Weekly E-News
June 13, 2019
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Sunday Services in June - Beauty
It is fitting that my last month with you gives us the theme Beauty. Beauty is more than that which is pleasing aesthetically. Beauty is a gateway to transcendence, as well as a grounding in our interconnectedness. This month, all the expressions of beauty are welcomed- even the movements of life that bring change and uncertainty. May we offer the beauty we have within to all the growing edges of Life. ~
Rev. Allison Farnum
June 16
CUUPS Led Service
Goodbye to Rev. Allison.
A pot luck is offered after the service so please bring a dish to share with the community.
June 23
The Rev. Kierstin Homblette-Allen
June 30
Guest Speaker Gini Gottman
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Summer Ushers & Greeters Needed
We need ushers and greeters during the summer months. We especially need people to stay out in the lobby (narthex) to let in latecomers. If you could help out one Sunday or more, please email or call MaryGayle Skinner at 239-482-8969 or
skinnermg@aol.com
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Community Sharing in June
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Update:
Our Mothers Home
is now the Community Sharing Partner for June. The mission of
Our Mother's Home
is to transition teen mothers and their children from foster care and human trafficking to stable, happy, and productive lives by providing a safe and nurturing home, education, parenting support, and physical, mental and spiritual care.
Your generous contributions each week in June are greatly appreciated! All unmarked donations will be given to this local organization.
For next month-
The mission of the
Lee County Homeless Coalition
is “to advocate, educate, and promote awareness of issues and obstacles facing homeless individuals in Lee County through community collaboration, planning, and implementing solutions.”
We are a non-profit advocacy group made up of community and faith-based service providers, local businesses, people who are currently experiencing or who have experienced homelessness, and other advocates committed to ending homelessness.
The
Lee County Homeless Coalition
was reorganized in 2004 under the umbrella of the Lee County Department of Human Services with the intent to develop a broader base of support and at some time operate again as an independent agency. Thanks to support from the community, that goal was achieved in 2009, and the Coalition was recognized as an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
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The Humanist Forum
meets every Sunday at 9:15 am in Hobart Hall. All are welcome to attend. Join us as we engage in a new topic each week.
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Sunday's Social Hour
happens after the service every week. It is volunteer run- by the Women's Circle on the first Sunday, Humanist Forum on the second, CUUPs on the third, Men's Group on the fourth, and if there is a fifth Sunday, it is All Church. Any donations of food, snacks or cash are welcome.
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From the Minister
Dear ones,
My last weeks with you have been focused on reminding you of how beautiful you are and all the beautiful things we have done together. Thank you! This Sunday we release our covenant and exchange ceremonial gifts. Then, we feast together potluck style!
I look forward to this ritual as a way to mark this special time in our lives and to be released to move onto other bright beginnings. Thank you to all who are participating in the service and in making the potluck possible.
Bright blessings to you all!
In love, growth, and service,
Rev. Allison
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Interim Minister Search Update: Rev. Carlos R. Martinez
This Tuesday evening, the Board of Trustees finalized our negotiated Interim Minister agreement with Rev. Carlos R. Martinez, who will serve for one year with an option for a second year as we transition to a new settled minister. The Search Committee is delighted to have found Rev. Carlos as he is an exceptional minister and loving human being. Through his unique life experiences, he brings the strengths that we as a congregation seek to help us in this phase of our journey together.
“I believe the foundations of good ministry are compelling Sunday services, solid pastoral care programs, excellent and vibrant religious education and a focus on building community.” he told the Search Committee.
Briefly, Rev. Carlos’s recent ministries include The Community Church of New York UU and the First Unitarian Church of Rochester, NY. His detailed background will be available to everyone later.
Rev. Carlos is a single divorced father of three children (Camilo 26, Flavia 22, Elisa 20) and two cats (Stripe and Drake). His family of origin is from California and Mexico. “My small family is important to me. I maintain my family ties by keeping in touch with my siblings in California and relatives in Mexico City,” he said.
Over the next 6 weeks, the Search Committee will be working with Rev. Carlos in getting him relocated to Fort Myers in time for his August kick-off at UUCFM. If you see him on campus in the next few weeks, please give him the UUCFM “Welcome!”
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Music Notes
The UUCFM Choir rehearses most Wednesday nights from 6:45-8:15 pm, and on Sunday mornings from 9-10 am in the sanctuary. It's free and there are no auditions. Come join us in singing!
The UUCFM Band rehearses most Wednesday nights from 6:00-6:45 pm, and on Sunday mornings from 9-10 am in the Sanctuary. If you would like to play your instrument during a Sunday service, please email me to coordinate the details.
Come join us in making music together!
Suellen Kipp, Director of Music
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Membership
Would You Like to Become a Member of UUCFM?
If you are interested in becoming a new member, please contact
MemberServices@UUCFM.org
to receive your membership enrollment kit.
