Weekly E-News
September 20, 2018
Sunday Worship in September: Vision
Service at 10:30 am Sundays in the Miller Sanctuary

Teacher Appreciation Sunday Service, September 23 rd
UUCFM is honoring our local teachers – public, private, home schoolers, retired.  Please invite your friends and neighbors who are/have been teachers to our September 23 rd  Sunday Service. All are welcome! The Service will be honoring those who have/are dedicated/ing their careers to teaching our children and grandchildren. 
Community Sharing in September: LIFE (Lee Interfaith for Empowerment)
LIFE is a congregation-based community organization that examines the needs and interests of our community for the result of doing justice. Over the years, LIFE has examined and implemented more fair policies on the topics of increasing the use of civil citations, created a Children's Service Counsel, re-opened and solving more unsolved murder cases and adopted a fair chance hiring policy (also known as "banning the box" where previously jailed/felonized individuals would immediately be eliminated in the job application process.) 

LIFE for Justice, Justice for LIFE!
Humanist Forum
The Humanist Forum meets every Sunday at 9:15 am in Hobart Hall. All are welcome to attend.   The Humanist Forum topic for this coming Sunday deals with how a Humanist philosophy enables us to deal with the fact of our own deaths. Two speakers discuss the meaning of hope in the world of modern medicine.  Dr. Charlie Teo’s talk is challenging: how far should medicine go to prolong life? 
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. 


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: dre@uucfm.org
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:  stephgator7@yahoo.com
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. 
The Office will be closed next week
Staff and Board News
From the Minister

Just Acts: In Hope for Electoral Justice- UUs Join Together October 9th
Please join with our UUA Love Resists Campaign and our UUA President October 20th in Sarasota for an inspiring campaign to restore voting rights to 1.4 million people and resist mass incarceration. Save the date! Join a canvas on the third Saturday of the month. Unitarian Universalists will be canvassing together along with UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray in Sarasota County on October 20.  Sign up below  for October 20 and other Get Out the Vote volunteer opportunities. 
With great rejoicing! 

Rev. Allison Farnum

We’re right here now -- 62 days away from the mid-term elections. We know that many of you are involved in local and state campaigns and appreciate the energy we UUs are bringing to electoral work to faithfully bend the arc toward justice and challenge white supremacy and the attacks on so many in our communities.

As part of this resistance, the UUA is lending our support to two key state ballot initiatives led by front-line organizers that will have a huge impact in enfranchising over 1.4 million formerly incarcerated people in Florida and dismantle much of the mass incarceration system in Ohio. We hope you can join us and that UUs from all over the country will join UU Justice Florida in phone banking to people in Florida on October 9th.  You can do this anywhere – all you need is a phone and a laptop. Please see more details and sign up here at  Love Resists . You’ll also see there a sign-up form for getting connected to the campaign in Ohio with UU Justice Ohio and our partners. Please share and spread the word.

If you missed our Electoral Justice Webinar you can  view it here .

On the webinar we shared many opportunities for engagement from Movement for Black Lives Electoral Justice Program to the Poor People’s Campaign and from  UUSJ . We also want to make sure you know that $500 grants from the  UU Funding Program are available for your Get Out the Vote  efforts. See  www.uua.org/votingrights  for more information.

The upsurge of energy we are seeing around the country can help create great momentum forward for stopping the criminalization of our communities, creating democracy, and building the world we dream about. Many progressive people are running for office and inspiring new support across generations, race, and class.

Susan Leslie 
UUA Congregational Advocacy and Witness Director 
Multicultural Growth & Witness Staff Team
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
From the Office
The Office Manager will be out next week, September 25-28th. The office will be closed all week. If you need a key, reservation, or form please come in today or Friday between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm. There will be no Weekly E-News next week. The Communicator will come out the first week of October. Thank you and see you the week of October 1!

Jill Carville, Office Manager
Worship & Music Ministry
Our meetings are held in the Sanctuary on the third Sunday of each month from 12:15 - 1:45 pm. Join us if you are already or wish to be involved in this ministry that includes all things service related including the following:

-Choir and Music Team
-Worship Associates
-Audio Visual
-Décor

All are welcome and we hope to see you there! Contact Board Co-Liaisons Theresa L. Bahre  strawbahre_fields@yahoo.com  and Lesley Peterson
unicorn@cyberstreet.com  if you have any questions.
From the Village
If you would like to volunteer for the Halloween party, contact us at  Village@uucfm.org  to sign up. We would love your help!

Attention Knowledge Seekers : We are looking for people interested in leading classes during our Sunday second hour (12:00-1:00 pm). There are hundreds of prepared curricula available from the UUA. Contact us at  Village@uucfm.org  if you would like more information about offering a class. We are here to support you. 

