Weekly Update

5/14/10 Weekly Update

And so the clouds lifted, lifted as they always do, opening our world. Our eyes blinking, soaking in startling blue, shining green, we breath deeply, exhilarated by the promise of a fresh new day.

I like to remember, on days like this, that startle me with their sudden change from darkness to light--that life is often like this. We can have moments that are dark and introspective, and they may seem to be all that we foresee on our horizon. And yet, something will shift, and we find new light, joy and brillance in our lives just as surprising. We have to hold on to the knowing, that nothing stays the same, unchanged forever. Our emotional weather is like the weather of our Mother Earth--each experience brings its blessings, and nothing sticks around forever. (Even if it seem like it might . . . just like the grey cold days of this past week!) This Buddhist teaching of transience is very useful, because it allows us to relax and enjoy each of these things that come to our lives, even our own grey, rainy days.

See you in church!

~Eva

This Sunday 5/16/10

8:30 am Music Rehearsal (TSB@8:30, Children's Choir @8:50)

9:30 am Service "Religious Education Sunday"
Today we celebrate all the people in our community who work to teach us week after week. We also welcome our graduating teens into the adult world of UU with a bridging ceremony. Dan Rather said, "The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called 'truth'." Who has encouraged your dream this year? What about your children's? REAP Council, Rev. Eva Cameron, & Kathy Klink-Zeitz with Steve Orsborn as Worship Associate.

10:45 am Fellowship Time

11:00 am Children's Chapel

11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth

11:15 am Adult Classes

Sixty for Six: Join us for a special end-of-year 'thank you' party. (sanctuary)

Buddhist Path: Join Ralph and others in exploring Buddhist spiritual practices. (balcony)

Walkin' The Talk: no scheduled session this month.

This Coming Week

Tuesday

7:00 pm Board Meeting

Wednesday Calendar deadline

5:00 pm Children's Choir

5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)

6:15 pm Adult Choir

6:30 pm Cedar Valley Meditation Group (high school room)

Artistic Fun Workshop

7:30 pm Theoretical String Band

Thursday

7:30 pm Buddhist Path (balcony)

Friday Newsletter Deadline

7:00 pm Perry Fundraiser Salsa Party

Other items:

A Message from OneIowa:

One Iowa is in the building phase of its campaign to help re-elect pro-gay marriage legislators in the state. We need lots of volunteers we can call on to make phone calls, knock doors, write letters-to-the-editor, host house parties, etc for these candidates. We have nearly 1,000 "supporters" in our database who live in Cedar Falls/Waterloo. The vast majority of these folks signed up online, joined our Facebook group or signed up at an event. This list has never been called through to determine how many people would actually volunteer with One Iowa. So, we need volunteers to help call these potential volunteers.

The dates and locations of these phone banks we are recruiting for are:

Thursday, May 20 from 5:30 to 8

Waterloo Public Library

Sunday, May 23 from 3 to 6

Wesley Foundation Student Center (near UNI campus)

2422 College St

I appreciate you spreading the word and making the announcement! We need all the help we can get in Cedar Falls/Waterloo, which promises to be a battleground this November.

Thanks again!

--
Ryan Crane
Regional Organizer
One Iowa
ryan@oneiowa.org
402.659.8110 cell
515.288.4019 ofc

**************************************************

Film Showing:

WHAT: Anyone and Everyone

WHERE: UNI, Cedar Falls, Seerley Hall 115

WHEN: Thursday, May 27th 6:00 pm

Faithful Voices, a project of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, is pleased to co-sponsor a showing of the film "Anyone and Everyone" along with UNI Proud and One Iowa. The film shows people of all different social, religious, economic and ethnic backgrounds reacting to their children being honest with them about their sexuality. It is a moving and inspirational film. It will be followed by a discussion led by Ryan Crane, from One Iowa.

We would very much like to have a strong showing of people of faith at this event. Please advertise this to your congregations and pass the flyer to other people you think might be interested. I also encourage you to send the information to friends and colleagues who are questioning where they stand on the issue of homosexuality.

I look forward to seeing you and representatives from your communities.

Thank you!

Melisabeth Wright

Faithful Voices Project Coordinator

Interfaith Alliance of Iowa

PO Box 41086 Des Moines, IA 50310

(515)279-8715

www.faithfulvoices.org

www.interfaithallianceiowa.org

Pastoral Update

Heather's step-dad, Dave Perry passed away on May 4, 2010. The following services and events are planned for this coming week:

· Visitation – Tuesday, May 18, 5 – 8 pm at Nazareth Lutheran Church, 7401 University Ave, Cedar Falls

· Funeral – Wednesday, May 19, 3 pm at Nazareth Lutheran Church, 7401 University Ave, Cedar Falls

· Perry Benefit Salsa Party – Friday, May 21, 7 – 10 pm at the UUSBHC, 3912 Cedar Heights Dr, Cedar Falls. This event will include salsa dancing lessons provided by Heather Flory, a silent auction showcasing Dave's photography and Floralyn's jewelry, hors d'oeuvres and fellowship. The suggested donation for the event is $10 per person / $20 per family, with proceeds going to help the Perry family with medical and other expenses. If anyone would like to help by bringing food or beverage to the event, please contact Heather at heather.flory@yahoo.com.

Rev Eva Cameron
minister
Unitarian Univesalist Society of Black Hawk Co.
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
319-610-6605
www.uusbhc.org
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