Worship in May: Truth
Service at 10:30 am Sundays in Miller Sanctuary
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Community Sharing in May: Planned Parenthood
The mission of Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida is to ensure the right of all individuals to manage their sexual and reproductive health by providing medical services, education, and advocacy.
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Humanist Forum
The Humanist Forum meets every Sunday at 9:15 am in Hobart Hall. All are welcome to attend.
This week's discussion topic will be “Regenerative Agriculture”. The loss of healthy soil throughout the world is a major problem which is too little recognized. Healthy soil acts as a repository for carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, as the deep root systems absorb it and further the growth of all manner of plant and microbial life. Modern agricultural methods of mono-culture have destroyed much of the soil’s multi-varied life that makes for a healthy, productive environment for food and other important forms of plant life. Among the many bad effects of the loss of soil carbon is erosion, poor ability of the soil to retain water, loss of plant nutrients and proliferation of unwanted plants and insects. Regenerative agriculture points the way to restoration of our soils.
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Coffee Hour
Sunday's Coffee Hour happens after church every week and is provided by volunteers from the Women's Circle on the first Sunday, CUUPS on the second Sunday, Humanist Forum on the third Sunday, Men's Group on the fourth Sunday and if there is a fifth Sunday, it is All Church. Any donations of food, snacks or cash are welcome.
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BURN Youth Group
We meet on Sundays at Noon, usually in Room 4! All youth ages 14-18 are welcome!
Our youth would like to thank everyone who purchased a ticket for the car wash fundraiser they had for the past few weeks! They would love to offer this to the congregation as an annual fundraiser for BURN!
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From the Minister
I have had the great honor to be witnessing adventure and experimentation here in this church. I had a moment yesterday to look at the UUCFM 2002 Ministerial Search packet, which ultimately called the now retired Rev. Kenn Hurto to the congregation. The congregation was on the heels of a difficult time after a negative departure and experience with a minister. The congregation had taken time with an interim minister to heal, reflect, regroup and evaluate a new direction. The Board restructured itself, articulating hopes for a future of revitalized mission and growth. I even noted that back then, we had a Harry Potter wizard night in Hobart Hall!
History is there for us to repeat, or to build upon. That same packet revealed tremendous debt, and a budget that was overspending in all areas. Some stories we want to repeat, others, we release. At present, financial health comes to us as we invest money into our Community through Community Sharing Partnership (this month, keep the green coming for Planned Parenthood of South and Central FL!). Relevant and vital programming comes to us as we find new ways of structuring how we minister to each other in family ministry (special plug for Soul Collage faith development opportunity!
Register now for June 3rd or 10th!
) and in a new model of Team-Based ministry throughout the congregation.
For me, these times in congregational life are fun, because no one person has all the answers for what lies up ahead. Here is what I see up ahead: Glorious mess, glorious life, making our love real in the world.
Love. Grow and Serve!
Rev. Allison Farnum
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Music Notes
It is good to be back with the UUCFM congregation working with the Music Team and playing for Sunday services! I look forward to working with the choir again to support Rev. Allison's ministry. For the month of May, the choir will be rehearsing on Sunday, May 27th and Wednesday, the 30th. We will be off for the first two weeks of June and will pick back up with Wednesday and Sunday rehearsals starting on Sunday, June 17th.
Feel free to join us if you have a love of music and service!
Musical Calendar
May 27:
Peter Golbitz covers Bob Dylan's
Blowin' in the Wind,
and the Choir sings beloved UU hymn about the beauty of religious diversity,
Let This Be a House of Peace
.
The UUCFM Choir
rehearses most Wednesday nights from 6:45-8:15 pm, and on Sunday mornings from 9-10 am in the sanctuary. It's free and there are no auditions. Come join us in singing!
The UUCFM Band
rehearses most Wednesday nights from 6:00-6:45 pm, and on Sunday mornings from 9-10 am in the Sanctuary. If you would like to play your instrument during a Sunday service, please email me to coordinate the details. Come join us in making music together!
Suellen Kipp, Acting Director of Music
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Special Events
Wizard Camp
THREE SPOTS LEFT! Register today!
We are also seeking volunteers!
Whether it's
teaching a class, assisting with those who teach, or any of the prep work, we need you!
