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Weekly Communicator
December 30, 2021
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This Sunday we begin to explore our worship theme for the month–"Living with Intention". Worship Associate Gary Robbins and Lay Minister Mary Cline Golbitz will lead us in examining our intentions through the wisdom of the Buddhist Bodhisattva vows and the story of the Three Magi. We hope you will join us.
We hope you will join us for this service in our Sanctuary or on Zoom!
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We are keeping a close eye on the omicron variant, and checking the risk level regularly at: https://covidactnow.org/us/florida-fl/county/lee_county/?s=26461550.
The risk level actually went down to low for a day or two! We are now open for certain activities and best of all, our Sunday services are available either on Zoom or in person, masked, and socially distanced.
We have changed some things up to keep everyone as safe as possible and appreciate your patience and support. As always reach out to me with any questions at UUCFMPresident@UUCFM.org or 239-222-9406.
You may review the re-opening guidelines by clicking here.
Yours in Growth,
Lane Cook
President, UUCFM Board of Trustees
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From the desk of your Lay Ministers
Greetings Dear Ones,
Our Congregational Covenant reminds us that:
We dwell/exist together in Peace. It's our village. We seek truth in love for one another. It's our greatest strength. We help one another to meet our goals and be better. It will be our legacy.
We have had three beautiful multiplatform Sunday services; some may call them hybrid services.
Let us be grateful.
It has been challenging, and yet joyful, as we let go of the past and forge ahead within a new normal. We have experienced glitches during Sunday services, and went over an hour for two services, while serving under our new normal is being worked out. We are working diligently to address any issues regarding Sunday services.
Let us be encouraged.
In this new normal we are learning and growing together. Your patience and understanding is greatly appreciated. Thank you so very much.
In the Spirit of Love,
Alberita Johnson and Mary Cline Golbitz
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Sunday Sanctuary Safety
Greetings UUCFM Members,
We are all so happy to be returning to the Sanctuary in person. The Operations and Safety Council has decided to reinstate the safety procedures for Sundays in the Sanctuary and Hobart Hall.
-- The middle door entrance into the Sanctuary will open by 9AM.
-- When the service begins, the middle door will be locked.
-- Exiting is always possible from the inside from every door.
-- A greeter will remain in the Narthex to open the doors when new people arrive.
-- Hobart Hall will have one door unlocked from 9 until 12:30 - the southwest door.
These procedures began in 2019, and they are for the safety of the Congregation.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation!
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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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January 6 Vigil for Democracy
Where: UUCFM covered porch
Time: 5PM-6PM
Contact persons:
Mary Cline Golbitz - mary@uucfm.org
and Alberita Johnson - albiej@uucfm.org
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SAVE THE DATE,
PARTY COMING!
Sunday, January 30th at Noon, the Generosity Campaign will host a party for all in the Screen Room. Beverages and ice cream will be provided. Bring your own sack lunch and be ready to be entertained.
Details to follow.
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Faith Exploration Program
for Children and Youth
The Food Drive Ends on January 9th. Thank you all for participating. Place your Tuna, soup, mac and cheese and hamburger and tuna helper - or other perishable items - into Karen Brown's gold Honda in the parking lot across from the Screened Porch.
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Last week our youth walked the labyrinth and talked about renting a raised bed in the garden as a community service project. More to come..... Karen J. Brown can be reached at 862-432-0173 or uudrek@gmail.com for any questions about our program.
Warmly,
Karen Brown, Acting Director of Faith Exploration
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REACH Campaign
The special campaign for our new minister
GOOD NEWS! HERE IS THE FINAL REACH REPORT
THANK YOU, Generous Members and Contributing Friends of this Congregation! We are delighted to announce that we have met our goal for the REACH Campaign: The Special Campaign for our New Minister. A total of $50,840 has been committed by thirty-eight committed and hopeful households. Thank you, everyone, for your faith in the future of UUCFM!
Many thanks from your Stewardship team:
Nancy Hutchins StewardshipVP@uucfm.org;
Len Cohen StewardshipComm@uucfm.org;
Judy Burget, David Hutchins, Bill Petrarca, Suzanne Ziemer.
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Appreciation Gifts for Staff
This holiday season, the Personnel and Finance Committees are resuming our traditional recognition of our staff’s faithful “above and beyond” service to our Congregation. Please consider a generous donation to show our love and appreciation. Envelopes will be available in the Sanctuary during in-person worship services, or you can send a check into the office or make a Paypal contribution marked “Staff Gift.” Thank you for your generosity.
