Saturday, December 27, 2008

Weekly Update . . .

Weekly Update: Dec 27 2008 . . . . Here we are in this quiet period between Christmas and New Years. I always love it . . . it seems the world slows down a bit, things happen at a different speed (like me getting the Weekly Update out on Saturday instead of Friday!) It’s fun to have more time to connect with others—family we rarely see, and friends we often don’t have as much time to linger with.  I hope that you had a delightful holiday, but know that for some of you, it was also a hard time. I’ve been holding you in my thoughts and prayers in this season. Let’s all do what we can to reach out to those who may be alone or lonely in this time of so much connecting and socializing.
This Sunday
9:30 am New Year’s Chapel
with Esther Kieffer. Some say doing the same thing again expecting different results is foolish. Others say the variables are always changing so doing the same thing again expecting the same results is also foolish. Whether either or both views are correct, stopping to take a look back and a look forward is worth doing.
10:45 am  BrUUnch! Join us for a brunch after the service this Sunday. Bring yourselves and a dish to share. See you there!
This Coming Week
Monday @
6 pm Cedar Prairie Vegetarian Potluck
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
(on Holiday Break)
Thursday Buddhist Path on holiday break
Friday
@
9:30 am YoUUng Child Playgroup
@  6 pm First Friday “Shinto New Year”
Join us for this fun New Year’s Party with a Japanese twist! Bring a dish to share at the potluck—creative people can make Japanese food! Our own Joyce Boss will share some of the traditions from the Japanese religion called “Shinto”   . . .  Fun interactive time for the whole family. Hope you can join us!!

~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


Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Christmas Eve


Christmas Eve Service 5:30 pm
 . . . stories, songs and candlelight . . .
(and childcare for wee ones)
 
Holiday party following (6:30pm)
 
Come if you can. Bring family and friends.
~Eva

--
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






 
 


Sunday, December 21, 2008

YES! We are open

Greetings on this cold morning!

Yes we are open, and the parking lot is clear, and the walks shoveled. If you don’t mind the cold, feel free to come. If you want to snuggle at home, please don’t feel any obligation to come (even if you said you’d do a job.)

Kathy Klink-Zeitz and I have decided to cancel Sunday School classes for children. If there is interest, after our Fellowship time, I can show you the Khasi Hills movie (fun for kids and adults.)

Take good care.
And if I don’t see you before Christmas, may it be a good one.

~Eva

--

"The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings."  ~ Eric Hoffer

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

Friday, December 19, 2008

Weekly Update 12/19/08

Weekly Update—12/19/08 Greetings on this very snowy day!  The snow has broken my routines, such as they are . . . I awoke to a big work-out, which got my heart pumping. And was pleasantly surprised when a friend dropped by to help me shovel! That moved my heart in another way. Weather offers lots of chances reach out to others—from helping break ice last January, helping clean up after the wild tornados of Memorial Day, and sand-bagging and mopping after the floods of June. It is good to get these chances to give, and let’s try and hold this lesson close to our hearts in this season of “giving” . . . . We want to be giving. But we don’t have to run out and buy lots of little things to give in this season. Make someone smile . . . offer them a bit of help. Drop them a note with your top 5 reasons you like or admire them. Clean of a stranger’s car of snow in a parking lot or bring a neighbor a bowl of soup. Yes, it means a shift in our expectations of ourselves . . . but giving is beautiful. And you will find the beauty in the giving.
 
Many blessings to you in this season!
 
Tonight 4:30 to 630
Holiday Open House at my home:  610 Franklin St. CF
Please drop by for a cup of coffee, tea, or a glass of wine. No gifts, unless you want to bring a nibble to share with others.
 
This Sunday:
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am Service “Born and RE-born”
Join Rev. Eva and Worship Associate Deblyn Russelll for a Winter Solstice celebration.
10:45 am Fellowship Time
11 am Children’s Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Classes:
Walking the Talk:
A talk about Iahunlang, our orphan student in the Khasi Hills. Conference call to India with Patrick Malloy & Rev. Eva Cameron
 
This Coming Week
Wednesday
5:30 pm Christmas Eve Service
(Collection for Orphaned Student Ianhunlang)
Join us for this service of traditional carols, stories and candlelight. Bring your friends and family!
6:30 pm Holiday Party Join us after the service for a little wassail. Bring  a snack to share .

Pastoral Update
Bea Tate
has moved from Covenant in Waterloo and is now at On With Life (http://www.on-with-life.org) in Ankeny. On With Life (OWL) is a rehabilitation center that specializes in brain injury recovery. Her new address is: On With Life, Bea Tate, Rm. 46, 715 SW Ankeny Rd., Ankeny, IA 50023 Let’s send some Christmas cards!!  
Ruth Mahon fell and broke her hip.  Cards to: 818 Ellen St. CF 50613
Eleanore Stark is continuing with her chemotherapy, and staying strong. Cards to: 2215 Victory Dr. CF 50613
Dick Shane celebrated his 97th birthday last Wednesday!
Cards to: 3720 Village Place #6111 Waterloo, 50702
 
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, December 12, 2008

Weekly Update 12/12/08

Weekly Update 12/12/08  ~~~Hello!  Hope that you are remembering to breathe in this season that invites us to rush about so much. Even a few minutes of deep breathing will calm you immensely and help so that both you and those around you are more likely to have a “happy” holiday season. I am practicing what I preach! Believe me! Because I preach what I need to practice!  Take of your sweet selves this week. And you will find yourself close to the holiness and happiness of this season . . . .
So many people are stepping up to help out with this Sunday’s Pageant. It’s really fun to see so many people working to create this event for us. And it’s amazing to walk in the Sanctuary and let the stunning beauty of this month’s decorations and poinsettias just catch my breath, filling me with awe. And last Sunday’s Variety Show was the best ever!!! I laughed so hard, and loved the joyful sounds. Plus we raised most all the money towards our goal! Thank you each one of your part in helping with all these things and so many more that make our church community a delight and solace!

