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April 2017 Volume 34 Issue 4
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Worship in April: Transformation
So often we hear the words transformation as a kind of buzz word. This month we work on unpacking the concept of transformation as a way of exploring how to be intentional in the midst of life's inevitable, sometimes unwelcome, changes.
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Humanist Forum
The Humanist Forum regularly meets every Sunday at 9:15a in Hobart Hall. This Sunday, April 2nd, the topic is Immigration Issues 2017.
As part of our Community Engagement efforts at UUCFM, this Sunday we are pleased to welcome Mr. Casey Wolff, a partner of Woods, Weidenmiller, Michetti, Rudnick & Galbraith, Naples, and Chair of the ACLU Collier County Legal Panel, specializing in immigration and naturalization issues. Anyone interested in these issues will find Sunday’s talk with Mr. Wolff of critical importance.
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Community Sharing in April
The
Minister's Discretionary Fund is this month's Community Sharing partner. The minister or UUCFM president may use this discretionary fund to pay for groceries, gasoline, utility bills, rent, and other emergencies in the lives of our member. As there is not a line item in the budget to fill this critical need, our contributions are the only source available. Please be generous to help our church members during times of financial need.
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Sunday Coffee Hour
This Sunday's Coffee Hour is provided by volunteers from the Women's Circle.
Any donations of food, snacks or cash are welcome. Thank you in advance.
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From the Board!
The Board would like to congratulate this year's winner of the Gauch Award-
Helen Dixon! The Gauch award is given each year to a member who has given outstanding volunteer service to UUCFM over the years.
At the March meeting of the Board,
Helen Dixon (yes, Helen again!) was named
Volunteer of the Month with thanks for all her efforts toward making the service auction a great success. In addition, the Board thanks the following people for their extra efforts:
Mary Douglass and
Allie Carville for helping in the office;
Bruce Leddy, Bill Petrarca, Melinda Machones,
Gary Robbins, and
Jen Smith for serving on the Finance Council;
Jim Morgan for refurbishing the bobcat cart and the gift of a trailer; and
Bob and Mary Nies for hosting the new member luncheon. All their efforts are greatly appreciated.
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LIFE
I want to thank all of you who came out for justice this past
Tuesday night at St. Columbkille. I have not received a final count of our UUCFM attendance, but the overall attendance was near 800, which was our modest goal this year. This year has been particularly challenging without a Lead Organizer for our LIFE program. Pastor Glover of Mt. Hermon, Pastor May, and myself, with the help of many others, pitched in so that we could see another successful year of justice making in Lee County.
We received commitments from the City Manager Saleed Kazemi, State Attorney Stephen Russell, and FM Police Chief Derrick Diggs to work on specific "asks" that will address the issue of unsolved murders in our community. It was a tremendous success, and the officials were met with thunderous applause and standing/sitting ovations.
Part of the LIFE vision is that for 52 weeks a year, you come on a
Sunday, so why not come out once a year for justice? If you missed out, know that we will have plenty of opportunities for engagement next year. I would like to thank this year's UUCFM Team Leaders: Theresa Bahre, Bob Nies, Lesley Peterson, and Gary Robbins. If you are interested in being part of team leadership and building the LIFE justice work in our church and in our community, please talk to me! Email me at
minister@uucfm.org or make an appointment with the church office to come in and chat.
Rev. Allison
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Religious Education News
A great big THANK YOU to all our Mystery Friend participants! It was so great to see you standing together during the Big Reveal last Sunday - there were just so many of you! I look forward to next year's Mystery Friend letter exchanges and all the fun we'll have with another game of Pass the Parcel after the Big Reveal.
The excitement of our annual Easter Egg Hunt approaches and I'm in search of volunteers who will help stuff and hide eggs for each of our hunts. We run three hunts, one for our younger kids ages 2-4, one for kids ages 5-9, and a scavenger egg hunt for kids 10+. Shoot me an email if you're keen to help the Easter Bunny out this year, and thanks in advance: dre@uucfm.org
Jenn Blosser, Director of Religious Education
dre@uucfm.org
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Want to Light the Chalice?
You can sing this in your head - or live a little but more happily and sing it out loud to that song that gets stuck in the heads of families of small children!
Do you want to light the Chalice?
All I need is a bio.
Not needed to be very long,
Just a paragraph,
Or maybe even two.
Just send to me an email,
I'll send one back.
That's all you need to do.
