Weekly E-News
February 6, 2020
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This Sunday, February 9th
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Our Sunday Service
begins at 10:30 AM in the William Miller Sanctuary. This Sunday, February 9th,
we have some special guests and hope you will join us and welcome them. The Rev. CJ McGregor from All Faiths Unitarian Congregation will be leading our service centered around generosity and love. We will also be honoring our Scouts. After the service, they will be offering us a delicious barbecue lunch. So please join us for food for body and soul.
Scout Sunday this Week, February 9th
Scout Troop 3300 will be presenting
Scout Sunday during the service on Sunday, February 9th. This is a short presentation at the beginning of our service performed by all of our Scout groups. Following the service, the Scouts will offer a luncheon for all on the Screen Porch. Donations welcome!
The Humanist Forum
meets every Sunday at 9:30 AM in Hobart Hall, sometimes in Room 7. All are welcome to attend. Join us as we engage in a new topic each week.
Our Community Sharing partner for February is
ACT (Abuse Counseling and Treatment Center).
Abuse Counseling and Treatment, Inc
. has been serving victims of domestic violence, their children, and survivors of sexual assault and human trafficking for over 41 years. They provide 3 emergency shelters, a 24-hour hotline, individual and group coun
seling and therapy, a children's program, education and professional training, information, and referrals. ACT is funded in part by the United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades and Okeechobee, Lee County, City of Cape Coral, Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Florida Council Against Sexual Violence, Florida Attorney General, and donations from the community.
For information please visit the Social Justice table in Hobart Hall. Opportunities to volunteer are available. Comprehensive information is available on line at:
ACTabuse.com
Thank you in advance for you generous giving.
Last month we raised
$1379.85
for the GRACE Project. Thank you all!
Sunday's Social Hour happens after the service every week at 11:45 AM. Come join us for coffee and snacks. Newcomers, visitors, friends, and members are all welcome. Sponsoring groups are the Women's Circle and CUUPs. Donations of food, snacks, or cash are welcome.
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Upcoming Events
The FUUn BUUnch
The FUUn BUUnch will meet on Saturday, February 8th at 6:00 PM at
Monarca's Mexican Restaurant
at the Edison Mall. (4125 Cleveland Ave.) Sign ups are closed for this event. Contact Linda for next time!
lindajensen50@gmail.com
Service Auction February 22nd
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The 2020 Service Auction will be Saturday, February 22nd at 5:00 PM in Hobart Hall. Tickets are $20 in advance and will be available in Hobart Hall after the service. Ticket price includes food and auction paddle. Drinks will be available for a donation. We now need services, gift cards, treasures and donations to auction off! Please donate your item online at
togetherauction.com/uucfm
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Permaculture Action at Pachamama Tonight
What's that? Come find out at the next Game Changer Gathering,Thursday, February 6, at 6:30 PM which features our Special Guest Presenter, Sharon Joy Kleitsch.
Sharon Joy hails from The Institute of Noetic Sciences, Florida Interfaith Climate Action Network, and Connection Partners in the St. Pete/Tampa Bay Area. She is all about bringing our movements in Florida into "Whole System Engagement" for positive change. This means taking "Permaculture Action."
Creating a sustainable culture--a Permaculture--goes beyond addressing the environment. In fact, as Sharon Joy will demonstrate, there are seven different pathways for us to consider as we work toward creating positive change. Because we all want to preserve life, the well being of our communities, and the healthy existence of our earth, we need to do what we can to be a part of the "New Story." So we need to ask ourselves, "What is my gift to share at this time, based upon what is needed?"
Sharon Joy will be introducing us to the "Seven Domains of the Permaculture Flower." Don't miss this opportunity to raise your consciousness about and expand your ability to see the big picture...to help bring about sustainable cultural change.
Come journey with us tonight, February 6th at 6:30 in the Sanctuary.
Celebration of Life for Audrey Brown
There will be a celebration of Life service for Audrey Brown on Sunday, February 23rd at 3:00 PM in the UUCFM Sanctuary.
Ted and his family hope that all who are able will attend this joyful celebration of Audrey’s life. Everyone is invited to join in Hobart Hall after the program to have refreshments, share stories, and view some great pictures. Audrey loved parties!
