Weekly E-News
September 5, 2019
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CELEBRATE
We're having a congregation-wide potluck lunch this Sunday, September 8th at noon in Hobart Hall to celebrate our new Interim Minister's first Sunday service. All welcome! Bring a dish to share!
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Sunday Social Hour
Sunday's Social Hour
happens after the service every week. Come join us for coffee and snacks. Newcomers, visitors, and members are all welcome. Sponsoring groups are the Women's Circle and CUUPs. Any donations of food, snacks or cash are always welcome.
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Humanist Forum
The Humanist Forum meets every Sunday at 9:15 am in Hobart Hall. All are welcome to attend. Join us as we engage in a new topic each week.
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This Week's Sunday Service
A Promise Made, A Promise Kept. Join our new Interim Minister, Rev. Carlos R. Martinez, this Sunday, September 8th, at 10:30 AM in the Miller Sanctuary for our weekly service.
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Community Sharing
Lee Interfaith for Empowerment
is an interfaith justice ministry seeking long-term solutions to systemic injustices that began in Lee County, and has grown to encompass the State of Florida. Each year, LIFE engages in a series of processes to
- Determine and vote on a problem area to be focused upon that year;
- Research with other faith communities and determine who has the power to change it;
- Organize and gather in what is called Direct Action, ask those accountable and in power to commit to a solution;
- Follow up on the problem/solution/commitments to ensure measurable success for 24 month period
This year, LIFE is focusing on solutions for affordable housing and restructuring the criminal justice system.
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Religious Education News
In a sermon given on October 6, 2002 titled
One Light, Many Windows
, the UU Rev. Dr. Forrest Church asked that his congregants imagine themselves in a vast cathedral, a worldwide cathedral, with brilliant windows all around. The windows are vastly different, some with abstract splashes of color, some with representative figures, still others just frosted slightly. While some faith traditions determine that their window is the only window in this massive cathedral through which the Light shines, our faith acknowledges that we each behold the Light (God, Truth, Love, Being, whatever we choose to call it) as it shines through the many windows.
Rev. Church goes on to say, "This metaphor is a perfect description of Unitarian Universalism. One Light (Unitarianism) shines through many windows (Universalism), illuminating human minds and hearts in many different ways. In our congregations we honor this truth by encouraging our members to reflect on the Light through whatever set of windows they find most illuminating."
This sermon is the inspiration behind the name of the next evolution of our Faith Formation program; Many Windows. To further our multi-generational community and the celebration of the amazing wealth of talents and spiritual traditions in our congregation, we will begin offering multiple worship opportunities on Sunday mornings. All congregants will have the opportunity to select which worship experience they want to attend; either Sanctuary Worship, or another experience at a different location on campus. More information about this exciting evolution of our program will be shared later this month in a special newsletter. Please email any questions or concerns to Jenn Blosser, Director of Religious Education:
dre@uucfm.org
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The UUCFM Choir
rehearses most Wednesday nights from 6:30-8:00 pm, and on Sunday mornings at 9:30 in the sanctuary. It's free and there are no auditions. Come join us in singing!
The UUCFM Band
rehearses most Wednesday nights from 5:45-6:15 pm, and on Sunday mornings at 9:10 in the Sanctuary. Do you play an instrument? Are you interested in playing with the UUCFM band for worship? If so, please schedule an audition time with me by email.Come join us in making music together!
Suellen Kipp, Director of Music
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Would You Like to Become a Member of UUCFM?
If you are interested in becoming a new member, please pick up a Membership Kit on Sunday mornings in the Narthex or in the office during the week. Thanks!
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Did you know your purchases can help us? AmazonSmile donates to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers when you do your online shopping by following this special link to Amazon:
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Membership
The Membership team is looking for a volunteer to take over the scheduling of the ushers and the greeters. This job is not difficult and can be done in less than an hour a week from home. We will help you get started. If you are interested, or if you are willing to usher or greet during the month of September, please contact Mary Gayle Skinner (239-482-8969) or
skinnermg@aol.com
.
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2019 GRACE Project Work-Study Trip
November 3 - 9, 2019 $750 Land only
Assist in the Reproductive Health Workshops with women and youth (Spanish
not essential)
Support the workshops with public school teachers, in collaboration with the
Guatemala Ministry of Education and with community leaders,
Visit the Casa Aurora Women’s Shelter in San Lucas Tolimán,
Deliver menstrual management Kits and Fertility Bracelets,
Travel in safe, private vans,
Private room with bath,
Enjoy the Breakfast or dinner provided daily,
Shop in La Antigua and Panajachel.
Safe land Transportation, breakfast, and hotel rooms are included.