Do you want to light the Chalice?
I'll help you light the Chalice.
Krista Hutson
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Music Notes
Musical Calendar
April 2: For our service about personal transformation, Austin Pierce covers Grammy Winner india.arie's uplifting R&B
I Am Light and the Choir chants the mysterious round,
Where Do We Come From?
April 2: 4:00p is Suzanne Fast's Ordination! For this joyous occasion, the Choir and Band will share the ballad
Something Inside So Strong by Labi Siffre and the heartwarming
Holy Now by Peter Mayer.
April 9: For our service honoring Passover and Holy Week, the Band will play Jewish fiddle tunes and the Choir harmonizes the haunting round,
By the Waters of Babylon.
Thursday, April 13: 7:00p is our Soulful Sundown to nurture self-identified leaders in the church. The moonlight meditation will be Debussy's classical piano solo
Clair de Lune.
April 16: Easter and Earth Day. Peter Golbitz rocks Mumford and Sons'
Roll Away Your Stone, and the Choir sings the Gospel song
Let Your Light by UU composer John Kramer.
4/23 Rebecca Donlan sings the beloved Christian hymn
How Great Thou Art, and the Choir shares the touching anthem
Inscription of Hope by Randall Stroope.
April 23: 3:00p is the Annual Community Holocaust Memorial Service at Temple Beth El. The UUCFM Choir sings in solidarity
Choral Selections from Schindler's List.
April 30: TBA. Watch the weekly E-News for details.
The
Music Committee is meeting
Wednesday, May 3 at 3:00p in the Library.
The UUCFM Choir rehearses most Wednesday nights from 6:45-8:15p, and on Suday mornings from 9-10a 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 6:00-6:45p, and on Sunday mornings from 9-10a 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!
Amy Laursen, Director of Music directorofmusic@uucfm.org
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Treasurer's Report - Annual Meeting 2017
We have come a long way in the last few years:
By February of 2015, we had been running deficits for so many years that we had maxed out our $50,000 Line of Credit and had borrowed $279,500 since 2002 from our Endowment fund in order to survive. In addition, in 2014, we had to get a new roof and fire protection system. But we not only survived, we have thrived!
What have we accomplished this year?
Balanced the 2016-2017 budget! Collected 99% of outstanding pledges on the Roof Capital Campaign We have a 13% growth over last year in our Community Sharing collections, over a 400% increase since we started giving away 100% Paid $34,000 down on our debt and refinanced the remaining mortgage for the Sanctuary Construction with our Endowment Fund which keeps interest payments in-house Made the first payment of $18,000 payment on our outstanding $50,000 member loan. (Due in full in 2018) Reserved the entire $18,000 income from the Cell Tower Rental. Completed the second phase of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Project. Replaced the wooden walkway to the Amphitheater with stone Purchased a carpet cleaner and extractor to save on maintenance costs
We used Reserves for:
Purchasing a heavy-duty utility cart Completing the first two phases of Support Beam Replacement for the walkways around Hobart Next year we will be depleting our reserves to replace the 20-year old AC Units in the Sanctuary.
We received Grants from our Endowment Fund for:
Renovations of Rooms 6 & 7 and the Sanctuary AV Upgrades $14,405 Corner Gardens for the Bill Brewer Family Gardens $5,000 Shared cost for BUUFest, Music Director and RE Coordinator Annual Conferences $2,224 Beloved Conversations on Race Materials and Retreat $2,200 Forgiveness of $5,700 of $20,700 Family Garden Loan And we submitted receipts and received payments for open grants from 2011 to 2015.
We have currently have 2 Open Grants from Endowment:
2016 Grant of $900 towards Beloved Conversations workshops and 2015 Grant of $2,000 for the 2017 and 2018 Wildlife Rehabilitation Project Phases
Total Outstanding Debt at the end of this Fiscal Year ($34,000 paid in 16-17)
$54,500 owed to Endowment Fund for Sanctuary Construction $15,000 Interest Free Note to Endowment for Family Gardens $32,000 Interest Free Member Note for Roof Installation
What can we improve?
Membership with Engagement: ensuring that every Member has a stake in sustaining our generous congregation Reserve fund shortfall of $50,000-$80,000 2017-2018 Budget shortfall of $40,000 which required some cuts Pledge payment percentage decreased to 93% this year after averaging 98% for the last several years. Become a UUA Full Share participant again. We paid at Full Share from 1961 through 2010 and have been unable to do so since.
