Rev. Allison's Farewell Service 6/16/19 photo: J. Carville
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Weekly E-News
June 20, 2019
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Sunday Services in June - Beauty
Our theme for June is 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.
June 23
The Rev. Kierstin Homblette-Allen
June 30
Guest Speaker Gini Gottman
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Thanks to everyone for making Rev. Allison's last service and potluck party so nice! Thanks especially to the food helpers and cleaners. It takes a village!
~Dorothy Van Howe, VP Operations
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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.
The Forum this week will address a very important and urgent question: Is there an optimal path forward in our efforts to avert climate change catastrophe? We aren’t really sure of what policies or technologies have the capacity to save us without compromising the environment. Renewables such as wind and solar, being adopted at an ever-increasing rate, seem capable of meeting the challenges ahead. But as one looks more deeply into their implementations, it is clear that there are long-term problems. Many believe that nuclear power will be a necessary component in the mix of energy sources. Michael Shellenberger spells out the pros and cons of the choices we must make going forward.
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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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The Interim Minister
Reverend Carlos R. Martinez
Biography
Rev. Carlos R. Martinez comes to UUCFM from the Community Church of New York UU in midtown Manhattan where he served as the Interim Minister following a 38 year settled ministry. Previously, he served the 804 member First Unitarian Church of Rochester (NY) as the Interim Assistant Minister. He has also served Beacon (Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Summit, NJ), the Unitarian Society of Ridgewood and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Central Nassau in Long Island (NY) in other capacities.
Rev. Carlos possesses a M.Div. from Union Theological Seminary in NYC, an M.B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley, and a B.A. in Government and English Literature from Cornell University. Rev. Carlos is a second career minister after a career in high-tech sales and marketing. He is also served in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged.
As an accredited UU Interim Minister, he is a member of the Interim Ministry Network and is a trained hospital chaplain.
Rev Carlos came to Unitarian Universalism as a teenager, He was first called to ministry through his experiences attending the First Unitarian Church of Los Angeles. He draws his ministerial inspiration from the 19th century Transcendentalists, particularly Ralph Waldo Emerson, and the example of the late Rev. Dr. Forrest Church of the Unitarian Church of All Souls (where Carlos was a member) and his many mentors.
Born in Los Angeles, California, he identifies strongly with his Mexican American heritage. He speaks Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French and has dabbled in Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic and Hebrew.
He is a divorced father of three children. His oldest son is a graduate of Colgate University and lives and works in Tokyo, Japan. One daughter recently graduated from Amherst College and now works in Manhattan as an assistant digital brand manager and the other is a rising Junior at Mount Holyoke College in Western Massachusetts.
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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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From the Office
The office will be closed Friday, June 28th and Thursday & Friday, July 4th & 5th.
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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
Helen
G. Leddy
: Originally from New Jersey, I have lived and worked in N.J., New York
State and Maine over the past half-century as a librarian, educator,and human resources professional. I moved to Florida in 2003 for rest and relaxation in retirement. That plan went awry when I became involved with UUCFM in 2004 and has remained in operation for the last 15 years. I have served many roles at UUCFM including President of the Board of Trustees. I am currently serving as the Member-At-Large and as liaison to membership. I graduated from FGCU in May 2019 where I earned a Doctorate in Education. No rest and relaxation for me unless you consider puzzles and reading a luxury; for me they are sustenance!! I am married to Bruce Leddy; together, we have a blended family of five children and 9 grandchildren who, fortunately, all live on the East Coast of the U.S. making it easier for us to see them occasionally.
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Worship and Music Ministry
The Worship/Music/AV Ministry meeting will 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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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 21st
Solstice Celebration, 6:30 PM gathering at the amphitheater or screen porch if it rains. There will be a food 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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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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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 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
Interim Minister
Coming Soon!
Director of Music
Director of RE
Office Manager
Building Supervisor
Nursery Supervisor
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