Weekly Update

Weekly Update 8/28/09  Greetings! I hope you are looking forward to our guest speaker’s visit as much as I am. This year, as we are working towards Marriage Equality as a religious community, it will be important that we learn to talk with people who call themselves “Christian with both strength of our own sense of right, as well as deep respect. Our faith was born out of two powerful and visionary voices of what it means to be Christian. And although not all of us call ourselves Christian anymore, and some even would argue that UU’s are not Christian. Our faith history set us on a certain trajectory, and that is how we are here, where we are today. It provided a framework of the Holy as “Radical Love” that abides. Come and enter this conversation!
Keep on living and loving!
~Eva
 
This Sunday: August 30th
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am “Universalism: Past, Present and Powerful”
Guest Preacher: Rev. Kalen Fristad; Rev. Eva Cameron, Worship Associate. Rev. Fristad is an ordained United Methodist Minister. After serving churches in Iowa for twenty-seven years, he embarked upon an independent ministry. He conducted this ministry full time from 2003-2006. It consisted of traveling around the country with his wife, Darlene, accepting invitations to speak to churches and other groups, countering the teaching that many people will suffer for eternity in hell and instead, proclaiming the hopeful message of universalism. He went back to the parish ministry in July 2006.
As of January 2008, while continuing to serve churches in Iowa part-time, he has resumed his traveling ministry, spending half-time on the road speaking on the subject of universalism.
Rev. Fristad has written a book, Destined for Salvation: God’s Promise to Save Everyone, and a Study Book with the same title. His books, CDs and DVDs will be available for purchase after the service.

Following the service, we invite you to join us for coffee and refreshments in the Fellowship Hall.
 
Check out the rummage sale leftovers before you leave!
 
This Coming Week
Monday
6:00 pm Cedar Valley Vegetarian Potluck
 
Tuesday
7:00 pm Committee on Ministry
 
Wednesday
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:00 Pm Children’s Choir
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Adult Choir
6:30 pm Self Realization Workshop (high school room)
7:30 pm Small Group Facilitators meeting
7:30 pm Theoretical String Band
 
Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path (balcony)
 
Next Sunday: September 6th
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am Labor Day Chapel Service with Al Hays
10:30 am Work Party
Bring your work gloves, dust rags, rakes, mops, polish, cleaner, window cleaner, and work clothes for an indoor/outdoor all-church clean up. It’s great fun for kids and adults alike.
12:00 pm Potluck Picnic
Bring a dish and beverage to share as we celebrate the end of summer with a party. Also bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets, games and guitars. The grill and hotdogs will be provided but bring your own meat if you wish. Let’s have some fun!
 
Upcoming!
Please remember to attend the Involvement Fair on Sunday
Sept 13th after the Service in the fellowship Hall. All the UU committees and groups will be displaying information and offering treats for your enjoyment.
 
Pastoral Update:
 
Lara Martinsen-Burrell’s father died yesterday. She will be traveling to Colorado for the next week (along with Neil and Rose) for the funeral, which is on Wednesday . Please hold them close to your hearts, as they go through this life passage.
 
Laura Walter is mending quickly, and feels much better this week. Keep up the good work Laura!


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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

Hello!  I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of you this weekend at the Retreat! I’m planning on coming and bringing my tent to sleep out on Saturday night . . . weather permitting. It should be fun! The schedule is just below. Then the next day we will have a pancake breakfast and a short chapel service outside, just like we were at church camp. Come on over, even if you didn’t stay the night! Afterwards the adults and teens will gather inside to share about their hopes and dreams for the coming year .  . . and I will talk a bit about our theme for the new year!
 
Before all of that, there will be a Memorial Service for Vivian Shane at 10:30 on Saturday morning. Any and all are invited to come share a story about Vivian with her family.
 