We presented a balanced budget to the congregation for approval. Although we had to cut our desired budget in several areas, we were able to include modest increases for salaries, RE, Programming and Music.
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Ordination of Suzanne Fast
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On April 2, 2017 at 4:00p Suzanne Fast will be ordained as a minister by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers. Suzanne is a beloved member of our congregation and we are delighted to be celebrating this joyous occasion!
We sponsored Suzanne as she completed the work and study that led to her Fellowship with the Unitarian Universalist Association. Now, in her role as a community minister, the relationship will continue as Suzanne devotes herself to applying Unitarian Universalist values to justice in our congregations and in the larger community.
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Wizard Camp
Future wizards and soothsayers can partake in a Sorting Hat Ceremony, become Quiddich players, make cloaks and wands, send out Wishes for the World, take classes on Incantations, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Muggle Studies, and more! Alchemy, potions, and divination await them at the School of Wizardry Summer Camp, June 12 through June 16th from 9:00-4:00p (with optional before and after care). Prices range from $175-200. Also, there will be a feast on Friday at 6:00p as a culmination of our week of wizardry!
To register and to got more info:
http://uucfmwizardcamp.webs.com/
Be sure to register soon! Once a certain number of campers is reached, registration will be closed. Feel free to contact us with any questions you might have!
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Join our April FUUL's Campus Blast
Saturday, April 1st 9:00a - 1:00p
As part of our continuing campus beautification, Walt Ittenbach, Director of Grounds, is inviting the
congregation to an April FUULs Campus Blast with food, fun times, and a little planting activity along the Shire Lane swale. The RE kids and their parents will work with the Congregation, learning about some of our Florida native flowers and plants. The wholesome food will be provided by our sister organization at Pine Manor, and there will be other activities for a fun family time. See you there!
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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
4:00-5:30p
. 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: dbny79@aol.com
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Ladies, let's make Hobart Hall Rock: The Women's Circle meets in Hobart Hall for a potluck and program on Monday, April 10th at 11:30a. Be sure to bring your dancing shoes (or, if you prefer your best glasses for observation and fun). Rose Klein will demonstrate the Macarena, a popular dance, which is mostly hand movements and a little hip action. Another dance is the Cumbia, which is usually performed like a line dance. The movements can be as simple as walking the dance around the dance floor to the Cumbia rhythm. Rose is seeking more volunteers to share other dances, such as Irish, Polish, Italian, etc. or even music from the Big Band era, Roaring 20s and Rock n Roll. Be sure to attend, and bring a side dish and friend.
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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
ggleasonr@live.com
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Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Group
The Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Group meets every Sunday in Room 1 from 1:45-3:45p. All are welcome to attend! Join Mary Tracy Sigman and others for this well loved and well attended group.
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Book Study with Rev. Allison
Join in the Book Study Wednesdays from 1-2:30p in the Library. The group will be discussing the book
Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right
by Arie Russell Hoschchild.
Robert Reich writes” Anyone who wants to understand modern America should read this captivating book." In its review, Publisher’s Weekly notes: “After evaluating her conclusions and meeting her informants in these pages, it’s hard to disagree that empathy is the best solution to stymied political and social discourse.” The hopes of this facilitated book discussion is to find open-hearted and loving ways to facilitate
healing and compassion that move beyond national politics into matters of our faith... located
in places of the heart.
Four more sessions continue from April 5th through April 26th. Each session covers 2 chapters, with the last session covering last chapter and selection for next book study.
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Community Wednesday
Community Wednesday is held in Hobart Hall. 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.
Regular Activitie
s for April:
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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Archery
The UUCFM Archery Club meets after church at noon in the back lot near the gardens. We are a new club and we are still gathering equipment and resources. Make sure you check out our Facebook group "UUCFM Archery."
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Yoga
Yoga meets in Room 7 weekly! Join Mary Cline Golbitz for a one hour yoga session from 4:30-5:30p each Thursday.
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Gaming
The UUCFM Game Group is the club for you. We do our best to meet in Room 7 on Sundays after church from 1:00-4:00p. 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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L.A.R.P.
Looking to LARP? Wondering what LARP is? UUCFM is home to the "Little LARP" group - a Live Action Role Play (LARP) group that games with a system that focuses on character development and plot instead of combat. We always welcome new players! Please email Jenn Blosser at
mrsthejenn@gmail.com for more information.
