Sunday Worship in August: Humanism
Service at 10:30 am Sundays in the Miller Sanctuary
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Community Sharing in August: Literacy Council Gulf Coast
Literacy Council Gulf Coast is committed to improving English language and reading skills of adults and children throughout Southwest Florida. The Literacy Council Gulf Coast provides free instruction for adults in reading and writing, and in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). They offer Moms and Tots Family Literacy for mothers and their young children and Kids + Lifelong Learning for parents in Title I schools. Additionally, they offer work-site literacy programs at local golf/gated communities. Their program serves residents of Bonita Springs, San Carlos Park, Estero, Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, Cape Coral, Sanibel & Naples.
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Humanist Forum
The Humanist Forum meets every Sunday at 9:15 am in Hobart Hall. All are welcome to attend.
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Coffee Hour
Sunday's Coffee Hour happens after church every week and is provided by volunteers from the Women's Circle on the first Sunday, CUUPS on the second Sunday, Humanist Forum on the third Sunday, Men's Group on the fourth Sunday and if there is a fifth Sunday, it is All Church. Any donations of food, snacks or cash are welcome.
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BURN, our High School Youth Group meets on Sundays at noon in Room 4. All youth, ages 14-18, are welcome! Contact Director of Religious Education, Jenn Blosser:
[email protected]
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IGNITE
, our junior youth group for ages 10-13, meets weekly from 12-1 pm in Room 3. Come join us for community, conversation, and finding your call to action! Questions about the group? Reach out to Stephanie Hoffman:
[email protected]
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SPARK
is now forming! Exclusively for children ages five to nine, Spark will meet weekly from 12-1 in Room 2 to explore Unitarian Universalism and learn more about our church and each other.
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Coming Soon: Hearing Loop Assistive Listening System
A Hearing Loop system will be available in the sanctuary starting Sunday, August 26 to assist those with hearing loss hear more clearly during services. A Hearing Loop is an assistive listening system that transmits sound directly into one’s hearing aids or cochlear implants rather than depending on sound coming from the loudspeakers. To receive the Loop signal and hear more clearly, you will need to manually activate your T-coil or “telephone” setting on your hearing aid or cochlear implant. If you don’t know if you have a T-coil or whether yours is properly programmed, consult with your audiologist or hearing aid professional. If you don’t wear hearing aids, ask to use a Loop receiver to receive the sound. If you have further questions about Looping, please contact the installation company, Complete Hearing Solutions at
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From the Minister
This Saturday, hundreds of people have committed to gather at 6:00 pm at Centennial Park to protest the deadly waters around us. We know that it is not the waters that are deadly- the waters are only carriers for human greed and consumption. My prayer is that as all of us gather, we look to our own ways of living and how we contribute to this death: the fertilizers, round up, and toxins that may be in your home or yard. I am certainly feeling ashamed at the use of roundup in my yard, and we live on the Caloosahatchee. It relates in many ways to how I live my life lately- seeking instant solutions that are as convenient as possible (hey, I am a working mom with 2 kids, right?). The weeds must go, but it is hard work that must pull them. No one said life was easy, and there is often a cost to the quick fix, whether it's in our relationships (to people, animals, nature) or in our gardening or household cleaning practices.
So, as I plan to gather at Centennial Park this Saturday at 6:00 pm (followed by a "funeral-style" march through downtown Fort Myers), I must look within at my own accountability to mother earth and our waters as much as demanding this accountability of our legislators, EPA, and water managers. I hope you will do the same. On a logistical note, I plan on bringing water and snacks for any hungry children who happen to be there, with the UUCFM logo attached!
Rev. Allison Farnum
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Music Notes
The UUCFM Music Team is getting ready to place an order for large print teal hymnals for all musicians and choir members. We believe this will assist all in seeing and reading the musical score and will professionalize our delivery. If you are interested in financially supporting the music ministry and assisting with the purchase of the teal hymnals for the Music Team, please contact our acting director of music, Suellen Kipp at
[email protected]
. The cost of each hymnal will be $24. The goal is to purchase 24 hymnals for a total cost of $576.
You are welcome to donate hymnals in memoriam or in honor of a loved one and it will be noted in the front of the hymnal. Thank you for your support!
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, Acting Director of Music
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Community Sharing Volunteer Opportunities
Here are the ways the congregation can volunteer with or support our
Community Sharing Sunday (CSS) partners:
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GRACE Wish List 2018-2019
Supplies for Fertility Bracelets and Menstrual Kits
1. Cord of up to ¼” in diameter, for drawstring bags, any color,
2. Yardage of dark flannel,
3. Girls’ size 14 cotton underwear, not white,
4. Large safety pins (grouping Bracelets),
5. Bobby pins (for marking the days on the Bracelets),
6. Pony beads in ratio of 2 Green: 3 Purple (12 fertile days, 18 not fertile),
7. Solar lamps for working and studying at night. Any size.
School Supplies
GRACE seeks useful, durable teaching and student materials, such as:
1. Rulers, must include metric,
2. Scissors, all sizes, used OK,
3. Solar calculators,
4. Pencil sharpeners,
5. Pencils, erasers, pens, highlighters, permanent markers,
6. Rubber bands (sold individually in stores in Gt.), tacks, paper clips,
7. Puzzles, children to teen,
8. Maps of the world, science themes, educational charts (English OK),
9. Magnifying glasses,
10. Again, Solar lamps for working and studying at night.
Muchismas Gracias!
