November 2018 Volume 35 Issue 11
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Please set your clocks back one hour before you go to bed Saturday night!
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Sunday Worship Service
All Welcome to our Service at 10:30 am Sundays in the Miller Sanctuary
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Pathways to Engagement
This Sunday after coffee hour the Membership Ministry will be hosting a Pathways to Engagement gathering for visitors and new members. The meeting will start at noon in the Library. See you there. Invite any friends who might be interested in becoming UUs
.
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Please invite all of your Veteran friends and neighbors!
As an expression of our gratitude, we set aside the morning of November 11th to show our appreciation for all who have served our country. All veterans and their families are cordially invited to join us in honoring their dedication and service. Invite your friends and neighbors to join us at 10:30 AM at Unitarian Universalist Church in honoring all who have served. Coffee and good fellowship afterwards.
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Community Sharing in November: Alliance for Fair Food
The Alliance for Fair Food (AFF) seeks justice, dignity and respect for all farm workers as part of a broader vision of justice for all peoples. The AFF works in partnership with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), building a vibrant, diverse national network that takes action in pursuit of fair wages and working conditions for farm workers through the Campaign for Fair Food.
The Fair Food Program is a unique partnership among farmers, farm workers, and retail food companies that ensures humane wages and working conditions for the workers who pick fruits and vegetables on participating farms. It harnesses the power of consumer demand to give farm workers a voice in the decisions that affect their lives, and to eliminate the longstanding abuses that have plagued agriculture for generations.
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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, November 4th, Gini Gottman will be discussing Hostile Architecture (also known as defensive architecture): a way of designing or modifying public amenities to discourage unwanted behavior or people (usually the homeless).
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Social Hour
Sunday's Social Hour happens after the service 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, our High School Youth Group meets on Sundays at noon in Room 4. All youth, ages 14-18, are welcome! This Sunday we have a Theatrical Group Meet n Greet at 12:30. Contact Director of Religious Education, Jenn Blosser:
[email protected]
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IGNITE
, our junior youth group for ages 10-13, meets weekly from 12-1 pm in Room 3. Come join us for community, conversation, and finding your call to action! Questions about the group? Reach out to Jenn Blosser:
[email protected]
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SPARK
is our newest youth group. Exclusively for children ages five to nine, Spark will meet weekly from 12-1 in Room 2 to explore Unitarian Universalism and learn more about our church and each other.
[email protected]
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From the Minister
November Worship
“Life is not what one lived, but what one remembers and how one remembers it in order to recount it.”
Gabriel García Márquez
What does it mean to be a people of Memory? How do we live in ways that bring our love and legacy to help future generations? How can we re-member ourselves to be more inclusive of stories that still need to be told?
This month is all about understanding how memory can serve us. Unitarian Universalists are known for bucking tradition, yet we truly are a people of memory. As we braided together the past, present, and future in our Beloved Dead service, our gatherings this Sunday offer a deeper dive into remembrance of things past in service of the here and now as well as our individual and collective future.
Rev. Allison Farnum
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Music Notes
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, Director of Music
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Village Announcements
Family Game Night
returns this Friday, November 2nd in Hobart Hall. Join us from 5:30-8:30 pm to enjoy friendly games and company. Bring your own dinner and drinks. Regular Family Game Nights will be scheduled on the first Saturday of the month starting in December.
We are collecting clean toilet paper rolls for a special project on November 18th. Please drop off your clean toilet paper rolls in the Narthex in the designated box.
Spark:
Spark will continue its journey with Gini on most Sundays. We are looking for a dedicated second teacher and for adults who can fill in from time to time. Spark meets in room 2. Please contact us at
[email protected]
while our DRE is on vacation.
Ignite:
Ignite is studying justice through a play which will be presented at our Veteran's Day service. Ryan and Aaron meeting with Ignite every Sunday in a different location each week. Listen for announcements at coffee hour for the location of the day.
Burn:
While the DRE is away, Burn will be studying with Joy Purcell in room 4 to learn about the history of the mural in room 4. Allie Carville meets with Burn most weeks.
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From the Office
Change in Printed Order of Worship
Starting next Sunday, November 11th, we will be offering a simplified printed Order of Worship. In our quest to be a truly Green Sanctuary, we will be printing less paper Orders of Worship, and posting all aspects of the worship service and announcements on slides. We will also be mailing out the OOW through Constant Contact to all on our mailing list on Sunday mornings at 10 am so you can access the OOW on your phone. All are invited to take a paper copy of the Order of Worship, but if you don't need one please consider not taking one, or sharing one with your group. Thank you for your assistance!
