Weekly Update 10/10/08

Greetings!   . . . on this glorious sunny fall day.
These warm fall days, where the sky is brilliant blue, the leaves startlingly brilliant in their many colors against the sky. Its as if the world is glowing!  I always try and pause in my thoughts for a moment, and soak it up, drink in the beauty. Its seems so necessary, when the news: politics and economy and war, all seem so heavy and dire. It is important for me to remind myself that there is still so much good in the world. There is good in people, there is good in our flawed, human systems, and there is amazing goodness and love in our home. We receive so much abundance each day—each time we breath in we receive something so important that we need, we can’t live without.
 
Take some moments in these days. Breath in, and say thanks to the loving, abundance with is around and about us. Every time you see something startlingly beautiful, take a deep breath in, and pause in gratitude for all that is good and right and loving.
 
We need to hold on to these thoughts. We need to carry them with us into the day. We need to perpetually seek all that we can find that helps us connect with that abundant love, and help others to see it too. People are trying to breed fear in our hearts to serve their purposes. Things may be changing, but this is not a reason for hyper-alert fear. Let us push back with joy, goodness, love, life, righteousness. The world, our little world here in the Cedar Valley needs this from each and every one of us. Let us be messengers of joy! Small islands of grateful abundance.  Oasis of loving kindness.
 
Just you watch in your own circles—it is catching!!   See if you can spread it around, just like sneezing on someone!
 ~Eva

DON”T FORGET!!!!  Tonight is the Hayride.
5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Heritage Farm:  7731 Zaneta Drive, Hudson, IA.  
For a map to the farm, click here <http://snipurl.com/43jz5>
Please: bring warm clothes & a dish to share, there will be a fire for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows (provided). Hot chocolate & cider provided.  Bring your own beer, wine, etc.  Plates, eating utensils, mugs, and napkins will be provided.

Also tonight is the DrUUm Circle at church . . . Harvest Blessing Drum circle @7:30 p.m., to the October Community Drum circle, whose theme is Harvest Blessings.  The drum circles have been happening for 15 years.... the collection of drums and percussion instruments is beautiful.  Bring your own, and/or use any of the ones provided.  It's a family friendly circle... start the children when they are young to appreciate the "drum rhythms of life"!  Drums, as we know, are tools for awakening the healing energies within ourselves.  Each drum circle is unique.  Each one brings their own vibration into the drum circle...come to play, to listen, to sing,  to experience the healing blessing.
For more information, contact Deblyn Russell at: 319-266-1691.
 
This Sunday:
9:30 am Sunday Service “Association Sunday: Grow Our Spirit” Join Del Carpenter, Jeff Heiden, and me on this annual event to celebrate our connections with the larger movement of UU’s around the country. We will take an offering to strengthen the UU organization’s  new Endowment to Grow Our Spirit! Family Choir is singing!
10:45 am Fellowship Time
11 am Children’s Chapel (balcony)
11:15 am Sunday School classes for children, youth & adults
Adult Classes:
Circle Way: A Harvest Circle ritual is in the planning as we continue to honor the bounty of the Mother Earth. Deblyn Russell will facilitate this inspiring Circle Way; bring your gratitude and journals.
Stories that Changed My Life: Ralph Burr, a member of the Buddhist Path Group will share a story. Please join us.
7 pm Documentary Film: “The Power of Forgiveness” The Power of Forgiveness features Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh, best selling authors Thomas Moore and Marianne Williamson, as well as an in-depth look at the Amish, Ground Zero, and Northern Ireland. It also presents how physical, mental, and spiritual benefits may be realized from forgiveness.
 
This Coming Week
Tuesday @ 7:15 pm Religious Services Committee
 
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:30 pm Dinner
6:15 pm Family Choir
6:30 pm “White Like Me” Book Discussion
6:30 pm Youth: “Popcorn Theology” Ten Questions for the Dalai Lama
What if you had one hour to speak with the Dalai Lama; what would you ask? Come see the questions this documentary asks of the 14th Dalai Lama and be part of the discussion to follow.
7:15 pm Theoretical String Band
 
Thursday @ 7:30 pm Buddhist Path
 
Friday @ 9:30-11:30 am YoUUng Child Playgroup

Pastoral Update
Please continue to remember Bea Tate in your thoughts and prayers. She is continuing with rehab after a serious stroke. Also keep her husband Tom and their two kids in your thoughts as well—it is a big change for everybody. Tom’s number is 269-8542, if you want to arrange to drop off a meal for him and the kids, or see what other help he made need as he is single-parenting it for a while.

Because of the Hayride, I will not be at Cup of Joe today.
See you in church!
~Eva

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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