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Reflections on Hurricane Irma
- Art Quilters Unlimited Exhibit
Miller Sanctuary Narthex
August 6-September 29, 2018
Open Reception Thursday, August 9, 2018 5-7 pm
Art quilters create fine art wall hangings based on their experiences, imagery and ideas, rather than on traditional patterns. Art Quilters Unlimited is a group of fiber artists interested in expanding their knowledge and pushing the boundaries of their creativity. Our very own, Rev. Margaret L. Beard is a member of this group!
For more information, please contact Pam Richardson, Exhibition Committee Chair at
[email protected]
.
To confirm access to the exhibit, please call the Church Office at (239) 561-2700. For more info, check out the public event page
here
.
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Join the FUUn BUUnch for Dinner!
Saturday, August 25, at 6:30 pm
LaGrotta
9520 Marketplace Road
Ft Myers 33912
Directions: Drive E/W on Daniels Parkway toward 75. Turn North on Danport Way (Just east of Denny’s). Turn Right (East) on Marketplace Road (first road). La Grotta is on the right across from the Marriott. If you miss it, go round the circle, headwest. La Grotta is 500’ west of the circle on the left.
Please call John E. Fischer, 1-267-992 -6566 or email
[email protected] by Wednesday, August 22nd to reserve your place. Management needs exact numbers to schedule staffing.
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UU Women's Retreat
Celebrating Sacred Places
9th Annual Florida Unitarian Universalist
Women’s Retreat
April 5-7, 2019
DaySpring Episcopal Conference Center Ellenton Flo The retreat begins Friday at 5:00pm and ends Sunday.
DaySpring Conference Center is conveniently located off I-75 just north of Sarasota on Florida’s West Coast. The beautiful campus nestled under ancient oaks and located on a cove of the Manatee River offers a serene setting for our annual retreat. Take a look.
$220 per person covers expenses for a semi-private room and meals. 8 women share a cozy cottage with 4 bedrooms and 4 baths, a screened porch and common area. A limited number of single rooms are available at $292 each.
$5 Discounts Available for Registration before September 15, 2018.
A non-refundable deposit of $15 for a semi-private room or $25 for a private room will reserve your place. Final payment is due January 15, 2019. Come join us for an enriching and memorable weekend. Any questions? Contact Helen Leddy
[email protected]
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Book Study
Come to the Book Study on Wednesdays at 1:00 pm. We are reading
Play
by Stuart Brown and Christopher Vaughan.
"From a leading expert, a groundbreaking book on the science of play, and its essential role in fueling our happiness and intelligence throughout our lives
We've all seen the happiness on the face of a child while playing in the school yard. Or the blissful abandon of a golden retriever racing across a lawn. This is the joy of play. By definition, play is purposeless, all-consuming, and fun. But as Dr. Stuart Brown illustrates, play is anything but trivial. It is a biological drive as integral to our health as sleep or nutrition. We are designed by nature to flourish through play.
Dr. Brown has spent his career studying animal behavior and conducting more than six-thousand "play histories" of humans from all walks of life-from serial murderers to Nobel Prize winners. Backed by the latest research,
Play
(20,000 copies in print) explains why play is essential to our social skills, adaptability, intelligence, creativity, ability to problem solve and more. Particularly in tough times, we need to play more than ever, as it's the very means by which we prepare for the unexpected, search out new solutions, and remain optimistic. A fascinating blend of cutting-edge neuroscience, biology, psychology, social science, and inspiring human stories of the transformative power of play, this book proves why play just might be the most important work we can ever do.
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Mindfulness Meditation
Join us on Monday evenings to explore the very simple and satisfying practices of mindfulness and meditation. You don’t need experience with meditation, nor do you have to be a Buddhist. Do please bring an intention to quiet the mind and the 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 contact Gary Robbins at
[email protected]
.
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UUCFM Gaming Group
The UUCFM Gaming Group is the club for you. We do our best to meet in Room 7 on Sundays after church from 2:00-4:00 pm. Those of us with children can't always make it so please check the Facebook group page (
UUCFM Gaming Group
) to see if games are scheduled.
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Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Group
The Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist group meets Sundays at 1:45p in Room 1. All are welcome to join us.