Aloha Gathering March 22nd
The Membership Committee is pleased to announce the forthcoming Aloha Gathering, March 22nd, starting at 12:00 noon, in Hobart Hall. This will be a Potluck Event to celebrate joyful goodbyes and hellos. The Aloha Gathering is being held to welcome the New Member Class of 2020, bid adieu to our beloved Snowbirds (have a great summer!), recognize standout volunteers for the year, and laud membership milestones.
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Groups & Classes
Women Singing in Sacred Circle
Women Singing In Sacred Circle, facilitated by Shelley Graff, is an opportunity for each woman to look into her sister’s eyes and share voice and spirit through song. While learning short, repetitive women-centered and earth-based songs/chants from a wide variety of traditions, power rises from the center of the circle as all voices create an energy that is both empowering and healing.
This opportunity is intended to allow women, regardless of singing experience, to share their voices in a noncompetitive, relaxed safe space. Percussion instruments are welcome. Come sing along! Please contact Shelley Graff:
Wednesday Connection Circle
Want to connect on a deeper level with other UUCFM members, visitors, and friends? Then come to the Connection Circle on Wednesdays from 4:30-6:00 pm beginning
January 8, 2020.
Our circle will be meeting every week for 6 weeks so the meetings will be January 8, 15, 22, 29 and February 5th and 12th. Small group Connection Circles like this help promote bonding in a supportive atmosphere through facilitated discussions on spiritual topics that pertain to you and your life. Come join us in Room 2 and discover more about one another and about yourself. For more information and to register please contact Mary Cline Golbitz at
Women's Circle and Potluck
On Tuesday, February 11th, there is a noon potluck in Hobart Hall for the Women's Circle. Entertainer and speaker Shelley Graff will be describing "Women Singing in Sacred Circle", which she will be offering as a small group at UUCFM. She will lead us in songs and chants, and percussion instruments will be available. We'll share our voices in a relaxed and non-judgemental space. Suggestion, wear RED for Love for the coming Valentines Day. Besides wearing RED, we are collecting nice objects for a Women's Circle Basket for the Service Auction on the 22nd. Please bring something for the Basket. Contact Suzanne Ziemer, 239-463-9020,
suzanneziemer@gmail.com
The
Men's Social Group
meets the second Tuesday of each month at 11:45 AM at Cross Creek Country Club (off Daniels at Cross Creek Blvd). This is time for UUCFM men to get together for fun, conversation, socialization, and lunch. Put this on your calendar and bring a friend. If you’re new to the UUCFM Men’s Social Group, please RSVP to Denis Jensen at
dalanjensen@gmail.com
Dreamwork Group
Come discover the wisdom of your dreams. Learn to interpret your dream symbols and unique dream language as well as the universal archetypes throughout. Participate in the safety and support of a caring group where we share dreams and learn the concept of "Projection," taking responsibility for what we contribute.Reservations: Debra Leigh, Facilitator
dreamrookery7@gmail.com
or (831) 818-1418. We meet in Room 2 from noon till 1:45 PM on the following Sundays-January 19, February 2, February 16, March 1, and March 15.
Caloosahatchee Mindfulness
and UUCFM members
invite participants to join our weekly meditation book group. The group meets weekly on Wednesdays from 10:00 to 11:30 AM in Room 3. Please contact Helen Leddy if you want to join.
The UUCFM Choir
rehearses most Wednesday nights from 6:30-8:00 pm, and some Sunday mornings at 9:30 in the sanctuary. It's free and there are no auditions. Come join us in singing! Contact Suellen Kipp for details:
music@uucfm.org
The UUCFM Band
rehearses most Wednesday nights from 5:45-6:15 pm, and some Sunday mornings at 9:00 in the Sanctuary. Are you interested in playing an instrument with the UUCFM band for worship? If so, please schedule an audition time with me by email. Come join us in making music together! Suellen Kipp, Director of Music.
music@uucfm.org
Mindfulness Meditation
Come explore the simple and satisfying practices of Mindfulness Meditation. You don’t need experience with meditation, nor do you have to be a Buddhist. Please bring intention to quiet the mind and body in a supportive group of UU members and friends with a similar intention - people who want to carry mindfulness into their daily lives. We meet
Mondays from 6:30-8:00 PM
. Contact Gary Robbins at 302-540-5899.
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The Book Club
meets Wednesdays at 1:00 PM in the Library. All are welcome to join in facilitated discussion and group bonding. Our current book
is called
Love Your Enemies
by Arthur C. Brooks. It is about how decent people can save America from the culture of contempt.
