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Weekly Communicator
June 23, 2022
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Join us June 26th for our special guest minister. Rev. Houston Cypress is a member of the Miccosukee Indian Tribe of Florida, Otter Clan, and is the founder of the Love The Everglades Movement. Cypress also serves as Advisory Board Member at Climate Crusader, Member of the Board of Directors at Unity Coalition / Coalicion Unida, Board Member at Camposition INC, Executive producer at Miccosukee World Media, Volunteer at Film Recording & Entertainment Council Inc., Consultant at Miccosukee Tribe Of Indians Of Florida, and former Production Assistant at Kimbo Productions. | |
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UU Dialogues
UU DIALOGUES IS ON HIATUS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING.
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Out of the Office
Denise will be on vacation from June 25-July 4. She will not be available by phone or email during that that time. She will answer all voicemails and emails as soon as possible when she returns.
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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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**Any requests sent to the office manager email while Denise is on vacation will not make it into the newsletter, as that email address will not be monitored during that time.** | |
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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 and UU Dialogues 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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Search Committee
The Search Committee has reported to the Board that we were unsuccessful in obtaining an Interim Minister. The UUA Transitions Team has indicated that there are several retired ministers who have offered to assist congregations in this situation, and a sub-committee of the Board of Trustees is pursuing that option. The Board is very grateful to the Search Committee members for all the effort and work they expended in the process and thank them for their service.
Mary Studer
President, Board of Trustees
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Community Sharing
The Finance Committee made a happy observation about the community sharing contributions:
Since we’ve returned to in-person worship, contributions to Community Sharing have returned to our earlier levels of generosity. At this time last year, contributions for the fiscal year were only $920, but this year they’re already at $2,503!
Members who aren’t at the service in-person can still contribute, by sending a check to the office or using the “Donate” button on the web page and noting on the PayPal screen that the donation is for Community Sharing.
Thank you for your generosity.
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Community Sharing for June
The SWFL RESET Center was founded in 2020 by UUCFM members and committed community activists seeking to be a positive force for change in SWFL. The RESET office is located on the UUCFM Campus. RESET contributes to the Community Gardens and will continue to partner with other organizations seeking to teach and practice regenerative agriculture, permaculture, and community leadership.
SWFL RESET Center offers ongoing free programs and online RESET Conversations educating the public about real solutions for Clean Water, and Environmental Justice in our bioregion. Check out our positive daily messaging called Earth Moments and help us spread the word by sharing, reflecting, and commenting on social media. Stay tuned for our upcoming programming called Being a Good Relative, a UUSC, UUFJ, RESET partnership about working with our Indigenous neighbors in the Everglades on Climate Justice.
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It’s not too late to sign up this week:
SPECIAL INVITATION FOR NEWCOMERS, Newer Members, Recent & Past Visitors
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June 26, July 10, & July 24 - 11:45am-1:15pm - Room 2 - Attendance for all sessions is optimal but not required. Sign-up by Friday appreciated but room for few last-minute show-ups.
- VP of Membership Marge Gonzalez will facilitate discussions, getting to know each other by sharing our spiritual journeys. And this week only, Bill Petrarca, Congregational President-Elect, will attend to discuss UUCFM future plans!
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Light refreshments will be served. RSVP judyburget@gmail.com - Thank you!
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Bring an Open Heart for an experiential journey with Miccasooki leader Houston Cypress. Please register in advance! More information and Free Tickets: http://ow.ly/eTPk50JyEgF | |
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Self Care Workshop
The Pastoral Care Team invites you to join us for a self-care workshop offered by Mary Tracy Sigman via zoom on July 1 from
1-2:30 pm. Please contact Mary Tracy for more information including the zoom link.
The workshop will include gentle seated movement, meditation and the opportunity for group sharing. We hope to offer these workshops on a monthly basis.
Mary Tracy Sigman is Dharma Teacher/Leader of Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Group of Fort Myers. She and her group have been with UUCFM since September 2010. Mary Tracy also has been serving on the Pastoral Care Committee since its inception, and she volunteers with local organizations, such as HOPE Hospice, United Way, Calusa Waterkeepers, Citizens Climate Lobby, and RTCW. She believes we cannot heal others unless we first heal ourselves, so Self Compassion is important for us all.
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July Services
The Lay Ministers and Worship Associates together with the Board of Trustees has set an alternative schedule for Worship Services in July. These changes are necessary for a number of reasons.
We look forward to our hybrid service this Sunday, June 26, with Rev. Houston Cypress.
7/3 GA Service
ZOOM ONLY
7/10 Mary Cline Golbitz
ZOOM ONLY
7/17 Mary Cline Golbitz
ZOOM ONLY
7/24 Guest Speaker: Mary Tracy Sigman
HYBRID
7/31 Blessing of the Animals
HOBART HALL Hybrid
On July 3, members and friends who want to meet in Hobart Hall at 10:30 am and watch the service together, with Social Hour after the service, we welcome you. The service(s) in Hobart Hall will be mask free for those who choose not to wear one. Anyone who feels ill should watch the service at home on Zoom. If you are autoimmune compromised, please decide for yourself whether or not to attend. We want everyone to be safe and free from Covid.
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Monday Book Group
The group is discussing Becoming Story: A Journey among Seasons, Places, Trees and Ancestors by Native American Greg Sarris. Contact Mary Studer for details.
Mindfulness Opportunities
We have two online sitting practices each week for you. We practice mindfulness and discuss a reading. If you don’t have the books, you're still welcome to sit with us.
The Monday sangha meets at 6:30-7:45 p.m. and is discussing Beyond Mindfulness by Stephan Bodian. Contact Mary Studer for details.
The Wednesday sangha meets between 10:00-11:30 a.m. in coordination with Caloosahatchee Mindfulness. Contact Helen Leddy for more information.
Social Issues Book Group
Our next book is RACE TALK AND THE CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE: UNDERSTANDING AND FACILITATING DIFFICULT DIALOGUES ON RACE by Derald Wing Sue. "If you believe that talking about race is impolite, or that 'color blindness' is the preferred approach, you must read this book. The book debunks the most pervasive myths using evidence, easy-to-understand examples, and practical tools."
TTo join us contact Helen Leddy helen.leddy@gmail.com or Helen Dixon helendixon9@gmail.com.
Poetry Circle
This is an ongoing Zoom group. New members can join at any time, and we really hope you will. Contact Judi Dettorre judidet84@gmail.com or Cat Pivetti joypivet@aol.com for more information.
We meet every other Tuesday from 1-3pm.
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UPDATE
We are well into the late spring and summer phase, promoting cover crops to nourish the soil and summer vegetables.
Pictured are Sunn Hemp, a cover crop, red veined Amaranth, a heat loving healthy green, and Beach Sunflower, a Native with deep roots (natures tiller).
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