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Weekly Communicator
February 3, 2022
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We welcome you to join us this Sunday as we begin our exploration of our monthly theme of Widening the Circle and honoring Black History month.
This week we will look at Climate Justice, how those who are oppressed or have less are injured most by our Climate Crisis.
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Dear UUCFM Congregation
We are saddened to report that Lee County’s risk factor has now reached the “severe risk” level due to the widespread omicron variant: https://covidactnow.org/us/florida-fl/county/lee_county/?s=27751665
We will not be holding worship services in our Sanctuary until the risk level has returned to a safer level. Our return to Zoom-only services is out of concern and love for each of you. We are hopeful that we will be back together in person soon.
Other gatherings on campus may proceed in cautious compliance with our re-opening guidance, found by clicking here.
As always reach out to me with any questions at UUCFMPresident@UUCFM.org or 239-222-9406.
Yours in Growth,
Lane Cook
President, UUCFM Board of Trustees
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Please send all newsletter articles by
12pm Wednesday for publication in Thursday's newsletter.
Send articles to newsletter@uucfm.org
**Please do not send requests to the office manager email**
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Ministerial Search Committee Update #1 | After careful consideration, the Search Committee has determined that our congregation will be best served by an Interim Minister who will begin in August, 2022. Although Interim Ministers are not voted on by the full congregation, the Search Committee would very much like each person's input as to how the minister can work with us. Please reach out to the Search Committee at searchcommittee@uucfm.org with your thoughts. | | | |
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It’s Budget Time Again!
The Finance Committee and the Board of Trustees will soon begin to develop a proposed budget for the next fiscal year, which starts on April 1, 2022. This budget will be voted on by the Congregation at the annual meeting at the end of March. In the meantime, we welcome your input. Please send any items you would like to propose for inclusion in the budget to treasurer@uucfm.org by February 25.
Thanks!
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The Generosity Campaign Would Love to Hear from YOU | ZOOM MEETING. Please join us Saturday, Feb. 5, for a Zoom Discussion on what your pledge accomplishes, and ask your questions or make your suggestions to our Treasurer and Stewardship Committee. | | | |
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Are you getting ready to file your 2021 income tax return?
If you need a statement of all your donations to UUCFM last year, please contact Denise Greenwood at OfficeManager@UUCFM.org or (239) 561-2700.
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LIFE and Affordable Housing
On January 31, the Fort Myers City Council unanimously voted to create an affordable housing trust fund to help people who work and live in the city afford housing costs. LIFE has worked for three years to develop this trust. LIFE members returned to the Council annually with a vital message about the lack of affordable housing in the community. However, there is still work as the trust needs to be funded, and citizens must ensure that the city continues to focus on this critical endeavor. Members of UUCFM can help by joining in the efforts of LIFE. See Karen Brown for more information about how YOU can get involved.
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60 Years - Standing Strong
Writing is underway for our 60th anniversary play, "60 Years - Standing Strong". It's been 60 years since June 20, 1961 when UUCFM received its Charter from the UUA. Reflection interviews are being collected by Hank Nash and Margaret Ramus. The more ideas and reflections the better. We are building on the 40th Anniversary Play produced in 2002. To be part of this effort, contact 60th Play Coordinator, Suzanne Ziemer, suzanneziemer@gmail.com, 239-463-9020.
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Help wanted!
The Membership Committee is looking for one person from each committee to help out with the upcoming 60th anniversary party. Please contact Carole Latino at carolelatino@gmail.com if you can help.
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Attention: Due to COVID precautions we are making this a virtual event on zoom.
click here to register on ZOOM.
Kids + Community = Lee County Trees
Kickoff Saturday, Feb 5th at UUCFM 4:00 PM
A Lee County-wide multi-year tree germination, planting and monitoring initiative kicks off on Saturday, February 5th in a free education and engagement event hosted by SWFL RESET in the Amphitheater and Screened Porch.
Register here
Activities and speakers include:
- RESET’s Gary Robbins Mother’s Day tree planting appeal
- RESET’s Holley Rauen composting team formation
- Dunbar High’s Jennifer Giles, science teacher presenting nature’s plant-water-bacteria relationships via PlanetBox™
- Future Forestry’s Russ Ringland describing his tree planting program on Veterans Parkway, Coral Gables
- JustLearn’s founder/CEO Djimo Serodio presenting the Silvi™ tree monitoring app
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15+ Group Meeting Postponed
Due to the current Covid situation in our area, the February 6th meeting of the 15+ Group has been postponed. We will reschedule when the church reopens and numbers reflect a safer environment for a face-to-face meeting. Keep safe! If you have any questions, contact Ellen Erickson at 239-218-4789 or andy.ellen.erickson@gmail.com.
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Social Justice Committee
The Social Justice Committee will meet on the first Sunday in February on the 6th at noon. The current plan is to meet by zoom. Please submit any items for inclusion in the agenda.
