Friday, October 31, 2008

Weekly Update 10/31/08

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!   It’s a gorgeous day for the little ghosts and goblins to be out and about tonight. Afterwards, I’m going to build a little fire in the fire circle on my back patio. You are welcome to come by if you feel like its just to beautiful an evening to go indoors.
 
Coming Up This Sunday
(Don’t forget Daylight Savings Time Ends)
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am Service “Day of the Dead”
Please bring a photo &/or a memento
to decorate the altar, as we honor our loved ones who are no longer with us. We will also have candles for you to light. Join us for this service for all ages, where we pause, reflect and share some of the stories of people that have shaped our lives. Family Choir will be singing, and the band will play. Enjoy the silliness of Halloween on Friday and Saturday, and then come join us for the flipside of the holiday on Sunday morning.
 
10:45 am Fellowship Time
10:45 am “Alternative Gift Fair” Come and purchase gifts for your family and friends. Gifts that make a difference.  Don’t forget your checkbook!
11 am Children’s Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School
classes for children & youth
11:15 am New Member Meeting Please join Mica Lorenz and me in a relaxed atmosphere and learn more about being a UU member.
7 pm Small Group Ministry “A Gathering of Women”
7 pm “What’s Up Doc?” “Fall From Grace”
“Fall From Grace” takes the viewer inside the surreal world of Rev. Fred Phelps and his followers, with rare interviews and footage of several pickets and church services. The film focuses on a group that represents a variety of contemporary American issues, including intolerance of homosexuality, the right to freedom of speech, separation of church and state, and the War in Iraq.
 
THIS WEEK:
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:30 pm Dinner
(Please RSVP to Kathy Klink-Zeitz <klinkzeitz@gmail.com>
6:15 pm Family Choir (all invited to sing)
6:30 pm Workshop: “Our Holiday Intentions”
7:15 pm Theoretical String Band (all invited to play)
7:30 pm Small Group Facilitator’s Meeting

Thursday @7:30 pm Buddhist Path
 
Friday
9:30 am YoUUng Child Play Group
6 pm First Friday potluck:
“Native American Spirituality”
This will be lots of fun. Try it! You might like it! Our guest will be George LeDuc who will entertain us with his stories and flute playing. We will start at 6:00 p.m. with a potluck dinner (bring a traditional Native American dish or something else you like). You can pick up recipes in the Fellowship Hall or go to our new webpage and click on Recipes. This is a great event for bringing a guest.
 
Saturday
6 pm Card Club:
all invited to play poker or bridge. Have fun while raising a little money for the church!
 
Please note: This afternoon I won’t be at Cup of Joe because it is the annual Trick or Treat on the Parkade—what a wild time, with so many little kids all dressed up!  

I haven’t heard any new pastoral news to update you with. Several people are still recuperating, including Bea Tate and Margie Miller. Several elders remain in fragile health, including Mildred Pierce, Glenyce Butschy and Dottie Forsberg. Please keep them all in your thoughts and prayers.

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



Friday, October 24, 2008

Weekly Update 10/24/08

Greetings! It feels like everything is changing. Fall is really settling in, and it seems we must truly face the coming winter and set aside our summer clothes for a while. The election is coming up, and no matter the outcome, we will be in for a change. The market keeps going up and down, and it’s hard to know what it means . . . only our plans for retirement seem less settled than before. And people who seemed untouchably without reproach, like Alan Greenspan are now being reproached. And I just checked the church’s Facebook page—its got 66 people on it, that’s about a third of our membership! We are learning new realms of computer communication. It’s a lot of change: a lot of shifting of ideas, concepts, and a fair amount of uncertainty.
 
Really, life is always changing. We all know that. But sometimes it seems it goes faster than other times. And sometimes it seem the things that are changing have really big implications. But, that may be because we haven’t considered the possibility of all the things that could intrude in even bigger, scarier ways. So, my strategy, when it seems like the change is just too much, too fast  . . . is to stop for a moment, right where I am, and look for what is going right in my life. It can be really basic stuff . . . I am breathing, I am standing, I had breakfast today. And it can be more sublime stuff . . . I have a spouse who loves me, kids who I care about, friends who admire me. Or even more global stuff .  . .  we have an African American who is a real contender in this presidential election, when only 50 years ago we had so much legalized segregation! This litany of the good is not to negate any troubles you are having in your life. But they do serve to put the troubles in the right perspective. Often, we have so much to pause and feel grateful for---at least, I know I do. God has blessed me. (Read: that which I have no control over has sustained me with all that I need for an amazing and rich life!)

