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 14, 2011

I got sad news today from Tulsa . . . . We have had dear friends down in Tulsa who let us stay with them every time we go back for a visit. You see, they were friends who bought our house when we left, and told us to come back and stay anytime. They were like that--George and Frieda, a couple who brought a lot of light and laughter to this single mother with 2 kids, 2 cats, and 2 dogs when we lived in Tulsa. A delightful blend of intelligence, warmth and laughter, George always made us feel welcome. The kids and I always pictured we'd be visiting of Tulsa, seeing George and Freida to the end of our days. But George's life ended suddenly last night. No suffering. No long waiting, watching yourself decay. This part is good. But as I said, I just sort of pictured George and Frieda would always be in my life--like that, a delightful couple. I spoke with Frieda this afternoon. She is stunned. She has a life beyond George--she is an amazing belly dancer--but it is had for any of us to picture it right this moment.

Some of you have experienced death of a loved one. And others, like me, have experienced divorce, which felt to me, like a death. The death of a future together.

For each of us, let us use this as a reminder . . . life is precious and fragile. Give your loved ones a hug, or call, or a text! Let them know they are special to you. I have had nice long conversations with Peter and Irene this evening. (And I look forward to when Chuck gets off from work tonight, so I can call him too.)

I have many memories of George . . . but I will remember a little over a year when I went down to Tulsa to say "good-bye" to Irene and Justin as they headed off on their world adventure. After leaving them at the airport, I was feeling like a sad mother--George told me a joke to make me smile, and gave me a hug. He could have been in a rush, and not bothered to notice my feelings. But that wasn't like George. I hope I learned a bit from him, and can carry his love and laughter into this world for a while longer.

Listening to Dougie MacLean to soothe my Scottish soul, which has a touch of the melancholy in it about now.
See you in church, (where I would love to look you straight in the eye and tell you are a precious being!)
~Eva

This Sunday Oct 16th

  
9:30 am Service: Reconnection part 4: Stopping to Pray
     Rev. Eva Cameron, Judy Harrington – Worship Associate
Consider that Muslims stop what they are doing five times a day to pray, and reconnect themselves with their values.  What do you do to reconnect yourself with your values?  Some people have given up prayer but there are many ways to pray, and even humanist forms of prayer.  Join us as we explore some ideas about prayer, and other ideas for reconnection.

10:45 am Fellowship Time
11:00 am Children's Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Religious Education

Calendar Updates for this Coming Week

Tuesday

   7:30 pm Board Meeting

Wednesday    *Calendar Deadline

    11:00 am Friendship Village UU ministry
      5:00 pm Festival Sunday planning meeting
      5:15 pm Children's Choir
      5:45 pm Dinner:  Jamaican
              Jerk Chicken, beans, rice, salad & fruit.
      6:30 pm Adult Choir
      7:30 pm Theoretical String Band

Thursday

   7:30 pm Buddhist Path

Friday     *Newsletter Deadline

Reminder: There will be a Congregational Meeting

after the service on October 23rd at 11:15 am.

Pastoral Update
Esther reported in church that Glenyce Butschy fell and hurt herself. I'm sure she'd appreciate some support.
Donna Kroeger is back from visiting after her sister died rather suddenly. Notes and cards can be sent to: 117 Iris, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Marilyn Desmond has an upcoming moving to a new home. John Miller is soliciting for volunteers and trucks to help move her things.

Let's continue to keep Jim Paprocki  in our thoughts and prayers too, as he and his family face healthy problems.


Church Announcements:
Please send your November Calendar information to the church office by Wednesday Oct 19th administrator@uusbhc.org  and
also please send your November Newsletter information to Gerry by Friday October 21st newsletter@uusbhc.org   Thanks for sending in your information in a prompt manner.

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

October newsletter is available:

• for downloading from the UUSBHC website
  http://www.uusbhc.org/newsletters/1110newsletter.pdf

• Paper copies are available in the fellowship hall at church on Sunday.
• Also let the office know if you would prefer to receive the newsletter by email administrator@uusbhc.org

Community Announcements:

Interested in the Occupy Movement, but not ready to take to the streets
(or feeling fit enough)?
Try Occupy Their Mailboxes <http://www.occupytheirmailboxes.org/index.html>
a letter writing campaign. Each week there will be another theme to write politicians about to improve the welfare of general population.


