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December 2016 Volume 33 Issue 12
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Worship in December: Hope
This month we welcome the longest night of the year and the coming of light. Continuing also in the Advent season, Sundays will offer an opportunity for hope and anticipation, even in the midst of the long nights. Let’s try to envision Hope, Peace, Love and Joy with an abiding trust in the larger trajectory of our faith: the moral arc bends to justice. This faith keeps the sacred flame light within on. Don’t let the light go out!
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Community Sharing in December: Quality Life Center
Quality Life Center, or "The 'Q,'" has provided services in the Dunbar community of Fort Myers since 1990. "The 'Q'" offers after school, teen leadership, summer camp and early learning programs. These programs promote leadership and instill values such as discipline, confidence, self-expression and the ability to persevere. "The 'Q'" partners with the United Way, the City of Fort Myers, Lee County and other organizations to provide quality programs and resources to the youth of our community.
Holiday Gifts
Let’s shower the Quality Life Center students with holiday gifts. Pick up a “gift tag” with the gender and age of a child for whom you will purchase a $10 gift. The deadline for bringing the unwrapped gifts to the Sanctuary or Hobart Hall is Sunday, December 18th. The Social Justice Committee also needs drivers to deliver the toys to the Q on Wednesday, December 21st at 11:00a.
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Staff Appreciation
You may have noticed there are envelopes marked Staff in the pews and choir loft. Last Sunday was the first date to collect and we will be collecting
December 4th and 11th
. We have all noticed over the last several years how the caliber of the staff has improved in professionalism and commitment to the Church’s vision. In the true spirit of this Holiday Season, please show our staff how much we appreciate their efforts. Either checks or cash are welcome.
Sincerely, Board of Trustees
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Humanist Forum Special Announcement
The Humanist Forum meets every Sunday at 9:15a. For the next two Sundays, December 4th and 11th we will meet in
Room 7. This Sunday, December 4th, our topic is
The Future of Food.
What will your grandchildren and great grandchildren be eating in 2050, only 34 years from now?
Will there be enough food?
What about the environmental effects of food production: global warming, water?
Ted Brown will present information relating to this important topic. All are welcome to join us for a new and engaging topic each week.
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The Renaissance
On
Sunday, December 4th
, after the Sanctuary service there will be a short celebration of the Music Transformation in Hobart Hall.
Steve Eisenberg, President
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Coffee Hour
This Sunday's Coffee Hour is provided by
The Women's Circle. Any donations of food, snacks or cash are welcome. Thank you in advance.
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Musical Calendar
Church Services
December 4: Vocal ensemble
Tropical Storm serenades us with a re-imagined version of
Kum Ba Yah with world percussion, a touching setting of Mother Theresa's famous poem
Anyway, and a rousing Gospel rendition of
Let There Be Peace.
December 11: The Choir sings a lovely setting of the Beatitudes called
Rejoice and Be Glad, and the Band plays an uplifting offertory.
December 18: For our Winter Solstice service, the Choir shares UU composer Shelley Jackson Denham's
Dark of Winter a cappella, and Lesley Peterson and Mark Brandon team up for a duet version of
O Tannenbaum.
Saturday, December 24 at 7pm: Join us for our Christmas Eve and first night of Hanukkah service with pianist Abbey Allison. Selections include
Light One Candle, The First Nowell, and
Silent Night.
December 25: Christmas Morning service features singer/guitarist Haris Blackwood and organist Jeff Letts on favorite carols including
O Come All Ye Faithful, Joy to the World, and
Angels We Have Heard On High.
Concerts
Sunday, December 4th at 1:00p
Kat Epple and Nathan Dyke perform in the Sanctuary
Saturday, December 10th
SWFL Gay Chorus concert at
7:30p in Hobart Hall
Sunday, December 18th at 1pm
UUCFM's HOLIDAY SING-ALONG here in the sanctuary!
(See ads below in this newsletter for more information.)
The UUCFM Choir rehearses most Wednesday nights from 6:45-8:15p, and on Suday mornings from
9-10a in the Sanctuary. It's free and there are no auditions. Please email me in advance so that a music folder can be prepared for you. Come join us in singing!
The UUCFM Band rehearses most Wednesday nights from
6:00-6:45p, and on Sunday mornings from
9-10a 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!
