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Weekly Communicator
December 15, 2022
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Minister's Musings
We welcome the returning light in the coming weeks. Please join us on Sunday the 18th as we mark the Solstice, the start of Chanukah and the fourth week of Advent.
UUCFM invites you to a special blue holiday service designed for those who might find the holidays difficult. If you have undergone a difficult loss, transition, or life change, the congregation cares about you and invites you to a special time of music and worship on Monday, December 19th at 5:00pm.
We will also have a special Christmas Eve Service on December 24th at 5:00pm.
And, regular Sunday morning services on December 25th and January 1st at 10:30.
See you soon! Rev. Sue
revsue@uucfm.org
WhatsApp call or message: +506 8891 2847
Facebook Messenger: Sue Gabrielson
Skype: suegabes
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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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Staff Appreciation
Our traditional show of appreciation for our staff is upon us. Please consider a generous donation to them in recognition of their service to UUCFM. We will be collecting your donation during the next 2 worship services when greeters will have donation envelopes marked “staff” for you as you arrive. For Zoomers, you can designate the amount in PayPal when you click on the Donate button. And, of course, good ol’ checks are always welcome.
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Community Sharing for December
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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Fort Myers Beach Baptist Church needs volunteers
Volunteers are needed to serve meals to the people of Fort Myers Beach. The volunteer hours are 10:30am for brunch and 3:30pm for dinner.
WHERE: 130 Connecticut St, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
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Joys and Concerns
Dear Friends,
Do you have joys or concerns that you would like to share with our community? We invite you to send them to Rev. Sue so that they can be published here in the newsletter.
I’ll be the first to share a joy. Charlotte Absalom, who is engaged to my grandson Paul Martin, is visiting from England for three months!
Marge Gonzalez. VP Membership
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Potluck after service this Sunday
There will be a potluck after service this Sunday. Please bring a dish to pass.
There will not be a coffee hour on December 25th or January 1st after service.
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Snowbird Follies: An Original Yuletide Revue-sical
Nomads from the north have been flocking to the sunshine state for well over 100 years. Come enjoy a whimsical musical yuletide celebration with a winking nod to Fort Myers' original snowbirds, Thomas Edison and Henry Ford.
From “Boogie Woogie Santa Claus” to “White Christmas”, this revue is playful journey through decades of holiday favorites, sprinkled with local history.
This brand new musical review has been conceived and created by renowned Director and Writer DJ Salisbury and our own Maestro Andrew Kurtz, with arrangements created by Julie Carver.
This feel good musical will bring a smile to your face and have you swaying in your seat as we get into the Holiday mood.
Running through December 18th. Click here for tickets.
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CUUPS Meeting
There will be a CUUPS meeting on December 15th at 6pm in Hobart Hall, in place of the New Moon Ritual. There will not be a potluck prior to the meeting.
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LISTENING CIRCLES REMINDER: Don’t forget to RSVP
The Stewardship Committee is calling us together in January in small groups so that we can share our concerns and hopes for our Congregation. These will meet in personal homes as well as at the Church. WE'RE ALL EARS!
These small get togethers will promote member-to-member communication as a means of strengthening our community. Please click on this link and choose the session you prefer, understanding that you may be asked to change as space is limited.
Light refreshments will be provided. If questions, contact Len Cohen or call 301.908.5752.
Please sign up ASAP and show up to share your vision with us.
In service to our Congregation,
UUCFM Stewardship Committee
Len Cohen, Chair
Nancy Hutchins, VP Stewardship
Bill Petrarca
Judy Burget
Suzanne Zeimer
Joan McDermitt
David Hutchins
Sue Roth
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SMALL GROUP MINISTRY - Connection Circle
UUCFM has a long history of Small Group Ministries. One of these is the Connection Circle. It's a way for newer and long-term members, those thinking of membership and guests to get to know each other and themselves in deep and meaningful ways, while exploring our Eight UU Principles. Participants are provided with Quotes and Questions prior to each session, then led in discussion by trained facilitators, Leslie Gatto and Helen Leddy. The next sessions will begin in January, in person on Sundays at NOON. Dates are: January 8, 15, 29 February 5, 12, 26, March 5 and 26. You are asked to make a commitment to all or most sessions.
Please email Leslie Gatto to secure your place in the group or if you have questions or call 239-850-9664.
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Being a Good Neighbor - A five-session course Starting Jan 23
The SWFL RESET Center is honored to offer this UUSC-inspired and funded 5-week series with the Rev Houston Cypress and leaders of 3 UU Congregations. We want you to be a part of it!
This will be presented on 4 Monday evenings starting Jan 23, online. The 5th and final session will be an in-person gathering at the UU Congregation of Fort Myers. This online course is a collaboration of the SWFL RESET Center, The Love The Everglades Movement , UUJF and three Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Ministries. UU Justice Florida and the UU Service Committee generously have funded this work.
We ask that participants commit to all 5 sessions, as the relationships and trust among all involved will grow over the weeks we spend together. To register click here.
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Coming Soon! New Horizons Music | |
2023 Florida UU Women's Retreat | |
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Brewer Family Garden Update
Our gardens continue to grow with help from volunteers. We had a great harvests of sweet potatoes, which were grown this summer as a cover crop. We also have our first batch of composted kitchen waste, added to three food bank beds. We invite everyone to come out and see what we are doing.
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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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