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Dear Beloved,
We are in the middle of the Warbler migration, and I am so thrilled to see these little friends flitting about in the tops of the trees. From my second story window, I get a great view. I remember living in Chicago as a child and loving this time of year, when even in the midst of our incredible sea of human construction, these tiny, tiny beings managed to travel their way through. I clearly remember seeing a Blackburnian Warbler outside a window, amazed by its bright orange and black head patterns. Today’s visitors are Myrtle Warblers, with a joyful call that brought them to my attention. Our pagan and earth-centered teachings remind us that the divine is revealed to us constantly in the rhythms of life around us. This time of year is one of my favorite moments in this ‘sacred scripture’ called life. Why? Because these tiny, tiny 4 inch bundles of feathers and life manage to make their way from somewhere deep south, South or Central America, all the way up past us into Canada. Flitting about in the trees, its hard to imagine them going more than next door they are so fragile looking. Yet, somehow, life does sustain them. They remind me that we each are fragile beings on an amazing journey.
Let us, as a Religious Community do everything we can to nourish and care for each other on this amazing journey—remembering that in many ways we are each as tenderly fragile and yet as amazingly strong as those warblers that are flitting about outside my window. Let us practice being a sustaining force to all that come by us, fragile beings on an amazing journey.
Sunday Service
Continuing with the Shouting Over the Back of the Elephant theme of this year, Jim and I are offering this dialogue sermon on what it means to be a Christian, particularly in the UU context. I hope you’ll come and practice your deep listening to all he has to share with you about his faith journey. We will also be holding a New Member Ingathering, where we expect at least 9 new members to be on hand. Come and give them a warm welcome. Family Folk Ensemble will share some tunes with us, and young Ryan Halevan will offer us a Prelude.
Annual Meeting (instead of Second Hour)
We are really excited to honor our Mildred Pierce for not only receive the Uunsung Hero award from our congregation, but from the entire Prairie Star District this year. (She moves on in the the national level now!) We’ll have cake in her honor at the Fellowship time, and then she’ll be present to receive her award at the meeting. Make sure you are there to congratulate her on her many, many years of loving service to our community.
We have many other important items of business too—including the annual budget, and the next phase of the nickname process. We invite all members to attend. We value the energy and care you put towards our community of love and justice.
Other Events (save the date)
Program Pow-wow
If you anticipate planning events for our community next year, please show up at this meeting Wed. May 21 at 7:30pm. We will be scheduling events, and helping each other think about the best timing for things. All church leaders in program positions are encouraged to attend, or send a representative. Those with great new ideas for church-wide events are welcome to attend. (You may come to the Family Meal from 5:45pm to 6:30pm, and then socialize until 7:30pm meeting time. Please RSVP for the meal.)
Child Dedication on Mothers’ Day
If you’d like to dedicate your infant or child, we will hold a child dedication ceremony on Mother’s Day. Ask Kathy Klink-Zeitz or me if you have questions about this, and let one of us know if you’d like to participate. Its a beautiful way to welcome children into our community of faith.
Reenact the 1908 Boone Suffrage Parade on October 25
Explore this link and let Jan Gallagher or I know if you are interested in helping us to plan a field trip!
<http://www.celebratesuffrage2008.org/>
Today is The National Day of Silence
These words from their website will help you learn about it:
“The Day of Silence is an annual event held to commemorate and protest anti-LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender) bullying, harassment and discrimination in schools. Students and teachers nationwide will observe the day in silence to echo the silence that LGBT and ally students face everyday. In its 12th year, the Day of Silence is one of the largest student-led actions in the country.
Students face discrimination, harassment, and hate crimes based solely on their race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnic background, and their mental or physical capabilities. Victims of this discrimination are often met with silence by school administrations and student bodies choosing to turn the other way when they see this injustice happening. That is why, on this day, all people who recognize that racism, homophobia, sexism, and bigotry is wrong are urged to remain silent. The silence exhibited on this day echoes the perpetual silence that victims of discrimination and hate crimes have faced for years.
This day's silence will be heard louder and clearer than hatred and bigotry ever can be. On this day, we can help to abolish hatred, by simply remaining silent.”
Pastoral Update
Both Charlotte and Colton shared with us that they celebrated birthday’s last week. Its not too late to send them a card or give them a hearty congratulations!
Besides minor viruses, we haven’t heard of major illnesses or deaths. I continue to be thankful we are so well after our hard winter.
Please feel free to join me this afternoon at Cup of Joe for an informal TGIF time with others. I’m there from 4:30 to 6pm.
See you in church!
