Weekly E-News
October 12, 2017
Sundays in October
Meetings this Sunday, October 15th

*The Membership Committee meets in the Conference Room at noon.
Potluck on Sunday, October 29th
After our Honoring the Ancestors service on October 29th, there will be a community gathering in Hobart Hall. Please bring something to share with all, maybe a traditional family favorite. Drop it off in the kitchen before the service and we will take care of it. Let's make this a time for our blossoming and diverse UU community. We are grateful for so many things.

Joy Purcell
Staff & Board News
From Our Community Ministers
Dear Members and Friends,

Our congregation is on a long and winding road of justice making. On Sunday October 22nd, we will have our 2nd White Supremacy Teach-In. This is another step on the journey. Our worship theme for the month of October is Unity and Diversity and racial justice fits right in. Yes, I know the term “White Supremacy” is startling. When we hear those words we may think of people such as some of those we saw in the Charlottesville protest. What I am interested in exploring and understanding more is the set of “institutional assumptions and practices, often operating unconsciously that tend to benefit white people and exclude people of color.” We know that in 2017, actual “white supremacists” are not required in order to uphold white supremacist culture. Some of the holding up is done unconsciously.

Rev. Allison Farnum preached on this subject in April and has asked me to lead the second teach-in worship service. The Humanist Forum in Hobart Hall from 9:15am-10:15 am will be led again by the Rev. Suzanne Fast as a way to equip ourselves to recognize white supremacy and begin to notice how we can disrupt it. 

A gathering space specifically and only for people of color will be hosted by Albie Johnson in the Library Conference Room at the same time to provide a safe space for conversation and support. At 10:30 we will worship together and learn together about this important issue. Our children and youth will also have age-appropriate programming about white supremacy. 

This just another step. None of us will leave the campus with all the answers and the perfect way to go about ending white supremacy. The hope is that we are planting seeds of how to begin disrupting it-- within ourselves, these walls and other institutions. Like all good things, we need to be in it courageously for the long haul. For more information about this national Unitarian Universalist effort, please
see: https://www.uuteachin.org. On that website are many helpful resources. If you have questions, please contact me at revbeard@uucfm.org.

Thank you!—Margaret (The Rev. Margaret L. Beard)
RE News
This week, our investigation of the Five Smooth Stones of Religious Liberalism continues in our RE class. All ages will be investigating the Stone of Possibility a little deeper with the help of some guest speakers. We will be hearing from three UUCFM congregants about the things they believe and discussing the reason our theology values possibility. Oh, and games. There will be games too!

All families are invited to join us on Wednesday, October 25th at 6:00p for a special Halloween Community Dinner! The $5/person buffet will be followed by games, crafts, and treats. Costumes are welcome, but please remember that this is an all-ages event, so truly horrific or threatening characters are not permitted. Please do not bring weapons (real or pretend) as part of your costume. Thank you!

Jenn Blosser, Director of Religious Education
Music Notes
Musical Calendar

October 15: The Choir and Band join forces to rock USA for Africa's 80s ballad,  We Are the World, and Peter Golbitz returns to share his original song,  Bring It Home.

October 22: Austin Pierce covers the edgy folk song  Your Next Bold Move by Ani DiFranco, and the Choir does an encore performance of Hezekiah Walker's gospel number  I Need You to Survive. 

October 29: For our service honoring our beloved dead, Karen Feinan and Keith Hamlin pair up for folk song,  This Love Will Carry, by Dougie MacLean and Kathy Mattea, and the Choir shares the mystic pagan round,  The Gates, by Reclaiming. 

The next  Music Committee meeting is Wednesday, November 8th at 3:00p in Room 7.  

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


Treasurer's Corner
Are you at least 70 1/2? Do you have a traditional IRA? If so, you are eligible to make a contribution to the church from your IRA by December 31st. If it's done properly, it's a qualified charitable distribution, or an RA charitable rollover.

How do I make an IRA charitable rollover?

Write a letter to the custodian of your traditional IRA to send a check for up to 100,000 from your IRA payable to UUCFM. You may designate that the donation go to Endowment Fund or if no designation is made, the donation will go to the General Operating Fund. The distribution must be made directly to the church, not to you. This opportunity is not available for Roth IRAs.

Why is this a good deal?

As you know, when you take a distribution from your IRA, you pay income tax on it. The IRA charitable rollover is an exception to that rule. You do't pay any tax on the amount distributed to the church. You also know that you must take annual "minimum required distributions" from your IRA or other retirement accounts. The IRA charitable rollover will count as all or part of your required minimum distribution.

Can I claim a charitable deduction for the distribution?

No. Because you don't have to treat the distribution as income, you can't take a charitable deduction from it. However, the church will acknowledge the distribution as a gift from you, just like any other gift.

And finally, remember to consult your financial advisor, CPA, or attorney about your IRA charitable rollover to the church.
Special Events
Holton Eco-Preserve, Family Gardens Kick-off Delayed

Hi friends of the Eco-Preserve and the Family Gardens,
 
Hurricane Irma has setback our work schedule for the gardens by about 2 weeks. We have some damage that we have to repair and the delivery of soil has been delayed as well. So we think we can catch-up by the 15 th of October. So our first day is now set for October 15 th
 
Thank you for your understanding of this extraordinary situation. 
 
Bill Petrarca
Service Auction Meeting
The first 2018 Service Auction meeting will be held Wednesday, October 25th at 7:00p in Room 7. Anyone who is interested in volunteering and/or planning for the Service Auction is invited to attend.
Come Join The FUUn BUUnch for Dinner at Perkins
Perkins is on the Southeast corner of Route 41 and Six Mile Cypress.

