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Weekly Communicator
January 19, 2022
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Minister's Musings
This Sunday, we will kick off our Stewardship campaign. Please join us for worship as we explore Roots, Wings and a Leap of Faith. Amy will be at the piano and Sue will be in person. Please pay attention to all of the announcements. There is a lot happening at UUCFM this weekend and in the future! See you soon!
revsue@uucfm.org
WhatsApp call or message: +506 8891 2847
Facebook Messenger: Sue Gabrielson
Skype: suegabes
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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**
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Out of Office
Denise will be out of the office on January 20th.
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Community Sharing for January
ACT offers a 24-hour helpline, 3 safe shelters, children's program, counseling (both individual and group), an economic empowerment program which includes financial and health literacy, Injunction for Protection legal service, life skills education, job skills evaluation and training along with GED assistance and ESOL. In the non-residential outreach program, they provide long-term counseling, therapy and support, economic empowerment services, a rape crisis center where they do the forensic examinations, advocacy department that provides advocacy through the judicial system, and a legal program for Injunctions for Protection. They also provide community education, professional trainings, and prevention education. All services provided to victims of domestic violence and their children, and survivors of sexual assault, dating violence, stalking and human trafficking are available free of charge.
If you cannot attend in person, you can still donate by mailing a check to the office with "community sharing" in the subject line, or by using the "donate" button on the website and marking it "community sharing".
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NOW AVAILABLE - UUCFM HISTORY BOOK
Enjoy reading the 50 page newly published, UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION OF FORT MYERS: AN ODYSSEY, 1961-2022, BLENDING VOICES FROM THE PAST AND PRESENT.
Reminiscences by current members, Ellen & Andy Erickson, Roy & Nancy Green, Barbara Boynton, Don Maron, Betty Tobin, Bruce Leddy, Frances Klein, Marge Kolbe, David Holton and others who will inspire you to "keep our doors open" for SW Florida Liberal Religion.
To obtain a copy, email Suzanne Ziemer, or call
239-463-9020. Copies are also circulating from our library.
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Gulf Coast Symphony
THE THING ABOUT MEN
January 19-February 4
MATURE CONTENT AND STRONG LANGUAGE
The Thing About Men is based on a West German movie called Men, released in 1986. It’s a West German farce, believe it or not! When Joe DiPietro saw it in the early ’90s, he thought, “This is a great idea for a small musical” — just the thing that he and Jimmy Roberts, his collaborator were looking for as a follow-up to I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (which the Gulf Coast Symphony produced last season).
The show is about Tom, a middle-aged advertising executive who has just about everything he wants in life — a wife, two kids, a high-powered job, and he fools around on his wife with some frequency. Then he comes home one night and finds a hickey on his wife’s neck that he didn’t give her. He freaks, he moves out, and he starts following his wife and her lover around. Her lover is this downtown Bohemian artist who doesn’t have a job and it turns out that he’s looking for a roommate, so Tom moves in with him but doesn’t reveal who he is. That sets the plot in motion. The show is very much a comic exploration of men, modern marriage, and friendship. Click here for tickets.
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Tai Chi for Meditation and Balance
Every Saturday morning 9:30 am at the UUCFM campus outdoors.
Free Will Love Donation
All funds will be used by the Bill Brewer Family Garden food bank beds.
Simple, relaxing movement program for all ages and abilities. Open to the public. Contact Bonnie Jean for info
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UUCFM Diversity OPEN Committee:
Understanding Cultural Competency – an interactive seminar on Race and Ethnic Relations
Mark your calendars: Jan 21, 2023, 9am-1pm in Hobart Hall.
You are cordially invited to participate in an interactive seminar on Race and Ethnic Relations facilitated by Dr. Barrion Staples, a local advocate for racial and ethnic justice and friend of the Congregation. Dr. Staples is offering this seminar in collaboration with the UUCFM OPEN (Our Purpose: Exclude Nobody) Diversity Committee.
The mission for Race and Ethnic Relations seminars is to continue the principles of the Civil Rights Movement. This “Movement” must continue.
Dr. Staples is an active participant with Southwest Florida Voices for Racial Justice. Donations will be accepted at the event.
