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The Communicator June 2017
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Worship in June: Joy
Our Church Vision statement suggests that by 2021 we wish to be
...a generous and inclusive faith community that compassionately leads the way in creating connections to build a just, sustainable world. We worship, work, and play together, deepening our faith to offer spiritual support to one another in times of need and joy.
PLAY. JOY. Yes, please!
This whole month is about creating and facilitating the expression of joy- in worship and in your daily life. Of course, life is not always joyful. Cultivating joy in the midst of suffering is an art and a mindful practice. This month is your invitation.
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Humanist Forum
The Humanist Forum regularly meets every Sunday at 9:15a in Hobart Hall. All are welcome to attend.
The Humanist Forum this Sunday will consider the idea of
compassion which literally
means to suffer together. Among emotion researchers, it is defined as the feeling that arises when you are confronted with another’s suffering and feel motivated to relieve that suffering. There will be two TED talks on this important virtue.
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Community Sharing in June
Our Mother’s Home provides a safe and nurturing environment for teen moms (ages 12-21) in foster care and their babies. Prior to the launch of Our Mother’s Home in 2000, teenage mothers in foster care were often separated from their child at birth. This unique home is the only one of its kind in Southwest Florida to provide service to break the cycle one teen at a time.
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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.
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For Next Sunday, June 11th: Join us in your Harry Potter finery (or whatever fanciful, wizardry outfit you feel like) for a Sunday morning service like no other. Make sure you grab a wand when you arrive and bring it into the Sanctuary with you - we will be making some magic together!
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Great Rejoicing!
During worship this Sunday, we invite the congregation to covenant with Rev. Margaret L. Beard and Rev. Suzanne Fast as community ministers. In addition, later that
Sunday we celebrate the ordination of Katie Romano Griffin, co-hosted with our sister congregation in Port Charlotte where she has served as intern minister the past year. How timely that the month of June focuses on the theme of Joy! For it is with great rejoicing that we observe these special movements in the life of our congregation and for our larger community!
Our congregation grows ministers and is a place of thriving! We have served in the past as a Teaching Congregation, providing opportunities for seminarians to be placed with us as intern ministers. Being a Teaching Congregation is a win-win. The student has a vibrant, healthy community where s/z/he may learn some of the ropes of ministry. Additionally, field placements such as these are required for ministry students. The congregation wins by learning from the student, as well as benefiting from their unique gifts and passions. If you would like to be part of a team that develops our potential as a Teaching congregation, please email me at
minister@uucfm.org, as I have hopes we might serve ourselves and Unitarian Universalism by embracing this opportunity again as a congregation in the fall of 2018. We grow great ministers!
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Religious Education News
Happy June! This month, we are focusing on the theme of Joy in our services, kicking things off with a very joyful Children's Chapel service this Sunday, June 4th. Kids of all ages will gather together in Classroom 1 after being sung out of the Sanctuary. We will sing songs, discuss our joys and sorrows of the week, and then examine how deep joy comes from inside our hearts, not the outside world.
Next Sunday, June 11th, is going to be quite an experience. As UUCFM gears up to host the 6th annual School of Wizardry Summer Camp, we're taking our service to the halls of Hogwarts. Join us in your Harry Potter finery (or whatever fanciful, wizardry outfit you feel like) for a
Sunday morning service like no other. Make sure you grab a wand when you arrive and bring it into the Sanctuary with you - we will be making some magic together!
Our summer curriculum,
We Are Made of Stardust, is ready to go and we are accepting applications for teacher volunteers. Sign up to teach just one
Sunday this summer - all curriculum and materials are provided for you! Click this link to fill out the application:
https://goo.gl/forms/WbKNJRRIutHQRT2B2
Jenn Blosser, Director of Religious Education
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Youth Choir Next Week!
Youth are welcome to join choir practice on Wednesday, June 7th at 6:45p in the Sanctuary for choir practice! Any child able to read the lyrics of the music and arrive at 9:00a on Sunday, June 11th can participate. See you there!
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Board Thank Yous
For every act of kindness, for every kind thought, for the bowed head and tears shed we say Thank You…
For every hug shared, for every opened door, for the tender smile and intentioned stones we say Thank You…
For every dollar given, for every forgiving heart, for the life we live and lay down we say Thank You…
UUCFM is filled with many willing hearts who we want to thank:
- Stop by our Visitor's Table in the Narthex. Chat for a while and find out what’s new. Don’t forget to say thank you- our Membership Committee is a dedicated bunch and they have been busy.
- Many of you were at the Ordination of our own Rev. Suzanne Fast. Her Ordination Committee members deserve a special thank you. Don’t know who they are? Just ask Rev. Suzanne.
