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Weekly Communicator
December 29, 2022
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Minister's Musings
It has been delightful to be with you all during the holiday season. Extra special thanks to all who made our holiday service possible.
We are sad to let you know that Suellen will no longer be our Music Director after January 15th. She has decided to move back home to Indiana where she can be closer to her children and her health care providers. Suellen has been a stabilizing presence at the UUCFM for years. She provided the continuity and UU groundedness during very challenging times as the congregation moved through several ministerial transitions, operated without a minister, navigated COVID and introduced remote forms of worship. We will miss her but are glad she will soon be closer to family.
Suellen will be playing this Sunday, January 1st. Sue will be in person and the topic is TIME. On the 8th, Jennifer Grant will lead the service with a wonderful service that examines the power of the language we use in a service entitled, “Wounded Words”. On January 15th, Suellen’s last day, we honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. (Sue will be Zooming in and this will be Suellen’s final service).
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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Out of Office
Denise and Mickey will both be out of the office on December 30-January 2, in celebration of the holidays.
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Community Sharing for January
ACT offers a 24-hour helpline, 3 safe shelters, children's program, counseling (both individual and group), an economic empowerment program which includes financial and health literacy, Injunction for Protection legal service, life skills education, job skills evaluation and training along with GED assistance and ESOL. In the non-residential outreach program, they provide long-term counseling, therapy and support, economic empowerment services, a rape crisis center where they do the forensic examinations, advocacy department that provides advocacy through the judicial system, and a legal program for Injunctions for Protection. They also provide community education, professional trainings, and prevention education. All services provided to victims of domestic violence and their children, and survivors of sexual assault, dating violence, stalking and human trafficking are available free of charge.
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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RELIGION WREATH - NEW IN NARTHEX
As you enter our Narthex, look to the right to admire the Religion Wreath painted mural that graces this wall. Designed and created by Genelle Grant, the symbols represent Earth-based Religions, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Islam, Christianity, and Indigenous Native Americans.
We UUs follow truth wherever it takes us and seek the best in every faith and creed. Genelle's mural illustrates this for all who visit us and view it. Many thanks.
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Joys and Concerns
With joy we recognize our five Members Emeritus! Each has previously accepted this honorary designation for elder members with prior years of long term exemplary leadership:
~Diane Buckley (former Congregational president) and
~Neil Yseu (founding leader of Caring Circle and Men’s group) together they joined UUCFM on Dec. 13, 1992—Thirty years ago;
~Betty Tobin (and late husband John, former Congregational president) joined in 1967—Fifty-five years ago; Betty has been a dedicated worker on behalf of the Holton Eco-preserve, potlucks, rummage sales and kitchen cleanups;
~Shirley Blumenfeld, (prior years of reliable service coordinating rummage sales, Dinners-Go-Round and potlucks) joined in 1996;
~Harvey Heckes, (former Congregational president) also joined in 1996.
On behalf of UUCFM, we celebrate our Members Emeritus with loving gratitude!
If you would like to see your joys and concerns published, please send them to Rev Sue.
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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.
Please sign up ASAP and show up to share your vision with us.
In service to our Congregation,
UUCFM Stewardship Committee
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Tai Chi for Meditation and Balance
Starting January 7, every Saturday morning 9:30 am at the UUCFM campus outdoors.
Free Will Love Donation
All funds will be used by the Bill Brewer Family Garden food bank beds.
Simple, relaxing movement program for all ages and abilities. Open to the public. Contact Bonnie Jean for info
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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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UUCFM Diversity OPEN Committee:
Understanding Cultural Competency – an interactive seminar on Race and Ethnic Relations
Mark your calendars: Jan 21, 2023, 9am-1pm in Hobart Hall.
You are cordially invited to participate in an interactive seminar on Race and Ethnic Relations facilitated by Dr. Barrion Staples, a local advocate for racial and ethnic justice and friend of the Congregation. Dr. Staples is offering this seminar in collaboration with the UUCFM OPEN (Our Purpose: Exclude Nobody) Diversity Committee.
This interactive seminar is experiential and is designed to promote positive race and ethnic relationships; not based on “blame and shame”. Race remains the unsolved dilemma in the United States, and the current polarization over the issue will persist as long there is a national taboo restricting honest discussion of group differences.
The mission for Race and Ethnic Relations seminars is to continue the principles of the Civil Rights Movement. This “Movement” must continue.
Dr. Staples is an active participant with Southwest Florida Voices for Racial Justice. Donations will be accepted at the event.
Sign-up by clicking this link
Contact: staples@raceandethics.com Phone: 941-237-0294
Dr. Staples Snapshot Bio
Dr. Barrion J. Staples is a product of The Civil Rights Movement and participated in activities that promoted the principles of the Movement. He was heavily influenced by the mentorship and friendship of the late Rev. Dr. C. T. Vivian. However, his most significant influences were from his father, Rev. A. Q. Staples, and his cousins, the legendary Staple Singers. The patriarch of the Staple Singers, Roebuck “Pops” Staples, conveyed to him the importance of breaking down the walls which divide all people that is manifested by prejudice and racism. His father, along with Pops Staples, often shared their experiences about growing up in the segregated south with similar experiences in the north.
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Being a Good Neighbor
Join members of 4 SWFL UU congregations and their allies for a 5-week curriculum in January and February 2023. This project has been generously funded by the UUSC and UUJF. Each of the four virtual sessions will include time with Rev. Houston Cypress, Miccosukee Tribe of Indians, Otter Clan, and co-founder of Love the Everglades Movement. Rev Cypress will add Miccosukee insights as we explore indigenous sovereignty, justice, and U.S. history from the perspective of indigenous people.
The first 4 weeks will be on ZOOM and the last session will be held in person at UU Congregation of Fort Myers in person. The course will include some suggested reading before each session.
A key component will be how the Miccosukee people relate to Nature and what we can learn about reciprocity and how we can become better allies from this connection. Register here for the whole series.
You will receive a response by email with the link and more information.
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15+ Meeting Announcement
There will be a meeting of the 15+ Group on Sunday, January 29, at noon, in the screened room of Hobart Hall. We look forward to spending some time together! The 15+ Group members have all been members of UUCFM for at least 15 years! Bring your coffee or snack with you, if you wish. Roy Green has agreed to become our new facilitator so we are working now on the changeover! Thank you Roy! Contact me if you have any questions or agenda items to add.
Ellen Erickson 239-218-4789.
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Bill Brewer Garden Update
We continue to harvest and replant beds for the food banks. Last week we harvested 100 pounds of sweet potatoes and assorted greens. Pictured are Rita and Holley doing “chop and drop” fertilization before sheet mulching and planting new plants.
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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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