Friday, March 27, 2009

Weekly Update

Weekly Update for 3/27/09
Its hard to believe that March has come and almost gone. Where did it go, I thought?!  Then I got out my calendar, and looked over the things I did. Wow! I did so much. Lot’s of memories returned of good times with family and friends. Lot’s of quiet moments of small joys. We’ve been raising money for church, and deciding on siding, and holding all sorts of programs. Some of us went on Spring Break. Some had birthdays, and some had close ones die. Life marched on, and we were there! Take a moment. Look back over the past month. Review.
 
Part of Daring to Grow, our theme for this year, is looking back over past and reflecting. Did we have moments of joy? Did we handle our frustrations skillfully? Are we holding the things we value most in balance? Who needs our thanks for this past month’s gifts? I invite you to take a moment, just like I did, and review your month.
 
As always, I want to thank you for allowing me the privilege to be your minister. It is a great joy.
~~Eva
 
Tonight
I’ll be at Cup of Joe from 4:30 to 6pm for our weekly TGIF.
And there is the Buddhist Movie: join Ralph Burr for a movie and discussion at 5:30pm social, 6pm movie.
 

Cancellations:
Please note that the Buddhist Retreat scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday) and the Monday Movie night have been canceled.
 

Sunday
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am Service “Justice Sunday”
Come and learn more about the UU Service Committee, and their work to live our mission around the world. Our collection will be offered to them, as part of the monthly “Walkin’ the Talk” offering.
10:45 am Fellowship Time
11 00 am Children’s Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Classes:
Book Group
: In the balcony with Pat Malloy “Religion Is Not About God: How Spiritual Traditions Nurture Our Biological Nature And What to Expect When They Fail”
Town Hall Forum: Jan Gallagher and others from the siding sub committee will be presenting information about the siding project including a proposal for debt that will be presented at the Annual Meeting. Please attend and ask questions now, before the meeting. (In the sanctuary)


This Coming Week
Wednesday
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:00 pm Children’s Choir (sanctuary)
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Family Choir Practice (sanctuary)
6:15 pm Self Realization Workshop (high school room)
6:15pm Chalice Art Workshop
7:15 pm Theoretical String Band (sanctuary)
7:30 pm Small Group Facilitator’s Meeting
 
Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path (balcony)
 
Friday
6 pm First Friday Potluck “Passover” Join us for our Passover Sedar as we learn more about the religion of our friends and neighbors. Please RSVP! We will have special seating and special placemats for the children.
 
Upcoming Events
Town Hall Meeting - April 7, 2009, at 7:30p.m.
Members are encouraged to attend a Town Hall Meeting to review and discuss these proposals to amend our UUSBHC Bylaws.
§  To increase the number of Trustees from 4 to 5 on the Executive Board; with two (2) elected each year and three (3) elected every other year.

§  To clarify the Financial Director has responsibility as chair of the Finance Council.

§  To clarify each of the Trustees has responsibility to be liaison to one of the councils: Ministry Council; Religious Services Council; Education and Programs Council; Social Action Council; and the Building and Operations Council.

§  To establish an Executive Committee composed of the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Financial Director.

§  To authorize the Executive Board to reallocate funds within the operating budget when it is needed.

If you are unable to attend this meeting or would like additional information, contact Jim Paprocki at 319 296-3737, or jpaprocki@mchsi.com <mailto:jpaprocki@mchsi.com> .
 
