About Us
SEE OUR FELLOWSHIP ON YouTube, click: YouTube Video
We invite you to attend our worship services on Sunday mornings at 10:30.
Children are welcome in our Religious Education Program. We hope to see you this week!
What to expect on a typical Sunday morning
As we continue to build the children's program, they will begin in the Sanctuary with their families and go to their Religious Education activities after the “Story for All Ages.”
The worship service includes singing, readings, a sermon, sharing of significant milestones in our congregants’ lives, and a time for prayerful silence or meditation. We also take a monthly offering for a local charity or other needs outside our community.
The social hour after the service is a good way for you to get to know us, and we you. Dress at our services varies. Wear what is comfortable for you. Here is a short video of fun times together, this one was a baby shower after one of the services for a couple expecting a new baby.
Music by Unitarian Universalist composer, Peter Mayer: click for video "Blue Boat Home"
Collaborative Leadership
Unitarian Universalists value the many contributions of time and talent that our members and friends bring. Dedicated volunteers wear many hats. Whatever the contribution, we appreciate it as a gift that supports the ministry of the congregation as a whole. Lay leaders and task-oriented helpers—along with the minister, office assistant, and musicians—all play an important role in creating the Beloved Community we aspire to be.
Board of Trustees
MaryHolly Allison, President
I've been a Unitarian Universalist since I was 15. After 12 years at Cedar Lane UU in Bethesda, MD, I have been a member here since 2004. My background is education—as an early childhood teacher, a special education teacher, and an Elementary and Middle school principal. I now do part-time consulting with a professional development company to improve teaching and learning. My favorite pastime is enjoying warm, sunny weather and traveling with my relatively "new" husband, Ben. I especially appreciate that this congregation is truly a "religious home for the liberal spirit" in a very conservative area.
Jack Osborne, Vice President
Most of my adult life was in Syracuse, NY, where I attended May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society since 1977. I served as Vice President for several years, and also as Religious Education instructor and canvas chair, plus service on other committees. On the board of CampUnirondack, in the Adirondack mountains, I led the construction project to replace the main lodge that was totally destroyed by fire. My career was in engineering sales of computer-based building control systems.
Robert Taylor, Treasurer
I married into the UU church in Minneapolis fifty years ago and have been a member at UUFCC since moving from Annapolis to Florida in 2004. I'm a semi-retired international consultant in health services management. I've served as UUFCC's President and currently co-chair the Long Range Planning Committee with my wife, Susan.
Carol Powell, Secretary
I am a mom, grandmom, teacher, former nun, traveler, cook, gamer, cancer survivor and retiree. I grew up in Rochester, N.Y. and didn’t learn to speak English until I was 5 years old, thanks to the time I spent in the care of my Italian grandmother. I helped to found a Unitarian Universalist church while living in Mexico and working as a teacher. That same church has grown in a short time to include about 30 to 40 members.
Joan Bollinger, Trustee
I have been a Unitarian Universalist since about 1985 when I discovered a religion where it was O.K. to think for myself and form my own religious beliefs. I have been a member of this Congregation for the last 6 years. Being a part of this church community has allowed me to grow spiritually and form true friendships with caring and like minded people. . My professional background is varied. I've been in real estate, decorating, sales, Girl Scouting and owned a retail business .I enjoy cooking, gardening ,reading and travel whenever I get the chance.
Vince Frighetti, Trustee
(NO PHOTO) - Steve Pollard, Trustee
Staff
Our New Contract Minister
The Reverend Amy Kindred, Our Minister
Rev. Amy Kindred became our new Minister starting August 15, 2012. She will join us for two years as our Contract Minister. We look forward to the possibility that our membership may call her as our Settled Minister after this two year interval, and that she might accept.
She and her loving husband, Phil Brown will be seeking a new residence in our area.
Rev. Amy has lived in Florida before. She is originally from Indiana, and she is coming to us from the Unitarian Universalist Church of Savannah (GA.) where she was serving as Interim Minister for the past year. Previously, she served the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Terre Haute, Indiana for three years.
Rev. Amy is also an accomplished artist. More information about Rev. Amy's background will be forthcoming.
Melanie Blais, Office Assistant
I began working for UUFCC in February 2009. Previously I worked for a patent law firm, a pension fund, and a home builder. In my spare time I enjoy going to the beach, cooking and making scrapbooks.
Amy Lynne Menard, Music Director
Amy Lynne became our Music Director in February 2013. She holds a Masters degree in Music Performance, and has been involved in church music leadership since age 15. She most recently served as Music Director at the UU Churches of Tampa and Tallahassee for a total of five years.