Tonight: Holiday Open House @ Eva’s 4:30 to 6:30
610 Franklin St. CF . . . . instead of visiting at Cup of Joe’s, I invite you to come to my house to relax and begin the weekend. I’ll have coffee, tea, wine and a bit of food. No gifts please, you can bring a snack to share if you’d like. I’ll do this again next Friday.
 
Pageant Rehearsal begins at 7pm tonight. It’s not too late for kids to sign up to be an animal! Just show up.

This Sunday
8:30 am Pageant Rehearsal
9:30 am Service UU Christmas Pageant
Join us for pageant that shares the traditional Christmas story, with a UU twist. Fun and thoughts for kids big & small! Songs by the choir, narrator is Gary Kroeger, and a cast of all ages.
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 “Winter Solstice Release Ritual”
Throughout history people have conducted rituals at this time of year as their part in perpetuating the dance of life, to collectively hold the vision of light returning, of beauty being honored, of knowledge being shared, of love touching all. These difficult times can leave people feeling isolated, betrayed, despondent and yet the suffering and challenges we face as a planet also have the capacity to bring us closer to Spirit and each other!
“Welcoming Conversations:
 A Practical Guide in Making Visitors Feel at Home”
Like seeing all the new faces at church on Sunday, but not sure what to say to them? Join the Outreach Committee as they talk about ways to start up welcoming conversations with our visitors that keep them coming back for more. There are lots of kindred spirits out there looking for a liberal religious home, and you can help us reach out to them.
 
7 pm What’s Up Doc?umentaries “Favela Rising
 
This Coming Week
Wednesday
*Calendar Deadline
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays (on Holiday Break)
7:15 pm Theoretical String Band
Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path
Friday
*Newsletter Deadline
9:30 am YoUUng Child Play Group
 
Pastoral Update
Tyler Vincent’s wife Angie
is back home from her surgery to mend her leg after he fall last week. Esther is collecting simple foods for them to prepare to help Tyler while she is laid up.
 
Continue to keep Eleanore Stark in your thoughts and prayers.
 
Let us know if you need our help, or prayers! We are a caring community who wants to help!
 
~Eva
 
 

Friday, December 5, 2008

Weekly Update 12/05/08

Weekly Update 12/5/08     Wow! Is it cold outside!  And it doesn’t seem at all necessary to sing “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas” . . . but our musical folk will be singing and playing all sorts of delightful and amusing stuff this Sunday afternoon. I hope you’ll plan on being there! I may just sing a song or two (details below). . . . Meanwhile, activity is underway for this year’s Christmas Pageant, which is a week away. Our own Gary Kroeger returns to narrate. This is an awesome way to introduce your friends who just aren’t sure what to think about Christmas to the many and varied possibilities that we hold in our midst. So, think of someone you can invite now!
 
Tonight:
First Friday Potluck @6pm
Come and learn about the Muslim Hajj (pilgrimage) from our guests. A time for people of all ages. Kids and grandparents welcomed alike.
Because of this, I won’t be at Cup of Joe this afternoon.
 
This Sunday:
8:30 am Music Rehearsals
9:30 am Service “Hurry Up! Slow Down!”
A time think about what the “holiday season” really means. Are you hurrying up this time of year? Or slowing down?
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:
A short segment of the documentary “Renewal” will be shown.
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.
12:30 – 3 pm Holiday Potluck & Variety Show
We begin with a potluck right after Sunday School. Then come to the sanctuary at 1:00 p.m. for entertainment guaranteed to please—fabulous music performed by talented members and friends, an occasional joke, plus a sing-along. The concert is part of the Music Committee’s fund-raising commitment; your $10 per person suggested donation will help us move toward our Music Director fund-raising goal. Additional amounts are, of course, welcome! Tim Purdum is impresario for the event.
 
7 pm What’s Up Doc?umentaries “To Wong Foo, Thanks forEverything! Julie Newmar” Three New York drag queens embark on a road trip. The film’s title refers to a totemic autographed photo of Julie Newmar that the trio carries with them on their journey.

This Coming Week
Tuesday
7 pm Religious Services Committee
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Family Choir
6:30 pm Workshop “Spiritual Meanings of the Season”
7:15 pm Theoretical String Band—play an instrument, or just play it ‘in theory’? That’s just right for this group where all are welcome to come and have fun making music.
7:30 pm Small Group Ministry
Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path—all invited to share in a time of learning about Buddhism and meditation.
 
Save the Date:
Christmas Eve
service will be at 6:30pm. Its followed by a potluck reception/party. Come and be with us on this special night of new stories and old.
 
Pastoral Update:
Tyler Vincent’s wife Angie
fell and broke her leg this past week. She’ll need surgery on Tuesday. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Esther and the Caring Committee are arranging to bring them some meals, contact her if you’d like to help out. (emkieffer@cfu.net)
 
Eleanore Stark is receiving Chemotherapy currently, and could really use some more cards and calls to help keep her spirits up1  Even if you don’t know her, you could send her a card—she’s fairly new.  2215 Victory Dr. CF 50613, ph: 277-5531
 
Something big happening in your life, need a little extra TLC? Please let us know. We care, and would like to offer help and love.

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