Weekly Update

Weekly Update:
In honor of celebrating Earth Day, I offer you this prayer from A.Powell Davis, someone who was a powerful minister in our movement.
“God of the morning of the world, at the sound of whose voice creation wakes and sings, open our hearts to the gladness of the earth. May the freshness of creation cleanse our souls. Forgive us that we go on our way in haste. Lift up our eyes! May we see the wonder all about us, from the most fragile petal on the tiniest of blooms to the miracle of a new blade of grass. We thank You for this revelation of Yourself that never grows old. May the beauty of Your world breathe into our spirits.”

Sunday
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am Service for All Ages “Earth Day: Blind to Your Bounty” Come a celebrate our Mother Earth, in this festival of music, thoughts, poetry and song.
11:15 am Annual Meeting Stay and vote! Each of your voices is important. We will be deciding on the Annual Budget, some bylaw changes, and making some funding decisions about the Siding of the building.
2:00 pm Last Sunday Small Group
 
This Coming Week:
Monday 6:00 pm Cedar Prairie Vegetarian Potluck
All Welcome, bring a dish to pass.
 
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)
6:30 pm Self Realization Workshop (high school room)
Artistic Fun: “Soul Collage Workshop”
7:30 pm Theoretical String Band (sanctuary)
 
Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path (balcony)All Welcome!

Friday
6:00 pm First Friday “Beltane” Fun for people of all ages. Potluck first, then a celebration of this European Spring holiday. We will dance around the Maypole!  Please bring a dish to share, invite your friends, and come have fun!
 
Pastoral Update:
Jen Zeck and baby Ella, had to go back into the hospital this past week when Jen got an infection. They are both feeling better now, and have returned home. BUT they will need extra love and care, meals and help with chores for a while. Anyone wanting to help out should let me know.
 
About me: I was up at Mayo Clinic this past week for some testing to diagnosis some chronic health problems. I will be up there again next week for more tests, but the current diagnosis is Marginal Zone Lymphoma, probably Splenic Marginal Zone Lymphoma. This is a low-grade disease, which often lingers for years without treatment. I will let you know more, as I find out more.  As you may know, in speaking with people who have had hard news, saying “I’m so sorry for you. ” only makes them feel like a victim of something terrible. It doesn’t improve their mental vision. So, may I suggest that you show your love by making me laugh, inviting me over for dinner or out to tea, giving me small things that might make me smile. A good outcome is much more likely with a good attitude, and I aim to keep one! Want to help?  Let’s all work together in living, loving, and laughing out loud, together!

See you in church!
Eva
--
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

Weekly Update

Weekly Update: April 17th 2009 ~~Greetings from Chicago. I’m here for a couple days to relax with Irene. The lake is a gorgeous expanse of many colors of blue. I’ve so enjoyed watching it come awake over the course of the day, from my early morning prayers and yoga, to this mid-day sparkling blue. It’s a gift to sit and watch something transform, and open to the soft and subtle ways that change sometimes occurs.
I invite you to spend a bit of time and enjoy watching something shift and grow—if a it’s a bud coming open in your yard, the colors of the sunset sky, or whatever captures your fancy—and just enjoy this transformation. Hold on to the lesson: that growth happens in our souls, even if it is a slow unfolding. That growth happens in our society slowly sometimes. Let’s enjoy watching things coming awake, shifting, coming into their own, its Spring!
~Eva
 
This Sunday:
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am Service “What’s Wrong With Atheism?”
10:45 am Fellowship Time
11:00 am Children’s Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Classes:
Garden Meditation: If possible, Julie Fischer will be outside with ideas for spring inventory and planting. You are invited to join her.
Walking the Talk: We will learn about the Cedar Valley Hospice and how we can help.
Budget Presentation: Finance Committee on proposed FY09 -10 budget
12:15 pm Finance Committee Meeting
2:00 pm Board Meeting
6:00 pm What’s Up Doc?umentaries “General Assembly’s 2008 Ware Lecturer, Van Jones”
 
Upcoming 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)
6:30 pm Self Realization Workshop (high school room)
Artistic Fun: “Chalice Banner Workshop“
7:30 pm Theoretical String Band (sanctuary)
 
Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path (balcony)
 
Friday
6:30 pm Buddhist Movie Night
 
Saturday
6:00-8:00 pm Women’s Creative Expressive Healing
Workshop
 
Pastoral Update:
Congratulations to Jen and Jason Zeck on the birth of “Ella” Elleanor Louise Marie, 7lbs 0.4oz 20.5 inches (“and so beautiful!!!” says Jen) who arrived to bless us with her presence yesterday!  Jason and Jen hope to bring her to church to share. Meanwhile shower the family with love and casseroles and all those small things that make the difference.
 
