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Weekly Communicator
September 29, 2022
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Campus closed until further notice
Due to Hurricane Ian, the campus will remain closed until further notice. No programs will be held. Please do not come to the campus for any reason.
Items in this newsletter are subject to change because of this.
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Minister's Musings
I am holding all of you in the light as you endure this hurricane. We have plans for a service acknowledging the turning of the year in the Jewish tradition. But, we will be flexible. Perhaps we will cancel the service or simply open up the Zoom room to spend time with each other. Please look for announcement as we adapt to the circumstances that will evolve after the storm. It is likely that the campus will remain closed at least through Friday.
Sending love, Rev. Sue
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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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Revised Covid Protocol
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 ARE OPTIONAL BUT ENCOURAGED in the sanctuary during worship services.
- Masks are optional for coffee and other functions in Hobart Hall.
- In classrooms, the library and other small spaces, masks are still 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 via 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, UUCFM Board of Trustees
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NEWS FOR OUR ZOOM AUDIENCE
Each Sunday there will be a conversation with fellow Zoomers following service. When Rev Sue is appearing via Zoom, she will be there. Each week we plan to offer this Zoom fellowship opportunity. Unfortunately, it is not possible to incorporate the live and virtual audiences together.
Also, please remember to turn the Zoom video feed of yourself off when carrying your device or engaging in activities which are inappropriate for our congregation to view. This will not affect your ability to watch the service. Thank you.
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Board of Trustees Update
Your Board of Trustees met September 13th and covered a lot of ground. Genelle Grant and Karen Brown have both unfortunately resigned from the Board. We voted to approve Dorothy Van Howe as our new VP for Operations - welcome back, Dorothy! We are mulling over how to replace Karen, who had so much experience as a Religious Educator, in her role as VP for Programming. Our President Mary Studer has encouraged the Stewardship and Membership Committees to set goals, which we discussed. We then had a lively debate about our COVID policy, resulting in what you've already seen in the newsletter, and we hope it's well-received. We passed a motion to re-instate the Disruptive Behavior Policy, which Reverend Sue explained after last Sunday's service. We hope all of your questions were answered and stay tuned for updates on the committee's difficult work. Finally and most fun, we selected our Volunteer of the Month, Allie Carville!
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A THANK YOU NOTE FROM THE STEWARDSHIP TEAM
APPRECIATION FOR YOUR ANNUAL PLEDGE OR GIFT
We are at the half-way point in our budget year, and we THANK YOU for your GENEROSITY and your faithful support of UUCFM. You can expect a report on the status of your pledge early in October. Because of the nature of our software, it can only reaffirm what your pledge for FYE 2022-23 is and will let you know what remains to be donated by March 31, 2023. If you have any questions about the report or about any donations you may have made, please contact Denise at the UUCFM office 239-561-2700.
AND HOORAY FOR YOUR REACH CAMPAIGN DONATIONS!
Committed members of this congregation made 41 pledges or made additional gifts to the REACH Campaign totaling $51,840 last fall. We cannot thank you enough! These funds have
enabled us to search for a minister this year. We are so pleased that Rev. Sue and UUCFM have found each other. Most of the REACH donations have already been received—91%. We
hope for 100% by the end of this calendar year. Again, if you have any questions about the status of your REACH gift or donation, please contact the UUCFM office.
In gratitude, Your Stewardship team
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LET’S REVIVE THE AUCTION AT UUCFM
Attend a Zoom meeting on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 2pm to help us get started. We need your ideas, your enthusiasm, and help to make this possible. Working on the Auction, which is a short-term project, is great way to make a big contribution to our UUCFM budget and to have some fun. Initial plans are to held an auction mid-January, so we need to get started.
Please attend if you can:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/99175137758
If you cannot attend but would like more information or to volunteer to help, please get in touch
with Nancy Hutchins.
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Last week the GRACE Project (Guatemalan Rural Adult and Children's Education) shipped three large boxes to San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala. The boxes are full of women's hygiene products and teaching materials.
In November, GRACE Facilitators will work with 60 local teachers in Patulul, Sololá, who will then organize workshops for 3,000 women in their community over the next year.
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UUCFM Choir
We will be rehearsing in preparation for singing on Sunday, October 23 when Rev. Sue will be in-person with us for Sunday worship service.
We will meet at 5:30pm on the following dates:
Wednesday, October 5th
Wednesday, October 12th
Wednesday, October 19th
And then on Sunday, October 23 at 9:30am in the Sanctuary prior to the service.
When arriving for Rehearsals, please use the CENTER Sanctuary Doors.
If you have questions, please reach out to Suellen at music@uucfm.org.
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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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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."
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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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The gardens will be using many unrented beds for food bank production this year. Last year we provided over 1000 pounds of fresh produce to local food banks. We welcome your donations for this project. Each bed is $85 for the year; we will plant, tend, harvest, and share in your name when you donate. Thank you all who participate.
We also have some seeds on sale for $1; all proceeds will go to the gardens. Will be available Sundays after service in Hobart Hall.
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Volunteer Opportunities
Tech Team contact Walter Peterson or Alison Carville
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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