Saturday, October 28 th at 6:00p

Please call John E. Fischer, 267-992-6566 or email SilverFischStudios@gmail.com to reserve your place.
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,
612-382-5927 . To volunteer, contact  suzanneziemer@gmail.com .
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 .
Classes & Groups
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
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, 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.
The Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist group meets Sundays at 1:45p in Room 1.
Weekly Activities
UUCFM eBINGO Kickoff
The jackpot is over $135 and you have a 1 in 20 chance to win! 

This is the email address you should contact once you have a winning card or if you have a question.

Bill Petrarca
UU Dancers

We will not meet Wednesday evening, October 18th. Please check the newsletter regarding future meeting times.

Cheers,
Debra Leigh
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 Activities for October:

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

Wednesday, October 25th there will be a costume and activity party after the community dinner in Hobart Hall!
Social Justice
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.
Member to Member
Church Member in Urgent Need of Room to Rent
Randall Gann is in urgent need of a room to rent. Circumstances beyond Randall's control have resulted in his losing his current living quarters. If anyone knows of rental availability to help Randall, please contact him at  239.834.2946.
Baby Joseph
More!
Yarn
Because of the generous gift of Judie Marble and a previous gift from Patricia Linhoff, UUCFM has a fabulous supply of yarn and some knitting needles. The intention is for this yarn to be used for the making of Comfort Shawls that the Caring Network distributes to members. You can find further information about the shawls at this link  www.shawlministry.com . The yarn can be found in the boxes inside the door of the office. The office may be accessed Sundays through the Library door, which will be unlocked.

When you have completed a shawl, contact Diane Buckley at  Dineby@aol.com. Your efforts will be greatly appreciated as the shawls are treasured by their recipients.
2018 Women's Retreat
It's time to start planning to attend the 2018 Florida UU Women's Retreat, April 13-15. Flyers will be available in the Narthex. This year, we are again sending this information to all the Florida UU congregations at the same time that this mailing is going out to you allowing more UU women to learn about the retreat. 

We are looking for volunteers to participate in the program planning. If you are interested and we hope you are, please contact us. Program planning can take place from anywhere in the state, so don't be reluctant to sign up to help.

Helen Leddy  helen.leddy@gmail.com
Our Greater Community 
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.  
Lifeline Screening at UUCFM

Why Get Screened?
Taking preventive steps such as making lifestyle changes and getting health screening may help you avoid a stroke or other serious health events in the future. Early intervention is important.

If you are over fifty, if you have diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure, or if you have a family history of stroke or heart disease, you may be at risk, even if you feel great. Actually four out of five people who suffer a stroke have no apparent symptoms and nearly 30% of strokes occur under the age of 65. The good news is that according to the National Stroke Association, 80% of strokes can be prevented. Life Line Screening will help you find out if you are at risk, so you and your doctor can take the next steps and be proactive about your health.

Where: Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers
When: Thursday, November 16, 2017

Pre-registration is required. The Wellness Package includes 4 vascular tests for $139 ($129 with our member discount). The screenings take 60-90 minutes to complete. In order to register for this event and to receive a $10 discount off any package priced above $129, please call 1-888- 653-6450 or visit
www.lifelinescreening.com/communitycircle There are 2 free screening certificates in the Narthex. First to pick them up gets them.
Oct 15 Ted Brown
Oct 17 Holley Rauen
Oct 18 Doc Gatto 
Oct 18 Jane Petrarca
Oct 23 Ruth Fotovat   
Oct 23 Gordon Woodworth III
Oct 27 Sima Robbins
Oct 30 Peter Golbitz 
Oct 30 Jersey Blosser is 17!
Oct 30 Sue Magee
Oct 31 Don Burget
  Please send all news articles for the Weekly E-news to  weeklynews@uucfm.org
All Communicator articles may be emailed to newsletter@uucfm.org
Newsletter Editor: Jill Carville 
(239) 561-2700 
Board of Trustees

President              Steve Eisenberg        239-634-7367    golfconcepts@gmail.com
President Elect     Matt Hoffman          239-222-4836    mwaters106@yahoo.com
Secretary Theresa Bahre 843-472-0386 strawbahre_fields@yahoo.com
Treasurer              Jen Smith             630-881-0000    jenw930@gmail.com
VP Finance             Deb Lewis            239-313-5618    debL5784@hotmail.com
VP Programming Julie Ireland 786-348-5544 vpprogramming@uucfm.org
VP Ministerial Services   Susan Forsyth         239-424-8442    thecaperabbit@gmail.com
VP Operations           Bill Petrarca           239-454-2438    bill@petrarca.net
Member at Large Bruce Marble 239-596-2703 jcahoon@tellink.net
Youth Representative Madeline Wellman madelinewellman@gmail.com


Staff
 
Minister            Rev. Allison Farnum  239-561-2700x204    minister@uucfm.org
Director of Music   Amy Laursen        941-932-2353        directorofmusic@uucfm.org
Director of RE       Jenn Blosser       239-561-2700x208    dre@uucfm.org
Office Manager      Jill Carville          239-561-2700x202    officemanager@uucfm.org
Building Supervisor  Mickey Kellam       239-738-3473        buildingsupervisor@uucfm.org
Nursery Supervisor  Liza Kellam          239-314-6316         lhiz_sierra@yahoo.com