Weekly Update

Weekly Update 10/16/09 . . .  we live in an odd world, where media encourages us to pay fast attention to the oddest things, like the Balloon Boy story yesterday. And at the same time, asks little of our attention for some of the most pressing issues of the day. Many people speculate WHY this is so . . . but for me, its not so important to know why, as to understand that for myself, I need a different lens. And that is one of the reasons I really like coming to church . . . it helps me to keep my mind and heart on what is of lasting importance. Each one of you: your stories, your passions, the way you live your life help me to remember my own values and commitments. The time set aside each week, pulls me from the business of everyday life's demands, and asks me to pay attention. And for this, I am grateful.

Keep living and loving!  ~ Eva
 
This Sunday:
Sunday Service (9:30 to 10:45am)
“Missed Lincoln’s Cabin by Five Miles”
Rev. Eva Cameron with Staci Chananie-Hill (Worship Associate)

Fellowship (10:45 to 11:15am)
Children's Chapel (11:00 to 11:15am)
Sunday School (11:15 to 12:15pm)
          11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth
           11:15 am Adult Classes
Sixty for Six: UU Perspectives on Current Events by Bill Harwood. We’ll discuss the “hot” topics of the day and consider how we, as Unitarian Universalists are called to respond. (under the balcony)
Buddhist Path: Join Rev. Eva and others in exploring Buddhist spiritual practices.
Walkin’ the Talk: Seeds of Hope Executive Director Beth Jackley, will share details about the breadth and scope of their various programs and services.
Garden Meditation: Join Julie Fischer and others in the garden.


1:00 pm Sound Board Training Meeting for Worship Associates and interested parties.

This Coming Week
Tuesday
7:00 pm Board Meeting

Wednesday
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:00 pm Children’s Choir
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Adult Choir
6:30 pm Self Realization Workshop (high school room)
             Artistic Fun Workshop
7:30 pm Theoretical String Band

Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path (balcony)

Friday
7:30 pm Community Drum Circle

Saturday
6:30 am- 2:00 pm Buddhist Path Retreat

Other Items
I am wondering if someone is interested in hosting a Community Thanksgiving dinner in our building this year. I am generally out of town, but it occurs to me that we have many people who are single, or empty-nesters . . . who might really enjoy a big potluck type dinner with companions from our church community. Let me know if you'd like to host such an event!
 
Pastoral Update
We have lots of people sick with flu or colds . . . including me, Esther Kieffer, Carolyn Hildebrandt . . .  and that's just the ones I've heard of. Send everyone some extra love. AND, DON'T FORGET TO WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN!

Don Wendt is now living in Friendship Village's Assisted Living, in the "Lakeview" complex since his Alzheimer's has progressed to the point where Dothory could no longer care for him by herself. This is a hard time for both of them as they adjust to living apart. Please kept them in your thoughts and prayers.

Please let me know if you or someone you love should be included in our thoughts and prayers!

--
Rev. Eva S. Cameron
UU Society of Black Hawk Co.
Cedar Falls, IA
USA
319-610-6605 mobile
319-266-5640 church
www.uusbhc.org

Weekly Update

Weekly Update . . . Greetings on this cool and rainy Friday!  I am preparing to head off to Minnesota for a few days. I’ll be preaching in the Mankato UU Church this Sunday, where I will be sharing with them about the Unitarians in the Khasi Hills of India. Then I’ll continue West to a small farm and retreat center that is the gathering spot for UU Ministers from the Prairie Star District. We will be in a conference. Our program presenter will be Dr. Mark
A. Hicks, the new Angus MacLean Professor of Religious Education at Meadville/Lombard Theological School. He has written the new:  Building the World We Dream About: A Welcoming Congregation Curriculum on Race and Ethnicity <http://www.uua.org/aboutus/professionalstaff/identity-basedministries/110030.shtml> , a national curriculum for the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations that weaves anti-racist and anti-oppressive thinking and practice into the spiritual life of Unitarian Universalist congregations. It should be quite a treat to get some time to hear more of his thoughts. I return on Wednesday evening.
Wishing you warm thoughts on this cool day!
Keep on living and loving!
~Eva

