March 2017 Communicator

The Communicator

March 2017 Volume 34, Issue 3

Sundays in March

Theme for March: Brokenness

Unitarian Universalists affirm the worth and dignity of all people- that there is an inherent goodness to us all. So why do we sometimes have so much trouble acknowledging our own wholeness and goodness? Or separate ourselves from the love and goodness of others, including that of a greater love some know as Divine? Exploring our brokenness slowly leads to healing, reconciliation and liberation.

Humanist Forum
The Humanist Forum regularly meets every Sunday at 9:15a in Hobart Hall. All are welcome to join us for a new and engaging topic each week.

Community Sharing in March

The mission of the South Fort Myers Food Pantry Coalition is to feed people in need within the South Fort Myers area including Sanibel and Captiva. The pantry works in partnership with the Harry Chapin Food Bank and the Southwest Florida chapter of Midwest Food Bank. They are also supported by churches and organizations in South Fort Myers which provide funds, food and volunteers in service to our community.

Fran Rose, a member of our church and volunteer at the Pantry, is known for her "plan" for bringing "Just One Can" here for the pantry as often as one can. For more information, visit http://southfortmyersfoodpantry.org/

Sunday Coffee Hour

This Sunday's Coffee Hour is provided by volunteers from the Women's Circle. Any donations of food, snacks or cash are welcome. Thank you in advance.

Dorothy Van Howe [email protected]

Staff & Board News

Minister's Column

Praxis and Contemplation: Finding Balance

Last week I had the gift of retreat with colleagues with whom I went to seminary. At the same time each year, we gather for Lectio Divina. During this time we worship each day together (varying from sitting silent meditation to more like a children's chapel) and cook each other delicious food. Oh, and the best part (since most ministers are very hip and extremely nerdy), we share a bibliography with one another of the top 10 books that have touched our lives and ministries that year. I can't tell you how much inspiration I gain from this time, and since I get many book ideas, how many eventually trickle into my own devotional life and into my ministry with you.

Retreats, sabbaths, times of rest are important. Not because the well is dry. Oh, no. It is because there are times when the cup runneth over! As the Lenten season begins for certain practitioners, the season provides an opportunity to consider balance. Same for the approaching Spring equinox. Where are the places that your life is full and running over? Where are the empty places? What is it like to sit with those paradoxical experiences and simply witness without judging? It's "season," a time when patience is truly a virtue. Try on some of these questions in a quiet moment and see what answers come. Thank you for the blessing of study leave so I could recognize and appreciate the full and empty places in my inner life. Thank you for the opportunity to be a book-worm with dear colleagues. And thank you for welcoming me back always into this aspiring and inspiring community as your Minister!

Board Thank Yous

At a recent Board of Trustees Meeting Krista Hutson was chosen as volunteer of the month with thanks for all her many efforts on behalf of RE. In addition, the Board thanks the following people for all they are doing for the church:

Mary Cline Golbitz for offering crystal bowl meditations; Theresa Bahre, Prita Lal, Suzanne Fast and Albie Johnson for committing to be Beloved Conversations facilitators; Holley Rauen for her service for many years as a Chair or Co-Chair for the Worship Associates (She is now stepping down and Elise Sexton is Chair and point person); Janine Johns and Joan Hickok for joining our Pastoral Care Associates Team. All these people are so appreciated!

RE News

This Sunday is Children's Chapel Sunday ! Kids K-5th grade will be joining me in classroom 1 for our monthly service while those in 6th grade or higher will remain in service with their families. The theme of this month is "brokenness" and I am looking forward to some great discussion with our kids!

Mystery Friends 2017 also begins this Sunday and I am overjoyed to announce that we have *brand spanking new* mailboxes set up and ready for your letters! I also spent some of Wednesday afternoon preparing a special bulletin board to honor all our awesome Caloosahatchee Creatures that I hope will make you smile as you collect and deliver your letters this month. Each Wednesday, new writing prompts and questions will appear on our Facebook page ( www.facebook.com/UUCFMRE) for any of our Mystery Friends who like a little guidance in their letter writing. Friends will have three Sundays to exchange letters before the final letter and gift exchange in a few weeks when we have the Big Reveal Party after service. I hope all our friends can join us for food and games!

