|
Weekly Communicator
February 10, 2022
| |
This Sunday Feb. 13, 2022, UUCFM Lay Minister, Alberita Johnson, Worship Associate, Leslie Gatto and Social Justice Co-Chair Helen Dixon, will join with hundreds of other Unitarian Universalist Congregations for our annual Side with Love/30 Days of Love campaign. For this last week of 30 Days of Love the focus is Decriminalization and Racial Justice. We look forward to Showing our Love by Answering the Call of Love. Join us at 10:30AM via Zoom for Sunday Service. | |
|
Dear UUCFM Congregation
We are saddened to report that Lee County’s risk factor has now reached the “extremely high” level due to the widespread omicron variant: https://covidactnow.org/us/florida-fl/county/lee_county/?s=27751665
We will not be holding worship services in our Sanctuary until the risk level has returned to a safer level. Our return to Zoom-only services is out of concern and love for each of you. We are hopeful that we will be back together in person soon.
Other gatherings on campus may proceed in cautious compliance with our re-opening guidance, found by clicking here.
As always reach out to me with any questions at UUCFMPresident@UUCFM.org or 239-222-9406.
Yours in Growth,
Lane Cook
President, UUCFM Board of Trustees
| |
|
Please send all newsletter articles by
12pm Wednesday for publication in Thursday's newsletter.
Send articles to newsletter@uucfm.org
**Please do not send requests to the office manager email**
| |
|
A View from the Pew: Leadership
There is justified anticipation and deep emotion in the air this season around the possibilities for a new minister at UUCFM. We each have new hopes for some return to normalcy at church and in our lives after many, many months in some form of lock-down. The selection of our Minister Search Committee has been a giant step forward in that new uplifting journey for us.
And so, it is that the first report from our Search Committee comes with both enthusiasm and concerns. For those members who attended this week’s Board of Trustees meeting, we were reassured by both our Trustees and the Search Committee that (1) the Search Committee has taken considerate strides in formulating a well-thought-out recommendation to the Board, (2) the Board and the Search Committee have begun a listening campaign to understand members’ concerns, (3) we are following the processes defined by our Bylaws, and (4) an effort is underway to help build a consensus among the Congregation regarding the type of minister we seek. This last step will require all of us to support the Search Committee and be open-minded about process and timing issues and constraints, realities around minister candidate availabilities, and a sober acknowledgement of our true needs as an aspiring Beloved Community.
And so, I encourage us all to offer our deep appreciation to the Board and the Search Committee for their “servant leadership” in this time of unease and high emotions (emotions that come from an ardent love for this Congregation and the new beginnings that are at our doorstep). I commend them for charting the right course for us through these challenging times. As a Congregation, we may have some dark matters to resolve toward becoming a more perfect Beloved Community, but from my view from the pew, there is a bright sun rising in the east!
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Petrarca
| |
|
FOUR IMPORTANT UPDATES FROM YOUR GENEROSITY CAMPAIGN
-
You are invited to attend a rescheduled Zoom discussion on what your pledge accomplishes on Sunday, Feb. 13 at 1:30PM. Hope to see you there! No passcode needed. https://zoom.us/j/97199577917
- Don’t wait to make your pledge! The Gulf Coast Symphony has donated four tickets for an upcoming show, which will be awarded by lottery to four people who have made their pledge by Thursday Feb. 16.
-
You can pledge on-line at http://uulead.org/fairshare/. Please call Denise at the church office if you need assistance making a pledge (239-561-2700).
- The Stewardship Team is optimistically planning an end of pledge campaign CELEBRATION on Feb. 27 at noon on our screen room. Stay tuned.
If you have not received our flyer about our Generosity + Campaign for any reason, you can view the flyer here.
| |
|
Report from Community Sharing:
Alliance for Fair Food was sent a check for $925.53. (May $465 and November $460.53).
The Quality Life Center received $1,189.50 (Sept $290 and December $899.50).
| |
|
Ministry of Earth - Events Bulletin
February 16 - Movie - 6-8pm. PhosFate, sponsored by Collier County Waterkeepers, shown at Silverspot Theatre, Naples, tickets $20. Contact CCWaterkeepers for tickets.
February 18 - RESET Conversation about soil management.
February 19 - Guardians of the Gardens, Work-Party at UUCFM Memorial Garden, 9-11am. All Welcome!
February 24 - Conversation with Betty Osceola of the Miccosukee Tribe on how oil drilling threatens Big Cypress National Preserve.
| |
|
It’s Budget Time Again!
The Finance Committee and the Board of Trustees will soon begin to develop a proposed budget for the next fiscal year, which starts on April 1, 2022. This budget will be voted on by the Congregation at the annual meeting at the end of March. In the meantime, we welcome your input. Please send any items you would like to propose for inclusion in the budget to treasurer@uucfm.org by February 25.
