Our Theme for April: Salvation
Service at 10:30 am Sundays in the Miller Sanctuary
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Community Sharing in April: Minister's Discretionary Fund
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Our Community Sharing partner this month is the Minister's Discretionary Fund. The Minister uses this discretionary fund to pay for groceries, gasoline, utility bills, rent, and other emergencies inn the lives of our members. 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 and help our church members during times of financial need.
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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.
This week the Humanist Forum will be discussing “What’s in the Word Atheism?” 2
nd
part of the “I Wonder” series.
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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
It's been 10 years this month since you as a congregation extended the call to me to come from Chicago to be your minister. It's been 10 years of shared Ministry beginning this August. It will be 10 years in February 2019 since you installed me as your minister and ordained to me. I am so grateful to all the members of the 2007-2008 Ministerial search committee who made this possible, especially the late Ann Heckes who served as the Chair. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to serve here in Lee County with you. With great rejoicing!
Rev. Allison Farnum
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Religious Education News
This Sunday is our Mystery Friend REVEAL! Adult/youth friends are asked to bring a gift (not exceeding $10 in value) for their younger Mystery Friend at the reveal at the start of service. Following service, there will be a Mystery Friend game of Pass the Parcel in the Sanctuary at noon so everyone can have some fun together! Please make sure you can stay to play and laugh with your friend. If you are unable to attend, please send me an email with your photo so that you can be represented at the reveal - thank you!
At our Intention Table a few Sundays ago, children and adults alike were invited to write letters of gratitude and support to the first female UUA president, Susan Frederick-Gray. This past week, we received a very lovely thank-you note from her:
"Dear Allison & Jenn,
Your cards made my day! I have them on display in my office. To you and all the children, families, and adults of your congregation, thank you for thinking of me. And thank you for living, speaking, and teaching your faith in Fort Myers! Many blessings and much love to you!
Yours,
Susan Frederick-Gray"
Jenn Blosser
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Music Notes
Musical Calendar
Sunday, April 29:
Haris Blackwood covers Nancy Griffith's
Trouble in the Fields
, and the Choir and Band team up for the rousing gospel song,
The Storm is Passing Over
.
The next
Music Committee
meeting is TBA.
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!
Amy Laursen
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Special Events
Wizard Camp
Sign up for Wizard Camp! This year's summer camp will start on June 11th and finish Friday, June 15th with a banquet in Hobart Hall. You can register here:
uucfmwizardcamp.webs.com
We are also seeking volunteers!
Whether it's
teaching a class, assisting with those who teach, or any of the prep work, we need you!
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 11 through June 15th from 9:00 am -4:00 pm.
(with optional before and after care). Prices range from $175-200. Also, there will be a feast on Friday at 6:00 pm as a culmination of our week of wizardry!
Be sure to register soon! Once a certain number of campers is reached, registration will be closed. Feel free to Contact Us on our web page with any questions you might have! We look forward to hearing from you soon!
- email Krista at
kriserta@gmail.com
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FUUn BUUnch Dinners Returning!
Bob Nies and I will restart the FUUn BUUnch Dinners on the last Saturday of May, 2018. We will use your input from the questionnaire filled out during the Christmas Eve FUUn BUUnch Dinner on December 24th, 2017. The restaurants suggested without objection were, Bianca's, Sunflower Cafe, and Mimi's. Unless there are objections, we will use them again this year.
Even though the following were suggested, endorsed or rejected, after careful review, we have decided to reject the following for the reasons indicated:
Ford's Garage, Shrimp Shack, Duffy's, Sr. Tequilla,(too noisy)
Origami, Bahama Breeze, Clam Bake, Christoff's, (too expensive)
Perkins, 6 mile Cypress (food quality)
Thai Garden, (too small)
Over the summer weeks, we will review the following suggestions:
Miller's Ale House, Oasis, Famous Daves, LaMotta, Cheddars, and others you may suggest.
We will continue with The Islamorada Fish Restaurant in Bass Pro Shop and LaGrotta again because there were equal numbers of rejections and endorsements.
NOTE: LaGrotta is particularly useful for our purposes because of the size of the restaurant, the varying menu, food quality, management's efforts to control the costs and their willingness to seat a large groups late on Christmas Eve where most other restaurants aren't open.
To make suggestions, endorsements or rejections, please contact:
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Dream Work Group
Five consecutive Sundays after Church, April 29 - May 27
12:15 - 2:15 pm. Room 3
Debra Leigh, M.A., Facilitator
Come discover the wisdom of your dreams. Learn to interpret your own dream symbols and translate your own dream language. Participate in the safety and support of a caring group.
Participants learn tips and techniques to remember and record their dreams. This dream work group follows Jeremy Taylor’s “Projective dream work” theory and techniques and leaves room to explore other ideas.
