Weekly Update - 1/2/10

Happy New Year!
I hope you had a good holiday time, and that you enter 2010 with vigor and enthusiasm to see what this decade brings. Of course, some of what it will bring, will be what we bring to it. Are you pondering what areas of life and joy and justice you will be aiding in the coming weeks, months, years? The beginning of the year is a good time to reflect and review how we spend out precious energy. For me, an eagle seems to have captured my heart . . . and I will be spending more time helping our wildlife, after my experiences of the last week. I also am looking forward to renewing my passion towards helping our Unitarian schools in the Khasi Hills. What will it be for you?
Sunday Service (9:30 to 10:45am)

“Anniversary Sunday: All Are Invited”
Rev. Eva Cameron with Bill Chene as Worship Associate. Join us as we celebrate the founding of the Universalist branch of our church. On a cold day in January, in 1874, a group gathered to form a church for people who had questions, and yet still felt that God loved them just as much. They called themselves the Universalists. Come learn a bit about our past, and celebrate those early stalwarts of our faith. The children will join us as we serve Communion using our historic Universalist communion. And my message will include some learning about the idea of Open Communion.

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: “Anglo-American Christianity” Bob Robinson will lead a discussion of historical events leading up to the writing of the King James Version of the Bible. (balcony)
Conscious Living: Laura Jackson will report on “World Made by Hand” and Julie Fischer will review “$20 per Gallon”. (sanctuary)
New Member Orientation: People interested in becoming new members are invited to meet with Rev. Eva & Mica Lorenz in Eva’s office.

2:00 pm “A Gathering of Women” small group
4:00 pm “Yoga for All” with Krystal Hamilton


This Coming Week
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)
Artistic Fun Workshop
7:30 pm Theoretical String Band
7:30 pm Small Group Facilitator’s meeting

Thursday~~7:30 pm Buddhist Path (balcony)

Saturday~~6:30 pm UU Card Club

Christmas Eve Reminders

Hello!

We are still planning to hold our Christmas Eve services at 5:30 and 8pm.
Our annual Christmas Party will be between the services at 6:30pm, Hot beverages will be provided, and we ask that you bring a snack, cookies, or some kind of treat to share.

We would suggest that you park in the AEA rear parking lot. If you turn in the driveway just north of ours, for the Trailer Park, then you can turn left into a LARGE lot just above our parking lot. It won't require you to drive up hill on the ice. The hale and hearty mother and daughter team of Amanda and Diana Harwood have chiseled out some steps in the snow between that lot and our parking lot.

Of course if you feel uncomfortable about coming out in the weather, we encourage you to stay home and have a safe and happy HOLIDAY!

~Eva

YES-there is church

Its Dec 20th, and yes we are here to have church. If you feel comfortable driving in the snow, join us.

Weekly Update - 12/18/09

Hello all,
Greetings on this grey and misty Friday. Its been a lovely day, with a gentle softness warming the land. Our service this Sunday will celebrate the wonders of winter and this holiday season. Then join us on Christmas eve for a lovely candlelight service. And if you are traveling, and not in town for me to say this in person, I do wish you the very best in holidays. ~Eva

This Sunday:
8:30 am Band Practice,
8:50 am UU Choir Practice
900 am Childrens’ Choir

9:30 am Service “Walking in a Winter Wonderland”
Sometimes the more natural elements of this season get lost in all the shopping and hectic Christmas plans and parties. But on this Solstice Day, we pause and reflect on what nature has to tell us about how to be better humans. We’ll sing lots of the songs of the season that celebrate our joy at this time of year. Rev. Eva Cameron, Staci Chananie-Hill (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: “What is Good About Religion” We will host Bishop Dysert and other members of the local Mormon Temple. (under the balcony)
Buddhist Path: Join Ralph and others in exploring Buddhist spiritual practices. (balcony)
Walkin’ the Talk: Reverend Eva will be giving a talk a about our efforts in the Khasi Hills in India where we sponsor an orphan girl, Iahunlang.

4:00 pm Beginning Yoga

This Coming Week
Wednesday: WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
No Dinner this week! No Music Rehearsals this week!
6:30 pm Self Realization Workshop (high school room)

Thursday: Christmas Eve
5:30 pm Christmas Eve service
A candlelight service of lessons, stories and carols for the whole family. The UU Suzuki Strings will play at this service. Invite your friends and neighbors! An offering will be taken to support our orphaned girl in the school we sponsor in India. Childcare will be available.
6:30 pm Christmas party
Please bring a snack to share: sweets and savories all are welcome. Esther will be providing warm drinks.
8:00 pm Christmas Eve service
Similar to the first service, but there will other musical features. Come early for the Christmas party, and see your friends who came to the first service.! An offering will be taken to support our orphaned girl in the school we sponsor in India. Childcare will be available.


Pastoral Concerns:
Jim Paprocki is back from the hospital and welcomes notes and phone calls!

Weekly Update - 12/11/09

Weekly Update - 12/11/09 Have you gotten yourself shoveled out yet? I hope so! If you are willing to be a Snow Angel, and help someone in need this winter--be sure you sign up on this simple little form, along with some other nice, simple tasks you might be able to do to make another church member's life easier when they are in a rough spot. Thinking maybe that you are the one who needs their walk shoveled, or a pot of soup delivered? Well there is a place to ask for help on this form too. Our community of love can act to help others, if we know who is available to be called upon. So everyone please take a moment and fill this out. Thanks!