Jill Carville, Office Manager
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Operations
If you have an interest in maintaining our beautiful campus, please join the Operations Team on November 1st at 3:00 PM in the Conference Room to learn what has been accomplished and what challenges are facing us. Bring your questions and ideas!
Mary Alice Pierce
, VP of Operations
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Board of Trustees Town Hall Financial Update and Q & A
All are invited to attend a Financial Update meeting on Sunday, November 11th after church. Meeting Room to be announced. We would also love to ask people to submit questions or concerns in advance so we can structure the town hall appropriately. Thank you! Contact Alison Carville, Board Secretary with your questions,
[email protected]
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Social Justice & Outreach Meeting
This Sunday, November 4th,the Social Justice & Outreach Ministry meets at noon in room 1. All welcome.
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Worship & Music Ministry
Our meetings are held in the Sanctuary on the third Sunday of each month from 12:15 - 1:45 pm. Our next meeting is this Sunday, October 21st. Join us if you are already or wish to be involved in this ministry that includes all things service related including the following:
-Choir and Music Team
-Worship Associates
-Audio Visual
-Décor
All are welcome and we hope to see you there! Contact Board Co-Liaisons Theresa L. Bahre
[email protected]
and Lesley Peterson
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FUUn BUUnch!
MIMI’S CAFÉ
Bell Tower Mall
5070 BELL TOWER SHOP AVE
FORT MYERS, FL 33907
Located on the Northeast corner of
Daniels Parkway & Route 41
6:00 PM
Saturday, November 24th
by November 21st.. The restaurant needs exact numbers.
If you need transportation, please let us know with your full name, address and phone number when making your reservation with John. We will make every effort to provide transportation.
Our next FUUN BUUNCH DINNER will be at ORIGAMI Korean/Japanese Restaurant, ½ mile east of the UUCFM on Daniels Parkway, December 24th following the Christmas Eve Service at the church.
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Arts and Crafts Fair Returning
Sundays, December 2nd and 9th, from 11:30-1:30, we will be hosting Members & Friends for Arts & Crafts Booths and the All-Church Bake Sale. Mark your calendars to enjoy Christmas shopping, Christmas cookies to freeze, Next-to-New items, Joy's Chili lunch, and to see what our people create.
CALLING UU COOKS/BAKERS
There will be granola cookies that are almost good for you, peanutty peanut brittle plus gluten free items, etc. Proceeds go to the UUCFM General Fund. Need donations of baked goods. Joy Purcell is making vegetarian and meat chili with cornbread for Dec. 2nd lunch at 11:30. To Help & Donate: contact Suzanne Ziemer, 239-463-9020 or
For Volunteering, Next-to-New items, and Baked Goods, contact Suzanne Ziemer, cell: 812-332-3450,
email:[email protected]
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Covenant of UU Pagans Medieval Feast
Blessings all UU folks,
It is getting to be that time of year again where many return and our halls are filled with lovely faces. As you know, every other year or so, CUUPs holds a Medieval Feast. We are happy to say this year we will be presenting it. It is our fund raiser and even more it falls on winter solstice. The date is December 21st, gathering at 6:30 pm in Hobart Hall. We now have information regarding the feast. Tickets are 25.00 for adults, 15.00 for children 6-12. We do have arrangements for childcare. Our ritual of calling in the light begins as soon as everyone is seated with the royals presiding. Some of you have already reserved your name on the list. Tickets go quickly- we will be around on Sundays or you can catch me on Wednesdays. We will start to collect money now. Contact me with any questions. Performers: if you wish to perform for the royals, please let us know what you wish to do.
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UU Women's Retreat
Celebrating Sacred Places
9th Annual Florida Unitarian Universalist Women’s Retreat
April 5-7, 2019
DaySpring Episcopal Conference Center Ellenton, FL.
The retreat begins Friday at 5:00pm and ends Sunday. DaySpring Conference Center is conveniently located off I-75 just north of Sarasota on Florida’s West Coast. The beautiful campus nestled under ancient oaks and located on a cove of the Manatee River offers a serene setting for our annual retreat. Take a look.
$220 per person covers expenses for a semi-private room and meals. 8 women share a cozy cottage with 4 bedrooms and 4 baths, a screened porch and common area. A limited number of single rooms are available at $292 each.
A non-refundable deposit of $15 for a semi-private room or $25 for a private room will reserve your place. Final payment is due January 15, 2019. Come join us for an enriching and memorable weekend. Any questions? Contact Helen Leddy
[email protected]
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Family Game Night
The next Family Game Night is Friday, November 2nd at 5:30 pm in Hobart Hall. All welcome! Please join us.
