Message from Eva

July Update

2009-07-02T00:37:00.001-07:00

SUMMER SUNDAY SCHEDULE
    9:30 A.M. Chapel Services
   10:30 A.M. Coffee/Fellowship
   10:50 A.M. Continuing the Conversation
  Childcare During The Services

July 5th
Title TBA ~~ Sam Wormley, UU Fellowship of Ames, John Miller (WA)
July 12th
The Goldilocks Theory ~~ Bill Chene, Lara Martinsen-Burrell (WA)
July 19th
The People of the (Unread) Book ~~ Del Carpenter, Esther Kieffer (WA)
July 26th
Not Only a Fair Weather Faith ~~ Jim Paprocki, Deblyn Russell (WA)

Weekly Update

2009-05-30T12:38:00.001-07:00

Weekly Update 5/30/09 . . . I’ve just done two more same-sex weddings in the last day. I can’t tell you how lucky I feel when I am doing one, since the couples have often been together for years and years. They tell me that its just going to be a simple affair because they’ve already been together so long. And then in the heart of the ceremony, their closest friends and family gathered ‘round, we all realize it in our hearts---this is such an amazing moment. We are living history, and something that we never thought would come to pass, is here. Right here in Iowa. Right here in this moment, as they are holding hands, and I, standing so close, am asking if they intend to love and care for each other forever. We all cry. Love. Its simply love. And I am so very humbled and pleased to be standing on this side of it, getting to witness not only history, but heartfelt commitment. Thank you again for allowing me the privilege of serving as your minister.

On another note, no matter what the weather—please do COME OUT TOMORROW for our amazing second annual Prairie Home Companion Potluck and Variety Show. You’ll be amused and amazed! Bring a friend! The $10 donation goes to help fund our growing music program.

This will be my last time in the pulpit until August. I am taking a some time off in June and July. I’ll be around doing some other church work for the first week of June. We’ve got all sorts of amazing people lined up to preach to you this summer!
See you in church!
Eva

Tomorrow/Sunday
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am Service “Question Box Sunday” Come hear the answers to all sorts of questions people have dreamed up for me to answer! Aren’t you curious??
10:45 am Fellowship Time
11:00 am Children’s Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Classes
The Questions and Answers Continue: with Rev. Eva in the balcony.
Garden Meditation: Join Julie Fischer in the garden for meditation in a meaningful way to you: working the garden, sitting quietly, soaking in the beauty of nature, or sketching a leaf or flower that inspires you.
12:15 pm Outreach Committee meeting eat and meet.
12:15 pm Prairie Home Potluck bring a dish to pass, (we are suggesting 50’s theme, covered dishes and jello-salads!)
1:30 pm Prairie Home Variety Show ($10 suggested donation, as a fundraiser for the music program)

This Coming Week
Monday (secretary on vacation)
Wednesday
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:30 pm Self Realization Workshop (high school room)
6:30 pm Summer Fun: Art & Games
7:30 pm Small Group Facilitator’s Meeting
Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path (balcony)
Friday
6:00 pm First Friday “Buddhist Birthday”

Pastoral Update
Please hold Dick and Vivian Shane in your thoughts and prayers. And if you could send them a "thinking of you" card. Vivian’s health is not good. Their address is 3720 Village Place #6111, Waterloo, IA, 50702. Phone 291-8513.

--
Stay informed! Read the World! <www.uuworld.org>
Stay connected! Check out our Facebook Group: uusbhc
Find something out! Look it up on our webpage: <www.uusbhc.org>
Think wider thoughts! Learn about the UU Assn: <www.uua.org>
Think wider still! Learn about International U&SU <www.icuu.net>

Rev. Eva Cameron, minister
Unitarian Universalist Society of Black Hawk Co.
3912 Cedar Heights Dr.
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
USA

m: 319.610.6605

Weekly Update

2009-05-22T19:49:00.001-07:00

Weekly Update . . . 22 May 2009
Hello! I hope that you are finding moments of peace in this hectic time. Lot’s of endings and new things started up this time of year: kids finishing up school, classes ending and new ones beginning, time for the start up of summer activities and sports. It’s lots of fun and lots of re-adjusting our schedules. Amidst it all, make sure you take the time to hold fast to the things that fill you with joy, and remind you to live and love today, and every day.

See you in church!
Eva

Sunday
9:30 am Memorial Day Chapel Service
Join us for a service in remembrance of all those who died in service to our country.
10:30 am All Church Cleanup
Wear your work clothes, bring your rags, cleaners, mops and dusters. Or if you’d rather work outside: your work gloves, spades and such. We will be making our church home spic ‘n span from top to bottom, inside and out. This is always a fun intergenerational activity, with the littlest helping along side their elders.

12:00 pm Potluck Picnic & Barbeque
Please bring a dish to share. And something to cook on the BBQ, if you’d like something besides hotdogs. We’ll be celebrating all our hard work with Root Beer floats . . . an old-fashioned treat for old and young alike!

This Coming Week
Monday
6:00 pm Cedar Prairie Vegetarian Potluck

Tuesday
7:30 pm Committee on Ministry

Wednesday
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:00 pm Children’s Choir (sanctuary)
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Family Choir Practice (sanctuary)
6:30 pm Self Realization Workshop (high school room)
Artistic Fun
7:30 pm Theoretical String Band (sanctuary)

Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path (balcony)

Next Sunday: May 31
“Question Box Sunday”
We UU’s are fond of saying “Even to question truly is an answer” . . . so now’s your chance to ask Eva a question. And she will attempt to answer it to the best of her ability! Leave it in the Question Box in the Fellowship Hall, or you may e-mail it to me. Please be sure you sign your name, as I won’t answer anonymous questions.
And DON”T FORGET!!
12:15 pm Prairie Home Potluck—Bring a 50’s covered dish or jello-salad to share! The fun people might be seen in 50’s attire!
1:30 pm Prairie Home Variety Show—If you have an act you’d like to include, please contact Tim Purdum. This is a FUNdraiser . . . so please consider a $10 (or more) donation to help bring music to life in our congregation.

--
Rev. Eva S. Cameron
UU Society of Black Hawk Co.
Cedar Falls, IA
USA
319-610-6605 mobile
319-266-5640 church
319-266-1111 home
www.uusbhc.org

Weekly Update

2009-05-15T12:51:00.001-07:00

Weekly Update . . . May 15, 2009 Happy Birthday UUA. On May 15th, 1961 our Association was formed. In the old days, our National Annual Meeting of the Unitarians was called “May Meeting” . . . and you guessed it, they always met in May. We now meet in June and its called General Assembly (“GA”). Back in 1961 the Unitarians came together with the Universalists for form Unitarian Universalism as we now know it. Both faiths found themselves dwindling in numbers, and reached out to each other to gain some strength in numbers. The were many similarities between them, but also some major differences. One of the differences we still wrestle with, is how to be relevant to both working-class people and the educated of society. The Unitarians tended to grow from University town to University town, and the Universalists were found in rural communities and in factory towns. In towns were there were both Unitarians and Universalists, both groups pondered how to make this merger work! I think, over the last almost 50 years, we have figured out a lot about how to blend and capitalize on the merged theologies, but are still working on what a community feels like that included people from different economic backgrounds. As we wish “Happy Birthday” to the UUA—maybe we also ponder and play, experiment and dare to grow ourselves into a community were all are not just welcomed (as long as they don’t mind doing things our way), but find our ways comfortable and inclusive. Think about this, and let me know your thoughts!
See you in church!
Eva

This Sunday:
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am Service “Butterflies Under Our Hats”
Religious Education Sunday Join Kathy, Eva and our REAP team to say a big “thanks” to all those who helped in this past year. Eva is preaching on “Do You Hear?” And members of the CF High School choir will be singing, along with our Children’s Choir.
10:45 am Fellowship Time
11:00 am Children’s Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Classes:
Buddhist Path: Join Rev. Eva and others in exploring Buddhist spiritual practices.
Garden Meditation: Join Julie Fischer in the garden for meditating in a meaningful way to you: working the garden, sitting quietly, soaking in the beauty of nature, or sketching a leaf or flower that inspires you
Walking the Talk: The focus for May is “Habitat for Humanity”. Sheri Huber-Otting or someone from Habitat will talk about the program and how we can participate.
1 - 5 pm COM/Board Retreat (fellowship hall)
6:00 pm What’s Up Doc?umentaries “The Future of Food” This quietly inflammatory film skillfully illuminates the alarming issues surrounding genetically engineered crops and the rapidly increasing corporate domination of our food supply.

This Coming Week:
Wednesday
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:00 pm Children’s Choir (sanctuary)
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Family Choir Practice (sanctuary)
6:30 pm Self Realization Workshop (high school room)
6:30pm Exploring Sufism
7:30 pm Theoretical String Band (sanctuary)

Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path (balcony)

Friday
6:30 pm Buddhist Movie Night (sanctuary)

Saturday
5:30-8:30 pm Rental

Pastoral Update:
Jen and Jason Zeck along with son Tristan and baby Ella want to thank you for all the help and good vegan food. They are still accepting help as Jen is still having health issues. Lara Martinsen-Burrell and Diane Harwood are coordinating their care. But little cards and notes to keep up their spirits are also very helpful.

Upcoming Events:
Next weekend in the All-Church clean-up and potluck BBQ. Come in your work clothes. We will have a brief chapel in honor of Memorial Day, and then clean the whole church from top to bottom. Bring your cleaning supplies! Also bring a dish to pass and something to cook on the grill. I think we just might have Root Beer Floats again this year.

The following weekend (May 31st) will be our Prairie Home Companion Variety Show. This too starts with a potluck, but this time its theme is dishes from the 50’s . . . so get out those ‘cover-dish’ recipes, find your favorite jello salad recipe, and maybe even dig up an bit of a 50’s outfit to wear! After the potluck, we will go upstairs for the show of a lifetime! Make sure you invite your friends and neighbors! Let’s have a whooping good time and raise some money for the church at the same time!!!