Our theme this year, Standing on the Side of Love, is a national UU campaign. There is a website full of stories about UU’s in action. Please read this amazing story of love: <http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/flowers-for-representative-scott/>
And while you are at the site, notice you can sign up for updates, or join a Facebook group to keep you inspired all year long!
Keep living and loving!
Eva
 
Camp UU RETREAT
SATURDAY SCHEDULE
4:00 p.m. – Intergenerational Activities, Games and FUN!!!
5:30 p.m. – Potluck Dinner: “Camp UUers” are asked to bring a dish to share, what they want to grill, their own beverages, table service and lawn chairs. Grills will be provided.
6:30 p.m. – Intergenerational Activities, Games and more FUN!!!!
7:30 p.m. – S’mores Time
8:00 p.m. – Campfire Songs
9:00 p.m. – Snores Time
SUNDAY SCHEDULE
8:00 a.m. – Pancake Breakfast: Bring your appetite and funny hat
9:30 a.m. – Chapel with the Reverend Eva Cameron
10:00 a.m. – Whole group visioning and an introduction to the spiritual theme for the new church year.
12:00 p.m. – Catered Lunch
12:30 p.m. – Committee Break-out: time to join committees, set committee goals and timelines for the coming year.
2:00 p.m. –Leadership Council: the  Board will host this meeting with all church officers and chairs of standing committees, advisory committees, and ad hoc committees.
3:30 p.m. Board will meet briefly to approve the July Minutes and Financial Report.
 
Upcoming Events:

As usual . . . Our WOW Dinner and activities will be on Wednesday night. Watch for the RSVP and schedule of events.
 
Thursday @ 7:30 Buddhist Path all are welcome to join
 
Friday is newsletter deadline. Please make your submissions to Gerry Chamberlin sgchamberlin@cfu.net
 
Pastoral Update:
Laura Walter is receiving her last week of chemo and radiation this week up at Mayo. She’ll be home and recovering for the next couple weeks. Send her lots of energy and love to help her replenish her strength. (From someone who’s been sick, I must say how much I enjoyed receiving your cards with little notes of encouragement!)
 
Please keep Esther or me “in the know” so that our whole congregation can support you when you are in need.
 
--
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

July Update

SUMMER SUNDAY SCHEDULE
    9:30 A.M.  Chapel Services
   10:30 A.M.  Coffee/Fellowship
   10:50 A.M.  Continuing the Conversation
  Childcare During The Services

July 5th
Title TBA ~~ Sam Wormley, UU Fellowship of Ames, John Miller (WA)
July 12th
The Goldilocks Theory ~~ Bill Chene, Lara Martinsen-Burrell (WA)
July 19th
The People of the (Unread) Book ~~ Del Carpenter, Esther Kieffer (WA)
July 26th
Not Only a Fair Weather Faith ~~ Jim Paprocki, Deblyn Russell (WA)

Weekly Update

Weekly Update 5/30/09  . . .  I’ve just done two more same-sex weddings in the last day. I can’t tell you how lucky I feel when I am doing one, since the  couples have often been together for years and years. They tell me that its just going to be a simple affair because they’ve already been together so long. And then in the heart of the ceremony, their closest friends and family gathered ‘round, we all realize it in our hearts---this is such an amazing moment. We are living history, and something that we never thought would come to pass, is here. Right here in Iowa. Right here in this moment, as they are holding hands, and I, standing so close, am asking if they intend to love and care for each other forever. We all cry. Love. Its simply love. And I am so very humbled and pleased to be standing on this side of it, getting to witness not only history, but heartfelt commitment.  Thank you again for allowing me the privilege of serving as your minister.
 
On another note, no matter what the weather—please do COME OUT TOMORROW for our amazing second annual Prairie Home Companion Potluck and Variety Show. You’ll be amused and amazed!  Bring a friend! The $10 donation goes to help fund our growing music program.
 
This will be my last time in the pulpit until August. I am taking a some time off in June and July. I’ll be around doing some other church work for the first week of June. We’ve got all sorts of amazing people lined up to preach to you this summer!
See you in church!
Eva

Tomorrow/Sunday
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am Service “Question Box Sunday” Come hear the answers to all sorts of questions people have dreamed up for me to answer! Aren’t you curious??
10:45 am Fellowship Time
11:00 am Children’s Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Classes
The Questions and Answers Continue: with Rev. Eva in the balcony.
Garden Meditation: Join Julie Fischer in the garden for meditation in a meaningful way to you: working the garden, sitting quietly, soaking in the beauty of nature, or sketching a leaf or flower that inspires you.
12:15 pm Outreach Committee meeting eat and meet.
12:15 pm Prairie Home Potluck bring a dish to pass, (we are suggesting 50’s theme, covered dishes and jello-salads!)
1:30 pm Prairie Home Variety Show ($10 suggested donation, as a fundraiser for the music program)
 