Stephanie Hoffman
UUCFM Special Events
Family Gardens Volunteer Work Day
If you would like to spend a little time with fellow church members helping during our annual Family Gardens “refresh” and meet some new friends, come on out to the Preserve this Friday and /or Saturday (9/21 and 9/22). We have a lot to do to get the garden beds ready for the new season. We have tasks to fit your appetite! There will be plenty of drinks available, too! Commune with nature in our own back yard. Come-out whenever you can get an hour or so to help, between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. Dress for the weather! Love. GROW. Serve.
CUUPs Equinox Celebration
The time of balance comes once again. We celebrate the autumnal equinox. We honor harvest time, quiet times, and personal reflections. Please come join our celebration- bring a dish to share, your drum and a song in your heart. We gather on the lanai around 6:00 pm on Saturday, September 22nd. We are family and children friendly. We will celebrate in gratitude and love.
The FUUn BUUnch

FUUN BUUNCH DINNER
AT THE SIAM HUT
4521 Del Prado Blvd
(USE OF GPS IS STRONGLY SUGGESTED)
Cape Coral, Fl
Saturday, SEPTEMBER 29th
6:00 pm


RSVP TO JOHN E FISCHER, BY SEPTEMBER 25, 2018.

DIRECTIONS:
From College Parkway in FORT MYERS, proceed west over the bridge to Cape Coral. Continue on Cape Coral Parkway to Del Prado Blvd. Make a right onto Del Prado Blvd. Continue through the first light, over the canal, through the second light to the SIAM HUT. 

From Cape Coral Blvd and points east and south in Cape Coral, drive on Cape Coral Blvd to Del Prado Blvd. Turn left onto Del Prado and c ontinue through the first light, over the canal, through the second light to the SIAM HUT. 

From North of Cape Coral Blvd, find your way to Del Prado and proceed south toward Cape Coral Blvd. The SIAM HUT will be on your left.
Reflections on Hurricane Irma - Art Quilters Unlimited Exhibit
Miller Sanctuary Narthex
August 6-September 29, 2018

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 pjrichfiberart@comcast.net .
 
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 .
Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)

Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"
Something's Rotten in the State of Florida!
What has happened to our beautiful rivers and beaches?  Is it Climate Change, Big Sugar, Over Development?  Come to our October 10th panel discussion and hear what our panel of experts have to say about what is wrong and how to fix it.Space and parking are limited.  If you are in town and plan to attend, please RSVP to this email. Also, be kind to the environment and share rides if you can!

Members and Friends are invited to join us for our October 10, 2018 meeting from 6:30 - 8:30 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church,  13411 Shire Lane  (off of Daniels Parkway), Fort Myers, FL.

Our panel of three local women scientists will bring their perspective on the health and environmental impacts of the recent plague of harmful algal bloom and red tide.  The panel will be moderated by David Holden, Congressional Candidate for District 19, who will add the legislative policy implications of dealing with this situation between federal and state govenments.
UUCFM Classes & Groups
Book Study
Join us at Book Study on Wednesdays at 1:00 pm. We are reading the book  Sapiens  by Yuval Noah Harari. Come having read the first few chapters. We meet in the Church Library.

From Amazon.com:
"One hundred thousand years ago, at least six different species of humans inhabited Earth. Yet today there is only one—homo sapiens. What happened to the others? And what may happen to us?
Most books about the history of humanity pursue either a historical or a biological approach, but Dr. Yuval Noah Harari breaks the mold with this highly original book that begins about 70,000 years ago with the appearance of modern cognition. From examining the role evolving humans have played in the global ecosystem to charting the rise of empires, Sapiens integrates history and science to reconsider accepted narratives, connect past developments with contemporary concerns, and examine specific events within the context of larger ideas.
Dr. Harari also compels us to look ahead, because over the last few decades humans have begun to bend laws of natural selection that have governed life for the past four billion years. We are acquiring the ability to design not only the world around us, but also ourselves. Where is this leading us, and what do we want to become?"
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  pachamamaelder@gmail.com .
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.
It's Time to Think "Connection Circle"
Come one, come all to the next 6 sessions of the Connection Circle beginning after church on Sunday, November 11th! New members, potential members, visitors and long-time members all are welcome. As we discuss meaningful spiritual topics by sharing our own life experiences as guided by a trained church-member facilitator, we get to know each other (and sometimes ourselves!) on a rich and deep level. We will meet every other Sunday, ending on January 20th. Participation in all six sessions is expected. For more information and to register, please contact Nancy Letts at njletts @ gmail.com  or call at 401-741-2712.

Thank you.
My best,
Nancy Letts
UUCFM Weekly Activities
Community Wednesday  
Community Dinners are back! Please join us for Chef Joy's Dinners beginning September 26th at 6:00 pm. 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.