--
Stay informed! Read the World! <www.uuworld.org>
Stay connected! Check out our Facebook Group: uusbhc
Find something out! Look it up on our webpage: <www.uusbhc.org>
Think wider thoughts! Learn about the UU Assn: <www.uua.org>
Think wider still! Learn about International U&SU <www.icuu.net>

Rev. Eva Cameron, minister
Unitarian Universalist Society of Black Hawk Co.
3912 Cedar Heights Dr.
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
USA

m: 319.610.6605

Weekly Update

2009-05-09T13:41:00.001-07:00

Weekly Update . . . Once again it is time for our annual Flower Communion. If you’ve never participated in this ritual, I think you’ll find it touching and beautiful. Each person is invited to bring a flower, branch or something showing spring’s awakening. We will gather them in a large vase as you come into the Sanctuary. Towards the end of the service each person will come forward and receive the gift of a flower from the vase. We will be sharing the love, the hope that spring brings. Focusing of Gifts of Love, we will also be welcoming new members this Sunday. The Martinsen-Burrell family has prepared a skit for us. And both the children’s choir and choir have special music for us!! It’s a Service for All Ages . . . so come one, come all . . . and invite a friend along too. Look forward to seeing you!

Tomorrow/SUNDAY:
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am Service “Gifts of Love: our annual Flower Communion”
New Member Ingathering & Recognition
10:45 am Fellowship Time in Celebration of New Members
11:00 am Children’s Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Classes:
Stories that Changed My Life
Garden Meditation: Join Julie Fischer in the garden for meditating in a meaningful way to you: working the garden, sitting quietly, soaking in the beauty of nature, or sketching a leaf or flower that inspires you.
Book Group: “Religion is not about God” with Pat Malloy

This Coming Week:
Tuesday
7:15 pm Religious Services Committee

Wednesday
11:00 am UU Ministry at Friendship Village
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:00 pm Children’s Choir (sanctuary)
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Family Choir Practice (sanctuary)
6:30 pm Self Realization Workshop (high school room)
Artistic Fun Workshop
Integral Life Practice Small Group
7:30 pm Theoretical String Band (sanctuary)

Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path (balcony)

Friday
5:00-9:00 pm Rental (Wedding)

Saturday
5:30-8:00 pm Cedar Falls Annual Community Read for the
Environment

Weekly Update

2009-05-02T11:37:00.001-07:00

Weekly Update 5/2/09 Once again I am posting this on Saturday instead of Friday. I’ll try and get back to my usual habits soon. This sunshiny day is filling me with hope and joy. I’m loving all the green that our many rainy days have brought. I particularly like the rough and ragged looking spring lawn. I few people have already mowed, but a lot of lawns are all tuft-y. They look like life—alive and full of spring-green hope, and yet imperfect, irregular, erratic, and full of unbridled joy at reaching onwards and upwards (to the sun, to the source of life, to god, towards human potential, justice, righteousness, love.) Let’s stretch ourselves upward with just as much unbridled love of life as a spring lawn!!
See you in church!
~Eva

This Sunday:
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am Service “Love a Lichen” Yep, a lichen! Come and find out why I think Lichens have something to teach us!
10:45 am Fellowship Time
11:00 am Children’s Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Classes:
Conscious Living: Join us as we share how choices we make and actions we take can have an impact on ourselves, our community, and the health of the planet.
Garden Meditation: Join Julie Fischer in the garden for meditating in a meaningful way to you: working the garden, sitting quietly, soaking in the beauty of nature, or sketching a leaf or flower that inspires you.
New Member Meeting: If you’re new to the UU’s then this would be a good time to sit down with Rev. Eva Cameron and Mica Lorenz in a relaxed atmosphere and learn more about being a UU member.
Circle Way: Celebrate Beltane with May Pole dancing and our men in kilts!
6:00 pm What’s Up Doc?umentaries (join us for pizza)
“Garbage! The Revolution Starts at Home”
7:00 pm “A Gathering of Women” small group

Calendar Updates for this Coming Week

WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:00 pm Children’s Choir (sanctuary)
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Family Choir Practice (sanctuary)
6:30 pm Self Realization Workshop (high school room)
Artistic Fun Workshop
7:30 pm Theoretical String Band (sanctuary)
7:30 pm Small Group Facilitators Meeting

Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path (balcony)

Friday
7:30 pm Community Drum Circle

Saturday
4:30-8:30 pm Rental

Other Items:
Next week is Flower Communion. If you’ve never been to one before . . . it is a ritual that comes out of war-torn Prague, when 50 some years ago, a Unitarian minister decided it would do everyone some good to look around for small “messengers of hope” that spring. Everyone brought something they found in nature to church to share. UU’s around the world now share in this tradition each spring. Usually people bring a flower, but a branch or other small sign of life and hope is welcome too!

Pastoral Update:
Jen Zeck and baby Ella are at home resting and healing. Lara and Diane are coordinating meals and rides and other things to shelter them with love and care. Please contact them if you’d like to offer to help.
Lara Martinsen-Burrell lara@undersea.com
Diana Harwood dianaharwood@gmail.com

And I myself, have had a busy week with 2 trips up to Mayo for more tests and consultations. I’ll keep you posted about the progress as I learn more. Please keep in mind that this is considered an indolent lymphoma, which means its very slow growing generally . . . and people generally live for years. Its also very rare, so they don’t know so much about it, and its prognosis. So if I seem vague or if it seems like things are taking a long time, this is why. Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers, even from some of you who I don’t know (but who read my blog on our website!!)

Weekly Update

2009-04-25T10:22:00.001-07:00

Weekly Update:
In honor of celebrating Earth Day, I offer you this prayer from A.Powell Davis, someone who was a powerful minister in our movement.
“God of the morning of the world, at the sound of whose voice creation wakes and sings, open our hearts to the gladness of the earth. May the freshness of creation cleanse our souls. Forgive us that we go on our way in haste. Lift up our eyes! May we see the wonder all about us, from the most fragile petal on the tiniest of blooms to the miracle of a new blade of grass. We thank You for this revelation of Yourself that never grows old. May the beauty of Your world breathe into our spirits.”

Sunday
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am Service for All Ages “Earth Day: Blind to Your Bounty” Come a celebrate our Mother Earth, in this festival of music, thoughts, poetry and song.
11:15 am Annual Meeting Stay and vote! Each of your voices is important. We will be deciding on the Annual Budget, some bylaw changes, and making some funding decisions about the Siding of the building.
2:00 pm Last Sunday Small Group

This Coming Week:
Monday 6:00 pm Cedar Prairie Vegetarian Potluck
All Welcome, bring a dish to pass.

Wednesday
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:00 pm Children’s Choir (sanctuary)
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Family Choir Practice (sanctuary)
6:30 pm Self Realization Workshop (high school room)
Artistic Fun: “Soul Collage Workshop”
7:30 pm Theoretical String Band (sanctuary)

Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path (balcony)All Welcome!

Friday
6:00 pm First Friday “Beltane” Fun for people of all ages. Potluck first, then a celebration of this European Spring holiday. We will dance around the Maypole! Please bring a dish to share, invite your friends, and come have fun!

Pastoral Update:
Jen Zeck and baby Ella, had to go back into the hospital this past week when Jen got an infection. They are both feeling better now, and have returned home. BUT they will need extra love and care, meals and help with chores for a while. Anyone wanting to help out should let me know.

About me: I was up at Mayo Clinic this past week for some testing to diagnosis some chronic health problems. I will be up there again next week for more tests, but the current diagnosis is Marginal Zone Lymphoma, probably Splenic Marginal Zone Lymphoma. This is a low-grade disease, which often lingers for years without treatment. I will let you know more, as I find out more. As you may know, in speaking with people who have had hard news, saying “I’m so sorry for you. ” only makes them feel like a victim of something terrible. It doesn’t improve their mental vision. So, may I suggest that you show your love by making me laugh, inviting me over for dinner or out to tea, giving me small things that might make me smile. A good outcome is much more likely with a good attitude, and I aim to keep one! Want to help? Let’s all work together in living, loving, and laughing out loud, together!

See you in church!
Eva
--
Stay informed! Read the World! <www.uuworld.org>
Stay connected! Check out our Facebook Group: uusbhc
Find something out! Look it up on our webpage: <www.uusbhc.org>
Think wider thoughts! Learn about the UU Assn: <www.uua.org>
Think wider still! Learn about International U&SU <www.icuu.net>

Rev. Eva Cameron, minister
Unitarian Universalist Society of Black Hawk Co.
3912 Cedar Heights Dr.
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
USA

m: 319.610.6605

Weekly Update

2009-04-17T11:50:00.001-07:00

Weekly Update: April 17th 2009 ~~Greetings from Chicago. I’m here for a couple days to relax with Irene. The lake is a gorgeous expanse of many colors of blue. I’ve so enjoyed watching it come awake over the course of the day, from my early morning prayers and yoga, to this mid-day sparkling blue. It’s a gift to sit and watch something transform, and open to the soft and subtle ways that change sometimes occurs.
I invite you to spend a bit of time and enjoy watching something shift and grow—if a it’s a bud coming open in your yard, the colors of the sunset sky, or whatever captures your fancy—and just enjoy this transformation. Hold on to the lesson: that growth happens in our souls, even if it is a slow unfolding. That growth happens in our society slowly sometimes. Let’s enjoy watching things coming awake, shifting, coming into their own, its Spring!
~Eva

This Sunday:
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am Service “What’s Wrong With Atheism?”
10:45 am Fellowship Time
11:00 am Children’s Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Classes:
Garden Meditation: If possible, Julie Fischer will be outside with ideas for spring inventory and planting. You are invited to join her.
Walking the Talk: We will learn about the Cedar Valley Hospice and how we can help.
Budget Presentation: Finance Committee on proposed FY09 -10 budget
12:15 pm Finance Committee Meeting
2:00 pm Board Meeting
6:00 pm What’s Up Doc?umentaries “General Assembly’s 2008 Ware Lecturer, Van Jones”

Upcoming Week
Wednesday
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:00 pm Children’s Choir (sanctuary)
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Family Choir Practice (sanctuary)
6:30 pm Self Realization Workshop (high school room)
Artistic Fun: “Chalice Banner Workshop“
7:30 pm Theoretical String Band (sanctuary)

Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path (balcony)

Friday
6:30 pm Buddhist Movie Night

Saturday
6:00-8:00 pm Women’s Creative Expressive Healing
Workshop

Pastoral Update:
Congratulations to Jen and Jason Zeck on the birth of “Ella” Elleanor Louise Marie, 7lbs 0.4oz 20.5 inches (“and so beautiful!!!” says Jen) who arrived to bless us with her presence yesterday! Jason and Jen hope to bring her to church to share. Meanwhile shower the family with love and casseroles and all those small things that make the difference.

