Rev Eva Cameron ask’s us to pause before we enter the month of “thanksgiving and pilgrims” to honor a man “Chief Black Hawk” whose story is not so well know to us as that of the “founding fathers”. Rev. Eva shared with us some history about the man for whom Black Hawk County is named [...]
Every summer as Eva travels, there are things she gets so close to, and yet misses. This year, it was Lincoln’s cabin. This got her to thinking about the nature of life, choices, and what we give up as we go along life’s journey. To listen to this service click here.
On this Sunday we joned with UUs all over the country to celebrate our common movement and to raise money to help fund the growth of Unitarian Universalism. In fact, some of the money raised has helped us join with our churches in Iowa to create sponsored spots about UUism on IPR. To listen to [...]
This talk and meditation on Ghandhi is presented by member Bill Chene on the occasion of Chandhi’s Birthday. To listen to this service click here.
This podcast begins with the Chalice Lighting by Judy Harrington. The Rev. Eva Cameron sermon is about recognizing the power of realizing the blessings you have in your life, choosing to listen for love. The web of life that surrounds us speaks to us everyday. This was also a journal Sunday. [...]
The service for all ages team, Karen Impola and the Rev. Eva Cameron put together a service to celebrate the autumn and the lessons it offers us on our Spiritual journey with song, drama, poetry and joy. To listen to the Introduction, the Apple Tree Skit, the Meditation, a poem by Mary Oliver and conclusion [...]
Together UU’s from all over the country are working toward Standing on the Side of Love. Today Rev. Eva Cameron helps us explore the Spiritual Theme for the coming year. To listen to the Opening Words,Chalice Lighting and the Meditation click here.
To listen to the sermon click here.
Professor Al Hays brought us the message on Labor Day, with a Message titled “The Labor Theory of Value”. To listen to the Opening Words, the Chalice Lighting and the Message click here. This was a short service after which there was an all church clean up and then a pot luck luncheon.
Rev. Kalen Fristad is an ordained United Methodist Minister. After serving churches in Iowa for twenty-seven years, he embarked upon an independent ministry, consisting of traveling around the contry with his wife, Darlene. He accepted invitations to speak to churches and other groups, countering the teaching that many people will suffer for eternity in hell [...]
During this Chapel service the Rev Eva Cameron introduced us to this year’s theme, Standing on the Side of Love. Which is also the denomination’s theme for the year. To listen to this service click here.
This chapel service was presented by member Sean McNally. To listen to the service click here.
A Celebration of the lyrical voice of our hearts and souls. The congregation was asked to bring a poem, one their own or by someone else to share. To listen to this service click here.
Jim Paprocki’s talk comes from the book, “Not Only a Fair Weather Faith” by the Rev. William Murry. The intro includes a solo instrumental from one of the youth. To listen to the service click here.
This summer service was led by lay member Bill Chene. To listen to the service click here.
The Service for this service was partly inspired by a 1968 article by Garrett Hardin. The message looks at the tension between what’s good for the individual and what’s good for the interdependent web. Karen Impola is the speaker at this service. To listen to this service click here.
The summer solstice celebration was led by Al Hays. Due to the weather the celebration was held indoors. The podcast of the ceremony follows, but the last section where the congregation moves into the circle is not picked up well by the microphones and may be difficult to hear. To listen click here.
Harvesting the Energy Through Sacred Dance Join Deblyn Russell and Lara Martinsen-Burrell as they integrate breath and movement from different traditions. To Listen click here
Ben Kieffer, Del Carpenter (WA)
What can Joseph Campbell teach us about our hero’s journey? Iowa Public Radio host, Ben Kieffer, spoke to us about the influence of mythologist Joseph Campbell on his life. In particular, he recounted how Campbell’s concept of a hero’s journey came to mind when he covered the peaceful revolutions in eastern [...]
During this annual event the Rev. Eva Cameron answers questions from the “Question Box” where we have have been leaving our “Questions” for her to respond to for the last several weeks. In a religion where we like to say “Even to question truly is an answer” it’s fun to pause and think about what [...]
A Chapel Service in honor of those who have died in service of our Country. Those who have experinced a personal loss were invited to bring an item or photo to place on the altar. To listen to the service click here.
