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