Weekly E-News February 21, 2019
Worship with us in February!
Trust
In the 5 Smooth Stones of liberal religion, the late, white theologian James Luther Adams reminds us that we are a people of Trust. Yes, skepticism and doubt and questioning are a deep and proud of our Unitarian Universalist heritage. Those behaviors are resulting from a deeper sense of trust that Love prevails in all things, underneath it all. A greater Love calls more powerfully than any dogma supposedly set in stone. And this trust extends to any theology or life philosophy theistic or not. The deeply thoughtful atheist writer James Baldwin writes, “Trust life, and it will teach you, in joy and sorrow, all you need to know.” This trust of Life and Love extends beyond the ebb and flow of our day to day lives, and when we worship together we can access that depth together. So come, trusting that your presence matters, and that you might experience something you needed.
Community Sharing in February- ACT, or Abuse Counseling Treatment
For the past 38 years, ACT's mission is to protect, support and educate victims of domestic violence and their children and survivors of sexual assault and human trafficking in Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties. They provide 3 emergency shelters, 24-hour hotline, individual and group counseling and therapy, advocacy, rape crisis center, children's program, education, and professional trainings and information and referrals. Please remember our community sharing partner at each Sunday's offerting time. All unmarked donations go to our partner each week! Thank you!
The Humanist Forum
The Humanist Forum meets every Sunday at 9:15 am in Hobart Hall. All are welcome to attend. This Sunday’s Forum features a discussion led by Don Maron on the issues of being an Alzheimer caregiver and patient. Don shares his 11 years as a caregiver to his wife Carolyn and his personal experiences with Alzheimers at the research clinic.
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.
Youth Groups
If you have questions about our youth groups or Children's Religious Education program, please contact Jenn Blosser dre@uucfm.org.
BURN , our High School Youth Group meets on Sundays at noon in Room 4. All youth, ages 14-18, are welcome! Contact Jenn Blosser for info on our youth groups: dre@uucfm.org
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!
S PARK, exclusively for children ages 5-9, Spark meets weekly from 12-1pm in Room 2 to explore Unitarian Universalism and learn more about our church and each other. 
Faith Formation Town Hall
Join members of the Village Council and DRE Jenn Blosser for a Faith Formation Town Hall Meeting on Sunday, March 3rd at 12:15p in the Sanctuary. All are encouraged to come learn about the program structure, ask questions, and discover volunteer opportunities!
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
From the Office
Would you like to volunteer for a few hours a week in the office? We need helpers that can answer phones, take messages, and greet visitors. No experience required. Hours needed are Tuesdays 11-2, Thursdays 9-1, and Fridays 11-2. Please email officemanager@uucfm.org if you are interested!
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 New Members!

MAUREEN WHITSCHEY: I've been a member of UUCFM for over one year and member of UUC of Akron, Ohio for 5 years. My husband of 41 years and I have 4 children, 7 grandchildren, and a great granddaughter. We've been residents of Florida for 2 years and love it here! I love to read, ride my bike daily and enjoy the sunshine! I worked with special needs pre-school children and their families for over 30 years in Northeastern Ohio. My personal belief that all people have inherent worth and should be treated with dignity regardless of gender, race, religion, sexual identity, mental/physical ability or age aligns with UU beliefs. I feel a personal connection attending UUCFM that is meaningful to me.

EVELYN ALIANO: We lived in Rockland County New York for 35 years. We bought an historic house in Tice, Florida which was a total wreck but much work on restoration turned it to a lovely home where I've cherished it for 23 years. I've enjoyed volunteering at the Lee Memorial Hospital for
the past 8 years and met Mary Gayle Skinner there who introduced me to UUCFM. I look forward to making many new friends here with you all.

The Membership team needs a few more Ambassador Volunteers
 
This past fall the Membership Team began the process of helping newcomers on the pathway to membership by assigning volunteers (we call them Ambassadors) to the newcomer once they submit a Connection Card. Six volunteers have formed our current Ambassador Corps but we need a few more. In the past 3 months we are averaging 16 newcomers/month, that’s a healthy increase over previous months. That’s the good news! To help our newcomers with the journey to membership, we need a few more Ambassadors, representing a cross-section of our membership. 
 