This Sunday’s Schedule
8:30 am Band & 9 am Choir Rehearsal
 
9:30 am Service “God put a Rainbow in the Clouds for Me” This service explores the idea of Covenant, and just what it can mean for us UU’s. Our Band will help out on a theme song and Family Choir will sing! Join Esther Kieffer and Rev. Eva Cameron for this service that shows a lot of promise!
 
10:45 am Fellowship Time
11 am Children’s Chapel
(balcony)
11:15 am Sunday School classes for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Classes:
“Doc” Shorts:
Matamoros: The Human Face of Globalization is a documentary narrated by Edward James Olmos. This brief but revealing look at the small border
town of Matamoros, Mexico, exposes the alarming environmental and human toll of NAFTA, the “free trade” agreement of the Americas.
Garden Meditation: Join Julie Fischer in the garden for meditation in a meaningful way to you.
 
12:30 pm Halloween Party and Lunch
After the haunted house we will have pizza, salad, bread & a dessert for lunch. Suggested donation $4 person or $10 per family. Everyone is invited.  Please RSVP so we know how much pizza to buy. Kathryn Klink-Zeitz klinkzeitz@hotmail.com <mailto:klinkzeitz@hotmail.com>

2 pm Small Group Ministry
7 pm “What’s Up Doc?”
(new release) Michael Moore movie "Slacker Uprising"
 
This Week:
Monday
6 pm Cedar Prairie Vegetarian Potluck
Tuesday
1 pm Committee on Ministry
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:30 pm Dinner
6:15 pm Family Choir
6:30 pm “White Like Me” Book Discussion
6:30 pm Youth & Adult Program “Safety on the Web”
7:15 pm Theoretical String Band
Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path
 
Other Items:
KUNI is having another fund drive.  Please support them through UUSBHC. Have you heard the ads for UU’s? For the past 6 months, we have been joining with Unitarian Universalist churches in Cedar Rapids, Ames, and Davenport in this advertising campaign. Just give your normal pledge to us, and that’s how we buy the airtime.  
 
Don’t forget to go online to our website and sign-up for your time slot for the photo-directory! (Nov 13, 14, 15) www.uusbhc.org <http://www.uusbhc.org>
 
Nov 15th  . . . it’s a BIG day here. Buddhist Retreat in the morning, picture taking throughout the day, and Treats & Talents Auction in the evening. Mark you calendars now!
 

Pastoral Update . . .  In Our Thoughts and Prayers:

Don and Dorothy Wendt who both are having some health issues. Hold them in your hearts.
 
Margie Miller who is recuperating from knee surgery at home. Cards to:
3715 Briarwood Dr CF IA

Frank and Mary Olson are both anticipating surgery. Franks will be done soon on his eye. And Mary’s will be a few months on her knee. Well-wishes to:
10728 Echo Valley Rd, West Union, IA, 52175,

Bea Tate who’s still in rehab. Cards to:
1007 W 9th St CF IA

Eleanore Stark who was hospitalized with breathing problems this past week. She’s now home, recuperating. 319-277-5531.  Or cards to:
2215 Victory Dr CF IA

We’ve heard that Linnea Sumner is finally feeling better after a linger bout of mono. That’s good news!  
 
 
Last but not least:
I will not be at Cup of Joe this afternoon, since I’ll be heading down to Cedar Rapids to lead People’s Church in a Start-Up workshop with their new minister, Rev. Tom Capo. Please enjoy the time without me!
 
And don’t forget . . . tonight is Buddhist Movie Night at the church. 6:30pm Socializing and 7pm Movie starts.
 
Please feel free to contact me with questions about any of these items, or to let me know about other pastoral concerns. We want you to feel connected!
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



Friday, October 17, 2008

Weekly Update 10/17/08

Greetings! It’s a cool day, but my heart is glowing warm with all the joy I feel in all the many lovely experiences in this past week. From late-night chatting over the computer, to meaningful conversation at Buddhist Path, from some kind notes to sweet messages on my Facebook wall—you have been reaching out and sharing of yourself, of your joy at our community. I feel blessed. Thank you. And remember, how truly lucky we are to have each other. What a blessing!
 