This Sunday:
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am Service “Gandhi Jayanti”
Join Bill Chene & Lisa Kratz (Worship Associate) as they bring you this exploration of Gandhi’s message, and what is says to us today, as we Stand on the Side of Love.
10:45 am Fellowship Time
11:00 am Children’s Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Classes
Sixty for Six: UU Perspectives on Current Events by Bill Harwood. We’ll discuss the “hot” topics of the day and consider how we, as Unitarian Universalists are called to respond. (under the balcony)
Conscious Living: Norman Borlaug was called the “Father of the Green Revolution”, awarded a Nobel Peace Prize and credited with saving millions of lives with his high-yield wheat development. However, current versions of genetically-modified seeds, controlled by a few large corporations have raised concerns from environmentalists as well as some indigenous farmers around the world. Come explore and discuss these issues.
New Member Orientation: People interested in becoming new members are invited to meet with Mica Lorenz. (Eva’s office)
Garden Meditation: Join Julie Fischer and others in the garden.
7:00 pm “A Gathering of Women” small group

 
This Coming Week
(Eva is at the UU Minister’s Fall Conference through Wednesday)
Tuesday
7:00 pm Committee on Ministry
 
Wednesday
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:00 pm Children’s Choir
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Adult Choir
6:30 pm Self Realization Workshop (high school room)
Artistic Fun Workshop
7:30 pm Small Group Facilitator’s meeting
7:30 pm Theoretical String Band
 
Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path (balcony)
 
Pastoral Update:
Our caring thoughts are with these members and friends of this congregation who are dealing with health issues:
Shirley Robinson, Don Wendt, Glenyce Butschy, Mildred
Pierce and Laura Walter. (Please let me know 266-1172
Esther) if you know of others.
We extend our condolences to the family of Joe Alemao, who died last Wednesday morning. Although he wasn’t a UU, he was dear to many, and so we wanted you to know. Funeral plans are still tentative; please watch the Courier or Caring Bridge for more information.
--
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

Weekly Update

Weekly Update . . . .  Greetings from Madison Wisconsin, where I am meeting with UU’s who have gathered to share and explore ideas about Campus Ministry. It has been a delightful time to meet new young faces who are eager to see a program on their campus. I have met parents who’s children are soon to enter college, who are wondering how to connect their kids to a local group of UU’s, and the new UU Staff who are helping us think about all of these things.
 
But I would like each and every one of us to think what we can do to reach out to the students in our and young adults. This a part of Standing on the Side of Love . . . our students are at a time in their life they need a lot of love.  Many critical life decisions are made at this time of life . . . and having a loving presence in your life, can be very useful. Maybe you could invite a student over for meals once a week. Maybe you can organize your small group to make up exam survival kits to give to our students. Maybe you can come up with other great ideas to connect, to spread love. Let me know your thoughts!
 
And if you are a student, let me just give you a warm welcome back. If you aren’t on the Facebook group Young Adults of UUSBHC, please join. I want to get us together soon!
Keep on Living and Loving,
See you in church!
~Eva
 
This Sunday:
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am Service “Yom Kippur: Returning to Oneness”
Rev. Eva Cameron and Lara Martinsen-Burrell (as Worship Associate) offer this service that recognizes the power of both asking and offering forgiveness.
10:45 am Fellowship Time
11:00 am Children’s Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Classes
Sixty for Six: This is a new offering this year which consists of sixty minute classes that last for six weeks in a row. The first class is UU perspectives on Current Events. (under the balcony)
UUSBHC History: Join our Archivist, Kay Rewerts, as she shares with us the interesting history of the Unitarian and Universalist congregations that merged in 1961 here in Black Hawk County to form this congregation. She will also bring us up to date on significant events in our more recent past.
Garden Meditation: Join Julie Fischer and others in the garden.
12:15 pm Outreach Committee Meeting
2:00 pm Last Sunday Small Group
6:30 pm T.R.I.B.E. (Team, rhythm, instruments, & body ensemble)
 
This Coming Week:
Monday
6 pm Cedar Prairie Vegetarian Potluck
 
Wednesday
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:00 pm Children’s Choir
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Adult Choir
6:30 pm Self Realization Workshop (high school room)
7:30 pm Theoretical String Band
 
Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path (balcony)
 
Friday
6:00 pm First Friday Potluck “Eid al Fitr” - an Islamic celebration following Ramadan. It is the festival of fast-breaking and is the biggest Muslim festival. Join us to learn about the holidays of our friends and neighbors.
 
