We Are Located at:
7280 SE 135 Street, Summerfield, FL
Telephone: 352-245-7944
Click for map
7280 SE 135 Street, Summerfield, FL
Telephone: 352-245-7944
Click for map
The Monthly Station Report - June
Provides a listing of planned Sunday Services,
events, club meetings and other interesting
information for the current month
Provides a listing of planned Sunday Services,
events, club meetings and other interesting
information for the current month
The Weekly Timetable - June 16th
Provides a listing of planned Sunday Service,
events, club meetings and other interesting
information for the current week.
Provides a listing of planned Sunday Service,
events, club meetings and other interesting
information for the current week.
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| Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Marion County |
| where reason and love unite |
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Please Join Us For Sunday Services
Forum 9:30 AM - 10:15 AM
Service 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Forum 9:30 AM - 10:15 AM
Service 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
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Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Marion County
7280 SE 135th Street
Summerfield, FL 34492
352-245-7944
7280 SE 135th Street
Summerfield, FL 34492
352-245-7944
© Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Marion County LLC , 2013
Number of Visits
Click here to read the
President's June 1st
Message.
Click here to read the
President's June 17th
Message
| UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS SUPPORT GAY-STRAIGHT ALLIANCE |
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS SUPPORT GAY-STRAIGHT ALLIANCE
Since February Unitarian Universalists from our congregation have been actively standing on the side of love by supporting the right of students
to establish Gay-Straight Alliance clubs to help counter bullying in Lake County schools.
Our Minister, Reverend Janet Onnie, issued the following statement, which was read into the record at a Lake County School Board workshop in
Minneola, Florida on May 6th:
Reverend Onnie’s statement:
In times of disagreement Unitarian Universalists stand of the side of love. One of our seven principles affirms the
inherent worth and dignity of each individual. We express that by witnessing and working for justice for
disenfranchised groups of people. Sexual orientation or gender identity is not a choice. It’s like the color of your eyes;
only one aspect of the complete person in a relationship with a loving God.
We understand that there is great fear surrounding those who are different from us – whether it be skin color or socio-
economic class or political persuasion or sexual orientation. Nonetheless, it is our responsibility as a society to create
conditions where people feel safe so that their individual gifts might flourish. This is especially true in our schools. It is
the job of the schools to provide an atmosphere conducive to learning. If an individual or a group feels threatened or
bullied because of something over which they have no control, the learning environment is compromised. When we
allow our fear to override our commitment to raise our young to be productive and kind individuals we have failed in
our duty to them.
It seems to me that answering the question, What would any of our peacemakers do? is a good test of any policy. I
believe Jesus or Ghandi or Martin Luther King, Jr. would support the formation of an alliance among different people
attempting to understand each other. I believe the peacemakers would stand on the side of love.
Note: Standing on the Side of Love is an interfaith public policy advocacy campaign that seeks to harness love’s power
to stop oppression. It is sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Association, and all are welcome to join. See
www.standingonthesideoflove.org.
Since February Unitarian Universalists from our congregation have been actively standing on the side of love by supporting the right of students
to establish Gay-Straight Alliance clubs to help counter bullying in Lake County schools.
Our Minister, Reverend Janet Onnie, issued the following statement, which was read into the record at a Lake County School Board workshop in
Minneola, Florida on May 6th:
Reverend Onnie’s statement:
In times of disagreement Unitarian Universalists stand of the side of love. One of our seven principles affirms the
inherent worth and dignity of each individual. We express that by witnessing and working for justice for
disenfranchised groups of people. Sexual orientation or gender identity is not a choice. It’s like the color of your eyes;
only one aspect of the complete person in a relationship with a loving God.
We understand that there is great fear surrounding those who are different from us – whether it be skin color or socio-
economic class or political persuasion or sexual orientation. Nonetheless, it is our responsibility as a society to create
conditions where people feel safe so that their individual gifts might flourish. This is especially true in our schools. It is
the job of the schools to provide an atmosphere conducive to learning. If an individual or a group feels threatened or
bullied because of something over which they have no control, the learning environment is compromised. When we
allow our fear to override our commitment to raise our young to be productive and kind individuals we have failed in
our duty to them.
It seems to me that answering the question, What would any of our peacemakers do? is a good test of any policy. I
believe Jesus or Ghandi or Martin Luther King, Jr. would support the formation of an alliance among different people
attempting to understand each other. I believe the peacemakers would stand on the side of love.
Note: Standing on the Side of Love is an interfaith public policy advocacy campaign that seeks to harness love’s power
to stop oppression. It is sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Association, and all are welcome to join. See
www.standingonthesideoflove.org.
