Weekly Update 2/22/08

Hello!

Isn’t it lovely to see this sun, and feel a bit of warmth thawing our ice!  Everyone I meet is tired of winter, and I am too. Although the falling snow is very pretty still. So I’d suggest we all do what we can to make each  other’s lives have moments of joy and fun, that we smile at strangers, feed other’s parking meters, bake a neighbor some cookies, or just have an old friend over for a cup of tea. We all could use some extra love, and there is no one to give it to us, but ourselves!

This Sunday, we have our guest minister Rev. Susan Janzen preaching. She is the local Mennonite minister in town, and will be talking about “Why I am a Mennonite.” This tradition is related to our Universalist tradition, both coming out of the radical reformation in Europe and they share our strong commitment to Justice and Peace. Please go and give her a warm welcome, while I preach at her church!

Following the service, we have Children’s Chapel at 11am. Then from 11:15 to 12:15 we have classes for children, youth and adults in our Second Hour. The classes for Adults include a Conscious Living presentation on ‘Conscious Cleaning’, and a chance to share more with Susan Janzen in a “Shouting over the Back of the Elephant” experience.

Right after I preach on Sunday, Irene and I will be heading for New Hampshire to attend my grandmother’s funeral. We will be gone all week, returning Friday night late or Saturday morning, depending on the weather!) I will have my cell phone with me, so call if you need me—its a nation-wide plan. And I’ll check e-mail as I can. Our leaders are in place to serve, and you will find they can do a great job in all that needs to be done. Thank you for your many kind notes, cards and messages of compassion.

I hope that you have found a Small Group to join. Please let the leader know if you’d like to join their group so they know how many to expect. There is a limit to how many each group can hold.

Have you thought of an interesting ‘nickname’ for our congregation yet? Make sure you put all thoughts, no matter how silly, up on our clothesline in the Fellowship Hall. I’m counting on all you creative thinkers to come up with something delightful and amazing.

This Sunday at 2 p.m., the Peace & Justice Center of the Cedar Valley is sponsoring a showing of the documentary film, War Made Easy: How Presidents & Pundits Keep Spinning Us to Death, at St. Stephen's Catholic Student Center near UNI. After the film, Dr. David Grant, assistant professor of English language & literature at UNI, will lead a discussion.  Everyone is welcome to view this film and be part of the discussion.

Don’t forget that the Buddhist Retreat is coming up NEXT Saturday (March 1st). Ted Tuel, the Zen Monk from Minneapolis returns to guide us in mediation and dharma (Buddhist teachings). I hope you’ll set aside the morning for a special treat for yourself, and join us. AND invite your friends or co-workers. To register for the retreat, or for additional information please contact Maureen at
ethelkoelzer@yahoo.com or call 277-7130.

Pastoral Update (2/22/08)
We have many people who are fragile, mending or sick this week. Please help them as you can—with kind thoughts, prayers, kind words, notes, calls, and even a little help.

In Your Thoughts & Prayers:
Marlin Nissen, whose mother, Irene, died this past week.
Rita Lynn, who is home from the hospital recovering from surgery on her other shoulder.  Her sister is with her this week.
Mildred Pierce, who recently got a pacemaker.
Donna Wood, who fell and broke her leg, requiring surgery.
Sue Campbell , who writes: “I’d like to share my joys and sorrows. On 2/12 Steve’s eldest daughter made us grandparents, a beautiful baby girl named Alyssa with lots of hair.  On the sorrow side, Steve’s brother has lung cancer (diagnosed 14 months ago) and the family has been called to his bedside. We don’t expect him to last the weekend.  One comes and one goes.”
Jenna Berendenzen, who’s father is dying of brain cancer in Minneapolis.
Dick Shane who fell and broke his leg.
Vivian Shane who is recovering from pneumonia.
Dorothy Wendt who still has a terrible flu.
Don Wendt who had the second eye surgery this week, and is recovering well.
Alma Lynch, who is at the Care Center of Friendship Village, due to falling.
Dottie Forsberg, who’s building at Friendship Village is still under quarantine.
Glenyce Butschy, who is still housebound with her injured shoulder.
Esther’s sister, who is dying of cancer and current suffering from jaundice.
Eva’s mother, Joan, who cared for her mother (my grandmother) for many years. The funeral is next Tuesday.
 
Shut-Ins (people to visit):
Mildred Pierce 1710 Walnut St. CF
Dick and Vivian Shane, who’ve been at the Care Center of Friendship Village.
Alma Lynch, at the Care Center too.
 
Cards (people to send a card to):
Sue Campbell, Marlin Nissen, Donna Wood, Rita Lynn, Dick Shane, Vivian Shane, Dorothy Wendt, Dorothy Forsberg, Alma Lynch.
Eva’s mother: Joan Reeves, 98 Bedford Center Rd. Bedford, NH 03110

Calls:
Mildred Pierce, 266-9727
Glenyce Butschy, 266-3196 (ask if she wants a visit)

Visit on Facebook:
Jenna

Funerals/Memorial Services:
Marlin’s mother, Irene: at Nazareth, Saturday 11:00 am service, followed by a luncheon/fellowship. Irene Nissen memorium goes to Nazareth Sunday School.
Eva’s grandmother, Beatrice, on Tuesday Feb 26th at 11am at the Bedford, NH Presbyterian Church.

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
Please help us live our vision of being a place of caring, let us know of people who should be included in the Pastoral Update—even if its yourself! We want to know. Esther Kieffer and Rev. Eva.

May we all reach out, in spite of earth’s imperfections for what is good and lasting and true in life.

~Eva

--
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