Volunteer pays own airfares from USA to Guatemala City.
To save your space, please send $100 deposit on the Donate button, through PayPal, on
Muchísimas gracias.
The Guatemala Rural Adult and Children’s Education (GRACE) Project represents the Social Justice Outreach Ministry of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers. All workshops are non-sectarian and free of charge to participants.
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Special Request from the South Fort Myers Food Pantry
A few months ago we made a special donation to the South Fort Myers Food Pantry through our Community Sharing Program. This was for food purchase and general operations, utilities, gas, and repairs.
In addition to food and overhead they rely heavily on equipment to complete their mission, "to feed the needy of South Fort Myers". They have had a large used box truck for ten years which has recently been causing them problems; for example, the brakes gave out while returning from picking up food at Harry Chapin. They have not been able to find a "good" used truck that fits their needs. Hence, they are looking at bids for a new truck Their goal is to get a truck ordered by October.
The board has voted to set aside $30.000 towards the purchase of the new truck. They are asking all coalition members and friends to consider donating funds toward this purchase in addition to your continued support of the pantry through volunteerism, food drives and financial support. They need to raise an additional $45,000 to reach their goal. Please spread the word and know that any amount to help them reach their goal will be appreciated.
Donations may be sent to: South Fort Myers Food Pantry Coalition, Inc.
8260 CypressLake Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33919. For questions see Fran Rose or email her at
franrose512@gmail.com
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Come explore the simple and satisfying practices of
Mindfulness 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. Contact Gary Robbins at 302-540-5899.
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The UUCFM Book Club
meets Wednesdays from 1:00-2:30 PM in the Library of our Administration Building.
All are welcome to join in facilitated discussion and group bonding. Our current book is
Life Before Life
by Jim Tucker, MD.
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Wednesday Connection Circle
Lilibeth Grimes will be facilitating a once monthly Wednesay evening circle called
Principles of Joy
. The goal for this connection circle is to serve as a bridge between UUCFM and the broader community. This is open each month to all members, family, and friends. Please email by the Monday before each circle to let her know you will be there that month. We'll meet the second Wednesday of each month at 6:00 PM. You don't have to attend all sessions. Here is the schedule:
September 11:
Third Principle: Acceptance of One Another and Encouragement to
Spiritual Growth
in our Congregations
October 9:
Fourth Principle: A Free and Responsible Search for
Truth
and Meaning
November 13:
Fifth
Principle: The Right of
Conscience
and the Use of the Democratic Process within our Congregations and in Society at Large
December 11:
Sixth
Principle: The Goal of World
Community
with Peace, Liberty, and Justice for All
January 8:
Seventh Principle:
Respect
for the Interdependent Web of all Existence of Which we are a Part.
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UUCFM-Caloosahatchee Mindfulness
UUCFM and Caloosahatchee Mindfulness invite participants to join our weekly meditation book group. The group meets weekly on Wednesdays from 10:00 to 11:30 AM in Room 3. Please contact Helen Leddy to make sure the group is meeting each week or if you want to join. All are invited to attend. For more information contact Helen Leddy
helen.leddy@gmail.com
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10th Annual Florida Unitarian Universalist Women’s Retreat
April 3-5, 2020
DaySpring Episcopal Conference Center
A Weekend Gathering of UU Women
• Friday evening we will get to know one another and create community
• Saturday one-hour workshops offer choices
• 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.
http://Dayspring.dioswfl.org
.
$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 $15 for a semi-private room or $25 for a private room will reserve your place. Final payment is due January 15, 2020. Scholarships are available.
Come join us for an enriching and memorable weekend. To register or for more information contact Helen Leddy
helen.leddy@gmail.com
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Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Group-
The Rissho Kosei-kai group meets Sundays at 2:00 PM in Room Number 1. We do not meet on 5th Sundays. Contact Mary Tracy Sigman for more info
uuchurch@uucfm.org
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Sept 9 Judy Burget
Sept 14 Jenn Blosser
Sept 14 Frances Pake
Sept 16 Genelle Grant
Sept 19 Toni Latino
Sept 21 Deb Leigh
Sept 24 Leslie Gatto
Sept 30 Jen Smith
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Staff
Senior Interim Minister
Director of Music
Director of RE
Office Manager
Building Supervisor
Nursery Supervisor
Liza Kellam
Board of Trustees
President
Theresa Bahre
President Elect
Lesley Peterson
Secretary
Alison Carville
Treasurer
Vacant
VP Finance
Alanis Garcia
VP Programming
Karen J. Brown
VP Ministerial Services
Vacant
VP Operations
Dorothy Van Howe
Member at Large
Helen Leddy
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Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers
239-561-2700
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