This Coming Week
Monday (secretary on vacation)
Wednesday
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:30 pm Self Realization Workshop (high school room)
6:30 pm Summer Fun: Art & Games
7:30 pm Small Group Facilitator’s Meeting
Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path (balcony)
Friday
6:00 pm First Friday “Buddhist Birthday”
 
Pastoral Update
Please hold Dick and Vivian Shane  in your thoughts and prayers. And if you could send them a "thinking of you" card.  Vivian’s health is not good.  Their address is  3720 Village Place #6111, Waterloo, IA, 50702.   Phone  291-8513.


--
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  . . . 22 May 2009
Hello! I hope that you are finding moments of peace in this hectic time. Lot’s of endings and new things started up this time of year: kids finishing up school, classes ending and new ones beginning, time for the start up of summer activities and sports. It’s lots of fun and lots of re-adjusting our schedules. Amidst it all, make sure you take the time to hold fast to the things that fill you with joy, and remind you to live and love today, and every day.
 
See you in church!
Eva

Sunday
9:30 am Memorial Day Chapel Service
Join us for a service in remembrance of all those who died in service to our country.
10:30 am All Church Cleanup
Wear your work clothes, bring your rags, cleaners, mops and dusters. Or if you’d rather work outside: your work gloves, spades and such.  We will be making our church home spic ‘n span from top to bottom, inside and out. This is always a fun intergenerational activity, with the littlest helping along side their elders.

12:00 pm Potluck Picnic & Barbeque
Please bring a dish to share. And something to cook on the BBQ, if you’d like something besides hotdogs. We’ll be celebrating all our hard work with Root Beer floats . . . an old-fashioned treat for old and young alike!
 
This Coming Week
Monday
6:00 pm Cedar Prairie Vegetarian Potluck
 
Tuesday
7:30 pm Committee on Ministry
 
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
7:30 pm Theoretical String Band (sanctuary)
 
Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path (balcony)
 
Next Sunday: May 31
“Question Box Sunday”
We UU’s are fond of saying “Even to question truly is an answer” . . .  so now’s your chance to ask Eva a question. And she will attempt to answer it to the best of her ability! Leave it in the Question Box in the Fellowship Hall, or you may e-mail it to me. Please be sure you sign your name, as I won’t answer anonymous questions.
And DON”T FORGET!!
12:15 pm Prairie Home Potluck—Bring a 50’s covered dish or jello-salad to share! The fun people might be seen in 50’s attire!
1:30 pm Prairie Home Variety Show—If you have an act you’d like to include, please contact Tim Purdum. This is a FUNdraiser . . . so please consider a $10 (or more) donation to help bring music to life in our congregation.


--
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 . . . May 15, 2009 Happy Birthday UUA. On May 15th, 1961 our Association was formed. In the old days, our National Annual Meeting of the Unitarians was called “May Meeting” . . . and you guessed it, they always met in May. We now meet in June and its called General Assembly (“GA”). Back in 1961 the Unitarians came together with the Universalists for form Unitarian Universalism as we now know it. Both faiths found themselves dwindling in numbers, and reached out to each other to gain some strength in numbers. The were many similarities between them, but also some major differences. One of the differences we still wrestle with, is how to be relevant to both working-class people and the educated of society. The Unitarians tended to grow from University town to University town, and the Universalists were found in rural communities and in factory towns. In towns were there were both Unitarians and Universalists, both groups pondered how to make this merger work!  I think, over the last almost 50 years, we have figured out a lot about how to blend and capitalize on the merged theologies, but are still working on what a community feels like that included people from different economic backgrounds. As we wish “Happy Birthday” to the UUA—maybe we also ponder and play, experiment and dare to grow ourselves into a community were all are not just welcomed  (as long as they don’t mind doing things our way), but find our ways comfortable and inclusive. Think about this, and let me know your thoughts!
See you in church!
Eva