- If you haven’t noticed yet we have more teal than before. The first recorded use of teal as a color name in English was in 1917, according to Wikipedia. The increase in the color teal here at UUCFM is due to Bill and Francis Klein donating new teal hymn books.
- Volunteers of the month, we love you! Laura Snow (April) and Ryan Callahan (May).
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Music Notes
The next
Music Committee
meeting is
Wednesday, June 14th at 3:00p
in the Library.
During my first year here, the music program has been expanding and I look forward to a time when we can continue that progress. For the sustainability of the program as it is now, the Music Committee and I have decided that the Choir and Band will have one additional Sunday off per month.
Musical Calendar
June 4:
With great rejoicing! Peter Golbitz leads the band in the country gospel tune,
Keep On the Sunny Side of Life, and the Choir harmonizes the upbeat song
Now Let Us Sing.
Saturday, June 10 at 7:00p:
SWFL Gay and Lesbian Chorus Summer Concert here in Hobart Hall!
June 11:
The Magic of Joy. Singer/guitarist Haris Blackwood shares her gifts, and the Choir and Band cover the 1960s chart topper
Do You Believe in Magic?
June 18: For our celebration of Beloved Conversations workshops, the Music Team shares music special to the series: the African American gospel song
I Need You to Survive, and the heartfelt ballad
Something Inside So Strong.
June 25: Watch the weekly E-News for details.
The UUCFM Choir rehearses most Wednesday nights from 6:45-8:15p, and on Sunday 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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Katie Romano Griffin Ordination
You are cordially invited to attend the ordination of Katie Romano Griffin on Sunday, June 4th . Follow this link to the invitation and details about the event :
http://event.pingg.com/OrdinationOfKRG .
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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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FUUn BUUnch
The FUUn BUUnch meets Friday,
June 23rd at 7:00p at
Bianca's Ristorante Italiano
16251 Cleveland Ave.
North Fort Myers, 33903 (ph: 239.995-3272)
Directions: Go Northbound over the Caloosahatchee River Bridge. Continue on N. Cleveland Ave. past Bianca’s Restaurant on the left. Go over Littleton Road and make the first “U” Turn. Bianca’s is in the Tamiami Plaza on the right.
Arrangements have been made with the management for us to have a semi private area. This is a social event- we will have fun, eat, and talk together.
Please RSVP to John Fischer at 267-467-1622 or
silverfischstudios@gmail.com. We need to let the restaurant know the number so they can have adequate staff for our group.
FUUn BUUnch Help
The FUUn BUUnch needs restaurant suggestions for dining, one Friday each month, May through December.
Restaurant must:
- Be within 35 to 40 miles of Shire and Daniels.
- Be capable of serving 15 to 40 people in close proximity of each other.
- Provide selections from their regular menu.
Call
John E. Fischer with suggestions 267-992-6566.
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Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans
As we again turn the wheel, CUUPs has some things to share with our UU community: On Sunday June 18th, our meeting will explore something different. One of our new members will guide us into a look at being Heathen. The title of this workshop is
Father's Day workshop: "Tough Love": An Analysis of All-Father Odin's Unconventional Parenting and Guidance, Room 1 after service at 12:00pm. Our next meeting and sharing is Wednesday, June 21st, Summer Solstice. We are going to host a circle of Om chanting; healing for earth, humanity and heart hosted by Holley Rauen. This will be in the Sanctuary at 7:00p. These events are open to all.
We also would like to officially welcome Heather Robinson as our new Secretary and Melyssa Carrasco-Caballero as PR person. We welcome them to our community. Looking forward to sharing summer tidings with all. Any questions, please contact Joy or Rachel.
Joy Purcell hawkmistrs@aol.com
Rachel Spiller rlspiller@gmail.com
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Women's Circle
For the summer months the Women's Circle will meet at a restaurant on the second Monday of June, July and August. In June we meet at 12 noon at
Two Meatballs on Daniels Pkwy a few miles east of the church. They have fantastic sub sandwiches and all the normal and tasty things you find at an Italian restaurant.
You do
not have to rsvp, but getting a bit of a head count is helpful. If you can let me know ahead of time, I will tell the restaurant. But come anyway!
I am also looking for restaurant suggestions for the other months.
We will return to potlucks at church in September.