Helen Dixon, helendixon9@gmail.com
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UU WOMEN'S RETREAT PLANNING
Saturday, February 12th, come to a Noon potluck luncheon or join the planning meeting later at 2pm if preferred. UUCFM women will be planning the 2023 Florida Women's Retreat scheduled for March 31-April 2nd at the Day Spring Conference Center. Helen Leddy and Mary Murray have led this Retreat for many years. We have a budget and need to work the details for this weekend of workshops and socializing with UU women from all over Florida. All are welcome and urged to attend this
planning event. Contact Coordinator Suzanne Ziemer for further
details. suzanneziemer@gmail.com, 239-463-9020
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Social Issues Book Group
You are cordially invited to join us in our new book discussion. We will read Isabel Wilkerson's The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration. To add your email address to our list please contact Helen Leddy: helen.leddy@gmail.com who will provide us with discussion questions for reflection.
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Mindfulness Opportunities
We welcome you to join either of our two online sitting practices each week. We practice mindfulness and discuss a reading. If you don’t have the books, you're still welcome to sit with us.
The Monday Sangha meets at 6:30-7:45 p.m. and begins discussing Thich Naht Hanh’s Happiness: Essential Practices. Contact mstuder929@gmail.com for details.
The Wednesday sangha meets between 10:00-11:30 a.m. in coordination with Caloosahatchee Mindfulness. We will begin reading At Home in the World: Stories and Essential Teachings from a Monk's Life by Thich Nhat Hanh on Wednesday, February 9 at 10:00 a.m.
The tradition of teaching the Dharma through stories goes back at least to the time of the Buddha. Like the Buddha, Thich Nhat Hanh uses story–telling to engage people’s interest so he can share important teachings, insights, and life lessons.
To register contact Helen Leddy helen.leddy@gmail.com
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Poetry Group
The poetry group meets every other Tuesday from noon to 2 pm, and will meet next on February 15. We read and discuss a variety of poems, and members share their own work for discussion as well, if they want to. We offer weekly prompts, but there is no obligation to follow them.
This is an ongoing Zoom group. New members can join at any time, and we really hope you will. Contact Judi Dettorre judidet84@gmail.com or Cat Pivetti joypivet@aol.com for more information.
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GRACE Project Sewing Donations
The Guatemalan Rural Adult and Children's Education Project, GRACE, is shipping large boxes to women's groups in rural Guatemala.
Recently three sewing machines were donated. Now we are seeking helpful materials to include in this shipment.
Please consider donating any of your extra sewing supplies to the GRACE Project.
Please leave your donations at the UUCFM Office for Helencita.
Muchísimas Gracias!
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60th Anniversary Pave the Way Fundraiser | |
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How to order your brick:
Contact Helen Dixon at helendixon9@gmail.com
or call 239-633-4989
or
Contact Suzanne Ziemer at
suzanneziemer@gmail.com or call 812-332-3450.
Each 4"x8" brick can be engraved with up to 3 lines of 13 characters/spaces on each line.
Your check for a $100 donation should be made to UUCFM with Brick fundraiser in the memo line.
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We now have over 70 commemorative donated bricks lining the walkways
into our sanctuary. They are loving reminders for who we are, and who we have been. Do consider adding your names and thoughts.
Ideas for engraving: Remembrances with birth-death dates, UU sayings/messages (Believe in truth, work for Justice), your name with personal wishes or identity, meditate at the Labyrinth, Honoring..., In Memory of..., etc.
Your entire Brick donation goes to the General Budget since our Endowment Fund Grant will pay for all production costs. This is our only Fundraiser since the Covid-19 Pandemic prevents us from being together.
Grateful thanks to all who have contributed bricks!
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The Bill Brewer Family Gardens | |
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UPDATE
The gardens are currently partnering with Hope Pace in Fort Myers, a non profit associated with Lee Health, to provide seniors with day treatment and activities that help them stay in their homes. We have provided some seeds, flats and containers to grow seeds. Some they will grow in their own beds and some they will grow for our family gardens (to sell to gardeners or to provide produce to sell or donate). We are setting aside two of our beds for those plants.
We now have a tumbler composter , donated by SWFL RESET, housed at our congregation.
A few irrigated beds are still available for rent. They are 4x8’. And are $85 for the season. Contact Bonnie Jean at familygardens@uucfm.org if interested.
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The MACC
The Music and Arts Community Center
2021 - 2022
Season Tickets
The GCS comprises the Gulf Coast Symphony, the Gulf Coast Chamber Orchestra, the Gulf Coast Jazz Collective, and the Music & Arts Community Center (MACC). This year over 100 programs will be offered that present the best in classical music, jazz, world music, dance, opera, film and musical theater.
Ticket prices range from $24 - $44
As you know, there's not a bad seat in the house!
Tickets and seat choice can be purchased online or at the door.
For more info visit
gulfcoastsymphony.org
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