--
Rev. Eva S. Cameron
UU Society of Black Hawk Co.
Cedar Falls, IA
USA
319-610-6605 mobile
319-266-5640 church
319-266-1111 home
www.uusbhc.org

Weekly Update

2009-04-10T14:10:00.001-07:00

Weekly Update 4/10/09
Greetings to you on this Good Friday! I want to offer some reflections on the meaning of this holiday, for those of you who didn’t make it to the service. Sometimes, you can’t see the beauty in anything, until you’ve cried away your sorrow. Without those tears, without that bone wrenching grief, nothing can touch your heart, and move you. The Easter story offers us this message. It lays side-by-side two of the strongest emotions: grief and the glorious bliss of returning to oneness. This is what resurrection really is; it is the coming together of grief with unbounded joy.
I love this poem, which speak of this so well:
To Free the Heart by Francis C. Anderson, Jr.

Through dreary sodden days
The field sponged up
The graying skies.
And now the sun
Lies soft as birth again
As if the earth had just begun.
And blossoms on the vines
Designed in spring
Come out to sing again.
And everywhere the ripening
Pushes falling leaves apart
To free the heart
For freshening.
As through the seasons
Of our years
Becoming
Often waits the nourishment
Of tears.

Those last three lines, “Becoming often waited the nourishment of tears” speak to my heart. May this season be a time when you acknowledge and celebrate not only your becoming, but the tears and sorrows that brought you to this place.

One such resurrection, in my mind, is our new law in Iowa for weddings. See us, and one of our church members in the Courier today! <http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2009/04/10/news/local/11183075.txt>
I will be needing some help to organize ourselves better to prepare for couples coming from out of town. Stay tuned for a meeting time to roll up our sleeves and get to work on this!
A very happy Easter to you! Hope to see you in church! But many blessings and joy wherever you are for this holiday of hope!
~Eva

I’ll be at Cup of Joe shortly (4:30ish) until 6pm tonight for anyone who wants to visit!

This Sunday
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am Sunday Service“Easter Angel” For some of us, this powerful story of resurrection gives us hope; and for others of us, we turn to other stories of resurrection – but we all find hope in life restored, in goodness and joy restored. What “Easter Angels” have been in our lives, coaxing us, encouraging us to indeed see the moment for what it is – a moment of great joy? Join Eva for this festival service complete with brass and choir!
10:45 am Easter Brunch Potluck & Easter Egg Hunt

Easter BrUUnch!
Spring seems to be springing. What better time to gather with your UU family and friends for good food and conversation? Do bring your favorite casserole (ovens will be set on warm), fruit (some fridge space available), breads or whatever sounds good; we'll provide beverages plus plates, flatware and other necessities. The presence of your guests is all that we ask--we UU's know how to prepare meaningful worship services, and good food for a crowd!

Looking forward to Easter Sunday--
Mimi Kuester, for the Religious Services Committee

Calendar Updates for this Coming Week
Tuesday
7:15 pm Religious Services Committee

Wednesday
Calendar Deadline-please turn in calendar items to Mica
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:00 pm Children’s Choir (sanctuary)
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Family Choir Practice (sanctuary)
6:30 pm Self Realization Workshop (high school room)
6:30 pm Artistic Fun: “Prayer Flags Workshop“
7:30 pm Theoretical String Band (sanctuary)

Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path (balcony)

Friday
Newsletter Deadline-please turn in all newsletter items to Gerry Chamberlain
5:30 pm Rental

Pastoral Update
Glenyce Butschy could use some notes and calls to help boost her spirits after the death of her daughter-in-law. Please reach out!

Happy Birthday to our many birthday this week, most particularly Gordon Harrington who’s birthday falls on Easter this year!

--
Stay informed! Read the World! <www.uuworld.org>
Stay connected! Check out our Facebook Group: uusbhc
Find something out! Look it up on our webpage: <www.uusbhc.org>
Think wider thoughts! Learn about the UU Assn: <www.uua.org>
Think wider still! Learn about International U&SU <www.icuu.net>

Rev. Eva Cameron, minister
Unitarian Universalist Society of Black Hawk Co.
3912 Cedar Heights Dr.
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
USA

m: 319.610.6605

Weekly Update

2009-04-03T15:08:00.001-07:00

Weekly Update . . .
It’s an amazing day to live in Iowa. Last Sunday I spoke of the long arc of the moral universe bending towards justice . . . and couldn’t you just feel it shift and move today? Once again, Iowa made history, with the vote of our Supreme Court that makes same-sex marriage a legal right under our constitution. I have long been a supporter of any couple bold and daring enough to attempt life-long commitment to each other. And have performed many ceremonies of holy union for couples who our government wouldn’t recognize. But for me, a commitment to each other, in the eyes of the community and the divine, were the same regardless of the genders involved. I kept my material for unions beside all the other items in my Wedding Planner . . . so that all I married would know my understanding. I quiet witness. But sometimes, with Unions there was sorrow. And this I have recognized. These words have lived in my book of choices for your ceremony for many years, in the “Support of the Community” section:
      “Neither the state, nor some in our society, chose to recognize the covenant which __1__ and __2__, as an openly lesbian/gay couple come here to make. Indeed, some of __1__ and __2__'s loved ones are not with us today. However, the sorrow created by their absence is outweighed by the joy of your presence, participation, and support here today. In this spirit, we ask if you will pledge __1__ and __2__ your guidance and loving support that they might grow in the covenant that they have made together? If so, please respond, "We will."
         A proud moment for me, was when a heterosexual couple chose these words, tweaking them a bit to acknowledge the right they were indulging in that some of their friends couldn’t. Imagine.
         And now I get to re-write that passage in my booklet. And we each get to write a new chapter in our lives together as Iowans. I am certain there is still much work to do on this front. And perhaps there will be work in helping those from around the Midwest meet their long-sought dreams. We may have many more marriages to do! But for now, let’s just celebrate!!!!!!!
From Amos: “Seek good and not evil…establish justice… let justice roll down like waters And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”
See you in church!
~Eva

TONIGHT—Passover Seder at 6pm. Its a delightful holiday tradition. Bring a dish to pass without bread or leavening, on this night that celebrates the long journey in the desert.

This Sunday
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am “Palm Sunday” Tim Purdum preaching on “Modern Interpretations of the Passion Story” with special music from the Children”s and Adult Choirs!
10:45 am Fellowship Time
11 00 am Children’s Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Classes:
Conscious Living “Down With Coal, Up With ...What?” Don and Linda Shatzer , from Community Energy Solutions, share ways we can put our efforts together to make the Cedar Valley a healthier and greener place to live and work.
Garden Meditation Let's clean up our corner of the planet, one bag at a time.
New Member Meeting If you’re new to the UU’s then this would be a good time to sit down with Rev. Eva Cameron and Mica Lorenz in a relaxed atmosphere and learn more about being a UU member.
Book Group with Pat Malloy “Religion Is Not About God: How Spiritual Traditions Nurture Our Biological Nature And What to Expect When They Fail”
6:00 pm What’s Up Doc?umentaries “Burning the Future: Coal in America”
7:00 pm “A Gathering of Women” small group

This Coming Week
Tuesday
7:30 pm Town Hall Meeting (Bylaws)

Wednesday: WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:00 pm Children’s Choir (sanctuary)
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Family Choir Practice (sanctuary)
6:30 pm Self Realization Workshop (high school room)
6:30 pm Artistic Fun: Chalice Art Workshop“
6:30pm Integral Life Practice” small group
7:30 pm Theoretical String Band (sanctuary)

Thursday
6:00 pm Maundy Thursday Communal Meal
7:30 pm Buddhist Path (balcony)

Friday
12:00 pm Good Friday Service Join Eva in the brief lunch-time service embracing the pain and sorrows of our life.
7:30 pm Community Drumming Circle

Next Sunday: Easter!!
We will have a potluck BrUUnch after church service instead of Sunday School. That will be followed by an Easter Egg hunt for the children. Bring a dish to share.

Pastoral Update:
Glenyce Butschy's daughter in law, Carol (54) died last Friday night. She had heart surgery several weeks ago and appeared to be doing well. I am sure she would appreciate calls or cards. Esther

Other Items:
Who wants to organize the Cedar Valley to be part of the World’s Largest Coffee Break May 9th? I think it would be fun . . . work with the coffee shops in town, get a story in the paper, plan for us to drink Fair-trade at coffee church that Sunday . . .
http://www.fairtraderesource.org/wftd/wftd-09/worlds-largest-ft-coffeebreak-2009/ <http://www.fairtraderesource.org/wftd/wftd-09/worlds-largest-ft-coffeebreak-2009/>

Town Hall Meeting - April 7, 2009, at 7:30p.m. Members are encouraged to attend a Town Hall Meeting to review and discuss these proposals to amend our UUSBHC Bylaws.
§ To increase the number of Trustees from 4 ton 5 on the Executive Board; with two (2) elected each year and three (3) elected every other year.

§ To clarify the Financial Director has responsibility as chair of the Finance Council.

§ To clarify each of the Trustees has responsibility to be liaison to one of the councils: Ministry Council; Religious Services Council; Education and Programs Council; Social Action Council; and the Building and Operations Council.

§ To establish an Executive Committee composed of the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Financial Director.

§ To authorize the Executive Board to reallocate funds within the operating budget when it is needed.

