Weekly E-News April 25, 2019
Sundays in April
Interim Minister Town Hall this Sunday, April 28th
There will be a Town Hall on Sunday, April 28th, at noon in the Sanctuary. We want as many people as possible to attend and have set the date for this Sunday so that our seasonal folks may be present. We will be providing information about the ministerial transition, including outlining the search process and gathering congregational feedback. 

We are aware this meeting is at the same time as the youth teacher training. We are able to provide childcare for children 4 years and younger until 2 PM in the nursery and are looking to provide a quiet "busy hands" activity for any child who accompanies their parent/guardian at the town hall. We look forward to hearing your thoughts at this important event for our congregation.
Community Sharing in April- Pachamama Alliance of SW Florida
I magine all the p eople in Southwest Florida living a new dream--one that fosters environmental sustainability, social justice, and spiritual fulfillment.  That’s what we’re all about:  making that dream a reality by informing, inspiring and motivating people  to help create the more beautiful world we know is possible. And we’re succeeding… collaborating with numerous organizations, leading a host of symposiums, facilitating programs throughout Lee, Collier, and Charlotte Counties, all of which reach out to the community in a way that has spurred hundreds of people to engage in the transformation we need to ensure a thriving, just, and sustainable human presence on this planet.  As part of the Social Justice and Outreach Ministry, we ask you to become a Pachamama Person by supporting our efforts by giving generously to this month’s Community Sharing offering.
The Humanist Forum
The Humanist Forum meets every Sunday at 9:15 am in Hobart Hall. All are welcome to attend.
Sunday Social Hour
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.
From the Minister

After the Flood
Some of you heard wind of the flood that originated in the Minister's Office. Earlier than expected, my books and belongings are in bins and boxes, ready to be moved out. The thought occurred to me that the Universe was already at work, inviting the church to make space for the new Interim minister coming in this late summer. Whether or not it really is the machinations of the Fates/universe/God(dess), I do enjoy making meaning out of what happens in life. Every moment gives us an opportunity to find meaning and connection with a larger movement of Love in our lives. Of course, I did not pray for a flood in the minister's and main office areas of our beautiful campus. And our Operations Team headed up by our Board Operations leader Dorothy Van Howe and expert Buildings Supervisor Mickey Kellam have been hard at work at moving furniture, supervising the restoration of drywall, assessments, and brass tacks with the insurance company. I am truly grateful!  

When unwelcome events come flooding into our lives, I preached last Sunday about practicing resurrection- finding ways to rise up out of the habitual responses that may be less than loving towards ourselves and others. Loving ways of being are not pie-in-the-sky. In fact, sometimes the most loving response is to say nothing, or even to set firm and compassionate boundaries (aka 'No'). Discerning how to behave in loving ways and making space for such discernment may be a lifelong process, and a worthy one. For this moment-to-moment mindfulness contributes to the health of the whole: the whole of the church; the whole of one's inner life; the whole wide world. If we affirm that Love wins, must must act in accordance with its Victory.

Rev. Allison Farnum
Music News
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
Wizard Camp
Have you registered for the School of Wizardry summer camp yet? The camp runs from June 24th to June 28th and is held here on the UUCFM campus. We're filling up fast, so  register today!  We need youth 14+ to register as camp ghosts (volunteers) as well -  click here to apply!

If you have questions about our youth groups or Children's Religious Education program, please contact Jenn Blosser dre@uucfm.org .
From the Office
As the season winds down I'd like to give a big thank you to all of the committee and small group leaders who have scheduled, cancelled, re-scheduled, and notified me of any changes in their group's meeting time or place. This keeps our chuch calendar clear and correct and helps me to easily schedule new groups and outside facility users. I'd like to remind group leaders to make sure your doors are locked and lights and fans are turned off. If you have a Hobart Hall or Sanctuary key that you won't be using this summer, please turn it in to the office dropbox. You can drop the key in anytime and I will sign it returned for you.

I'd like everyone to know that you can get a pledge update anytime- if you have questions on what a pledge is, or how you can make one, or change the amount- please contact me at 239-561-2700 or use the email below.

Jill Carville
Membership
If you or a friend has been thinking about joining our faith community, you are cordially invited to pick up a Membership Enrollment Kit at our “Welcome Tables” in the Narthex and Hobart Hall on Sunday, or come by the Office and grab a Kit. (Or I can email you an Enrollment Kit.   bill@petrarca.net .) Complete the forms in the kit and drop in the mail or bring the completed forms with you Sunday morning. It’s that simple! Wherever you are on your journey, we bid you Welcome!

Meet Our Members!