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Building Community Safety For All | |
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The MACC
The Music and Arts Community Center
2021 - 2022
Season Tickets
On Sale Now
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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Truth and Democracy Women's March/Fair
There is a Truth and Democracy Women's March/Fair taking place in Naples on January 15. Click the link if you want more info and would like a free ticket.
Click here
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This month, our newly formed Youth Group decided to start a Food Drive. Our gifts of food will be given to the South Fort Myers Food Pantry. We know that the food pantry needs tuna, soup, and mac & cheese. They can also use hamburger and tuna helper.
Be sure to look at expiration dates!
After you take a right onto the campus from Shire Lane, proceed down the parking lot, round the bend, and Karen's gold Honda will be across from the Screened Porch. Place your food onto the floor or seat.
The Food Drive will end on January 9.
Thank you in advance for participating!
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Please Share Your UU Story
The Membership and Stewardship Committees are hoping to receive your reflections about either or both of the following:
Why I became a UU.
Why your membership in UUCFM is important to you.
We would love to be able to share these reflections with the Congregation in various ways. If you want to remain anonymous, please indicate that.
Send your stories or reflections to Nancy Hutchins at StewardshipVP@UUCFM.org.
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UUMUAC MONTHLY "THIRD WEDNESDAY" WORSHIP SERVICE
For January and February, 2022
7:00 pm Central Time (8:00 Eastern, 6:00 Mountain, 5:00 Pacific)
The Religious Professionals Task Force of the Unitarian Universalist Multiracial Unity Action Council is sponsoring "Third Wednesday" evening worship services on the third Wednesday of each month. To get Zoom information, whether for the next Worship Service or those in subsequent months, please send your name, email address, and congregation (if any) to richard3point@gmail.com.
DATE: January 19
PREACHER: Rev. Dr. Mellen Kennedy
SERMON: "Medicine for Our Times ~ Living the Legacy of Howard Thurman"
DESCRIPTION: Howard Thurman's life and teachings are the perfect medicine for our times. Thurman was called, "a saint of the Civil Rights Movement", by Rep. John Lewis. Thurman was a universalist, a mystic, an outstanding preacher, a scholar and a professor at Howard University and also Boston University and one of the most influential African Americans of the last century. He had a profound impact on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. You're invited to join us as we learn from and let Thurman's insights, challenges and paradoxes wash over us with hope. Our contentious world so needs his wisdom and healing words today. Thurman wrote and preached on the power of Negro Spirituals and the Springfield, VT, UU Meetinghouse Choir Director, Julane Deener and virtual choir, will join us with some great music for this journey.
DATE: February 16
PREACHER: Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels
SERMON: "Liberal Religion"
DESCRIPTION: Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion, not because of our progressive politics but because of our commitment to the ideals of liberalism. Liberalism in the classic sense is not an ideology, but a method for resolving conflict, gaining knowledge, and advancing toward truth. Our liberal approach to religion and to all that concerns us as religious people is a precious inheritance. Abandoning the principles of liberalism would mean losing an essential part of who we are.
For past services, type
"Third Wednesday UUMUAC services"
in the YouTube search box
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Big Opportunities for You…
Are you a helper?
Do you like to promote UUCFM?
Here’s your invitation to join the Membership Committee! The group is all about recognizing and encouraging new members through personal contact and planned events. There is one meeting per month, a chance to get to know other members AND to participate in activities like the November “Welcome Home” social. Contact Carole Latino, carolelatino@gmail.com
Another Opportunity…
UUDialogs is a lively discussion every Sunday after service; it’s live from Hobart Hall and simultaneously on Zoom. The talk is moderated by co-hosts. More co-hosts are needed, so check it out. Assignments are made around your availability. Talk to Carole Latino, carolelatino@gmail.com, to sign up, or get more info.
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New Connection Circles Forming
What? A Connection Circle is a small group meeting every other week for six sessions. Facilitators will lead discussion on a variety of subjects.
Who? Any members, friends or guests. Facilitated by trained leaders, Mary Cline Golbitz and Leslie Gatto.
Why? To get to know others and yourself on a deep and meaningful level. Confidentiality is protected to promote compassionate dialogue.
When? Either Thursdays or Sundays (Please plan to attend all six sessions of the circle you choose.)
Thursday Circle from 1:30 - 3:00 on January 13 and 27, February 10 and 24, March 10 and 24.
Sunday Circle from noon - 1:30 on January 9 and 23, February 13 and 27, March 13 and 27.
