Our Theme for March: Letting Go
Service at 10:30 am Sundays in the Miller Sanctuary
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How can we let go of the things we carry? Is carrying something around so bad? How can we lighten the loads of others? Experiential exploration through movement, song, story, reflection and meditation.
This Sunday after the service, we will have our Annual Congregational Meeting in the Sanctuary with a lunch to follow in Hobart Hall. All members are invited to join us.
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Community Sharing in March
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Our Community Sharing partner this month is the South Fort Myers Food Pantry Coalition. The South Fort Myers Food Pantry works in partnership with the Harry Chapin Food Bank and Midwest Food Bank. The organization is also supported by local religious organizations in South Fort Myers who offer many volunteer hours and generous financial donations. In 2017, the pantry fed more than 22,000 individuals. They are hosting a volunteer appreciation luncheon on March 10th, following their annual meeting which begins at 11:30 am at the Cypress Lake Presbyterian Church, which is the home of the South Fort Myers Food Pantry, and is located at 8260 Cypress Lake Drive in Fort Myers. UUCFM has been a long-time supporting organization and a member of the Pantry Coalition.
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The Humanist Forum
The Humanist Forum regularly meets every Sunday at 9:15 am in Hobart Hall.
All are welcome to attend.
The Humanist Forum this week will consider
Democracy, Data, and Dirty Tricks.
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Youth Group
Burn! Youth Group-
Youth age 14-18 are invited to join us in Room 4 on Sundays from noon to 1:00 pm each week for an inclusive and kick-butt-awesome good time.
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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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From the Minister
Way to go! 108 people from our congregation turned out to do justice Tuesday evening for the Nehemiah action. We were sad that our County Commissioners could not be there and their silence is not acceptable. We did apply to Commissioner Frank Mann for his correspondence with our Interfaith organization, making commitments that he would vote to put a Children's Service Council on the November 2018 ballot.
As we continue to
Keep On Keepin' On In Our Interfaith Justice Ministry
, I will be sure to follow up with you on next steps and strategies on how we want to get the Children's Service Council and Lee County together! We want Lee County a place where it's safe and enjoyable to be a kid, not a tough place to be a kid. The Silence of our public officials is unacceptable. And we will not remain silent. As Unitarian Universalist, we work to make this life, in the here and now, more like heaven on Earth. All are deserving, especially our children.
Rev. Allison Farnum
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Religious Education News
Mystery Friends begins on April 8th
- have you signed up your child/youth (from infant to 18!) for this awesome multigenerational pen-pal event? Have you signed up to be an adult pen-pal for this event? If not, you still have 2 more Sundays to do so, phew!
There will be a table in Hobart Hall following service with a simple registration form, just fill out your name and email address!
If you can't make it to church to sign up, fret not - you can simply email me at any time to let me know you want in on this joyous experience.
All participants will be contacted through email on Weds. 4/4 with instructions for their first letter.
Easter Sunday is just around the corner, and we're ramping up for our traditional egg hunts!
We will have two hunts in our courtyard immediately following service, one for our nursery aged children (0-4) and one for our elementary aged children (5-9). Treats in the eggs in both hunts are age-appropriate and any edible treats are nut-free. Youth age 10+ will be joining us for the second annual Egg-scape Room to be held as soon as the courtyard hunts are over. This allows any parents of younger children to watch their hunt before the youth hunt begins. Youth (and parentals who wish to watch them struggle) are asked to meet in front of the Sanctuary to participate.
Please do not enter the Narthex or Sanctuary until invited to do so!
We don't want to spoil any of the challenging puzzles with peeking! See you on April 1st for a marvelous Easter Sunday!
Jenn Blosser, Director of Religious Education
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Music Notes
December-March:
Please welcome Suellen Kipp as Director of Music during Amy Laursen's maternity leave.
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. Please email me in advance so that a music folder can be prepared for you. Come join us in singing!
The UUCFM Band
rehearses most Wednesday nights from 6:00-6:45 pm, and on Sunday mornings from 9:00-10:00a 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
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Special Events
Purely Social Potluck and Games
All are invited to Suzanne Ziemer's Clubhouse on Ft. Myers Beach for a Purely Social Celebration of Life Potluck with Table Games. Friday, March 23rd, 5:30-9:00 pm,
Where: Suzanne Ziemer's Condo Clubhouse on Fort Myers Beach.