Jenn Blosser, Director of Religious Education

[email protected]

Music Notes

Musical Calendar

March 5: For our service about hard times in community, Haris Blackwood covers John Denver's famous ballad Looking for Space, and the Choir sings the powerful round Building Bridges with djembe.

March 12: When Rev. Margaret Beard comes to speak, the Choir sings the haunting a cappella song O Light of Life, and the Band will play an Irish offertory in honor of St. Patrick's Day.

March 19: As we journey to wholeness, Angela Melton returns with Holly Near's folk song I Am Willing, and the Choir harmonizes Peter Mayer's inspiring Japanese Bowl. In honor of the equinox, the classical quartet plays Vivaldi's Spring.

March 26: MUSIC SUNDAY! The Choir shares Bill Douglas' masterwork Deep Peace with piano and flute accompaniment, and the Band rocks (I Can't Keep) Quiet by MILCK, a song which went viral at the recent Women's March on Washington.

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 [email protected]

Want to Light the Chalice?
You can sing this in your head - or live a little but more happily and sing it out loud to that song that gets stuck in the heads of families of small children!

Do you want to light the Chalice?

All I need is a bio.

Not needed to be very long,

Just a paragraph,

Or maybe even two.

Just send to me an email,

I'll send one back.

That's all you need to do.

Do you want to light the Chalice?

I'll help you light the Chalice.

Krista Hutson

[email protected]

UUCFM Annual Meeting

The UUCFM Board of Trustees invites all members to attend our Annual Meeting. The meeting starts in the Sanctuary at 11:45a on Sunday, March 26th. A luncheon follows the meeting at approximately 1:15p in Hobart Hall.

Save the Date!

Join our April FUUL's Campus Blast

Saturday, April 1st 9:00a - 1:00p

As part of our continuing campus beautification, Walt Ittenbach, Director of Grounds, is inviting the

congregation to an April FUULs Campus Blast with food, fun times, and a little planting activity along the Shire Lane swale. The RE kids and their parents will work with the Congregation, learning about some of our Florida native flowers and plants. The wholesome food will be provided by our sister organization at Pine Manor, and there will be other activities for a fun family time. See you there!

Jam Session

We are inviting our musically minded members to join an open jam session in Room 7 on March 9th from 6:30-8:00p.

Bring an instrument, a song you would like to play with the group and song you'd like to perform for the group. Regrettably the acoustics of room 7 cannot easily accommodate louder instruments such as brass, drum kit, saxophone or electric instruments without drowning out the sound of other players; if you are interested in playing one of these with us, please let us know and we will try to schedule a follow-up event in a more receptive space.

Haris Blackwood & Oliver St. John [email protected]

Dance!

Thursday March 2nd in the Sanctuary. 7-8:30p

Don't you think it's time for a dance party? Now is the time to let loose. This is a judgment free, alcohol-free zone where all ages are welcome to shake it, sway, bend, roll, glide, rotate, turn and boogie however each feels moved to do so. Use this time to let loose, get reacquainted with your body, and cut a rug. All kinds of movement and expression are welcome within these brief guidelines:

1. Refrain from judgment and let loose.

2. Dance however you wish.

3. Respect yourself and one another, remaining aware of accessibility for those who move differently than you.

5. Pay $5 at the door to have your favorite dancing tune played that night. Email Rev. Allison ([email protected]) so she can put it in the mix by February 25th. Childcare for 4 and under can be made available upon request by February 20th to Rev. Allison. Kids are welcome to join in!

Wizard Camp

Future wizards and soothsayers can partake in a Sorting Hat Ceremony, become Quiddich 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 12 through June 16th from 9:00-4:00p (with optional before and after care). Prices range from $175-200. Also, there will be a feast on Friday at 6:00p as a culmination of our week of wizardry!

To register and to got more info:

http://uucfmwizardcamp.webs.com/

Be sure to register soon! Once a certain number of campers is reached, registration will be closed. Feel free to contact us with any questions you might have!

Classes & Groups

Women's Circle & Potluck

March 13: UUCFM Women, please join us for our March potluck at 11:30a in Hobart Hall. In recognition of Women's History Month, we will discuss various types of sex discrimination. Joy F. Sokeitous will begin the discussion by describing her experiences and then others will be invited to give their examples. Topics will include discrimination in education, employment, credit, restaurants, sports, marriage laws and pre-nuptial agreements and sexual harassment.