Dorothy Van Howe: I was born in Chicago, one of five children [the middle one] raised Catholic and I married an athiest. We had three children and I did not want to raise them with all the guilt and fallacies of the Catholic church. My husband's sister was attending a UU church. He told me about their openess and questioning of beliefs . It made sense to me immediatly. We joined. I have always enjoyed UU's, they are such interesting people to be around. My husband and I were very involved for over 30 years. I worked in retail and banking, boating on Lake Michigan and of
course, raising our children. We moved to Lake Placid, Florida in 2001 to take care of my mother. This was a conservative place. After my mother and my husband died
in 2007, I needed be with UU people. I mention to my nephew, Andy Erickson, that I was considering a move to the Villages, he said, "Why are you moving so far from us?" That was the nicest thing to hear and I moved to Ft. Myers. I have never regretted it . This is my new family.

What are Gratitude Gatherings?
Last year, the Board of Trustees, at the recommendation of the Finance Council, chose to re-invent the way we manage our traditional pledge campaigns. Recent years’ experiences, although successful in terms of contributions pledged, became overburdensome on just a few volunteers and somewhat intrusive for many members, cramming all solicitation meetings within a short amount of time in order to complete the grueling budgeting process for the church. Furthermore, the weeks-long, energy-
draining effort necessarily put an unbalanced focus and stress on financial expectations with very little focus on the overall sense of the mutual appreciation for the connectedness between the church and each member. Furthermore, we understand that many of our members have busy lives, filled with urgent demands on their time.

Our new stewardship approach is a year-round series of hour-long Gratitude Gatherings where a twelfth of our members voluntarily come together each month in small groups with the minister and church leaders. In these sessions, members learn about the “state of the Church,” share our proudest moments of being a member of UUCFM, express concerns and satisfactions about our progress toward our Vision,
and celebrate our commitments to our faith community. The goal is that members will leave feeling uplifted and more engaged as a member of our congregation!
So, when you receive an invitation to attend a future Gratitude Gathering, you now know a little bit more about why you are being invited and what you can expect.
Photo Session Moved to May- UUCFM Online Photo Directory
The last photo taking session for the UUCFM Photo Directory has been rescheduled to May 5th. This is for old and new members who do not yet have their photos in the UUCFM Photo Directory   (The Photo Directory can be accessed through the UUCFM website). Photos will be taken after church on the lawn in back of the screened in porch at Hobart Hall---If the weather is bad, photo taking will move to the screened in porch. Many of you whose photos are not in the Directory will receive an advance Email about this session. Be sure to come if your photo is not currently in the UUCFM Photo Directory.
Social Justice
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? See Fran Rose or email  francrose@centurylink.net
Special Events at UUCFM
Covenant of UU Pagans

Blessings UU community,
It is coming to May. Many of us leave to go north or travel to places on the bucket list. Since summer is slow time, Wednesday dinners will be canceled to resume later in the year. Our drumming circle will be held but dates may vary. It won't be out at the circle. Summer weather changes a bunch, so please check the calendar. Our last scheduled circle will be May 11th.

We will be holding a Mayday celebration Saturday, May 4th at 6:30, gathering by the fire circle. Bring your chair and food to share after ritual. We look forward to seeing you, it is open to all. Have a great summer
Community Conference at UUCFM
Last year, UUCFM, in collaboration with the United Way of Lee County, launched an initiative to award grant funds to youth-centric groups in SWFL who could identify youth-led projects to evaluate ways to reduce youth violence in SWFL. (The project follows the CDC STRYVE model.) Seven grants were awarded in February (Girl Scouts Troop, Human Trafficking Awareness Partnership, I WILL Mentorship Foundation, Quality Life Center South Fort Myers High School, WellFit Girls, and Young Life). On Friday May 24th, these youth groups will be presenting their study results at a Community Conference at 5:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Dr. Mike Martin, President of FGCU, will be our guest speaker. We’ll be welcoming many members of the community, including local press. Hoping many of our members can attend. Please mark your calendars. More information to follow. If you’re interested in helping with the event, please let us know at  MemberServices@UUCFM.org
JOIN US FOR
THE FUUN BUUNCH
MIMI’S CAFÉ
Bell Tower Mall
5070 BELL TOWER SHOP AVE
FORT MYERS, FL 33907

Located on the northeast corner of Daniels Parkway and Rt. 41
Saturday, April 27th at 6:30 p.m.