Amy Laursen, Director of Music directorofmusic@uucfm.org
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RE News
On behalf of Amy Laursen and myself, I would like to give a shout out to Declan Ireland and Evan Carville for their stellar performances with the Music Team last Sunday! The rehearsal was the day before Thanksgiving, which was a tough one to make, but they showed up and gave it their all. I am so grateful to have these talented youth in our congregation - thank you both for sharing your gifts with us!
This Sunday is Children's Chapel, one of my favorite services each month! Youth (6th grade and up) will remain in service with their families while the other classes will meet with me in Room 1 for a specially designed service. The children decided last month that they would like to collect an offering at Children's Chapel services so that they can make a contribution to the church and the causes it supports. I am, personally, quite touched by their reverence for our church and the work we do here. Our congregation is very lucky to have such wonderful children and youth!
The Bardic Yule feast approaches! I don't know about you, but I am so excited for this event that I can hardly contain it! If you haven't been before, Hobart Hall is transformed into the court of the Lord and Lady (special guests, Bill Bailey and Wendyl Jay) for a magnificent medieval feast. There will be live performances of all kinds - music, story, song, and rhyme - and you are encouraged to dress the part in medieval garb if you'd like! Children 6+ are welcome to join the feast with their families, while children under 6 will be treated to a special evening in the nursery with Shannon watching holiday movies and enjoying special treats! There are only 70 seats for this event, so make sure to buy your tickets after
Sunday service in Hobart Hall! This is a magnificent family tradition that supports CUUPS and all the work they do here at UUCFM.
Jenn Blosser, RE Director
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At a recent meeting of the Board of Trustees, Tina Noel was chosen Volunteer of the Month for her efforts on the feminine hygiene project.
Thank yous were sent to Sean Griffin, Stephanie Hoffman, Jersey Blosser, Elly Hutson Lily Hoffman, Krista Hutson, Dawn, Oliver and Liam St. John, Jill, Alison and Evan Carville, Teri and Mel Cooper, Kathy Heckler, Kathy Snow, Jen Smith, Matt Hoffman, Julie Ireland, Patricia Cotte, Barbara and Stephanie Moreland, Theresa Bahre, Joy Purcell, Mat Halstead and Peggy Eisenberg for all their help to make the BUU Fest a success.
In addition the following people were thanked for what they have done: Gary Robbins and Holley Rauen for work on Pachamama; Joy Purcell and Rachel Spiller for the recent ritual; the Carvilles for hosting the new member lunch; the Social Justice team for community sharing; Laura Snow and Jane Richey for kitchen support every Sunday. Jim Morgan's generous donation of a trailer was also acknowledged.
The next Board of Trustees meeting will be Tuesday, December13th at 6:30p. All are welcome to attend.
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Finance Council
There will be a Finance Council meeting on
Thursday, December 8th
, at
5:00p
in the Conference Room.
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UUCFM Member Commitments
Member(s) ______________________________ Date ________________
We are benefiting from the vision and generosity of our founders with our many spiritual, social justice, religious education, and outreach programs as well as our unique 14-acre campus and Eco-Preserve grounds. Our varied programs and campus are tremendous assets for our congregation and the community. We have a challenging responsibility to maintain our diverse programs and welcoming campus in the same or better condition than what our father’s generation afforded us. To do so we need member support in the form of financial and volunteer contributions. Below is a partial list of some of the activities you might consider volunteering to do. Pick one or two that your skills and experience might make doing easy and fun! Your engagement in our congregation is the only way we can fulfill our mission: “Inspired by love, we transform ourselves and serve others.”
Circle your preferences below and mail to UUCFM Office Manager, 13411 Shire Lane, Ft. Myers 33912, or call our office at 239.561.2700 and provide your name and preferences.
