Weekly Communicator

Weekly Communicator

April 27, 2023

Sunday Service

Join us this Sunday at 10:30am in the Sanctuary or via Zoom

https://zoom.us/j/5264858673

Minister's Musings

A leader is best when people barely know he or she exists, when their work is done, their aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves. —Lao Tzu

This week, we welcome Jennifer Grant (our fabulous worship associate and president elect) to the pulpit. I have had a chance to preview her service and message, don't miss it! I will be back in town on May 6th. Please be in touch if you would like to set up a meeting or need anything from me while I am there. See you soon. Rev. Sue

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

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

Your UUCFM Tech Team would like to share a few Zoom 101 reminders:

Please make sure your Zoom Name is your name. This helps our tech team know the human behind the screen before admitting you into the meeting. If we feel that a name might be suspicious, we will message you in the Waiting Room and ask you to rename yourself. We can also do this for you if you are having technological difficulties.

To do this while you are in the Waiting Room or in the meeting for Worship Service, go to the Participants button at the bottom of your screen. Go to the right of your name and select “More.”

Then, click “Rename.” A box will pop up with your current name, and you will be able to type in a new name there. Click “Rename” in that box after you have edited your name.

If you are not speaking, please remember to stay muted. Make sure the Microphone icon on the bottom left of the black screen in the meeting has a red diagonal line through it.

Remember that you are always on camera. Need to yawn, sneeze, blow your nose, or something you don’t want us all to see? Stop your video for a moment. You can do this by clicking on the video icon in the bottom left corner.

Please be fully dressed. Any nudity will not be tolerated, and you will be removed immediately, and not allowed back in.

Community Sharing for April

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.

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".

Facebook

Note from Marge Gonzalez

Be sure to visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/UUCFM — full of wisdom and exciting stuff about what is going on at UUCFM.

Denise, our wonderful Office Manager, cannot be everywhere, so I want to ask you all to get out your phone and take a picture or a video if you see something interesting or amusing on campus or in your group or committee. Then send it along to Denise so she can share it with all of us on our page.

An example photo can be seen above. This is how your Board team builds.

Short videos welcome!

CUUPS

April 29th

At 2pm, join herbalist Beatrice Muhlenbruch for an in-depth look at the revered Tulsi Holy Basil plant. Discussion will include history, properties, uses, and considerations for working with this herb in your daily routines.

What to bring: A favorite mug to sample some Holy Basil tea, a notebook/something to take notes or write with, and anything you need to be comfortable. Group will meet in the Screen Room the outdoor amphitheater space depending on the weather.

Contribution of $20. Sign up here.

At 5pm, we will be gathering by the fire circle to celebrate the next turn of the wheel which will be Beltaine. All are welcome to join us. We will honor the season, dance around the maypole and after have a potluck feast with community and storytelling. Bring a chair, instruments and food to share after with community.

Newcomers & Visitors Event

This Sunday

April 30, 11:45-1pm in Room 2

Newcomers, repeat visitors, and newer Members looking to strengthen connections with UUCFM, are cordially invited to a small group gathering, meeting after the Sunday service in Room 2, just across the courtyard. Our Unitarian Universalist Principles will be featured in this discussion. How might they guide our decisions?

Please come—You’re welcome to stop by Hobart Hall to pickup a beverage and/or a napkin of nibbles to bring with you. Sign up is appreciated.

Monday Book Group

The Monday Book Club will continue reading How the Other Half Eats by Priya Fielding-Singh. This Monday, May 1, we will meet on Zoom from 1:00-2:30 pm to read chapters 8, 9, and 10. For more information, contact Judi Dettorre.

GA Delegates

This year's General Assembly will include work on shifting from the 7 Principles to a new way of expressing what we strive for. You can learn more by representing us as a delegate for the Assembly June 21-25. You may attend in person in Pittsburgh or online. Contact Mary Studer for more information and registration.

BOT Update

Your Board met on April 11th, and this will be the last blurb for us in the Communicator, because we are producing our own email blast, coming soon...drumroll please...The Shire Crier! Keep an eye on your inbox for important updates from the Board of Trustees and more thorough members-only summaries. The minutes from our meetings going back to April of 2022 will be posted on the UUCFM website, as we aim to be even more transparent and visible going forward. At the April meeting Reverend Sue updated us on the search for the Music Director (success!), Pati presented the Treasurer's report, and we finalized our new and improved Animal Policy. We discussed the upcoming General Assembly, our relationship with the Committee on Shared Ministry, and we voted unanimously to join the Interfaith Climate Action Committee. We discussed a new marketing initiative, handed the selection of Volunteer of the Month over to the Membership Committee, and selected our VOM with great rejoicing - Mary Gayle Skinner!

Volunteer of the Month

Mary Gayle

Mary Gayle has been a longtime member and volunteer and has served as our Offering Counter for a long and very appreciated time. Mary Gayle is the unsung hero of money counting. Every week she partners with, and often schools, a board member tin tallying up the offering.

We have all come to depend on her and want to recognize and celebrate her utter devotion to the task. Thank you, Mary Gayle!

The Welcoming Congregation and Equal Rights Committee invite you to GET INVOLVED!

Each year the UUA asks Welcoming Congregations to engage in a renewal process. This year, as anti-LBGTQ legislation is proposed across the country, and especially in our own state, the renewal process provides a particularly meaningful opportunity for all of us to side with love. Some of the current resources available to us are exciting, and we look forward to exploring them.

We are currently meeting to work on our renewal and to join in action for justice and equity. If you are interested in working with us on this, please contact Cat Pivetti.

Area Events of Interest

PACE Center for Girls Funky Florida Fashion Show

The FUNky Fashion Show is your chance to observe the creativity of Southwest Florida as local businesses and artists recycle and repurpose materials to create one-of-a-kind fashion wear in hopes of claiming the prized Funky Fashion trophy.

The return of the Funky Fashion Show will kick off at 6:00pm at Moose Lodge #2199 in Cape Coral located at 155 Santa Barbara Blvd North. In addition to dinner and the fashion show, there will also be a silent auction and raffle prizes. Tables of four or eight are available, as well as VIP tables with dedicated celebrity waiters. Follow this link to reserve your table now or use the QR code below.

Razzle Dazzle Boutique will also be sharing their latest ready-to-wear clothing!

Pace provides girls and young women an opportunity for a better future through education, counseling, training, and advocacy.