Weekly E-News, September 9, 2021

Weekly E-News

September 9, 2021

UUCFM Reopening Considerations

The Board thanks you all for the support you have shown for our difficult decision to postpone the return of in-person worship services. While we have no particular date in mind for a future reopening, we have agreed to monitor the following "risk level" for Lee County. We are currently at "Severe Risk," and will consider in-person worship when we reach "Medium Risk."

Here is a link to the methodology:

https://covidactnow.org/us/florida-fl/county/lee_county/?s=21711097

Yours in Growth,

Lane Cook

President

UUCFM Board of Trustees

UUCFMPresident@UUCFM.org, or 239-222-9406.

Sunday Service

Our theme in September is Embracing Possibilities. Join us Sundays at 10:30AM via zoom https://zoom.us/j/98733916229 or listen to audio only at UUCFM.org

Service in Memory of 9/11 and its aftermath

We hope you will join us on Sunday, 9/12, as we remember victims of the 9/11 tragedy on the 20th anniversary. We honor those Americans, Afghans and others who have been, and continue to be affected by the events that day and in the 20 years after. We will explore lessons to be learned and how we can find hope after grief and trauma.

We invite you to bring a candle that you can safely light during the service.

Message from the Board of Trustees

Please note that the next board meeting will be held on September 14th at 5:00 PM via Zoom. Here is the Zoom link:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/92925862711

Thank You UUCFM Generous Pledgers— Half-way Through the Year

Can you believe that we are approaching the half-way mark for our current fiscal year, ending March 31, 2022?

Please be on the lookout for a report on your 2021-2022 pledges being sent out by our Office Manager, Jill Carville, by email. Please check for accuracy and let Jill know if you think there is a discrepancy. Keep in mind our deposit records may be one-two weeks behind your contributions. You can email the office anytime at uuchurch@uucfm.org to make sure we have received your latest contributions.

We are all very heartened and appreciative for the steadfast support as we continue to negotiate our way through this Covid pandemic. Thank you for keeping our doors open for liberal religious ideas in SW Florida. Your generosity matters.

Nancy Hutchins, VP for Stewardship

Are you interested in becoming a Worship Associate?

The UUCFM Worship Team is looking for a few new Worship Associates. Are you interested in participating in planning and leading worship and the opportunity to learn more about being a UU?

If you are interested, please contact Mary Cline Golbitz at mary@uucfm.org or Albie Johnson at albiej@uucfm.org for more information about the application and training process.

Pastoral Care Associates Offering Self-Care Workshops

Your Pastoral Care Associates will be offering a series of self-care workshops online this fall. The exact times will be determined based on responses of those interested. The workshops may include simple healthy lifestyle practices, meditation, simple yoga and more.

If you are interested in being a participant or have something you would like to offer please contact Mary Cline Golbitz at mary@uucfm.org

Connection Circle forming by Zoom

Whether you are new to UU or a long-termer, whether you are in Florida or far away, you are invited to participate in a Connection Circle by Zoom. Now is your chance to experience this way to connect with others on a deep and meaningful level. Trained facilitators, Mary Cline Golbitz, Lay Minister and Leslie Gatto will co-lead this covenanted group, where confidentiality is protected to promote compassionate dialogue. Participants are asked to attend all six sessions.

THURSDAYS from 1:00 to 2:30 pm

September 23, October 7 & 21, November 4 & 18, December 2

Please contact Leslie by phone or text at 239.850.9664 or email at gatto.leslie@gmail.com to join or for more information.

Quality Life Center is our Community Sharing Partner for September 2021!

Quality Life Center's mission is to strengthen and instill pride in family and community through programs and services to cultivate self-discipline, self-development, build confidence and promote cultural awareness.

Social Issues Book Group

We will be reading the book: Begin Again by Eddie S. Glaude, Jr. The group meets on Wednesday from 1:30-3 p.m. For more information contact Helen Leddy helen.leddy@gmail.com.

Monday Book Group

The Book Club will meet via Zoom to continue its discussion of Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman. We’ll wrap up comments on Chapter 4 and talk about Chapters 5 & 6. If you’re joining for the first time, please email Mary Studer at mstuder929@gmail.com to get the Zoom link.

Mindfulness Opportunities

We welcome you to join either of our two online sitting practices each week. We practice mindfulness and discuss a reading. If you don’t have the books, you're still welcome to sit with us.

The Monday Sangha meets at 6:30-7:45 PM and is discussing Standing at the Edge by Joan Halifax. Contact mstuder929@gmail.com for details.

The Wednesday sangha meets between 10:00-11:30 AM in coordination with Caloosahatchee Mindfulness. It’s discussing Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communication by Oren Jay Sofer. Contact Helen Leddy for more information: helen.leddy@gmail.com

Alliance for Fair Food -Coalition of Immokalee Workers

On Friday, September 17th from 3-5 pm, the Alliance for Fair Food and the Coalition of Immokalee Workers will hold a peaceful community vigil to commemorate the anniversary of Nicolas Morales' wrongful killing at the hands of the Collier County's Sheriff's Office. The vigil will be held in front of their office at Airport Pulling Rd. and U.S 41. Face masks and social distancing will be required.

An independent and thorough investigation of the three officers responsible for use of excessive force was never conducted. Accountability is lacking.

Please join this action to demand justice for the family of Nicolas Morales and the entire community. An Art Petition created and signed by many farmworkers and their supporters will be delivered at this time.

Addresses for Those who have Relocated

Some of our long time members have recently moved. If you are a member and would like a current address for the following: Linda Johnson, Frances Pake, or Joy Sokeitous and Jim Stout, please email the office at uuchurch@uucfm.org or memberservices@uucfm.org

60th Anniversary Pave the Way Fundraiser

Our goal is 100 commemorative bricks at $100 per brick for $10,000 for our General Budget. Our Endowment Fund will pay production costs so each $100 goes right to the Budget.

Each 4" X 8" brick can be engraved with up to 3 lines of 13 characters/spaces on each line. Examples of donated bricks are UU quotes, memorials, names & sayings, such as:

She loved and was loved. Nancy Letts

Service is our Law. Go Forth!

Remembering (name, birth-death)

Albie & Mary, Lay Ministers, Thank You

To donate a brick: Contact suzanneziemer@gmail.com, 812-332-3450 or

helendixon9@gmail.com, 239-633-4989.