Meet Our Members
Linda Jensen:
My husband, Denis,
discovered the UU church in Omaha in 1975. The Second Unitarian Church had an interim minister, Deane Star, who delivered sermons that made me, a former Methodist/Presbyterian, feel that I could be comfortable with an “open” theology. We became quite active and raised our two children, Mark and Melinda, there. I also taught journalism/English. During that period I was president of the
Nebraska High School Press Association and was a McGovern delegate to the Democratic Convention in 1972.
When we moved East in 1984, I continued teaching journalism and English, and the high school newspaper I advised won the ’88-’89 National Pacemaker Award, given by the NSPA to the top five high school newspapers in the U.S. In addition I wrote the Feature Section of Springboard to High School Journalism, published by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association.
While living East, Denis and I became members of two UU churches in Maryland, another in the Poconos of Pennsylvania, and more recently, Washington Crossing UU, not far from our home in Newtown, Pennsylvania. We have longevity at UUCFM, as we began as snowbirds here in 2002. We are now residents of Florida, having sold our home
in Pennsylvania. Coincidentally our interim minister here in 2003 was Sarah York Campbell, who had been our settled minister in Rockville, Maryland in the 80s.
Denis and I have been very active at UUCFM. We organized programs for both Wholly Wednesday and Community Wednesday, and both of us have been active in the women’s and men’s groups. Denis is currently heading the men’s group and Dinners-Go Round, and I co-coordinate the greeters and ushers and participate in the membership ministry.
We look forward to traveling to California this summer where our two children and our six
grandchildren reside.
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From Operations
Our Building Supervisor, Mickey Kellam, will be on vacation from June 7-17th. In his absence we are looking for some volunteers to help restock paper products and do some light cleaning. We are planning two sessions- one on Monday, June 10th, and one on Saturday, June 15th. If you can help, please sign up with Mary Alice Pierce at the Social Justice table on Sunday, or email her at
piercemaryalice@gmail.com
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Worship and Music Ministry
The Worship/Music/AV Ministry is changing their meeting date to honor Rev. Allison's last day of ministry in mid-June. The meeting will now be held on June 30th at 12:15 PM in the Miller Sanctuary.
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South Fort Myers Food Pantry
The support that UUCFM has shown to our pantry over the years is appreciated. Along with other coalition members, the combined effort fed 26,646 people from the South Fort Myers area in 2018. There is still a tremendous need in Southwest Florida and consequently the Harry Chapin Food Bank sometimes runs low on food. When this happens, your donations of food each Sunday become so important, even if it’s just one item. Remember “Fran’s plan, just one can”? Look around church this Sunday and just imagine the amount of food, if everyone brought just one can. Protein items are always a good choice, canned ham, chicken , tuna or hearty prepared meals or soups.
Prefer to donate money? You can make out checks and send to the South Fort Myers Food Pantry. 8260 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers, FL. 33919. Be sure to write Food Pantry in the memo line. Looking for a satisfying volunteer experience?
Our Pantry needs summer help. The South Fort Myers Food Pantry thanks our winter residents for donating what was left in their cupboards before leaving for the summer. For those of you who live here year round, please, consider volunteering on Mondays during the summer months. They are desperate for volunteers who can tolerate working in the summer heat. At least go for one day to see if you can do it, even if you can only do a couple of hours. The people who need to use the pantry don’t get to take vacations during the summer months. Many have lost their seasonal jobs and only turn to us at this time of year. If you know the pantry then just go there around 10 AM for the day shift or at 4:15, 4:30 for the afternoon/evening shift. Pantry open only on Mondays. Contact Fran Rose 617-750-0470or email
francrose@centurylink.ne
t
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Minister's Rite of Passage Service
On June 16th, at 10:30 AM on the occasion of Rev. Allison's last day, a Rite Of Passage service will be held. A pot luck is offered after the service so please bring a dish to share with the community. We say goodbye to our minister of ten years. CUUPs will be officiating this service.
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UUCFM Classes & Small Groups
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Summer Connection Circles!
Another Connection Circle has formed and we hope you will join us! Come meet other UUCFM members, share stories in relation to the topic of the day, and hear the stories of others in order to get to know one another on a meaningful level. This is a facilitated and covenanted six-session group; our compassionate dialogue will contribute to our individual and collective spiritual and personal growth. (Group rules provide confidentiality).
We will meet after the Sunday service every other week from 12:15 to 1:45 PM starting June 30th.
Please contact Julia Smith at
swfljsmith@gmail.com
or 239-297-6429 with questions and to register. Participants are expected to attend all sessions.
Wednesday Connection Circle!