Work for 1 hour one day a week for one month with the Grounds crew. (Contact: Walt Ittenbach wittenbach@comcast.net
Spend 1 hour after Sunday coffee hour to help Kitchen volunteers to clean up for one month. (Contact Dorothy Van Howe dorothyvanhowe@gmail.com
Volunteer one day a week for two hours answering phones for one month. (Contact Jill Carville officemanager@uucfm.org
Address cards for the Caring Network for 1 evening per month. (Contact Neil Yesu dbny79@aol.com
Volunteer to be involved with the Justice Ministry Network as part of our congregation’s participation in Lee Interfaith for Empowerment (LIFE). (Contact Rev. Allison minister@uucfm.org
Volunteer 1 day per week for one month with the UUCFM GRACE Project serving farm workers and indigenous families in SW FL and in Guatemala. (Contact Helen Dixon helendixon9@gmail.com
"Adopt" an area for a month... Screen porch or the sitting areas in front of Hobart Hall - clean tables, remove millipedes. (Contact Walt Ittenbach wittenbach@comcast.net
Work with the Grounds crew for 2 hours doing one of the following: (Contact Walt Ittenbach wittenbach@comcast.net
Edge sidewalks/parking lot Backpack blow sidewalks & parking lot Trim or mow quadrangle, Sanctuary, Hobart Hall, playground, parking blocks, tree rings Trim hedges Weed flower/shrub beds Plant ornamental flowers in beds Harvest starts/sow seeds for ornamental plantings Harvest/pot cuttings for plant/shrubs Mulch beds Assist on misc. Grounds projects on strategic plan
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Chili Lunch at Bake Sale & Craft Fair
Sunday, December 4th & 11th
Chow down on a $3 Chili Lunch, with bread and drink on Sunday, December 4 and 11, from 11:30 to 1:00p. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian versions will be available. Come to Hobart Hall for you meal. Then buy dessert at the Holiday Bake Sale. Do some Holiday Shopping at the Craft Fair in the Screen Room. Come and enjoy our great UUCFM community!
Craft Fair: If you would like to sell your wares, please contact:
Pat Linhoff
E-mail: freckles345@comcast.net
Phone: 612-382-5927
Note what percentage of your sales that you plan to donate to UUCFM. You also can choose to donate your items -- with all revenue going to UUCFM . You do not need to be present to sell donated items.
Bake Sale: Pies, cakes, cookies, and other treats are requested. Some gluten-free and/or low fat items are also needed (label as such). All goodies should be individually wrapped with a selling price attached. All revenue will be donated to UUCFM. You may take your goods to the Bake Sale Table before church service.
To participate or volunteer for set up or cashier duties, please contact:
Suzanne Ziemer
E-Mail: suzanneziemer@gmail.com
Call: 812-332-3450.
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Join the UUCFM Choir and Band on Sunday December 18th at 1:00p for
the Second Annual
Holiday Sing-Along
in the Sanctuary! We'll pass the Santa hat to benefit the South Fort Myers Food Pantry.
Come sing and enjoy Christmas carols, Hanukkah songs,
solstice chants, and other wintry favorites.
Please bring a friend and a holiday treat to share. Request a song for $25 donation by December 5th. See you there!
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CUUPs Gift Exchange
CUUPs will celebrate the holiday season with our annual gift giving. Please bring a $10 "Pagan" gift, wrapped. We will distribute numbers and play our Take Away game. Please bring a snack to share on
Sunday, December 18th, at noon on the screen porch. The meeting will be facilitated by Helen Dixon.
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MLK March
Every Martin Luther King Day, a hearty crowd of UUCFM'ers participates in the March in Fort Myers.
This year's march will be
Monday, January 16th. Krista Hutson will shuttle us from the
Uncommon Friends Sculpture in Centennial Park, beginning at
8:30a. Mark your Calendar and get your green UUCFM Social Justice T-shirt ready to march! Shirts are available at the Social Justice table in Hobart Hall after the Sunday service each week.
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7 African Powers Workshop
January 22, 2017, Sunday 12:30-2:30p
Venue: Covered Porch and Hobart Hall
Presenters: Alberita Johnson, Lily Nieves and Natasha Dvorak
Prerequisite: Have open minds, hearts, spirits and a willing voice to explore another way of honoring the Universe
Synopsis: Present the attributes, folklore, wisdom and powers of the Goddesses and Gods of the African Diaspora. We will explore the Spiritual common threads of Iife; Candomble; Santeria; and/or Orisha Voodun that honors and weaves into the everyday way of life. Via different global practices, song, head wrapping, and the showing of the documentary film: Yemanja – Wisdom from the African Heart of Brazil; the participant will attempt to wrap her/his mind (pun intended) around tapestries of the 7 African Powers .
