Friday, September 16, 2011

Weekly Update


Hello!   How exciting to see so many of you back on Sunday. Our year feels like its in full swing! Things that warmed my heart last Sunday: getting so many hugs from young children during the service, the whole front row being dominated by the younger UU Youth, smelling pancakes cooking as I first walked in, hearing so many voices singing together, hearing stories of triumph over cancer, seeing Mickey's new hedgehog, hearing the all the kids trompling down the hallway on their way to their first Sunday School class of the year, seeing a few people in tears surrounded by loving companions to comfort them, and you! I love spending time with each one of you . . . your rich stories, your persistence and growth are such an inspiration to me.

If you didn't make it last week, be sure to make it this week . . . and in the weeks to come. We miss your own special light when you aren't here. The good, the bad, the ugly and the beautiful reside within us all . . . but each in our own unique ways. Who you are matters. You are a gift.

See you in church!
~Eva




This Sunday (9/18/11)
          8:30 am Music Rehearsal
   9:30 am Service Festival Sunday: Autumn Equinox
Join us to reconnect with the lessons that Mother Nature offers us in this fall season. It's sure to be fun! We've got a skit planned. Bring your kids, grand-kids, and some friends too! The Children's Choir is singing.
10:45 am Fellowship Time
The YoUUth will be having a bake sale during coffee hour this Sunday to raise money towards a trip to Minneapolis to partner with a Unitarian church up there this spring.
11:00 am Children's Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth

Calendar Updates for this Coming Week
Monday
   2:30 – 9:00 pm pictures taken for Photo Directory
Tuesday
   2:30 – 9:00 pm pictures taken for Photo Directory
   7:30 pm Board Meeting
Wednesday
    11:00 am Friendship Village UU Ministry
      5:00 pm Festival Sunday planning meeting
      5:15 pm Children's Choir
      5:45 pm Dinner
      6:30 pm Adult Choir
      7:30 pm Theoretical String Band
Thursday
   7:30 pm Buddhist Path
Friday
Nature Lover's Camp-out through Sunday
The camp-out will be at Cedar Bend Park in Waverly.  Interested families or individuals can contact Jo Foster at jf.prairie@gmail.com  for more information.

Church Announcements:
Wanted for the Office:  I could use a cordless phone.
Thanks, Janet


Please send any information for the Weekly Updates to administrator@uusbhc.org or call 266-5640.

Picture Time!!  Time's getting short for signing up for the photo directory. Remember you get a free 8x10 and there are coupons available for discounts on your photo order. $10 off for everybody and another $5 off if you bring food for the food bank with you. The signup will be available until Sunday, but the times are filling up. Go to http://www.uusbhc.org and click on the link to sign up. Or contact Jan Gallagher (833-0260 or hinners@mchsi.com) She's also looking for hosts/hostesses to help register folks as when they come in for the photo shoot. We'll be working from 2:30pm until 8:30 pm both Monday and Tuesday.

September newsletter:
Now available:
  • for downloading from the UUSBHC website


  • paper copies are available in the fellowship hall at church on Sunday.



Learn about Immigration Policy:
Dear Fellow UUs,

As many of you know, our denomination has been heavily involved in the humanitarian dimensions of immigration policy for some time, and the General Assembly in Phoenix in 2012 will provide opportunities to witness for humane immigration policy in the face of the highly punitive law enacted in Arizona.   The Social Action Committee will be providing opportunities for the congregation to become more educated on this issue throughout the year, but this notice of a webinar was an immediate opportunity that came to my attention through the Standing on the Side of Love campaign.   

Some of you may want to take advantage of this opportunity.

Al Hays

Trying to wrap your head around immigration policy? If so, you're not alone.

In the past few weeks, there have been new announcements by the Obama Administration of changes in policy around deportation. But what do these changes really mean on the ground? Some states are opting out of the Secure Communities program and passing their own versions of the DREAM Act, while others are in litigation with civil rights organizations and the federal government over their copycat SB 1070 laws. With the lawsuits, the referendums, the protests, and the announcements streaming past us at light speed, the landscape of immigration policy and reform is complex and ever changing.

We'd like to simplify things for you.

