The Guiding Star Project | Cedar Valley

Mother Daughter: Intro to Womanhood Class
2026-09-15 18:00 - 19:30 UTC | Guiding Star Cedar Valley, 220 Southbrooke Dr., Waterloo, IA, 50702, United States
We are so excited to share this evening with you and your daughter! We focus on helping girls understand their 4 main superpowers and how puberty relates to each of them. Those “super powers” are Ovulation, Menstruation, Gestation, and Lactation. We spend most of our time in the Ovulation and Menstruation categories – explaining signs they are approaching, the way they might feel during those phases of their cycles, how to prepare for their first period, exploring ways to contain the flow, what’s normal, what’s not, etc.
We also want to help them connect this season of puberty and all that comes with it to the future beauty of their design should they want to become mothers someday. Our hope is that in exploring the topics of pregnancy and breastfeeding, it helps them develop a healthy respect of the functionality of their bodies so they can walk through their development more confidently. The Lactation piece mostly explores breast development and how a developed breast works in the lactation process on a very basic level. At the end, we also start to explore the concept of SPICE in a way that helps them understand their changing feelings and how they are spiritual, physical, intellectual, creative, and emotional beings and can connect with those around them in these different categories.
The cost of this Mother-Daughter class is $25 and an additional $10 will be added per daughter (1 daughter = $25, 2 daughters = $35, etc.). Each daughter will receive a gift and folder of resources that will further the discussion and relationship you have with your daughter around this transition into womanhood. We hope this class serves both of you in fostering healthy conversations about the female body and its superpowers!
REGISTER HERE: IntroToWomanhood

Father Son: Intro to Manhood
2026-09-15 18:00 - 19:30 | Guiding Star Cedar Valley, 220 Southbrooke Dr., Waterloo, IA, 50702, United States
In Intro to Manhood, we will cover the objectives every boy undergoes in the process of becoming a man. These objectives include the development of the body, anatomy, physiology and character traits of an upstanding man. The material is designed to give boys a concise, yet digestible, knowledge of the changes their bodies will go through during puberty and the process of how a new life is created. The boys will also gain insight on what it means to be a man as far as leadership and building meaningful relationships with family and friends.
The cost of this Father Son Class is $25. Each son will receive a gift and folder of resources that will further the discussion and relationship you have with your son around this transition into manhood. We hope this class serves both of you in fostering healthy conversations about manhood and the transition into it!
REGISTER HERE: Intro to Manhood

Baby's Here. Now What?
2026-09-22 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-09-29 18:00 - 19:30 | Guiding Star Cedar Valley, 220 Southbrooke Dr., Waterloo, IA, 50702, United States
Join us for this three-part, in person class for expecting parents. You’ll get practical guidance and support in three key areas: physical recovery and emotional support following birth, evidence-based newborn care, and how to begin breastfeeding with confidence. The class will utilize a mix of instruction, hands-on activities, and real conversation about expectations and realities. By the end of the series, both mom and dad will leave feeling informed, empowered, and ready to take on the first few weeks of parenthood! Take this class for FREE this September, a $75 value!

This class will take place Tuesday, September 8th, 22nd, and 29th from 6:00 – 7:30 PM.

REGISTER HERE: Baby’s Here. Now What?

Breastfeeding Moms Community
2026-09-25 09:30 - 11:00, 2026-10-09 09:30 - 11:00, 2026-10-23 09:30 - 11:00 | Guiding Star Cedar Valley, 220 Southbrooke Dr., Waterloo, IA, 50702, United States
Our Breastfeeding Moms Community will meet at Guiding Star Cedar Valley on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month from 9:30am-11am. Childwatch is available and you can register here. Each meeting will be led by Susan Wirtjes who has been assisting women on their breastfeeding journeys for more than 50 years! Our vision for this group is that it will be a place where women will meet other like-minded mothers and support professionals. We will encourage sharing of experiences in a non-judgmental setting. Moms will be offered options and alternatives to help them make choices that fit well with their parenting style. We want to help women feel supported, empowered and affirmed in their motherhood journey. Pregnant women welcome!

