The Weekly E-News will take next Thursday off. The Communicator will come out as usual on Thursday, November 30. There will be a new weekly info feature starting this Sunday in the Order of Worship!
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Worship in November: Gratitude
Gratitude is a cornerstone of living a meaningful life. The spirit of gratitude can dwell in our hearts regardless of the external realities of our lives. Let us join in worship and cultivate this gratitude together.
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Humanist Forum
The Humanist Forum regularly meets every Sunday at 9:15a in Hobart Hall. All are welcome to attend.
For Sunday, November 19:
What makes for a good life?
Is there more to life than just being happy?
These questions are just as important as we age as when we are young. If we want to live authentic, satisfying lives we need to look within ourselves and our relationships with others. These two TED talks can help guide us.
Robert Waldinger
relates lessons learned from the Harvard Study, which has been running for 75 years, in which aspects of life satisfaction have been explored with the same group of people as they age.
Emily Esfahani Smith
describes four pillars on which a full, deeply satisfying life can be built.
Come watch these talks and contribute your thoughts and questions as we discuss them.
The TED talk-based presentations will be moderated by Ted Brown
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Community Sharing in November: Alliance for Fair Food
The Alliance for Fair Food (AFF) seeks justice, dignity and respect for all farmworkers as part of a broader vision of justice for all peoples. The AFF works in partnership with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), building a vibrant, diverse national network that takes action in pursuit of fair wages and working conditions for farmworkers through the Campaign for Fair Food.
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Sunday Coffee Hour
Sunday's Coffee Hour 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.
Dorothy Van Howe
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Gifts for Quality Life Center
The Social Justice Committee is sponsoring Holiday Gift Giving for the Students at the
Quality Life Center.
On Sunday, pick up a "gift tag" or two with the age and gender of a student. Please bring an unwrapped gift with the tag attached to the Sanctuary or Hobart Hall . We suggest a minimum amount of $10. Please no guns, action figures, barbie dolls or battery-operated toys. Please bring all unwrapped gifts by December 17.
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Meetings this Sunday, November 19th
*The
Laursen Baby Sprinkle
will be held in Hobart Hall at noon.
*
Connection Circles
will be held in Rooms 2 & 3 at 12:30p.
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From the Minister
History tidbit from standing on the side of love UUA
"To me, a religious quest is a quest for the truth. Truth is one, but man's understanding of truth grows with the progress of mankind. I cannot believe that truth can be shut up in the narrow confines of any system of thought. . ."
- Rev. Andrew Kuroda
Andrew Kuroda (December 29, 1906 - February 19, 1997) was a Unitarian minister, cataloguer, bibliographer and reference librarian. When President Franklin Delano Roosevelt issued his Executive Order 9066 in 1942, Kuroda and his family were forced into internment camps in Newell, California and in Colorado. Later, asked why Japanese American citizens did not resist this order, Kuroda explained that "We were concerned about our safety—the threat of reprisals against us was always on our minds." His final military assignment was as a member of the United States Strategic Bombing Survey, working in Washington and Japan, which surveyed the morale of the Japanese whose lives had been affected by the dropping of the two atomic bombs. He would eventually go on to become a librarian working in the Library of Congress. At the same time, Kuroda served in a number of Christian churches until he became Unitarian and soon after established the Japanese Unitarian Fellowship of All Souls' Church (Unitarian) conducting its first service in Japanese in 1962 - the only Japanese Unitarian fellowship outside of Japan. Read more about Rev. Kuroda
here
.
Like Rev. Kuroda may we question the systems around us and remain clear in our vision for the transformation we seek to create today. May we honor his wisdom and be worthy of his legacy.
Rev. Allison Farnum
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Music Notes
Musical Calendar
November 19: The Choir sings a new version of beloved UU hymn
We Give Thanks, and Angela Melton covers 10,000 Maniac's
What's the Matter Here.
November 26: Watch the weekly E-News for details.
December 3: The Choir and Band team up for the rousing Gospel song,
Let There Be Peace.
December 3: 1:00pm HOLIDAY SING-ALONG! See article below for more details.
December 4: Please welcome Suellen Kipp as Amy's maternity leave begins.
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 9:00-10:00a 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, Director of Music
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Religious Education News
I have returned from Denver, Colorado with loads of new ideas and resources to apply to our Religious Education program. It was especially powerful to learn from so many religious education professionals how the Family Ministry model was empowering their children, youth, and families and improving the quality of the programs they offer. It is so exciting to see revolutionary new ideas bringing about powerful results in our congregations nationwide.
One of the most exciting things we will be setting up now that I'm back is a UUA supported youth group. This will allow our youth to participate in youth cons across the state as well as other UU youth activities across the country. The youth group will be open to kids age 14-18 and will involve elements of worship, community building, and of course loads of free-form fun. Our youth group will be designed for youth empowerment and offer participants a chance to use their group to work for social justice, racial awareness, or any projects they see fit.
There are lots of other projects to be set up for our elementary and junior high youth as well, and I look forward to structuring a sustainable calendar of events to benefit the spiritual needs of these communities at our church as well. This is an exciting time in UUCFM's RE program as we look ahead to Family Ministry at our church and all the new opportunities that will bring.
