith focus, congregation focus, and sustainability focus.Using these 4 groupings, we have described what our transitioning success looks like, how we know we will have succeeded, as follows:
Faith Focus
- We are engaged in spiritual enrichment, individually and as a faith community
- Our Sunday services are engaging and inspirational in collaboration with a strong music program
- We commit to a vibrant multi-generational RE program
- We honor our traditions
Vision Focus
- We are a “beacon of environmental and social justice” in our community
- We prioritize our energies to align with our Vision
Congregation Focus
- We are a tight, cohesive congregation: strong in stewardship, multi-generational & inter-generational diversity, pastoral care, and shared energy
- We welcome diversity with radical hospitality
- We honor our covenantal commitments to each other
- Sustainability Focus
- We are on a path to financial sustainability
- Our governance structure is clear and vital
- We are blessed with a dedicated, professional staff
If we can look back on this transition time and say we have achieved these congregational attributes, we will have succeeded in our Transition process. We are encouraging input from church members at any time. Please contact any of us on the Transition Team. In the next Update, we’ll discuss the various short-term activities we will be recommending to the Board of Trustees.
Tony Borras, Karen Brown, Lane Cook, Roy Green, Karen Feinen, Walt Ittenbach, Patricia Vivier-Naidl, Bill Petrarca
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South Fort Myers Food Pantry
How do we nurture those who are hungry? Give to the Food Pantry. We all have the power to make sure our neighbors go to sleep with a full stomach. When you think about people being hungry, do you think of people all over the world? Do you think about people who might be living close to you? The hungry exist everywhere - even in wealthy communities. Here are some things you can do.
1. Bring in non-perishable food to our congregation every Sunday. Places like the Dollar Store have wonderful buys on soup and other canned fruit and vegetables. Look for BOGOs. Protein items are a good pick - canned meat or fish, meals in a can such as beef stew, spaghetti and meat balls, or ravioli. Some seniors like Ensure. Fran Rose informed us that the pantry is receiving less free food from USDA.
2. Start a great habit by giving up expensive coffee drinks and putting your savings into a jar to donate to the Pantry.
3. Put food items you buy for the pantry near your front door at home so you don't forget to bring them. The Food Pantry basket is in the Narthex (the large room before you enter the Sanctuary).
4. Respond to requests for all food drives even when all you may be able to afford is a jar of peanut butter.
5. And last, perk up when you hear the words 'food drive' and remember that your Social Justice Team is your vehicle to help nurture people who might otherwise go without.
If you would rather give monetary donations to the South Fort Myers Food Pantry, send a check to: South Fort Myers Food Pantry Coalition, Inc., 8260 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33919.
Gratefully yours,
Social Justice Team at UUCFM
2019 Contributions Report
If you would like a report of all your monetary contributions to UUCFM for the calendar year of 2019 for tax purposes, please contact the office and I will send out a printed statement or scan it by email to you. Contact:
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Guided Campus Walk
Twenty Two stops are on the guided walk of our campus. We will start from Hobart Hall and visit the Miller Sanctuary, Nature Trail, and more, and end at the Labyrinth by the Family Gardens. We walk after the Sunday Service at Noon. Please wear comfortable walking shoes. Reservations required. Contact
Patricia Linhoff
at
[email protected]
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Volunteer of the Month
The Board of Trustees honors Bill Petrarca as the UUCFM January Volunteer of the Month. Bill came to UUCFM after a successful, long-time career. His “last act” (as he calls it) “was staged in the Midwest where his wife, Jane, and he founded an executive management consultancy, teaching leadership skills to management teams in large and medium-sized organizations.” UUCFM has had the good fortune to be on the receiving end of Bill’s incredible skills in designing as he uses his leadership skills in the work of the congregation to grow and serve. Bill served as VP of Operations on the Board of Trustees. However, his service to the congregation expanded beyond that position for he has demonstrated skills in many other areas that needed expertise and planning. He is the Chair of the UUCFM Transitions team, serves on the Financial Council, the Personnel Committee, and participates in many other activities of the congregation. At present, during a period of stress and decision-making, Bill has come forward to assist the congregation, and he has done so with intelligence, tact, discernment, and good cheer. Thank you, Bill!
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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
Please submit only articles regarding programs from our renters, community sharing partners, or greater UU news. Thank you!
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.
Alliance for the Arts King Play
The Mountaintop
is a two person play written by Katori Hall. The hour and a half performance recreates Dr Martin Luther King's last night of life. The Lorraine Motel in Memphis is the setting. Ms Hall has attempted to portray for the audience the human side of Martin.“Gripping, thought- provoking, heartbreakingly human” is how StageSceneLA has described it. It is on until January 26th at Alliance for the Arts at 10091 McGregor Blvd. Call 239-939-2787 for tickets or
ArtInLee.org/ Theatre
.
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Happy Birthday!
January 26 Emily Hutchinson
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Please send all newsletter articles by Wednesday at noon for publication in Thursday's newsletter. Send articles to
[email protected]
UUCFM | 13411 Shire Lane Fort Myers FL 33912
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