The Communicator
September 2019 Volume 36 Issue 9
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CELEBRATE
We're having a congregation-wide potluck lunch on Sunday, September 8th at noon in Hobart Hall.
All welcome!
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Sunday Social Hour
Sunday's Social Hour
happens after the service every week. (Except for the 1st which is cancelled and the 8th when it's lunch!) Come join us for coffee and snacks. Newcomers, visitors, and members are all welcome. Sponsoring groups are the Women's Circle on the first Sunday, Humanist Forum on the second, CUUPs on the third, Men's Group on the fourth, and if there is a fifth Sunday, it is All Church. Any donations of food, snacks or cash are welcome.
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Humanist Forum
The Humanist Forum meets every Sunday at 9:15 am in Hobart Hall. All are welcome to attend. Join us as we engage in a new topic each week.
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This Week's Sunday Service Cancelled!
Due to Hurricane Dorian and the Governor's State of Emergency we will NOT be holding Sunday Service this week, September 1st. All Sunday events are cancelled. The office will be closed for Labor Day and the day after and will re-open on Wednesday. Please check with your small group leaders to see if Monday and Tuesday events/classes will be held.
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Community Sharing
Lee Interfaith for Empowerment (LIFE)
is an interfaith justice ministry seeking long-term solutions to systemic injustices that began in Lee County, and has grown to encompass the State of Florida. Each year, LIFE engages in a series of processes to
- Determine and vote on a problem area to be focused upon that year;
- Research with other faith communities and determine who has the power to change it;
- Organize and gather in what is called Direct Action, ask those accountable and in power to commit to a solution;
- Follow up on the problem/solution/commitments to ensure measurable success for 24 month period
This year, LIFE is focusing on solutions for affordable housing and restructuring the criminal justice system.
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From the Interim Minister
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” ― Mahatma Gandhi
“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” ― Albert Einstein
We Are In Interim Time
Interim Ministry is a time of transition and change. The interim period we are now in presents an opportunity for this beloved community to deeply contemplate its past and cast itself into a future of new possibilities. I am here as your interim minister. My goal is to help you manage the future as an opportunity for this congregation.
Interim ministry is distinct from other UU ministries. As your Sr. Interim Minister I am here to journey with you. I will ask you what are your hopes, dreams and aspirations for UUCFM? What do you most desire and what work can we do in the spirit of shared ministry to get there? As you might imagine taking such a journey is filled with challenges and trepidations. In the course of the journey expect change. What will get us to where we want to go is our ability to be open to possibility.
It is crucial for you to know that I have NO aspiration of being your next settled minister and I will not accept any call from this congregation. My work here is to set the table for the next ministry the congregation chooses. You may have heard me use the metaphor of interim ministry being akin to one of those cable TV shows which takes houses with curb appeal and transforms them into dream homes. The contracted time to do this work is the interim time.
You are likely a better judge as to how much fixing up needs to be done and how much energy there is to get things done. The work of the congregation may well extend into the next ministry and for years to come. Remember this is a shared ministry and what is to be done we will do together. I will work in concert with the board President and a Transition Team selected from your peers who are trusted and esteemed by the membership. They in turn will call on you to be the agents of change to move the congregation forward into the future it longs and hopes for.
The goal is to use this time to make the best first choices possible, to decide on what tasks need to be done that will make a difference to the future of this congregation, to work in concert and to put the congregation on a solid footing.
As we move forward please consider the legacy you wish to leave for future generations of Unitarian Universalists. Join me. Let’s do the work together. I invite you to call or schedule an appointment to meet with me to share your hopes and wishes for this beloved community.
~ Rev. Carlos
revmartinez@uucfm.org
239.561-2700 ext.204
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The UUCFM Choir
rehearses most Wednesday nights from 6:30-8:00 pm, and on Sunday mornings at 9:30 in the sanctuary. It's free and there are no auditions. Come join us in singing!
The UUCFM Band
rehearses most Wednesday nights from 5:45-6:15 pm, and on Sunday mornings at 9:10 in the Sanctuary. Do you play an instrument? Are you interested in playing with the UUCFM band for worship? If so, please schedule an audition time with me by email.Come join us in making music together!
Suellen Kipp, Director of Music
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Would You Like to Become a Member of UUCFM?
