I find the concept of forgiveness to be complex. I grew up learning that forgiving both self and others was a non-negotiable in religion.

Now older, I wonder if there are exceptions to this expectation; perhaps there may be times when to do so benefits no one. At the root of this moral dilemma is the nature of evil itself, which provides clues as to when, of, and how often we should forgive.

Joining Rev. Stewart on the Chancel will be Nicolette Toussaint, Worship Associate, and Joe Chapot, Youth Worship Associate.

Prior to this service the Society will offer the opportunity to sign the membership book at 9:30 in the Fireside Room. Everyone is invited to the signing ceremony and people interested in becoming Members are invited to talk to Rev. Stewart at 776-4580.

Religious Education classes for children and youth continue to enroll new participants in the Sunday program. Drop-ins are always welcome, but advance notice to Natalie Freeburg at 776-4580 will allow her to greet you personally. (Click for class schedule information.)

The church year started off strong earlier in September with more than 170 people celebrating this year's beginning of the Religious Education program with balloons, waffles, and familiar songs. Special thanks to Uvonne Jones-Most and her family, as well as the Children's Religious Education Committee members for showing up so early and keeping the breakfast lines moving!

The first "all-ages" chapel service was held September 24 during the regular Sunday School hour of 10 to 11 am. A celebration of four holidays was presented: Fall Equinox by Nancy Buffum, Autumn Moon Festival by Natalie Freeburg, Ramadan by Roya Niknia, and Rosh Hashanah by Bill Klingelhoffer (sounding the shofar) and Melody Kercheval. Snack was reflective of these holidays - apples and honey, moon cakes and halva. These all-ages chapels will be held every now and then, and all congregants are welcome to join (look for advance notice in the Flame).

A gorgeous sunny day embraced the congregants and their friends as they gathered for the All-Church Picnic in Golden Gate Park last Sunday. There was great diversity in age, activity interest and food, and it was truly a glorious way to welcome the warm autumn San Francisco days. Huge thanks to Gary Furney and his family for coordinating the picnic, and to Rich Gross, Eric Shackelford, Trudy Lionel, and Lucy Smith and others, for setting up and cleaning up.

Beginning this Sunday three staff spaces in the garage will be reserved each Sunday morning for carpools of 3 or more adults.

Ridesharing is a great way to be part of caring community, and it's a better response to the urban parking challenge than "being first". It's a great reason to offer a ride, or to ask for one.

Got a ride, but worried that you need to stay later or leave earlier? We'll promise to get you home with a Member or a taxi!

Call Nancy Evans at 776-4580 if you have more ideas, or would like to staff the "homeward bound" table after the service.

We all have good ideas and "big plans" for our community. Please come to the Starr King Room on Friday (September 29) at 7:30 to share your hopes and dreams for our congregation.

The discussion will give Rev. Greg Stewart an opportunity to learn more about who we are and we will all learn from hearing what our fellow members are hoping for as this new ministry unfolds. Each voice brings a unique perspective that will make the planning exciting and creative.

Childcare will be provided and the Board of Trustees will bring gourmet cookies for your enjoyment. For questions, call Linda Enger on 650 591-2930.

from Marc Theobald

The Society is participating in the Interfaith Power and Light Spotlight on Global Warming held during the first week of October by showing the movie even Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has praised because it "got it [the description of the environmental crisis] right".

Our community is part of a quickly growing list of distinguished religious and community leaders who will be screening An Inconvenient Truth to congregations and community members around the country.

Come join in for a distinguished, important film. Snacks will be available, and childcare will be provided. Donations will be accepted.

Recordings of the current sermon will be offered for $5 at the Bookwagon after the service each week. Hardcopies of previous weeks' sermons (for $2) and an archive of sermon CD's will also be there.

The Society will continue to offer free sermon and service audio on its website.

You can also subscribe to the podcasts by copying the address below into your computer's podcasting software (works with iTunes and other podcast software):

Or, if you have an iPod, you can subscribe to the sermon podcast at the Apple site by clicking below (Please note that the Apple site's listing of available sermons is stuck in a time warp. If you subscribe, the current sermons will be downloaded even though the online Apple list is months old).

The San Francisco Young Adult Network will be hosting a reception for 18-35-ish church members, attendees, and visitors to meet each other this Sunday (October 1) in the Fireside Room after the service.

Coffee and other refreshments will be available. Call or email Brendan or phone him at 794-0502 for more information.

Susan took us back to the New Jersey shore and the smell of Noxzema in her reflection two Sundays ago.

Her reverie wound through our community and back to eating sausage and pepper sandwiches.

Signups for the first CommUUnity dinner of the church year will start Sunday after the service. The dinners will be Saturday, October 21st in the homes of Members of our community. These potluck dinners are a great way to get better connected with our church community. Please reserve your space by contacting Joan Rost at coffee after the service or by calling her at 563-0623 or by email.

Sign ups for the October dinner will open Sunday, and the last sign up for the month is the Sunday two weeks before the dinner. Your host will contact you approximately 10 days before the event, and you will be asked to bring an appetizer, main dish, salad, dessert, or beverage.

Dinner hosts are still being recruited, and if you can open up your house in October or later in the year, please let Joan know.