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Dreamwork Group
We will meet each of the Sundays in November at 12:00 noon. November 4 (Sanctuary), 11 (Sanctuary), 18 (Room 7), 25 (Conference Room). In general, we follow a Jungian philosophy. Debra trained with Jeremy Taylor and others in California and has a Jungian background in psychology. For reading, I suggest reading Jeremy Taylor's website:
jeremytaylor.com
. Please RSVP to:
[email protected]
or call Debra at (831) 818-1418.
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New Spirituality Discussion Group
Starting Wednesday, November 28th, at 6:45 pm in Room 7, there will be an open enrollment, no requirements, discussion group on spirituality. UU Poet Mary Oliver says, "What I mean by spirituality is not man-made theology but one's attitude for the known and unknown."
How to best live our lives with universal truths is the goal. Contact Suzanne Ziemer
[email protected] if you are interested in joining us.
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Book Study
Join us at Book Study on Wednesdays at 1:00 pm. We are reading the book
Sapiens
by Yuval Noah Harari. Come having read the first few chapters. We meet in the Church Library.
From Amazon.com:
"One hundred thousand years ago, at least six different species of humans inhabited Earth. Yet today there is only one—homo sapiens. What happened to the others? And what may happen to us?
Most books about the history of humanity pursue either a historical or a biological approach, but Dr. Yuval Noah Harari breaks the mold with this highly original book that begins about 70,000 years ago with the appearance of modern cognition. From examining the role evolving humans have played in the global ecosystem to charting the rise of empires, Sapiens integrates history and science to reconsider accepted narratives, connect past developments with contemporary concerns, and examine specific events within the context of larger ideas.
Dr. Harari also compels us to look ahead, because over the last few decades humans have begun to bend laws of natural selection that have governed life for the past four billion years. We are acquiring the ability to design not only the world around us, but also ourselves. Where is this leading us, and what do we want to become?"
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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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It's Time to Think "Connection Circle"
Come one, come all to the next 6 sessions of the Connection Circle beginning after church on Sunday, November 11th! New members, potential members, visitors and long-time members all are welcome. As we discuss meaningful spiritual topics by sharing our own life experiences as guided by a trained church-member facilitator, we get to know each other (and sometimes ourselves!) on a rich and deep level. We will meet every other Sunday, ending on January 20th. Participation in all six sessions is expected. For more information and to register, please contact Nancy Letts at
[email protected]
or call at 401-741-2712.
Thank you.
My best,
Nancy Letts
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Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Group
The Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist group meets Sundays in Room 1. All are welcome to join us. We have a new meeting time- 2:00-4:00 pm.
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Community Wednesday
Please join us for Chef Joy's Community Wednesday Dinners at 6:00 pm each Wednesday. We will be serving salad, soup and entree. The price is $5.00. The meal is vegetarian, but every other week will feature a meat item alternate.
Community Activities for November:
6:00-6:45
Band Rehearsal in Sanctuary
6:45-8:00
Choir Rehearsal in Sanctuary
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Pachamama
Pachamama First Thursday Game Changer Gathering
Introduction to Drawdown. Thursday, November 1st at 6:30 pm
Hobart Hall. Bring a dessert to share.
In service of its mission to bring forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, socially just human presence on this planet, Pachamama Alliance developed educational programming. This program is part of its Drawdown Initiative based on Paul Hawken's Project Drawdown.
For more information and to register go here:
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Social Justice & Outreach Meeting
This Sunday, November 4th,the Social Justice & Outreach Ministry meets at noon in room 1. All welcome.
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Changes to the Food Pantry re: Donations
The support that UUCFM has shown to our pantry over the years is greatly appreciated and along with other coalition members' support it has helped the South Fort Myers Food Pantry (FMFP) to feed 23,000 people in need during 2017. The Harry Chapin Food Bank is vital to our mission, to feed the needy of South Fort Myers, at a very modest cost. They are however, making some changes at Harry Chapin.
In the past, members of our congregation have financially supported the pantry by donating directly to the pantry or by sending checks to the Harry Chapin Food Bank with the stipulation the funds were to support the SFMFP. The Food Bank would then place the funds in a "Designated Grant" account for our use to purchase food. They are eliminating these accounts. As of August 1, 2018 any checks they receive in support of one particular pantry will be returned to the sender. Therefore, our pantry is requesting that any monetary donations be sent directly to and made out to:
The South Fort Myers Food Pantry
If you feel strongly about your donation being only for food and not for operating expenses, write "for food only" on the memo line. The pantry relies on the support of the coalition churches for the funds and the volunteers needed. There are no paid positions and it takes hundreds of volunteer hours and thousands of dollars each month to accomplish our mission. If you have questions call Fran Rose and leave a message at 617-750-0470 and Fran will return your call.