Please RSVP to John E. Fischer, Silverfischstudios@gmail.com or 267 992 6566 by April 23, 2019. The restaurant needs exact numbers. If you need transportation, please let us know with your full name, address and phone number when making your reservation with John. We will make every effort to provide transportation. Our next FUUN BUUNCH DINNER will be at Bianca’s Italian Restaurant in N. Fort Myers, May 25, 2019.
UUCFM Classes & Groups
Yoga!
Join Mary Cline Golbitz for a month of yoga at UUCFM from 5-6pm on Wednesdays from April 24-May 29 in Room 1. All welcome. No Charge.
15+ Group Cancelled for this Sunday
Because of the Interim Minister Town Hall meeting scheduled for April 28th, the 15+ Meeting has been cancelled for that date. It is important for everyone who is able to attend this event to learn about the ministerial transition and ask any questions or make comments. 15+ will meet again in the Fall unless there is a request from membership to meet over the summer. Thanks for your dedication to UUCFM. Contact Ellen Erickson  andy.ellen.erickson@gmail.com or 239-694-6833.
CUUPs Healing Drum Circle
The Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans hosts a monthly healing drumming circle. The last scheduled session on this season is May 11th. We'll meet by the fire circle at 6:30 PM. It is open to all. We will have a facilitator who is accomplished in healing sound and drumming. We welcome our larger community as well as our diverse church community. May healing begin with drums of passion. Love and blessings, Joy Purcell
Women's Sharing Circle
Every 4th Tuesday there will be a noon potluck in Hobart Hall. Bring a dish to share and your own beverage.

Tuesday, May 28th meeting
Same noon schedule of potluck. "Stories of Travel Times, in the World and United States" featuring Mary Nies & Deb Lewis in their Thailand Adventure. We'll chart where
we all have been in the world.

For contact information: Dorothy Van Howe, 239-560-7238,
Men's Social Group
We want you to join the  UUCFM Men's Social Group.  We meet on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 11:45 am at the Cross Creek Country Club Clubhouse/Restaurant off Daniel's Parkway. For 2019, we are planning fun social activities as well as action sessions on what the Men's Group can do to help UUCFM. For information, contact Denis Jensen at 215-436-5748 or email Denis .
Book Club
On Wednesdays the Book Group will meet and continue reading our book, Michael Pollan's How to Change your Mind - What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying , Addiction, Depression and Transcendence.  
Mindfulness Meditation
Join us on Monday evenings to explore the simple and satisfying practices of mindfulness and 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. If you have any questions, please call or text Gary Robbins at 302-540-5899.
UUCFM Weekly Activities
Community Wednesday
April is the last month of Wednesday Dinners until the Fall. Activities will continue throughout the summer.

Community Activities for April:

6:00-6:45  Band Rehearsal in Sanctuary
6:45-8:00  Choir Rehearsal in Sanctuary
Caring News
Caring Network
If you have any caring concerns, please contact our Caring Network coordinator, Neil Yesu at  dbny79@aol.com
More
Safety Tips
These tips are brought to you by our Operations Team.
Shop 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 Mother's Day shopping. Follow this link:   smile.amazon.com/ch/59-1160337
Member to Member
Do you have something to offer, trade, or sell? Are you looking for something? Free ad space here for personal items only. Will run ad for 4 weeks. Email  uuchurch@uucfm.org .
Our Greater Community
Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Group
The Rissho Kosei-kai group meets Sundays at 2:00 PM in Room 1. Contact Mary Tracy Sigman for info marytracysigman115@gmail.com
Lee OFA Indivisible
Lee OFA Indivisible invites you to hear Roger Williams speak about Free Speech, The Mueller Report and James Madison visits the Sunshine State
Thursday, April 25, 6 – 7:30 at the Unitarian Universal Church of Fort Myers.

Roger Williams was born and raised in Colorado, graduated from the University of
Kansas with a Classics degree, served in the Marine Corps and earned a master’s
degree in Journalism from Columbia University. He has worked for the Asbury Park
Press (New Jersey), The News-Press (Fort Myers), The New Times (Broward County)
and for the last 12 years, Florida Weekly. He is an award winning journalist who won
the Jon A. Roosenraad Award for defense of the first amendment. He is married to The
News-Press writer and WGCU public radio essayist, Amy Bennett Williams. They
reside in Alva with their youngest son, Nash and Roger’s mother, Ellen Nash Williams.
Please join us to show your interest and support for this important issue and bring
concerned friends, relatives and neighbors.
Earth Day Festival at St. John the Apostle MCC
Saturday, April 27th 9-3 at St. John the Apostle Church 3049 McGregor Blvd Fort Myers. Vendors needed! For info Email events@sjamcc.com

Interfaith:
●       Passover  (Jewish) - April 19 - 27
 
Unitarian Universalist:
●       Hosea Ballou ’s Birthday - April 30 (1771)
 
National & Cultural:
●       Jazz Appreciation Month  
●       National Poetry Month  
●       Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day  - April 26
●       Day of Silence  (LGBTQ) - April 27 
Happy Birthday!

April 27  Jeff Letts  Nancy Letts
April 28  Mickey Kellam
April 30  Audrey Brown
Contact Us
Board of Trustees
Board Email board@uucfm.org

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  239-561-2700x204   minister@uucfm.org
Director of Music   
Suellen Kipp  music@uucfm.org
Director of RE        
Jenn Blosser  239-561-2700x208   dre@uucfm.org
Office Manager       
Building Supervisor   
Nursery Supervisor  
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