You are invited to this event:
Renewable Energy Future in the Cedar Valley
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Presentation: 6:30 - 7:45  Hors d'oeuvres: 7:45
at CEEE; UNI; South of University at Jennings and Campus; Free parking in lot across the street

Topics:
Coal and Your Health by Maureen McCue, president of Iowa's Physicians for Social Responsibility
Local Energy Transition by Nicolle Shalla and Jessica Brackett from Plains Justice,
  the group that was instrumental in helping the Cedar Valley avert the coal plant in Waterloo.
Building the Political Will to Transition to Renewable Energy in the Cedar Valley with Jessica    Bracket, Plains Justice.

Questions: 515-333-1166



Welcome Baskets for the Neighborhood Hub
Don't forget ths 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
Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.

Weekly Update

October 7, 2011 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

Its been a marvelous fall week, with many reasons to celebrate life. I had a good meeting with colleagues at the beginning of the week, at our Annual Fall meeting. Its such a joy to be around people who share your passions and who you've been in conversations with for years. Part of what makes any community rich and strong is our willingness to love. And use our love to ask for forgiveness, to forgive others, and to move on together. Join us this Sunday as we reconnect through acts of love.

In my heart all week has been the mounting interest in the Occupy Wall St. movement, which has moved out to include almost 900 locations across the globe. I would be interesting in talking with you after the service about your reactions to this movement, and your thoughts on the place of the Occupy movement within our faith community.

See you in church! (and don't forget your Welcome Basket item!)
~Eva

This Sunday Oct 9th

8:30 am Music Rehearsal
   9:30 am Service: Reconnection part 3: Acts of Love - Yom Kippur
One of the most important ways to reconnect with each other is to love.  The Jewish faith teaches us that each year, in order to go forward in love, we must pause and forgive ourselves and each other.  Join us in this moving service of reconnection.
10:45 am Fellowship Time
11:00 am Children's Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Religious Education
   2:00 – 4:00 pm UU Polka Dance

UU Polka Dance is open to all dancers this Sunday, 10/9, from 2-4 pm at the UUSBHC.
Free admission, although donations to the church will be accepted.
Dance lessons provided by Jo Foster and Heather Flory.

Calendar Updates for this Coming Week

Tuesday

   7:00 pm Religious Services Council meeting

Wednesday

      5:00 pm Festival Sunday planning meeting
      5:15 pm Children's Choir
      5:45 pm Dinner:  India in Iowa
         Chicken curry, potatoes & peas, daal, rice, salad & fruit.
      6:30 pm Adult Choir
      7:30 pm Theoretical String Band

Thursday

   7:30 pm Buddhist Path

Reminder: There will be a Congregational Meeting

after the service on October 23rd at 11:15 am.

Pastoral Update
Jim Paprocki would like you to know that his family is going through a very difficult time. His wife Martha is continuing to wrestle with the emotional difficulties that come with having recently battled breast cancer. Jim continues to have health issues, and their younger son is perhaps needing to move to another institutional setting (again). Please reach out to Jim and his wife at this time. They could use a lot of love from us . . . and hold them in your thoughts and prayers. They can be reached at
319-296-3737 or jpaprocki@mchsi.com

And, if you didn't see this earlier in the week:
As some of you may have heard on Sunday, our member Frank Olson's father died last weekend. I just spoke with his wife Mary and she said that he is having a tough time right now, particular with the family dynamics.

I encourage you to reach out to Frank and Mary, even if you don't know them well. They live in West Union, and so can't always make it to church. But we are very meaningful to them, and so let's send them some love and encouragement over the next few days and weeks.

Frank's email is folson@fbfs.com
His cell phone is: 563-380-0704.
Mary's email is olsonmary52@yahoo.com
She points out this is new, and that the one in the directory was wrong to begin with. So please update your address book . . .
AND reach out to Frank and Mary.