Where? Thursdays by Zoom or Sundays in person at church (location TBD).
How do I sign up? Contact Leslie by phone or text at 239.850.9664 or email at gatto.leslie@gmail.com to join or for more information.
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Monday Book Group
The UUCFM Monday Book Club will meet at 1 pm via Zoom on January 3 to begin its discussion of the UUA Common Read, Defund Fear: Safety without Policing, Prisons and Punishment by Zach Norris. Please read the Forward through Ch. 1.
If you’re joining for the first time, please email Mary Studer at mstuder929@gmail.com to get the Zoom link.
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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. We will reconvene our zoom group on Wednesday, Jan 5 from 1:30 until 3pm and discuss Part 1, pages 1-15. To add your email address to our list please contact: helen.leddy@gmail.com who will provide us with discussion questions for reflection.
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Ministry for Earth
UUA Ministry for Earth is the renamed Green Sanctuary to which UUCFM has a long and deep commitment. Recently the Unitarian Universalist Association has expanded the concept of Green Sanctuary into a broader category of activism and education.
Congregations are now finding partners who are committed to eco-justice in order to engage in climate change activism that includes climate justice. Here at UUCFM we are most fortunate to already partner with RESET, Pachamama, and the Bill Brewer Community Garden.
In re-energizing our Green Sanctuary program here at UUCFM, action and education are the tools our group will employ. UUCFM Ministry for Earth will strive to bring attention to many learning opportunities that motivate and activate a commitment to climate change knowledge and action.
Let us know of opportunities you become aware of so that we can share details with our larger community. Together we will push for environmental and climate justice.
Patricia Linhoff
freckles345@comcast.net
Karen Brown
uudrek@gmail.com
Michele Bellinger
shellbellinger17@gmail.com
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Poetry Group
Judi Dettorre & Cat Pivetti are starting a poetry group on Tuesday, January 4, which will meet from noon to 2pm every two weeks.
We plan to read and discuss a variety of poems and to spend some of our time writing to prompts, as well as to have meetings in which, if they wish, members may bring in their own work for discussion. This group will meet on-line, at least for now.
We’re really looking forward to this experience and to having you join us. Please e-mail either facilitator, Cat at joypivet@aol.com or Judi at judidet84@gmail.com, for more information and for links.
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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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Congratulations! You have ordered 60 commemorative bricks! We need 40 more orders to reach our goal of 100.
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
We still have garden beds for rent for anyone interested. New participants are gardening with us this year and we have a compost building project that will be adding vital nutrients and soil organisms to our beds for healthier vegetables and herbs. As the season progresses, we will be holding classes that will be open to the public. We also plan to bring some of our produce to the congregation after services on Sunday, once we have more to offer.
The Cub Scouts, who rent two of our beds, were busy planting Milkweed as a part of a learning experience, stressing helping the ecosystem. Two are by the gazebo and two in their beds.
Harvests have been made for about four weeks, which are going to food banks and an outreach café that prepares free meals. More beds have been planted and will be productive soon.
Prices are $85 for a 4 x 8 bed with automatic watering, $75 without.
Our year is from October 15th to the following September 15th.
Please contact garden manager Bonnie Jean Clancy
at familygardens@uucfm.org if you are interested in renting a bed.
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Play Reading Fun Group
The first meeting of this fun and exciting new group will take place Sunday, January 16th, 2022 at 12:00pm.
We will meet in the Screen Room to enjoy reading aloud with others. Previous theater experience is not necessary; it's purely social.
UU related plays and one acts will be furnished to start. We will have a blast writing plays, transferring favorite short stories into plays and be open to other sharing ideas. Tony Borras has done theater work and will be part of the group. Additional meeting times TBD after our first meeting.
Please bring your own bag lunch!
For further information contact Suzanne Ziemer at
239-463-9020 or via email at suzanneziemer@gmail.com
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Great Decisions 2022, a program sponsored by the Foreign Policy Association, has openings for its 21st season. The 8-week course will start on Thursday, January 20, and ends on March 10, 2022, and will be held in person at UUCFM.
The facilitator for the group is Bruce Leddy. Information about Great Decisions and the 2022 topics can be found on the FPA website at fpa.org.
For registration and information about the local group, contact Helen Leddy at helen.leddy@gmail.com.
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Office Hours:
Tues-Wed-Fri 9:00a - 2:00p*
Thu 11:00a - 4:00p
*Denise will be out of the office December 24th and December 31st
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