Future wizards and soothsayers can partake in a Sorting Hat Ceremony, become Quidditch players, make cloaks and wands, send out Wishes for the World, take classes on Incantations, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Muggle Studies, and more! Alchemy, potions, and divination await them at the School of Wizardry Summer Camp,
June 11 through June 15th from 9:00 am -4:00 pm.
(with optional before and after care). Prices range from $175-200. Also, there will be a feast on Friday at 6:00 pm as a culmination of our week of wizardry!
Be sure to register soon! Once a certain number of campers is reached, registration will be closed. Feel free to Contact Us on our web page with any questions you might have! We look forward to hearing from you soon!
- email Krista at
[email protected]
.
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FUUn BUUnch is Back!
Saturday, May 26th at 6:30 p.m. at Bianca’s Ristorante
DIRECTIONS TO BIANCA’S Ristorante ITALIANO
12651 North Cleveland Avenue
North Fort Myers, Fl 33903
239-995-3272
Go Northbound over the Caloosahatchee River Bridge. Continue on
N. Cleveland Ave. Go over Littleton Road, past Bianca’s Restaurant on the left and make the first “U” Turn. Bianca’s is in the Tamiami Plaza on the right side.
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Soul Collage
Registration is now open for two all-ages family-oriented MeCards4Kids
TM
sessions in June!
MeCards4Kids was developed out of SoulCollage®, a collage and journaling process for adults, adapted for the interests and needs of children and their families. During this workshop you and your family will be invited to collage cards that represent your inner lives and creative potential. Through the process of making MeCards, the children visualize, name and work with their feelings and with different aspects of themselves. The workshop will end with the young people creating their own poem describing their card, through a simple fill in the blanks template. Adults will also be given hand-outs that can help them develop their own SoulCollage® practice at home.
MATERIAL DONATIONS NEEDED!
If you have any magazines, pictures, or books which you would be willing to donate for use in the SoulCollage (TM) sessions, please drop them off in the designated box in Hobart Hall (you can't miss it - it's furry!)
Thank you!
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Book Group
A new round of book study begins meeting Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:30 pm weekly.
This time, we read the newly-released nonfiction work by the late, great Zora Neale Hurston,
Barracoon: The Story of the Last "Black Cargo."
It is based on her interviews in 1931 with Cudjo Lewis, the last living survivor of the Middle Passage.
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Mindfulness Meditation
Join us on Monday evenings to explore the very simple and satisfying practices of mindfulness and meditation. You don’t need experience with meditation, nor do you have to be a Buddhist. Do please bring an intention to quiet the mind and the 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 6:30-8:00p in the Sanctuary. If you have any questions, please contact Gary Robbins at
[email protected]
.
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Optimal Living Group
The Optimal Living Group is open to all and does not require attending every session. We meet in the Sanctuary on the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 4:00-5:30 pm. We discuss how to live optimally, including practical ways to cope with life's challenges and issues. Helping others and developing maturity in ourselves is part of our quest. We explore many paths and techniques for enriching our lives and making a difference for others. For more information, fill out a blue card found in the pews or email Neil Yesu:
[email protected]
.
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UUCFM Gaming Group
The UUCFM Gaming Group is the club for you. We do our best to meet in Room 7 on Sundays after church from 1:00-4:00 pm. Those of us with children can't always make it so please check the Facebook group page (
UUCFM Gaming Group
) to see if games are scheduled.
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Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Group
The Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist group meets Sundays at 1:45p in Room 1. All are welcome to join us.
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Community Wednesday
Community Wednesday is held in Hobart Hall. All are invited. Bring friends and neighbors, too. Join us each Wednesday for a delicious meal prepared by Chef Joy for a small donation. After the fellowship and fine fare from 6:00- 6:45p, join your favorite programming event, committee meeting, or social activity. Child care is provided until 8:30p.
Community Wednesday Activities for May:
4:00-5:30
Optimal Living Group (1st & 3rd Wed)
6:00-6:45
Community Meal
6:00-6:45
Band Rehearsal in Sanctuary
6:45-8:00
Choir Rehearsal in Sanctuary
May 30th will be the last Community Wednesday Dinner until September.
Enjoy your summer! Rehearsals and Events will continue through summer.
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Help Care for the Plants in our Sanctuary
Linda Johnson has graciously accepted the task of caring for the Sanctuary plants. Thanks Linda!
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The Social Justice & Outreach Ministry is being formed and will need your support. Our first meeting will be Sunday, June 3!
Our regular meetings will be on the 1st Sunday of each month 12:15 to 1:45 p.m.