Rev Eva Cameron and Kathy Klink-Zeitz , our Director or Religious Education, joined together to acknowledge and celebrate the power of religious education. Knowledge is power and our children and adults go forth from our doors with strength from the many lessons they learn here together. To listen to the RE honors part of the [...]
On this Mother’s Day we honored the marvelous human potential to find hope, even when times are difficult. Everyone was asked to bring a flower to share with someone. New Members were welcomed in a New Member Ceremoney.
To listen to this service click here.
To listen to the New Member Ceremony click here.
Lichen are those small grayish green things that grow on rocks ( mostly). They just kind of sit there, minding their own business. We mostly ignore them. They offer us a unique spiritual message.
To listen to the Opening Words, Chalice Lighting and Choir click here.
To listen to the Sermon click here.
Rev Eva Cameron, the Service For All Ages Team helped with this celebration of Earth Day with story, song and play. To listen to this service click here.
That question can be asked (and answered) in the same way as “what’s wrong with my eating an ice cream cone?” either from the point of view of a vegan or from the point of view on a hot July afternoon while standing in front of a Dairy Queen. Lynn’t talk is in response to [...]
For some of us, this powerful story of resurrection gives us hope, and for others of us, we all find hope in life restored, in goodness and joy restored. What “Easter Angels: have been in our lives, coaching us, encouraging us to indeed see the moment for what it is – a moment of great [...]
Tim Purdum, Rev. Eva Cameron & Deblyn Russell worked together on this Palm Sunday service. To listen to the Choir sing, the Chalice Lighting, a song played and sung by Tim Purdum, the closing hymn and the closing words click here.
To listen to Tim’s sermon on Palm Sunday click here.
Each year the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee is featured at a Sunday service.
To listen to the opening song by the Theoretical String Band, Opening Words, the Chalice Lighting, The Children’s Story read by Al Hays and the Meditation led by the Rev. Eva Cameron click here.
To listen to the Rev Eva Cameron’s sermon on Justice [...]
This early spring service is an opportunity to celebrate Spring with music and drama. We also dedicate children who are new to our UU faith. In the first podcast you can listen to the Children’s Choir sing the Garden Song, hear the Chalice lighting and the Children’t Dedication. To listen click here.
In the second podcast [...]
March is supposed to “come in like a lion” but sometimes it seems to bring a lot more crabs than lions as we are all weary of winter weather. What can we do with the upsets, angers and crabbiness we find popping up in our lives?
To listen to the opening words, chalice lighting, children’s story, [...]
The Stewardship Team and Rev Eva Cameron explore the deeper meaning of giving during this service. The first podcast includes the opening music, the opening words, chalice lighting and the children’s story. To hear this section of the service click here.
The second podcast includes the Stewardship moment, Offering, The Sermon by Mike Knapp [...]
Reflections On Postville.
Perry-O Sliwa brought us her ongoing story of intentional living and thoughtful action as she shared her story of thougts and vocation and her engagement with a family profoundly changed since the Postville Immigration raids.
To listen to the choir and then to Perry-O tell the children a story about the family click here.
To [...]
Lincoln’s values and causes are central to UU beliefs. Our forefathers and the forefather’s of his day had an active involvement in the abolitionist movement and other progressive causes of that era. Let’s celebrate 200 years of progress. To hear this program click here.
The Rev. Eva and the Service For All Ages Team used music, drama and poetry to share with the congregation about all the many ways that love touches our lives.
This podcast of the service is divided into 3 separate podcasts.
To listen to part 1, which includes the Children’s Choir, the Opening words, the Global Chalice [...]
We have a special love of the relationship of science and religion.
For some, Darwin’s evolution has become their religious myth as
well as a scientific theory. Let’s celebrate the man, his ideas and
how they have rocked our religious world!
To listen to the Theoretical String Band play “Hey Charley”, The Rev. Eva Cameron’s opening words and Laura [...]
What are we afraid of, and why? In order to “dare to grow” we need
to face these questions. The UUYouth will lead us in a service
exploring the theme of fear. To listen to this service click here.