Lilibeth Grimes,
libeala@gmail.com
will be facilitating a Wednesay evening Circle titled
Principles of Joy
. The goal for this connection circle is to serve as a bridge between UUCFM and the broader community. We'll meet the second Wednesday of each month at 6:00 PM starting in July. Here is the schedule:
July 10:
1
ST
Principle: The Inherent
Worth
and Dignity of Every Person
August 14
th:
2
nd
Principle: Justice, Equity, and
Compassion
in Human Relations
September 11
th:
3
RD
Principle: Acceptance of One Another and Encouragement to
Spiritual Growth
in our Congregations
October 9
th:
4
TH
Principle: A Free and Responsible Search for
Truth
and Meaning
November 13
th:
5
TH
Principle: The Right of
Conscience
and the Use of the Democratic Process within our Congregations and in Society at Large
December 11
th:
6
TH
Principle: The Goal of World
Community
with Peace, Liberty, and Justice for All
January 8
th:
7
TH
Principle: Respect for the Interdependent Web of all
Existence
of Which we are a Part
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Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans
Salutations one and all. I can’t believe we are into June already and with the turning of things, another celebration we do.
June 16th
Rite of Passage service for Rev Allison with a pot luck after in the hall. We will be doing the service, bring a dish to share with our community.
June 21st
Solstice Celebration, 6:30-7 gathering at the amphitheater or lanai if it rains. There will be a community sharing after. Bring your instruments and something to share.
Many of us will be helping out with Wizard Camp coming up june 24th-28th..
Peace and Love to all.
Joy Purcell
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Small Group Ministry Sessions – You Pick
We are expanding our Small Group Ministry (SGM) sessions, Connection Circles, to include broader topics and structure. Thanks to Nancy Letts’ efforts to expand our facilitator training over the past few months, we now have a strong cadre of facilitators to lead our new groups.
Below is a list of new topics that could be the focus of new Connection Circles. To help us determine which have the most interest for our congregation, please pick 3 that you would like to attend. Put them in a 1,2,3 order of preference (1 being the highest) and email your choices to
MemberServices@UUCFM.org
and put “SGM” in the Subject line. Please do this by June 15.
Once we have your preferences and we’ve matched-up facilitators accordingly, we’;; put together a schedule and invite those who are interested to join the groups. Each group will determine the meeting time and place for their group.
Remember, the goal of the SGM sessions is to satisfy each of our needs in community, looking for a place to belong (intimacy) and a place to seek meaning in our lives (ultimacy).
Aging
Creating Change
Spiritual Journeys
Play
Balance
Endings
Laughter
Race and Class
Becoming UUs
Evil
Leadership
Relativism
Belonging
First Steps
Letting Go
Transitions
Books
Forgiveness
Listening
Turning Points
Compassion
Future
Mind-Body
Unitarian Universalism
Conflict
Gratitude
Openness
Who or What is God?
Connections
Integrity
Patience
Work
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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 6:30-8:00p in the Sanctuary. Info: contact Gary Robbins at 302-540-5899.
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Book Study
meets Wednesdays from 1-2:30 PM in the Library of our Administration Building.
Sessions for this weekly Book Study begin June 12th, and all are welcome to join in facilitated discussion and group bonding. We will be reading Gary Zukav's
The Seat of the Soul.
Come having read up to page 57, Introduction of Chapters 1-4 of the 25th Anniversary edition with Study Guide. The group will be using the Study Guide provided in the book.
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Silver- A Poem
“How many years of beauty do I have left?
she asks me.
How many more do you want?
Here. Here is 34. Here is 50.
When you are 80 years old
and your beauty rises in ways
your cells cannot even imagine now
and your wild bones grow luminous and
ripe, having carried the weight
of a passionate life.
When your hair is aflame with winter
and you have decades of
learning and leaving and loving
sewn into the corners of your eyes
and your children come home
to find their own history in your face.
When you know what it feels like to fail ferociously
and have gained the capacity
to rise and rise and rise again.
When you can make your tea
on a quiet and ridiculously lonely afternoon
and still have a song in your heart
Queen owl wings beating
beneath the cotton of your sweater.
Because your beauty began there
beneath the sweater and the skin,
remember?
This is when I will take you
into my arms and coo
YOU BRAVE AND GLORIOUS THING
you’ve come so far.
I see you.
Your beauty is breathtaking."
~ Jeannette Encinias
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Shop at Amazon and Help UUCFM
Did you know your purchases can make a difference? AmazonSmile donates to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers when you do your online shopping. Follow this link:
smile.amazon.com/ch/59-1160337
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Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Group
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June 16
Betty Tobin
June 17
Phyllis Brewer
June 19
Suzanne Ziemer
June 21
Chet Beemer
June 23
Karen Brown
June 23
Roman Carr is 5!
June 24
Helen Krieger
June 25
Rosalie Kuehn
June 28
Charlotte Crossen is 5!
June 28
Chris Rosa
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Board of Trustees
President
Theresa Bahre
President Elect
Lesley Peterson
Secretary
Alison Carville
Treasurer
Eddie Grimes
VP Finance
Alanis Garcia
VP Programming
Cathy Snow
VP Ministerial Services
Karen J. Brown
VP Operations
Dorothy Van Howe
Member at Large
Helen Leddy
Staff
Minister
Rev. Allison Farnum
Director of Music
Director of RE
Office Manager
Building Supervisor
Nursery Supervisor
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