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Weekly Communicator
October 27, 2022
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Minister's Musings
E B White from Charlotte’s Web
"You have been my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing. I wove my webs for you because I liked you. After all, what's a life, anyway? We're born, we live a little while, we die. A spider's life can't help being something of a mess, with all this trapping and eating flies. By helping you, perhaps I was trying to lift up my life a trifle. Heaven knows anyone's life can stand a little of that.”
It was wonderful to be with all of you last week. My thoughts are with everyone as you continue to emerge from the trauma of Hurricane Ian. Please remember that there is still financial help available, just be in touch with me. I will look forward to seeing you all in November.
Hugs, 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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Events on Campus
If you would like to schedule an event on campus, please email Denise to get an Event Booking Request Form.
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New Office Hours
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 8am-1pm
Thursday 10:30am-3:30pm
Please call if you need to stop by the office, as office hours may vary slightly.
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Board of Trustees Update
The Board had a somber and somewhat abbreviated meeting on October 11th. The business we did address included the status of repairs to our campus and the campus closure/timeline for reopening, as well as our Pastoral Care successes and lessons learned from the storm. We talked more about the potential replacement for VP for Programming, and any interim youth programming and RE. We also selected the Volunteer(s) of the month - the Pastoral Care Team!
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Volunteer of the Month
The Board of Trustees would like to recognize our Volunteer(s) of the Month - the Pastoral Care Team! The team is Holley Rauen, Mary Tracy Sigman, Patricia Vivier-Naidl, Suzanne Ziemer, Mary Faegre, Mary Cline Golbitz and Gary Robbins. During and after Hurricane Ian the Team went straight into action reaching out to every possible member (they may not have gotten to everyone but they sure as heck tried) to ensure they were safe and what if any needs they had. They checked in with All Faiths, lined up volunteer help, visited people and were just complete superstars! Special thanks to Margo White who made many phone calls and checked on people as well.
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Quarterly Report to the Congregation
The Board of Trustees would like to share this financial report on the second quarter of the current fiscal year. The report shows actual revenue and expenditures through October 25 (just over 50% of the year) compared to the entire annual budget. Please note that revenues don’t reflect $21,165 in accounts receivable, and expenditures include $34,990 in expenses that will be covered by other funding sources. The “real” shortfall is $17,948, or 35% of the budgeted amount.
If you have any questions about UUCFM’s financial status, please contact Pati Maier, Treasurer.
The Board appreciates your continued support and generosity. If you have any questions about the status of your pledge, please contact Denise Greenwood, Office Administrator, at 239-561-2700.
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Hurricane Ian donations
All of us have been affected by Ian in many different degrees of loss and trauma. If you are able, I ask you to donate to the Minister Discretionary Fund to aid Rev. Sue in helping others recover from their losses. You can mail a check or use the Donate button on the lower right side on our website. You'll be able to designate your donation to the Fund by clicking on the + sign next to "Please let us know about this donation".
Thanks for your generosity in helping us all get through this.
Mary Studer
President, Board of Trustees
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Housing Needed
If you or anyone you know has an apartment or house to rent, please contact the Pastoral Care Associates via Mary Cline Golbitz by phone/text 207 479-4082 or email.
We have members and friends who need a new home after theirs were destroyed and we appreciate any help you can give.
Thank you so much.
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Notes from the Tech Team - Hurricane Ian Resources
If you would like to speak with Rev. Sue Gabrielson about the UU Disaster Relief Fund, here is her contact information:
revsue@uucfm.org
call, WhatsApp call or message: +506 8891 2847
Facebook Messenger: Sue Gabrielson
Skype: suegabes
Requests can be for just about any need you have as a result of Hurricane Ian and the aftermath: food, health care, clean up, housing costs, clothing, car repairs, “get back on your feet money”, loss of income. We will hold your requests in confidence and do our best to help.
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Caring Network:
Please call or text Lay Minister, Mary Cline Golbitz, at 207-479-4082 or email or additional email.
