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Weekly Communicator
September 8, 2022
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Minister's Musings
“Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all…” Emily Dickenson
Hope is so essential in our lives. In our moments of despair, hope is what allows us to persist. But what if we lose hope? How do we find it? This week’s service is entitle “A Resurgence of Hope”.
Please feel free to be in touch with me any time at revsue@uucfm.org or by Whatsapp at +506-8891-2847. And I will be with you again in person on Sunday, September 18th.
Here is my schedule for leading worship and when you can expect me via Zoom or in person.
9/11 Zoom
9/18 In person
10/2 Zoom
10/16 Zoom
10/23 In person
11/6 Zoom
11/20 In person
11/27 In person
12/11 Zoom
12/18 (evening vespers) In person
12/24 In person
12/25 In person
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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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Did you know?
As more and more events happen on campus, the newsletter is going to get longer. You may notice that part of the newsletter is cut off, depending on your email provider (Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, AOL, etc.) and your device (phone, tablet, computer, etc.). Just scroll down to the bottom of the newsletter, and click on the link, like the one shown below, to see the rest of the newsletter.
[Message clipped] View entire message
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Out of the Office
Denise will be out of the office on Friday, September 9th in observation of Labor Day.
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Sanctuary Safety Sunday Sept 18
After the Sunday Service on September 18, please plan to join together for a potluck lunch in Hobart Hall and then a Congregational Meeting until 3PM about safety in our Sanctuary.
Rev. Sue, once a police officer, will guide the Congregation through procedures which will enable us to collectively respond to a service interruption or an assault situation. We will discuss Sunday security measures for three areas of protection. This meeting will be a community-wide effort to increase safety for all of us.
It is important for the people who work and worship in the Sanctuary to attend; they include: Staff, Ministers, Worship Associates, Music Team, Tech Team, Ushers, Membership, and Volunteers.
Please save the date. We will see you soon! Thank you.
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Minister's Responsibilities | From Board of Trustees We are excited by Rev. Sue Gabrielson's new ministry with us. We feel we are off to a great start. The Board has received some concerns and questions about exactly what are reasonable expectations for a part-time minister? | | | |
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Home Hospitality
Many of you have had the pleasure of meeting Rev Sue in person. She (and sometimes her family) will be visiting Ft Myers once each month. October home hospitality for Rev Sue and her husband is needed for October 20-24. Bed, bath, and parking space required. Breakfast desired, but not required. Contact Helen Leddy for further information. Say "yes" to radical hospitality.
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Community Sharing for September
Quality Life Center's mission is to strengthen and instill pride in family and community through programs and services to cultivate self-discipline, self-development, build confidence and promote cultural awareness.
If you cannot attend in person, you can still donate by mailing a check to the office with "community sharing" in the subject line, or by using the "donate" button on the website and marking it "community sharing".
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Become a Literacy Buddy
The Social Justice Committee is encouraging you to enroll in this program. you will be assigned a 3 or 4 year old child in a preschool classroom. You will be given the child's first name, age, teacher's name, location of preschool and the child's preference of a topic. Three times during the school year you will be asked to buy a book for the child and include a personal note. You may volunteer to read aloud to your child's classroom but it is not required. Enroll by email: LiteracyBuddies, Helen Dixon, 239-633-4989.
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Board of Trustees Meeting
The Board of Trustees monthly meeting is at 5 PM September 13. If you'd like to attend, please click on this link.
Meeting ID: 822 6636 1031
Password: 966202
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CUUPS Annual Meeting
The CUUPs Annual Meeting will take place on Thursday, October 20 at 5:00PM in Hobart Hall at the UUCFM. This Meeting will take place before the Potluck dinner and the New Moon Ritual scheduled for that evening.
According to the CUUPs Bylaws:
"Members will be notified of the meeting at least thirty days in advance by Chapter Coordinators.
The right to vote shall be reserved to those CUUPS members who have been involved more than 60 days and paid annual dues for current membership no later than thirty (30) days prior to the date of voting."
Please send nominations for Co-Chair and Secretary positions to: salerno.danielle@gmail.com by September 20.
If you wish to send in your annual dues for current membership, please leave it in the Office or send the $20 (twenty dollars) by check, by September 20, to:
CUUPS attn: Carole
UUCFM
13411 Shire Lane
Ft. Myers, FL 33912
Thank you. Blessed Be.
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CONNECTION CIRCLE
Would you like to connect with others at UUCFM? Connection Circles are a great way for new UUs and guests as well as long term members to get to know others. These circles have a long standing history in our congregation and have been well received by those who participate.
Each session begins with a chalice lighting and reading, followed by a check-in and guided discussion. The topic is sent out several days in advance of each session with quotes and possible questions for discussion. Mary Cline Golbitz and Leslie Gatto co-facilitate.
The next six session circle will be held on the first and third Thursdays at 1:30 via Zoom beginning in October. The dates are 10/6, 10/20, 11/3, 11/17, 12/1, and 12/15. We ask that you make a commitment to attend all sessions, but exceptions can be made.
Please contact Leslie Gatto at 239.850.9664 or gatto.leslie@gmail.com to sign up.
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November trip to Guatemala | |
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SAVE THE DATE! Saturday Nov 26, 10:00am-3:00pm
Save your seeds and starts too!
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We will be beginning a new season soon and are looking for people who may want to rent beds starting October 15. September is a good time for questions, tours of the garden and signing up,
This year we will be designating a group of unrented beds as Community Food Bank beds, and some for fundraising (produce and herb sales).
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Volunteer Opportunities
Tech Team
It truly takes a team of volunteers working behind the scenes to make hybrid worship possible. After more than two years of this experience, we are asking the congregation to come forward to join this team.
You do not need to have an extensive amount of previous computer & tech experience - just a willingness to learn! We are willing and able to help you learn.
There are both in-sanctuary (tech and equipment set-up and audio/sound tech) and from-home (Zoom Moderation & Virtual Ushering) positions available. Please let us know your preference.
Contact Walter Peterson or Alison Carville for more information.
Brewer Family Gardens
We will be seeking volunteers; you can come weekly, occasionally or even once to help plant, harvest, weed etc. If you know of a youth group, a sister church, any non- profit that could volunteer, let us know.
Sunday Social Hour Kitchen Help contact Dorothy Van Howe
Band/choir contact Suellen Kipp
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Covid Protocol Update
The efficacy of vaccines and treatments has significantly reduced Covid’s danger for most of us. As a result, the protocols for campus events have been revised:
- Masks will continue to be required in the sanctuary during worship services.
- Masks are optional for coffee and other functions in Hobart Hall.
- In the library, classrooms, and other small spaces, masks are required UNLESS everyone present agrees otherwise. We’ll continue to be respectful and protective of those of us whose immunity is impaired.
- Worship services will continue to be available on Zoom.
Although the Covid risk level will continue to fluctuate, I’m sure all of us hope the worst of the pandemic is behind us. We’ll continue to monitor the risk and change the guidelines as needed to protect our congregation.
Please reach out to me with any questions at UUCFMPresident@UUCFM.org.
Namaste,
Mary Studer
President, Board of Trustees
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