Weekly Update

Weekly Update of the

Unitarian Universalist Society of Black Hawk County

319-266-5640  administrator@uusbhc.org  visit our website at  www.uusbhc.org

Rev. Eva Cameron 319-610-6605 (cell)  minister@uusbhc.org

October 14, 2011

I got sad news today from Tulsa . . . . We have had dear friends down in Tulsa who let us stay with them every time we go back for a visit. You see, they were friends who bought our house when we left, and told us to come back and stay anytime. They were like that--George and Frieda, a couple who brought a lot of light and laughter to this single mother with 2 kids, 2 cats, and 2 dogs when we lived in Tulsa. A delightful blend of intelligence, warmth and laughter, George always made us feel welcome. The kids and I always pictured we'd be visiting of Tulsa, seeing George and Freida to the end of our days. But George's life ended suddenly last night. No suffering. No long waiting, watching yourself decay. This part is good. But as I said, I just sort of pictured George and Frieda would always be in my life--like that, a delightful couple. I spoke with Frieda this afternoon. She is stunned. She has a life beyond George--she is an amazing belly dancer--but it is had for any of us to picture it right this moment.

Some of you have experienced death of a loved one. And others, like me, have experienced divorce, which felt to me, like a death. The death of a future together.

For each of us, let us use this as a reminder . . . life is precious and fragile. Give your loved ones a hug, or call, or a text! Let them know they are special to you. I have had nice long conversations with Peter and Irene this evening. (And I look forward to when Chuck gets off from work tonight, so I can call him too.)

I have many memories of George . . . but I will remember a little over a year when I went down to Tulsa to say "good-bye" to Irene and Justin as they headed off on their world adventure. After leaving them at the airport, I was feeling like a sad mother--George told me a joke to make me smile, and gave me a hug. He could have been in a rush, and not bothered to notice my feelings. But that wasn't like George. I hope I learned a bit from him, and can carry his love and laughter into this world for a while longer.

Listening to Dougie MacLean to soothe my Scottish soul, which has a touch of the melancholy in it about now.
See you in church, (where I would love to look you straight in the eye and tell you are a precious being!)
~Eva

This Sunday Oct 16th

  
9:30 am Service: Reconnection part 4: Stopping to Pray
     Rev. Eva Cameron, Judy Harrington – Worship Associate
Consider that Muslims stop what they are doing five times a day to pray, and reconnect themselves with their values.  What do you do to reconnect yourself with your values?  Some people have given up prayer but there are many ways to pray, and even humanist forms of prayer.  Join us as we explore some ideas about prayer, and other ideas for reconnection.

10:45 am Fellowship Time
11:00 am Children's Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Religious Education

Calendar Updates for this Coming Week

Tuesday

   7:30 pm Board Meeting

Wednesday    *Calendar Deadline

    11:00 am Friendship Village UU ministry
      5:00 pm Festival Sunday planning meeting
      5:15 pm Children's Choir
      5:45 pm Dinner:  Jamaican
              Jerk Chicken, beans, rice, salad & fruit.
      6:30 pm Adult Choir
      7:30 pm Theoretical String Band

Thursday

   7:30 pm Buddhist Path

Friday     *Newsletter Deadline

Reminder: There will be a Congregational Meeting

after the service on October 23rd at 11:15 am.

Pastoral Update
Esther reported in church that Glenyce Butschy fell and hurt herself. I'm sure she'd appreciate some support.
Donna Kroeger is back from visiting after her sister died rather suddenly. Notes and cards can be sent to: 117 Iris, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Marilyn Desmond has an upcoming moving to a new home. John Miller is soliciting for volunteers and trucks to help move her things.

Let's continue to keep Jim Paprocki  in our thoughts and prayers too, as he and his family face healthy problems.


Church Announcements:
Please send your November Calendar information to the church office by Wednesday Oct 19th administrator@uusbhc.org  and
also please send your November Newsletter information to Gerry by Friday October 21st newsletter@uusbhc.org   Thanks for sending in your information in a prompt manner.

Please send any information for the Weekly Updates to administrator@uusbhc.org
or call 266-5640.

October newsletter is available:

• for downloading from the UUSBHC website
  http://www.uusbhc.org/newsletters/1110newsletter.pdf

• Paper copies are available in the fellowship hall at church on Sunday.
• Also let the office know if you would prefer to receive the newsletter by email administrator@uusbhc.org

Community Announcements:

Interested in the Occupy Movement, but not ready to take to the streets
(or feeling fit enough)?
Try Occupy Their Mailboxes <http://www.occupytheirmailboxes.org/index.html>
a letter writing campaign. Each week there will be another theme to write politicians about to improve the welfare of general population.


You are invited to this event:
Renewable Energy Future in the Cedar Valley
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Presentation: 6:30 - 7:45  Hors d'oeuvres: 7:45
at CEEE; UNI; South of University at Jennings and Campus; Free parking in lot across the street

Topics:
Coal and Your Health by Maureen McCue, president of Iowa's Physicians for Social Responsibility
Local Energy Transition by Nicolle Shalla and Jessica Brackett from Plains Justice,
  the group that was instrumental in helping the Cedar Valley avert the coal plant in Waterloo.
Building the Political Will to Transition to Renewable Energy in the Cedar Valley with Jessica    Bracket, Plains Justice.

Questions: 515-333-1166



Welcome Baskets for the Neighborhood Hub
Don't forget ths special collection of items for the Welcome Baskets during the month of October.

Laundry detergent
Household cleaners
Deodorant
Shampoo
Tooth brushes and tooth paste
Paper towels
Window cleaner
Dish washing detergent.
Bath soap
Toilet paper

Rev Eva Cameron
minister
Unitarian Universalist Society of Black Hawk Co.
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
319-610-6605
www.uusbhc.org
Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.