Saturday
6:30 pm Card Club
 
Pastoral Update
Although they are not members of the church, Luann and Joe Alemao, are friends to some in our church.  Diana Harwood spoke with Luann this morning and Luann wanted to make sure that people at our church knew what was going on with Joe.  On this past Sunday, Joe was not acting normally and was taken to the hospital.  He was airlifted from Sartori to Iowa City with hemorrhaging on his brain.  He has been on life support until yesterday around 2:00 pm or so.  When Luann called this morning he was still breathing on his own.  They are trying to make some decisions today about whether to move him closer to home to a hospice.
You can keep updated at the following website by typing in that you want to "visit"  joealemao  www.caringbridge.org <http://www.caringbridge.org>  You can contact Diane or Kathy Klink-Zeitz if you need more information.
 

Weekly Update

Weekly Update . . . Greetings on this glorious September afternoon! We are having the most delightful weather. Sometimes our lives give us ‘sunny weather’ and sometimes they aren’t nearly so joyous. I have spoken to several of you recently who are facing personal pain and struggles. The best part about coming to church, for me, is that in times like that I remember that I am not alone. I am reminded that after dark times, sunshine does come . . . as I look around me at people who have weathered their own stormy and dark times to come out the other side. Both the Jewish Scriptures and the New Testament shows us, that by studying people’s stories, and how they cope, we can become closer to a sense of the holy.  We can learn goodness of human spirit. We UU’s believe that revelation is not sealed. That God or goodness is still speaking. And one of the blessings of coming to church, is you can look about you, and be inspired, be made whole. Week after week, I feel this grace as I am in your presence. I hope that you can feel it too!
Tonight marks the first night of the New Year in the Jewish calendar . . . so let me wish all of you who are celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the happiest of new years!
See you in church! Keep on living and loving!
Eva

This Sunday
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am Service “Fall Equinox” We will celebrate autumn and the lessons it offers us on our spiritual Journey with
song, drama, poetry and joy! Our Children’s Choir will sing for us.  During our service for all ages, children join their parents in the Sanctuary (although the nursery is still open for the youngest children). Led by Rev. Eva Cameron, the Service for All AgesTeam, & Deblyn Russell as Worship Associate.
10:45 am Fellowship Time
11 00 am Children’s Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Classes
Sixty for Six: This is a new offering this year which consists of sixty minute classes that last for six weeks in a row. The first class is UU perspectives on Current Events. (under the balcony)
Buddhist Path: Join Rev. Eva and others in exploring Buddhist spiritual practices. (balcony)
Walkin’ The Talk: Ruth Walker will speak to us on September’s Social Action focus – the Sabeel Conference. (fellowship hall)
Conscious Living: “Art as Environmental Activism” will be Margaret Whiting’s topic. (sanctuary)
Garden Meditation: Join Julie Fischer and others in the garden.

This Coming Week
Wednesday
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:00 pm Children’s Choir
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Adult Choir
6:30 pm Self Realization Workshop (high school room)
7:30 pm Theoretical String Band
 
Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path (balcony)
 
Friday
UU Camp Out – Contact Betsy Brant for more details: <bbrant@cfu.net>
6:30 pm Creative Expressive Healing Workshop for Women
 
Saturday
11:00 am – 5:00 pm Rental
 
Announcements
Parking . . . there are some things about growing bigger that are a lot of fun. Parking is seldom one of them! Please, if you can, park close together in our lot. If you can plan to arrive even a few minutes early,  park at AEA : enter the drive for the mobile home park just north of our lot, and turn left into the AEA back lot. There is a LOT of nice space up there. Be friendly to visitors and come just a couple minutes early and park up in the AEA, so the lot near the building will be open to visitors and late-comers.
 
As we return to our fall schedules, this is just a reminder . . . your pledge checks arriving regularly mean we can pay our bills and pay checks regularly. It’s a big help. Let’s all get back to our routines! Thanks!



 
 

Weekly Update

Hello! . . . Our Sunday School program for children is the backbone of our existence. It’s so vitally important that our children hear a counter-balance to all the hatred and vindictiveness that is bandied about in the name of religion. Part of Standing on the Side of Love is actually teaching our children about love, helping strengthen their understandings of compassion and living within their values. Each person we send off into the world ready to fight for compassion and justice, with love as their guide—is an amazing step forward for our planet.
 
