2020 WOMEN’S MARCH
Will take place on Sat, Jan 18th @ 10am at The Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers. The march is a community event which will be held in conjunction with marches across the country and throughout the world. There will be speakers, music and food! FMCUCC will have a table at this event! If you would like to assist in operating the table between the hours of 8:30 am and 1:00 pm, please contact our Community Minister Wesley at wesleysnedeker@gmail.com. Click here to go to Women’s March Ft Myers on Facebook for more information.
*
PUERTO RICO RELIEF
Since December 28th, there have been nearly 2,000 earthquakes in Puerto Rico, 60 of which were felt. Scientists have warned that it is impossible to predict when the tremors would stop. These earthquakes are the latest blow to a community that is still feeling the lasting devastation of Hurricane Maria.
(httpss://www.cbsnews.com/news/puerto-rico-earthquake-magnitude-6-0-hits-today-2020-01-11/)
On January 15th, Puerto Rico was again hit with a 5.2 magnitude earthquake. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, Puerto Rico will, at a minimum, continue to feel aftershocks for at least the next 30 days.
This Sunday, January 19th, we are collecting funds to add to relief efforts. If you would like to donate, you can make out a check to the church (FMCUCC) and on the memo line indicate “Puerto Rico Relief”. Special Offering envelopes can be found in the pews for this donation. Last Sunday we collected $879.
Thank you so much for your generosity and prayers.
*
CONDOLENCES
Our condolences to the following families on the death of their loved ones:
The family of Bobby Hall, who died January 6, 2020. No service has been planned at this time. Condolences can be sent to: Joe Hall, 19840 Cypress Wood Ct, North Fort Myers, FL 33903-9057
The family of Beverly Quast, who died January 12, 2020. No service has been planned at this time. Condolences can be sent to: Danny Quast, 10225 Bismark Palm, #1612, Fort Myers, FL 33966
*
HOW TO SAY HELLO LIKE A CHRISTIAN
Our New Testament reading this week comes from the opening of one of Paul’s letters to the Christ community in Corinth. It’s a peculiar selection to see on the lectionary. It includes no content from Paul’s main argument in the letter, no suggestion of the reason for his writing (Paul didn’t write letters to the early churches just for fun), and minimal material that we would think of as classically Pauline theology. Instead, we effectively get the Pauline equivalent of the first couple lines of an email:
“from: of Tarsus, Paul
Dear Corinthians,
I hope this finds you well…”
Yet still, in Paul’s loving and deeply grateful address to a community in some amount of turmoil, we find something essential about how a life in Christ calls us to be in relationship with one another–even in difficult times. This Sunday, we’ll talk about how to say “Hello” like a Christian. — Rev. Wesley Snedeker
*
NEW TESTAMENT STUDY
GROW hosts a New Testament study before worship every Sunday at 9am! We are using Marcus Borg’s “Evolution of the Word”. We are reading every book of the New Testament in the order they were written. Each session covers one or more texts, along with Dr. Borg’s historical-critical introduction. We are so excited to be digging into scripture together! In preparation for the January 19th discussion please read Hebrews.
*
UCC HISTORY, POLITY, AND THEOLOGY
Rev. Dr. Jim Boler and Community Minister Rev. Wesley Snedeker are offering a four session workshop that will consider the origins, identities, and workings of the United Church of Christ. We will draw from personal experiences, official denominational resources, and the stories of those gathered to explore where the UCC came from and where we’re headed. If you have ever been curious about our denomination and what it stands for, this is the course for you! We will meet in the Sanctuary (not the Fellowship Hall) during Coffee Hour.
Unfortunately, there were some technical difficulties with the videos for the first class of this Grow series on Sunday, January 12th. Fortunately, you can watch them via the following links:
“Our Roots in Four Traditions”
“More Than Just Four Traditions”
*
L.I.F.E.
If you are or would like to become a member of the FMCUCC Justice Ministry Team you will want to be at the church this Sunday, January 19th, from 4:00pm to 5:45pm where you will receive the latest updates on LIFE (Lee Interfaith for Empowerment) issues for this year and make plans for our full participation the Nehemiah Assembly on March 9th. We are talking about the lack of affordable housing in Fort Myers, inadequate services for children and criminal justice reform. Light refreshments will be served. For more information contact one of the ministers or a LIFE Team Leader (Karen Kelly, Kris Hurren, Sharon Tilbe or Jim Boler). ……JUSTICE FOR LIFE!