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We Need YOU to Keep our Bed & Breakfast Program Going
We are preparing for another year of UUCFM’s Bed and Breakfast program. Through the generosity of host families within our congregation, we have raised $3000 to $5000 a year for the church operating budget for many years. We provide this service to UUs and/or their friends from around the country. This program cannot happen without volunteers and we need your help!
What’s needed to be a host? The host provides one bedroom and bathroom and a basic breakfast each morning of the guests’ stay. The guests are usually one or two people. The breakfast can even be a “do it yourself” if your guests are early risers or you have to go to work and they want to sleep.
Do I have to entertain the guests or take them places? You are not expected to provide entertainment, transportation or extra food. For the most part, guests are off doing their own thing most of the day and evening.
When and for how long? Guests stay from one to seven nights during the months of January through April. (Most stay only two or three nights.) guests. I usually send out an email to all potential hosts when a request is received and the hosts respond as to their availability. Even if you can only host for two nights in March, for example, that is a big help. February and March tend to be in the biggest demand.
All money received from the guests as they stay in your home goes directly to UUCFM operating funds. I haven’t even mentioned how interesting and fun this experience can be for the hosts. We have met so many great UUs through this experience!
Please consider being a host. Before you say no, talk to me! Just try it once…
Mary Nies, Program Coordinator
239-466-7933
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Bill Brewer Family Gardens
The Family Gardens has kicked-off it’s 4
th
season! After some gardens redesign, thanks to several intrepid volunteers, our community garden has transformed into a more responsive community service project. What’s up for this season?
- The Scout Troop 3300 that enjoys our church grounds as its home base has finished an Eagle Scout project to build a shelter for us by the gardens parking lot. It will house some shady benches and a new Bulletin Board.
- Next season rates are: $75 for 1st bed and $50/bed thereafter, plus $10/bed for auto. water option
- Our 1st Saturday of the month classes in Hobart Hall will be scheduled in November, Jan, & May
- We have made some amenities changes to lighten the maintenance load for the gardens.
- free seeds for all who want them, thanks to Rural King
- dedicated bed for the South Fort Myers Food Pantry, sponsored by local Master Gardeners
- several beds have been donated to local home schoolers by generous church members
- Stay tuned for more community garden activities
Join in the camaraderie and the community experience of being a Green Sanctuary. Love. GROW. Serve.
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Our UU Story
UUs Helped Start Thanksgiving
Most Americans see Thanksgiving as a celebration of their national roots — and few are so tied to the holiday as Unitarian Universalists.
Many of the churches established by the Pilgrims and other early colonists in New England eventually became Unitarian Universalist churches. Sarah Josepha Hale, the woman whose 17-year campaign finally convinced Abraham Lincoln to declare Thanksgiving a national holiday, was reportedly involved in Unitarian communities herself.
The establishment of Thanksgiving as a national holiday was just one of
Hale’s accomplishments
. Other achievements on this remarkable lady’s resume:
- Writing the nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb”
- Editing the massively popular magazine Godey’s Lady’s Book for 40 years
- Promoting women’s education and supporting Vassar College in its early years
- Fundraising for the Bunker Hill Monument and the restoration of Mount Vernon
- Writing an early commercially successful anti-slavery novel
Hale started writing to support herself and her five children after her husband died in 1822. She wore black to mourn him for the rest of her life, another 57 years.
Edited by Joy F. Sokeitous
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.
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Calendar Connections
Click on the name on each event for more information or inspiration.
Interfaith:
Unitarian Universalist:
National Holidays & Cultural:
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Alzheimer's Awareness Month
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Daylight Savings Time ends - Nov. 5
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U.S. Elections - Nov. 6
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Jamar Clark
is shot by police in Minneapolis - Nov. 16 (2015)
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Tamir Rice
is shot by a police officer after carrying a toy gun in Ohio - Nov. 23 (2014)
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Grand jury decision not to indict Officer Darren Wilson for the killing of Michael Brown, sparking protests in Ferguson and cities across the U.S., including Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Boston. - Nov. 24 (2014)
For Fun and On the Fringe:
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World Kindness Day - Nov. 13
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Mickey Mouse's Birthday - Nov. 18, 1928
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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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Computer, etc. For Sale
HP 15“ inch laptop computer
(model 15-bs015dx), 8 GB memory, Intel 7
th
generation i5, Black case, Windows 10 Home (purchased 12/17, gently used and I paid to have it restored to factory specs.) Paid $450.00. Would like $400.00 or best offer
Dragon Naturally Speaking
dictating software (never used or installed.) with portable digital recorder and a headset. Purchased 12/17 to use with this computer (windows 10) it says it will also work on windows 7 and 8. Paid $219.81. Would like $150.00 or best offer
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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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From Unitarian Universalist Service Committee: How to Support Migrant Caravan
Many people have reached out to UUSC asking how they can do more to support the migrant caravan.