Fee: $10 per person (all materials are included) The picture shows a model wearing a head wrap. Each participant who attends will receive fabric and hands-on instruction on how to make one. diosadeluna99@gmail.com
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Soulful Sundown
If you are a leader in our congregation- teacher, coordinator, committee chair, board member, come to this sacred time to nourish your own spiritual journey as you serve our faith and our congregation. Soulful sundown is a space dedicated to you leaders in the church who must nourish your inner lives in order to serve with joy and abundance.
Soulful Sundown will be held
7:00-8:00p
in Miller Sanctuary on these Thursday evenings:
January 26th and
April 13th.
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Book Study with Rev. Allison
Come join in the newest sessions as we read
Women Who Run with Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype by Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Ph.D. Estés, a Jungian analyst and
cantadora story teller, shows how woman's vitality can be restored through what she calls "psychic archeological digs" into the ruins of the female unconscious. Estés' books explores the healthy, instinctual, visionary attributes of the Wild Woman archetype through various multicultural folk tales and myths through years of her own research and learning. Join us in the Library Wednesdays
1-2:30p for small group discussion.
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Women's Circle
UU ladies! Get out a white elephant gift, wrap it nicely and join the fun at the annual Women's Group Christmas Party on Monday, December 12th. The meeting in Hobart Hall begins at 11:30a with a potluck lunch, followed by the gift exchange. The fun doesn't stop there, as we play takeaway as well. Come join us for this holiday event. For any questions, contact co-chair Linda Jensen, 215.880-1433 or lindajensen50@gmail.com
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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
ggleasonr@live.com
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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
4:00-5:30p
. 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 at dbny79@aol.com
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UUCFM Writers/Readers Group
New by request, this Interest Group will meet bi-weekly each month on
the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays from 1:00-3:00p
at Fort Myers Beach's Ocean Harbor
Clubhouse, 4753 Estero Blvd. We begin
January 10th & 24th
, Feb. 14th
& 28th, etc.
The focus will be shared writing and favorite reading. Writers rea
and readers appreciate good writing. Sporadic attendance welcomed!
You are invited to come early or stay late to enjoy beach walk or pool swim.
Contact Suzanne Ziemer,
463-9020
suzanneziemer@gmail.com
for
further info.
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Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Group
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The Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Group meets every Sunday in Room 1 from 1:45-3:45p. All are welcome to attend! Join Mary Tracy Sigman and others for this well loved and well attended group.
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CUUPs Learning Circle
Earthways Shamanic Path Class
is conducted on the 1st Tuesdays of the month, from
7:00 to 8:30
p.
We meet in classroom 4.
Whale Maiden conducts this class with a co-facilitator. In these classes, we presents a topic about the Earthways Shamanic Path, and conduct a Shamanic Journey. We journey with drums and rattles. Remember to bring a bandana or scarf to cover your eyes.
Water and a snack are a good idea, as is a notebook & pen.
Also bring a yoga mat and a blanket if you like to journey while laying down. The requested sliding scale donation for this class is
$7.00 to $25.00
per class.
This class is open to anyone over the age of 18. This class is sponsored by CUUPS of Fort Myers.
Earthways Journey with the Trees
is a monthly class on the
2
nd
Saturday of each month from
9:30 to 11:30a
.
This class is conducted outside.
We gather at the Pond by the Amphitheater.
In this class, we work with one tree per month to learn what it is and what it’s spiritual gifts are for us. We conduct a shamanic journey with the tree. We do our journeys with drums and rattles. Remember to bring a bandana or scarf to cover your eyes. Bring a folding chair, water bottle and snack. Also, bring a tree identification book if you have one.
Since we will be outside, you may want to bring bug repellent, sun hat, sun block (even a light-weight long sleeve shirt is a good idea). Also, we will be near pollen and bees, so please take whatever personal precautions are right for you.
The requested sliding scale donation for this class, is $7.00 to $25.00 per class.
This class is open to anyone over the age of 18. This class is sponsored by CUUPS of Fort Myers.
CUUPS introductory class, "What is CUUPS, What is an earth-centered belief -- what is Paganism"
is conducted on the 3rd Wednesdays, from
7:00 to 8:30p
in classroom 4.