--
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

Weekly Update

Weekly Update 4/10/09
Greetings to you on this Good Friday!  I want to offer some reflections on the meaning of this holiday, for those of you who didn’t make it to the service. Sometimes, you can’t see the beauty in anything, until you’ve cried away your sorrow. Without those tears, without that bone wrenching grief, nothing can touch your heart, and move you. The Easter story offers us this message. It lays side-by-side two of the strongest emotions: grief and the glorious bliss of returning to oneness. This is what resurrection really is; it is the coming together of grief with unbounded joy.
I love this poem, which speak of this so well:
To Free the Heart by Francis C. Anderson, Jr.

Through dreary sodden days
The field sponged up
The graying skies.
And now the sun
Lies soft as birth again
As if the earth had just begun.
And blossoms on the vines
Designed in spring
Come out to sing again.
And everywhere the ripening
Pushes falling leaves apart
To free the heart
For freshening.
As through the seasons
Of our years
Becoming
Often waits the nourishment
Of tears.
 
Those last three lines, “Becoming often waited the nourishment of tears” speak to my heart. May this season be a time when you acknowledge and celebrate not only your becoming, but the tears and sorrows that brought you to this place.
 
One such resurrection, in my mind, is our new law in Iowa for weddings.  See us, and one of our church members in the Courier today! <http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2009/04/10/news/local/11183075.txt>
I will be needing some help to organize ourselves better to prepare for couples coming from out of town. Stay tuned for a meeting time to roll up our sleeves and get to work on this!
A very happy Easter to you! Hope to see you in church! But many blessings and joy wherever you are for this holiday of hope!
~Eva
 
I’ll be at Cup of Joe shortly (4:30ish) until 6pm tonight for anyone who wants to visit!
 
This Sunday
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am  Sunday Service“Easter Angel” For some of us, this powerful story of resurrection gives us hope; and for others of us, we turn to other stories of resurrection – but we all find hope in life restored, in goodness and joy restored. What “Easter Angels” have been in our lives, coaxing us, encouraging us to indeed see the moment for what it is – a moment of great joy? Join Eva for this festival  service complete with brass and choir!
10:45 am Easter Brunch Potluck & Easter Egg Hunt

Easter BrUUnch!
Spring seems to be springing.  What better time to gather with your UU family and friends for good food and conversation?  Do bring your favorite casserole (ovens will be set on warm), fruit (some fridge space available), breads or whatever sounds good; we'll provide beverages plus plates, flatware and other necessities.  The presence of your guests is all that we ask--we UU's know how to prepare meaningful worship services, and good food for a crowd!
 
Looking forward to Easter Sunday--
Mimi Kuester, for the Religious Services Committee
 
Calendar Updates for this Coming Week
Tuesday
7:15 pm Religious Services Committee
 
Wednesday
 Calendar Deadline-please turn in calendar items to Mica
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:00 pm Children’s Choir (sanctuary)
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Family Choir Practice (sanctuary)
6:30 pm Self Realization Workshop (high school room)
6:30 pm Artistic Fun: “Prayer Flags Workshop“
7:30 pm Theoretical String Band (sanctuary)
 
Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path (balcony)
 
Friday
Newsletter Deadline-please turn in all newsletter items to Gerry Chamberlain
5:30 pm Rental
 
Pastoral Update
Glenyce Butschy could use some notes and calls to help boost her spirits after the death of her daughter-in-law. Please reach out!
 
Happy Birthday to our many birthday this week, most particularly Gordon Harrington who’s birthday falls on Easter this year!
 