If you’re interested, please let the Membership team know by emailing  MemberServices@UUCFM.org  or just corner one of us and let us know of your interest. The time involved is not significant, no more than an hour a week.

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.
Special Events at UUCFM
Service Auction
Venetian Masquerade Ball!
Saturday, February 23rd, 5:00 pm

While the guests will be disguised, there is nothing secret about the cause.

The UUCFM annual Service Auction is an important fundraising event for the church (and always a fun party), but it is also a great way to bring people together. Do you have a special talent or skill or a unique item to donate? Ideas for services to donate: Host a brunch, dinner or dessert party; Host a ping-pong or pool tournament; Take a few people on a nature hike or bird-watching tour of a local preserve; Set up a poker run or scavenger hunt; Offer a few hours of babysitting or handyman services. Other popular items are homemade scones, pizzas or lasagna, handmade quilts and paintings and gift cards! Everyone can participate and help expand our mission to Love, Grow and Serve.

Questions about the auction? Contact Helen Dixon or Sheila Jaskie, or you can reach us at ServiceAuction@uucfm.org .
UUCFM Classes & Groups
15+ Group
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 at noon on Sunday, March 10th. If you would like to have an item put on the agenda, please contact Ellen Erickson  andy.ellen.erickson@gmail.com or 239-694-6833.
Rummage Sale
UUCFM will hold a Rummage Sale March 15-17 on the Screen Porch. Donations can be left in the Screen Room in the designated area starting Friday, March 1st. Save your stuff and ask your relatives and neighbors for donations! If you need help to bring things, or need pick up service, contact Deborah Lewis at 773-720-4875 or debl5784@hotmail.com to arrange a time. (We can pick up before March 1st if needed.)
CUUPs Healing Drum Circle
Cuups is now hosting a monthly healing drumming circle. We'll meet by the fire circle at 6:30pm every 2nd Saturday. 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 Circle & Potluck
Every 4th Tuesday there will be a noon potluck in Hobart Hall. Bring a dish to share and your own beverage.

UUCFM will grow stronger as we do things together: connecting one-on-one, sharing food, and joining for common causes. That's what we do at Womens Group. Next meeting: Tuesday, Febriaru 26th at noon in Hobart Hall. Bring the youngest photo you have for a "Memory Lane and Who's Who" activity. We will vote on a nickname: Wonder Women, Sisters in Spirit, and what is your nominee? Sign up for set up or clean up with Dorothy Van Howe.

Next meeting: March 26th with Sharing Our Travels, Dorothy in Egypt...Suggestions for April 23rd? Reiki Demonstration, Ancester Story,...

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 .
Spirituality Discussion Group
The Spirituality Discussion Group meets Wednesdays at 6:45 pm in Room 2 after the Community Dinner. Our Spirituality has to do with the way one connects to ourselves, others, nature, and the unknowns. Contact Suzanne Ziemer at suzanneziemer@gmail.com with any questions.
Book Club
The Book Club meets Wednesdays at 1:00 pm in the Conference Room. Our new book is  American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America  by Colin Woodard. Upon completion, the following book chosen is  How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us about Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression and Transcendence  by Michael Pollan.
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.
FUUn BUUnch
Our next FUUN BUUNCH DINNER will be at CANTINA 109 in the GULF COAST Town Center, the last Saturday in March.
Rissho Kosei-kai
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.
UUCFM Weekly Activities
Community Wednesday
Please join us for Chef Joy's Community Wednesday Dinners at 6:00 pm each Wednesday. She 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.