_____________________________________________________
PSD Programs <http://www.psduua.org/Main/PSDPrograms>  » Annual Conference 2009 <http://www.psduua.org/AnnualConference2009/AnnualConference2009>
Annual Conference 2009
Our Blue Boat Home: Living the Seventh Principle
April 3–5, 2009 Duluth, Minnesota
We explore a broad spectrum of environmental and sustainability issues and their relationship to each and every one of us. The Keynote Speaker <http://www.psduua.org/AnnualConference2009/ConferenceHighlights>  is a pioneer in sustainable agriculture: Linda Barnes and Mark Runquist, stewards of high hopes gardens, LLC. The Judy Lecturer <http://www.psduua.org/AnnualConference2009/ConferenceHighlights#mayer>  wrote “Blue Boat Home”, one of our favorite songs:  Peter Mayer, singer and songwriter. We devote one of the traditional workshop sessions to a Presidential Forum <http://www.psduua.org/AnnualConference2009/PresidentialForum>  on the candidates for the UUA Presidency. Two pre-conference workshops are offered Friday on Racial Equity <http://www.psduua.org/AnnualConference2009/GRACEWorkshop> and Environmental Justice <http://www.psduua.org/AnnualConference2009/SocialJusticeWorkshop> .
Plus, our very own Carolyn Hildebrandt will receive an award!  Registration online through April 2!
 
 
Pastoral Update:
Lisa Orsborn
(Stephen's wife)  is in the hospital with Pneumonia
Kathy Klink-Zeitz (our DRE) has been at home in bed with Pneumonia as well. She reports: I am so slowly doing better.”
Mica Lorenz
had eye surgery, and it seems to have gone well.
Keep these, and those unknown, in your thoughts and prayers.

 
--
Stay informed! Read the World! <www.uuworld.org>
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



 

Friday, March 20, 2009

Weekly Update

Weekly UUpdate for March 20  . . . Yesterday was the sixth Anniversary of Iraq war. It is hard to believe so many years have passed, and things are still so unsettled. Some UUs are pacifists and believe that war is always wrong, and other UUs believe in Just Wars. But we come together we pause and remember that war costs human lives. We each have been touched by this war over the last 6 years. Some of us have served in Iraq, some of us have had loved ones in harm’s way, or who have died. Some of us have been horrified by the stories that have emerged, and others have been horrified by the apparent blindness of our populace that we are even at war. But we come together when we pause, and remember these painful moments are real, and to be treated with respect and dignity. Each week, we pause in our service, ring our Bell of Remembrance, and remember that we still are at war. Each week we remember that both soldiers and citizens have died in the past week. And each week this is truth. It is a truth that after this long, long six years few of us want to remember. But the path of being truly religious is one of discipline, and knowing that from our discipline our spirits will grow and flourish.  Take a special moment now, pause and remember these past six years that we have been at war. Don’t be afraid at the mixture of fear, pride, pain, anger and love we feel. For these are all truths: the truths of being human. And the truths that will help us sustain authentic relationship with those who have served, often at a great cost.  The truths that will help sustain authentic relationship with Iraq and the Iraqi people. This is a part of what it means to believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every human being. And in this we can agree.
See you in church!
~Eva
 
This Sunday

9:30 am “Rite of Spring” A Service For All Ages
Join Rev. Eva Cameron and the Service For All Ages Team in this celebration of Spring with music and drama. We will dedicate children who are new to our UU faith!
 
10:45 am Fellowship Time
11 00 am Children’s Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Classes:
   Doc” Shorts (3 short films in the sanctuary)
   Walking The Talk: “Heroes of the Spirit” Join Pat Malloy in the back of the fellowship hall to learn about the UU Service Committee.
11:15am Nominating Committee Meeting (in Eva’s Office)
12:15 pm Outreach Committee Meeting
2 pm Second to Last Sunday Small Group
2 pm Last Sunday Small Group

This Coming Week
Monday
7 pm What’s Up Doc?umentary “Escape from Affluenza”
 
Wednesday
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays ~~all welcome
5:00 pm Children’s Choir (sanctuary)
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Family Choir Practice (sanctuary)
6:15 pm Self Realization Workshop (high school room)
7:15 pm Theoretical String Band (sanctuary)
7:30 pm Committee on Ministry (Eva’s Office)
Childcare is provided during children’s choir and from 6:15 until 8:15pm. (nursery)
 
Thursday
 
7:30 pm Buddhist Path (balcony)