Susan Forsyth Email
thecaperabbit@gmail.com or phone
239-424-8442
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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 us for another round of Book Study focusing on
The Pagan Christ: Recovering the Lost Light. From the author's website: This is "Harpur's most radical and groundbreaking work to date, in which he digs deep into the origins of Christianity and how the early Christian church covered up all attempts to reveal the Bible as myth. What began as a universal belief system has become a ritualistic institution headed by ultraconservative literalists. As he reconsiders a lifetime of worship and study, Harpur reveals a cosmic faith built on these truths that the modern church has renounced. His message is clear: our blind faith in literalism is killing Christianity. Only with a return to an inclusive religion where Christ lives within each of us will we gain a true understanding of who we are and who we are intended to become."
Book study will meet one more session in the Library/ Conference Room with the following schedule: June 7th- Chapter 10 and vote on next book selection.
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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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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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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 June:
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 is finished for the season! Join us next fall!
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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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Our SWFL Pachamama Alliance Thursday Night Potluck and Speaker!
Our June 1st Thursday Community Pot Luck is at 5:30 pm in Hobart Hall. We are hosting Indivisible for their monthly gathering. So... mark your calendars. Come to a Pachamama Potluck and hear this speaker: Waner Del Rosario.He will be discussing "Facing Opposition with Kindness."
SWFL Indivisible will hold their regular meeting, and we will have an opportunity to network and learn about them, and share our efforts.
Childcare will be available. Please let us know if you'll have children coming. Contact Holley at holleyrauen@gmail.com
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South Fort Myers Food Pantry
UUCFM members from the north have cleaned out their cupboards, which means that over the last month our food donations have been excellent. Traditionally food donations drop during the summer months. This comes at the same time that Harry Chapin has less variety of food, fewer donations from the markets and fewer volunteers to sort food. It's up to our year round residents to make the extra effort to bring a can or two whenever you can. Canned chicken or tuna is always a good choice. Think Protein. Also there are fewer volunteers in the summer so consider volunteering! 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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An Invitation from South Fort Myers Food Pantry Coalition
For those of you who like to check numbers, the food pantry newsletter for the first quarter of 2017 is posted on the bulletin board to the right of the kitchen. If you have more of an interest in the running of the food pantry, consider attending the Annual Meeting of the Coalition scheduled for
Saturday, June 17 at 10:30a.
At noon, there will be a luncheon to honor coalition members and our wonderful volunteers. Volunteers are welcome to attend the 10:30 meeting but if you prefer not to or are unable to come to the meeting, it is not a prerequisite to attending the luncheon. Luncheon starts at 12:00 noon. Anyone with questions or an interest in volunteering for the summer months, email Fran Rose: francrose@centurylink.net.
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My UU Story
Beach Pot-Luck Guests: Ideas on Church Activities
At their Fort Myers Beach home, Suzanne and Bill Ziemer host pot-luck dinners and invite UUCFM members. Recently, there was a lively discussion on activism and activities that could be held at our church Here are some suggestions.
"Follow-up discussions on the sermons could be held," according to Suzanne Ziemer. "This could be done monthly with our minister."
"More participatory music," is what Denis Jensen wants. "This could be diverse music styles by various members, using their own music and instruments. Perhaps we could have an annual Coffee House, where coffee and dessert is sold, and various members sing, play instruments, or read poems."
"More Connection Circle groups are needed to allow more people to integrate into the community," suggests Patricia A. Vivier-Naidl. "And, more people need to volunteer to coordinate them."
"Discussions on how to be a Launch Pad for Action. Regular meetings could be perhaps monthly on Wednesdays to share information, suggestions and provide support, " is a key interest of Margot White. "We could work with organizations such as the Southwest Florida Resistance Coalition, Move-On, etc."
"Let's learn and help inform 'low-information voters'," is a goal of Joy F. Sokeitous. "Each month we could have a discussion on a different economic, international or social issue, with guest speakers giving us the details."
"I remember having an annual Valentine's Day Dance, with a D.J., at my previous church, " says Jim Stout. "Social activities are a way to bring both outsiders and members to the church, while making them feel happy and comfortable."
Have a UU Story you'd like to share? Email Joy F. Sokeitous at joysokeitous@comcast.net. She will send you guidelines and help you edit your story.
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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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June 3 Hugh Cochran
June 3 Susan Forsyth
June 7 Steve Jorgensen
June 8 Joe Sexton
June 11 John Fischer
June 11 John Worster
June 12 Linda Jensen
June 16 Rose Klein
June 16 Betty Tobin
June 17 Phyllis Brewer
June 19 Suzanne Ziemer
June 21 Chet Beemer
June 23 Karen Brown
June 23 Roman Carr is 3!
June 24 Helen Krieger
June 25 Rosalie Kuehn
June 27 Nicolas St. Amour is 14!
June 28 Charlotte Crossen is 3!
June 28 Kim Kain
June 28 Chris Rosa
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Newsletter Editor: Jill Carville
(239) 561-2700
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