 
 
--
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

Weekly Update

Weekly Update . . .
It’s an amazing day to live in Iowa. Last Sunday I spoke of the long arc of the moral universe bending towards justice . . . and couldn’t you just feel it shift and move today? Once again, Iowa made history, with the vote of our Supreme Court that makes same-sex marriage a legal right under our constitution. I have long been a supporter of any couple bold and daring enough to attempt life-long commitment to each other. And have performed many ceremonies of holy union for couples who our government wouldn’t recognize. But for me, a commitment to each other, in the eyes of the community and the divine, were the same regardless of the genders involved. I kept my material for unions beside all the other items in my Wedding Planner . . . so that all I married would know my understanding. I quiet witness. But sometimes, with Unions there was sorrow. And this I have recognized. These words have lived in my book of choices for your ceremony for many years, in the “Support of the Community” section:
      “Neither the state, nor some in our society, chose to recognize the covenant which __1__ and __2__, as an openly lesbian/gay couple come here to make. Indeed, some of __1__ and __2__'s loved ones are not with us today. However, the sorrow created by their absence is outweighed by the joy of your presence, participation, and support here today.  In this spirit, we ask if you will pledge __1__ and __2__ your guidance and loving support that they might grow in the covenant that they have made together? If so, please respond, "We will."
         A proud moment for me, was when a heterosexual couple chose these words, tweaking them a bit to acknowledge the right they were indulging in that some of their friends couldn’t. Imagine.
         And now I get to re-write that passage in my booklet. And we each get to write a new chapter in our lives together as Iowans. I am certain there is still much work to do on this front. And perhaps there will be work in helping those from around the Midwest meet their long-sought dreams. We may have many more marriages to do!  But for now, let’s just celebrate!!!!!!!
From Amos: “Seek good and not evil…establish justice… let justice roll down like waters And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”
See you in church!
~Eva
 
TONIGHT—Passover Seder at 6pm. Its a delightful holiday tradition. Bring a dish to pass without bread or leavening, on this night that celebrates the long journey in the desert.
 
 
 
 
This Sunday
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am “Palm Sunday” Tim Purdum preaching on “Modern Interpretations of the Passion Story” with special music from the Children”s and Adult Choirs!
10:45 am Fellowship Time
11 00 am Children’s Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Classes:
Conscious Living “Down With Coal, Up With ...What?” Don and Linda Shatzer , from Community Energy Solutions, share ways we can put our efforts together to make the Cedar Valley a healthier and greener place to live and work.
Garden Meditation Let's clean up our corner of the planet, one bag at a time.
New Member Meeting If you’re new to the UU’s then this would be a good time to sit down with Rev. Eva Cameron and Mica Lorenz in a relaxed atmosphere and learn more about being a UU member.
Book Group with Pat Malloy “Religion Is Not About God: How Spiritual Traditions Nurture Our Biological Nature And What to Expect When They Fail”
6:00 pm What’s Up Doc?umentaries “Burning the Future: Coal in America”
7:00 pm “A Gathering of Women” small group

This Coming Week
Tuesday
7:30 pm Town Hall Meeting (Bylaws)
 
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)
6:30 pm Self Realization Workshop (high school room)
6:30 pm Artistic Fun: Chalice Art Workshop“
6:30pm Integral Life Practice” small group
7:30 pm Theoretical String Band (sanctuary)
 
Thursday
6:00 pm Maundy Thursday Communal Meal
7:30 pm Buddhist Path (balcony)

Friday
12:00 pm Good Friday Service Join Eva in the brief lunch-time service embracing the pain and sorrows of our life.
7:30 pm Community Drumming Circle
 
Next Sunday: Easter!!
We will have a potluck BrUUnch after church service instead of Sunday School. That will be followed by an Easter Egg hunt for the children. Bring a dish to share.
 
Pastoral Update:
Glenyce Butschy's daughter in law, Carol (54) died last Friday night. She had heart surgery several weeks ago and appeared to be doing well. I am sure she would appreciate calls or cards. Esther
 
Other Items:
Who wants to organize the Cedar Valley to be part of the World’s Largest Coffee Break May 9th?  I think it would be fun . . . work with the coffee shops in town, get a story in the paper,  plan for us to drink Fair-trade at coffee church that Sunday . . .
http://www.fairtraderesource.org/wftd/wftd-09/worlds-largest-ft-coffeebreak-2009/ <http://www.fairtraderesource.org/wftd/wftd-09/worlds-largest-ft-coffeebreak-2009/>

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 ton 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> .
 

--
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