I’ve signed up to help teach the Youth this year. What can you do to help? I don’t care if you did it years ago, and think your “done your turn.” I don’t care if you aren’t really fond of kids and would rather not spend too much time in the same room with them. No, there are always ways to strengthen our program. There are always ways that each of us can help out, somehow. I challenge each of you to figure out at least one thing you can do to help. Ask one of our Religious Education leaders, or our DRE Kathy, if you need to brainstorm with someone until you figure out what you can do that fits you. We do need to staff our classrooms. I understand that at this time, we need:
1) Middle School teacher and Helper
2) Intermediate class teacher
3) Primary class teacher
 
All of the teachers are provided with curriculum to follow, and will have a team of 3 people to work with for the year (so you don’t have to teach every week).
 
Put on your thinking caps, your loving hearts, and your helping hands . . . and meet my challenge. It’s sure you make you smile.
 
See you in church! (but not this Sunday. I’ll be in Chicago visiting my father.)
~Eva
 
This Sunday . . .
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am Labor Day Chapel Service with Al Hays
10:30 am Work Party—wear your work clothes, bring dust rags, cleaning supplies, and a hearty smile to make our home sparkle inside and out.
12:00 pm Potluck Picnic—Bring a dish to pass. John Miller will fire up the grill, so you can bring some meat to grill as well . . . rumor has it the hot dog fairy will be cooking up a mess of those treats our kids love.
 
 
This Coming Week . . .
Tuesday
7:15 pm Religious Services Council
 
Wednesday
9:30 am Fall Equinox planning meeting (@Eva’s house)
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:00 Pm Children’s Choir
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Adult Choir
6:30 pm Self Realization Workshop (high school room)
7:30 pm Integral Life Practice small group
7:30 pm Theoretical String Band
 
Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path (balcony)

Next Sunday: September 13th . . .
it’s the fall kick-off!!
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am “Standing on the Side of Love”
Join Rev. Eva Cameron and Lara Martinsen-Burrell (as Worship Associate) as we explore our spiritual Theme for the coming year. This incredibly simple tool will help you live your life with strength and conviction. Together, UU’s all over the country are working toward Standing Together on the Side of Love.
10:45 am Involvement Fair (see below)
11:00 am Children’s Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth (FIRST DAY OF CLASSES!)


The Involvement Fair is Sept 13th after the Service in the Fellowship Hall. All the UU committees and groups will be displaying information and offering treats for your enjoyment. Come learn about all the things we are involved with! It’s a great day to bring a friend! For committee chairs, team captains: The tables will be arranged Friday night and you can set up for the fair Friday night or anytime Saturday.
 
 

--
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

 

Weekly Update

Weekly Update 8/28/09  Greetings! I hope you are looking forward to our guest speaker’s visit as much as I am. This year, as we are working towards Marriage Equality as a religious community, it will be important that we learn to talk with people who call themselves “Christian with both strength of our own sense of right, as well as deep respect. Our faith was born out of two powerful and visionary voices of what it means to be Christian. And although not all of us call ourselves Christian anymore, and some even would argue that UU’s are not Christian. Our faith history set us on a certain trajectory, and that is how we are here, where we are today. It provided a framework of the Holy as “Radical Love” that abides. Come and enter this conversation!
Keep on living and loving!
~Eva
 
This Sunday: August 30th
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am “Universalism: Past, Present and Powerful”
Guest Preacher: Rev. Kalen Fristad; Rev. Eva Cameron, Worship Associate. Rev. Fristad is an ordained United Methodist Minister. After serving churches in Iowa for twenty-seven years, he embarked upon an independent ministry. He conducted this ministry full time from 2003-2006. It consisted of traveling around the country with his wife, Darlene, accepting invitations to speak to churches and other groups, countering the teaching that many people will suffer for eternity in hell and instead, proclaiming the hopeful message of universalism. He went back to the parish ministry in July 2006.
As of January 2008, while continuing to serve churches in Iowa part-time, he has resumed his traveling ministry, spending half-time on the road speaking on the subject of universalism.
Rev. Fristad has written a book, Destined for Salvation: God’s Promise to Save Everyone, and a Study Book with the same title. His books, CDs and DVDs will be available for purchase after the service.

Following the service, we invite you to join us for coffee and refreshments in the Fellowship Hall.
 