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South Fort Myers Food Pantry
The Community Sharing Month for the pantry proved to be very successful. The donation from UUCFM is greatly appreciated and will be put to good use to help feed our neighbors in need who can not afford to buy food for their families every week. In addition I have estimated the cash value of the food that we donate every week and am happy to say that it is around three thousand dollars for the year. This is remarkable and is truly a group effort. Kudos to those of you who remember to drop something off in the donation baskets as often as possible. Baskets can be found in the Narthex and Hobart Hall by the water coolers. Want to know more about the pantry? Stop by the Social Justice table in Hobart Hall after church and pick up a flyer or email Fran Rose at francrose@centurylink.net. Be sure to put Food Pantry in the memo line of your email.
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Member Emeritus Barbara Gerber died peacefully early Sunday morning March 19th in New York. Her daughter will be sending her ashes to Reverend Allison at the church, and Reverend Allison will keep you notified of when we might ceremonially spread Barb's ashes and recognize her place next to her beloved wife Nancy in the Memorial Garden. The family has requested, in lieu of flowers, that you please send Memorial donations in Barb's name to our congregation, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers. Sympathy cards can be sent to the Gerber - Osborne family at 104 Whittemore Road, Oswego, NY 13126.
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Service Auction Report
Thank you to all who participated and created the successful 2017 Service Auction. After all expenses have been paid UUCFM cleared $14,058.00.
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The aging laptop we use for A/V in Hobart is dying. Would anybody have a spare laptop they could donate to the church?
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My UU Story
Dinner-Go- Round Discussion: Sermon Themes Suggested
Each winter, members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers can sign up to participate in monthly Dinner-Go- Rounds. And, dinner companions engage lots of conversation about our church. Here are some comments about desired sermon themes or topics a recent dinner group discussed.
"What gifts do you bring to the church, and are you offering them?" suggests Mary Alice Pierce. She notices that the same few people are doing so much.
"Let's learn about UU leaders past and present," says Alice Forsyth. "Perhaps a pair of ministers could be compared from the past and present."
"I would love to hear a sermon about how UU changed during the late 1800s to now," notes Susan Forsyth. " I would also like a service on the way Biblical History impacts even UUs."
"Christ for UUs -- help us align our perspectives with traditional Christian beliefs," requests Melinda Machones. "Another suggestion: Misquoting Jesus -- open our eyes to versions of how gospels and other New Testament books changed over time."
The pagan roots of Christian Holidays is an interest of Joy F. Sokeitous. "Christmas trees, wreaths, lights, etc., were originally part of Sun worship. This would be good topic for a Christmas Eve service."
"What makes a philosophy a religion and how does UU fit in?" is what Jim Stout wants to know. "Perhaps one Sunday each month aspects of our history and beliefs could be presented."
About My UU Story
Each month, the Membership Committee would like to publish your UU story- either converted or born UUs. How did you become a UU or how did our religion affect your life? Alternatively, do you have a one-paragraph remembrance of your first reaction to being in a UU church and/or learning about the religion? To share your story, please contact Joy Sokeitous at
memberservices@uucfm.org
Joy will help you edit and she will provide questions to help you develop your story.
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New UUCFM Campus Brochure
The Membership Committee has produced a new color brochure for taking a 21 station guided walk on our UUCFM campus. It was created and
produced by Bill Petrarca and Suzanne Ziemer with new friends and visitors in mind. It is hoped members will take interested visitors and friends on this tour of our treasured place. We all need to
encourage added membership to continue our growth and support of UUCFM. Limited copies are at the Welcome table.
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Photo Directory Update
Mel Cooper, Denis Jensen and John Swank have completed taking photos for the forthcoming directory. Thank you to all who participated and we look forward to its publication later this Spring. A free copy will be given to each pledging unit and other copies can be obtained at cost.
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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 each Wednesday for publication in the Thursday E-news.
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Resist and Rejoice!
UUA General Assembly 2017
General Assembly Update: Greetings Southern Region UU Congregations. Check out the
uua.org/ga website for everything you need to know for GA 2017.
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April 2 Evan Carville is 13!
April 4 Janine Johns
April 4 Pam Miller
April 11 Cindy Gustafson
April 13 Brad Howe
April 27 Jeff Letts
April 28 Mickey Kellam
April 30 Audrey Brown
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Jill Carville
(239) 561-2700
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