Sunday Worship Service
All Welcome to our Service at 10:30 am Sundays in the Miller Sanctuary
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December
Worship
2018
MYSTERY
This month our worship provides opportunity for rest, reflection and renewal, a much-needed way to close an emotionally & sociopolitically challenging calendar year. For those who seek merriment, worship will give opportunity. We will have our Solstice service on Sunday, December 23rd.
Our candlelight
Christmas Eve service will be at 5:00 pm on December 24th.
Every Sunday we will kindle the holiday lights of the season, humbled by the Mystery of Life and open to its possibility in the coming year.
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Christmas Eve Dinner
Origami Japanese/Korean/Sushi
Monday, December 24, 2018
directly following the Christmas Eve Service
8911 Daniels Parkway, Ste 5
Fort Myers, FL 33912
USE OF GPS IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
DIRECTIONS:
(ORIGAMI IS ON THE NORTH SIDE OF DANIELS PKWY 0.7 MILES EAST OF SHIRE LANE.)
Turn left onto Shire La from the Church parking lot.
Turn right-west onto Daniels Parkway.
Get into extreme left lane and make first “U” turn onto E. Daniels Parkway.
Proceed east on Daniels 0.7 miles in left lane to Appaloosa La.
(Appaloosa La. is only on N side of Daniels. Look for Powers Ct. on south, right side of Daniels
but turn LEFT onto Appaloosa La.)
Turn left through center median onto Appaloosa La.
Turn right, east onto Jobe Rd (first right turn).
Turn first left into parking lot.
ORIGAMI is directly ahead of you. We will be in the back of the dining room.
Please call John E. Fischer, 1-267-992 -6566 or E-Mail
[email protected] by Friday, December 21, 2018 to reserve your place. Management needs exact numbers to schedule staff.
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Community Sharing in December: Quality Life Center
Quality Life Center has been in the Dunbar community since 1990. The center provides early learning, afterschool, teen leadership and summer camp programs. Quality Life Center’s ACE Afterschool Program was named a 2017 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program finalist by the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and Institute of Museum and Library Services. This national recognition established ACE as one of the top arts and humanities-based programs in the country. Quality Life Center’s Arts, Character and Education (ACE) program provides afterschool, summer camp and teen leadership programs to help at-risk youth realize their potential and foster their abilities. Engaging educational projects help students become academically competitive, and include a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) initiative.
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Humanist Forum
The Humanist Forum meets every Sunday at 9:15 am in Hobart Hall. All are welcome to attend.
The Humanist Forum this Sunday, December 23rd continues the discussion of the water situation in SW Florida. We’ll watch more video from the Miami Herald and discuss further actions that those of us living on the Gulf Coast can take. Bring your experiences and thoughts to the discussion.
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Social Hour
Sunday's Social Hour happens after the service 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! Questions about the group? 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. (or 7) Come join us for community, conversation, and finding your call to action! Questions about the group? Reach out to Jenn Blosser:
[email protected]
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SPARK
is our newest youth group. 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.
[email protected]
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Youth Theater Troupe
The UUCFM Youth Theater troupe will meet on the following Wednesdays at 6:30 pm following the community meal:
January 2
January 9
January 23
January 30
Please contact Sima Robins if you missed our information session and you are interested in participating.
[email protected]
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From the Minister
This Sunday and Christmas Eve we will be kindling the last of the holiday lights. Our Winter Solstice pageant is always a bright spot of song, storytelling, and reflection. Our Christmas Eve service (5 pm in sanctuary):
Love Made Real
will include story, song and candlelight, as well as a Child Dedication. I encourage you to attend as we pledge ourselves to new children joining our community as we remember and honor that each night a child is born is a holy night.
I want to thank Haris Blackwood for her musical contributions at our Blue Holiday service. And many thanks to our Director of Music Suellen Kipp who had the idea and whose musical support allowed it all to come together.
Thank you also to all of those who gave so generously to the Quality Life Center gift giving this year- over a hundred gifts (many very generous) will touch over a hundred lives this holiday season.
Whether feeling festive or pensive, you are welcome at UUCFM to bring your whole self as we light candles in ourselves, for one another, and the larger community: a beacon of liberal religion in Lee County.
Rev. Allison Farnum
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Building Supervisor Out- Need Volunteers
Our Building Supervisor will be out for vacation for the next two weeks. If you would to help volunteer with some light cleaning, please see Mary Alice Pierce, the lady with the broom and clipboard, on Sunday. You can also email
[email protected]
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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 UUCFM Office will be closed on December 25th and 26th, and also on New Year's Day.