We are holding you all in our hearts, prayers and thoughts. Your Pastoral Care Team wants you to know that we are here for you. If you need some help that our volunteers can help with (such as running errands) or just want to talk or be connected we are here for you with open arms and open hearts.
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Physical Labor/Repairs:
If you need help with physical labor, John Jaecques mentioned he could help. He also has connections with HVAC professionals that could survey flooded AC units. Email him if you would like to connect with him.
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Community Sharing
Our Community Sharing partner this month is Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida. The mission of Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, an affiliate of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., is to provide affordable access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care and accurate health information through patient care, education and advocacy. This affiliate began operations in 1966 and presently provides vital sexual and reproductive health services, as well as comprehensive sexuality education to women, men and teens throughout southwest and central Florida.
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Hurricane Ian Multi-Faith Prayer, Song, and Ceremony Saturday, Oct 29, 9am
Riverside Community Center Park Playground, Fort Myers
Join Holley Rauen, Mary Cline- Golbitz, Maya Marta Sicajan, Rev. Dr. Neddy Astudillo, Latinx and Latin America Coordinator for Greenfaith Florida, and clergy from a number of faiths and cultures for a gathering of Healing Prayers and Intentions, and a Sacred Water Ceremony.
There will be music and offerings Bring a chair or a mat to sit on, sun hat, and clean water to drink and offer in the ceremony if you are so moved. Bring your open hearts. We will gather in the park by the Community Center near the playground.
If you have questions to want to help clean up the park to prepare (it needs it after the Hurricane) please contact Holley.
Sponsored by SWFL Pachamama Alliance, SWFL RESET Center and Greenfaith Florida.
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COME SHARE TOGETHER AT A THANKFUL PARTY
WHEN: Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24th
WHERE: Hobart Hall
Dinner at 1pm. Food provided. (Donation for cost)
Afternoon of sharing, music, singing, dancing and other activities.
Contact Dorothy Van Howe by Tuesday, Nov. 22nd to RSVP.
We need to know how many dinners to prepare.
COME AND ENJOY!
Thanksgiving Menu: Turkey with dressing and gravy, spiral ham, roasted rosemary potatoes, honey glazed carrots, assorted fruit, green salad, rolls with butter, and pumpkin pie--need a head count. Call or email Dorothy. Dinner at 1 pm.
Email or call 239-560-7238
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SAVE THE DATE! Saturday Nov 26, 10:00am-3:00pm
Save your seeds and starts too!
Join us as we welcome local plant and seed vendors, and knowledgeable permaculture experts on the campus of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fort Myers for a celebration of the abundance and nutrition that is available to all from seeds planted in family and community gardens.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A VENDOR?
We are adding to your list of vendors pertaining to gardening, planting, and growing and would love to have you. If you would like to have a table, submit this vendor request and we'll be in touch with details.
FUN FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY:
Tickets are free, however, a donation of $5 for adults to attend is encouraged and can be accepted on the event day. All proceeds will go to defray the costs of the event and bring more events to you from the SFWL RESET Center.
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ANTICIPATED GATHERINGS
The Stewardship team is planning some structured gatherings to be held in January. The purpose is supporting one another, strengthening our connections, and sustaining our community. We hope you will sign up to attend one of these gatherings when you get the invitation to sign up in December.
Are you in a position to host a gathering lasting 60-90 minutes for 10-12 people in January? Leadership will attend and lead the conversation and bring light refreshments unless you prefer to handle that part. We anticipate gatherings to be held in some homes, at UUCFM campus, and virtually. There will be options for dates and locations. If you feel you could host, please respond and let us know preferred dates or for more information.
Thank you and we look forward to being together. Stewardship Team: Len Cohen, Sue Roth, Nancy Hutchins, David Hutchins, Judy Burget, Joan McDermitt, Suzanne Ziemer.
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2023 Florida UU Women's Retreat | |
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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
Namaste,
Mary Studer
President, UUCFM Board of Trustees
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