 
This Sunday:
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am Service “Butterflies Under Our Hats”
Religious Education Sunday Join Kathy, Eva and our REAP team to say a big “thanks” to all those who helped in this past year. Eva is preaching on “Do You Hear?” And members of the CF High School choir will be singing, along with our Children’s Choir.
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 Rev. Eva and others in exploring Buddhist spiritual practices.
Garden Meditation: Join Julie Fischer in the garden for meditating in a meaningful way to you: working the garden, sitting quietly, soaking in the beauty of nature, or sketching a leaf or flower that inspires you
Walking the Talk: The focus for May is “Habitat for Humanity”. Sheri Huber-Otting or someone from Habitat will talk about the program and how we can participate.
1 - 5 pm COM/Board Retreat (fellowship hall)
6:00 pm What’s Up Doc?umentaries “The Future of Food” This quietly inflammatory film skillfully illuminates the alarming issues surrounding genetically engineered crops and the rapidly increasing corporate domination of our food supply.
 
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)
6:30 pm Self Realization Workshop (high school room)
6:30pm Exploring Sufism
7:30 pm Theoretical String Band (sanctuary)
 
Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path (balcony)
 
Friday
6:30 pm Buddhist Movie Night (sanctuary)
 
Saturday
5:30-8:30 pm Rental
 
Pastoral Update:
Jen and Jason Zeck along with son Tristan and baby Ella want to thank you for all the help and good vegan food. They are still accepting help as Jen is still having health issues. Lara Martinsen-Burrell and Diane Harwood are coordinating their care. But little cards and notes to keep up their spirits are also very helpful.
 
Upcoming Events:
Next weekend in the All-Church clean-up and potluck BBQ. Come in your work clothes. We will have a brief chapel in honor of Memorial Day, and then clean the whole church from top to bottom. Bring your cleaning supplies! Also bring  a dish to pass and something to cook on the grill. I think we just might have Root Beer Floats again this year.
 
The following weekend (May 31st) will be our Prairie Home Companion Variety Show. This too starts with a potluck, but this time its theme is dishes from the 50’s . . . so get out those ‘cover-dish’ recipes, find your favorite jello salad recipe, and maybe even dig up an bit of a 50’s outfit to wear!  After the potluck, we will go upstairs for the show of a lifetime! Make sure you invite your friends and neighbors! Let’s have a whooping good time and raise some money for the church at the same time!!!

--
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 . . . Once again it is time for our annual Flower Communion. If you’ve never participated in this ritual, I think you’ll find it touching and beautiful. Each person is invited to bring a flower, branch or something showing spring’s awakening. We will gather them in a large vase as you come into the Sanctuary. Towards the end of the service each person will come forward and receive the gift of a flower from the vase. We will be sharing the love, the hope that spring brings. Focusing of Gifts of Love, we will also be welcoming new members this Sunday. The Martinsen-Burrell family has prepared a skit for us. And both the children’s choir and choir have special music for us!!  It’s a Service for All Ages . . . so come one, come all . . . and invite a friend along too. Look forward to seeing you!
 
Tomorrow/SUNDAY:
8:30 am Music Rehearsal
9:30 am Service “Gifts of Love: our annual Flower Communion”
New Member Ingathering & Recognition
10:45 am Fellowship Time in Celebration of New Members
11:00 am Children’s Chapel
11:15 am Sunday School for children & youth
11:15 am Adult Classes:
Stories that Changed My Life
Garden Meditation: Join Julie Fischer in the garden for meditating in a meaningful way to you: working the garden, sitting quietly, soaking in the beauty of nature, or sketching a leaf or flower that inspires you.
Book Group: “Religion is not about God” with Pat Malloy
 
This Coming Week:
Tuesday
7:15 pm Religious Services Committee
 
Wednesday
11:00 am UU Ministry at Friendship Village
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 Workshop
Integral Life Practice Small Group
7:30 pm Theoretical String Band (sanctuary)
 
Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path (balcony)
 
Friday
5:00-9:00 pm Rental (Wedding)
 
Saturday
5:30-8:00 pm Cedar Falls Annual Community Read for the
Environment