Jenn Blosser, Director of Religious Education
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From the UUCFM Office Manager
The UUCFM Office will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday next Thursday, November 23, and Friday, November 24. Please plan accordingly for picking up keys, reserving rooms, etc. There will be no Weekly E-News next week because of the holiday. There will be news included in your Sunday Orders of Worship starting this week! Also look for new announcement slides at the start of each Sunday service. Have a great Thanksgiving and see you on Sunday, November 26th. We will be having a regular service.
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Baby Sprinkle
Join us for a Baby Sprinkle on Sunday, November 19th at noon in celebration of our Director of Music's Baby Girl arriving in late December. Sign up to bring food or help with potluck here:
The Laursens are registered at Amazon:
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Men's Group
The Men's Group meets on Wednesday, November 22nd at 4:30p in Room 7. Contact Jeff Letts for details.
njletts@gmail.com
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Come Join The FUUn BUUnch For Dinner
Saturday, December 2nd at 6:00p
La Grotta
(under new management)
9520 Marketplace Road
Ft Myers 33912
239-332-5500
DIRECTIONS:
Drive E/W on Daniels Parkway toward 75. Turn North on Danport Way (Just east of Denny’s). Turn Right (East) on Marketplace Road (first road). La Grotta is on the right across from the Marriott. If you miss it, go round the circle, head west. La Grotta is 500’ west of the circle on the left.
Please call John E. Fischer, 267-992-6566 Or email
SilverFischStudios@gmail.com by Sunday, November 26, to reserve your place. Management needs exact numbers to schedule staffing.
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The 3rd Annual Holiday Sing-Along!
Sunday, December 3rd at 1:00p
Plan to stay after church for festive fun!
• $3 chili lunch includes cornbread and beverage
• Shop our craft fair and bake sale
• Sing Christmas carols, Hanukkah songs, solstice chants, and other wintry favorites
• We’ll pass the Santa hat to benefit the South Fort Myers Food Pantry
• Request your favorite song by Friday, November 17th for a $25 donation
• Bring a friend!
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December Shopping
The Arts & Crafts Fair and All Church Bake Sale is happening in Hobart Hall on Sunday, December
3rd, and Sunday, December 10th immediately following the service. Please mark your calendars and bring a friend. New this year is a "Next to New" booth for donations or 50/50 consignment. Teri Cooper & Barbara
Mannix bsmannix@gmail.com
are in charge. For an Arts Booth, contact Patricia Linhoff,
freckles345@comcast.net
. To volunteer, contact
suzanneziemer@gmail.com
.
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Women's Circle
Ladies: put on your holiday hats and join the Women's Circle on Monday, December 11th for the annual holiday get-together. We'll meet in Hobart Hall at noon for a potluck lunch, followed by a white elephant gift exchange. If you aren't crazy about your gift, we go a step further and play take away, which provides lots of laughter and fun. We'll also feature a holiday topic for discussion. Don't miss out on this.
Linda Jensen
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Dinners Go Round for 2018
Dinners-Go- Round are now forming for January through April 2018!
Denis and Linda Jensen are organizing Dinners Go Round for January through April of 2018. These monthly potluck dinners offer you a chance to get to know your fellow UUCFM Members on an informal basis. One dinner is held each month at a host UUCFM member’s home on a date determined by the host and participants.
If you didn’t participate last year and would like to do so this year, please email Denis Jensen by December 15th at
dalanjensen@gmail.com and let him know. Please include your names, telephone numbers, addresses, and email addresses in your email to Denis and also let him know if you would consider being a host for one of the four monthly dinners, or if there is one or more of the four months where you would not be able to participate. Also advise Denis if you will require wheelchair accessible dinner sites.
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Rummage Sale
Save your gently used items for our UUCFM Rummage Sale! The sale will happen over 3 days- Friday, January 19th, Saturday morning, January 20th, and Sunday afternoon, January 21st. Contact Deb Lewis for details
debL5784@hotmail.com
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Games and More!
Saturday, January 27th, our church- sponsored Scouts present a Casino Night for our UUCFM general budget needs. Hobart Hall will be a festive environment of Casino Tables and a Buffet Supper. Doors open at 6:30p. Bring friends. Limited advance tickets are for sale @ $20, includes $3,000 worth of playing chips. To volunteer contact Suzanne Ziemer at
suzanneziemer@gmail.com
or
812-332-3450
.
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UUCFM Book Group
The UUCFM Book Group meets each Wednesday from 1:00 to 2:30p in the Library. We are now reading a book by international peace-maker, Marshall B. Rosenberg, PhD, (forward by Deepak Chopra),
Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life, (3rd Edition) Life-Changing Tools for Healthy Relationships (Nonviolent Communication Guides)
. Over 1,000,000 copies of this book have been sold and it has been translated into over 30 languages.
"Nonviolent Communication shows us a way of being very honest, without any criticism, insults, or put-downs, and without any intellectual diagnosis implying wrongness."
