Weekly E-News
April 9, 2020
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Our Sunday Service
will be streamed via our website,
uucfm.org
and also available on video by
Zoom
gathering.
There will be no physical service in our Sanctuary. Please shelter at home.
Our sermon this week is
The Power of a Story
given by the Rev. Margaret L. Beard. This worship service is made possible by:
Rev. Margaret L. Beard,
Minister
Jenn Blosser,
Director of Religious Education
Suellen Kipp,
Director of Music
Leslie Gatto & Gini Gottman,
Worship Associates
Peter Golbitz and Mary Cline Golbitz,
Musicians
Lesley Peterson,
Musician and Tech Team Member
Mark Brandon,
Tech Team Member
Allie Carville,
Tech Team Member
Walter Peterson,
Tech Team Member
And YOU!
This is the Zoom meeting link for Sunday's Service:
If you join before 10:30 a.m., you will be placed in an online "Waiting Room," and will manually be added when the worship team is ready to begin the service.
The Humanist Forum
normally meets every Sunday at 9:30 AM in Hobart Hall. Please contact Bill Petrarca for info on when we'll be meeting again.
[email protected]
Our Community Sharing
partner this month is
The Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida.
The Early Learning Coalition serves the families of Collier, Glades Hendry, and Lee Counties. It is our goal to make certain that children ages birth to five and beyond, have access to high-quality early education experiences to cultivate their natural enthusiasm for
learning.
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Transition Team Update
The Transition Team is still together and meeting on Zoom during these difficult times. We hope you stay safe and well and shelter in place as best you can knowing that some people need to work outside the home in places like grocery stores and doctors’ offices.
Most of the congregation should now know that we have contracted a half-time minister - Rev. Margaret L. Beard. We are joyous that Rev. Margaret will be our minister for at least a year’s time. This will give us more time to think about our need for a Developmental Minister to collaborate with us for a period of between 4 to 7 years.
At our last meeting, we talked about the possibility of having our Listening Groups meet on Zoom, and we are figuring out the best way for the congregation to participate in a survey. Our four major goals have stayed the same - a focus on Ministry, Membership, Sustainability and Vision. Please email or call us if you have any questions or just want to chat about our future. Keeping the faith in these difficult times,
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From Our Caring Network
If you or another member of the Congregation needs some extra attention during this time, your Pastoral Care Committee is here to help as much as we can.
Our Committee members include Mary Faegre, Harvey Heckes, Joan Hickok, Marge Kolde, Deborah Lewis, Mary Tracy-Sigman, Patricia Vivier-Naidl, Holley Rauen and Suzanne Ziemer. Leslie Gatto has also offered her help at this time. If any members of the Congregation are available to help during this crisis with picking up and delivering items, please contact Mary Golbitz.
As a way to keep our Community together we are offering Community Conference calls Wednesdays at 4:00 PM. These will be informal calls to check in, share and be able to offer support to one another. We may change to a Zoom format so we can see one another if all are comfortable with this.
Please call to informally connect with other members of the Congregation. The dial in number is
712-770-4898. Access Code is 634697#.
We can connect with you individually by phone if you are feeling isolated and offer other assistance such as getting groceries or other essentials for those who are unable to leave their homes while keeping us all safe and protected. Please contact Mary Golbitz for information or assistance:
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Office & Building Supervision
Please be assured that our Buildings, Grounds, and Office are being well taken care of during this time.
Building Supervisor
, Mickey Kellam, and
Office Manager
, Jill Carville, are working to keep things clean, sanitized, equipment running, and members may still mail in correspondence, or email the office for any help or questions!
For your safety and ours, please do not come to the church campus at this time. The keys and door codes have been changed. Thank you!
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Zoom Etiquette
Worship via Zoom brings with it many possibilities and challenges, which is why it is so very crucial to understand appropriate Zoom Etiquette.
I, Agnes Nutter, being a Zoom Wiz of great prowess, am here to help.
You can send your Zoom questions to
[email protected]
and I shall gladly offer nice and accurate answers.
Why am I muted during worship?
Well, it's not because we don't want to hear from you! During worship, congregants' microphones are muted by our ushers and congregants are asked to leave them this way. The purpose of this is to allow our speakers and musicians to be heard clearly (or as clearly as the technology will permit).