Sign-up by clicking this link
Contact: staples@raceandethics.com Phone: 941-237-0294
Dr. Staples Snapshot Bio
Dr. Barrion J. Staples is a product of The Civil Rights Movement and participated in activities that promoted the principles of the Movement. He was heavily influenced by the mentorship and friendship of the late Rev. Dr. C. T. Vivian. However, his most significant influences were from his father, Rev. A. Q. Staples, and his cousins, the legendary Staple Singers. The patriarch of the Staple Singers, Roebuck “Pops” Staples, conveyed to him the importance of breaking down the walls which divide all people that is manifested by prejudice and racism. His father, along with Pops Staples, often shared their experiences about growing up in the segregated south with similar experiences in the north.
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CUUPS Meet and Greet
January 21st from 1-5pm in the Screen Room and outdoors. We need to know what classes you would like to see or teach. Open to all.
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OUR ANNUAL GENEROSITY CAMPAIGN – “ROOTS AND WINGS”
January 22 – February 12
CHECK YOUR MAIL! The Stewardship Team is spending the morning of January 19 stuffing envelopes with materials highlighting the good news and the needs of our beloved UU Congregation. Our theme honors our past and highlights our future. Members and Contributing Friends should receive this important information early next week.
- Please read the cover letter sent by our Board President, Mary Studer.
- Enjoy the colorful brochure that highlights the many facets of our congregational life.
- Please plan to make your pledge for the new fiscal year—April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024. Your mailing includes a pledge card and also an easy way to make an on-line pledge.
PLAN TO ATTEND THE JANUARY 22 SERVICE. Rev. Sue Gabrielson will be with us in person and will help us begin this year’s Generosity Campaign. We look forward to her words of encouragement. And stay for fellowship at the potluck lunch.
WE NEED TO HEAR BACK FROM EVERYONE BY FEB. 12. If you are among those who have a current pledge that is automatically deducted, we do need your formal acknowledgement of your intentions for the upcoming year. If you have any questions about your current confidential pledge, please contact our Office Manager, Denise 239-561-2700.
Thank you from your Stewardship Team: Len Cohen, Stewardship Chair; Nancy Hutchins, VP for Stewardship; Dave Hutchins, Judy Berget, Joan McDermitt, Sue Roth, Suzanne Ziemer
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Potluck
We will be having a potluck lunch this Sunday the 22nd and Sunday the 29th. Please bring a dish to share and meet and visit with others in our UU congregation. Thank you to all from the
Operations committee.
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Garden work party
There will be a garden work party on January 25th, starting at 9am. Please bring your own hat, gloves, water, sunscreen, and favorite garden tools. Contact Dorothy Van Howe for info.
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15+ Meeting Announcement
There will be a meeting of the 15+ Group on Sunday, January 29, at noon, in the screened room of Hobart Hall. We look forward to spending some time together! The 15+ Group members have all been members of UUCFM for at least 15 years! Interested members who have not been members of the congregation for 15 years are welcome to attend. Bring your coffee or snack with you, if you wish. Roy Green has agreed to become our new facilitator so we are working now on the changeover! Thank you Roy! Call me if you have any questions or agenda items to add.
Ellen Erickson 239-218-4789.
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TUUSDAYS TOGETHER
All welcome. Come gather every Tuesday, starting January 31st, in the Screen Room anytime from 10 am to 2 pm. Bring own sack lunch and beverage. Open for discussions, fellowship ideas and possible light work activities for UUCFM grounds and office needs. Questions? Contact Suzanne Ziemer,
Organizer, or call 239-463-9020.
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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, 2023. 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 24.
Thanks!
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Year End Giving Report
If you would like a copy of your year end giving report for tax purposes, please contact Denise or call 239-561-2700.
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Brewer Family Gardens Update
We are pleased to announce we have been designated a Climate Victory Garden by Green America. Our gardens will appear with many others on a map that covers the U.S. and points beyond
This designation provides for us many educational materials that will help our gardeners and help the ecosystem as well.
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Revised Covid Protocol
The efficacy of vaccines and treatments has significantly reduced Covid’s danger for most of us. As a result, the protocols for campus events have been revised:
- MASKS ARE OPTIONAL BUT ENCOURAGED in the sanctuary during worship services.
- Masks are optional for coffee and other functions in Hobart Hall.
- In classrooms, the library and other small spaces, masks are still required UNLESS everyone present agrees otherwise. We’ll continue to be respectful and protective of those of us whose immunity is impaired.
- Worship services will continue to be available via Zoom.
Although the Covid risk level will continue to fluctuate, I’m sure all of us hope the worst of the pandemic is behind us. We’ll continue to monitor the risk and change the guidelines as needed to protect our congregation.
Please reach out to me with any questions
Namaste,
Mary Studer
President, UUCFM Board of Trustees
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