The Artistic Youth Ensemble of Minnesota joined us on this special Sunday to bring some special music to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. To hear this special music and Rev. Eva Cameron’s special words about his dreams and ours, click here.
If you would like to learn more about the [...]
Hale once said, “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do
everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do
everything I will not refuse to do the something I can do.” The
Rev. Eva Cameron is preaching joined by Worship Associate Al Hays. To listen to this service click here.
Once Universalist congregations spread across the Midwest with giant revival meetings. What message did they offer the spirit-weary of the plains? Strong enough to leave Iowa with over one hundred congregations at the turn of the last century! What can we learn from this past? To listen to this service click here.
Every January we celebrate the Aniversary of the Universalist Church in Waterloo by having communion with the orginal communion service used by the Universalists. To listen to the Communion story told to the children and the congregation by the Rev Eva Cameron click here.
New Year’s Chapel
Some say doing the same thing again expecting different results is foolish.
Others say the variables are always changing so doing the same thing
again expecting the same results is also foolish. Whether either or both
views are correct, stopping to take a look back and a look forward is worth
doing. Del Carpenter and Worship Associate [...]
The Service For All Ages Team , Rev. Eva , and others enacted the Christmas story with reflection on just what it all means from voices of UUs with differing theological points of view–funny, respectful, and inspiring. To listen to the service click here.
Does the ‘holiday season’ get your blood pressure up as you
think of all the things that need to get done before the 25th?! Just as
the one approach to this holiday asks us to rush about at break-neck
speed, there is another side that asks us to slow down, to reflect, to
listen, to anticipate. The Rev. Eva, [...]
Sue Hill, Commissioned Lay Minister helps us reflect on the role that food plays in our spiritual lives. To listen to this service click here.
A service to celebrate the richness of life and all that we have for which to be thankful. The choir and worship associate Karen Impola assisted with this service. To listen to this service click here.
What does it take to grow our Church? Is growth really necessary. Lara Martinsen-Burrell joins Rev Eva Cameron with the service and the New Member Ceremony. To listen to this service click here.
To Serve is what Minister means in Latin. Our three Commissioned Lay Ministers, John Miller, Sue Hill and Deblyn Russell share their faith and spiritual perspectives on how becoming Commissioned Lay Ministers has “dared them to grow”. To listen to this service click here.
Attendees were asked to bring mementos or photos of loved one who were no longer with us to decorate the alter on this day as we honored the dead. We shared stories and remembered those who helped shape our lives. The family Choir sang, Al Hays shared some words from favorite poets and the Rev [...]
This service explores the idea of Covenant, and just what it can mean for us UUs. The band helps out with a theme song. To listen to the and the Meditation Click here. To listen to this Sermon click here.
This Service was a Treats and Talents Sermon purchased by Jan Gallagher. Jan selected the Book, Prophetic Sisterhood, about the sisterhood of Unitarian women who build churches in Iowa over one hundred twenty years ago. Rev Eva Cameron, Jan Gallagher and Worship Associate Karen Impola put together hymns, a childrens story and a sermon from [...]
This Association Sunday Service is a celebration of our connection with the larger Unitarian Universalist movement around the country. To listen to the Intro and Meditation click here. To listen to the Children’s Story click here. To listen to Del Carpenter, Rev. Eva Carpenter and Jeff Heiden speak about our connections to the UUA click [...]
This is the time set aside in the Jewish calendar for reconnecting ourselves to others, to the world, to God. It is a time of reconciliation. Each year we follow the lead of this ancient tradition, and pause, reflect on our lives, and work towards at-one-ment yet again. Rev Eva Cameron, Bill [...]
This service honors the Birthday of Gandhi and his committment to effecting large changes in governments and in societies using the tools of ahimsa. To listen to this service click here.
Crisp fall leaves, brilliant blue sky, harvesting crops and fruits while the squirrels harvest their nuts. All these and many other images fill our heads as we dream of fall. Autumn offers a special message inviting us to grow ourselves spiritually as well, if we only pause to read the scripture written on the turning [...]
