News 20191004

PRIDE SWFL

Pride-SWFL celebrates its eleventh annual SWFL Pride from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. This event is inclusive and open to the public. SWFL Pride is an outdoor family-friendly event that includes live entertainment, food and drinks, and activities for all ages. The annual event was launched in 2009 as a celebration for Southwest Florida’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community and allies. A few hundred people attended the first year it was hosted. Since then, attendance at SWFL Pride has grown significantly. More than 6,000 people attended SWFL Pride in 2018. FMCUCC will have a booth at Pride-SWFL, where members and friends will be able to greet passersby and tell them about our Open and Affirming Congregation as well as our progressive approach to scripture and justice. Workers are needed to tend the booth from 11:30 to 5:30 pm PLUS TEARDOWN. Please respond to the FMCUCC office at ofcmgrfmcucc@gmail.com to express your willingness to help. Or you may call the church office at 239-482-3133. Shifts of 1 or 1/2 hours will help the success of our booth.

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RAISING THE ROOF

To date we have raised $35,370.00 in cash and pledges of our $100,000.00 goal. Thank you to everyone for your gifts and efforts!

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CHOIR

Choir rehearsals will begin Wednesday, October 2nd at 7:00 PM. New members are welcome! For more information contact Amy Maneval at (239) 671-7634.

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GROW

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.

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FINE TUNINGS

The 2019 Fall Session of Fine Tunings has been scheduled to begin on Monday, November 11th. Fine Tunings is designed to help young people enhance their education by participating in three 30 minute break-out sessions during the evening – Tutoring, Music and Arts /Crafts. A light meal is also offered for any families and volunteers who desire. The success of our program depends on our talented and dedicated church family volunteers. Please consider helping us by either working with children on craft projects, helping with homework, or simple music (piano, vocal, guitar etc.) We also need people to help set-up for the meal and clean up after. This is a great opportunity for some new members, to get more involved in the work of our church. Past volunteers will tell you how rewarding it is to work with the children. If you would like your child to participate in the program, please return the registration ASAP since we offer this first to our church families. For additional information the 2019-2020 brochure is posted on the Church School bulletin board and copies are available at the welcome desk. Sandy Blackington or Susan Hegner can provide additional detail and answer questions or volunteer.