And see you on Sunday!

http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHlfbThrT3prT2xEemU3SWxnQ28wZGc6MA

Sunday Service (9:30 to 10:45am)
“A UU Christmas Pageant” Rev. Eva Cameron.
Join us on this Festival Sunday for our annual production of the story of the
birth of Christ, with lots of commentary along the way, giving us different ideas
about ways that UU’s can make meaning of this story, as we share some laughter.

We've got a great cast, including Gary Kroeger, to help bring a little Christmas cheer to your heart.

Fellowship (10:45 to 11:15am)

Children's Chapel (11:00 to 11:15am)

Sunday School (11:15 to 12:15) for adults & children
Adult Classes
Sixty for Six: “What is Good About Religion” Mr. George Gregory,
a Christian Science practitioner and other members of the local
Christian Science congregation, will be our guests. (balcony)

Circle Way: Join Deblyn Russell for Winter Solstice (sanctuary)

12:15 pm Traveling UU’s small group
2:30 pm Sunday Afternoon small group

This Coming Week
Monday
6:00 pm REAP Council
Tuesday
7:00 pm Board Meeting
7:15 pm Religious Services Council Meeting
Wednesday Calendar Deadline
11:00 am Friendship Village UU Ministry--Chapel service rescheduled from last week.
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)
Artistic Fun Workshop
7:30 pm Theoretical String Band
Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path (balcony)
Friday Newsletter Deadline

Other items
Friendship Village Chapel service and Religious Services Council Rescheduled
Both of these events were canceled due to weather. They will be held this week instead.

WOW CANCELED

All Wednesday activities are canceled at church due to the weather.

Weekly Update - 12/4/09

Weekly Update - 12/4/09 First of all, please note that First Friday has been canceled tonight. Several of the event planners are sick, and with the weather being bad, it seemed the best idea. Now is probably a good time to give you a general reminder about church events and snow/ice/cold, if you have any question--do check your e-mail. We do email all cancelations. And, on Sundays where the weather is questionable, I will also post to my blog window that appears on the right-hand side of our website if there is church service or not once I reach the church building. We will also answer the phone as we can on those days, updating the voicemail. I have a little Subaru Forrester that doesn't mind slippery weather, and so it is fairly easy for me to get to church. BUT, if you feel at all uncomfortable about getting to church, even if you have a responsibility--we want you to stay home! Just call Tim, Kathy or I (whoever you are responsible to) and let us know you aren't coming. Sometimes you really want to be in church, and there is a good chance something will be happening, even in bad weather. I'm good at going with the flow, and making up something with what we have. Everyone knows their own sense of comfort in winter weather, and we urge you to listen to your 'inner voice' on this one, and make the right call for your circumstances.

Wishing you joy on this snowy afternoon!

Eva

Sunday Service (9:30 to 10:45am)
“Sunset in Sabula” Rev. Eva Cameron, Deblyn Russell (Worship Associate)
Sometimes we really anticipate things in life, which leads to a lot of waiting. Advent is the time of year where we honor the spiritual practice of waiting, watching, and being open to the moment.

Fellowship (10:45 to 11:15am)

Children's Chapel (11:00 to 11:15am)

Sunday School (11:15 to 12:15) for adults & children
Adult Classes
Sixty for Six: “What is Good About Religion” Deblyn Russell will teach us about the positive aspects of Wiccan and Native American spiritual beliefs. If there is time, she will present other Nature-based beliefs too. (balcony)

Conscious Living: “Health and Beauty Products: Are They Worth the Risk?” Christine Carpenter will enlighten us. (sanctuary)

New Member Meeting: People interested in becoming new members are invited to meet with Rev. Eva & Mica Lorenz in Eva’s office.

12:30 pm Potluck Luncheon
1:30 pm Winter Music Festival/Variety Show
The fun will begin with a potluck lunch at 12:30, followed by a delightful mix of musical, holiday, and comedy acts at 1:30. There will be a freewill donation (suggested: $10) to help the music committee support the general budget of the church.
4:00 pm Yoga with Krystal Hamilton


This Coming Week
Tuesday
7:15 pm Religious Services Committee
Wednesday
WOW! Workshops on Wednesdays
5:00 pm Children’s Choir
5:30 pm Dinner (Please RSVP)
6:15 pm Adult Choir/ Pageant Rehearsal
6:30 pm Self Realization Workshop (high school room)
Artistic Fun Workshop
6:30 pm Integral Life Practice Small Group
7:30 pm Pageant Rehearsal
Thursday
7:30 pm Buddhist Path (balcony)
Friday
6:30 – 8:30 pm Creative Expressive Healing Workshop for women
Saturday
9:00am Pageant Rehearsal
6:30 pm UU Card Club
Other items
Chalice Relay (part 2) The beautiful chalice which is used at our national General Assemblies (aka "GA") needs to resume its travel. Its next stop is Rochester MN for their service on the 13th. Anyone heading that direction in the next week? Or even willing to go up there to see their Sunday service? or go half way and meet someone from their church? Please let me know.

Pastoral Update
Don't forget to send Mildred Pierce her birthday card. 100 years old!!!
Congratulations to Laura Walter, who got great news about being tumor-free!