Friday
6pm - Buddhist Movie Night

Looking Ahead:
Sunday March 29th  Adult Sunday School
Book Group
– with Pat Malloy The book is: Religion Is Not About God: How Spiritual Traditions Nurture Our Biological Nature And What to Expect When They Fail, Rutgers University Press, 2006, ISBN-10: 0813539552 Balcony
Town Hall Forum - Jan Gallagher and others from the siding sub committee will be presenting information about the siding project In the Sanctuary

Save the Date:  First Friday in April is April 3rd.  It is Passover. It is usually a fun gathering and since we do have place setting we will started asking for reservations Monday, March 16th
 
 
YoUUng Child Play Group is currently cancelled for the rest of the year. It needs a new leader. Anyone interesting in forming a play group or parenting group should talk with Eva or Kathy.
 
Hymnals have been ordered. Will arrive in 7 -10 working days.
 
Pastoral Update:
Bob & Shirley Robinson
were in a car crash this past Wednesday. They are okay, but their little truck got totaled. So they are feeling a bit banged up as you might imagine.
 
 
Closing Thought:
"Open the door that opens toward the sky;
Press mind and body hard against this world,
Before we fall asleep, before we die." - John Holmes
 

Friday, March 13, 2009

Weekly Update 3/13/09

Weekly Update . . .
I spoke some of these words last Sunday. But not all of you were there, and I think you need to hear them. In these times of economic uncertainty, we need you to pledge all that you normally would. In the end, if disaster strikes, know that we will forgive your pledge, and we will help you survive what has come your way. But in the meanwhile, if disaster hasn’t struck you yet—I need you to be bold, and not create a disaster here at the church, by anticipating a disaster that may or may not actually happen in your own personal financial lives. In hard times, more than any times, we need our churches to be strong and vibrant. We may spend less time in Aruba, or buying all that we used to buy, but we need to have a place, this place, to anchor us, to help us when times are tough, to inspire us to go on with grace and courage, and to offer to the world our message of love and justice.
 
You may not have thought about this, but we added a position mid-year this year. Our talented new Director of Music, Tim Purdum, was added to staff using a special fundraiser. This year, we’d like to add his position to the budget. But that does require that the same gift that you gave to us to pay for him for half of this year needs to be added you your pledge, for us to see this increase in our budget.
 
In this time of all times, we need you to be daring. We need you to have confidence that this place, this community will indeed be a place to heal your spirit, to nurture your soul, to comfort your afflictions, to inspire you to actually make a difference. What do you say? Will you join me in boldly creating the community we need for times such as these. . . . a place that is strong and thriving, a place that is vibrant and alive, a place that includes you, and, me, and many others we don’t even know yet, but who will need us, need a place such as this, in times like this!
 
See you in church!
~Eva
(I’m off to Cup of Joe if you’d like to join me for little TGIF starting at 4:30pm)

This Sunday:
9:30 am “Feeling Crabby” by Rev. Eva Cameron
March is supposed to ‘come in like a lion’ but sometimes it seems to bring a lot more crabs than lions as we are all weary of winter weather. What can we do with the upsets, angers, and crabbiness we find popping up in our lives? Join me for this light-hearted look at our crabby side.
10:45 am Fellowship Time
11 00 am Children’s Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Classes:
Buddhist Path:
Join in exploring Buddhist spiritual practices.
Walking the Talk: Join Sheri Huber-Otting in learning about the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, the organization we will be taking a collection for this month.

Upcoming Week:
Wednesday
Newsletter Calendar Deadline
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:00 pm Children’s Choir
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Family Choir Practice
6:30 pm Workshop - Self Realization “Lincoln:
His Life, Legacy, and Link to UU Purposes”
7:15 pm Theoretical String Band
Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path
Friday
**Newsletter Deadline**
Saturday
6:00 pm Women's Creative Expressive Healing Workshop

Other Activities:
The order for hymnals is going in next Thursday, 3/19/09. Order one for your home, or for our use on Sunday mornings. The sign-up is in the Fellowship Hall.