If you are unable to attend this meeting or would like additional information, contact Jim Paprocki at 319 296-3737, or jpaprocki@mchsi.com <mailto:jpaprocki@mchsi.com> .

--
Stay informed! Read the World! <www.uuworld.org>
Stay connected! Check out our Facebook Group: uusbhc
Find something out! Look it up on our webpage: <www.uusbhc.org>
Think wider thoughts! Learn about the UU Assn: <www.uua.org>
Think wider still! Learn about International U&SU <www.icuu.net>

Rev. Eva Cameron, minister
Unitarian Universalist Society of Black Hawk Co.
3912 Cedar Heights Dr.
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
USA

m: 319.610.6605

Weekly Update

2009-03-27T13:39:00.001-07:00

Weekly Update for 3/27/09
Its hard to believe that March has come and almost gone. Where did it go, I thought?! Then I got out my calendar, and looked over the things I did. Wow! I did so much. Lot’s of memories returned of good times with family and friends. Lot’s of quiet moments of small joys. We’ve been raising money for church, and deciding on siding, and holding all sorts of programs. Some of us went on Spring Break. Some had birthdays, and some had close ones die. Life marched on, and we were there! Take a moment. Look back over the past month. Review.

Part of Daring to Grow, our theme for this year, is looking back over past and reflecting. Did we have moments of joy? Did we handle our frustrations skillfully? Are we holding the things we value most in balance? Who needs our thanks for this past month’s gifts? I invite you to take a moment, just like I did, and review your month.

As always, I want to thank you for allowing me the privilege to be your minister. It is a great joy.
~~Eva

Tonight
I’ll be at Cup of Joe from 4:30 to 6pm for our weekly TGIF.
And there is the Buddhist Movie: join Ralph Burr for a movie and discussion at 5:30pm social, 6pm movie.

Cancellations:
Please note that the Buddhist Retreat scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday) and the Monday Movie night have been canceled.

Sunday
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am Service “Justice Sunday” Come and learn more about the UU Service Committee, and their work to live our mission around the world. Our collection will be offered to them, as part of the monthly “Walkin’ the Talk” offering.
10:45 am Fellowship Time
11 00 am Children’s Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Classes:
Book Group: In the balcony with Pat Malloy “Religion Is Not About God: How Spiritual Traditions Nurture Our Biological Nature And What to Expect When They Fail”
Town Hall Forum: Jan Gallagher and others from the siding sub committee will be presenting information about the siding project including a proposal for debt that will be presented at the Annual Meeting. Please attend and ask questions now, before the meeting. (In the sanctuary)

This Coming Week
Wednesday
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:00 pm Children’s Choir (sanctuary)
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Family Choir Practice (sanctuary)
6:15 pm Self Realization Workshop (high school room)
6:15pm Chalice Art Workshop
7:15 pm Theoretical String Band (sanctuary)
7:30 pm Small Group Facilitator’s Meeting

Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path (balcony)

Friday
6 pm First Friday Potluck “Passover” Join us for our Passover Sedar as we learn more about the religion of our friends and neighbors. Please RSVP! We will have special seating and special placemats for the children.

Upcoming Events
Town Hall Meeting - April 7, 2009, at 7:30p.m. Members are encouraged to attend a Town Hall Meeting to review and discuss these proposals to amend our UUSBHC Bylaws.
§ To increase the number of Trustees from 4 to 5 on the Executive Board; with two (2) elected each year and three (3) elected every other year.

§ To clarify the Financial Director has responsibility as chair of the Finance Council.

§ To clarify each of the Trustees has responsibility to be liaison to one of the councils: Ministry Council; Religious Services Council; Education and Programs Council; Social Action Council; and the Building and Operations Council.

§ To establish an Executive Committee composed of the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Financial Director.

§ To authorize the Executive Board to reallocate funds within the operating budget when it is needed.

If you are unable to attend this meeting or would like additional information, contact Jim Paprocki at 319 296-3737, or jpaprocki@mchsi.com <mailto:jpaprocki@mchsi.com> .

_____________________________________________________
PSD Programs <http://www.psduua.org/Main/PSDPrograms> » Annual Conference 2009 <http://www.psduua.org/AnnualConference2009/AnnualConference2009>
Annual Conference 2009
Our Blue Boat Home: Living the Seventh Principle
April 3–5, 2009 Duluth, Minnesota
We explore a broad spectrum of environmental and sustainability issues and their relationship to each and every one of us. The Keynote Speaker <http://www.psduua.org/AnnualConference2009/ConferenceHighlights> is a pioneer in sustainable agriculture: Linda Barnes and Mark Runquist, stewards of high hopes gardens, LLC. The Judy Lecturer <http://www.psduua.org/AnnualConference2009/ConferenceHighlights#mayer> wrote “Blue Boat Home”, one of our favorite songs: Peter Mayer, singer and songwriter. We devote one of the traditional workshop sessions to a Presidential Forum <http://www.psduua.org/AnnualConference2009/PresidentialForum> on the candidates for the UUA Presidency. Two pre-conference workshops are offered Friday on Racial Equity <http://www.psduua.org/AnnualConference2009/GRACEWorkshop> and Environmental Justice <http://www.psduua.org/AnnualConference2009/SocialJusticeWorkshop> .
Plus, our very own Carolyn Hildebrandt will receive an award! Registration online through April 2!

Pastoral Update:
Lisa Orsborn (Stephen's wife) is in the hospital with Pneumonia
Kathy Klink-Zeitz (our DRE) has been at home in bed with Pneumonia as well. She reports: “I am so slowly doing better.”
Mica Lorenz had eye surgery, and it seems to have gone well.
Keep these, and those unknown, in your thoughts and prayers.

--
Stay informed! Read the World! <www.uuworld.org>
Stay connected! Check out our Facebook Group: uusbhc
Find something out! Look it up on our webpage: <www.uusbhc.org>
Think wider thoughts! Learn about the UU Assn: <www.uua.org>
Think wider still! Learn about International U&SU <www.icuu.net>

Rev. Eva Cameron, minister
Unitarian Universalist Society of Black Hawk Co.
3912 Cedar Heights Dr.
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
USA

m: 319.610.6605

Weekly Update

2009-03-20T13:29:00.001-07:00

Weekly UUpdate for March 20 . . . Yesterday was the sixth Anniversary of Iraq war. It is hard to believe so many years have passed, and things are still so unsettled. Some UUs are pacifists and believe that war is always wrong, and other UUs believe in Just Wars. But we come together we pause and remember that war costs human lives. We each have been touched by this war over the last 6 years. Some of us have served in Iraq, some of us have had loved ones in harm’s way, or who have died. Some of us have been horrified by the stories that have emerged, and others have been horrified by the apparent blindness of our populace that we are even at war. But we come together when we pause, and remember these painful moments are real, and to be treated with respect and dignity. Each week, we pause in our service, ring our Bell of Remembrance, and remember that we still are at war. Each week we remember that both soldiers and citizens have died in the past week. And each week this is truth. It is a truth that after this long, long six years few of us want to remember. But the path of being truly religious is one of discipline, and knowing that from our discipline our spirits will grow and flourish. Take a special moment now, pause and remember these past six years that we have been at war. Don’t be afraid at the mixture of fear, pride, pain, anger and love we feel. For these are all truths: the truths of being human. And the truths that will help us sustain authentic relationship with those who have served, often at a great cost. The truths that will help sustain authentic relationship with Iraq and the Iraqi people. This is a part of what it means to believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every human being. And in this we can agree.
See you in church!
~Eva

This Sunday

9:30 am “Rite of Spring” A Service For All Ages
Join Rev. Eva Cameron and the Service For All Ages Team in this celebration of Spring with music and drama. We will dedicate children who are new to our UU faith!

10:45 am Fellowship Time
11 00 am Children’s Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Classes:
“Doc” Shorts (3 short films in the sanctuary)
Walking The Talk: “Heroes of the Spirit” Join Pat Malloy in the back of the fellowship hall to learn about the UU Service Committee.
11:15am Nominating Committee Meeting (in Eva’s Office)
12:15 pm Outreach Committee Meeting
2 pm Second to Last Sunday Small Group
2 pm Last Sunday Small Group

This Coming Week
Monday 7 pm What’s Up Doc?umentary “Escape from Affluenza”

Wednesday
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays ~~all welcome
5:00 pm Children’s Choir (sanctuary)
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Family Choir Practice (sanctuary)
6:15 pm Self Realization Workshop (high school room)
7:15 pm Theoretical String Band (sanctuary)
7:30 pm Committee on Ministry (Eva’s Office)
Childcare is provided during children’s choir and from 6:15 until 8:15pm. (nursery)

Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path (balcony)

Friday
6pm - Buddhist Movie Night

Looking Ahead:
Sunday March 29th Adult Sunday School
Book Group – with Pat Malloy The book is: Religion Is Not About God: How Spiritual Traditions Nurture Our Biological Nature And What to Expect When They Fail, Rutgers University Press, 2006, ISBN-10: 0813539552 Balcony
Town Hall Forum - Jan Gallagher and others from the siding sub committee will be presenting information about the siding project In the Sanctuary

Save the Date: First Friday in April is April 3rd. It is Passover. It is usually a fun gathering and since we do have place setting we will started asking for reservations Monday, March 16th

YoUUng Child Play Group is currently cancelled for the rest of the year. It needs a new leader. Anyone interesting in forming a play group or parenting group should talk with Eva or Kathy.

Hymnals have been ordered. Will arrive in 7 -10 working days.

Pastoral Update:
Bob & Shirley Robinson were in a car crash this past Wednesday. They are okay, but their little truck got totaled. So they are feeling a bit banged up as you might imagine.