Thanks!
| |
|
Are you getting ready to file your 2021 income tax return?
If you need a statement of all your donations to UUCFM last year, please contact Denise Greenwood at OfficeManager@UUCFM.org or (239) 561-2700.
| |
|
LIFE and Affordable Housing
On January 31, the Fort Myers City Council unanimously voted to create an affordable housing trust fund to help people who work and live in the city afford housing costs. LIFE has worked for three years to develop this trust. LIFE members returned to the Council annually with a vital message about the lack of affordable housing in the community. However, there is still work as the trust needs to be funded, and citizens must ensure that the city continues to focus on this critical endeavor. Members of UUCFM can help by joining in the efforts of LIFE. See Karen Brown for more information about how YOU can get involved.
| |
|
60 Years - Standing Strong
Writing is underway for our 60th anniversary play, "60 Years - Standing Strong". It's been 60 years since June 20, 1961 when UUCFM received its Charter from the UUA. Reflection interviews are being collected by Hank Nash and Margaret Ramus. The more ideas and reflections the better. We are building on the 40th Anniversary Play produced in 2002. To be part of this effort, contact 60th Play Coordinator, Suzanne Ziemer, suzanneziemer@gmail.com, 239-463-9020.
| |
|
Help wanted!
The Membership Committee is looking for one person from each committee to help out with the upcoming 60th anniversary party. Please contact Carole Latino at carolelatino@gmail.com if you can help.
| |
|
UU WOMEN'S RETREAT PLANNING
Saturday, February 12th, come to a Noon potluck luncheon or join the planning meeting later at 2pm if preferred. UUCFM women will be planning the 2023 Florida Women's Retreat scheduled for March 31-April 2nd at the Day Spring Conference Center. Helen Leddy and Mary Murray have led this Retreat for many years. We have a budget and need to work the details for this weekend of workshops and socializing with UU women from all over Florida. All are welcome and urged to attend this
planning event. Contact Coordinator Suzanne Ziemer for further
details. suzanneziemer@gmail.com, 239-463-9020
| |
|
Community Sharing in February: Pachamama of SW Florida
The Pachamama Alliance of SW Florida was formed in October 2016 after a group of local leaders took the Game Changer Intensive.
Their intention is to work with the people in Southwest Florida who are beginning to live in a new dream— one that fosters environmental sustainability, social justice, and spiritual fulfillment. Their three-fold mission is to collaborate with and support existing Game-Changing movements; Originate programs and facilitate trainings designed to enlighten, energize, and empower pro-activists, and integrate the wisdom of and promote the participation of indigenous peoples to strengthen our collective transformation.
More info can be found at https://connect.pachamama.org/group/87/about
| |
On February 14, we'll begin a discussion of Invisible Women: Data Biased in a World Designed for Men by C.C. Perez. For more info, click here to contact Mary Studer. | | | |
|
GRACE Project Sewing Donations
The Guatemalan Rural Adult and Children's Education Project, GRACE, is shipping large boxes to women's groups in rural Guatemala.
Recently three sewing machines were donated. Now we are seeking helpful materials to include in this shipment.
Please consider donating any of your extra sewing supplies to the GRACE Project.
Please leave your donations at the UUCFM Office for Helencita.
Muchísimas Gracias!
| |
60th Anniversary Pave the Way Fundraiser Update | An anonymous donor has put us over 80 bricks sold with "Be Kind & Play Nice" for Bill Petrarca. They are loving reminders for who we are, and who we have been. Do consider adding your names and thoughts. | | | |
The Bill Brewer Family Gardens | |
|
UPDATE
The gardens will be holding a Work Day on February 27th, beginning at 9am. We will be working with the Cub Scouts on sprucing up, weeding and planting. Simple refreshments will be served. Anyone in the congregation is invited to attend. Come and see how the gardens are growing! And maybe enjoy some samples!
Interested in a bed for yourself? Contact. Bonnie Jean, familygardens@uucfm.org.
| |
|
The MACC
The Music and Arts Community Center
2021 - 2022
Season Tickets
The GCS comprises the Gulf Coast Symphony, the Gulf Coast Chamber Orchestra, the Gulf Coast Jazz Collective, and the Music & Arts Community Center (MACC). This year over 100 programs will be offered that present the best in classical music, jazz, world music, dance, opera, film and musical theater.
Ticket prices range from $24 - $44
As you know, there's not a bad seat in the house!
Tickets and seat choice can be purchased online or at the door.
For more info visit
gulfcoastsymphony.org
| | | | |