What: Bring your own Beverage and a Dish to Share and if you have one,
a favorite table game.
RSVP to Suzanne for directions, parking, entry gate code, and food choice.
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Our North American UU Roots
Our North American UU Roots
with Reverend Margaret L. Beard is rescheduled for
one Sunday afternoon: April 8th.
Please join us as we explore some of our North American Unitarian Universalist Roots. Our focus will be from the Pilgrims to the Second American Revolution. Lets look at what is recorded in that history and also what might be missing. How does our history inform our theology today? If you are new, this is a great class to learn more about us as a faith tradition. If you have been around for awhile, there is more to discover.
We will meet from noon until 4:00 pm in the Narthex (the space before you enter the Sanctuary) Please bring your lunch or a snack. We will eat while we watch a DVD and then have questions and discussion.
Please RSVP for the class
to
[email protected]
.
See you then!—
Margaret
(Rev. Margaret L. Beard)
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Women's Circle
Our next Women's Circle Potluck is Monday, April 9th. We begin with a potluck at noon and a conversation topic at 1:00 pm. In these troubled times it seems a day doesn't go by where we hear on the news or read in the paper of some terrible tragedy has happened. In a world that seems to have gone mad, what do we, UU women, do to keep sane? Is it reading poetry, practicing meditation, reading a book, or simply just holding those we love closer? What can we share in our group to help one another cope with life? Bring your thoughts, insights, and ideas as we share a meal together. I look forward to sharing our sacred time together.
Rose Klein
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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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Optimal Living Group
The Optimal Living Group is open to all and does not require attending every session. We meet in the Sanctuary on the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 4:00-5:30 pm. We discuss how to live optimally, including practical ways to cope with life's challenges and issues. Helping others and developing maturity in ourselves is part of our quest. We explore many paths and techniques for enriching our lives and making a difference for others. For more information, fill out a blue card found in the pews or email Neil Yesu:
[email protected]
.
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UUCFM Historical Martial Arts Club
The UUCFM Historical Martial Arts Club is dedicated to preserving and practicing a variety of historical martial arts for entertainment and fitness purposes. We meet at various times (determined by interest) most often at 12:00 pm after the service on Sunday to practice archery and tomahawk/axe throwing. Other activities and times can be found on our facebook page of the same name. All are welcome to join us.
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UUCFM Gaming Group
The UUCFM Game Group is the club for you. We do our best to meet in Room 7 on Sundays after church from 1:00-4:00 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
Community Wednesday is held in Hobart Hall. All are invited. Bring friends and neighbors, too. Join us each Wednesday for a delicious meal prepared by Chef Joy for a small donation. After the fellowship and fine fare from 6:00- 6:45p, join your favorite programming event, committee meeting, or social activity. Child care is provided until 8:30p.
Community Wednesday Activities for March:
4:00-5:30
Optimal Living Group (1st & 3rd Wed)
6:00-6:45
Community Meal
6:00-6:45
Band Rehearsal in Sanctuary
6:45-8:00
Choir Rehearsal in Sanctuary
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Caring News
The Caring Network
The Caring Network is looking for volunteers to render home care assistance for Angela Melton while her spouse, Kim Littleton, is at work. If you are willing to take a shift to help Angela, please contact Neil Yesu at
[email protected]
and include your email address and phone number.
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Memorial Service for Ann Heckes
A Memorial Service for Ann Heckes will be held at Cypress Cove at 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 24th. All are welcome to attend.
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Be Smart! Be Prepared! Be Safe!
As hurricane season approaches we need to begin preparing. Having a plan gives us time to purchase necessary items, prepare your home, check insurance coverage, and collect important documents. Please access the Emergency Operations Center at:
www.leeeoc.com
A wealth of information is available on their website.
This public safety message is brought to you by your Pastoral Care Network.
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South Fort Myers Food Pantry
The response for food donations has been consistently good over the last year. The need is still there and UUCFM has been a strong supporter of the pantry. I have not been able to post the pantry newsletter but there is one at the Social Justice table listing the number of people fed by the pantry for the last year. Easter is early this year which means many people will be heading north earlier too. Consequently, many people will lose seasonal jobs and the need for food donations and volunteers will be just as great as it is now. Keep that in mind. Remember to bring at least one can each week and consider volunteering during the summer months. Questions? Email Fran Rose:
[email protected]
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How to Access the New Photo Directory
A number of members have asked me how to access the new UUCFM Photo Directory. In order to access the Photo Directory, you have to be registered as a UUCFM member on the UUCFM website. Go to the website and click on the green
Register
at top right. You will be taken to a registration page where you will register and create a member password. When you finish, click the
Register
button at the bottom. Your registration will go to Jill for approval and within a day or two, you'll be able to access the member section of the website by clicking on the green
Login
at upper right of the website and entering your new password. When you enter the member section of the website, you'll find the Photo Directory at upper left. Hope this answers the questions.