This summer, Unitarian Universalist hearts joined ours in lurching as we heard the news that the Knoxville UU Church had suffered critical losses due to a man entering the sanctuary with a gun and firing it. It is important to pause, and hold closely all those peole, memories, places and ideas we hold sacred, special, [...]
To listen to the Time for Meditation and Journaling click here.
Rev Eva Cameron explores with us some of the directions this year’s theme can take us as a community and as individuals. To listen to this service click here.
A short Chapel Service is followed by an All – Church clean up and a picnic lunch.
Our Annual Service for All Ages Service where we bring small vials of water from our summer travels and mingle them together in a bowl in the front of the sanctuary to symbolize our coming together as a community at this Service For All Ages
This Sermon was sold at the Annual Auction. Bob Robinson bought the Sermon and ask the Rev Eva Cameron to do the Sermon on the book “The Cruel Sea” a novel written out of World War II drawn out of the actual service in the Royal Navy by the Author. To listen to [...]
How do we find meaning in our lives when it cannot be found in traditional religion? This sermon is taken from Bill Murry’s book, A faith for all Seasons. We explore the meaning of our lives as Unitarian Universalist within the context of being part of a larger community. Life is worth living when it [...]
Member Joyce Boss share with us her ideas about Tao in America. To listen click here.
Listen as Lara and Neil explore the many forms of truth we reveal through our stories: how we tell the story, how we hear the story, and who’s story we carry. Click here to listen.
For Father’s Day the people in attendance were asked to talk about their father’s . To listen to this service click here.
This is a sermon written by the Rev. Michael Brown, Universalist Unitarian Church of Peoria, Il., delivered with commentary by member Del Carpenter. To listen to this service click here.
As UUs we recognize the importance of each individual being free
to explore their own religious beliefs. There is also an organization
that assists that exploration process. We will explore the balance
between the organization and the individual.
John Miller and Colton Questra present the program to listen to the service click here.
May 4th International Sunday: Transylvanian Unitarians (or “Wait, I didn’t know we were related to VAMPIRES ! “) You can listen to the Rev. Eva Cameron and be inspired by the deep history of our Transylvanian Unitarian ‘cousins’ by clicking here.
This April 27th service had the Rev Eva Cameron and member Jim Paprocki exchanging views and responding to questions about what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist and a Christian. To listen to this service click here.
An April 20th Earth Day Celebration of our Mother Earth with all our hearts, minds and senses. Lots of music, stories and sing – alongs. To listen to this service click here.
During the April 13th service about the conflict in Northern Ireland and the efforts at reconciliation, Pam Hays did a children’s story time about conflict and resolution. To listen to the story click here.
Al & Pam gav a brief historical overview of how the conflict in Northern Ireland emerged and then presented a readers theater based on the reflections of people in adjoining Pretestant and Catholic communities about their efforts at working togehter. This presentation was done on Sunday April 13th. To listen to the service click here.
A very talented group of UUs and friends got together to entertain each other with songs and music and stories to raise funds and send 2 of our UU musicians to Unitarian Universalist Musician’s Network Conference in Boston.
The conference provides professional development and networking opportunities for Music Directors, Choir Directors, Church Musicians, and Composers of [...]
Silent Thunder ~~ Rev. Eva Cameron, Julie Fischer to hear this presentation about inspiration and science based on the book Silent Thunder click here.
Rev. Eva Cameron shares her experiences growing up as a “minority” in the community, and her views on liberation theology and the Rev. Wright’s sermons. This timely service looks at more then the “sound bites” which have been in the news about the Rev Wright and to the historical context of liberation [...]
Rev. Eva Cameron shares the story of Easter with the children on Easter Sunday. To listen to this Easter story click here.
Tim Purdum, explores the meaning of Palm Sunday from the point of view of a UU Christian. Where can UU’s find meaning in this story.To listen to this service click here.
March is Women’s History Month and UU Karen Impola looks at the contribution of some UU women from the past. To listen to this service click here.
The Director of Religious Education, Kathy Klink-Zeitz told the children a story about a famous Unitarian Universalist woman Dorthea Dix. To listen to this story click here.
This Sunday Service was presented by the Finance Committee. The subject of the sermon, by Mike Knapp, was The Generosity of Giving. This years the stewardship committee asked members and friends to bring their pledges to the service and they were collected during the service after a special meditation led by Mary Kay [...]