CUUPS is a group of people within the UU Church, who have Earth-Centered beliefs, or for people who might be interested in Pagan and Earth-Centered practices, rituals and beliefs. We are open to al
l
. Whale Maiden and other members of CUUPS facilitate this monthly class, where we cover
: What is the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans? What is paganism? How was our CUUPS of Fort Myers chapter established? What are some of the important contributions that CUUPS of Fort Myers members have made to the UUCFM? What does CUUPS do? What's coming up in the CUUPS calendar? Donations are appreciated.
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Community Wednesday & Bardic Yule Feast
December 21st
is Solstice. CUUPs will be presenting a bardic Yule feast with entertainment. You know you will want to be there. This will be held on
Wednesday, December 21st
. Don't come expecting community dinner. This is a CUUPs fundraiser. There will be a full feast, entertainment, storytelling, Merlin calling in the solstice sun, with Lord and Lady presiding. There will be child care. There is a cost.
We will only have so much space so heads up. We will start taking reservations right away. Contact Joy for details.
Adult (16+) - $25
Child (6-15) - $15
Nursery (<6) - $5
The event is on
December 21st from
6:00-10:00p
Tickets are sold after service on Sundays in Hobart Hall during coffee hour.
Join members and friends of our UUCFM community 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.
Activitie
s for November:
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
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Yoga
Yoga
meets in Room 7 weekly! Join Mary Cline Golbitz for a one hour yoga session from 4:30-5:30p each Thursday.
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South Fort Myers Food Pantry
We are into the holiday season, a festive time of year for many, but for our neighbors who cannot afford to buy gifts for their children and buy food as well, the food pantry becomes particularly important. The number of recipients coming to the pantry is always on the high side around the holidays. Please remember to bring one non perishable food item for the pantry each week. Or if you prefer, two items every other week, three items every third week, four items every fourth week. Pick a week of the month that is your "pantry week." Mark it on your calendars or make a reminder on your phone. As always, protein items are always a good choice but anything that you can donate will be appreciated. Let's try to make the holidays happy for those less fortunate. Caring about others should be what the holidays are all about. Deposit food in the designated baskets in the Narthex and in Hobart Hall by the water fountains. Any questions email Fran Rose at francrose@centurylink.net. Please, put "Food Pantry" in the subject line.
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Proposed 2017-2018 Community Sharing Recipients
The Social Justice Committee recommends this proposed list of recipients for 2017-2018. The Board and Congregation will vote on this list:
April 2017 Minister’s Discretionary Fund
May 2017 Planned Parenthood
June 2017 PACE Center for Girls of Lee County
July 2017 EqUUal Access++
August 2017 PAWS for Blessing of the Animals
September 2017 LIFE- Lee Interfaith for Empowerment
October 2017 Visuality, Inc
November 2017 Alliance for Fair Food
December 2017 The Quality Life Center
January 2018 GRACE Project – Guatemalan Rural Adult & Children’s Education
February 2018 ACT- Abuse Counseling and Treatment Center
March 2018 South Fort Myers Food Pantry Coalition, Inc
These 6 will be rotated into the list in following years:
Early Learning Coalition
Lee County Homeless Coalition
Literacy Council Gulf Coast
Our Mother’s Home
Pachamama Alliance, Inc
SalusCare
++Please note – We have added the UU program “EqUUal Access” whose mission is: to enable the full
engagement of people with disabilities in Unitarian Universalist communities and the broader society.
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Care Kits for Homeless
A project that is near and dear to our hearts is creating Care Kits for local homeless people. It would be appreciated if UUCFM members and friends could bring one or more items from the following list to church this Sunday and next Sunday. We will be in the Narthex starting at
9:45a
to collect items for this great cause. We are pairing with Gwendolyn's Cafe in Fort Myers, who feed homeless people every morning before they open. You can also donate money to be used for kit items, and we are happy to do the shopping! Thanks for all who join in this project to help people in need. Thank you for all the caring this church does for our community.
Sue Magee & Kathy Heckler
One Care Kit includes:
toothbrush
toothpaste
hand sanitizer wipes
granola bar
razor
sanitary pads
comb
dollar rain ponchos
hand warmers
bar soap
lip balm
band-aids
socks, socks, socks!
herbal throat lozenges
food gift card from Subway or other food establishments in whatever amount you feel for someone to get a meal.
Emergency solar blanket
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Member Photo Directory
Beginning in January, the Membership Committee will be taking photos
for our new directory. People with technical computer skills are
needed to assist with this project.