Nate Callahan reports on Facebook that he's got the flu . . . so send him some healthy, healing thoughts. And perhaps check in to see if he needs a pot of chicken soup, or some such.


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

October newsletter is available:

• for downloading from the UUSBHC website http://www.uusbhc.org/newsletters/1110newsletter.pdf

• Paper copies are available in the fellowship hall at church on Sunday.
• Also let the office know if you would prefer to receive the newsletter by email administrator@uusbhc.org

Community Announcements:

Welcome Baskets for the Neighborhood Hub
In 2003, an important initiative was created in Black Hawk County - the Community Partnership for Protecting Children.  This group brings together citizens and professionals who are concerned about the well-being of children and families on a monthly basis to discuss issues of common concern and to undertake common efforts involving the coordination of multiple community actors.  Originally funded by a grant from the Clark Foundation, the Partnership now receives funding for a part time coordinator from the Iowa Department of Human Services.

In 2005, the Partnership joined with UNI's Community Outreach Partnership Center to create the Neighborhood Hub in east Waterloo.  The Hub, currently housed at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church on Mobile Street, is designed to be a place where families and children in need can come to learn about services in a non-threatening environment.   As an incentive to get families to the Hub, the CPPC sponsors a community meal once a month, with the assistance of the United Methodist Church and the UNI Episcopal Campus Ministry.

As an additional incentive, the Hub prepares "Welcome Baskets" for people in need.  As you may know, Food Stamps do not pay for personal hygiene and household cleaning items, yet these expensive items are vital to household well-being.  The Northeast Iowa Food Bank carries these items but the demand often exceeds their available supplies.  Therefore, the Welcome Baskets are designed to fulfill an important family need for these items.  However, these baskets also serve the dual purpose of encouraging families to become informed about vital services and programs that may help them with a range of needs- everything from job training, to mental health counseling, to legal assistance. A copy of "What's Where in Parenting", the invaluable guide produced by Family and Children's Council, is typically included in each basket.

The Social Action Committee would like for UUSBHC to be a part of this ecumenical effort to help our community.  Therefore, we will be holding a special collection of items for the Welcome Baskets during the month of October.

In addition to collecting items for the Hub, Eva has requested that we retain some of the items to assist her in responding to requests that she sometimes gets from needy community members or church members for assistance.

The contents for the Welcome Baskets are selected from the following items:
Laundry detergent
Household cleaners
Deodorant
Shampoo
Tooth brushes and tooth paste
Paper towels
Window cleaner
Dish washing detergent.
Bath soap
Toilet paper

The baskets also include diapers and baby wipes when available, but other items are more strongly encouraged. Members should consider purchasing an item or items when they are doing their regular grocery shopping.   You are encouraged to buy cheaper generic brands rather than name brands, in order to make your expenditures go farther. This initiative involves "in kind" donations that are in addition to our monthly social action collection plate contributions. We hope everyone will join in to support this broad based community effort!

Al Hays, on behalf of the Social Action Committee

SOCIAL ACTION ALERT
We are advised by the Cedar Valley Hospitality House and Waterloo Catholic Worker that there is an immediate need for winter clothing and blankets.

The Hospitality House is in need of gently used men's winter coats, stocking caps, gloves, sweatshirts, hoodies and blankets.  These items will be distributed to the homeless who are living outdoors.  Items can be dropped off at the Hospitality House at 1003 Mulberry St. in Waterloo daily between 9:00a and 4:00p (Phone 319-234-1311). To learn more about Hospitality House, click here: http://waterloocatholics.org/cvhospitalityhouse.htm

St. Francis Catholic Worker is in need of winter hats, gloves and toilet paper for guests who are staying overnight at the Worker House.  Items can be dropped off at the Worker House, 321 East 8th Street in Waterloo weekdays after 4:00p. (Phone 319-232-2116.) To learn a little bit about the this place, click here: http://wcfcourier.com/news/metro/article

Rev Eva Cameron
minister
Unitarian Universalist Society of Black Hawk Co.
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
319-610-6605
www.uusbhc.org
Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.