Worship in May: Truth
Service at 10:30 am Sundays in the Miller Sanctuary
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Community Sharing in May: Planned Parenthood
The mission of Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida is to ensure the right of all individuals to manage their sexual and reproductive health by providing medical services, education, and advocacy.
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Humanist Forum
The Humanist Forum meets every Sunday at 9:15 am in Hobart Hall. All are welcome to attend.
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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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BURN Youth Group
The Youth Group meets on Sundays at noon, usually in Room 4! There is a car wash in the parking lot this week!
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From the Minister
Love Reaching Out from SWFL to Boston!
What a Beautiful Surprise it was to receive a handwritten thank-you note from our Unitarian Universalist Association of President the Reverend Susan Frederick-Gray. During one of the worship services in March, Our Intention Table activity was to send notes of support and encouragement to our first female president. In recognition of women's history month, Reverend Susan is making history in her presidency. Never did we expect to receive such a beautiful note that reads:
Your cards absolutely 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, sharing and teaching your faith in Fort Myers! Many blessings and much love to you!
Yours, Susan Frederick-Gray
We truly are blessed to have such an engaged and caring leader as our Association's president. She is one of the many reasons we should continue to grow our congregational commitment to the annual program fund for the Unitarian Universalist Association. We are the Association.
Rev. Allison Farnum
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Religious Education News
We have three slots left for our car wash this Sunday! Hurry! Email me if you would you like to receive an exterior scrub down of your vehicle as well as a Rain-X application on your windshield in a specially reserved parking space, for $20. This fundraiser supports our budding Burn youth group with much-needed financial support. Your involvement is so appreciated by our youth!
You have probably noticed the very conspicuous space at the front of the Sanctuary during worship. You've heard us reference the Intention Table during service, and you might be wondering why it's there. Rev Allison Farnum and I sat down together at the Intention Table this week and explored the purpose, meaning, an invitation of this space in our worship services. You can check out the video here!
https://www.facebook.com/UUCFM/videos/10156290522438688/
Jenn Blosser
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Music Notes
To all my dear friends of UUCFM,
After much deliberation and with a heavy heart, I must announce that I will be stepping down as Director of Music as of Sunday, May 13th. I have been struggling with the "invisible illness" that is autoimmune disease, and Rev. Allison and I have agreed that it will be best for me to focus on my health and family. As Rev. Allison works together with the Board President and Personnel Chair to program music after the 13th, and with continued support from our musically gifted congregation, the future of the music program is bright indeed. I'm filled with gratitude for these last three years, doing work I love at my beloved church home, singing with all of you.
Amy Laursen, Director of Music
Musical Calendar
May 13:
For Mother's Day, Rebecca Donlan sings Josh Groban's ballad
You Raise Me Up
and the Choir sings of the divine feminine in
Lady of the Season's Laughter
.
May 20:
In honor of Harvey Milk Day, Karen Feinan covers Pauley Perette's 2016 pop song
Beautiful Child
, and the Choir harmonizes Fred Small's heartfelt folk song
Everything Possible
.
May 27:
Peter Golbitz covers Bob Dylan's
Blowin' in the Wind,
and the Choir sings beloved UU hymn about the beauty of religious diversity,
Let This Be a House of Peace
.
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 9-1 0am 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!
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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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Member Login Website Help
Our congregation's website has a Members Services section, but you must register for access. Have you been having troubling registering or logging in? Lesley and Walter Peterson, along with Mark Brandon, will be available in Hobart Hall after services on May 13th and 20th to assist anyone who wishes help with the registration or login process. Please stop by their table and they'll make certain to help you log into our website successfully.
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FUUn BUUnch 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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Soul Collage
Registration is now open for two all-ages SoulCollage (TM) sessions in June! SoulCollage(TM) is a process through which you contact your intuition and create cards which have deep personal meaning and which will help you with life's questions. Following the simple SoulCollage directions, your hands move fragments of cut-out magazine pictures around, fitting them together in a surprising new way and gluing them down on a card. Cards containing the images you select — or the images that select you — come straight through your Soul, bypassing the mind. This is a multi-leveled, creative process which anyone can do. The cards are fun to keep in a special spot or home altar. To register, click here.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAmIne24prE3YndVBCSBLyPvcrl2d-N-MbZ8hKwRBD14dWsw/viewform?usp=sf_link
MATERIAL DONATIONS NEEDED!
If you have any magazines, pictures, or books which you would be willing to donate for use in the SoulCollage (TM) sessions, please drop them off in the designated box in Hobart Hall (you can't miss it - it's furry!) Thank you!
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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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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 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 May:
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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A Reminder from your Caring Network
Free Hurricane Preparedness Seminars will help get you ready
Lee County Emergency Management has scheduled additional Hurricane Preparedness Seminars that are open to the public. The free seminars will include information on how to prepare families and homes for hurricane season, how to use new hurricane-related technology and how Emergency Management responds to hurricanes and other disasters.
The seminars now scheduled are: 10 a.m.Tuesday, June 5 – Fort Myers Regional Library, in Meeting Room AB,
1651 Lee St., Fort Myers
2 p.m. Tuesday, June 26 – Large Meeting Room at Cape Coral Lee County Public Library,
921 S.W. 39
th Terrace, Cape Coral Seminars are open to the public. Additional seminar dates and locations will be posted at
leeeoc.com;
check the website to see if registration is necessary for individual events.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Lee County will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities in its services, programs, or activities. To request an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or a reasonable modification to participate, contact Debbie Quimby, 239-533-0622, Florida Relay Service 711, or
dquimby@leegov.com
. Accommodation will be provided at no cost to the requestor. Requests should be made at least five business days in advance.
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From Guatemala
Here's what's happening in Guatemala with Genelle Grant from GRACE Project with the Fertility Bracelets and Menstrual Kits-this is the Reproductive Health workshop in a public high school.
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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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Art in the Narthex
This month the artwork of Joan Hickok and Judith Lancaster is on display in the Narthex. Joan is showing her watercolors and mixed medium pieces and Judith is showing her acrylic paintings. Kind comments are welcome.
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Looking for Help with Family Gardens Updating
The maintenance time is coming up for updating some of the garden beds’ wood pieces: changing out rotting boards for new boards. We could use 2 or 3 able-bodied church members handy with wood tools for a few hours on Saturday, May 19th (or an alternative date). It’s great working outside and helping the church fulfill its community Green Sanctuary commitments. Respond to Bill Petrarca at
bill@petrarca.net
or 239 810-4608.
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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
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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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May 12 Fran Rose
May 14 Jim Stout
May 17 Elaine Swank
May 21 Mary Golbitz
May 23 Cathy Snow
May 24 Nancy Beecher
May 24 Elise Sexton is 17!
May 29 Stephanie Moreland
May 30 Diane Buckley
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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 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
Director of Music
Director of RE
Office Manager
Building Supervisor
Nursery Supervisor
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