Each of us, so different, and yet so very much the same—such tender hearts, such deep yearnings for love and connection. Be steadfast in your passion to grow this amazing community. It is such an island of inspiration for so many!
 
This Sunday October 19th
Our Service @9:30am
is a celebration of the “Iowa Sisterhood” a group of woman who broke all sorts of cultural/social barriers by heeding their call to ministry—and coming to Iowa to build many strong liberal churches across the state. Often unable to attend seminary, these women educated each other, the elders help the youngers, and all acting as amazing pioneers of our movement. Join Karen Impola and me as we share some of the energy and passion we gathered from studying the book called “Prophetic Sisterhood.”
 
Fellowship @10:45am
Children’s Chapel @11am
Sunday School @11:15am
–classes for children, youth and adults.
Adult Sunday School
Buddhist Path
– Join Rev. Eva and others in exploring Buddhist spiritual practices.
Walking The TalkJudy Davis returns to speak to us on her work at the Kaimosi Mission Hospital in Kenya, Africa.
Garden Meditation – Join Julie Fischer in the garden for meditating in a meaningful way to you:  sitting quietly, soaking in the beauty of nature, sketching a leaf or flower that inspires you, or actually working the garden.
What’s Up Doc?
The Future of Food – is cancelled, as we were able to get a special guest lecturer, Will Tuttle, Ph.D. author of The World Peace Diet: Being Healthy and Saving the Planet
The lecture-presentation will be at 7:00 pm. This promises to be very special, with a message in words and song!

Wednesday, October 22nd

WOW!   Workshops on Wednesdays  

WOW! Dinner at 5:30 p.m. every Wednesday, $7 per person / $10 per family. This is a dinner for everyone. We have a great time socializing. Please RSVP at church on Sunday or online at: <http://snipurl.com/3w0i8> by Tuesday night. This week will be Chinese Food.
Family Choir at 6:15 p.m. every Wednesday
Youth & Adult ProgramWhat do you want to know about Facebook? at 6:30 p.m.
Book Discussion Group – 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
This book discussion group, focused on Tim Wise’s new book, White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son.  The book examines white privilege in America and how race plays an important role in everyday life—in ways that whites are not usually aware.  
Theoretical String Band every Wednesday at 7:15 p.m.
What in the UU World? At 6:30pm
 
Friday, Oct. 24th
Buddhist Movie Night. Social time/popcorn at 6:30 pm. Movie at 7:00 pm. Ralph Burr host.

Saturday Oct 25th
Suffrage March re-enactment in Boone! Join the women of the Des Moines UU Church as they celebrate the efforts of our foremothers to bring the right to vote to women. Jan Gallagher is going, and has room for a couple more people to march.  <hinners@mchsi.com>
 
Sunday, October 26th
What’s Up Doc?
We will change the movie for this night. We have gotten a chance to air the new Michael Moore Documentary – Slacker Uprising.
 
Other Items:
Sign Up!!! Photo-directory time slots are going fast!  
Please visit the church website www.uusbhc.org <http://www.uusbhc.org>  where you can schedule your photo-shoot time. You will get a FREE directory plus a FREE photo for your time. There is also the chance to buy more pictures. Who should participate? Friends, members, regular visitors . . . if we are likely to see your face at church, we’d love it to be in the photo-directory.
 
UPDATE! Change of date for Broadcast:
Jan Garbosky and Bonny Russell, members of the First Unitarian Church of San Diego (California) who were married in that church on October 4th, have been notified that the "ABC World News Tonight" feature on them (in relation to Proposition 8, on the ballot in California) will air on October 31, rather than October 17.  World News Tonight generally airs at 6:30 PM in local time zones; check local listings for further information.
From: Unitarian Universalist Association <uua_l@uua.org>
Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:01:51 -0400

Treats and Talents Auction
Is coming up on the evening of Nov 15th . . . plan on attending this Jungle Safari fun. If you have something you can donate, please let Mike Knapp know .
mikeknapp@mchsi.com
 
Buddhist Retreat
on Nov 15th 7am to 1pm . . . with visiting monk Ted O’Toole. Set aside a morning for meditation, reflection and peace.
 
