Weekly Update

Weekly Update of the

Unitarian Universalist Society of Black Hawk County

319-266-5640  administrator@uusbhc.org  visit our website at  www.uusbhc.org

Rev. Eva Cameron 319-610-6605 (cell)  minister@uusbhc.org

October 28, 2011

Hello!

We have a busy weekend!

First of all . . . plan on coming this Sunday to our Day of the Dead Festival.  Once a year we join in this gentle way for us to remember all those dear ones who we have left behind. Please bring some pictures or small keepsake items to go on the Offrenda, the altar, up front. The Children's Choir is going to sing with the Adults . . . that promises to be heartwarming. We will have a time for sharing stories of our ancestors, and lots of good singing.

After that . . . there will be a Halloween party. We invite you to bring costumes, children and adults. I'm recommending that you plan of changing into them at the time of the party, so that the children can focus on being serious during the service--rather then being princesses waving their magic wands or Spiderman crawling the walls!  The party will begin right after the service, with treats and games downstairs and the Haunted House upstairs.

And then, don't forget! The Rev. Mark Kiyimba, who is a Unitarian minister from Uganda is coming to visit us this Sunday evening at 7pm. As you may remember from earlier in the year, Uganda has been in the news because they were working to pass legislation to make homosexuality illegal. The Unitarians in Uganda have been, like you might expect, open and accepting.  Rev. Mark will be in Ames on the morning of the 30th, so he has arranged to come here on the evening of the 30th to speak to us. Imagine how fun it will be to learn about life in Uganda, and what churches are like there! As well as get the opportunity to learn about GLBT issues in another country. As well as hear about the school and orphanage they run.

And thank you so much of you who have offered to help with his visit. Its amazing how much lighter a load is when there are many hands to help carry it!

I hope that these sunny days have left you with a sunny heart. I've been basking in the sunshine, remembering the children's story of the little mouse who sits around gathering up sunshine and flowers in his mind for the long winter ahead.

See you in church!

~Eva

This Sunday: Oct 30th

           8:30 am Music Rehearsal

           9:30 am Service: Festival Sunday:  Day of the Dead

Join us for our annual remembrance of those who have gone before us.  While people around the world in various cultures and religious tradition celebrate the lives of those who came before them, and remember them... we too gather together.  Please bring mementos or pictures of your family members who have passed away.  Everyone is invited to light a candle on the altar in remembrance.

Social Action Collection – Family and Children's Council

         10:45 am Fellowship Time

         11:00 am Children's Chapel

         11:15 am Adult Religious Education

         11:15 am UU Halloween Party (see below)

UU Halloween Party!

Everyone is invited to the UU Halloween party on October 30th during RE time (11:15-12:15).

The Youth will have their annual hauted house upstairs and there will be games and treats in the fellowship hall!

Everyone is encouraged to join in - bring your costume!

Questions - ask a children's RE teacher or email Michaela Rich (mrich@cfu.net)

Calendar Updates for this Coming Week

Monday

           6:00 pm Cedar Valley Vegetarian Potluck

Wednesday

              5:00 pm Festival Sunday planning meeting--open to anyone interested

              5:15 pm Children's Choir

              5:45 pm Dinner:  West African

                      West African stew, beans, rice, salad & fruit.

              6:30 pm Workshop

              6:30 pm Adult Choir

              7:30 pm Theoretical String Band

Thursday

           7:30 pm Buddhist Path--open to all

Saturday

           1:00 – 3:00 pm Nature Lover's small group

           4:00 – 10:00 pm Wedding Rental

Pastoral Update

Karen Kitchen had foot surgery this past week, and will have to spend several weeks recuperating. She seems to be in good spirits, and is thankful for the church members who have been bringing Norm and her dinners.

My mother, Joan Reeves, had her surgery this week for both cancers. She is home from the hospital now, and still her spunky self. He address is 98 Bedford Center Rd. Bedford, NH 03110 if you'd like to drop her a note of encouragement.

Let me know of any other pastoral updates to include from week to week. ~Eva

Church Announcements:

Please send any information for the Weekly Updates to administrator@uusbhc.org 

or call 266-5640.

Treats and Talents Auction is coming up!

Just a reminder that this year's Treats and Talents Auction will be held on Saturday, November 19th. Social hour begins at 6:00 pm. Auction is from 7:00 - 9:00 pm. Child care provided. Refreshments served.

We'd like to challenge every person to offer an auction item!  If you're new to the event or stumped on what your could contribute, talk with us. Let your imagination go.

This will be the last year for the Renaissance Faire theme, so start working on your costume (not required but encouraged for the fun event). Contact me for more information.

Sir Michael of Knapp

291-6509

Save the date for the Annual Holiday Potluck & Talent show December 4th after church. Each year the Music Committee brings us a fun afternoon of songs and laughter. Please let Tim know if you have an act you'd like to share.

Community Announcements:

Occupy Movement

The Occupy Cedar Valley, located in Overman Park, is also happy to receive dinner or other meals. Please stop by and say 'hi' to them. Ask why they are protesting, if you don't understand this whole movement. To me, a lot of it is about 'waking up' and learning more about the state of our world.

Dinner is at 6pm, Soap Box is at 7pm each evening.

General Assembly is Sunday 5pm at the Wesley Foundation.

They plan to hold a candlelight vigil and show of solidarity for those who lost their job, or signed mortgages from banks that rooted for them to fail, today at the corner of Main and University.

In case anyone wants to send flowers or a card to Scott Olsen (the Marine injured in Oakland)

USMC Scott Olsen

Highland Hospital

1411 East 31st Street

Oakland, CA 94602

PROGRESSIVE VOICES CONCERTS PRESENTS: PETER MAYER

Saturday, November 5, 2011, 7:30 P.M.

First Unitarian Church of Des Moines, 1800 Bell Avenue

Tickets available in advance for $15 at www.brownpapertickets.com , or $20 at the door.
More information at www.ucdsm.org/concerts.

CEDAR VALLEY INTERFAITH COUNCIL – OPEN HOUSES 

The Cedar Valley Interfaith Council consists of leaders of many of our local places of worship and exists in order to build relationships and promote understanding among the wide variety of faith communities and religious traditions.  The Council is planning a series of events to help us learn about our neighbors whose religious beliefs and practices differ from our own.  The first such event will be a series of Open Houses at various worship sites in the Cedar Valley where host faith communities will offer visitors an overview of their history, beliefs and practices.

The first event will take place on Sunday, November 6, from 2 – 4 p.m. at Sons of Jacob Synagogue (411 East Mitchell Ave.) and St. Edward Catholic Church (1423 Kimball Ave.—corner of Kimball and Mitchell), both in Waterloo.  Members of those congregations will be present to welcome you to their respective houses of worship.  You will have the opportunity to visit both worship sites to learn about them during those two hours.  There is no cost and everyone is invited to attend.

Welcome Baskets for the Neighborhood Hub

Don't forget this special collection of items for the Welcome Baskets during the month of October.

Laundry detergent

Household cleaners

Deodorant

Shampoo

Tooth brushes and tooth paste

Paper towels

Window cleaner

Dish washing detergent.

Bath soap

Toilet paper

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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