Creighton Model Introductory Session
2026-10-06 17:00 - 18:30, 2026-11-03 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-12-01 17:00 - 18:30 | Guiding Star Cedar Valley, 220 Southbrooke Dr., Waterloo, IA, 50702, United States
At Guiding Star Cedar Valley, we believe real healthcare empowers women with the knowledge of their fertility. Fertility should be respected and understood, not treated as an illness. But too often, women are simply given contraception with no invitation to learn about the way their bodies function and no opportunity to even begin to learn about charting their menstrual cycle.
Our mission is to change that! We want to equip women with the understanding that they deserve to understand how their bodies work and have the root causes of reproductive issues treated, not simply covered with a band-aid approach.
The Creighton Model FertilityCare System offers an alternative to hormonal contraception while working cooperatively with the female reproductive cycle. Come and learn more about the Creighton Method (spouses/partners are encouraged to join!) in this introductory course! Cost of the session is $60 per couple. FREE Childwatch is also available! Please call us with any questions: 319-232-2695.
REGISTER HERE: Creighton Intro Session

Miscarriage & Infant Loss Support Community - Fall Session
2026-10-06 17:30 - 18:30, 2026-11-03 17:30 - 18:30, 2026-12-01 17:30 - 18:30, 2027-01-05 17:30 - 18:30 | Guiding Star Cedar Valley, 220 Southbrooke Dr., Waterloo, IA, 50702, United States
Guiding Star’s partner, Katie Schmitz LISW, will be offering a miscarriage & infant loss support community beginning in September. We will meet in the downstairs community class space here at Guiding Star Cedar Valley.
The group will meet monthly, for one hour, for five consecutive months. Any individual, at any level or grieving, is welcome to attend. Topics will be mostly group-led, but will range from “What is ‘Normal’ in the Grieving Process” to “The Importance of Rituals” to “How to Communicate Needs to Others Outside of your Grief” and “How to Support other Children in Your Grief”. While there is no set cost for joining the group–free will donations will be accepted at each session, with a suggested cost of $10 per session.
Because of the nature of this group, you must attend the very first meeting in order to continue with the sessions. Fill out this form if you would like to attend the group, beginning in September, or other possible sessions.

This fall session will meet on the first Tuesday of each month from 5:30 – 6:30 PM.

1st Session: September 1st, 2026
2nd Session: October 6th, 2026
3rd Session: November 3rd, 2026
4th Session: December 1st, 2026
5th Session: January 5th, 2027

If you have any questions, call Guiding Star at (319) 232-2695 or email danielle@guidingstarcedarvalley.org
Guiding Star Cedar Valley is located at 220 Southbrooke Drive, Waterloo, IA 50702.
REGISTER HERE : Miscarriage & Infant Loss Support Community – Fall Session

No Matter How Small: Miscarriage & Infant Loss Memorial Service
2026-10-15 10:00 - 11:30 | Mount Olivet Cemetery, 3912 W 4th St, Waterloo, IA 50701, Mount Olive Cemetery, 3912 W 4th St, Waterloo, Iowa, 50701
Join us on Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 10:00 AM to remember and celebrate the precious lives of those we’ve lost too soon. This special gathering provides a space for healing and reflection, where we come together as a supportive community to honor the memories of our little ones. We invite families and friends to join us as we share stories and offer comfort to one another.
Whether you are remembering a past or a recent loss, all are welcome.
For more information, please reach out at (319) 232-2695.
Let us come together to find solace and strength in shared memories and collective support. We look forward to welcoming you to this space of healing and remembrance.

Wave of Light Ceremony
2026-10-15 18:00 - 19:30 | Diamond Event Center, 5307 Caraway Lane, Cedar Falls, Iowa, 50613, United States
October 15th is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day. Across the country, families light candles in remembrance of babies lost to miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth or infant loss.
Join us for a Wave of Light event at Diamond Event Center in collaboration with MercyOne Waterloo and Allen Hospital:
📍5307 Caraway Lane, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
🕡 Start time: 6:00 PM
🕯️ Lighting of luminaries: 7:00 PM
🎶 Music, fellowship and activities for children will be provided.

Basic Infant & Child CPR and Choking
2026-10-20 18:00 - 19:30 | Guiding Star Cedar Valley, 220 Southbrooke Dr., Waterloo, IA, 50702, United States
In this class you’ll learn the basics of Infant & Child CPR & Choking.

You’ll learn:
-How to recognize when a child and/or infant needs CPR or choking relief
-What to do when a child needs CPR or choking relief
-How to correctly perform CPR and choking relief using manikins for hands-on practice

This class is taught by Julie Grunklee, RN & Certified CPR/First Aid Instructor through the American Heart Association. This class is a basic overview and is designed to prepare parents and caregivers with practical, hands-on skills to respond in an emergency. However, this class does not provide certification in CPR or Choking.

REGISTER HERE: Basic Infant & Child CPR and Choking Registration

Breastfeeding Basics
2026-10-27 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-12-15 18:00 - 19:30 | Guiding Star Cedar Valley, 220 Southbrooke Dr., Waterloo, IA, 50702, United States
How do I know if I have enough milk?
How do I know when my baby is full?
What if my baby won’t latch?

