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IF YOU ARE VIEWING THIS NEWSLETTER ON YOUR CELL PHONE, THE BEST WAY TO VIEW IT IS LANDSCAPE VIEW


PLEASE BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE LINK TO OUR CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS, HEALTH MINUTE, NATIONAL UCC NEWS LINK, AND MORE.


Published 11-06-2026

 

A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR AARON

Greetings

UCC Fort Lauderdale Family!

On Tuesday, our nation went to the polls to exercise one of our most sacred rights and responsibilities as Americans: the right to vote. After a long and often grueling season, the results are finally coming in.


In her article for the UCC’s Website, our Associate General Minister Rev. Shari Prestemon writes that two things are true in the aftermath of this election: that we are a nation deeply divided and that our God is still with us. 


Even if we are thrilled with the election outcome, it can still be difficult to see our way forward in the midst of all of this distrust and division in our nation. Will we see any progress for justice and peace? Will we get more affordable housing, better education for our kids, or more protection for our environment? 


I’m reassured by Rev. Prestemon’s words, that no matter what the election outcome may be and no matter how divided our country remains, God is still God. And God will still guide us toward creating the kin-dom of heaven if we will allow it and follow. 


On Sunday, we heard the words of Psalm 46: “God is our refuge and strength, and ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth may change, though the mountains may shake in the heart of the sea.”


I pray that this Scripture would be our guide as a congregation into the New Year. No matter what storms are raging around us, God is always with us, always our refuge and strength, and we will not fear and will continue to serve our God. The ministries of this church will continue, no matter the setbacks we may face or the events in our nation and our world.


If you’d like to read Rev. Prestemon’s full article, please click here: ARTICLE


And I hope you can join us for worship this Sunday! Where we will continue to be the people of God, each and every week! 

Blessings and peace!

Pastor Aaron


 

WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN US

EVERY SUNDAY

FOR WORSHIP SERVICE

10:30-am



Sunday November 8th: Our Guest Preacher will be Rev. Opal Murray 

Opal Murray is an ordained Interfaith Minister and has served, among other roles, as a probation officer, systems analyst, community organizer, grant writer, executive director, training coordinator. She is also a Veteran of the U.S. Army.

A spiritual health advocate, Rev. Murray is inspired by interfaith, interconnected stories of hope, compassion, faith, courage, forgiveness, and cooperation. Panentheistic in her spirituality, she’s inspired by the Quaker thought that there is that of God in everything. Opal grew up in Jamaica and has lived in Europe. She loves to travel, enjoys visiting gardens, silence, dancing, and learning how people understand their Divine.

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PLEASE NOTE...

Worship in Elliott Hall - Sunday, November 8


Due to ongoing construction, we are preparing to worship in Elliott Hall on Sunday, November 8. Our worship team and staff are making sure that we will have a beautiful, meaningful, sacred service! Please join us for a special Sunday in Elliott Hall! 




Our Worship Services are live-streamed and can also be viewed at any time on our website...Click here: WORSHIP

our Mission Statement is recited at the end of this newsletter as well as a suggested parking map.


 
 

How The Bible Actually Works

Monday Night Zoom Class

Mondays, October 5 - November 9, 7:00 p.m.

The Bible is a big, complex, often-times difficult book to make sense of…and it is one of the foundations of our faith as Christians.

Join us as we read “How The Bible Actually Works” by Peter Enns and encounter the Bible in new, exciting, and faith-forming ways. You can purchase a book from the church office (suggested donation of $15).

To sign up and receive the Zoom link, please contact Rev. Rich Seaver at christianed@uccftl.org.

 

We added another day (Nov 11)

The Practice of Safe Texts - LGBTQ People and the Bible

Wednesdays, October 14 - November 11, 11:30 a.m.

Conference Room


For over 50 years, LGBTQ scholars have taken back the meaning of the Bible that has so often been used against us. Join us for this four session course where we discuss reading the Bible in liberating, life-giving ways for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Led by Rev. Dr. Bob Shore-Goss, who is the co-author of The Queer Bible Commentary, this class is sure to heal us, make us whole, and inspire our work for justice! 

 
 

Stewardship Celebration Lunch

Sunday, November 15, 12:00 p.m.

Elliott Hall


Join us as we celebrate the culmination of our Stewardship Season with a celebratory lunch! We are so grateful for the gifts you have given and want to say thank you! All are welcome! 


 


SAVE THESE UPCOMING DATES...

(Updated daily)

FOR OUR CALENDAR WITH

MORE EVENTS,

CLICK HERE: CALENDAR


 




LEGACY FUND UPDATE

 

Bottled water is needed.


Currently, we are in great need of Men's sneakers, shorts and underwear.

We are also in need of Women's bras and T-shirts


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FOR THE RECENT RUTH MINISTRY NEWSLETTER CLICK HERE: NEWS


Ruth Ministry continues to connect with our community organizations and businesses. Sponsors for our weekly meals have been so appreciated. If you would like to be a sponsor, please don’t hesitate to let us know. Thank you to everyone who has supported RM by ordering off our

Amazon Wish List (see link below). Ruth Ministry feeds, clothes, and provides personal hygiene items to over 180 guests each week. Donations of blankets and warm outerwear are needed. If you’d like to volunteer for RM,

come join us and volunteer on Wednesdays and Thursdays (9am-12:30pm).