Closing Thought:
"Open the door that opens toward the sky;
Press mind and body hard against this world,
Before we fall asleep, before we die." - John Holmes

Weekly Update 3/13/09

2009-03-13T14:22:00.001-07:00

Weekly Update . . .
I spoke some of these words last Sunday. But not all of you were there, and I think you need to hear them. In these times of economic uncertainty, we need you to pledge all that you normally would. In the end, if disaster strikes, know that we will forgive your pledge, and we will help you survive what has come your way. But in the meanwhile, if disaster hasn’t struck you yet—I need you to be bold, and not create a disaster here at the church, by anticipating a disaster that may or may not actually happen in your own personal financial lives. In hard times, more than any times, we need our churches to be strong and vibrant. We may spend less time in Aruba, or buying all that we used to buy, but we need to have a place, this place, to anchor us, to help us when times are tough, to inspire us to go on with grace and courage, and to offer to the world our message of love and justice.

You may not have thought about this, but we added a position mid-year this year. Our talented new Director of Music, Tim Purdum, was added to staff using a special fundraiser. This year, we’d like to add his position to the budget. But that does require that the same gift that you gave to us to pay for him for half of this year needs to be added you your pledge, for us to see this increase in our budget.

In this time of all times, we need you to be daring. We need you to have confidence that this place, this community will indeed be a place to heal your spirit, to nurture your soul, to comfort your afflictions, to inspire you to actually make a difference. What do you say? Will you join me in boldly creating the community we need for times such as these. . . . a place that is strong and thriving, a place that is vibrant and alive, a place that includes you, and, me, and many others we don’t even know yet, but who will need us, need a place such as this, in times like this!

See you in church!
~Eva
(I’m off to Cup of Joe if you’d like to join me for little TGIF starting at 4:30pm)

This Sunday:
9:30 am “Feeling Crabby” by Rev. Eva Cameron
March is supposed to ‘come in like a lion’ but sometimes it seems to bring a lot more crabs than lions as we are all weary of winter weather. What can we do with the upsets, angers, and crabbiness we find popping up in our lives? Join me for this light-hearted look at our crabby side.
10:45 am Fellowship Time
11 00 am Children’s Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Classes:
Buddhist Path: Join in exploring Buddhist spiritual practices.
Walking the Talk: Join Sheri Huber-Otting in learning about the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, the organization we will be taking a collection for this month.

Upcoming Week:
Wednesday
Newsletter Calendar Deadline
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:00 pm Children’s Choir
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Family Choir Practice
6:30 pm Workshop - Self Realization “Lincoln:
His Life, Legacy, and Link to UU Purposes”
7:15 pm Theoretical String Band
Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path
Friday
**Newsletter Deadline**
Saturday
6:00 pm Women's Creative Expressive Healing Workshop

Other Activities:
The order for hymnals is going in next Thursday, 3/19/09. Order one for your home, or for our use on Sunday mornings. The sign-up is in the Fellowship Hall.

Our monthly newsletter will be created next weekend by intrepid editor Gerry Chamberlain. She requests you start sending things to her starting now, before you leave on Spring Break!

Pastoral Update:
Karen Miller’s sister died a little over a week ago after a battle with cancer. Yesterday (Thursday) the Millers, as well as Shanlee McNally and her family attended the memorial service down in Missouri. I’m sure they would appreciate cards and notes at this time of mourning.

Unitarian Universalist Society:
where reason and spirituality meet--
3912 Cedar Heights Dr. Cedar Falls
www.uusbhc.org

Weekly Update 3/6/09

2009-03-06T13:46:00.001-08:00

Irene and I went to Tulsa together last week, and we really enjoyed seeing the spring flowers popping up around town. It reminded us that ours will be coming soon! This warm and sunny weather will surely hasten their coming. Spring is a time of new beginnings, and reawakening. Have you been thinking about what is new and different in your life? And what is reawakening in you? Is there some part of your soul or life that wish to reclaim? Now is the time! Embrace change.
See you in church! ~Eva
______________________________________________________
Tonight! First Friday: Cheesefare Sunday. 6pm Potluck. You’ve gotten the e-mails about it, but for those of you who are cooking, please note that the traditional diet includes fish and eggs as they are not consider "meat". Hope you’ll come!!
Also, because of First Friday . . . Eva will not be a Cup of Joe this afternoon.
______________________________________________________

This Sunday:
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am Daring to Give: Stewardship Sunday Each week we sing “From You I Receive, To You I Give”—this year as we are Daring to Grow we will explore the deeper meanings of giving. Join Rev. Eva Cameron, Mike Knapp and the Stewardship Team for some meaningful stories.

10:45 am Fellowship Time
11 00 am Children’s Chapel

11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth & adults
11:15 am Adult Classes:
Circle Way (Sanctuary): an Ostara Ritual, celebrating the beginning of spring.
Book Group: meet with Patrick Malloy on the second and last Sundays in March to begin a book by Loyal Rue titled, “Religion is Not About God: How Spiritual Traditions
Nurture Our Biological Nature and What to Expect When They Fail”.
New Member Meeting: If you are new to our church, this would be a good time to visit with Rev. Eva Cameron and Mica Lorenz and explore the meaning of membership. There will be an opportunity to sign the membership book.
______________________________________________________

Upcoming Week
Monday
7:00 pm What’s Up Doc?umentary “Movie about Purim”

Tuesday
7:00 pm Religious Services Committee

Wednesday
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays (We hope you’ll join us for any or all of the evening!)
5:00 pm Children’s Choir
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Family Choir Practice
6:30 pm Workshop - Self Realization “Lincoln: His Life, Legacy, and Link to UU Purposes”
7:15 pm Theoretical String Band

Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path

Friday
7:30 pm Community Drum Circle
______________________________________________________

Other Items:

Since when do the words “financial” and “peace” go together? Check out “Financial Peace University,” the personal money management class taught by Dave Ramsey. Our friends at Cedar Falls Mennonite Church invite you to learn more about the 13-week Tuesday class by attending their free kickoff at 11:00 a.m. this Sunday (March 8th) or this Tuesday (March 10th at 6:30 p.m.) By the end of the course, the average family pays off more than $5000 in debt and saves almost $3000. The class begins on Tuesday, 24 March (6:30-8:30 p.m.). Pre-Registration is required by March 10th. This is the most fun you will ever have learning about money! Questions? Kris Pond-Burtis, 833-9430; Susan Janzen, 277-5611.

Pastoral Update:
Elenore Stark is still receiving chemo treatments, please remember to send her cards. She loves getting them.
Mary Olsen is still recuperating from her knee surgery. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers, or send her a little note!
Glenyce Butschy is fairly housebound. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers. Or give her a call or note if you remember her.

See you in church!
~Eva

Weekly Update-2/20/09

2009-02-20T10:42:00.000-08:00

My daughter Irene has some time off from school this coming week, so we’ll be meeting up in Chicago and heading down to Tulsa (to visit old friends) and Houston (for the International Convocation of Unitarian & Universalist Women). I’m looking forward to seeing Irene, as well as many dear friends in both locations. I’ll be gone starting today until March 3rd.

Take good care of each other up here while I am gone . . . and challenge yourselves to find a little something to do or say to bring a some sunshine into someone’s life. These cold days towards the end of winter are hard for many, so see if you can bring a little light and joy to someone this week!

See you when I return!
~Eva

This Sunday:
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am Sunday Service“Lincoln Bicentennial” Al Hays & Julie Husband will be preaching. Lincoln’s values and causes are central to UU beliefs. Our forefathers and the forefather’s of his day had an active involvement in the abolitionist movement and other progressive causes of that era. Let’s celebrate 200 years of progress.
10:45 am Fellowship Time
11 am Children’s Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Classes:
“Doc” Shorts “No Logo: Brands, Globalization and Resistance”

Upcoming Week
Monday
6 pm Cedar Prairie Vegetarian Potluck

Tuesday
7:30 pm Committee on Ministry meeting

Ash Wednesday
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5 pm Children’s Choir
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Family Choir Practice
7:15 pm Theoretical String Band

Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path

Friday
6:30 pm Buddhist Path Movie Night
No “Cup of Joe with Eva”

Weekly Update 2/13/09

2009-02-13T14:08:00.001-08:00

. . . Snow flakes gently fall from darkened skies on ground now bare. February thaw invited us to remember spring, even as these flakes now falling . . . invite us to open ourselves to being here, now, in this moment. The only moment we ever really have. Cherish it! Be blessed by it.

I’ll be at Cup of Joe from 4:30 to 6pm tonight, you are welcome to join me.       ~Eva

Sunday:
8:15 am Drama Team Rehearsal
8:45 am Choir Rehearsal
9:00 am Children’s Choir Rehearsal
9:30 am “Love: A Service For All Ages”
Join Rev. Eva and the Service For All Ages Team for this celebration of music, drama and poetry about all the many ways love touches our lives. Children’s Choir and Drama Team debut this week!
10:45 am Fellowship Time
11 am Children’s Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Classes:
Buddhist Path: Join Rev. Eva and others in exploring Buddhist spiritual practices.
Walking The Talk: Program is CANCELLED this month.

This Coming Week
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:00-5:45 pm Children’s Choir
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Family Choir Practice
6:15 pm Workshop on “Self-Realization” with Crystal King
7:15 pm Theoretical String Band
Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path—All are invited to explore how Buddhist teaches can help you on your path, including meditation.
Friday
9:30 am YoUUng Child Playgroup—Come play with this pres-school group!
Saturday
6:30 pm Stewardship Spaghetti Fest (see below for more info!)

Pastoral Update
Mary Olsen had knee surgery a little over a week ago. Keep on sending her good wishes, cards, and keep her in your thoughts and prayers.
Halle –Chris’s Rediske’s granddaughter has been hospital this week.
She is in Mercy Hospital in Mason City Rm# 300, but may go home tonight. She has a kidney infection and E Coli . She was responding nicely, finally, to the IV antibiotics and her fever is down to normal now. Please keep her, and her whole family in your thoughts and prayers.
Staci Channie-Hill will be having some medical tests this coming Tuesday. As a cancer survivor, this is a worrisome time for her, so let’s send her a little energy and light on Tuesday.