Pastoral Update:
Esther writes:  “I just talked to Margie Miller.  She had just arrived home from the hospital. She had knee surgery last Monday. She will be off work for about 3 months, but is doing well.  I am sending a card.  Her husband, Mike and daughter are taking good care of her.”  I’m sure she’d love to get notes and cards while she is recuperating: 3715 Briarwood Dr, Cedar Falls, IA   50613 (277-3581) ia.m.j.miller@cfu.net <mailto:ia.m.j.miller@cfu.net>
 
Please let Esther Kieffer emkieffer@cfu.net <mailto:emkieffer@cfu.net>  or me know of your life transitions, illnesses, etc. Others would like to be able to reach our and spread a little light, love and cheer your way!

I’ll be a Cup of Joe this afternoon from 4:30to 6pm if you want to join me for conversation and relaxation after the end of a busy week.
 
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




Friday, October 10, 2008

Weekly Update 10/10/08

Greetings!   . . . on this glorious sunny fall day.
These warm fall days, where the sky is brilliant blue, the leaves startlingly brilliant in their many colors against the sky. Its as if the world is glowing!  I always try and pause in my thoughts for a moment, and soak it up, drink in the beauty. Its seems so necessary, when the news: politics and economy and war, all seem so heavy and dire. It is important for me to remind myself that there is still so much good in the world. There is good in people, there is good in our flawed, human systems, and there is amazing goodness and love in our home. We receive so much abundance each day—each time we breath in we receive something so important that we need, we can’t live without.
 
Take some moments in these days. Breath in, and say thanks to the loving, abundance with is around and about us. Every time you see something startlingly beautiful, take a deep breath in, and pause in gratitude for all that is good and right and loving.
 
We need to hold on to these thoughts. We need to carry them with us into the day. We need to perpetually seek all that we can find that helps us connect with that abundant love, and help others to see it too. People are trying to breed fear in our hearts to serve their purposes. Things may be changing, but this is not a reason for hyper-alert fear. Let us push back with joy, goodness, love, life, righteousness. The world, our little world here in the Cedar Valley needs this from each and every one of us. Let us be messengers of joy! Small islands of grateful abundance.  Oasis of loving kindness.
 
Just you watch in your own circles—it is catching!!   See if you can spread it around, just like sneezing on someone!
 ~Eva

DON”T FORGET!!!!  Tonight is the Hayride.
5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Heritage Farm:  7731 Zaneta Drive, Hudson, IA.  
For a map to the farm, click here <http://snipurl.com/43jz5>
Please: bring warm clothes & a dish to share, there will be a fire for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows (provided). Hot chocolate & cider provided.  Bring your own beer, wine, etc.  Plates, eating utensils, mugs, and napkins will be provided.

Also tonight is the DrUUm Circle at church . . . Harvest Blessing Drum circle @7:30 p.m., to the October Community Drum circle, whose theme is Harvest Blessings.  The drum circles have been happening for 15 years.... the collection of drums and percussion instruments is beautiful.  Bring your own, and/or use any of the ones provided.  It's a family friendly circle... start the children when they are young to appreciate the "drum rhythms of life"!  Drums, as we know, are tools for awakening the healing energies within ourselves.  Each drum circle is unique.  Each one brings their own vibration into the drum circle...come to play, to listen, to sing,  to experience the healing blessing.
For more information, contact Deblyn Russell at: 319-266-1691.
 
This Sunday:
9:30 am Sunday Service
Association Sunday: Grow Our Spirit” Join Del Carpenter, Jeff Heiden, and me on this annual event to celebrate our connections with the larger movement of UU’s around the country. We will take an offering to strengthen the UU organization’s  new Endowment to Grow Our Spirit! Family Choir is singing!
10:45 am Fellowship Time
11 am Children’s Chapel
(balcony)
11:15 am Sunday School classes for children, youth & adults
Adult Classes:
Circle Way: A Harvest Circle ritual is in the planning as we continue to honor the bounty of the Mother Earth. Deblyn Russell will facilitate this inspiring Circle Way; bring your gratitude and journals.
Stories that Changed My Life: Ralph Burr, a member of the Buddhist Path Group will share a story. Please join us.
7 pm Documentary Film: “The Power of Forgiveness” The Power of Forgiveness features Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh, best selling authors Thomas Moore and Marianne Williamson, as well as
an in-depth look at the Amish, Ground Zero, and Northern Ireland. It also presents how physical, mental, and spiritual benefits may be realized from forgiveness.
 