Community Activities for February:

6:00-6:45  Band Rehearsal in Sanctuary
6:45-8:00  Choir Rehearsal in Sanctuary
6:45-8:00  Spiritual Discussion group thru May 2019 in Room 2.
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
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 Building Supervisor, Mickey Kellam.
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 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 .
*Laptop/Convertible 15” $425.00
 A generous congregation member has donated a laptop to the church for sale. This HP laptop is practically brand new. It's a good buy for someone who can use it for personal or business. Description: HP Pavilion X360 15.6 Convertible 2-in-1 FHD IPS Micro-Edge Narrow Border Touchscreen Laptop Intel Core i5-8250U 8GB RAM 1TB SSD WiFi B&O Type-C Win 10. This laptop retails for over $600.
 
Send inquiries to  MemberServices@UUCFM.org
Our Greater Community
Identify Risk Factors For Stroke & Heart Disease

1. Stroke Screening/Carotid Artery
Ultrasound scan of the carotid arteries to detect fatty plaque buildup—the leading cause of strokes.

2. Heart Rhythm Screening (Atrial Fibrillation)
EKG electrodes placed on the arms and legs to detect an irregular heartbeat. Atrial fibrillation increases the risk of stroke 5 times                     

3. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Ultrasound scan of the aorta to detect an enlargement.

4. Peripheral Arterial Disease Screening
Screen of the leg arteries to detect fatty plaque buildup. It is 4-5 times more likely you will die from heart disease if you have peripheral arterial disease.

5. Osteoporosis Screening
An ultrasound scan of the shin bone to determine bone mass density. Osteoporosis is painless and silent in its early stages.

Life Line Screening’s mission is to make people aware of an undetected health problem and encourage them to seek follow-up care with their physician. Our painless, vascular screenings use advanced color flow ultrasound technology. All tests are reviewed by a board certified physician and the results are sent to you.

Register for a Wellness Package includes 5 tests for $149 or a Vascular Package includes first 4 tests for $139.

When: Friday, March 8, 2019
Where: Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers
 
Register today and receive your $10 “Community Circle” discount and your Preferred Appointment!

CALL 1-888-653-6450 or go online to www.lifelinescreening.com/communitycircle or text the word CIRCLE to 797979
Winter Jackets for Farmworker Tour
Do you have any winter jackets that you no longer need? If so, there are about 60 farmworkers from Immokalee who could use them. As you may know from other announcements, the "4 for Fair Food" Tour will span the states of North Carolina, Ohio, and Michigan. 

On behalf of our community, we are looking for warm jackets that could be used by the workers as they visit campuses and congregations, travel to presentations, and, of course, march in support of the Wendy’s boycott in what’s expected to be approximately 30 degree weather. We are expecting about 40 men, 20 women, and 5 children/youth to travel with the CIW up north. Your support in the form of warm winter wear could add needed warmth as the community of Immokalee yet again takes to the streets.

If you have jackets that you are willing to donate, please contact Natali:
SWFL Gay & Lesbian Chorus 

You're invited to our Pride Concert Prep Season
Join us on Tuesday, February 26th at 7pm in Room 7.

Light Refreshments will be provided.
We love to sing…do you?
Come and see what we are all about, meet us, join us, support us and sing with us!
Taxes Done for Free!
Visit UnitedWayLee.org/freetaxprep or dial 2-1-1 or 239-433-3900 to schedule an appointment.
Happy Birthday!

February 24  Mary Alice Pierce
February 26  Don Ehat
Contact Us
Board of Trustees
President               
Matt Hoffman 239-222-4836  mwaters106@yahoo.com
President Elect
Secretary  
Alison Carville 239-634-0487  alisoncarville@gmail.com
Treasurer
Jen Smith  630-881-0000   jenw930@gmail.com             
VP Finance
Vacant 
VP Programming
Cathy Snow 239-896-3693 cm snow23@gmail.com
VP Ministerial Services
Lesley Peterson 239-839-4434  unicorn@cyberstreet.com
VP Operations
Mary Alice Pierce 239-267-4429  piercemaryalice@gmail.com           
Member at Large
Don Ehat 239-947-8143  don.ehat@gmail.com

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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