Activities for September:

6:00-6:45        Band Rehearsal in Sanctuary
6:45-8:00        Choir Rehearsal in Sanctuary
Social Justice
Free Hugs at PRIDE SWFL!
We're seeking volunteers to spread love and information about our awesome church! Inspired by the Free Mom Hugs movement, new member Anne Reed is coordinating volunteers to staff two tents at PRIDE SWFL on Saturday, October 6, 2018. Volunteers can sign up to help staff the church display table and tell people more about UUCFM and/or sign up to staff the FREE HUGS tent. Link to the volunteer sign-up form:
A volunteer orientation meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 4 at 6:30 pm. To volunteer or get more information, please email Anne Reed annekreed@gmail.com
Pachamama SWFL Thursday Night Game Changer Gathering! 

From Social Activism to Electoral Victory  
Thursday October 6, 2018 6:30pm
Meet activist Cynthia Odierna, who co-founded the  SWFL Justice4All Coalition  along with Suzanne Cherney. Hear about their Moral Monday Meet-ups in Naples. Cynthia and Suzanne, along with the other core group members, have been working to help groups put their talents and strengths together through their networking hub.  She will bring along student activists who are committed to work together, now more than ever, to affect cohesive, positive change in the realms of safer gun laws, LGBTQ matters and other issues of social justice. Cynthia will be joined by these students, Michaela O'brien and Zac Vega, who will talk about their efforts and successes at organizing students and stimulating them to take part in shaping their futures by Marching on the Polls in 2018 and 2020. We will also meet Tamara Paquette who will tell us about the upcoming candidates forum in Naples.

The SWFL Justice4All Coalition now has 50 affiliates, ranging from political organizations to totally non-partisan groups. 

Now that the 2018 mid-term elections are drawing closer - how do we balance our other activist priorities with the unglamorous work of getting like-minded people elected? A Q&A session will follow this brief presentation.

Pot luck desserts and beverages encouraged. Youth participation encouraged. Naples Student Organizers will be attending.
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.  
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. 

If you would like to order a LIFE t-shirt you can do so at  https://www.customink.com/g/bxr0-00bf-84j3 .  Shirts can be worn out and about and at community events.

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

Caring News
If you have any caring concerns, please contact Neil Yesu at dbny79@aol.com
More
Boycott Wendy's

NEW INFORMATION: 
When (same as before):  Sept. 22, 4:15pm 
Parking:  There is a nearby multi-business parking lot, so feel free to use that parking lot (without parking at Wendy's!) 
More Upcoming Events and News!
Read more about upcoming events for this winter and spring on the front page of our website! uucfm.org
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
Free Singing Lessons!
If you have occasionally said to yourself,  “Gee, it would be fullfilling to sing with the UU choir if only I knew how.”  Well, believe me, everyone can sing. All most of us need is a little encouragement and a few lessons. Here’s your chance. Join several us UU’s and take these free lessons taught by an expert. No obligation to join the choir. . None of us are “great” singers. We just love to sing and contribute to the beauty of our Sunday services. But if you do, you’ll find our director, Suellen a very supportive and inspiring director.

Glenn Siebert , UU choir member  (440) 572-5558
Our Greater Community
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.
What's That Hut For?

Sukkot
Beginning five days after  Yom Kippur , Sukkot is named after the booths or huts (sukkot in Hebrew) in which Jews are supposed to dwell during this week-long celebration. According to rabbinic tradition, these flimsy sukkot represent the huts in which the Israelites dwelt during their 40 years of wandering in the desert after escaping from slavery in Egypt. The festival of Sukkot is one of the three great  pilgrimage festivals  of the Jewish year. Sukkot is often referred to as “The Harvest Festival.” And much of the imagery and ritual of the holiday revolves around rejoicing and thanking God for the completed harvest. The sukkah represents the huts that farmers would live in during the last hectic period of harvest before the coming of the winter rains. As is the case with other festivals whose origins may not have been Jewish, the Bible reinterpreted the festival to imbue it with a specific Jewish meaning. In this manner, Sukkot came to commemorate the wanderings of the Israelites in the desert after the revelation at Mount Sinai, with the huts representing the temporary shelters that the Israelites lived in during those 40 years.

The Shalom Life Center invites you to visit their hut located on the grass next to the back parking lot from September 23 – 30.
voting_people.jpg
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:
 
  • 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 .
Sept 21 Deb Leigh 
Sept 24 Leslie Gatto
Sept 29 Mary Pat Fitzgibbons
Sept 30 Jen Smith 
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
Bruce Marble 239-596-2703 bamarble44@gmail.com     
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        
Office Manager       
Building Supervisor   
Nursery Supervisor