Weekly E-News
March 26, 2020
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Our Sunday Service
will be streamed via our website,
uucfm.org
this Sunday and also available on video by
Zoom
gathering.
There will be no physical service in our Sanctuary.
Please shelter at home. Our sermon this week is
What My Faith Teaches Me,
given by the Rev. Margaret L. Beard. Our Worship Associate is Holley Rauen. The
Director of Religious Education, Jenn Blosser, and Music Director, Suellen Kipp will also be leading our service.
Watch your email for details. You should receive an invitation link by email to join us live by Zoom on Sunday morning at 10:30 AM.
The Humanist Forum
normally meets every Sunday at 9:30 AM in Hobart Hall. Please contact Bill Petrarca for info on when we'll be meeting again.
bill@petrarca.net
Our Community Sharing
partner this week is the Minister's Discretionary Fund.
Religious Education News
In this difficult time, as we navigate a "new normal" which changes day to day, connection to our community matters more than ever. UUCFM's ministry is adapting to meet these changes in every area. For our families (of all ages and stages, with kids or without), I will be providing virtual connection spaces to laugh, cry, sing, and share our stories.
Jenn Blosser,
Director of Religious Education
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The Annual Meeting & Luncheon scheduled for Sunday, March 29th has been postponed.
Please watch your email for updates.
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Transition Team Update
The Transition Team is still together and meeting on Zoom during these difficult times. We hope you stay safe and well and shelter in place as best you can knowing that some people need to work outside the home in places like grocery stores and doctors’ offices.
Most of the congregation should now know that we have contracted a half-time minister - Rev. Margaret L. Beard. We are joyous that Rev. Margaret will be our minister for at least a year’s time starting on April 1st. This will give us more time to think about our need for a Developmental Minister to collaborate with us for a period of between 4 to 7 years.
At our last meeting, we talked about the possibility of having our Listening Groups meet on Zoom, and we are figuring out the best way for the congregation to participate in a survey. Our four major goals have stayed the same - a focus on Ministry, Membership, Sustainability and Vision. Please email or call us if you have any questions or just want to chat about our future. Keeping the faith in these difficult times,
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The Scammers Are at it Again
Scammers are continuing to try to take advantage of congregations and their members during this COVID-19 crisis. A minister I know just shared that an email was sent out to the members of her congregation asking for gift cards for her to hand out in hospitals. The email even had her name and photo. It looked real. Please know I (and our other staff members)
WILL NEVER
ask you for money or gift cards in an email. Do not reply to the email address on the scammer's email.
If you are in doubt contact me or our office staff. Thank you.
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From Our Caring Network
If you or another member of the Congregation needs some extra attention during this time, your Pastoral Care Committee is here to help as much as we can.
Our Committee members include Mary Faegre, Harvey Heckes, Joan Hickok, Marge Kolde, Deborah Lewis, Mary Alice Pierce,
Mary Tracy-Sigman, Patricia Vivier-Naidl, Holley Rauen and Suzanne Ziemer. Leslie Gatto has also offered her help at this time. If any members of the Congregation are available to help during this crisis with picking up and delivering items, please contact Mary Golbitz.
As a way to keep our Community together we are offering Community Conference calls Wednesdays at 4:00 PM. These will be informal calls to check in, share and be able to offer support to one another. We may change to a Zoom format so we can see one another if all are comfortable with this.
Please call to informally connect with other members of the Congregation. The dial in number is 712-770-4898. Access Code is 634697#.
We can connect with you individually by phone if you are feeling isolated and offer other assistance such as getting groceries or other essentials for those who are unable to leave their homes while keeping us all safe and protected. Please contact Mary Golbitz for information or assistance
marygcline@gmail.com
or 207-479-4082 (phone or text).
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Office & Building Supervision
Please be assured that our Buildings, Grounds, and Office are being well taken care of during this time. Building Supervisor, Mickey Kellam, and Office Manager, Jill Carville, are working to keep things clean and functioning, and members may still mail in correspondence or email the office for any help or questions! The grounds are being taken care of by our lawn service and volunteers as well!
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School of Wizardry!
Enrollment for the 2020 term of the School of Wizardry is open. The term begins on Monday, June 29, and ends Friday July 3. Due to the current uncertainty brought on by the Corona-virus pandemic, we are opening a light registration at this time. Space is limited to 44 participants for the term. We are monitoring the health situation closely and will not host programming at UUCFM if the CDC advises.
IF WE CANNOT PHYSICALLY GATHER FOR CAMP, our team of dedicated volunteers are working to bring the School of Wizardry to their campers digitally! This virtual version of camp, scheduled for the same week, will be offered for a suggested donation of $50 per participant.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact:
Krista Hopper, Camp Director
Phone - (239) 464-1333
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Casino Night Fundraiser- Canceled
Due to health concerns, the scheduled April 11 Casino Night will be canceled. Anyone who bought tickets will receive a refund. Contact Denis Jensen at
dalanjensen@gmail.com
for information.
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Groups & Classes
Women's Circle and Potluck- Canceled
Women Singing in Sacred Circle- Canceled
The Singing Circle has been canceled until further notice.
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. Please contact Shelley Graff:
Exploring Life's Challenges- Canceled
This group has been canceled until further notice.
Join Wayne Leaver for a monthly support group to help you deal with difficult situations and decisions. Please contact
marygcline@gmail.com
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
Check with Suellen to see when the next rehearsal is.
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
Check with Suellen to see when the next rehearsal is.
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.
This group is canceled. Please contact Gary for updates.
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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
Braving The Wilderness
by Brené Brown.
Please watch your email for updates on when we'll be meeting again.
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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.
To send donations to the South Fort Myers Food Pantry at this time, write a check to:
South Fort Myers Food Pantry Coalition, Inc., 8260 Cypress Lake Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33919.
Gratefully yours,
Social Justice Team
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Member to Member
Thank yous, Rides needed, Free Items, Birth or Anniversary Announcements, Classifieds, Small Group Suggestions, Activity Ideas, Special pictures, and...Of Interest to UUs!
You asked for it! A place to post items of interest to fellow members is here! Please submit your post by Wednesday at noon. Please keep posts short and to the point. All posts may be edited or removed by Office Manager at any time.
From Denis Jensen-
Members aged 72 or older can save on their taxes by making pledge contributions directly from their IRAs. According to recent posted IRS tax information, IRA Account holders 72 or older who make a contribution directly from a traditional IRA to a qualified charity can donate up to $100,000 without it being considered a taxable distribution. The deduction effectively lowers the donor's adjusted gross income (AGI). The charity will also not pay taxes on the donation and the deduction can count as part of the donor’s minimum required distribution. The contribution must be made directly from your IRA, so be sure to set this up with your IRA provider and consult your tax advisor or preparer.
If you decide to contribute from your IRA to UUCFM, even though the check must come directly from your financial institution and be made out to UUCFM, you can make it easier for the staff to identify you as the contributor if you ask your financial institution to include your name as ID somewhere on the check made out to UUCFM.
Members Suzanne Ziemer & Phyllis Brewer
recently returned from a trip to South America. They had a great time. Photo below!
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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. Contact Mary Tracy Sigman at
marytracysigman115@gmail.com
Please email Mary Tracy for info on when we'll be meeting again.
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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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