|
Weekly Communicator
September 1, 2022
| |
|
Minister's Musings
"Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity...it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." — Melody Beattie.
Thank you all for the beautiful and warm welcome this weekend. Ulises, Ellie and I all felt at home with all of you. I spent lots of time in meetings with many of you and also packed every mealtime with some work, as well. Ulises and Ellie painted two mornings in a row on the new mural that is in the Narthax. We also thoroughly enjoyed the celebration after worship. Y’all can cook!!! It was delicious and a great surprise that we had to set up three more tables to accommodate all the people who stayed to eat and chat. There are too many to thank individually, but collectively, we offer you a great big THANK YOU. I will be back on September 16th for a long weekend and then you will see Ulises and I in October for a weekend. In November we hope to come for two weekends with a week in between and then again for a couple of weeks at Christmas! The hope is to have a more regular schedule in the future, but right now, we are doing the best we can without having had too much time to plan. Next week, I will write a little more about what you can expect from me over the upcoming months. Until then, I will see you on ZOOOOM. Rev. Sue
| |
|
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**
| |
|
Sanctuary Safety Sunday Sept 18
After the Sunday Service on September 18, please plan to join together for a potluck lunch in Hobart Hall and then a Congregational Meeting until 3PM about safety in our Sanctuary.
Rev. Sue, once a police officer, will guide the Congregation through procedures which will enable us to collectively respond to a service interruption or an assault situation. We will discuss Sunday security measures for three areas of protection. This meeting will be a community-wide effort to increase safety for all of us.
It is important for the people who work and worship in the Sanctuary to attend; they include: Staff, Ministers, Worship Associates, Music Team, Tech Team, Ushers, Membership, and Volunteers.
Please save the date. We will see you soon! Thank you.
| |
|
September Birthdays
Sept 3 Frank Schooley
Sept 4 Maureen Witschey
Sept 9 Judy Burget
Sept 16 Genelle Grant
Sept 19 Toni Latino
Sept 21 Deb Leigh
Sept 24 Leslie Gatto
Sept 30 Jen Smith
| |
|
Volunteer Opportunities
Tech Team
It truly takes a team of volunteers working behind the scenes to make hybrid worship possible. After more than two years of this experience, we are asking the congregation to come forward to join this team.
You do not need to have an extensive amount of previous computer & tech experience - just a willingness to learn! We are willing and able to help you learn.
There are both in-sanctuary (tech and equipment set-up and audio/sound tech) and from-home (Zoom Moderation & Virtual Ushering) positions available. Please let us know your preference.
Contact Walter Peterson or Alison Carville for more information.
Brewer Family Gardens
We will be seeking volunteers; you can come weekly, occasionally or even once to help plant, harvest, weed etc. If you know of a youth group, a sister church, any non- profit that could volunteer, let us know.
Sunday Social Hour Kitchen Help contact Dorothy Van Howe
Band/choir contact Suellen Kipp
| |
|
Community Sharing for September
Quality Life Center's mission is to strengthen and instill pride in family and community through programs and services to cultivate self-discipline, self-development, build confidence and promote cultural awareness.
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".
| |
|
Become a Literacy Buddy
The Social Justice Committee is encouraging you to enroll in this program. you will be assigned a 3 or 4 year old child in a preschool classroom. You will be given the child's first name, age, teacher's name, location of preschool and the child's preference of a topic. Three times during the school year you will be asked to buy a book for the child and include a personal note. You may volunteer to read aloud to your child's classroom but it is not required. Enroll by email: LiteracyBuddies, Helen Dixon, 239-633-4989.
| |
|
AFRICAN DRUM WORKSHOP/ POTLUCK DINNER!
Learn to play the fiery rhythms of West Africa with Master Drummer Ndakhte Ndiaye! Ancient and highly cherished rhythms from obscure villages will be taught in an easy, follow-along style on the Djembe and Djun Djun drums. All levels welcome, beginner thru advanced. Share the joy and camaraderie of drumming in this long-awaited event! Bring drums. (limited drums provided).
Where: Hobart Hall
When: Thursday, Sept.1st
Time: 5:00 -6:00 Drum Workshop, followed by potluck dinner.
RSVP: (239) 283-7885 Sharingafrica@yahoo.com
| |
|
Monday Book Group
The UUCFM Monday Book Club will meet via Zoom at 1 o’clock on Labor Day for our discussion of Ch. 10 & 11 of Genetic Lottery. Contact Mary Studer for details.
| |
|
The SWFL RESET Center and the SWFL Pachamama Alliance Community present
The Awakening the Dreamer Symposium
Saturday, September 17
10:00am-2:00pm (light lunch included)
Facilitated by Holley Rauen, Joseph Bonasia and Gary Robbins
| |
The Awakening the Dreamer Symposium is about waking up from the “dream of the modern world” that is destroying our planet and way of life. Through videos, slides, presentations, and discussions, we aim to create an environmentally sustainable, socially just, and spiritually fulfilling human presence on Earth. While we initially deal with some disturbing facts, we promise that you will leave feeling optimistic, empowered and inspired to help create our new future. Read more about it and Sign up here. | |
|
CONNECTION CIRCLE
Would you like to connect with others at UUCFM? Connection Circles are a great way for new UUs and guests as well as long term members to get to know others. These circles have a long standing history in our congregation and have been well received by those who participate.
Each session begins with a chalice lighting and reading, followed by a check-in and guided discussion. The topic is sent out several days in advance of each session with quotes and possible questions for discussion. Mary Cline Golbitz and Leslie Gatto co-facilitate.
The next six session circle will be held on the first and third Thursdays at 1:30 via Zoom beginning in October. The dates are 10/6, 10/20, 11/3, 11/17, 12/1, and 12/15. We ask that you make a commitment to attend all sessions, but exceptions can be made.
Please contact Leslie Gatto at 239.850.9664 or gatto.leslie@gmail.com to sign up.
| |
November trip to Guatemala | |
|
We will be beginning a new season soon and are looking for people who may want to rent beds starting October 15. September is a good time for questions, tours of the garden and signing up,
This year we will be designating a group of unrented beds as Community Food Bank beds, and some for fundraising (produce and herb sales).
| |
|
Covid Protocol Update
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 will continue to be required in the sanctuary during worship services.
- Masks are optional for coffee and other functions in Hobart Hall.
- In the library, classrooms, and other small spaces, masks are 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 on 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 at UUCFMPresident@UUCFM.org.
Namaste,
Mary Studer
President, Board of Trustees
| | | | |