For any questions, feel free to contact Linda Jensen, chair. [email protected]

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 Yesu: [email protected] .

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]

Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Group
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.

Book Club

The Minister's Book Club begins a new book discussion on Wednesday, March 15th at 1:00p in the Conference Room. We will be reading Strangers in Their Own Land by Arlie Russell Hochschild. Please read the introduction and the first two chapters for March 15th.

CUUPs Learning Circle News

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 all. Here is information about classes sponsored by CUUPS:

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 all. 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.

Earthways Shamanic Path Class is conducted on the 1st Tuesdays of the month, from 7:00 to 8:30p. We meet in classroom 2. Whale Maiden conducts this class with a co-facilitator. In these classes, we present a topic about the Earthways Shamanic Path, and conduct a Shamanic Journey. A Shamanic Journey is a form of interreflection which is more active than meditation. 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 postponed for the month of March 2017.

Contact Whale Maiden for information on these classes. [email protected]

Weekly Activities

Community Wednesday

IT'S BACK-- Wednesday night programming. Come first for Joy Purcell's delicious buffet at 6:00p. and then at 6:45 attend the programs following:

March 8 : Roxanne Wendling speaks on Guardian Ad Litem programs for neglected children. Wendling is administrator of the foundation.

March 22 : Suellen Kipp will tell us about the Make a Wish Foundation for seriously ill children.

March 29 : Caroline Ridgway will moderate a panel of women who participated in the D. C. Women's March. The panel will include UUCFM member Jan Beemer and others: Taylor Hebble, Terry Hayes and Joan Ginsberg.

Community Wednesday is held in Hobart Hall. 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.

Regular Activitie s for March:

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

Archery
The UUCFM Archery Club meets after church at noon in the back lot near the gardens. We are a new club and we are still gathering equipment and resources. Make sure you check out our Facebook group "UUCFM Archery."

Yoga
Yoga meets in Room 7 weekly! Join Mary Cline Golbitz for a one hour yoga session from 4:30-5:30p each Thursday.

Gaming

The UUCFM Game Group is the club for you. We do our best to meet in Room 7 on Sundays after church from 1:00-4:00p. 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.

L.A.R.P.
Looking to LARP? Wondering what LARP is? UUCFM is home to the "Little LARP" group - a Live Action Role Play (LARP) group that games with a system that focuses on character development and plot instead of combat. We always welcome new players! Please email Jenn Blosser at [email protected] for more information.

Social Justice

South Fort Myers Food Pantry

Here we are in 2017, nine years since UUCFM joined with a few other churches in the area to meet a need to provide food to many of our neighbors who could not afford to buy food and meet all their other expenses. Unfortunately, nine years later there is still a need for our help. Please support the pantry by bringing non perishable food items to church on Sundays. Baskets are located in the Narthex and Hobart Hall. If you have questions about other ways to help the pantry, email Fran Rose at: [email protected]. Be sure to put "food pantry" in the subject line of the email.

More!

GRACE Cycle Kits

On March first, a hearty group of volunteers sewed, threaded, and snapped shields, liners and Cycle Kit bags to send to rural areas of Guatemala. There, the GRACE Project will deliver five workshops for teachers and community leaders, collaborating with the Guatemalan Ministry of Education.

On Wednesday March 15, we will be assembling the 300 kits for shipment to Guatemala. We would welcome a few more volunteers. Muchas gracias to everyone.

Genelle Grant [email protected]

March to Unified Drums

Barbara Boynton

If my memory serves me, the last and only protest march I took part in was when I was Chairperson of the Welcoming Celebration for the Lee County Planned Parenthood opening in 1992 . My husband Dick and I joined a Right of Choice March to offset picketers during that time.

This year, our daughter and two of her college friends participated in the Women’s March in Washington, as did one of our granddaughters in New Orleans. How could I do anything less than be in the march in solidarity at Naples with so many around our country.. .