All are Welcome

 

For more information, contact us at admin@uccftl.org


RUTH MINISTRY SERVES BETWEEN 150 to 200+ GUESTS EACH WEEK


FOR WAYS TO HELP & GIVE - CLICK HERE: RUTH


 


DO YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT

THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST FORT LAUDERDALE?



VISIT OUR WEBSITE

Click here: UCCFTL


 

REIKI CIRCLE

Slow Down….Breathe….Relax….and Recharge at our Reiki Circle held twice each month at 7PM in James Chapel. ALL are welcome - whether you’re experienced or new to Reiki. 

Upcoming dates: Oct 12, Nov 5, Nov 16, Dec 3, and Dec 14. Seats are limited.

To reserve your spot, click here: INFORMATION


SACRED CIRCLE

Contemplative Prayer Gathering

First and third Tuesdays of each month 3:00-4:00 p.m.

James Chapel

Click here: INFORMATION

COFFEE TALK

We will gather and connect with one another. For a list of speakers, click on "information".

Every Monday at 10:00 a.m. in Conference Room

Click here: INFORMATION

GRIEF SUPPORT (By Appointment)

If you are in need of support, care, or just to talk as you work through your grief. For more information or for an appointment, please contact Richie Annello (rannello@comcast.net).


Click here: INFORMATION

WOMEN'S CIRCLE

Women's Circle is a safe place for women to gather every other week

Wednesdays at 6.45 p.m. in James Chapel


Click here: INFORMATION

MEN'S CIRCLE

 A safe, affirming place to explore issues and events every other

Wednesdays at 6:45 p.m. in Conference Room


Click here: INFORMATION


OUR UCC FLEA MARKET IS HAPPENING

EVERY SECOND SATURDAY OF THE MONTH

(NOTE: No Flea Market in July and August)

8:00 am-until 1:00 pm+

BUY & SELL....RAIN or SHINE Contact Paula Yukna at 954-696-6617

 

EASY & SECURE ON-LINE GIVING

For details click-here: GIVING

OR USE OUR QR CODE TO ACCESS OUR GIVING PAGE ON OUR WEBSITE

 
 

From Kathy Brodeur of our

UCC Congregational Care & Health Ministry


Kathy offers us health care advice and information


Click Here: WE CARE


 


UCC NATIONAL NEWS & COMMENTARY

You can access by clicking here: NEWS


 

PICTURES FROM OUR WORSHIP SERVICES, RUTH MINISTRY, AND EVENTS ARE NOW FOUND ON OUR UCC FACEBOOK PAGE ALONG WITH PLENTY OF OTHER INFORMATION.

If you have not joined our UCC Facebook page, we invite you to do that, so you don't miss out on all that's happening.



Click here: UCC-Facebook

 

WE HAVE SOME GREAT PARTNERS...

Click on them and get more info...



LE SOUND TEMPLE - And DRUMMING CIRCLE-Join us on your journey of sound healing


SAFE SCHOOLS -  Champions the rights of LGBTQ+ youth


YARAWY- FAMILY CONSTELLATION - Transformational Coach


ARIANNA'S PLACE- Empowers and lifts up the trans community


IMPERIAL SUN COURT OF ALL FLORIDA - Raising funds for various charities


GMCSF - Our Premier Gay Men's Chorus of South Florida - Simply the best!


REIKI FOR LIFE-Our Reiki Circle gathers on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays and 2nd & 4th Mondays of each month at 7P in James Chapel.


HOPE & ACTION INDIVISIBLE - Committed to building collective power


BOLD JUSTICE OF BROWARD COUNTY - A direct action organization that holds community leaders accountable to solve serious community problems that affect Broward County residents and local businesses. 


PINK NAIL SOCIETY - dedicated to raising awareness about prostate health and prostate cancer within our local community.

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CPR CLASSES - Offered three times each week in our UCC Conference Room

By South Florida CPR Classes with Ophelia Papworth-Rivera, LMT,

To Register, EMAIL SouthFloridaCPRclasses@gmail.com


ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS - For more info contact admin@UCCFTL.org


NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS - For more info contact admin@UCCFTL.org


We are a member of The Greater Fort Lauderdale LGBTQ+ & Allied Chamber of Commerce (GFLGLCC)


 

WHERE TO PARK...

FOR ALL WORSHIP SERVICES & SPECIAL EVENTS

  • NORTH & EAST Church Parking Lots
  • AT&T West Side Parking Lot & the Parking spaces along NE 30th Place (Do not block the stairs)
  • CASA MONARCA Parking Lot (Only until noon)
  • OVERFLOW PARKING: Parking Lot next to our East Church Parking lot (Entrance off of NE 30th Place)
  • We do not recommend parking in the shopping center across from the Church (Park at your own risk)
  • There is also FREE parking in front of the businesses along East Oakland Park Blvd (street side only)
  • PLEASE do not park on the grassy areas


 

The Mission of United Church of Christ Fort Lauderdale


Our Mission is to develop passionate followers of Christ through the celebration of worship, the excitement of God’s word, the blessing of God’s healing, the rewards of service, the honoring of God’s creation, and the joy of fellowship — where all are welcome at God’s table.

We are a welcoming, open and affirming church to all people of all races, genders, ages, sexual orientations, professions, previous religious affiliations, nationalities, or mental and physical conditions.


 

United Church of Christ Fort Lauderdale

Established 1954

www.uccftl.org