*
MARY EVELYN TUCKER
INTERFAITH SHARED SCHOLAR LECTURE
Dr. Mary Evelyn Tucker is this year’s Sanibel-Captiva Interfaith Shared Scholar Program Lecturer. Dr. Tucker’s lecture will focus on the interface between environmental concerns and spirituality. The talk will take place at Sanibel Congregational UCC at 4:00 pm on January 26 and will be followed by a reception. The lecture is free and open to the public; a free will offering will be taken up at the lecture. Dr. Tucker is a Senior Lecturer and Research Scholar at Yale University where she has appointments in the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies as well as the Divinity School and the Department of Religious Studies.
*
ABUNDANT GRACE IS IN NEED OF FOOD DONATIONS
If you can donate, please sign up on the sheet in the Fellowship Hall.
*
SUNDAY CINEMA – “AMERICAN FACTORY”
Movie night and potluck. This month — “American Factory” : Sun. 1/26 @ 5:30 – 8:30 pm; Bring a dish and a curious spirit! Genre: Documentary “In post-industrial Ohio, a Chinese billionaire opens a new factory in the husk of an abandoned General Motors plant, hiring two thousand blue-collar Americans. Early days of hope and optimism give way to setbacks as high-tech China clashes with working-class America.” [Rated TV-14]
*
DANCING IN CHURCH
Praise Dance Ministry practices are being held on Wednesdays, at 7pm at the church. Come prepared for exercise (wear comfortable clothing and shoes, bring an exercise mat). For more info please call Jackie Boler at 651-437-2785. Thank you.
*
FLORIDA UCC WOMEN – SOUTHWEST REGIONAL MEETING
Saturday, January 25th. Join UCC women from southwest Florida for a one-day retreat (9 – 2) at Pilgrim UCC in Port Charlotte. Carpool will leave FMCUCC at 8:00am. See the UCC Women’s Bulletin Board for additional information. Please make a reservation with Barb Coons (239-549-8283 or kayebarb3344@gmail.com) by Monday, January 20
*
SANCTUARY FLOWERS
The new Flower chart has been placed on the bulletin board outside of the Parlor. Please sign-up today. Envelopes to pay for the flowers can be found at the bottom of the board.
*
GROW PROGRAMS
GROW is an educational ministry of Fort Myers Congregational United Church of Christ. It draws upon the resources that make our church unique to foster an atmosphere of intellectual and social experimentation. GROW is a series of free classes, workshops, and social events led by staff members, retired clergypeople, and guest facilitators who seek to edify our community through the enlightenment and organization of its members. You are welcome to attend any course listed at any point in its progress. If you would like more information about GROW or any of its courses, please contact our Community Minister Wesley Snedeker at wesleysnedeker@gmail.com. Please click here for a detailed description of all classes offered.
*
INSPIRED: BOOK DISCUSSION FOR WOMEN
Facilitator: Rev. Nancy Rohde. January 6, 13, 27, February 3 at 2:00 pm. If the Bible isn’t a science book, instruction manual, or position paper, then what is it? New York Times bestselling author Rachel Held Evans invites readers on a journey of rediscovery as she explores the magic of the Bible, engaging the old, familiar stories in new ways that honor the past and enlighten the present.
*
ATTIC TREASURES
- Wednesday, February 12th – Room set-up, tables, racks etc. (time to be determined)
- Thursday, February 13th and Friday February 14th – Donation drop off, sorting, pricing etc. (morning hours)
- Saturday, February 15th – ATTIC TREASURES SALE (morning hours) Deliver baked goods to kitchen door on the east side of the building before 8am.
- Setup Help on Wednesday, February 12th (9am – noon).
- Accept donations and Sort and Price Sale Items on Thursday, February 13th (9am – noon and 4-6pm) and Friday, February 14th, (9am – noon)
- Help on Sale Day Saturday, February 15th (8am – 1pm)
- Sign-up Sheets are on the UCC Women’s Bulletin Board
- Shoppers for Saturday, February 15th.
- Clean-up Help for Saturday, February 15th (12:30-3pm)
*
THE BOARD OF DEACONS NEEDS YOUR HELP
Did Joan go on the around the world cruise she’s been planning these past several months? Do you know whether Harold is recuperating at his daughter’s home in Wisconsin? And how about Marie – she’s usually back in Fort Myers for the season by now, have you heard from her? Oftentimes, the Board of Deacons and the church staff know when a church member is homebound locally, and keep tabs on him or her. However, we aren’t always informed by family members or caretakers when a member has prolonged health issues making it difficult for them to attend church functions. Here’s where the members of the congregation can help out. If you are aware of a member that is homebound, or have noticed a member’s prolonged absence but haven’t heard it announced at church, please bring it to the attention of one of the deacons or the church office. Most times we are aware of the members who are homebound locally, but we don’t want to overlook anyone.
*
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
If you have walkers or bedside commodes you no longer need, please consider donating them to the church. We loan those items out to those in need and are currently out. If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Riehl in the church office, 239-482-3133
*
