Weekly E-News
January 9, 2020
|
|
This Sunday, January 12th
|
Our Sunday Service
begins at 10:30 AM in the William Miller Sanctuary. This Sunday, January 12th, we bring you a service entitled
We Begin Again.
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 January is the
GRACE Project.
The Guatemalan Rural Adult and Children’s Education (GRACE) Project designs and delivers health, art, and teacher capacity-building programs for Latina, Maya and Mixteco women, youth, community leaders, and educators in Southwest Florida and in Central America.
The GRACE (Guatemalan Rural Adult and Childrens’ Education) Project began in 1997 and grew through collaborations between the Lee County School District’s Migrant Education Program, the Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking (FCAHT), the Florida Migrant Interstate Program at Florida Gulf Coast University.
The Director of the program is Genelle G. Grant, Ed.D, who has worked with indigenous and migrant farm worker families in Southwest Florida since 1993 and is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers.
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.
Worship Associate Update
The Worship Associates team would like to thank the many members who have encouraged us as we step back into planning services. We also appreciate those who contacted us to speak at Sunday services. We are in the process of scheduling guest ministers, outside speakers and members of the congregation. Those of you who expressed a willingness to speak will be contacted directly by one of the Worship Associates in the future. Please be assured that the nine trained Worship Associates, together with the Music Team, the Director of Religious Education, and the A/V team, will do our best to provide a meaningful worship experience each Sunday.
Sincerely,
Leslie Gatto
and
Jennifer Grant
, co- chairs
|
|
Board of Trustees Meeting
There is a UUCFM Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday, January 14th, at 6:30 PM in the Administrative Office.
|
|
Kitchen Work Party
The OPS committee would like to thank the following members for keeping UUCFM clean and tidy while our Building Supervisor, Mickey, was on vacation. They are:
Debra Leigh, David and Nancy Hutchins, Don Maron, Helen Dixon, Judy Burget, Margie Kolde, Carol Ann Ungerleider, and Mary Alice Pierce.
We are having our annual Kitchen Work Party on Monday, January 13th at 9:30 AM. Please feel free to join us at any time that morning.
Thanks,
Dorothy Van Howe
OPS chairperson
|
The FUUn BUUnch
The FUUn BUUnch will resume on Saturday, February 8th at 6:00 PM at
Monarca's Mexican Restaurant
at the Edison Mall. (4125 Cleveland Ave.) Those UUs who participated there last year gave the restaurant rave reviews. The FUUn BUUnch offers opportunities to meet other UUs and to enjoy a good meal at the same time. You can order from their yummy menu, and pay for your own tab. You don't want to miss this. RSVP to Linda Jensen,
lindajensen50@gmail.com
by Feb 4. See you. Adios. Linda
|
The Covenant of UU Pagans:
There are tiers for tickets, $25 day passes, $75 weekend passes, and $88 weekend passes includes Saturday Cycle of Season's Feast. More Details are on the Brown Paper Ticket site.
Vendors: $20.00 plus weekend pass. Tent Set Up is Friday, Jan. 31, 2020 between 2PM-4PM. Gates open at 5PM, Opening Ritual 6PM.
|
|
Groups & Classes
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
Additional Connection Circle
Another Connection Circle is forming and all visitors and new and longtime members are invited to join! Bond with others on a deep and meaningful level in this facilitated group by discussing different topics as they pertain to your life. Always lively and heartfelt, participation in the Connection Circle is a great way to meet new folks and to deepen connections to those you already know. This facilitated 6 session group will meet after Sunday services from 12:15 -1:45 PM in Room 7 on the following dates:
January 12, February 2 and 16, March 1, 15 and 29. Please contact facilitator, Leslie Gatto, for more information and to register. 239-850-9664 or
gatto.leslie@gmail.com
.
A Brand New Circle
There is a Connection Circle starting with Debra Leigh focusing on Compassion, Compassion burn-out, and Resilience. We will explore how to nurture and build inner resilience and resilience as a community. Sundays 12:00-1:45pm, Jan. 26, Feb 9, Feb. 23, March 8, March 22, & April 12. Please reserve your space:
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
Great Decisions
Want to learn more about China's Road into Latin America? Artificial Intelligence? Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking? Our Great Decisions group is now enrolling new participants. We meet for 8 Thursdays starting on January 23 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM in Hobart Hall. For more information, please contact Helen Leddy
helen.leddy@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.