During the Stewardship Sunday Service we had a special treat, when 3 of our members sang an original song about their favorite UU things sung to the tune of a familiar song. To Listen to the song click here.
(to the tune of “My Favorite Things” from the Sound of Music).
“Interesting sermons and music and [...]
This service was a pulpit exchange. Pastor Susan Janzen is with the Cedar Falls Mennonite Church. She shared with us her experiences as a life long Mennonite and as a Pastor for the last 10 years. This is part of our “Shouting Over the Back of the Elephant” experience. To listen [...]
During this service we recognized some of our new members with a short ceremony. The service theme was an exploration on the theme of “love” using the tradition of valentines. To Listen to this creative exploration about this key element ( Love) of most religious faiths click here.
One of our members, a recently retired professor of geology looks at one of our UU Principles. To listen to this service click here.
We say we celebrate the inherent goodness in each person, but sometimes, when it comes right down to it, many of our interactions here at church have to do with business. What can we do to take the time to really sow our interest and care? To listen to this service click here.
In today’s service lay member Lara Martinsen-Burell introduced the concept of contact improvisational dance and shared some thoughts of her personal journey. To listen to this service click here.
During what has become annual event, members of the congregation had the opportunity to put questions for the Minister in a “Question Box” located in the fellowship hall for several weeks. During this service the Rev. Eva Cameron answered as many as she could. To listen to this service click here.
Drawing on the rich legacy of African American spiritual and gospel music, we explore the role that music played during the civil rights movement and how music can give us courage to continue our quest for social justice today.To listen to this service click here. Celeste Bembry and members of the UNI George Walker [...]
This celebration of our anniversary in the Cedar Valley begins with an original piano piece by one of our members. This celebration recalls Jan. 5, 1875 when the Universalist Church was established in Waterloo. Del Carpenter and Eva revisit an old Universalist sermon, old hymns and share a communion with the congregation using [...]
The Rev. Eva Cameron and Worship Associate John Miller lead the congregation in a service of carols, scripture and a modern tale. To listen to this sevice click here
Listen as members of the congregation preform a Christmas Pagent. Click here.
Service for All Ages Team. During the service which incorporates music, poetry, pagentry and ritual we examine what people across the nothern hemisphere have done through the ages to find light and hope at the darkest time of year. To listen to this service click here.
The darker side of the season, the things we or our children think we “want” for Christmas. Does our vision of the ‘perfect’ Christmas never turn out exactly as we dreamed – this side of longing. To listen to this service click here.
Sometimes our sense of health, of purpose, of interconnectedness can only be born when we deeply examine our lives – what we have been given. In this season of anticipation of a great event, let’s begin by taking a look at our spiritual birth. To listen to this service click here.
Contrary to the title, this is not about a system of religious beliefs or lack therof. To listen to this sermon about a faith stance we share and that is useable by anyone click here.
The Rev. Eva Cameron each year at the Treats and Talents Auction offers a sermon based on a book. To listen to this years sermon on”The Life of Pi” Click here.
This is the part of the Sunday Service where the newest members of this Unitarian Universalist Congregation were welcomed into the society. To listen to the ceremony click here.
At this special Sunday Service 3 persons were commissioned as Lay Ministers. The Rev. Eva Cameron discusses the different titles used for the leader of a religious congregation and each of the new Lay Ministers takes an opportunity to share with the congregation. To listen to this service click here.
We set aside this day to join with each other in honoring our larger movement. The theme is “Now is the Time”. Now is the time for growing our faith. Now is the time to reach out, with our unique message of how precious each and every body, each and every culture, [...]
Gandhi’s vision of creating change – large institutional, political change – altered the world. Not just in his lown life’s work, but in the vision he gave to the whole world. To listen to this celebration of Gandhi’s life click here. Hari Shankar also shares his story of his childhood in India [...]
Karen Impola and Deblyn Russell. Fall leaves, crisp apples, and woolen sweaters…this is what fall means to some. What does it mean spiritually? The service for all ages team led us in a celebration of fall. To listen to this service click here.
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