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Community Wednesday
Activities for August:
4:00-5:30
Optimal Living Group (1st & 3rd Wed)
6:00-6:45
Band Rehearsal in Sanctuary (off 1st two weeks in June)
6:45-8:00
Choir Rehearsal in Sanctuary (off 1st two weeks in June)
Community Dinners are on hiatus until September. Enjoy your summer! Rehearsals and Events will continue through summer.
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Changes to the Food Pantry re: Donations
The support that UUCFM has shown to our pantry over the years is greatly appreciated and along with other coalition members' support it has helped the South Fort Myers Food Pantry (FMFP) to feed 23,000 people in need during 2017. The Harry Chapin Food Bank is vital to our mission, to feed the needy of South Fort Myers, at a very modest cost. They are however, making some changes at Harry Chapin.
In the past, members of our congregation have financially supported the pantry by donating directly to the pantry or by sending checks to the Harry Chapin Food Bank with the stipulation the funds were to support the SFMFP. The Food Bank would then place the funds in a "Designated Grant" account for our use to purchase food. They are eliminating these accounts. As of August 1, 2018 any checks they receive in support of one particular pantry will be returned to the sender. Therefore, our pantry is requesting that any monetary donations be sent directly to and made out to:
The South Fort Myers Food Pantry
If you feel strongly about your donation being only for food and not for operating expenses, write "for food only" on the memo line. The pantry relies on the support of the coalition churches for the funds and the volunteers needed. There are no paid positions and it takes hundreds of volunteer hours and thousands of dollars each month to accomplish our mission. If you have questions call Fran Rose and leave a message at 617-750-0470 and I will return your call.
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LIFE News
Big things are happening! We asked the commission to form a children's service council and while they are still refusing to even allow it on the ballot- they have increased the budget for children's services by $1.7 million. Should this budget pass we will be able to celebrate dental care for thousands of more children as well as hundreds of children getting access to full day preschool. It is still not a victory but it is a sign that work for justice is never done in vain.
2018-2019 Dates. See below for the newly announced dates for the upcoming year.
Annual Assembly
Monday, October 29, 2018
Rally
Tuesday, March 26, 2019
Nehemiah Action
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
Celebration
Tuesday, May 14, 2019 Community Forum
LIFE members were invited to a community forum to help the county health department decide on a focus for the upcoming few years. If you wish to participate see below:
What: Department of Health in Lee County Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) Town Hall Meeting
When: July 2, 2018
Time: 6:30p – 8:30p
Where: Department of Health Lee County
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Caring Network
Paula Copestick
Your Caring Network has the privilege of reminding you that Paula Copestick's birthday is on August 14th. Please take a moment to send a card to mark this celebration and let her know that we miss her physical presence on Shire Lane. A card is the best and most practical way to communicate with her. If you have the time, feel free to visit her. We are sure Paula would deem this the best gift she could get!
Paula Copestick
Brookdale in Bonita Springs
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Worden Farm Boxes
If enough folks in our congregation and in the area sign up, our church can once again be a pick up location for Worden Farm. They have a new small box available this season. It’s just a half bushel — fits easily in a standard fridge and is the perfect size for one person. Click on "organic veggie box" for more details.
Enrollment is now OPEN for the upcoming season.
Fresh, local, organic, and affordable!
Choose from our 3 types of CSA farm membership:
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Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers.
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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
[email protected]
*ACER 23" Computer Monitor. Like New. FREE! Contact Mary Richey 239.939.7738
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If you are a UUCFM Community Sharing Partner, a regular Facility User, or have UU related news to share, you are welcome to submit announcements for publication in our Greater Community section of the newsletter. Please send announcements in by Wednesday for publication in the Thursday E-news.
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Lee County Election Deadlines
The following deadlines apply for the General Election on Nov. 6, 2018:
- Register to vote – Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018
- Request Vote-By-Mail Ballot – Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018
Early voting will occur as follows:
- Primary – Aug. 18 thru 25, 2018
- General – Oct. 22 thru Nov. 3, 2018
If you are voting by mail and you will not be at the address provided, contact Lee County Elections. Your ballot will not be forwarded to a different address. For more information call 239-533-8683 or on-line at
www.Lee.Vote
.
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Aug 9 Hilary Matheson
Aug 12 Peg Lancioni
Aug 12 Carole Latino
Aug 13 Shirley Blumenfeld
Aug 14 Paula Copestick
Aug 21 Suzanne Fast
Aug 22 Marge Gonzalez
Aug 24 Patricia Vivier-Naidl
Aug 25 John Swank
Aug 28 Kathy Ford
Aug 28 Ellen Kelly
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Board of Trustees
President
President Elect
Secretary
Treasurer
VP Finance
VP Programming
VP Ministerial Services
VP Operations
Member at Large
Staff
Minister
Acting Director of Music
Director of RE
Office Manager
Building Supervisor
Nursery Supervisor
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