Photo taken at Lake County School Board
workshop; Minneola, Florida; May 6,
2013. Caption: Yellow shirts get
organized. Left to Right: Andrea Coburn,
Nelson Hay, Carole Clark and Diane
Lamontagne, all from the Unitarian
Universalist Fellowship of Marion County
(Florida). Also shown, further right in red
skirt, is Dr. Joyce Hamilton Henry of the
ACLU.
Photo Credit: Martha Hartgering, First
Unitarian Church of Orlando.
workshop; Minneola, Florida; May 6,
2013. Caption: Yellow shirts get
organized. Left to Right: Andrea Coburn,
Nelson Hay, Carole Clark and Diane
Lamontagne, all from the Unitarian
Universalist Fellowship of Marion County
(Florida). Also shown, further right in red
skirt, is Dr. Joyce Hamilton Henry of the
ACLU.
Photo Credit: Martha Hartgering, First
Unitarian Church of Orlando.
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
| NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS MEET WITH SENATOR MARCO RUBIO’S STAFF TO DISCUSS BORDER SECURITY, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND IMMIGRATION MODERNIZATION ACT |
On June 3rd a delegation of nine Unitarian Universalists from five north central Florida counties met with staff of Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL)
to discuss immigration reform, in the context of S744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act. The
delegation was led by Rev. Janet Onnie, of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Marion County (Florida), and Rev. Kathy Schmitz, of the
First Unitarian Church of Orlando.
Senator Rubio’s Office was represented by Florida State Director, Todd Reid; Regional Director, Susan Fernandez; and Senior Constituent
Services Representative, Mercedes Ayala.
Rev. Onnie opened the meeting with an explanation of Unitarian Universalism, our affirmation of the inherent worth and dignity of every
person, and our commitment to justice, equity and compassion in human relations. Then, we went around the room thanking Senator Rubio for
his leadership, telling stores based upon our experience of the immigration system as it affects family and friends, expressing our concerns with
portions of the Senate bill, and asking questions of Senator Rubio’s staff. Rev. Schmitz closed the meeting with a summary and statement of our
hopes going forward.
One of our principal purposes was to express our appreciation for the bi-partisan approach that has been taken in crafting the Senate
comprehensive immigration bill. We wanted Senator Rubio to know that there are voters out there that support these bi-partisan efforts.
We said that, while we find the bill far from perfect, it is better than no bill, and we understand the necessity of difficult compromises. We made
it clear that we consider the existing immigration system that keeps millions of immigrants poor and powerless and living in a legal shadow land
to be both economically inefficient and immoral. We urged the Senator, if he cannot support measures that would better ensure a timely path to
legality and citizenship, and unite loved ones, to at least resist changes that would further harden these aspects of the bill.
That having been said, we expressed concern that the border security and other triggers in the bill make the “draconian” 13-year path to
citizenship very problematic. It appears to us that it will be very easy for opponents to delay the path to citizenship essentially forever.
Immigrants who follow all the rules, pay the taxes and penalties, and take every required step will still be at the mercy of Congress and future
administrations. We urged the Senator to seek and support measures that will shorten and ensure the paths to legality and citizenship.
We also expressed our disappointment that the rights extended to conventional family members under the bill aren’t extended to LBGTQ
partners. We said we would, at least, like to see the legislative language accompanying the bill make it clear that these rights will be conferred if
the Supreme Court overturns the Defense of Marriage Act.
For their part, Senator Rubio’s staff called upon us to help correct the growing volume of misinformation about immigration in general and the
potential impacts of the Senate bill, in particular. They expressed cautious optimism that the Senate bill will ultimately pass the Senate. They
also suggested we contact our Representatives in the U.S. House to prepare for a difficult process there.
to discuss immigration reform, in the context of S744, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act. The
delegation was led by Rev. Janet Onnie, of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Marion County (Florida), and Rev. Kathy Schmitz, of the
First Unitarian Church of Orlando.
Senator Rubio’s Office was represented by Florida State Director, Todd Reid; Regional Director, Susan Fernandez; and Senior Constituent
Services Representative, Mercedes Ayala.
Rev. Onnie opened the meeting with an explanation of Unitarian Universalism, our affirmation of the inherent worth and dignity of every
person, and our commitment to justice, equity and compassion in human relations. Then, we went around the room thanking Senator Rubio for
his leadership, telling stores based upon our experience of the immigration system as it affects family and friends, expressing our concerns with
portions of the Senate bill, and asking questions of Senator Rubio’s staff. Rev. Schmitz closed the meeting with a summary and statement of our
hopes going forward.
