Message from Eva: Weekly Update 9/12/08

Hello!

Its hard to imagine. In fact, I find myself not really wanting to imagine it, to bring it to mind: the image is too disturbing. But Sunday morning, July 27th at about 10:15am a gunman opened fire on members of two UU congregations, The Tennessee Valley UU Church and the Westside UU Church. He did while the two congregations had assembled together to watch their children put on a production of Annie. The sadly horrifying part was that he chose this place of all places, because he wanted to kill liberals. And also that his ex-wife had attended the church. The amazing part was the love that was extended to the everyone there: by the UU man who stood in front of the gunman protecting others at the cost of his own life, the others there who rushed to hold this man down, the outreach the entire Knoxville Community in the face of this outrage starting that morning, and UU’s from all over the country . This coming Sunday we reflect on what this has meant to us, as we honor those who gave their life that others may live. We want to send our love and compassion to the Knoxville congregations. While the children are in the service, we will not be graphic, or mention the shooting directly. We will share a story about how it feels when something terrible happens. We think that most kids living here, with the tornado and the flood, have been aware that things are happening beyond our control—so we think this will be an important story for them. During the sermon time, Pam & Al Hays, John Miller, and I have woven together some of the many ways we have responded to this tragedy. We hope you’ll join us.

Here is a link to watch the service that was held on the following Sunday, re-consecrating the building, and rededicating the congregations to their mission as living Unitarian Universalist values in the face of hatred. <http://tinyurl.com/uuknoxville> It takes about 45 minutes, but its very touching.

Also today, Rev. Chris Buice and his Knoxville congregation, Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church (TVUUC), will be featured on Bill Moyers Journal in a segment examining the relationship between hate speech and violence. The program is scheduled to air at 9 PM Friday, September 12, 2008 on most PBS affiliates.

After the Service . . .
we invite you to join us for refreshments, coffee and announcements in the Fellowship Hall.
10:45 AM Involvement Fair—wander the fair and learn all about the various groups and organizations of our Community. Sign up. Ask questions. Nibble on fun snacks.
11 AM Children’s Chapel in the balcony
11:15 AM Sunday School Classes for children
7 PM Documentary Film: “Ten Questions for the Dalai Lama”

Tuesday
Music Com Mtg. @ 7pm
Wednesday
Theoretical String Band practice @7:30pm
Thursday
Buddhist Path @7:30 to 9pm
Friday
YoUUNng Child Playgroup @9:30 to 11:30am

Next Sunday: September 21st
8:30 AM Music Rehearsal
9:30 AM Service “Fall Equinox: fall, The Fall, and learning to fall” by Rev. Eva Cameron & the Service for all Ages Team
11 AM Children’s Chapel in the balcony
11:15 AM Sunday School Classes for children and youth
Adults:
    Buddhist Path (balcony)
    Garden Meditation (join Julie in the garden)
    Walking the Talk: Community Meals (sanctuary)
7 PM Documentary Film: “The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil”

Upcoming Events

The Iowa Renewable Energy Association's Energy & Sustainability EXPO will be at the UNI Center for Energy & Environmental Education (CEEE) on Sept. 13-14, 2008. The I-Renew EXPO includes workshops and exhibits on renewable energy (wind, solar, biofuels), energy efficiency, green building, alternative transportation topics, and this year we're adding Sustainable Living to our offerings. The goal this year is to exceed last year's attendance level of nearly 1,500. Here is the link to the CEEE. http://www.uni.edu/ceee/

Two items of interest from our member Al Hays

1. For those who expressed an interest in hearing what I learned in Northern Ireland, I am giving a lecture on this topic on Tuesday, September 30, at 4:30 PM in Seerley Hall, Room 115, at UNI. The experience of Northern Ireland tells us a lot about what role religion should or should not play in society.

2. As PSD Social Action Liaison, I have organized a meeting of social action representatives from all Iowa congregations at our church on Saturday, October 25, from 10AM to 3 PM. There will be a keynote address at 10:30 AM by Dr. Mark Grey, Professor of Anthropology at UNI. He is a well known expert on immigration issues and headed up the New Iowans Project under former Governor Tom Vilsack. *All members of our congregation are invited to this keynote.* The meeting of the social action chairs will occur after lunch.

We are still looking for a Sunday School middle school teacher. We also need helpers for the Early Childhood Education and Intermediate classes. Please contact Crystal King {foods4u@hotmail.com} or call Kathy at 319-404-2589 if interested in teaching or helping. Thank you.

The Youth Group is still looking for their Apples-to-Apples game. Thank you to whomever returned the Intermediate class's Apples-to-Apples game!

Pastoral Update
Bea Tate was moved to Covenant in Waterloo earlier this week. She is in room 109 of the Rehab unit.
Its been suggested that the best way to Bea’s room is to park in parking area C and go in through entrance D.
The report is that she is doing well with rehab, and able to stand while added now.
We will be supporting her husband Tom with meals. Please let Esther know if you can provide either a hot/cold meal on the day it is to be eaten, or something that can go in his deep freeze.

I’m heading off to Cup of Joe in just a few . . . (4:30 to 6pm roughly). Join me and other UU’s for an informal TGIF time.

See you in Church!