A
rt in the Narthex
Our art display for the month of January was created by the religious education classes and features U.U. symbols and a large collage of watercolor squares made by the kids and put together by director and teacher, Jenn Blosser. I met some of the elementary students a few weeks ago and found them to be delightful children.
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
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
in the Sanctuary. Contact Gary Robbins at 302-540-5899.
|
The Book Club
meets Wednesdays at 1:00 PM in the Library. All are welcome to join in facilitated discussion and group bonding. We are reading
On the Brink of Everything
, by Parker Palmer. Palmer explores the question age raises and the promises it holds.
|
|
News
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.
Make it a habit. Give to the Food Pantry all year long.
Gratefully yours,
Social Justice Team at UUCFM
|
|
Community Sharing Report
The total collected for the Quality Life Center in December was $1,275.38
Collected for the Minister's Discretionary Fund (which will be managed by the Pastoral Care Committee and the Board of Trustees) was $412 on fifth Sunday and $425 on Christmas Eve for total of $837.
Helen Dixon
Community Sharing Committee Chair
From your Social Justice Team
Give the Gift of Freedom this Christmas
Write for Rights - Write a Letter - Change a Life
Amnesty International has its largest annual human rights campaign throughout the fall to mark Human Rights Day on December 10th. And it works! Letters we send out support people and help end abuses. Many people all over the world are wrongfully imprisoned for the peaceful expression of their beliefs or identity - Prisoners of Conscience. Here is how you can get started!
WRITE from now until Jan. 31, 2020
ASK questions and get help by contacting Zeke Johnson at 212-633-4256 or Maya Delany at
w4r@aiusa.org.
There will also be information at the Social Justice Table in Hobart Hall.
|
For Sale
For Sale: 2005 32’ Fleetwood Terra Motor Home with one slide out in good condition. Asking price $16,500. Call
Jeff Letts
at 401-741 -3162.
|
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 Sunday Service at Noon. Please wear comfortable walking shoes. Reservations required. Contact
Patricia Linhoff
, 612-382-5927
freckles345@comcast.net
|
|
Women's March
We are days away
. The Unitarian Universalist Association is a proud partner of the 2020 Women’s March on Washington and we are ready to march in our nation’s capitol on January 18! This year’s march includes a week of programming that will address women’s roles in reproductive health, rights, and justice, and will give key feminist leaders across the country a space to converge and finalize a united women-led 2020 political strategy.
|
|
 |
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:
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
Our Greater Community
Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Group
The Rissho Kosei-kai group meets Sundays at 2:00 PM in Room Number 1. We do not meet on 5th Sundays.
|
|
An Invitation from the Quality Life Center
Abdul’Haq Muhammad, founder of the Quality of Life Center, (the Q) has invited members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers to attend this year's annual meeting. We at UUCFM have been involved with the Q for many years and because of our continued support, Mr Muhammad would like us to share in this happy time. It’s a special year as it has been thirty years since the Quality of Life Center was founded in 1990. Also, the construction of the Teen Center for Leadership Development was recently completed. It is impressive and so much good is being done at the Q. The meeting will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at:
The Quality of Life Center
3210 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd.
Fort Myers, FL. 33916
Parking available on Cuba Street, next to the center.
There will be a breakfast at 8:30 AM, followed by the board meeting, and an annual address covering accomplishments and problems over the last year. The morning will close with the presentation of their Legacy Wall.
I encourage people who have been around since the Q’s beginning years to come but anyone interested is welcome. Please, email me by Monday, January 6 if you plan to come so that I can give them an accurate count. email:
franrose512@gmail.com
. Email is best but if necessary, call & leave a message for Fran. Phone # 617-750-0470.
|
|
Happy Birthday!
January 10 Ellen Erickson & James Kolde
January 15 Torben Snow is 14!
January 19 Declan Ireland is 15!
January 26 Emily Hutchinson
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
