Weekly Communicator

Weekly Communicator

July 27, 2023

Sunday Service

Join us this Sunday at 10:30am in Hobart Hall or via Zoom

Join us this Sunday, July 30th in Hobart Hall at 10:30am for our Annual Blessing of the Animals Service. All well-behaved pets are welcome. If you have a shy or aggressive pet, a photo may be brought in and placed on our altar. There will also be an opportunity to honor pets that have passed on, so you may bring a photo of that loved one, as well. We will also be

streaming this service live on Zoom -- see link above. This is our weekly Sunday service- there will be no other service in the Sanctuary on July 30th at 10:30am.

Minister's Musings

"I have realized that when you rescue your pet from a shelter, it is the most amazing feeling in the world how this animal changes your life by giving it a better one." Zak Bagans

Happy July to everyone. I will be on vacation this month (and working hard to plan for next year). You can expect I will not be at regular meetings or corresponding on a regular basis, but please do not hesitate to reach out to me if there is something that you feel cannot wait. I am looking forward to serving you for another year and will see you in Fort Myers on August 13th. Have a great month.

revsue@uucfm.org

WhatsApp call or message: +506 8891 2847

Facebook Messenger: Sue Gabrielson

Skype: suegabes

Please send all newsletter articles by

12pm Wednesday for publication in Thursday's newsletter.

Send articles to newsletter@uucfm.org

Newsletter articles should be limited to 250 words. Send artwork or photos in jpg format. If multiple posting dates are desired, please include that in your request.

**Please do not send requests to the office manager email**

Special Community Sharing for July 30th

Gulf Coast Humane Society is a not-for-profit, no-kill, animal welfare organization established as the first non-profit animal welfare organization in Southwest Florida in 1947. They rely solely on donations, grants, bequests and fundraising events to further their mission of caring for the neglected and abandoned pets of Southwest Florida.

Their mission is to provide humane care for surrendered animals by offering refuge, providing medical care, and facilitating an adoptive home. Each year they take in more than 3,000 animals to find a forever home through adoption. Additionally, their spay/neuter clinic performs nearly 9,000 surgeries per year to help with our community’s overpopulation problem.

To help animals already in homes, they have over 15,000 patient visits to their wellness clinic and operate a robust pet food pantry, both efforts to keep families together.

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".

Richard Boynton

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Richard Boynton on July 17th. Arrangements are being made for a private memorial in the near future. In lieu of flowers, you may donate to any Alzheimer's foundation or organization.

Board of Trustees Meeting

The Board of Trustees meet on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 5pm. For August only, the meeting with be the 3rd Tuesday of the month.

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://zoom.us/j/91338742461

No password required.

There will be time for questions and concerns at the beginning of the meeting.

Our Welcoming Congregation

In these increasingly difficult times, we are working together to form a community where the experience of all is honored with attention and love, and where we strive to dismantle oppressions.

As we renew our Welcoming Congregation status in the face of the systemic oppression of members of the LGBTQIA+ communities, our congregation is looking at increasing understanding of Transgender people in particular and learning how to be true allies, while the targeting of Trans people in our state is escalating.

This week, Marge Gonzales said:

"We assume good intentions. As a participant in the committee working on Welcoming Congregation renewal, I assume good intentions especially here at UUCFM where we gather because we share common values. The question is how do we turn our generosity of thought into action. A first step is by becoming informed. I am hopeful that many of my fellow congregants will join me in reading Trans Allyship Workbook by Davey Shlasko. As our state becomes more perilous for marginalized people, we are called to provide warmth, safety, and understanding."

For more information about the Welcoming Congregation Renewal Committee or suggestions for books to read next after Trans Allyship Workbook, contact Cat Pivetti.

"Let Freedom Read!"

"Let freedom read!" is the American Library Association's slogan for Banned Books Week in October of 2023. Since our Library celebrates Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, most of its books have been, are currently, or probably soon will be banned in parts of Florida. Please join us in our act of rebellion. Read a book for freedom, and help us protect Democracy by helping us protect our freedom to read and our children's freedom to read!

Stop by the Library table in Hobart Hall after the service and choose your own story of rebellion. For more information about the DEI Library, or if you'd like to volunteer, contact Cat Pivetti.

Save the date

UUCFM members are encouraged to volunteer, participate and join the fun.

Come to a Free Show and support our Summer Camp artists!

Musical Theater Group will perform Mean Girls JR. on the stage of Music & Arts Community Center. The show is free to attend.

Friday, July 28 at 3pm

Music & Arts Community Center

13411 Shire Ln, Fort Myers

Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the wild and vicious ways of her strange new home: suburban Illinois. How will this naïve newbie rise to the top of the popularity pecking order? By taking on The Plastics, a trio of lionized frenemies led by the charming but ruthless Regina George. Cady and her friends devise a "Revenge Party" to end Regina’s reign with Cady going undercover as an aspiring Plastic. When the lines between the real Cady and her Plastic self get blurred, she must find her way back to herself and her true friends.

Attack on Community UU Church in Plano, TX

Early on the morning of Sunday, July 23, 2023 Community Unitarian Universalist Church in Plano, Texas was the target of a firebomb attack. Luckily, no one was injured and damage to the building was contained to the front entrance area. We offer our praise to the local first responders, including police and fire personnel, for their work and to the CUUC staff and leadership for their quick response. A worship service was able to be held in the building on Sunday morning.

The incident has been difficult for the congregation and staff as it is being investigated as a potential hate crime. Being a liberal congregation in an atmosphere of mistrust and hate is difficult during these times. Things are also complicated since the congregation is in the midst of a ministerial transition and their new minister does not officially start until August 1. The North Texas Unitarian Universalist Congregations, the local cluster, is working with CUUC and has encouraged them to contact UU Trauma Ministries for additional support.

Let’s fill their walls with loving cards and other messages to show them they are not in this alone. The congregation will also be collecting donations to help offset the cost of repairs. The mailing address for the congregation is:

Community Unitarian Universalist Church

2875 East Parker Road

Plano, TX 75074