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Membership
The Membership Ministry Team is making plans for our January New Member Ceremony. Anyone interested in becoming a new member, please contact
[email protected]
to receive your membership enrollment kit.
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Holiday Safety
Winter holidays are a time for families and friends to get together. Following a few simple tips will ensure a happy and fire-safe holiday season:
Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both. Blow out lit candles when you leave the room or go to bed. Turn off all light strings and decorations before leaving home or going to bed. Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed. Get rid of the tree after Christmas or when it is dry.
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Covenant of UU Pagans Medieval Feast
Entertainers have stepped up and for those that have paid or reserved space to our event we are very grateful. We will meet in the Screen Room & Hobart Hall on December 21st at 6:30 pm. Tickets required. Dress all in finery. Child care is provided for under age 6. If you are on the list and can not come please let us know because someone may want to attend and needs your place. Thank you,
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Dinner Go Round 2019
Dinners-Go-Round are now forming for January through April 2019!
Denis and Linda Jensen are organizing Dinners Go Round. These monthly potluck dinners offer you a chance to get to know your fellow UUCFM Members on an informal basis. One dinner is held each month at a host UUCFM member’s home on a date determined by the host and participants.
If you didn’t participate last year and would like to do so this year, please email Denis Jensen by December 15th at
[email protected]
and let him know. Please include your names, telephone numbers, addresses and email addresses in your email to Denis and also let him know if you would consider being a host for one of the four monthly dinners or if there is one or more of the four months where you would not be able to participate. Also advise Denis if you will require wheelchair accessible dinner sites.
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Family Friendly Good Old Fashioned Cookout
Leslie and Doc Gatto are holding a cookout on Saturday, January 12th at 12:30 pm. The menu is burgers (beef or bean), hot dogs, beans, chips, s'mores and soft drinks. If you would like to attend, make a $10 per person donation to UUCFM (children 12 and under are FREE! ) and let me know you are coming. This was an offering at last year's service auction. The more the merrier! Contact me at
[email protected]
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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, FL
A weekend for Exploring, Enriching, Expressing our Spirits in a Gathering of UU Women
Friday evening we will get to know one another and create
community
Saturday, 4 one-hour workshops offer choices: Awakening our
Spirits, Sacred Dance, Meditation, Expressive Art, Book and Topical
Discussion Groups, Personal Time, Relaxation.
Sunday we share a UU Service bringing it all together
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.
A non-refundable deposit of $20 for a semi-private room or $30 for a
private room will reserve your place. Final payment is due January
15, 2019. Come join us for an enriching and memorable weekend.
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Calling All Women at UUCFM
Starting January 22nd and continuing every 4th Tuesday, there will be a noon potluck in Hobart Hall. Bring a dish to share and your own beverage. The program for the 22nd is a vote on a nickname for us-
Sisters in Spirit?, Wonder Women? (bring other suggestions), and a Guided Walk about our 13 acres. Wear closed toed shoes for the gravel and natural areas.
Feb. 26th, Noon, Program: Memories, bring a very much younger photo and we'll Guess Who!
March 26th, Noon, Program: Adventure Travel, Dorothy in Egypt, Joy in Australia....Bring your travel pics and story.
April 23rd, Noon, Program:To Be Decided
For contact information: Dorothy Van Howe, 239-560-7238,
Note: We have some very interesting new women members who might breathe some fresh life into the womens group. In line with the idea and need for small group discussion groups forming- Let's Do It!
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Next Connection Circle to Begin January 27th
Calling all visitors and new and long-time members who want to get to know each other in a deep and meaningful way to come to the next Connection Circle! Bond with others in this facilitated group by discussing different spiritual topics as they pertain to your life. Always lively and heart-felt, participation in the Connection Circle is a great way to meet new folks and to deepen connections to those you already know. This facilitated 6-session group will meet from 12:15-1:45 pm after church in a classroom (to be determined) beginning January 27th and continue on 2/10, 2/24, 3/10, 3/24, and 4/14.
Participants are expected to attend all 6 sessions.
For more information and to
register
, please contact Nancy Letts at
[email protected]
or call at 401-741-2712.
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Adult OWL
Adult OWL begins Wednesdays 6:30-8:00 pm January 9, 2019 in Room 7.