~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
Dear Beloved,
Sunday Service (9:30 to 10:45am)
Celebrate Earth Day! Join our worship team for fun time as we celebrate Mother Earth in this Service for All Ages. We have a recycling theme this year. Lara Martinsen-Burrell has joined the team with a amazing meditative exercise, and Julie Fischer will be announcing a fun contest!! Family Folk Ensemble will be providing music. Let’s hope for sunshine, since we plan to end up outside.
Second Hour (11:15 to 12:15pm)
Join our Treasurer, Karen Kitchen and members of the Finance Committee as they share their plan for this year’s budget with us. Its not too late to still turn in your pledge. These pledges help us create our budget plan for the year. But do come and learn about the nuts and bolts. Its important stuff!
Also, Buddhist Path will meet in the balcony.
If you are interested in formally joining the church, please contact me (or Mica) and we will hold another New Member session in my office during Second Hour.
Other items
Nickname Process This Sunday is the final day of voting with dots. If you haven’t taken the time to look over all the amazing choices and voice your thoughts with your 10 dots . . . Now is the time! We will start figuring out the top contenders during Fellowship Time, and they will be included in next week’s weekly update for your consideration prior to the Annual Meeting. During the Annual Meeting there will be a chance to vote for the top contenders.
Walkin’ the Talk Next Sunday we dedicate our offering to the Feinstein Challenge. This is an amazing time to give, since there are matching funds for your gift to the Food Bank. Also, Sheri is accepting nominations for organizations to consider for next year’s Walkin’ the Talk. We’d really love it if you’d share your favorite organization with the rest of us. Would you create the bulletin board for the month, arrange for a Second Hour speaker, and plan a volunteer activity for us to share in? Walkin’ the Talk is a great way for us all to learn about the exciting and useful ways to serve the Cedar Valley.
Julia’s Voice Our sister congregation in Shawnee Mission (suburban) Kansas City is working to create a movement to reclaim Mother’s Day to its original intent. It was started by Julie Ward Howe, who was a Unitarian. Read more about this here: http://www.juliasvoice.org/. And let me know if you are interested in working to create an event like this in the Cedar Valley next month.
Don’t forget it is NEWSLETTER weekend. Send Gerry Chamberlin your submissions today, if at all possible. <sgchamberlin@cfu.net>
Pastoral Update We continue to be healthy and strong as far as Esther and I can tell. Keep up the good work!
Mildred Pierce remains shut-in her home, so I am sure she would enjoy a call or visit from some of you.
John Miller performed a funeral for Elizabeth Diestler, stepping in while I was away in Omaha. Although we didn’t really know her anymore, she had attended many years ago for a short time. The family was very impressed with our hospitality. It is a special thing that we do, opening our arms to those in need of a religious home. Make sure you say a special thanks to John, and to Deblyn and Esther who each helped out too.
Fridays at the Cup . . . Yes its raining, but if you feel like braving the raindrops, come on out for some TGIF warmth and companionship. I’ll be at Cup of Joe from 4:30 to 6pm.
See you in church!
~~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
Greetings from Omaha,
Yes, I am at our District Annual Meeting. This year its being held in Omaha. Kathy and I traveled here yesterday afternoon, so we can attend a workshop on Community Organizing this afternoon. Facilitator Willie Bennett, the Lead Organizer of Dallas Area Interfaith, will share how interfaith congregation-based community organizations (CBCOs) can leverage power to bring about change. We’ll let you know what we’ve learned. This evening will be a big opening ceremony with a banner parade, and more. Then a Keynote Address by
Charlie Clements, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC). The evening will be closed out with a worship service. Tomorrow is another full day, including the Awards Ceremony. It is always good to meet UU’s from other places and learn about what is exciting them.
Sunday Service (9:30 to 10:45am)
“From Conflict to Reconciliation: Overcoming Sectarianism in Northern Ireland”
Join Pam and Al Hays, just back from a sabbatical in Ireland, as they explore some of their learnings from their experience. There will be a reader’s theater presentation. And the Family Folk Ensemble will be playing Celtic Songs!
Second Hour (11:15 am to 12:15pm)
Walking the Talk - Sheri Huber-Otting will give a talk on the Feinstein Challenge and how it relates to the Food Bank. Sheri is one of those people who both talks the talk and walks the walk. Her presentation promises to be both informative and rewarding.
Stories That Changed My Life - This is a new series so join fellow UUs as they relate interesting and informative stories about events that changed their lives. Pam and Al Hays will share their story.
The Nickname Process Continues . . . . (voting with dots!)