--- The Author
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Next Connection Circle Begins Sunday, November 19th
Come one, come all to the next Connection Circle beginning Sunday, November 19th! New members, long-time members, and visitors are welcome. In each of six sessions we'll discuss meaningful spiritual topics through the sharing of our personal stories and experiences. Participation in a Connection Circle is a great way for "potential", new, and old-time members to get to know each other on a deep level and to feel more connected to our church community. This facilitated 6-session group will meet from 12:15 to 1:45p on the following Sundays: November 19th (we will meet at 12:30 on this date so we may attend the Baby Sprinkle), December 10th, December 17th, December 31st, January 14th, and January 28th. Participants are expected to attend all 6 sessions. For more information
and to register, please contact Nancy Letts at
njletts@gmail.com or call at
401-741-2712.
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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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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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The Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist group meets Sundays at 1:45p in Room 1.
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UUCFM eBINGO
We will be selling eBingo cards for the 2
nd round this Sunday after the service in Hobart Hall. Don’t forget to get your play cards. The more participants, the bigger the jackpot! Buy an extra set of cards for your friends and family. Join in the fun every time you open your email.
uuebingo@gmail.com
Bill Petrarca
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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 November:
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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Greetings from Guatemala
Hola Amigas y Amigos,
Muchas gracias for your support of the GRACE Project and the Days for Girls Kits. Women here love ️ the Kits and the fertility bracelets.
Blessings, Genelle Grant
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South Fort Myers Food Pantry
Urgent need for canned goods! If you have a lot of canned goods left over from your hurricane stock, please consider donating them to the Food Pantry this week. There is a collection basket in the Narthex by the middle door.
If you have questions or are interested in volunteering, email
Fran Rose at
francrose@centurylink.net. Put "Food Pantry" on the subject line of your email.
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Bed & Breakfast Volunteer Opportunity
We are preparing for another year of UUCFM’s Bed and Breakfast program. Through the generosity of host families within our congregation, we have raised $3000 to $5000 a year for the church operating budget for many years. We provide this service to UUs and/or their friends from around the country. This
program cannot happen without volunteers and we need your help!
What’s needed to be a host? The host provides one bedroom and bathroom and a basic breakfast each morning of the guests’ stay. The guests are usually one or two people. The breakfast can even be a “do it yourself” if your guests are early risers or you have to go to work and they want to sleep.
Do I have to entertain the guests or take them places?
No! They will have their own transportation. If you have favorite restaurants to recommend, or other local travel tips, they are always appreciated. You are not expected to provide entertainment, transportation or extra food. For the most part, guests are off
doing their own thing most of the day and evening.
When and for how long? Guests stay from one to seven nights during the months of January through April. (Most stay only two or three nights.) You choose when and for how long you can host and then your requirements are matched with those of the guests. Even if you can only host for two nights in March, for example, that is a big help. February and March tend to have the biggest demand.
All money received from the guests as they stay in your home goes directly to the UUCFM operating budget. I haven’t even mentioned how interesting and fun this experience can be for the hosts. We have met so many great UUs through this experience!
Please consider being a host! Before you say no, talk to me. Just try it once…
Mary Nies, Program Coordinator
239-466- 7933
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Holiday Decorations
Kimberly Littleton is looking for some volunteers to help put up holiday decor in November. If you are interested, please contact Kimberly at:
Jadenight@embarqmail.com
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See Us from the Air!
Click on this link to see a brief video fly-over of the Holton Eco-Preserve and the Bill Brewer Family Gardens.
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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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SWFL Gay & Lesbian Chorus
SWFL Gay & Lesbian Chorus with
Tropical Storm present
There's No Business Like Snow Business
2017 Holiday Concert
Saturday, December 9th in Hobart Hall
6:00pm Dinner
7:00pm Concert
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Travel with UUs
The Gilded Age Meets Downton Abbey in England
,
May 6-14, 2018
The unique university town of
Oxford
, with its amazing bookstores, eclectic museums, and historic pubs, is our home for 5 nights. While learning from a Blue Badge English Guide about the Victorian era and the American heiresses who married English aristocracy to save their estates, we visit
Highclere Castle
and
Blenheim Palace
. In the Midlands, we visit
Althorp House
and have
High Tea
in Leamington Spa. For 2 nights we stay in
Ironbridge,
the symbol of the industrial revolution in England. A Victorian town shows us how people lived and worked in late 1800s. All of this is wrapped in the bow of Downton Abbey. We enjoy the film sites at Highclere,
Basildon Park
, the charming
Cotswolds,
and in
London
. The itinerary aims to be mindful, informative, and fun. Contact
Beverly Carr
for all the details:
beverlz@me.com
thank you!
Beverly Carr
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Nov 17 Denis Jensen
Nov 20 Theresa Bahre
Nov 21 Erin Everson
Nov 21 Mary Murray
Nov 23 Mary Dryden
Nov 26 Carolyn Thompson
Nov 28 Bob Krieger
Nov 28 Jennifer McFadden
Nov 29 Liz Taggart
Nov 30 Amy Laursen
Nov 30 Bob Nies
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Newsletter Editor: Jill Carville
(239) 561-2700
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