Please contact Denis Jensen,
215-880-1433
or Suzanne Ziemer,
239-463-9020
to join in this effort.
We know members will greatly benefit from this Photo Directory that we
will produce at low cost.
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Holidays without Hunger - Youth Volunteer Opportunity
We have another great Youth Led Project for you- Emmie (project leader) and the RE department invite you to join team UUCFM at Meals of Hope's Holidays Without Hunger event at Harborside Event Center on Christmas Eve morning. Just go to
http://www.holidayswithouthunger.org
, register to join, and put in team name UUCFM. (You will click on team registration.) Register soon as this event fills up quickly! Even the youngest helpers will enjoy packing meals and making a difference this holiday season. We hope to see you there!
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Dinners-Go-Round are now forming for January through April!
Denis and Linda Jensen are organizing the Dinners Go Round for January through April of 2017. For new members or those who haven't participated in the past, these monthly potluck dinners offer you a chance to get to know your fellow UUCFM members on an informal basis. One dinner is held each month at a host UUCFM member’s home on a date determined by the host and the participants. If you would like to participate, please email Denis Jensen by December 1st at dalanjensen@gmail.com and let him know. Please include your names, telephone numbers, addresses and email addresses and also let him know if you would consider being a host for one of the four monthly dinners, or if there is one or more of the four months where you would not be able to participate. Also advise Denis if you will require wheelchair accessible dinner sites.
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Homes for the Holidays
Several members of the congregation would like to share their holiday meal with their UUCFM friends. If you don't have a holiday meal plan, or would like to be with other UUs for Christmas, please contact Leslie Gatto at
gatto.leslie@gmail.com.
I am still accepting offers for host families, as well. This is who we are as congregants of UUCFM: loving, growing and serving.
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My UU Story
Jill Carville- Found a Name for Non-Belief
"Agnostic is not the name of any religion," quipped my fifth grade classmate.
"But that is what my mother says we are," I said.
"It's not a religion," she repeated. "There's Catholic, Protestant; all kinds of Protestants, maybe three, and Jewish. That's it."
Later at home I told my mother that agnostic was not a religion.
She said "Yes, that's true, it's not a religion-it’s our way of thinking. You know you and I are not sure what God is, or if one exists, and we don't think that anybody else knows for sure either. "
"But I need to have a name for my religion. The kids think I'm weird."
"My mother thought for a moment and said, "Why don't you tell them you're a Unitarian."
"What’s that?" I asked.
“It’s a church that doesn’t ask you to believe in any traditional religious beliefs if you don’t want to. Some of them believe in a God and some don’t.”
“OK,” I said. “I’m definitely a Unitarian.”
The next day at school I told my friend I was mistaken- Agnostic was not right. I was a Unitarian.
“Oh,” she said. That’s cool. I think that’s one of the three Protestant churches…”
My mom and I did visit two Unitarian Universalist churches when I was ten. I found them a little lofty and not to my interest as a child. But when my daughter was born and we moved to Florida, it was the place I came to seek out community. She and I are still here after 21 years. We kind of fit in. But don’t tell anybody I’m really an agnostic masquerading as a Unitarian!
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About My UU Story
Each month, the Membership Committee would like to publish your UU story- either converted or born UUs. How did you become a UU or how did our religion affect your life? Alternatively, do you have a one-paragraph remembrance of your first reaction to being in a UU church and/or learning about the religion? To share your story, please contact Joy Sokeitous at
memberservices@uucfm.org
Joy will help you edit and she will provide questions to help you develop your story.
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Just a note to clarify my ad for my farm share. The church can be a drop off site on Thursdays (the time is flexible depending on when works best for folks) in front of the office. However, in order for this to be feasible for me, I need to have at least 10 folks signed up. So far I have a few people who are interested--so please do let me know if you are interested (even if it's a half a box a week).
I would like to share that this farm is not just a business to me, it is part of my mission to be part of a movement for food, environmental, and racial justice. As part of that mission, I have been working with the youth at the Quality of Life center, to revamp their community garden and eventually offer a food justice curriculum with the youth. I am also an ally with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and have been in conversations with them on connecting the local food movement with the movement for farm worker rights. Finally, I'm in the process of accepting SNAP/EBT as payment and have plans on creating a low-income CSA program, in partnership with churches and other community spaces in low-income communities, that will address issues of access to fresh food as well as offer political education around the food system and health and wellness. So, do know that by joining my CSA program, you are not only supporting a local farm, but also supporting a movement for justice and equity in our communities. Thank you to those of you who have expressed interest thus far!