Join us on June 3 if you are called to be a part of Outreach and Social Justice.
This ministry is responsible for all the ways that UUCFM reaches out into the world and includes:
Community Partners
Lee Interfaith For Empowerment (LIFE) Groups & Nehemiah Action
Quality Life Center Christmas Gift Offering
Pachamama Alliance of Southwest Florida
South Fort Myers Food Pantry
Martin Luther King Jr. March Organizing
Welcoming Congregation
SWFL Pride Organizing
UUA Collaboration
Connections with local churches and justice groups
Staff Advisor: Rev. Allison Farnum
Board Liaison: Cathy Snow, VP Programming
Leaders at present are Holley Rauen and Gary Robbins. Holley and Cathy will facilitate this upcoming meeting. The Family Ministry meets the same day. Please direct any questions to Cathy Snow. The meeting will be in Classroom Room 1.
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Pachamama Alliance of Southwest Florida
The Pachamama Alliance of Southwest Florida continues to work to nurture a community of conscious pro-activists and Game Changers working for a socially just, environmentally sustainable and spiritually fulfilling world. Our Diving into Drawdown Series was very successful and participants have committed to one of the 100 Drawdown Solutions to global warming we have explored, and are collaborating with individuals and organizations in SWFL that are working on Solutions in SWFL. We will continue to meet on the first Thursday of each month in Hobart Hall to keep the momentum going. We will be offering two Awakening the Dreamer Symposiums in the fall. One at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greater Naples and at Florida Gulf Coast University in October.
Our next
Game Changer Gathering is Thursday June 7th at 6:30pm.
Holley Rauen will be discussing the
Qualities of an Enlightened Game Changer
, will give a
report back from the Save Our Water Summit
the News Press sponsored in May. She will also give a reflection of her recent travels in the Netherlands and Germany.
We are also delighted to host
John Cassani, Director of Calusa Waterkeeper on Thursday, July 5th.
Please mark your calendars now. This will be a great discussion about how we can help keep our waterways and drinking water protected.
Many thanks and appreciation,
Holley Rauen
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South Fort Myers Food Pantry
The response for food donations has been consistently good over the last year. The need is still there and UUCFM has been a strong supporter of the pantry. I have not been able to post the pantry newsletter but there is one at the Social Justice table listing the number of people fed by the pantry for the last year. Easter is early this year which means many people will be heading north earlier too. Consequently, many people will lose seasonal jobs and the need for food donations and volunteers will be just as great as it is now. Keep that in mind. Remember to bring at least one can each week and consider volunteering during the summer months.
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Art in the Narthex
This month the artwork of Joan Hickok and Judith Lancaster is on display in the Narthex. Joan is showing her watercolors and mixed medium pieces and Judith is showing her acrylic paintings. Kind comments are welcome.
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Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers.
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Do you have something to offer, trade, or sell? Are you looking for something? Free ad space here for personal items only. Will run ad for 4 weeks. Email
[email protected]
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If you are a UUCFM Community Sharing Partner, a regular Facility User, or have UU related news to share, you are welcome to submit announcements for publication in our Greater Community section of the newsletter. Please send announcements in by Wednesday for publication in the Thursday E-news.
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Note:
The following camp is for Home School Rocks, a renter of UUCFM. This camp is not run by or sponsored by UUCFM.
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SWFL Gay & Lesbian Chorus
In honor of your continued support we, the SWFL Gay and Lesbian Chorus, are offering a discounted rate of only $10.00 to join us at our 25th Anniversary celebration at the Edison Restaurant below on Sunday June 10th at 2:00 pm for a trip down memory lane and a light lunch and full concert. Please see Albie or Carole this Sunday the 20th for your tickets. Hope to see you all there.
Carole Latino, VP
Alberita (Albie) Johnson
Southwest Florida Gay and Lesbian Chorus, Inc.
SWFGLC Board of Directors, President
PO Box 62331, Fort Myers, FL 33906-2331
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May 24 Nancy Beecher
May 24 Elise Sexton is 17!
May 29 Stephanie Moreland
May 30 Diane Buckley
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Newsletter Editor: Jill Carville
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Board of Trustees
President
President Elect
Secretary
Treasurer
VP Finance
VP Programming
VP Ministerial Services
VP Operations
Member at Large
Staff
Minister
Interim Director of Music
Director of RE
Office Manager
Building Supervisor
Nursery Supervisor
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