Check out the rummage sale leftovers before you leave!
 
This Coming Week
Monday
6:00 pm Cedar Valley Vegetarian Potluck
 
Tuesday
7:00 pm Committee on Ministry
 
Wednesday
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:00 Pm Children’s Choir
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Adult Choir
6:30 pm Self Realization Workshop (high school room)
7:30 pm Small Group Facilitators meeting
7:30 pm Theoretical String Band
 
Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path (balcony)
 
Next Sunday: September 6th
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am Labor Day Chapel Service with Al Hays
10:30 am Work Party
Bring your work gloves, dust rags, rakes, mops, polish, cleaner, window cleaner, and work clothes for an indoor/outdoor all-church clean up. It’s great fun for kids and adults alike.
12:00 pm Potluck Picnic
Bring a dish and beverage to share as we celebrate the end of summer with a party. Also bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets, games and guitars. The grill and hotdogs will be provided but bring your own meat if you wish. Let’s have some fun!
 
Upcoming!
Please remember to attend the Involvement Fair on Sunday
Sept 13th after the Service in the fellowship Hall. All the UU committees and groups will be displaying information and offering treats for your enjoyment.
 
Pastoral Update:
 
Lara Martinsen-Burrell’s father died yesterday. She will be traveling to Colorado for the next week (along with Neil and Rose) for the funeral, which is on Wednesday . Please hold them close to your hearts, as they go through this life passage.
 
Laura Walter is mending quickly, and feels much better this week. Keep up the good work Laura!


--
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

Weekly Update

Hello!  I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of you this weekend at the Retreat! I’m planning on coming and bringing my tent to sleep out on Saturday night . . . weather permitting. It should be fun! The schedule is just below. Then the next day we will have a pancake breakfast and a short chapel service outside, just like we were at church camp. Come on over, even if you didn’t stay the night! Afterwards the adults and teens will gather inside to share about their hopes and dreams for the coming year .  . . and I will talk a bit about our theme for the new year!
 
Before all of that, there will be a Memorial Service for Vivian Shane at 10:30 on Saturday morning. Any and all are invited to come share a story about Vivian with her family.
 
Our theme this year, Standing on the Side of Love, is a national UU campaign. There is a website full of stories about UU’s in action. Please read this amazing story of love: <http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/flowers-for-representative-scott/>
And while you are at the site, notice you can sign up for updates, or join a Facebook group to keep you inspired all year long!
Keep living and loving!
Eva
 
Camp UU RETREAT
SATURDAY SCHEDULE
4:00 p.m. – Intergenerational Activities, Games and FUN!!!
5:30 p.m. – Potluck Dinner: “Camp UUers” are asked to bring a dish to share, what they want to grill, their own beverages, table service and lawn chairs. Grills will be provided.
6:30 p.m. – Intergenerational Activities, Games and more FUN!!!!
7:30 p.m. – S’mores Time
8:00 p.m. – Campfire Songs
9:00 p.m. – Snores Time
SUNDAY SCHEDULE
8:00 a.m. – Pancake Breakfast: Bring your appetite and funny hat
9:30 a.m. – Chapel with the Reverend Eva Cameron
10:00 a.m. – Whole group visioning and an introduction to the spiritual theme for the new church year.
12:00 p.m. – Catered Lunch
12:30 p.m. – Committee Break-out: time to join committees, set committee goals and timelines for the coming year.
2:00 p.m. –Leadership Council: the  Board will host this meeting with all church officers and chairs of standing committees, advisory committees, and ad hoc committees.
3:30 p.m. Board will meet briefly to approve the July Minutes and Financial Report.
 
Upcoming Events:

As usual . . . Our WOW Dinner and activities will be on Wednesday night. Watch for the RSVP and schedule of events.
 
Thursday @ 7:30 Buddhist Path all are welcome to join
 
Friday is newsletter deadline. Please make your submissions to Gerry Chamberlin sgchamberlin@cfu.net
 
Pastoral Update:
Laura Walter is receiving her last week of chemo and radiation this week up at Mayo. She’ll be home and recovering for the next couple weeks. Send her lots of energy and love to help her replenish her strength. (From someone who’s been sick, I must say how much I enjoyed receiving your cards with little notes of encouragement!)
 
Please keep Esther or me “in the know” so that our whole congregation can support you when you are in need.
 
--
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