The more tumultuous the world gets, the more we yearn for certainty, any certainty that will get us through the times that make us anxious.

Perhaps we are looking for the wrong comforts; it could be that the search itself is the problem. Religious liberals have historically praised the good in everything and everybody and then experienced the bad with blinders on. This Sunday we'll take them off and find that it is OK not to be OK, and that we have a choice in how we respond to human limitations and imperfections.

Divas Frances McCafferty and Nancy Cooke Munn will provide special music for the service.

The Children and Youth Religious Education program kicks off Sunday with a free breakfast at 9 am for those currently involved in the program (students, parents, teachers, volunteers) as well as those who are curious about how to get involved.

If you were registered last year, you should have already received registration materials. If you are new or did not receive the mailing, you and your child are invited to attend without pre-registering. Natalie Freeburg, Acting Director of Religious Education, also would be happy to talk to you before the breakfast.

Developing a child's spirituality creates a strong foundation for all aspects of their lives. Membership in the Society is not required for parents of children in the Religious Education program, and we welcome families of all types and backgrounds. You are also welcome to volunteer in our program whether or not you have children.

Please contact Natalie Freeburg at the church 776-4580 ext. 162 (NEW #) or by email for further information.

Senior Minister Gregory L. Stewart and his partner Stillman White will be among the signers of the Membership Book this Sunday as the Society welcomes new Members at 9:45 am in the Fireside Room.

During the worship service Members who have joined in recent months will be introduced to the Congregation. After the service we will continue our welcoming with a new member reception in the courtyard. New member recognition is a special event in this Society that happens only a few times a year -- don't miss this one! For more information on these membership events, please call the church office at 776-4580.

Please say "hello" to a visitor on Sunday. We will have more visitors than usual who will come through our doors for the very first time to see what we are all about. So the Membership Committee is asking each member to please take a few minutes to say "hello" to a visitor this Sunday.

We know that it is really nice to greet old friends back at church but it is also important for each of us to make visitors feel welcome. Many visitors come to a Sunday service wondering whether they will really fit in to this Society. Let's share our special spiritual community with them by taking a few minutes to speak to newcomers.

People interested in reversing this legislative action will meet at 11 am Saturday at the church to discuss appropriate responses to the removal of King, a former minister of this Society.

Area State Senators Carol Midgen and Jackie Speer voted in favor of replacing King with Reagan as did Assemblyman Leland Yee. Assemblyman Mark Leno was absent for the vote, according to information located online by Milo Hanke.

The Chronicle article stated that the resolution did not need the Governor's approval, but Leno's office recommended that opponents of the switch call the Governor and ask him to veto the bill.

"Please support our effort to prevent the Governor from signing the resolution to substitute Ronald Reagan for Thomas Starr King in the Rotunda in Washington, DC," requests Carol Fleming. "Call now! This is real and this now. Please call and say this is an outrage!!"

The Governor's office San Francisco phone number is (415) 703-2218. The bill to refer to is "SJR 3".

Tickets will be available Sunday after services for the October 7th celebration of the 50th anniversary of the publication of Howl.

“The Beat Generation Still Lives!”, an evening of Beat Poetry with guest Beat Poets David Meltzer, Jerry Kamstra, and Lenore Kandel, will put these artists together on stage for the first time in decades. Admission is $10 in advance.

For further information contact Anna Sylvester at 359-0697 or see the Beat Flyer for full details.

Unitarian Unitarians will join the global community with events for Global Days for Darfur, September 7 to 17. Members and friends are invited to drop in and participate.

Sunday at 1 pm in the Chapel, San Francisco members of Unitarian Universalists United Nations Office will screen How Many Times Can We Say Never Again: A 21st Century Genocide. A discussion led by Gerri Miller, Founder of "Dear Sudan, Love Marin" will follow.

On Wednesday (September 13) at 7 pm the Forum Committee will host an Interfaith Vigil and Reflections for Darfur. Celebrate the National Day of Prayer for Darfur at this Interfaith Vigil Hosted in the Fireside Room.

International opera stars Frances McCafferty and Nancy Cooke Munn will fill the evening with operatic gems and Broadway show tunes.

Proceeds will benefit the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee's (UUSC) Gulf Coast Relief Fund and our local Unitarian Universalists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Katrina dog rescue work.

Tickets are $25 general admission or $20 for senior/students in advance.

CommUUnity Dinners hosts from last year and people interested in being hosts this year are invited to a potluck supper on Saturday, September 16th from 4 pm to 8 pm at a Member's home.

Each host selects which month and the number guests their home can accommodate. Dinners are one Saturday evening per month beginning October 21st. Especially welcomed are hosts with children or who have homes that accommodate children.

For more information on CommUUnity Dinners, to sign up, and to get the potluck address and directions please contact Joan Rost by phone 563-0623, by email, or at the CommUUnity Dinner table at coffee hour Sunday.