Prita Lal
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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 each Wednesday for publication in the Thursday E-news.
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SWFL Gay & Lesbian Chorus Performs at UUCFM on December 10th, at MCC on December 3rd
Join us for a Swingin good time! We will have entertainment, dinner and raffles available
4 chances to win!
• 1st place Two Tickets to: Barbara B Mann-"Cinderella"
• 2nd place Two Tickets to: Barbara B Mann-"The King and I"
• 3rd place Two Tickets to the Broadway Palm-dinner/show of the winner's choice over approximately a 6 month period
• 4th place Two Tickets to the Cultural Park Theater to the winner's choice over approximately a 5 month period
Winners will be drawn at the concert on
December 10th
at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers. Winners need not be present to win.
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Music of the Spirit Sunday Afternoon Concert
with Emmy and Grammy Award winner, Kat Epple and Nathan Dyke Shamanic Sound Rhythms
December 4, 2016 at 1:00 p in the Sanctuary.
Come after the Craft Fair!
Proceeds will support the free Happe Eco-Summer Camp for farm-worker children at the Happehatchee Center in the Village of Estero.
Price : $25 per person or $15 for students and Happehatchee Members
Check out the Music of the Spirit weekend's events at Happehatchee.org and register there or pay at the door
at the door.
Click here to register now.
This concert is the culmination of a weekend workshop of music and drumming at Happehatchee Center as part Happehatchee center’s 10th Anniversary Fundraiser and Celebration. The Sunday Concerts benefits the GRACE Project's annual free Eco Summer Camp.
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Winter Program at Naples UU
Spiritual Intensive based on the Teachings of Eckhart Tolle
Program Theme:
Spiritual Awakening in Daily Life
Dates:
Thursday, January 19 - February 23, 2017
- 6 consecutive
Thursday evenings:
Jan. 19, 26,
Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23, 2017
Time:
6:30 - 8:00pm
Place: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greater Naples
6340 Napa Woods Way, Naples, FL 34116
Thomas Hall
Time:
6:30 - 8:00pm
Fee: $35
To Register: Send $35 check or money order (made payable to Donna Carty)
Mail to: Donna Carty, 1725 Supreme Court, Naples, FL 34110.
Include: Name, Email and Phone number
Click here
to register online
at EventBrite
using credit card ($35+fee)
Refund Policy: No refunds for check or cash orders after January 18. No refunds for credit card orders.
Registration deadline:
January 12 - $35 for 6-week session
Maximum 50 Attendees - No Walk-Ins
Facilitator: Linda Allen*
Program for each Session:
- Guided meditation
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Program Theme:
Spiritual Awakening in Daily Life
- Program Description: Most of us, at one time or another, have felt disillusioned with, and frustrated by, life. Things feel meaningless, tedious and unfulfilling. During these times we’ve asked, “Is this all there is?”; “What is the purpose of my life”? Throughout this winter series, Eckhart guides us in helpful ways we can bring meaning to - and dissolve - these ago-old questions.
* Linda Allen has been a student of Eckhart Tolle for 16 years and is a facilitator of his Teachings. She has led intensives in Madison and Wausau, WI, for several years and in SW Florida since mid-2013. She has been a student of the ancient wisdom teachings and great spiritual leaders and has been a practitioner of meditation for over 40 years. Linda blends these teachings in her own unique way and shares with others how they may embrace awareness and presence to overcome challenges and bring deep joy into in their daily lives.
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Dec 11 Dawn Lienhardt
Dec 13 John Pittman
Dec 13 Kimberly Littleton
Dec 14 Lucy Wistreich
Dec 15 Lesley Peterson
Dec 15 Sydney Stewart
Dec 16 Matt Halstead
Dec 17 Kay Flatten
Dec 21 Harvey Heckes
Dec 24 Patricia Hocfbaum
Dec 26 Sean Griffin
Dec 26 Melinda Machones
Dec 28 Holly Bauer-Windhorst
Dec 30 Joy Sokeitous
Dec 30 Bruce Marble
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Jill Carville
(239) 561-2700
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