Debra began keeping a dream journal in the 1970’s while in graduate school in psychology and working in a Jungian environment. She worked directly with Jeremy Taylor to become a certified dreamwork
facilitator and has studied with various noted dream book authors primarily on the West Coast. A K-12 teacher and professional dancer/choreographer, she also taught Dance and Psychology at the college level for many years. She has facilitated dream work groups in California and Oregon.
To reserve a place for this or a future group, contact Debra at (831)
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Book Group
The book group will be reading
No Time Like the Present: Finding Freedom, Love, and Joy Right Where You Are
by Jack Kornfield. The group welcomes anyone who is interested in the book and will meet in the Library (next to the office) on Wednesdays from 1:00-2:30 pm.
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For Upcoming SoulCollage
High quality collage materials are needed for upcoming SoulCollage workshops. In June we will be offering two SoulCollage workshops after church, one for adults and one for children the following Sunday. For the younger children, it would be very nice to have large colorful, happy, images of animals and flowers and so on. It would be very helpful to have the pages torn out of the magazines or books if possible.
Please give materials to Debra Leigh, Dianne Sweeney, Jenn Blosser, or leave in the "Collage Materials" box in Hobart Hall. Thank you!
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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
pachamamaelder@gmail.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 4:00-5:30 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:
dbny79@aol.com
.
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UUCFM Athletics Club
The UUCFM Athletics 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 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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Help Care for the Plants in our Sanctuary
Some plants do not always need weekly watering.There are some potted plants in Memorial garden and by the choir side door. If you like plants and would like to help care for our serene Sanctuary - please apply.
Thank you, Kimberly Littleton
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Matt Stark
Matt helped to lead the congregants through their fears into the freedom of being comfortable with differences instead of feeling threatened by them.
He and I extended our presence in all the paths and factions of UUCFM to bridge and unite all in mutual respect and harmony, and to heal the fear and animosities that had infested the congregation before and since our arrival--following the original split. He knew that we could help to transform others. Matthew lived UU principles and the highest spiritual principles to the end of his days. UUCFM had a huge influence and impact on UUCFM becoming the accepting community it has become.
Among the many things I forgot to mention about Matt was that as executive director (ultimately emeritus) of the Minnesota Affiliate of the ACLU, he led the nation in religious liberty. A history will be published on that later this year.
He had been a former co-chair of the water committee in the Twin Cities chapter of the Sierra Club and countless roles, organizations and activities I haven't even kept up his resume--it's SO long and involved. Hard to imagine how he fit so much into so much and so many into a lifetime.
Best,
Terri Stark
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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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LIFE Update
Congratulations to all for a successful 2018 Nehemiah Action. 750 people gathered together to proclaim that Lee County will not allow our children to pay the price for our inaction. Instead, we secured a commitment from Police Chief Diggs to stop arresting children for minor mistakes. But, when we went to speak to our county commissioners we were met with their silence.
Well, we host a Nehemiah Action to elicit a response and a response did occur. Commissioner Hamman scheduled a meeting with LIFE leadership and while the meeting did not cause him to change his mind- he was able to listen to our concerns and insistence that a children's service council will help to solve the problems.
A positive response is that Commissioner Mann kept his word and introduced the Children's Service Council to the county commission. They will vote on whether or not to allow it on the ballot next week.
So, since the commissioners were not at the action- we will bring the action to them. On Tuesday April 17th we will gather at 8:45 AM outside the courthouse. We will enter the courtroom for the meeting and hearing at 9:30 where we will have speakers share their stories and relevant data. We are asking all those who are available to attend- we only have power because we have organized people.
Aside from that movement forward- we are preparing for a Celebration unlike any other. Please see details below about our 2018 Celebration as we close our year with a bang. As always- contact the LIFE office with questions, comments, or concerns.
LIFE for justice. Justice for life.
LIFE Celebration
On Tuesday, May First at 6:30pm we will gather to celebrate the year's accomplishments and to wrap-up our investment drive. The new location is New Image Tabernacle at
81 Pondella Road
.
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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:
francrose@centurylink.net
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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
uuchurch@uucfm.org
2012 Bayliner 170 Bow Rider Boat & 90hp Mercury 4 stroke
- $14995.
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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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Note:
The following camp is for Home School Rocks, a renter of UUCFM. This camp is not run by or sponsored by UUCFM.
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April 27 Jeff Letts
April 27 Nancy Letts
April 28 Mickey Kellam
April 30 Audrey Brown
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Newsletter Editor: Jill Carville
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Board of Trustees
President
Matt Hoffman 239-222-4836 mwaters106@yahoo.com
President Elect
Secretary
Alison Carville 239-634-0487 alisoncarville@gmail.com
Treasurer
VP Finance
VP Programming
Cathy Snow 239-896-3693 cmsnow23@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
Director of Music
Director of RE
Office Manager
Building Supervisor
Nursery Supervisor
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