The Communicator
April 2020, Volume 37, Issue 4
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Our Sunday Service
will be streamed via our website,
uucfm.org
this Sunday 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
Are You in a Procession?
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
Jennifer Grant,
Worship Associate
Peter Golbitz & Mary Cline Golbitz,
Musicians
Lesley Peterson,
Musician and Tech Team Member
Alison Carville,
Tech Team Member
Walter Peterson,
Tech Team Member
And YOU!
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]
Religious Education News
Beloveds, it's been a very odd few weeks, hasn't it? These times are strange, leaving many of us feeling uncertain and even afraid. In the midst of this pandemic, it is a blessing that our church community is still deeply connected despite the physical distance between us; this is a source of hope for all of us. But we are also very much alone, and I think we all sense it in waves of isolation which wash over us. It's in these moments when you notice the solitude that I invite you to ask yourself some questions:
What expectations am I letting go of? Where am I finding joy? What has surprised me lately? What unexpected things am I learning about yourself? Who will I be when this time of social distancing has come to an end?
While there is undoubtedly panic and dread which can bubble up inside us as this pandemic spreads, there is also an opportunity for us to take the time we spend sheltering in place to
become.
Who will we need to be, when this is over, to help create a new and better world? How do we become that version of ourselves? Sheltering in place, remember, is not something we do for fear, but for love. We stay in our homes, we refrain from hugs and touch, we change all our patterns of behavior
because we love one another
. Amid the media noise, suffering, and anxiety, there is
love.
Who will we need to be to continue the work of this love when this chapter of history has come to an end? I am glad to be seeking the answers to these questions in your company.
LIGHT
ANNOUNCEMENT:
The connection meeting for older adults (Light), which was scheduled for 3:00 PM yesterday, met with technical difficulties while the original facilitator of the group, Jess Hunt, faced a family emergency. (Thankfully, this emergency was not COVID-19 related!) Due to Jess's shifting schedule and workload, the Light meeting will be moved to
9:00 AM on Wednesday mornings
, still via Zoom. The new meeting information will be sent out on Sunday afternoon in the
Spirit at Home
publication. Thank you for being understanding as we work out the kinks in this new collaborative project. Please email
[email protected]
with any questions.
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, starting on April 1st. 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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The Scammers Are at it Again
Scammers are continuing to try to take advantage of congregations and their members during this COVID-19 crisis. A minister I know just shared that an email was sent out to the members of her congregation asking for gift cards for her to hand out in hospitals. The email even had her name and photo. It looked real. Please know I (and our other staff members)
WILL NEVER
ask you for money or gift cards in an email.
Do not reply to the email address on the scammer's email. If you are in doubt contact me or our office staff. Thank you.
PS- Do not give your bank account number to anyone calling you saying that it's the government and they want to directly deposit your $1200 stimulus check! The government will never ask for your bank account info.
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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
[email protected]
or 207-479-4082 (call or text).
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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 and sanitized, 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. Thank you!
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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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Casino Night Fundraiser- Canceled
Due to health concerns, the scheduled April 11 Casino Night will be canceled. Anyone who bought tickets will receive a refund. Contact Denis Jensen at
[email protected]
for information.
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Groups & Classes
Women's Circle and Potluck- Cancelled
Women Singing in Sacred Circle- Cancelled
The Singing Circle has been canceled until further notice.
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:
Exploring Life's Challenges- Cancelled
This group has been canceled until further notice.
Join Wayne Leaver for a monthly support group to help you deal with difficult situations and decisions. Please contact
[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]
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 cancelled. Please contact Gary for updates.
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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. Our current book
is called
Braving The Wilderness
by Brené Brown.
Please watch your email for updates on when we'll be meeting again.
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Ellen Peterson Social Justice and Environmental Education Fund Announces Awards to UUCFM Groups
On March 8, International Women’s Day, the Ellen Peterson Social Justice and Environmental Education Fund awarded grants to several groups at UUCFM. Ellen’s Fund, with donations from the Happehatchee Center, invited numerous organizations to apply for funds to support a Social Justice or Environmental Education Project in 2020. Qualified applicants proposed creative and relevant social justice and environmental education projects for children, youth, women, and indigenous peoples.
Congratulations to these UUCFM organizations who have now received awards from
Ellen’s Fund:
Through the UUCFM Social Justice Ministry, the SWFL Pachamama Alliance is partnering with the Sierra Club, Calusa Chapter to implement: “Solar Installation Projects in Lee County Schools.” They are collaborating with teachers to identify the locations at which to develop solar energy resources with groups of students.
The CUUPs group will replenish, renew, and lay ground pavers for the “Ellen Peterson Labyrinth.” A generous Labyrinth fan has also donated $2,000 to help.
Through the Social Justice Ministry, the Green Sanctuary Recertification Group will guide the “Youth Analyze Lighting Retrofits.” They will evaluate the benefits and participate in the process of retrofitting fluorescent lighting fixtures to LED fixtures, in the Sanctuary, Narthex, and Hobart Hall. This will save thousands of dollars in electric bills for years to come.
The Guatemalan Rural Adult & Children’s Education (GRACE) Project will implement several “Human Trafficking Prevention and Reproductive Health Education” Workshops in SWFL and Guatemala. The teaching focus will be on nourishing peer education for extensive distribution of the Fertility Bracelets. Also, funds went to the Proyecto Luz (Project Light) Special Needs School Jolom Konob in Huehuetenángo, Guatemala for plumbing for drinking water and classrooms.
The Ellen Fund also awarded grants to the Quality Life Center in Fort Myers for the youth neighborhood organization project:
Don’t Sell Grandma’s House
, and to the Gulf Coast Humane Society for GCHS Children’s Programs.
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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 UU Story
Words to Live By
Here are some famous quotes from Unitarian Universalists:
Henry David Thoreau
It's the beauty within us that makes it possible for us to recognize the beauty around us.
Simplify your life.
If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined ...
It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.
What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you. …
Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind.
Fear defeats more people than any other one thing in the world.
You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.
Susan B. Anthony
Wherever women gather together failure is impossible.
It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union ...
Louisa May Alcott
Keep good company, read good books, love good things and cultivate soul and body as faithfully as you can.
I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship.
The power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely.
Nothing is impossible to a determined woman....
By Joy F. Sokeitous
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Member to Member
You asked for it! A place to post items of interest to fellow members is here! Please submit your post by Wednesday at noon. Please keep posts short and to the point. All posts may be edited or removed by Office Manager at any time.
*From Denis Jensen-
Members aged 72 or older can save on their taxes by making pledge contributions directly from their IRAs. According to recent posted IRS tax information, IRA Account holders 72 or older who make a contribution directly from a traditional IRA to a qualified charity can donate up to $100,000 without it being considered a taxable distribution. The deduction effectively lowers the donor's adjusted gross income (AGI). The charity will also not pay taxes on the donation and the deduction can count as part of the donor’s minimum required distribution. The contribution must be made directly from your IRA, so be sure to set this up with your IRA provider and consult your tax advisor or preparer.
If you decide to contribute from your IRA to UUCFM, even though the check must come directly from your financial institution and be made out to UUCFM, you can make it easier for the staff to identify you as the contributor if you ask your financial institution to include your name as ID somewhere on the check made out to UUCFM.
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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]
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]
UUCFM | 13411 Shire Lane Fort Myers FL 33912
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