If you haven’t had a chance yet, next time you are in church, look over all the names, grab a strip of dots (each person gets ONE strip) and vote for a name or names that speak to you. You can vote all your dots on one name, or vote for several names that appeal to you. As you think about what would be good, imagine talking to your neighbor or co-worker about this community. It should be something that is special to us, and speaks about who we are, what we are about with a sense of pride, love, joy, and all the feelings you have about this place.
Upcoming
Wednesday evenings continue to be a lot of fun. Join us for dinner (RSVP to Carolyn Hildebrandt <carolyn.hildebrandt@uni.edu>). And if you play an instrument, stay on for fun with Family Folk Ensemble.
Thursday evenings continue to be meditative and instructive. Buddhist Path invites anyone to come and join in a reflection on Dharma (teachings) and Meditation each week from 7:30pm to 9pm. We start a new book this week for Dharma Discussion: Happiness Is an Inside Job by Sylvia Boorstein. Read chapter one, and join us!
Worship Team to plan EarthDay will be meeting next week. If you have something you’d like to share, or do, or even see done . . . Get in touch with me. Its a wonderful chance to be part of the team and share!
Pastoral Update
I heard from Cedar Valley Hospice that an friend from a long while back, Elizabeth Diestler just died. I am uncertain of arrangements at this time, but will keep you posted.
Esther Kieffer’s eldest son had very good news after his surgery on his kidney—as the growth they thought was cancerous turned out to be benign. Whew!
Please do let Esther or me know the joys and sorrows of your life, so we can tend you—and let others know (when you desire). We aim to be a community that really cares about each other. Let us care for you!
I am still reachable by cell phone. If in need, please don’t hesitate to call . . . 319-610-6605.
Take good care of your good selves,
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
Hello!
Well, its going to be an exciting weekend with many things to do. Lots of invitations and e-mail have been flying fast and furious to tell you what’s happening, and I’ll summarize them all in a moment. BUT first, let me invite you to the most important event of our week: our weekly Sunday service. Why is it the most important? Because it is where you and I work together to lift up the most important ideals of our community, and we feel like a community! Make a plan to come, this Sunday, and often!
Sunday Service this Week (9:30am)
Julie Fischer and I will share our learnings and wisdom from reading the book “Silent Thunder.” Its about elephants, and a woman who gave her life to studying their communication and habits. She tells a powerful story, and we hope to share some of inspiration with you. Family Folk Ensemble will be helping us sing!
Second Hour (11:15 to 12:15am)
We have classes for children, youth and adults . . . The children are in their on-going classes. The offerings for adults are:
Conscious Living conversation about . . . Creating a conscious plan for economic development that is environmentally aware with our own Kamyar Enshayan. And, a
Prayer Vigil —joining people around the world who have decided to put their intention toward peace here and in the Middle east, at this exact hour, using tools learned in the movie “The Moses Code”(shown Sat.pm)
Potluck Fundraiser (“Prairie Home Companion-style”)
Help raise funds for our awesome Music Director and Family Choir Director (Carolyn and Mimi) to go to a UU Music Conference. Bring a happy dish, just like Grandma used to make, for the old-fashioned church potluck luncheon—how about some ‘powdered milk biscuits’ or ‘rhubarb pie’? Followed up by a wonderful variety show featuring many amazing acts. Please invite your friends and neighbors! (Right after Second Hour, starting at 12:15pm)
Now, other events this weekend:
Passover Seder tonight
It starts at 6pm. Bring a dish to share. Best would be kosher—don’t mix meat and dairy in one dish. And items made with unleavened bread. BUT, what’s MOST important is that you come and enjoy learning about this holiday, and share a celebration of making to the Promised Land.
Movie: Moses Code on Saturday night
6pm and 7:45pm—Two showings. $5 donation to cover costs. A spiritual documentary being shown simultaneously about the country.
Also . . . I WON”T be at Cup of Joe today . . . I’ll be home preparing for Seder dinner.
Next weekend I’ll be writing to you from Omaha, where a delegation of us are traveling for the Annual District meeting. It will be good to see fellow UU’s from around the area, and learn what exciting things they are doing in their communities. I’ll be leaving Thursday (April 10th) and will be back Sunday night. I’m preaching at 1st Unitarian Church of Omaha next Sunday—on Race, Rev. Wright, and Liberation Theology.
(To Nangroi!) Keep on progressing, our Unitarian friends in the Khasi Hills say. They mean keep on working all that is good and right and true. We each have our own special gifts to bring to this world. This weekend shows all sorts of talents and treasures we can bring to this world and our work on it. To Nangroi!
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
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