Stewardship Spaghetti Fest!!
Please sign up for our Stewardship "Spaghetti Fest" on Saturday, February 21st if haven't already. Simply go to
<http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=ppKEF-QIRCjvFDtwS8PgoFg&hl=en <http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=ppKEF-QIRCjvFDtwS8PgoFg&hl=en>
and enter how many adults and children will be attending.
We will wine and dine adults that night with a special spaghetti dinner in Fellowship Hall as we talk about this year's Stewardship Campaign goals. Both vegetarian and meat options will be offered. It all goes to plan, we'll start with a 6:00 pm social time and end by 8:30. There is no cost for families to attend, we just need your registration to know how many are attending.
Children will be served a separate dinner upstairs where child care and alternative activities will be provided for the evening. Teens attending will be asked to help the child care workers with the alternative activities for the younger children.
The menu and agenda is as follows:
6:00 PM - Social time
6:30 PM - Dinner is served:
                 Salad
                 Garlic bread
                 Pasta choices -- spaghetti, fettucini
                 Sauce - tomato or alfredo
                 Meat choices - meatballs, Italian sausage pieces
                 Vegetable choices - mushrooms, onions, green peppers
                 Parmesan cheese
    Chocolate dessert and fruits
                 Coffee, tea and wine
7:30 PM - Program
8:15 PM - Wrap Up
Kid's Menu
Milk, Juice
Sub sandwiches -- make their own from cheese, lettuce, tomato, ham or turkey
Fresh fruit
Sun chips
Rice krispie bars
Please sign up today.
Mike Knapp
Stewardship Committee
mikeknapp@mchsi.com
291-6509

Larger Community:
TAJCI IN CONCERT -- Tatianas Mateja, better known as "Tajci," was a pop superstar in Central Europe, before she discovered
the power of her faith, emigrated to the United States, and began composing music which reflects her powerful spiritual
journey. First Assembly of God, I-Hope Ministries and the Catholic parishes in Waterloo will sponsor a Tajci concert on
Sunday, March 8, 6:00-7:30pm, at Celebration Church in Waterloo. Freewill offering. An uplifting Lenten experience for
adults and young adults alike.

--
Stay informed! Read the World! <www.uuworld.org>
Stay connected! Check out our Facebook Group: uusbhc
Find something out! Look it up on our webpage: <www.uusbhc.org>
Think wider thoughts! Learn about the UU Assn: <www.uua.org>
Think wider still! Learn about International U&SU <www.icuu.net>

Rev. Eva Cameron, minister
Unitarian Universalist Society of Black Hawk Co.
3912 Cedar Heights Dr.
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
USA

m: 319.610.6605

Weekly Update

2009-02-06T15:27:00.001-08:00

Weekly Update . . . 2/6/09
There’s been a lot of nervous talk around the church, as everyone wonders if they’ll keep their jobs, and what the future will bring. I’ve had a couple thoughts about this . . .
. . . . one is that the both the Buddha and Jesus had a good message about this. If we seek and notice what is good in the present moment, and not get to worried about what might happen, we are gift to the larger community. We help provide anchoring stability in troubling times. Let’s all try and help our friends and neighbors and children to cultivate this mindset. Its work, but it will be worth it.
. . . . . the other thought I’ve had, is how must all remember the gift of being in community. We can do so much more if we stick together. Let’s open our hearts to be able to help those in need, as we find we may have more sudden need in our community. And at the same time, let’s not forget how to ask for help. Let’s make a plan now, that we can lean on each other. And although things will not be the same, they never truly are ‘the same’ . . . and all we can do, ever, is bring our best, wisest selves to the day.

I’m off to our Brazilian Carnival Party . . . hope you’ll join us!

~Eva

This Sunday:
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am “Darwin Day: A Celebration of Charles Darwin’s 200th Birthday” We have a special love of the relationship of science and religion. For some, Darwin’s evolution has become their religious myth as well as a scientific theory. Let’s celebrate the man, his ideas and how they have rocked our religious world! Join Rev. Eva, Jim Demastes, Lynn Brant, Johanna Foster and Lara Martinsen-Burrell (members of the Darwin Day Team) for this 200-year anniversary celebration.
10:45 am Fellowship Time
11 am Children’s Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Classes:
Circle Way “Imbolc Circle Way Ritual” All the land is wrapped in winter, but our thoughts are turned to spring and warmer weather. Deblyn Russell and Al Hays will be creating a mid-winter ritual celebrating the Celtic Goddess, Brigid. The triple aspects ofBrigid are inspiration, smithcraft and healing.
The Small Group Experience Try a Sample! Have you been wondering what Small Groups are all about? We will do a typical small group meeting during Adult R.E. Here is your opportunity to sample a small group experience and perhaps sign up for one of the open groups forming now.
12:15 pm Chili Cook off
7 pm Charlie’s 200! This will be a continuation of “Darwin Day” with a dialogue of how he inspired religion and science

Calendar Updates for this Coming Week
Tuesday
7 pm Religious Services Committee
Wednesday
**Calendar Deadline**
11 am Friendship Village Service
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Family Choir Practice
6:15 pm Workshop on “Self-Realization” with Crystal King
7 pm Small Group Ministry
7:15 pm Theoretical String Band Practice
Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path
Friday
**Newsletter Deadline**
7 pm “Treats and Talents” Salsa Party

Other Events:
Darwin Week @ UNI!!! Join UU members Drs. Jim Demastes, Theresa Spradling and Laura Jackson as the UNI Freethinkers and Inquirers celebrate Darwin week with a series of lectures and events. Visit http://darwinweek.com for details. All events are free and open to the public and will take place in the Maucker Student Union in the center of the UNI campus in Cedar Falls.

Save the Date: Plan on joining us for the "Stewardship
Spaghetti Fest!" Saturday, February 21st, 6:30 pm

Pastoral Update:
After many months of symptoms (shortness of breath; fainting; evidence of high blood pressure), Judy Harrington had an angiogram on Feb. 3rd. The great news is that there's no evidence of artery blockage. The cardiologist did identify evidence in some heart arteries of long-term high blood pressure, and mild pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the arteries that supply the lungs). She is under the care of appropriate specialists and is eagerly looking forward to renewed energy.

Eleanore Stark was hospitalized this week due to complications from her cancer. She really loves getting cards from all of you! They boost her spirits so much! So even if you don’t know her (she’s fairly new) . . . try and drop a card in the mail to her: 2215 Victory Dr. CF 50613, ph: 277-5531

Please let Esther or me know if you have a concern or need our help.

--
Stay informed! Read the World! <www.uuworld.org>
Stay connected! Check out our Facebook Group: uusbhc
Find something out! Look it up on our webpage: <www.uusbhc.org>
Think wider thoughts! Learn about the UU Assn: <www.uua.org>
Think wider still! Learn about International U&SU <www.icuu.net>

Rev. Eva Cameron, minister
Unitarian Universalist Society of Black Hawk Co.
3912 Cedar Heights Dr.
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
USA

m: 319.610.6605

Weekly Update

2009-01-30T14:27:00.001-08:00

Weekly Update 1/30/09 . . . .This month in our services we will be exploring the ideas of freedom and transformation, as part of our year of “Daring to Grow.” These are themes that are a deep part of what it means to be Unitarian Universalist. As we are deliberately reaching out to more people to join us, we are choosing to shift and make room in our ways of doing things to include more people.

One of the most dramatic shifts, for people who have been around for a while, is the change to functioning like a Program sized church. This means that our energy is focused on creating programs (and teams) that help us living our values. We have found a powerful strength in having small groups for people to share and work on their own journey with others who care about them. With this model, individuals will find that not every one will know our story, but as long as there is at least one circle of people who do, you will have some connection and support. As an institution we will find we have room for about 350 plus members, before we need to start changing our institutional model again!

With this shift in model of how things are organized, we all must realize that decisions are rarely made as a body of the whole. We have many good people who spend hours and hours discussing decisions in committee meetings. If you feel strongly about something, I would suggest that you not only bring your idea to that committee, but that you sit with them, and not only bring an idea, but listen to their thoughts. Our decisions are made with a lot of ideas being tossed around in the committee, concerns shared, passionate dialogue and deep listening on all sides. After passing through this stage, larger decisions then move up to the next level, or are activated. So think of it as ‘representative democracy.’ This means that you share your voice with those who are most interested in the same things you are in—the right committee. But it also means you won’t always know what is happening all the time. This is part of creating a different structure. The power isn’t top down, hierarchical, but rather a hierarchy of commitment. Those who invest the most time, energy, willingness to listen and share their thoughts and dreams with love, are those who will most influence the choices this church makes.

The church energy is high, and the building is buzzing with life and purpose. Let’s continue to build a community with arms wide enough to hold all who dare to grow with us in spirit. Continue to build a community of love and trust, where each feels safe enough to dare to grow!

See you in church!
Unless you meet me at Cup of Joe in just a few minutes!
Eva

This Sunday
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am “Facing Our Fears” What are we afraid of, and why? In order to "dare to grow," we need to face these questions. The UU Youth will lead us in a service exploring the theme of fear.
10:45 am Fellowship Time
11 am Children’s Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Classes:
Conscious Living: The Conscious Living Group and Green Sanctuary Committee will sponsor a Draft-Stopper Making Workshop during Second Hour! Bring measurements for those drafty doors and windows and we'll have materials and sewing machines set up in the Fellowship Hall to construct them and take them home that day. Any donations will go toward supporting the work of these 2 groups.
New Member Meeting: If you’re new to the UU’s then this would be a good time to sit down with Rev. Eva Cameron and Mica Lorenz in a relaxed atmosphere and learn more about being a UU member. There will be an opportunity to sign the membership book.

Upcoming Week
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Family Choir Practice
6:15 pm Workshop on “Self-Realization” with Crystal King
7 pm Small Group Facilitators meeting
7:15 pm Theoretical String Band Practice

Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path

Friday
9:30 am YoUUng Child Playgroup
6 pm First Friday “Brazilian Carnival”
Find a costume! Invite a friend. Bring your kids! It’s going to be FUN!!!! Join Adele Queiroz, a Brazilian member of the church, in this GREAT way bring a little life into mid-winter. Bring a dish to share!