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News
Art in the Narthex
The artwork in the Narthex this month was done by Joan Hickok. The collages are "painted" with a palate of color torn from magazine pages and then pasted together to form a painting. Joan has been painting and creating many different art forms since she was a child .Joan has taught classes in watercolor, glass painting, fabric painting and jewelry making.
Each month a new artist will be featured on our Narthex wall. If you would like to be a member of this group email Priscilla at:
jeffcoatp@comcast.net
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Guided Campus Walk
Twenty Two stops are on the guided walk of our campus. We will start from Hobart Hall and visit the Miller Sanctuary, Nature Trail, and more, and end at the Labyrinth by the Family Gardens. We walk after the Sunday Service at Noon. Please wear comfortable walking shoes. Reservations required. Contact
Patricia Linhoff
at
freckles345@comcast.net
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Transition Team: Update
The Transition Team and the Board of Trustees invite you to sign up for a Member-to-Member Listening Group. We want to hear from all our members to help us plan for a Developmental Ministry. We’ll spend some time talking about our Goals and transition into a conversation about where you feel we should be headed into the future. Please sign up to participate in our Narthex. The dates are Feb. 16, Feb. 23, and March 8. Once these groups have been filled, we will put out more sign-up sheets. We will find a way to talk to members who want to have a conversation and can’t make any of the Sunday dates. Talk to any member of the Transition Team if you have any questions about the Listening Groups. The Transition Team Members are:
Anthony Borras, Karen Brown, Lane Cook, Karen Feinen, Roy Green, Walter Ittenbach, Bill Petrarca, Patricia Vivier-Naidl
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South Fort Myers Food Pantry
How do we nurture those who are hungry? Give to the Food Pantry. We all have the power to make sure our neighbors go to sleep with a full stomach. When you think about people being hungry, do you think of people all over the world? Do you think about people who might be living close to you? The hungry exist everywhere - even in wealthy communities. Here are some things you can do.
1. Bring in non-perishable food to our congregation every Sunday. Places like the Dollar Store have wonderful buys on soup and other canned fruit and vegetables. Look for BOGOs. Protein items are a good pick - canned meat or fish, meals in a can such as beef stew, spaghetti and meat balls, or ravioli. Some seniors like Ensure. Fran Rose informed us that the pantry is receiving less free food from USDA.
2. Start a great habit by giving up expensive coffee drinks and putting your savings into a jar to donate to the Pantry.
3. Put food items you buy for the pantry near your front door at home so you don't forget to bring them. The Food Pantry basket is in the Narthex (the large room before you enter the Sanctuary).
4. Respond to requests for all food drives even when all you may be able to afford is a jar of peanut butter.
5. And last, perk up when you hear the words 'food drive' and remember that your Social Justice Team is your vehicle to help nurture people who might otherwise go without.
If you would rather give monetary donations to the South Fort Myers Food Pantry, send a check to: South Fort Myers Food Pantry Coalition, Inc., 8260 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33919.
Gratefully yours,
Social Justice Team at UUCFM
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The UUCFM Office will be Closed on Wednesday, February 12th
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A Special Thank You to Member Judy Burget who donated a flat screen TV to the Religious Education Welcome Table! Thank you so much, Judy!
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Did you know your purchases can help us? AmazonSmile donates to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers when you do your online shopping by following this special link to Amazon:
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Want to Become a Member?
If you are interested in becoming a new member, please pick up a Membership Kit Sunday mornings in the Narthex or in the office during the week. Thanks!
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Our Greater Community
Please submit only articles regarding programs from our renters, community sharing partners, or greater UU news. Thank you!
Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Group
The Rissho Kosei-kai group meets Sundays at 2:00 PM in Room 1. We do not meet on 5th Sundays.
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All Faiths Congregation Concert
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Happy Birthday!
February 7 Stephanie Hoffman
February 9 Katie Ireland is 13!
February 9 Don Maron
February 12 Jan Beemer
February 17 Tom Sizemore
February 24 Mary Alice Pierce
February 26 Don Ehat
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Please send all newsletter articles by Wednesday at noon for publication in Thursday's newsletter. Send articles to
newsletter@uucfm.org
UUCFM | 13411 Shire Lane Fort Myers FL 33912
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