This Coming Week
Tuesday
@ 7:15 pm Religious Services Committee
 
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:30 pm Dinner
6:15 pm Family Choir
6:30 pm “White Like Me” Book Discussion
6:30 pm Youth: “Popcorn Theology” Ten Questions for the Dalai Lama
What if you had one hour to speak with the Dalai Lama; what would you ask? Come see the questions this documentary asks of the 14th Dalai Lama and be part of the discussion to follow.
7:15 pm Theoretical String Band
 
Thursday
@ 7:30 pm Buddhist Path
 
Friday
@ 9:30-11:30 am YoUUng Child Playgroup

Pastoral Update
Please continue to remember Bea Tate in your thoughts and prayers. She is continuing with rehab after a serious stroke. Also keep her husband Tom and their two kids in your thoughts as well—it is a big change for everybody. Tom’s number is 269-8542, if you want to arrange to drop off a meal for him and the kids, or see what other help he made need as he is single-parenting it for a while.

Because of the Hayride, I will not be at Cup of Joe today.
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

Friday, October 3, 2008

Weekly Update 10/3/08

Greetings! on this brilliant fall day. As I shared breakfast with a friend this morning, I reflected on how lucky I am to wake up each morning and have enough food to feed myself, and any family or friends who might be around. Not all the world lives like this. Not even all the people in this country. But we are so blessed with abundance, and often don’t even pay attention! It’s so much easier to notice what we don’t have than what we do have. How often do you say to yourself, “Wow, I really AM lucky!”  as you look at some aspect of your life?
 
Last night in Buddhist Path, during our reading for the night, there was a quote that said something like “Our minds are like tofu. By themselves they are bland and rather tasteless. They take on the characteristics of the marinade they are stewing in!”  So my question to you is: what kind of “marinade” do you let your mind stew in? Is it gratitude and joy for abundance and all that you have? Or is it grumpiness for petty differences, grievances, and all that isn’t going right in your day? Take some time and notice this periodically during the week. Try playing with the recipe for your own personal “marinade”  . . .  see if your mind takes on a new flavor!  And see how others around you enjoy this new flavor of you too!
 
TONIGHT
@6pm: First Friday Festival—Sukkot!
Join us for a potluck supper and playful learning about the Jewish festival of Sukkot.  This is a family friendly event—with things for both kids and those “less young” to do! Bring a dish to pass, tell a friend, come with a playful spirit!

 This Sunday
8 – 9 AM Pancake Breakfast
9:30 AM Service
“Yom Kippur” Join Judith Harrington, Bill Harwood & I was we share our thoughts about this high holiday of the Jewish tradition. Family Choir is going to sing!  And we will give out the ThankUU Award.
10:45 AM Fellowship Time:  Reception honoring Carolyn Hildebrandt
11 AM Children’s Chapel (balcony)
11:15 AM Sunday School for children, youth & adults
Adult Classes:
Conscious Living: “What’s Cookin’?”
Come and learn how to use the locally-grown produce from our very own church garden to make healthy, delectable meals.
New Members Meeting: If you're new to the UUs 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.
12:15 pm Worship Associate Training
Crop Walk
: After church, carpool from the UU to Lincoln Park for a sack lunch then join the walk at First Presbyterian, 505 Franklin St. Waterloo.
7 PM Documentary Film: “For the Bible Tells Me So” Through the experiences of five very normal, very Christian, very American families, this film offers healing, clarity and understanding to anyone caught in the crosshairs of scripture and sexual identity.
 
This Coming Week
Eva
will be out of town from Sunday afternoon until Wednesday afternoon at a ministers’ meeting in Windom MN.
 
Wednesday:
FVUUM
(Friendship Village ministry) is rescheduled until next week.
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:30 pm Dinner (please RSVP)
6:15 pm Family Choir
6:30 pm Couples Small Group Ministry
6:30 pm “White Like Me” Book Discussion
6:30 pm Youth & Adult Program: “Safety on the Web” where we will explore Facebook. If you have a laptop please bring it but it is not required as a computer will be connected to a projector.
7:15 pm Theoretical String Band
 
Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path
 
Friday
5:30 pm Hayride at Heritage Farm (RSVP required)
7:30 pm Community Drum Circle
 
 
Other Items:
This month Creative Artz theme is Who dared you to grow?
We have put up some of our heroes, family member and friends. Now we ask you to bring a photo of someone who dared you to grow. (framed or not) We would like to put them on the East Wall.
Thank you,  The Creative Artz Team
 
Note, because of the First Friday potluck tonight, I won’t be at Cup of Joe this afternoon.
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