Denis Jensen
PS- If you'd like a black and white printed copy of the photo directory you can pick one up in the office!
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Bed & Breakfast Volunteer Opportunity
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?
No!
They will have their own transportation. If you have favorite restaurants to recommend, or other local travel tips, they are always appreciated. 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.) You choose when and for how long you can host and then your requirements are matched with those of the guests. Even if you can only host for two nights in March, for example, that is a big help. February and March tend to have the biggest demand.
All money received from the guests as they stay in your home goes directly to the UUCFM operating budget. 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
Sydney Stewart
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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]
Recorder:
Enjoy the beautiful sound of this wooden tenor recorder: Rottenburgh Nr. 449 in rosewood. New ones cost $900-$1200. This one is yours for only $399, or better yet, donate $100 to UUCFM and you can have it for only $299 cash. See Frances Pake. Call
330.329.1129
, or email her at
[email protected]
.
Items for sale
:
•Indoor/outdoor wicker-look, glass-topped dining table w/ 4 chairs, 49“ diameter. Dark brown. $50 OBO.
•Two outdoor mesh chairs, light brown. $10 OBO.
•Entertainment center, 8 shelves, 6 drawers, dark brown $40 OBO.
Pictures upon request.
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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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The Southwest Florida Gay and Lesbian Chorus 2018 Comedy Show & Fundraiser:
Join us and Laugh Out Loud with Comedian Vickie Shaw-the funniest comedian ever, she said so herself!!! Food, Fun and Laughter...Tickets are available online
www.gaychorus.org
, and Sundays in Holbart Hall after service.
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Lee OFA Indivisible Invites You
Maintaining a FREE & UNBIASED Press
"Stop the Presses: Are Journalists Still Relevant"
April 12th at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers
Panel at 7 pm.. Come at 6:30 for time to socialize.
Lee County OFA lndivisible invites you to bring your questions and concerns about this important and timely issue to be addressed by these knowledgeable journalists, Dr. Robert Hilliard, a Purple Heart recipient and World War ll Army veteran who witnessed the results of Fascism firsthand. His and a friend's actions saved the lives of thousands of Holocaust survivors. He has worked professionally in radio, television, theater and journalism. Many of his 35 books and 20+ plays deal with political and social issues; Roger Williams, a Florida resident since 1994 who has written for the News-Press and currently writes for the Florida Weekly. He is an award winning journalist who won the Jon A. Roosenraad Award for defense of the first amendment. The panel will be moderated by Barb Griffith author of the "Swamp Report" and a recent anicle "A Crammar Lesson on the 2nd Amendment".
Please join us to show your interest and support for this pressing issue and
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2018 GRACE Project Work-Study Trip
La Antigua and Lago Atitlán, Panajachel, Guatemala.
April 29 to May 9, 2018
11 days for $1,250
Women’s Health Workshops in Univ. of San Carlos Medical School, Belén Teachers’ College for Indigenous Women, Mixco High School, and in Santiago Atitlán.
Deliver and teach about Days For Girls menstrual
management Kits and the Fertility Bracelets,
Land transportation in private vans,
Breakfast provided daily,
Shopping in La Antigua and Panajachel.
Transportation includes: travel to and from airport, hotels,
academic and workshop sites in private vehicles and boats.
Airfares from USA to Guatemala City and El Petén are not included.
$150 additional fee for single room.
To save your space, please send $100 deposit in a check, by March 15 2018, to: The GRACE Project,
UUCFM, 13411 Shire Lane, Ft. Myers, FL 33912
Dec. 1 – 9, 2018 GRACE will go to El Petén and Tikal and deliver workshops for
Maya womens’ cooperatives and the Guatemalan Ministry of Education.
9 days for $1,000. Reservations being accepted now! Limited to 8 participants.
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March 22 Mary Gayle Skinner
March 25 Lily Hoffman is 10!
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Newsletter Editor: Jill Carville
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