My alarm went off at 5:30 am January 21. I was raring to go. My friend Anita Sherman picked me up at 6:30 and away we went. The convenience of a parking garage directly across the street from Cambier Park, where the march began, precipitated a good beginning. .Serendipitously a disabled space beckoned us just as we drove inside the garage. Anita efficiently removed the wheel chair from the trunk of her car and placed my two pillows in it. I felt privileged to be riding in the comfort of her son Troy’s chair: a symbolic way of having part of him with us.

Anita said, "Since we’re early, how would you like to get a coffee and peruse the area?"

The billowy whipped cream clouds on that beautiful sunny day made my heart glad. As we moved along, I felt like Queen for a Day riding on a comfortable throne.

A sea of varied posters and signs for justice deepened my feelings of admiration for the participants and optimism for a better world. Even though there were in excess of twenty five hundred participants, I felt surrounded only by love. Any time there was a slight backup,Anita would say, with caring conviction, "Excuse me! Wheelchair coming!"

We went through like the parting of the red sea. Folks with courteous, smiling faces stepped out of the way, many saying hi.

The sense of community I felt immersed in the Women’s March of Naples was like nothing I had experienced before. I felt not only connected to my family members who marched but

grateful to see many Ft. Myers UU friends there. We had good conversation with Suzanne Fast and Alison Carville.

I felt empowered by the chants and quality speeches in the amphitheater at the end of the march. I was impressed by the fact that not once were those speeches hateful or damaging. I listened to words and expressions of encouragement, unity, diversity, solidarity and justice.

That memory of collective energy, and appreciation for Anita's help to make it possible, will stay among my fondest memories.

My UU Story

Finding Deeper Meaning in My Life

by Nancy Letts

I came to the Unitarian Church kicking and screaming, ‘though not a baby. I was 50-ish when my husband Jeff, a member of a newly formed men’s group at the local Rhode Island UU church, asked me

to attend a Sunday service with him. How reluctant I was, remembering my Christian upbringing and the

unease I’d begun to feel when, as a young adult, I absorbed well-intentioned messages from many

pulpits telling me I was a sinner and had to repent, or at least to try harder to fit into a proscribed

description of “good”.

Although Jeff and I had tried many Protestant denominations over the years, nothing had pulled us back

after a “time out” when our children were born. And now I was positive I didn’t want anyone to stand in

front of me again telling me how to be a better person. Unhappily, I agreed to try “just one time”.

“That must have been a fluke,” I remember telling Jeff at the end of that service. Instead of well-worn

themes with directions on how to become better, many possible ways to view a particular situation had

been presented, ending with the question, “What do you think”? There was depth and meaning in our

conversation after church, and curiosity, too. We went back, and back again. As a member, I continued

feeling challenged to find my truths, to accept and appreciate differences among those in our

congregation, and to put into action the principles and values we tried as a community to live by -- not

because I should, but because it felt right.

As a UU my life underwent many changes. I found and nourished a deep connection to something

greater than myself that I call Spirit, or Creator. I became a holistic counselor, putting into action my

beliefs about the interplay of body, mind, and spirit. I joined a spiritual growth group that explored

spiritual beliefs from many traditions, practiced reiki healing and shared spiritual experiences. In turn, I

created spiritual growth groups as part of my practice, where clients could safely explore their changing

spiritual beliefs. And, as I changed, my UU friends encouraged, supported and validated my growth.

25 years later, I’m a grateful UU still committed to finding deeper meaning in my life and to acting on

these expanding beliefs in ways that help myself and others. Thanks to UU, I know I am “good”, worthy

of dignity and respect despite my imperfections. I’m grateful to have been dragged to that first UU

service, believing now it was anything but a fluke!

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 [email protected] Joy will help you edit and she will provide questions to help you develop your story.

New UUCFM Campus Brochure

The Membership Committee has produced a new color brochure for taking a 21 station guided walk on our UUCFM campus. It was created and
produced by Bill Petrarca and Suzanne Ziemer with new friends and visitors in mind. It is hoped members will take interested visitors and friends on this tour of our treasured place. We all need to
encourage added membership to continue our growth and support of UUCFM. Limited copies are at the Welcome table.

Photo Directory Update

Special thanks to our photographs, Mel, Denis, John, and all the helpers. Mel Cooper, Denis Jensen and John Swank have completed
taking photos for the forthcoming directory. If
you are a member of friend and have missed a photo session and would like to be included, you may send an online photo to John Swank for possible inclusion or mail clear photo to be scanned. [email protected],

Thank you to all who participated and we look forward to its publication later this Spring. A free copy will be given to each pledging unit and other
copies can be obtained at cost.