A professional viola player, she has played with symphonies in Port Charlotte, Venice, and Fort Myers, as well as in Opera Naples. She has also played for over 100 weddings, parties, and memorial services.
Amy Lynne lives in Fort Myers with her fiancé, and in her spare time, enjoys planning for their June wedding.
Richard Burcham, Sunday Assistant
It wasn’t until I started writing down my end-of-life wishes that I was inspired to come to UUFCC and see what it was all about. My first time was quite enjoyable. I am so happy to have found a place where people can come together and listen to and respect each other’s inner spirituality. I am pleased and proud to join UUFCC, and look forward to making many friends here in the years to come.
A Brief History
*1969 The Port Charlotte Fellowship is founded. Twelve people sign the membership application and begin meeting in each other’s homes. Shortly thereafter, they accept an offer to meet in TempleShalom, a local Jewish synagogue.
*1977 We purchase 1.85 acres in Port Charlotte with the dream of building “a home of our own.”
*1978 Dr. Carl Westman, a retired UU minister living in Lakeland, is hired as a part-time minister.
*1983-84 The present building is erected. UUA President, Rev. Dr. Eugene Pickett, speaks at the dedication ceremony. Name is changed to Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Charlotte County.
*1990-92 Rev. George Brooks serves as part-time minister. He is now our minister emeritus.
*1993-99 Rev. Sam Trumbore is called as the first settled minister. He is followed by two interim ministers: Rev. Susanne Nazian and Rev. Herbert Adams.
*2000 The Fellowship conducts its first all-member fundraising canvas and collects a 140% increase in pledges.
*2002-06 Rev. Sara Zimmerman is called as the second settled minister.
*2004 Category 4 Hurricane Charley hits on Friday, August 13th, devastating Charlotte County. Our building suffers only minor damage but the lovely old oaks are destroyed. Many neighboring UU congregations help clear the debris on the Fellowship grounds and at the homes of members and friends. Many suffer great losses; some are evacuated for almost a year; others never return to their winter homes. Rev. Sara busily visits local congregants and telephones snowbirds about the condition of their property.
*2005 Early in the year, when congregants were still reeling from Charley’s blow, our beloved co-president, Jan O’Rourke, is murdered. A popular community activist, her memorial service draws many mourners.
*2006-08 Rev. Sara resigns to pursue her doctorate; two interim ministers follow: Rev. Hannah Wells and Rev. Margaret Beard. We craft and adopt vision and mission statements and hire a professional bookkeeping service. Significant renovations to the Social Hall are completed.
*2008-09 Rev. Dr. Pam Allen-Thompson is hired as a consulting minister with a two-year contract. Our first website is developed. We become an official Welcoming Congregation, embracing people who are gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and transgender. Five of our members attend General Assembly in
Ft. Lauderdale, and our Board President, Ginger Abraham, is elected to the District Board.
*2009 The Fellowship celebrates its 40th anniversary with a successful $40,000.00 capital fund drive. Funds are used for building enhancements and necessary improvements. New initiatives include a Children’s Religious Education program and a ministry of racial justice and inclusion. Our membership exceeds 100.
*2010 Rev. Pam Allen-Thompson is called as the third settled minister. A number of new initiatives aim to help us move further toward our vision, including: Long-Range planning, “Passages” weekly support group, a Blue Ribbon Commission on Giving, and participation in the 24-unit UUA curriculum to promote anti-racism and multi-cultural competency called “Building the World We Dream About.”
* 2012 Rev. Pam Allen-Thompson announces her resignation as our settled minister. The Rev. Amy Kindred is chosen as our Contract Minister for a 2 year contract period beginning August 15, 2012
* 2013 Amy Lynne Menard is hired as our new Music Director in February, 2013 after our long-serving Pianist, Evelyn Haymaker retires.
Becoming a Member
If you feel in sympathy with the UU Principles, resonate with this congregation’s mission and wish to deepen your connections with the larger vision of Unitarian Universalism; and if you enjoy attending services here and want to keep growing spiritually and personally—expanding heart and mind; then we welcome you as a companion seeker in the religious journey.
To become a member:
1. Express your interest in membership to our Minister or someone from the Membership committee.
2. Turn in the member data card to the Administrator or Minster to become connected to the larger Unitarian Universalist Association.
3. Make an annual financial pledge of support for our community to the extent that you are comfortable, and consider how you might like to share your gifts of time and talent, as you are able.
4. Sign our historic Membership Book. WELCOME!