Phoenix Rising: our newest art installation
This month the themes are freedom and transformation. When the Creative Spiritz team heard that, we started our usual discussion as to ‘what it means to each of us’. Nate Callahan came up with the idea of a phoenix. That night Kathy Klink-Zeitz dreamed of a phoenix rising out of a Unitarian Universalist chalice. (She probably saw one at General Assembly!) The next day Kathy searched for a model to show her fellow members what she was thinking of doing for February. Although it was not that clear to all, they let her ‘run with the idea’. After last month’s theme of struggle, this idea of the phoenix rising from the struggle and transforming into a beautiful bird seemed most appealing. The branch in his beak is an olive branch the symbol of peace and freedom. ~The Creative Arts Group

From our UU United Nations Office . . .
To those interested - a teleseminar directly related to our Spring Seminar for anyone to participate in. Please email office@uu-uno.org for phone-in instructions and access code. Thanks!

Building a Culture of Peace:
How Can UUs Lead the Way?

You are warmly invited to join in a series of informal discussions by teleconference featuring noted UU leaders and scholars, on the topic of how UUs can provide leadership in building a culture of peace. This presentation is sponsored by the UU Peacemaking Congregational Study/Action Core Team.

Seminar #2 – “Strategic Options for Building a Culture of Peace” – presentation by Sharon Welch

8 pm Eastern Time, Monday, April 28

Presenter: Sharon Welch, provost of Meadville Lombard Theological Seminar, and author of several books including After Empire: the Art and Ethos of Enduring Peace. Sharon is a leader in the UU Peacemaking Congregational Study/Action Issue Program. Upcoming: Real Peace, Real Security.

Also . . . UU-UNO Spring Seminar:
All in the Name of Faith: Rights, Religion, and Responsibility April 16-18, 2009 (Youth program begins on the 15th.) in New York City
Join us to explore the role religion plays in our global fight for Human Rights. Come to hear excellent speakers. Leave empowered, with tools to create substantive change in your communities. Registration is now open! Email any questions to springseminar@uu-uno.org

Weekly Update

2009-01-23T14:22:00.001-08:00

Weekly Update 1/23/09
It has been a powerful week of memory and hope, as we have looked back to the passionate witness to goodness and righteousness that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr . brought to the world, coupled with the inauguration, where hope did not linger unborn, and die. Instead it lived for many of the nation’s citizens as we realized we ourselves were living history. Already some are impatient . . . wondering what we are going to do next, how soon until all the problems begin getting fixed. President Obama encouraged us towards patience in his address. But more than that, I want to encourage us towards something else: and that is awareness and gratitude. Sometimes it does us good to stop, pause from our marathon race towards goodness and righteousness and peace . . . and simply be, in the amazing moment. Catch our breath. Breathing deeply, we can look back at just how far we have come. And plot our path ahead of us. There are many choices we can make as we navigate this journey of life. Let us look clearly at this goodness, at this moment of justice, so that we know what it looks like. Etch it on our souls, and all the work that brought us to this moment. It will help us, as we discern all that is to follow.

I’m off to Cup of Joe . . .I’ll be there from 4:30 to 6pm, if you care to join me.

~Eva

This Sunday:
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am Service “Light the Flame!” Chalice Lighter Sunday. Come learn about our symbol “The Flaming Chalice” and about an important way we can share our enthusiasm for Unitarian Universalism around the district.
10:45 am Fellowship Time
11 am Children’s Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Classes:
“Doc” Shorts “Granny D Goes To Washington” This rousing film tells the amazing story of iron-willed, upbeat, eighty-nine year-old Doris Haddock who astonished the nation by walking across the entire continental

This Coming Week
Monday
6 pm Cedar Prairie Vegetarian Potluck
Tuesday
7:30 pm Committee on Ministry
Wednesday
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Family Choir Practice
6:15 pm Workshop on “Self-Realization” with Crystal King
7:15 pm Theoretical String Band Practice
Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path

--
Stay informed! Read the World! <www.uuworld.org>
Stay connected! Check out our Facebook Group: uusbhc
Find something out! Look it up on our webpage: <www.uusbhc.org>
Think wider thoughts! Learn about the UU Assn: <www.uua.org>
Think wider still! Learn about International U&SU <www.icuu.net>

Rev. Eva Cameron, minister
Unitarian Universalist Society of Black Hawk Co.
3912 Cedar Heights Dr.
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
USA

m: 319.610.6605

Weekly Update

2009-01-23T08:27:00.001-08:00

Weekly Update will post in a few hours . . . .

Re: [uusbhc] Weekly Update

2009-01-16T16:14:00.001-08:00

I compare snow every winter to the 7 feet in a week that fell in Flagstaff, Arizona, in 1967.

When I get a little tired of shoveling, I think of my paralyzed brother and am glad I'm able!

Warm winter wishes,

Ruth

From: Cameron Eva <cameron.eva@gmail.com>
To: Whole Church <uusbhc@yahoogroups.com>; Whole Church <cameron.eva.post@blogger.com>
Sent: Friday, January 16, 2009 3:14:14 PM
Subject: [uusbhc] Weekly Update

Weekly Update ~~~Are you feeling like I am feeling? All this snow and cold seeming a bit like a burden in your life? The other day as I went out to shovel my drive, I looked at the mountains of snow everywhere, and felt so defeated as I thought, "I've got no place left to put all this snow!" I re-arranged my thinking, and managed to get it all shoveled into, well, hmm its approaching Mt. Everest—as we all seem to be doing. But it made me think that we should be THRIVING and not just SURVIVING. We can thrive if we put some joy and community spirit into this winter. I'd like to start a "Snow Angels" group. If you could possibly help to shovel snow, at the church, at someone's house, would like to be part of a group effort—maybe want to participate in some random acts of kindness. Let me know. If you want to co-captain this effort, let me know!
Part 2: If you are feeling beat up by winter, and need a bit of help, able bodied and just tired of battling winter, or not-so able bodied . . . let me know. I WILL come help! And I just bet some Snow Angels out there will be coming with me. Maybe you could make us some cocoa?
Send me an e-mail, call my cell, leave a note on my Facebook wall . . . . just say yes to being part of a THRIVING community this winter!

I'll be at Cup of Joe for a cup of something warm today from 4:30 to 6pm. Join me if you'd like!

~Eva

This Sunday
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am "Teach us Love" Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunday
Help us to welcome the "Artistic Youth Ensemble" of Minnesota, which brings special music to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in this Service For All Ages. Join Worship Team members, the choir and band, and the Rev. Eva Cameron for this special day of memory and hope.
10:45 am Fellowship Time
11 am Children's Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Classes:
Buddhist Path: Join Rev. Eva and others in exploring Buddhist spiritual practices.
Walking The Talk: A talk about "Breast Cancer Edu-Action" with our own Christine
Carpenter.
12:15 pm All Church Luncheon: The Couple's Enrichment Small Group is offering a soup luncheon for all. A variety of meat and vegetarian soups along with bread and dessert will be provided. The suggested donation is $4 per adult and $3 per child or $10 per family. All donations will help fund Child Care services for Small Group Ministry.
2 pm Board Meeting

Upcoming Week
Wednesday
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Family Choir Practice
6:15 pm Workshop on "Self-Realization" with Crystal King
7:15 pm Theoretical String Band Practice
Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path
Friday
6:30 pm Buddhist Movie Night

Chalice Lighter Sunday Is Only 1 Week Away!
Many UUSBHC members have been Chalice Lighters since
1989 when the program began. A Chalice Lighter pledges to respond with a contribution of $20.00 or more, when the call comes to "light the chalice" somewhere in the Prairie Star District. There are three calls each year. Chalice Lighter funds are used to support growth in our Unitarian Universalist congregations in Prairie Star District through Chalice Lighters Grants to new or existing congregations for a minister, RE professional, music, social justice, office staff, building or land and innovative growth strategies. To enroll as a Chalice Lighter, complete the registration form and place it in the Chalice Lighters box in Fellowship Hall. For more information or to enroll online, visit the Prairie Star District website at www.psduua.org/ <http://www.psduua. org/>

International Convocation of Unitarian and Universalist Women will be meeting in Houston on Feb 26 through March 1st. This will be the first time! And even Unitarian women from the Khasi Hills of India will be there. I will be attending! More information can be found at:
http://www.icuuw. com/index. htm

Is the flood of '08 still affecting your quality of life? The Black Hawk Co. Long Term Recovery Committee has funds available to assist those with unmet needs. Call them at 272-2465 to request help (share this with those you know).

--
Stay informed! Read the World! <www.uuworld. org>
Stay connected! Check out our Facebook Group: uusbhc
Find something out! Look it up on our webpage: <www.uusbhc.org>
Think wider thoughts! Learn about the UU Assn: <www.uua.org>
Think wider still! Learn about International U&SU <www.icuu.net>

Rev. Eva Cameron, minister
Unitarian Universalist Society of Black Hawk Co.
3912 Cedar Heights Dr.
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
USA

m: 319.610.6605

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Weekly Update

2009-01-16T13:14:00.001-08:00

Weekly Update ~~~Are you feeling like I am feeling? All this snow and cold seeming a bit like a burden in your life? The other day as I went out to shovel my drive, I looked at the mountains of snow everywhere, and felt so defeated as I thought, “I’ve got no place left to put all this snow!” I re-arranged my thinking, and managed to get it all shoveled into, well, hmm its approaching Mt. Everest—as we all seem to be doing. But it made me think that we should be THRIVING and not just SURVIVING. We can thrive if we put some joy and community spirit into this winter. I’d like to start a “Snow Angels” group. If you could possibly help to shovel snow, at the church, at someone’s house, would like to be part of a group effort—maybe want to participate in some random acts of kindness. Let me know. If you want to co-captain this effort, let me know!
Part 2: If you are feeling beat up by winter, and need a bit of help, able bodied and just tired of battling winter, or not-so able bodied . . . let me know. I WILL come help! And I just bet some Snow Angels out there will be coming with me. Maybe you could make us some cocoa?
Send me an e-mail, call my cell, leave a note on my Facebook wall . . . . just say yes to being part of a THRIVING community this winter!