Honest and accurate information about sexuality changes lives. It dismantles stereotypes and assumptions, builds self-acceptance and self-esteem, fosters healthy relationships, improves decision making, and has the potential to save lives. For these reasons and more, we are proud to offer
Our Whole Lives
(OWL), a comprehensive, lifespan sexuality education. Contact
[email protected]
to sign up
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UUCFM 15+ Group Meeting
The UUCFM 15+ Group is comprised of UUCFM members who have belonged to UUCFM for at least 15 years. Some churches call this type of group Church Elders -- but this group of "elders" chose to be called the 15+ Group! We will be meeting at noon in the Narthex on Sunday, January 13, 2019. If you would like to have an item put on the agenda, please contact Ellen Erickson
[email protected]
or at 239-694-6833.
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Book Club
Come having read Intro and Part One
.
All welcome to attend.
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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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Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Group
The Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist group meets Sundays in Room 1. All are welcome to join us. We have a new meeting time- 2:00-4:00 pm.
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Community Wednesday
Please join us for Chef Joy's Community Wednesday Dinners at 6:00 pm each Wednesday. We will be serving salad, soup and entree. The price is $5.00. The meal is vegetarian, but every other week will feature a meat item alternate.
Attention: There will be no Community Dinner served on December 26 or January 2. Check with your Wednesday evening activity leaders for their holiday schedules.
Community Activities for December:
6:00-6:45
Band Rehearsal in Sanctuary
6:45-8:00
Choir Rehearsal in Sanctuary
6:45-8:00
Spiritual Discussion group thru December 19th, 2018 in Room 7 and January 9th thru May 2019 in Room 2.
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Pachamama Alliance
Thursday, January 3
6:30 PM
Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers
Pachamama Alliance is proud to host
Rob Moher,
President and Executive Director of
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida.
Protecting Southwest Florida’s unique natural environment and quality of life…now and forever.
Understanding the World We Live In:
Southwest Florida is an ecosystem so rich with diversity it rivals the wildest places on earth. We are fortunate to live among the spectacular network of water, land and wildlife. For more than 50 years the Conservancy of Southwest Florida has been working to protect our natural assets for future generations. Learn about our unique approach to finding a sensible balance between a growing population, and preserving very reasons that attracted us to Southwest Florida. Find out more about who we are, what we do, and why it is important to you.
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South Fort Myers Food Pantry
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 Fran will return your call.
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Caring News
Caring Network Update-
Paula Copestick is doing well! She gets around in her apartment with the assistance of her walker but is wheeled down to meals due to the distance of the dining room. She has a small speech impediment due to her stroke(s) and some loss of hearing, but is of a very sound mind!
Paula led wonderful UUCFM classes and she did a lot for our church. She still is quite a remarkable woman. Let’s reciprocate by sending her a note, a seasonal card, or a visit which is the most convenient method of letting her know "we care". It will also demonstrate that Santa and Ms. Claus are hale and hearty.
Paula Copestick
Brookdale in Bonita Springs
26852 S. Bay Drive. Rm 105
Bonita Springs FL 34134
If you have any caring concerns, please contact our Caring Network coordinator, Neil Yesu at
[email protected]
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Art in the Narthex
Attention supporters of the Family Village- the kids are showing what they have been doing at the intention table during the service. We hope you enjoy their efforts...maybe we could each connect with 1 or 2 little artists by commenting favorably about what they produced, and getting to know them at the same time.
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UUCFM Announcing: Youth Violence Prevention Project
The United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades, and Okeechobee and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers (UUCFM) have begun a partnership designed to reduce youth violence. This initiative is a United Way Collaborative entitled the
Youth Violence Prevention Project (YVPP)
. The YVPP is a community funding initiative to encourage the development of programs that will reduce youth violence and the risk factors that contribute to it.
YVPP focuses on giving grants to local youth centered organizations or communities who propose youth violence prevention programs with clear and measurable objectives. The project will offer a total of $25,000 in grants to fund
student-driven programs
that address youth violence prevention and awareness. Grants will be awarded in increments of $500 - $2,500.
Proposals will be accepted beginning
through January 18, 2019
. A student committee will then review submitted grant applications and select projects to be the recipients of the funding. Selected projects will be required to match the funding with money or in-kind donations.
YVPP will foster strategies that work in combination to prevent youth violence in a long-term way such as:
· Promoting family environments that support healthy development
· Providing quality education early in life
· Strengthening youth’s skills
· Connecting youth to caring adults and activities
· Creating protective community environments
· Intervening to lessen harms and prevent future risk.