Our monthly newsletter will be created next weekend by intrepid editor Gerry Chamberlain. She requests you start sending things to her starting now, before you leave on Spring Break!

Pastoral Update:
Karen Miller’s sister died a little over a week ago after a battle with cancer. Yesterday (Thursday) the Millers, as well as Shanlee McNally and her family attended the memorial service down in Missouri. I’m sure they would appreciate cards and notes at this time of mourning.
 
Unitarian Universalist Society:
where reason and spirituality meet--
3912 Cedar Heights Dr. Cedar Falls
www.uusbhc.org
 
 

Friday, March 6, 2009

Weekly Update 3/6/09

Irene and I went to Tulsa together last week, and we really enjoyed seeing the spring flowers popping up around town. It reminded us that ours will be coming soon! This warm and sunny weather will surely hasten their coming. Spring is a time of new beginnings, and reawakening. Have you been thinking about what is new and different in your life? And what is reawakening in you? Is there some part of your soul or life that wish to reclaim? Now is the time! Embrace change.
See you in church!  ~Eva
______________________________________________________
Tonight! First Friday: Cheesefare Sunday. 6pm Potluck. You’ve gotten the e-mails about it, but for those of you who are cooking, please note that the traditional diet includes  fish and eggs as they are not consider "meat". Hope you’ll come!!
Also, because of First Friday . . . Eva will not be a Cup of Joe this afternoon.
______________________________________________________
 
This Sunday:
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am Daring to Give: Stewardship Sunday
Each week we sing “From You I Receive, To You I Give”—this year as we are Daring to Grow we will explore the deeper meanings of giving. Join Rev. Eva Cameron, Mike Knapp and the Stewardship Team for some meaningful stories.

10:45 am Fellowship Time
11 00 am Children’s Chapel

11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth & adults
11:15 am Adult Classes:
Circle Way
(Sanctuary): an Ostara Ritual, celebrating the beginning of spring.
Book Group: meet with Patrick Malloy on the second and last Sundays in March to begin a book by Loyal Rue titled, “Religion is Not About God: How Spiritual Traditions
Nurture Our Biological Nature and What to Expect When They Fail”.
New Member Meeting: If you are new to our church, this would be a good time to visit with Rev. Eva Cameron and Mica Lorenz and explore the meaning of membership. There will be an opportunity to sign the membership book.
______________________________________________________
 
Upcoming Week
Monday
7:00 pm What’s Up Doc?umentary “Movie about Purim”

Tuesday
7:00 pm Religious Services Committee

Wednesday
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
(We hope you’ll join us for any or all of the evening!)
5:00 pm Children’s Choir
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Family Choir Practice
6:30 pm Workshop - Self Realization “Lincoln:
His Life, Legacy, and Link to UU Purposes”
7:15 pm Theoretical String Band

Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path

Friday
7:30 pm Community Drum Circle
______________________________________________________
 
Other Items:

Since when do the words “financial” and “peace” go together?  Check out “Financial Peace University,” the personal money management class taught by Dave Ramsey. Our friends at Cedar Falls Mennonite Church invite you to learn more about the 13-week Tuesday class by attending their free kickoff at 11:00 a.m. this Sunday (March 8th) or this Tuesday (March 10th at 6:30 p.m.)  By the end of the course, the average family pays off more than $5000 in debt and saves almost $3000.  The class begins on Tuesday, 24 March (6:30-8:30 p.m.).  Pre-Registration is required by March 10th. This is the most fun you will ever have learning about money!  Questions? Kris Pond-Burtis, 833-9430; Susan Janzen, 277-5611.  
 
Pastoral Update:
Elenore Stark
is still receiving chemo treatments, please remember to send her cards.  She loves getting them.
Mary Olsen is still recuperating from her knee surgery. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers, or send her a little note!
Glenyce Butschy is fairly housebound. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers. Or give her a call or note if you remember her.
 
See you in church!
~Eva