Zoom focuses on whomever is making the most noise at any one time, which means a dog barking in the front room or an innocent sneeze might interrupt the sermon or override the postlude.
In the event of a technical glitch or bad connection, the temptation to unmute and alert leaders to what's happening can feel overpowering, but be strong! Have faith that your worship leaders are trying their best (as they truly are) and recognize that interruptions, even to offer help, can be remarkably stressful to them.
Those planning, speaking, singing, and playing during worship will be endlessly grateful for your adherence to the mission of microphone muting!
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School of Wizardry!
Enrollment for the 2020 term of the School of Wizardry is open. The term begins on Monday, June 29, and ends Friday July 3. Due to the current uncertainty brought on by the Corona-virus pandemic, we are opening a light registration at this time. Space is limited to 44 participants for the term. We are monitoring the health situation closely and will not host programming at UUCFM if the CDC advises.
IF WE CANNOT PHYSICALLY GATHER FOR CAMP, our team of dedicated volunteers are working to bring the School of Wizardry to their campers digitally! This virtual version of camp, scheduled for the same week, will be offered for a suggested donation of $50 per participant.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact:
Krista Hopper, Camp Director
Phone - (239) 464-1333
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Groups & Classes
New Connection Circles Forming by Zoom
Whether you are new to UU or a long-term member, whether you are right here in Florida or far away at your summer residence, you are invited to participate in a Connection Circle by Zoom. Now is your chance to experience this way to connect with others on a deep and meaningful level. Trained facilitators will choose timely topics for discussion. This is a covenanted group, where group rules protect confidentiality and promote compassionate dialogue. Participants are expected to attend all sessions.
TUESDAY Connection Circle from 10:00 to 11:30 am
April 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12, 19, facilitated by Leslie Gatto
THURSDAY Connection Circle from 2:00 to 3:30 pm
April 16, 23, 30, May 7, 14, 21, facilitated by Mary Cline Golbitz
Please contact Leslie by phone or text at 239-850-9664 or email at
[email protected]
to join either circle. State your preference for Tuesday or Thursday and if you need help setting up Zoom. We will each be discussing the same topics, so no need to sign up for both sessions. Leslie or Mary will send you a Zoom invitation once participants are assigned. Stay well, stay home, stay connected!
Women Singing in Sacred Circle
There is a Zoom group for this circle. Contact Shelley below.
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. Please contact Shelley Graff:
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.
[email protected]
This event is postponed until further notice. Please contact Helen for details.
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]
Check with Suellen to see when the next rehearsal is.
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]
Check with Suellen to see when the next rehearsal is.
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. Contact Gary Robbins at 302-540-5899.
This group is postponed. Please contact Gary for updates.
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The Book Club
The UUCFM Book Club now meets online.
We've chosen our next book for discussion,
Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain
, by David Eagleman. As is customary, we're taking a 2-week hiatus before we begin our discussion, so, for April 22, please read the first 2 chapters. The weekly readings will be:
4/22:
Ch. 1 & 2
4/29:
Ch. 3 & 4
5/6:
Ch. 5
5/13:
Ch. 6
5/20:
Ch. 7 and choosing our next book.
Those of us who have been meeting virtually have found Zoom to be useful, so we'll continue to use it. As always, we begin with our check-in and I think we all find it comforting to share our experiences of being temporary shut-ins. Stay safe and healthy, everyone.
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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.
To send donations to the South Fort Myers Food Pantry at this time, write a check to:
South Fort Myers Food Pantry Coalition, Inc., 8260 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33919.
Gratefully yours,
Social Justice Team
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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 1. We do not meet on 5th Sundays. Contact Mary Tracy Sigman at
[email protected]
This group has been postponed. Please email Mary Tracy for info on when we'll be meeting again.
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Happy Birthday!
April 2 Evan Carville is 16!
April 27 Jeff Letts
April 27 Nancy Letts
April 28 Mickey Kellam
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Please send all newsletter articles by
Wednesday at noon
for publication in Thursday's newsletter. Send articles to
[email protected]
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UUCFM
| 13411 Shire Lane Fort Myers FL 33912
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