Join us for a special Webinar on Immigration on Monday, September 26th at 4PM EDT.

Sign up to attend now:
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1272/p/salsa/web/common/public/signup?signup_page_KEY=6241

On the call we will be joined by representatives from the Arizona-based humanitarian group No More Deaths, who are releasing a comprehensive report outlining problems with the treatment of migrants in custody of the U.S. Border Patrol; the New Sanctuary Movement; plus leaders within UU State Advocacy Networks. This 45-minute call will give you informed insight from insiders who know the issues, as well as an opportunity to ask questions of panel participants. On this call we will cover:

 * Immigration Policy Update (New Sanctuary Movement)
 * Best Practices for Engaging Congregations (UU State Advocacy Networks)
 * Actions We Can Take to Curb Human Rights Abuses of Migrants (No More Deaths)
 * Q & A

With the election season underway, and immigration reform once again getting national headlines, there is much that you can be doing at your congregation and in your community to promote fair treatment for immigrants in this country.

Sign up now, and join us on Monday, September 26th at 4PM EDT

Help Wanted: (keep checking, this changes!)
It takes each and everyone of us working together to create this community. Please say yes! If you aren't sure, please contact Eva or the person listed for more information.

Senior Pals . . . we have several members of our congregation who are not able to get out and about much any longer, and are rather lonely. Would you be willing to visit one of them and be a friend? Ask questions about their kids. Read a book together. Watch a movie. Look at old pictures? Bring them some cookies? I'd love to connect you with someone who could use a bit of connection in their lives. (Eva)

Marketing Team . . . in the past we have had a team to write press releases for our events, and think of other ways to get messages of our presence and events into the community. Sue Munnik has said she'd captain this team. Will you join her? (Eva or Mica Lorenz)

Adult Programs . . . join Lynn Brant and Heather Flory on a team of people to schedule events for the adults of the church this year. This includes working with the people already teaching classes and adding fun new things to our line-up. OR, if you want to offer something, let this team know.

Festival Sunday team members . . .  creative people to join the team that writes our dramas and plans other interactive worship experiences once a month. We will meet Wednesdays during Children's Choir rehearsal (5 to 5:45pm). Contact Lara M-B with questions.

Worship Associates . . . help with set-up and running the Sunday services. There is training. Must attend the monthly Religious Services Council meeting (2nd Tuesdays at 7:15pm) Speak with Eva if you have questions.


Children's Sunday School helpers . . . be a warm and supportive presence in one of our classrooms. No teaching or advanced prep required. (Michaela Rich)

Hospitality Teams  . . .  join one of the teams that provide coffee, snacks, ushers and other helpful and cheerful Sunday morning tasks! See Mica Lorenz for details.

Sound Team members  . . . work on the team that runs the sound system on Sunday mornings. Talk with Staci Chananie-Hill.

WOW Dinner Helpers . . . Set-up, cooking and clean-up help each Wednesday evening. Heather Flory is the captain of this group, and dinners are a lot of fun!

Cleaning . . . like every space, cleaning is necessary. We don't have a custodian, so if you are willing to help, or assemble a team to help clean a certain space, let us know. Roger Hahn or John Miller


Contact  Rev. Eva or John Miller if you are willing to take on any of these tasks. If you are leading a team or committee that needs more help, let us know so that we can add to this list!  If you don't know someone's contact info--just reply to this email. Thanks!!


Community Announcements:

NE Iowa Food Bank Groundbreaking Saturday Sept 17 from 11am to 1pm . . .


Progressive Voices Concerts at Des Moines UU:
An exciting and entertaining second season of Progressive Voices Concerts is arriving soon! The Progressive Voices Concert Series is hosted by First Unitarian Church of Des Moines. Our goal is to bring nationally and internationally-known performers to Central Iowa who can connect with a wide audience by presenting music that promotes compassion for and celebration of the universal human condition in all its forms and variations. SEASON OPENING CONCERT: ANN REED, SEPT. 24, 2011, 7:30 P.M. http://ucdsm.org/concerts


Rev Eva Cameron
minister
Unitarian Universalist Society of Black Hawk Co.
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
319-610-6605
www.uusbhc.org
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