We wanted to share our latest with you in hopes of opportunities to collaborate.
SOLIDARITY WITH THE MIGRANT CARAVAN
UUSC is part of an interfaith coalition in regular communication with people accompanying the Honduran migrant caravan on their journey through Guatemala and Mexico.
Two immediate needs have been identified:
- Volunteers are urgently needed at the Annunciation House in El Paso, Texas, which is receiving over 1,000 asylum seekers a week. The UU College of Social Justice is organizing teams to go for a minimum of one week, as well as placing longer-term volunteers at a migrant shelter in Guadalajara, Mexico. Please share the link to learn more and apply: http://www.uucsj.org/volunteer/us-asylum/
- The Interfaith Immigration Coalition, of which UUSC and UUA are members, has identified an immediate need for more U.S. clergy to physically accompany the caravan through Mexico. This role will be physically and emotionally demanding and requires at least conversational Spanish. Organizers anticipate this will be a hugely impactful and a life-changing experience. Details are forthcoming, but please have potentially interested clergy reach out to [email protected] for further information.
- There will likely be additional mobilization for public action at the request of border grassroots partners – we will make sure to keep you updated.
NEW HONDURAS REPORT
Last May, UUSC partnered with SHARE-El Salvador and Sisters of Mercy to send a faith solidarity delegation to Honduras to accompany and hear directly from Hondurans facing political repression and violence following the fraudulent re-election of President Juan Orlando Hernández. This week, as news of the Honduran migrant caravan dominates the airwaves, we have released a new report sharing our findings, "
The Struggle for Human Rights and Transformation in Honduras
." We are grateful to our partners in Honduras at
Radio Progreso/ERIC
and
Foro de Mujeres Por la Vida
.
Along with the report we have a few simple resources for social media that we invite you to share:
PUBLIC COMMENT ACTION: STOP INDEFINITE FAMILY DETENTION
The Trump administration is trying to dismantle the U.S. asylum system block-by-block, and renew family separation by forcing parents to choose whether their children spend months to years in prison with them, or get separated again. Their new proposal to override the
Flores Settlement,
a court ruling protecting children, is currently up for public comment.
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Life Line Screening
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers is pleased to offer a preventive health event. Life Line Screening, a leading provider of community-based preventive health screenings, will host their affordable, non-invasive and painless health screenings on Thursday, November 8, 2018.
Five screenings will be offered that scan for potential health problems related to: blocked
arteries which is a leading cause of stroke; abdominal aortic aneurysms which can lead to a
ruptured aorta; hardening of the arteries in the legs which is a strong predictor of heart disease;
atrial fibrillation or irregular heart beat which is closely tied to stroke risk; and a bone density
screening, for men and women, used to assess the risk of osteoporosis. Register for a Wellness
Package which includes 4 vascular tests and osteoporosis screening from $149 ($139 with our
member discount). All five screenings take 60-90 minutes to complete. In order to register for
this event and to receive a $10 discount off any package priced above $129, please call 1-
888-653-6450 or text CIRCLE to 797979 visit
www.lifelinescreening.com/communitycircle. We also have 2 free screenings available. They are located in the Narthex on one of the front tables. Please take one.
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Nov 1 Barbara Moreland
Nov 2 Miriam Jones
Nov 5 Mary Nies
Nov 8 Alice Forsyth
Nov 8 Terri Kelly
Nov 8 Bob Krieger
Nov 17 Denis Jensen
Nov 20 Theresa Bahre
Nov 21 Erin Everson
Nov 21 Mary Murray
Nov 23 Mary Dryden
Nov 26 Carolyn Thompson
Nov 28 Bob Krieger
Nov 28 Jennifer McFadden
Nov 29 Liz Taggart
Nov 29 Bob Nies
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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
Director of Music
Director of RE
Office Manager
Building Supervisor
Nursery Supervisor
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