If you are interested in becoming a new member, please pick up a Membership Kit on Sunday mornings in the Narthex or in the office during the week. Thanks!
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Did you know your purchases can help us? AmazonSmile donates to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers when you do your online shopping by following this special link to Amazon:
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Membership
The Membership team is looking for a volunteer to take over the scheduling of the ushers and the greeters. This job is not difficult and can be done in less than an hour a week from home. We will help you get started. If you are interested, or if you are willing to usher or greet during the month of September, please contact Mary Gayle Skinner (239-482-8969) or
skinnermg@aol.com
.
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2019 GRACE Project Work-Study Trip
November 3 - 9, 2019 $750 Land only
Assist in the Reproductive Health Workshops with women and youth (Spanish
not essential)
Support the workshops with public school teachers, in collaboration with the
Guatemala Ministry of Education and with community leaders,
Visit the Casa Aurora Women’s Shelter in San Lucas Tolimán,
Deliver menstrual management Kits and Fertility Bracelets,
Travel in safe, private vans,
Private room with bath,
Enjoy the Breakfast or dinner provided daily,
Shop in La Antigua and Panajachel.
Safe land Transportation, breakfast, and hotel rooms are included.
Volunteer pays own airfares from USA to Guatemala City.
To save your space, please send $100 deposit on the Donate button, through PayPal, on
Muchísimas gracias.
The Guatemala Rural Adult and Children’s Education (GRACE) Project represents the Social Justice Outreach Ministry of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers. All workshops are non-sectarian and free of charge to participants.
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Special Request from the South Fort Myers Food Pantry
A few months ago we made a special donation to the South Fort Myers Food Pantry through our Community Sharing Program. This was for food purchase and general operations, utilities, gas, and repairs.
In addition to food and overhead they rely heavily on equipment to complete their mission, "to feed the needy of South Fort Myers". They have had a large used box truck for ten years which has recently been causing them problems; for example, the brakes gave out while returning from picking up food at Harry Chapin. They have not been able to find a "good" used truck that fits their needs. Hence, they are looking at bids for a new truck Their goal is to get a truck ordered by October.
The board has voted to set aside $30.000 towards the purchase of the new truck. They are asking all coalition members and friends to consider donating funds toward this purchase in addition to your continued support of the pantry through volunteerism, food drives and financial support. They need to raise an additional $45,000 to reach their goal. Please spread the word and know that any amount to help them reach their goal will be appreciated.
Donations may be sent to: South Fort Myers Food Pantry Coalition, Inc.
8260 CypressLake Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33919. For questions see Fran Rose or email her at
franrose512@gmail.com
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Come explore the simple and satisfying practices of
Mindfulness Meditation.
You don’t need experience with meditation, nor do you have to be a Buddhist. Please bring intention to quiet the mind and 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. Contact Gary Robbins at 302-540-5899.
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The UUCFM Book Club
meets Wednesdays from 1:00-2:30 PM in the Library of our Administration Building.
All are welcome to join in facilitated discussion and group bonding. Our current book is
Life Before Life
by Jim Tucker, MD.
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Wednesday Connection Circle
Lilibeth Grimes will be facilitating a once monthly Wednesay evening circle called
Principles of Joy
. The goal for this connection circle is to serve as a bridge between UUCFM and the broader community. This is open each month to all members, family, and friends. Please email by the Monday before each circle to let her know you will be there that month. We'll meet the second Wednesday of each month at 6:00 PM. You don't have to attend all sessions. Here is the schedule:
September 11:
Third Principle: Acceptance of One Another and Encouragement to
Spiritual Growth
in our Congregations
October 9:
Fourth Principle: A Free and Responsible Search for
Truth
and Meaning
November 13:
Fifth
Principle: The Right of
Conscience
and the Use of the Democratic Process within our Congregations and in Society at Large
December 11:
Sixth
Principle: The Goal of World
Community
with Peace, Liberty, and Justice for All
January 8:
Seventh Principle:
Respect
for the Interdependent Web of all Existence of Which we are a Part.