One of our principal purposes was to express our appreciation for the bi-partisan approach that has been taken in crafting the Senate
comprehensive immigration bill. We wanted Senator Rubio to know that there are voters out there that support these bi-partisan efforts.
We said that, while we find the bill far from perfect, it is better than no bill, and we understand the necessity of difficult compromises. We made
it clear that we consider the existing immigration system that keeps millions of immigrants poor and powerless and living in a legal shadow land
to be both economically inefficient and immoral. We urged the Senator, if he cannot support measures that would better ensure a timely path to
legality and citizenship, and unite loved ones, to at least resist changes that would further harden these aspects of the bill.
That having been said, we expressed concern that the border security and other triggers in the bill make the “draconian” 13-year path to
citizenship very problematic. It appears to us that it will be very easy for opponents to delay the path to citizenship essentially forever.
Immigrants who follow all the rules, pay the taxes and penalties, and take every required step will still be at the mercy of Congress and future
administrations. We urged the Senator to seek and support measures that will shorten and ensure the paths to legality and citizenship.
We also expressed our disappointment that the rights extended to conventional family members under the bill aren’t extended to LBGTQ
partners. We said we would, at least, like to see the legislative language accompanying the bill make it clear that these rights will be conferred if
the Supreme Court overturns the Defense of Marriage Act.
For their part, Senator Rubio’s staff called upon us to help correct the growing volume of misinformation about immigration in general and the
potential impacts of the Senate bill, in particular. They expressed cautious optimism that the Senate bill will ultimately pass the Senate. They
also suggested we contact our Representatives in the U.S. House to prepare for a difficult process there.
Photo to the left, from L to R:
Mercedes Ayala, Senior Constituent Services Representative, for
the office of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio
Rev. Janet Onnie, Minister, Unitarian Universalist fellowship of
Marion County (UUFMC)
Andrea Coburn UUFMC
Katie Suarez, First Unitarian Church of Orlando (First U)
Diane Lamontagne, UUFMC
Martha Hartgering, First U
Margaret Wineman, UUFMC
Susan Fernandez, Regional Director, Rubio
Jim Mullen, UUFMC
Rev. Kathy Schmitz, Minister, First U
Nelson Hay, UUFMC
Todd Reid, State Director, Rubio
Photo credits: Nelson Hay and Martha Hartgering
Mercedes Ayala, Senior Constituent Services Representative, for
the office of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio
Rev. Janet Onnie, Minister, Unitarian Universalist fellowship of
Marion County (UUFMC)
Andrea Coburn UUFMC
Katie Suarez, First Unitarian Church of Orlando (First U)
Diane Lamontagne, UUFMC
Martha Hartgering, First U
Margaret Wineman, UUFMC
Susan Fernandez, Regional Director, Rubio
Jim Mullen, UUFMC
Rev. Kathy Schmitz, Minister, First U
Nelson Hay, UUFMC
Todd Reid, State Director, Rubio
Photo credits: Nelson Hay and Martha Hartgering
9:30 Forum: Margret Morgan, certified hypnotherapist will present the
history of hypnotherapy, how it works and for what it can be used.
10:30 Service: Diane Cosner --“God or No God, Religion Can Save Us” In an
age of rapidly accelerating change, how will our species survive this century
with brain architecture that hasn't changed since the dawn of civilization?
Can we find hope in harnessing the most powerful agent of transformation
the world has known?
history of hypnotherapy, how it works and for what it can be used.
10:30 Service: Diane Cosner --“God or No God, Religion Can Save Us” In an
age of rapidly accelerating change, how will our species survive this century
with brain architecture that hasn't changed since the dawn of civilization?
Can we find hope in harnessing the most powerful agent of transformation
the world has known?
| This Sunday June 23, 2012 |
On June 8th members of UUFMC’s Social Justice Committee attended the dedication of a new, 3-bedroom house at The Refuge at Jumper
Creek. The new house, christened “Peace” is already housing three clients and their children. The Refuge provides transitional housing and
related services to those experiencing homelessness, and is sponsored, in part, by the UUFMC congregation.
Photo Credits: Nelson Hay and Al Reeves
Creek. The new house, christened “Peace” is already housing three clients and their children. The Refuge provides transitional housing and
related services to those experiencing homelessness, and is sponsored, in part, by the UUFMC congregation.
Photo Credits: Nelson Hay and Al Reeves
| UUFMC SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE ATTENDS DEDICATION OF A NEW HOME AT THE REFUGE AT JUMPER CREEK |
| Social Justice Committee Members L to R: Jane Diggett, Ruth Deussen, and Nelson Hay |
| Social Justice Committee Members L to R: Karen Henkel-Reeves and Diane Lamontagne |
"All Aboard" June 2013