I’ll be at Cup of Joe for a cup of something warm today from 4:30 to 6pm. Join me if you’d like!

~Eva

This Sunday
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am “Teach us Love” Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunday
Help us to welcome the “Artistic Youth Ensemble” of Minnesota, which brings special music to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in this Service For All Ages. Join Worship Team members, the choir and band, and the Rev. Eva Cameron for this special day of memory and hope.
10:45 am Fellowship Time
11 am Children’s Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Classes:
Buddhist Path: Join Rev. Eva and others in exploring Buddhist spiritual practices.
Walking The Talk: A talk about “Breast Cancer Edu-Action” with our own Christine
Carpenter.
12:15 pm All Church Luncheon: The Couple’s Enrichment Small Group is offering a soup luncheon for all. A variety of meat and vegetarian soups along with bread and dessert will be provided. The suggested donation is $4 per adult and $3 per child or $10 per family. All donations will help fund Child Care services for Small Group Ministry.
2 pm Board Meeting

Upcoming Week
Wednesday
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Family Choir Practice
6:15 pm Workshop on “Self-Realization” with Crystal King
7:15 pm Theoretical String Band Practice
Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path
Friday
6:30 pm Buddhist Movie Night

Chalice Lighter Sunday Is Only 1 Week Away!
Many UUSBHC members have been Chalice Lighters since
1989 when the program began. A Chalice Lighter pledges to respond with a contribution of $20.00 or more, when the call comes to “light the chalice” somewhere in the Prairie Star District. There are three calls each year. Chalice Lighter funds are used to support growth in our Unitarian Universalist congregations in Prairie Star District through Chalice Lighters Grants to new or existing congregations for a minister, RE professional, music, social justice, office staff, building or land and innovative growth strategies. To enroll as a Chalice Lighter, complete the registration form and place it in the Chalice Lighters box in Fellowship Hall. For more information or to enroll online, visit the Prairie Star District website at www.psduua.org/ <http://www.psduua.org/>

International Convocation of Unitarian and Universalist Women will be meeting in Houston on Feb 26 through March 1st. This will be the first time! And even Unitarian women from the Khasi Hills of India will be there. I will be attending! More information can be found at:
http://www.icuuw.com/index.htm

Is the flood of ’08 still affecting your quality of life? The Black Hawk Co. Long Term Recovery Committee has funds available to assist those with unmet needs. Call them at 272-2465 to request help (share this with those you know).

--
Stay informed! Read the World! <www.uuworld.org>
Stay connected! Check out our Facebook Group: uusbhc
Find something out! Look it up on our webpage: <www.uusbhc.org>
Think wider thoughts! Learn about the UU Assn: <www.uua.org>
Think wider still! Learn about International U&SU <www.icuu.net>

Rev. Eva Cameron, minister
Unitarian Universalist Society of Black Hawk Co.
3912 Cedar Heights Dr.
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
USA

m: 319.610.6605

Weekly Update

2009-01-09T12:19:00.001-08:00

Hello! Are you starting to get back into your more normal life patterns after the excitement and confusion of the holidays? It’s a great time to take a look at your life patterns, and add something new and life-affirming, self-affirming. I’ve added walking regularly back into my routine this month. I’ve been going over to the mall, College Square, in the mornings to stretch my legs a bit (tired of doing the Iowa Ice Shuffle!!) Its great and inspiring to see so many people out walking even on very cold days. That’s dedication, and love of self! This is so nice to see. If you’d ever like to walk and talk with me, let me know and we can plan to exercise our minds and bodies at the same time!

I’ll be back at Cup of Joe today from 4:30pm to 6pm, so come visit if you’d like! (no walking shoes required)

See you in church!
~Eva

This Sunday:
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am Service: “Meet Everett Hale” Hale once said, “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something I can do.” The Rev. Eva Cameron is preaching joined by Worship Associate Al Hays.

10:45 am Fellowship Time
11 am Children’s Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Classes:
Circle Way: Chris Rediske will lead us in work on Words of Power. We will also have time to share what is happening in our lives.
Stories: Please join us for “stories”. Individuals tell of a particular event, activity or other occurrence that has had an impact on their lives. This month we’ll hear from Keri Brecht.
Sunday Reading Group: Patrick Malloy will be facilitating a reading group that will discuss the book Reinventing the Sacred: A New View of Science, Reason, and Religion by Stuart Kauffman. For more information about this group, please contact Pat Malloy.
11:15 am Finance Committee Meeting
7 pm What’s Up Doc?umentary “Blue Butterfly” A dramatic adventure about courage, redemption and love, filmed in the rain forest of Costa Rica and in Montreal. Based on a true story.

Upcoming Week:
Tuesday
7 pm Religious Services Committee

Wednesday
note: it is the Calendar Deadline
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Family Choir Practice
6:15 pm Workshop on “Self-Realization” with Crystal King
6:30 pm Couples Small Group Meeting
7:15 pm Theoretical String Band Practice

Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path

Friday
note: it is the Newsletter Deadline
9:30 YoUUng Child Playgroup (open to all!)

Other News:
Chalice Lighter Sunday Is Only 2 Weeks Away!
Many UUSBHC members have been Chalice Lighters since 1989 when the program began. A Chalice Lighter pledges to respond with a contribution of $20.00 or more, when the call comes to “light the chalice” somewhere in the Prairie Star District.
There are three calls each year. Chalice Lighter funds are used to support growth in our Unitarian Universalist congregations in Prairie Star District through Chalice Lighters Grants to new or existing congregations for a minister, RE professional, music, social justice, office staff, building or land and innovative growth strategies.
To enroll as a Chalice Lighter, complete the registration form and place it in the Chalice Lighters box in Fellowship Hall. For more information or to enroll online, visit the Prairie Star District website at www.psduua.org/ <http://www.psduua.org/>

Community Help from EMA:
The EMA is hosting a (VITA) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Site each Saturday in February and March. There will be trained tax preparers available to assist low and moderate income families in getting their taxes done. The tax returns will be prepared and filed at no cost to the families. This service is provided to prevent families from being taken advantage of with the high interest loan that income tax preparers are charging to get a rapid refund. The average time to receive a refund is 5 business days.

The EMA is a designated (ICAP) Iowa Career Access Point Center. The Center is for designed for the community to access Iowa Workforce Development Center to search for jobs and apply for other resources provided by Workforce Development. We are in the process of setting up classes to assist clients with Resume Writing and job interview techniques.

The EMA Free Medical Clinic is opened Thursday night from 6-8 pm. The clinic provides free service to uninsured or underinsured families including general medicine, minor injuries, school physicals, senior physicals, dermatology and chiropractic services.

For more information on these programs or the Crisis Intervention and Prevention Program that provides rental and utility assistance to the community, please call the EMA Center at 235-5580. Martha Frazier is the Director of the EMA Center.

--
Stay informed! Read the World! <www.uuworld.org>
Stay connected! Check out our Facebook Group: uusbhc
Find something out! Look it up on our webpage: <www.uusbhc.org>
Think wider thoughts! Learn about the UU Assn: <www.uua.org>
Think wider still! Learn about International U&SU <www.icuu.net>

Rev. Eva Cameron, minister
Unitarian Universalist Society of Black Hawk Co.
3912 Cedar Heights Dr.
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613
USA

m: 319.610.6605

Sunday--I'm here

2009-01-04T06:48:00.000-08:00

Hello on this cold and icy morning!

I’m here in church this morning. I didn’t have too bad a time on the roads here in town. The parking lot is icy. We’ve salted the walks and the parking lot ramp.

Come if you’d like to, and stay home if you’d feel safer. John & Karen Miller are here, with the home-made Communion Bread, and Tim is here to play our hymns of old . . . We’ll be celebrating 134 years of Universalism in the Cedar Valley.

Sunday School will be canceled, since several of the teachers cannot make it in.

~Eva

Weekly Update 1/2/09

2009-01-02T07:56:00.001-08:00

Greetings from Chicago . . . where I’ve been welcoming in the New Year with my father and my daughter. Its fun to be here. People on the Southside are very friendly, and so many random strangers have wished me a happy 2009. It’s made me aware of what a gift it is to live in a community where people are happy to see you, even if they don’t know you. It’s rather infectious.
How do you treat random people that you meet? As a gift, a present to unwrap and explore, as something precious? Or as something to be avoided or not bothered. Explore your reactions to people you see around you this week. Watch how you feel as people are friendly or ignore you! Together, we can work together to create more love and joy in the Cedar Valley—it doesn’t take so much. Just spreading the bug . . . and we’ve been spreading so many viruses around the Cedar Valley this winter already, its time to spread something else! Won’t you dare to grow with me a little bit this year, in this way?

First Friday tonight! You got the e-mail invitation yesterday.

This Coming Sunday:
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am “Spreading Like Wildfire!” Anniversary Sunday
Once Universalist congregations spread across the Midwest with giant revival meetings. What message did they offer the spirit weary of the plains? Strong enough to leave Iowa with over 100 congregations at the turn of the last century! What can we learn from this past? We’ll serve Communion on our historic Universalist communion set with the children.
10:45 am Fellowship Time
11 am Children’s Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Classes:
Conscious Living: This ongoing group encourages us to live green, lessen our footprint, live out ecological values, think global/buy local, all the while encouraging ways we can be more ‘conscious’ in our daily lives. Join in with others who are eager to take care of our planet.
New Member Meeting: If you are new to our church, then this would be a good time to visit with Rev. Eva Cameron and Mica Lorenz and learn more about being a UU member.
7 pm What’s Up Doc?umentary “ Tales of the City” The stories of a group of people who meet and become friends in San Francisco.

Upcoming Week:
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Family Choir Practice
7:15 pm Theoretical String Band Practice
7:30 pm Small Group Facilitators Meeting

Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path

Saturday
6:30 pm Card Club

I’ll be back for church on Sunday. Hope to see you there!
~Eva