Breastfeeding is a journey that is full of emotions, challenges and beauty. We want to lay a foundation of support for you in answering some common questions, providing some breastfeeding basics, help your spouse be equipped to support you along with tips and tricks for baby care.

Susan Wirtjes, IBCLC, has been teaching women for 40+ years, and you will walk away from this class with confidence for your breastfeeding journey! Spouses are welcome as they are an important part of this journey.
REGISTER HERE: Breastfeeding-Basics

Guiding Star Cedar Valley 2026 Annual Charity Gala
2026-11-05 17:30 - 20:30 | Diamond Event Center, 5307 Caraway Lane, Cedar Falls, Iowa, 50613, United States
Register using the QR Code above or the link below!
Guiding Star Cedar Valley 2026 Charity Gala

Birth Your Way
2026-11-10 18:00 - 19:30 | Guiding Star Cedar Valley, 220 Southbrooke Dr., Waterloo, IA, 50702, United States
Have you thought about what you want your birth story to be? Our partner, Zenith Birth Services, will be educating you on what to expect during labor, comfort measures, and, most importantly, how to have an informed birth experience. Sarah Oldre is a certified Birth Doula and has been serving women in the Cedar Valley since 2013. Bring your labor questions, and we know you will leave feeling one step closer to being prepared for your birth story!
REGISTER HERE: Birth Your Way

Breastfeeding Moms Community
2026-11-13 09:30 - 11:00, 2026-12-11 09:30 - 11:00, 2026-12-18 09:30 - 11:00 | Guiding Star Cedar Valley, 220 Southbrooke Dr., Waterloo, IA, 50702, United States
Our Breastfeeding Moms Community will meet at Guiding Star Cedar Valley on the 2nd and 3rd Friday of November and December from 9:30am-11am. Childwatch is available and you can register here. Each meeting will be led by Susan Wirtjes who has been assisting women on their breastfeeding journeys for more than 50 years! Our vision for this group is that it will be a place where women will meet other like-minded mothers and support professionals. We will encourage sharing of experiences in a non-judgmental setting. Moms will be offered options and alternatives to help them make choices that fit well with their parenting style. We want to help women feel supported, empowered and affirmed in their motherhood journey. Pregnant women welcome!

What to Expect with Menopause & Perimenopause
2026-11-17 18:00 - 19:30 | Guiding Star Cedar Valley, 220 Southbrooke Dr., Waterloo, IA, 50702, United States
Come celebrate our feminine design and learn different ways you can support your body and gracefully navigate the changes peri-menopause & menopause bring.
In this class we will cover some common issues and fears related to peri-menopause and menopause, how God designed our bodies, and what happens to our bodies and hormones during these stages of life as well as how you can gracefully navigate and embrace these changes. We’ll cover ways you can create health through mind-set, de-stressing, food choices, body movement (aka exercise), sleep, hormone therapy, intimate moments, as well as how a variety of medical modalities can help you through these changes. You will walk away equipped with knowledge and simple, concrete strategies you can easily put into place in your everyday life to support your body and hormones. You will leave inspired and empowered to lead the happy, active, vibrant life God is calling you to in this awesometastic stage of life.
Guiding Star Cedar Valley is located at 220 Southbrooke Drive, Waterloo, IA 50702. If you have any questions, please call (319) 232-2695 or communityclass@guidingstarcedarvalley.org

REGISTER HERE

Breastfeeding Moms Community
2026-11-20 09:30 - 11:00

Postpartum Pelvic Floor Class
2026-12-08 18:00 - 19:30 | MercyOne Rehabilitation and Wellness Center, 2204 Kimball Avenue, Waterloo, IA, 50702, United States
We are excited for you to join us for Bryndee’s Postpartum Pelvic Floor Class!

Throughout pregnancy, your pelvic floor serves as the foundation for supporting your growing baby. These muscles are naturally weakened as we age, and through the stress of pregnancy and labor. Just like other muscles in the body, these muscles can be trained to be stronger – providing a strong base for our pelvic organs!

Bryndee Nichols, DPT with MercyOne will be providing education about the pelvic floor – sharing and demonstrating which exercises are most beneficial in the postpartum period. Whether you’re currently pregnant and preparing for the postpartum period, or already there, education about how to support the pelvic floor is so important for your recovery and health!

**This class will be hosted at MercyOne Rehabilitation and Wellness Center,
2204 Kimball Ave. Waterloo, IA 50702

Please Note: Registration officially closes at 12:00 pm (noon) the day before class.

If you have any questions, please call (319) 232-2695 or email communityclass@guidingstarcedarvalley.org.

SIGN UP HERE – LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE
