Weekly Update

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> .
 

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

m: 319.610.6605