Member to Member

UU Potluck Theater Preview

March 9th 5:00p

Member Bert Brun has written a play that has been produced and is on DVD called Ashes to Ashes. It is autobiographical about Bert and his two sisters who, together, bring their mother's ashes to Bergen, Norway to join with their father's ashes there. Family dynamics, both negative and positive are featured and when the ashes are placed side by side, mysteriously and magically the parents' spirits appear to the audience but are not heard or seen by the siblings. Discussion will follow led by Bert. Special guest will be Rev. Barbara Carlson, former UU minister from Bloomington, Indiana.

Potluck details: Held at Ziemers condo clubhouse (30 seat theater) on
Fort Myers Beach, 4753 Estero Blvd, Gate code 159 to enter the Ocean
Harbor Condo complex. Ziemer's condo is #303, in 2nd high-rise.

Gather there on Thursday, March 9th at 5:00p for appetizers, dinner at 6, theater presentation
at 7:00p.

Everyone is welcome but please let Suzanne Ziemer know you are coming
with an email or phone call and what you might be sharing. Best to
BYOB and a small appetizer before the potluck.

Suzanne Ziemer : 239-463-9020 or [email protected]

Art in the Narthex

Our March Art in the Narthex display is Seasonal Review amid Marches & Madness.

by Terri Stark

Member Glenn Siebert's A Cappella Group

Our Greater Community

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.

Pachamama Symposium Examines Link Between Justice, Sustainability, and Spirituality

Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream Symposium Scheduled for March 4, 2017; all interested youth and adults are invited.

On Saturday, March 4, an Awakening the Dreamer Symposium will be held at Lamb of God Church and Congregation in S Fort Myers from 10:00a-3:00p. The Pachamama Alliance is offering an interactive, multimedia experience for anyone who wishes to deepen their understanding of the current state of our world and how we can take action to create environmental sustainability, spiritual fulfillment, and social justice for all humanity.

Participants will explore these three core aspects of our societal condition via facilitated interaction and engaging audio-visual elements. We’ll hear from some of the world’s leading experts on topics as diverse as the current state of the Earth’s biodiversity and the reality of the socio-economic disparity throughout the world. After grounding our awareness in the facts regarding the consequences of humanity’s current relationship with the Earth and each other, we will examine how we arrived at this point. Through a process of guided self-inquiry, each individual will discover the unique stand that they wish to take for a more just, sustainable, and fulfilling world. Facilitated by Rev James Reho, Gary Robbins and Holley Rauen, RN

This is an opportunity to share your concerns about the state of the world with like-minded members of your community, and offer support to each other in taking steps to effect the changes that you wish to see.

"The Pachamama Alliance helps put people together with organizations that are really striking at the roots of our failing systems and structures. It helps you find your passion and know where to plug in.” - Holley Rauen

Participants will leave the Symposium empowered to take clear steps to embody their vision for a better world, and having established new connections to work with others on common issues. For more information, call 239-464-6556 or email [email protected].

The Awakening the Dreamer Symposium is developed and distributed by The Pachamama Alliance, a San Francisco-based nonprofit started at the invitation of indigenous people of Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest. Through the Symposium and other workshops, they work to generate widespread awakening at the grassroots level and a transformation of our worldview, such that humanity becomes committed to restoring and protecting the environment and moves towards social justice and spiritual fulfillment. Currently, over 3,700 volunteer Facilitators have delivered the Symposium in 71 countries. It has been presented in 12 languages and reached at least 100,000 people, generating countless community projects and individual change. “(quote from Symposium participant about how Symposium has impacted them, or another quote from Symposium organizer about their personal experience)”

The Pachamama Alliance is a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco. Its mission is to empower indigenous people of the Amazon rainforest to preserve their lands and culture and, using insights gained from that work, to educate and inspire individuals everywhere to bring forth a thriving, just and sustainable world.

http://www.pachamama.org/workshop/3402/Awakening%20The%20Dreamer

Learn more about the Pachamama Alliance at www. pachamama.org