uu cong.png

Weekly Communicator

March 30, 2023

Sunday Service

Join us this Sunday at 10:30am in the Sanctuary or via Zoom


https://zoom.us/j/5264858673

Minister's Musings


"Mankind are so much the same, in all times and places, that history informs us of nothing new or strange in this particular. Its chief use is only to discover the constant and universal principles of human nature" - David Hume


Last week was our annual meeting, where we elected new leadership, and began to plan for the future. Part of the process of the future is also looking back. This week, our service is titled Forward Through the Ages. We also want to offer best wishes to the 16 women who will be attending this year's UU women's retreat.


revsue@uucfm.org

WhatsApp call or message: +506 8891 2847

Facebook Messenger: Sue Gabrielson

Skype: suegabes

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**

Community Sharing for April


Our Community Sharing partner this month is Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida. The mission of Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, an affiliate of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., is to provide affordable access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care and accurate health information through patient care, education and advocacy. This affiliate began operations in 1966 and presently provides vital sexual and reproductive health services, as well as comprehensive sexuality education to women, men and teens throughout southwest and central Florida.


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". 

Garden Guardians


Grab your garden gloves and lots of water then come join us in working to maintain and spruce up the UUCFM grounds. Garden Guardians will gather on Saturday, April 1, and Wednesday, April 19 from 9-11 or until it gets too hot.

Questions? Call Pat:  612-382-5927

Monday Book Club


On April 3 , the UUCFM Monday Book Club will reconvene from its hiatus to begin our discussion of How the Other Half Eats: The Untold Story of Food and Inequality in America by Priya Fielding-Singh. We’ll meet at 1 o’clock Monday. Contact Mary Studer for more information. 

ESTATE PLANNING--- ARE YOU READY??

APRIL 4TH, TUUSDAYS TOGETHER, 11 AM-1 PM


Member Len Cohen will present an overview of the process of Estate Planning and answer any questions you might have to be ready for your departure from this planet! Len is Chair of the Stewardship Committee and an active certified financial planner. He and Sue Roth live in Cape Coral and are "Snowbirds" from Maryland. Bring your own lunch and beverage and meet with Len on Tuesday, April 4th, 11am in the Screen room. You will be glad you did.

Lab Theater Premier


"Pass Over"

Special Event: April 8, 2023, at 8 pm (reservations required) with Post Performance Panel (with Rev. Sue) and Talk Back!


SWFL Premiere!


Pass Over by Antoinette Choinye Nwan exposes the unquestionable human spirit of young men stuck in a cycle looking for a way out. A rare piece of politically-charged theater by a bold new American voice.


Post-Performance Talkback: April 8th – immediately following the performance. Includes representatives from Voices. Rev. Sue will be a panel participant.


Directed by Sonya McCarter; sponsored by Ella Nayor and Jeffrey Cull. Includes inflammatory language.


The Laboratory Theater of Florida

1634 Woodford Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33901

Social Justice Committee Meeting


Please join us at 6:30 PM, April 13, to revisit and reinvigorate our social justice initiatives. We’ll build on ideas generated during the recent Tuusdays Together’s spirited discussion and consider ways to make things happen. Here’s the Zoom link.

If you can’t make it but want to be involved, contact Mary Studer.

Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra

Nunsense


Nunsense begins when the Little Sisters of Hoboken discover that their cook, Sister Julia, Child of God, has accidentally poisoned 52 of the sisters, and they are in dire need of funds for the burials. The sisters decide that the best way to raise the money is to put on a variety show. Here we meet Reverend Mother Regina, a former circus performer; Sister Mary Hubert, the Mistress of Novices; a streetwise nun from Brooklyn named Sister Robert Anne; Sister Mary Leo, a novice who is a wannabe ballerina; and the delightfully wacky Sister Mary Amnesia, the nun who lost her memory when a crucifix fell on her head. Featuring star turns, tap and ballet dancing, an audience quiz, and comic surprises, this show has become an international phenomenon!!! (Nunsense.com)


April 13-29. Click here for tickets.

New Dream Work Group


"All dreams speak a universal language of metaphor and symbol. The language of the dream is our original native tongue, a common language shared by all human beings." - Jeremy Taylor


New six week long session begins April 15th - May 20th. We meet on Saturday mornings, 10:45am-12:15pm in Room 2. $15.00 fee covers materials and donation to UUCFM and Caloosahatchee Mindfulness. Full scholarships available. Contact Debra Leigh or call her at (831) 818-1418.

NEWCOMERS INVITED


PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR & PLAN TO COME

Sundays April 23 & April 30 , Room 2, 11:45am-1pm

Coffee & light nibbles provided


Watch this space for details about a guided discussion about UUCFM and you.


Questions? Contact Judy Burget  

Connection Circle


A new six-week-long Connection Circle will begin Sunday May 7th through Sunday June 18th. We will meet from 12:00pm-1:30pm in Room 2. Co-leaders are Helen Leddy and Debra Leigh. Email Debra to let us know you are coming or with any questions.

March BOT Meeting


Your Board of Trustees met on March 14th. Reverend Sue presented her monthly report, we talked about the Committee on Shared Ministry, and passed a motion regarding standing committees. Pati presented the Treasurer's report, we debated our current Animal Policy, and discussed the upcoming Annual Meeting and Gauch Award. A motion was passed to approve the commissioning of Lay Minister Mary Cline Golbitz with great rejoicing! Additionally, a motion passed to acknowledge with gratitude and great rejoicing the outstanding leadership of Mary Studer as President of the 2022-2023 Board of Trustees. 

Volunteer of the Month


Peter Golbitz

The Board voted to acknowledge Peter Golbitz as our Volunteer of the Month. He has been an integral part of the music team for years. He has participated in the men’s group and is currently the Chair of the Music Committee, which has been working hard to fill the Music Director position and provide music for services in the interim. His songs never fail to get the Congregation moving! Thank you Peter for everything you do!

Bill Brewer Garden Update


Surprise visit from former gardener and congregant Michele Bellinger, back in Florida for the Women’s retreat. Great harvest again for the St Martin de Porres Outreach in Tice. Thanks to Rae from CUUPS for your help.

Board of Trustees


President Mary Studer

President Elect Bill Petrarca

Secretary Lane Cook

Treasurer Pati Maier

VP Worship Lesley Peterson

VP Operations Dorothy Van Howe

VP Membership Marge Gonzalez

VP Stewardship Nancy Hutchins





Staff

Minister Sue Gabrielson

Office Manager Denise Greenwood

Building Supervisor  Mickey Kellam

Teacher  Liza Kellam

UUCFM

13411 Shire Lane

Fort Myers, FL 33912


Phone: (239) 561-2700 


Website: uucfm.org


Email: officemanager@uucfm.org

*Office hours: Tuesday by appointment only

Wednesday and Friday 8am-1pm

Thursday 10:30am-3:30pm

*Office hours may vary slightly. It's best to call before stopping by.

Connect with us and Facebook or Instagram by clicking on the icons below.

Facebook  Instagram