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UUCFM-Caloosahatchee Mindfulness
UUCFM and Caloosahatchee Mindfulness invite participants to join our weekly meditation book group. The group meets weekly on Wednesdays from 10:00 to 11:30 AM in Room 3. Please contact Helen Leddy to make sure the group is meeting each week or if you want to join. All are invited to attend. For more information contact Helen Leddy
helen.leddy@gmail.com
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10th Annual Florida Unitarian Universalist Women’s Retreat
April 3-5, 2020
DaySpring Episcopal Conference Center
A Weekend Gathering of UU Women
• Friday evening we will get to know one another and create community
• Saturday one-hour workshops offer choices
• Sunday we share a UU Service bringing it all together
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.
http://Dayspring.dioswfl.org
.
$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, 2020. Scholarships are available.
Come join us for an enriching and memorable weekend. To register or for more information contact Helen Leddy
helen.leddy@gmail.com
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The Jensen's Family in California
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The Jensens in California
(below) Toni & Tony in NC!
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Our UU Story
Louisa May Alcott (Nov.29, 1832-Mar. 6, 1888), best known as the author of
Little Women
, was an advocate of abolition, women's rights, and temperance.
Her parents, Bronson Alcott and Abigail May, met while Abigail was visiting her brother, Samuel J. May, minister of the Unitarian church in Brooklyn, CT. The couple moved to Philadelphia, where their first daughter Anna was born. They lived in Germantown, PA, when Louisa arrived in 1832.
The girls were mostly educated at home. "I never went to school," Louisa wrote, "except to my father or such governesses as from time to time came into the family. . . . so we had lessons each morning in the study.
Her first story, "The Rival Painters, A Tale of Rome" was written in 1848 and published four years later in
Olive Branch
. By that time, the Alcotts were back in Boston, where they lived at five different addresses between 1849 and 1852.
The two older girls contributed to the meager family income by teaching. Louisa's unhappy life was recorded in her essay, "How I Went Out to Service." Publisher James T. Fields rejected the piece and advised her: "Stick to your teaching, Miss Alcott. You can't write." Disheartened but determined, she continued to write, gradually learning how to produce what would sell.
When Louisa was a young woman trying to find work in Boston, she met the Rev. Theodore Parker, a Unitarian minister. He and his wife were very helpful to her. She attended his Sunday Services and his evening discussion groups.
Her stories written under the pseudonym "A. M. Barnard" found a ready market; "Pauline's Passion and Punishment," 1863, won its author a $100 prize and appeared in
Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newsletter
.
With the outbreak of the Civil War, Alcott was eager to do her part. She had long attended antislavery meetings and fairs. When the war ended, Alcott spent a year in Europe.
Her return to Boston marked the beginning of a new phase in her career. She accepted the editorship of a children's magazine,
Merry's Museum
, and became its major contributor. In 1868. She went into her usual writer's "vortex" and, in mid-July finished Part 1 of
Little Women
for fall publication. It was an immediate best seller. Readers clamored for a sequel. Part 2 was published the following spring.
Alcott gave her energy to women's rights and temperance. She attended the Women's Congress of 1875 in Syracuse, NY. She contributed to Lucy Stone's
Woman's Journal
while organizing Concord women to vote in the school election. "I was the first woman to register my name as a voter," she wrote.
Although Alcott never married or had biological children, she took care of her orphaned niece.
--Researched and edited by Joy F. Sokeitous.
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Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Group-
Not Meeting Sunday, Sept. 1
The Rissho Kosei-kai group normally meets Sundays at 2:00 PM in Room Number 1. Contact Mary Tracy Sigman for info
uuchurch@uucfm.org
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Sept 4 Linda Johnson
Sept 4 Keara Trummel
Sept 4 Maureen Witschey
Sept 9 Judy Burget
Sept 14 Jenn Blosser
Sept 14 Frances Pake
Sept 16 Genelle Grant
Sept 19 Toni Latino
Sept 21 Deb Leigh
Sept 24 Leslie Gatto
Sept 30 Jen Smith
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Staff
Senior Interim Minister
Director of Music
Director of RE
Office Manager
Building Supervisor
Nursery Supervisor
Liza Kellam
Board of Trustees
President
Theresa Bahre
President Elect
Lesley Peterson
Secretary
Alison Carville
Treasurer
Vacant
VP Finance
Alanis Garcia
VP Programming
Karen J. Brown
VP Ministerial Services
Vacant
VP Operations
Dorothy Van Howe
Member at Large
Helen Leddy
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Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers
239-561-2700
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