UUCFM will have 4 seats on the Review Committee. It will entail one or two short meetings a year. If anyone is interested in serving on the Review Committee, please let me know
[email protected]
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We Need YOU to Keep our Bed & Breakfast Program Going
We are preparing for another year of UUCFM’s Bed and Breakfast program. Through the generosity of host families within our congregation, we have raised $3000 to $5000 a year for the church operating budget for many years. We provide this service to UUs and/or their friends from around the country. This program cannot happen without volunteers and we need your help!
What’s needed to be a host? The host provides one bedroom and bathroom and a basic breakfast each morning of the guests’ stay. The guests are usually one or two people. The breakfast can even be a “do it yourself” if your guests are early risers or you have to go to work and they want to sleep.
Do I have to entertain the guests or take them places? You are not expected to provide entertainment, transportation or extra food. For the most part, guests are off doing their own thing most of the day and evening.
When and for how long? Guests stay from one to seven nights during the months of January through April. (Most stay only two or three nights.) guests. I usually send out an email to all potential hosts when a request is received and the hosts respond as to their availability. Even if you can only host for two nights in March, for example, that is a big help. February and March tend to be in the biggest demand.
All money received from the guests as they stay in your home goes directly to UUCFM operating funds. I haven’t even mentioned how interesting and fun this experience can be for the hosts. We have met so many great UUs through this experience!
Please consider being a host. Before you say no, talk to me! Just try it once…
Mary Nies, Program Coordinator
239-466-7933
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Did you know your purchases can make a difference? AmazonSmile donates to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers when you do your holiday shopping at
smile.amazon.com/ch/59-1160337
.
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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].
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- A set of car keys (Toyota) were lost on church property on Sunday, November 11th. Contact Mary Nies at [email protected] or 239-466-7933.
- A new visitor, Sally Farina, needs a ride to church on Sundays. Can anyone be of help? She lives near Orange Grove Blvd in North Fort Myers; 239-258-1722; [email protected].
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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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Celebrating Farmworker Justice:
A fundraiser dinner in honor of CIW's 25th Anniversary
Friday, Dec. 21, 2018 from 5-7:30 p.m.
$25-$50 Suggested Donation
Coalition of Immokalee Workers
110 S 2nd St, Immokalee, FL 34142
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NAMI LCH Family Connection
LCH Family Connection is a new program designed to provide peer-led education, support and system navigation guidance to families caring for a mentally ill loved one. Drawing extensively from the evidence-based curriculum of the NAMIFamily-to-Family Education Course, this new program will delve more deeply into several of the topics covered in class and allow the time and flexibility for discussion, support and sharing of coping skills and lived experiences to help and guide others. It will be held at:
Lee Memorial Hospital
2776 Cleveland Avenue
in Medical Room 3
Fort Myers, FL 33901
(must check in at front desk with valid ID and receive a visitors pass)
January 8 and 22, 2019 - For many families the first and often biggest challenge is simply getting your loved one to accept that they need help. We will use Class 2: The 3 Major Mental Illnesses/Critical Periods to explore strategies for getting your family member diagnosed and receiving treatment.
February 5 and 19, 2019 - Sometimes communicating with your ill family member can be difficult and frustrating. Using shared experience and Class 8: Communication Skills Workshop as a guide, we will learn specific techniques that can help you communicate with your ill family member in a more positive, effective manner.
March 5 and 19, 2019 - Mental illness affects the whole family and a treatment plan should involve them too. Using concepts from Chapter 6 we will explore the challenges of HIPAA and how to work WITH health care providers to ensure your family member is being properly treated and supported in their recovery.
April 2 and 16, 2019 - Pulling from an array of information throughout the Family-to-Family manual. we will discover and discuss what you can realistically expect from your ill loved one during an episode and also during recovery.
May 7 and 21, 2019 - Caring for an ill loved one takes a toll on individuals, families, and marriages. Including material from Class 9: Relative Groups and Self-Care we will be discussing the importance of self-care and some different ways we can care for ourselves and our healthy family members while caring for our ill loved one.
The time is from 7-8:30 PM on the above dates. Since space is limited, call the office to register at 239-337-9024. Education of the family is often a predictor of recovery in mental illness so please try to get the word out.
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Dec 21 Harvey Heckes
Dec 26 Melinda Machones
Dec 30 Bruce Marble
Dec 30 Joy Sokeitous
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Board of Trustees
President
President Elect
Secretary
Treasurer
VP Finance
Vacant
VP Programming
VP Ministerial Services
VP Operations
Member at Large
Staff
Minister
Director of Music
Director of RE
Office Manager
Building Supervisor
Nursery Supervisor
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