In 1995 the Unitarian Universalist Association added a sixth "source" to the historical sources from which it draws. Promoted by pagans and studied for two years by Unitarian Universalists across the continent, the clause that was added to our Principles and Purposes reads, "Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature."

When this amendment was put up for a vote at General Assembly, I voted "No".

This Sunday I'll tell you why and also critique what has happened since, both to me and to our liberal religious movement.

Tim Paulson, Executive Director of the San Francisco Labor Council, will share the views of working people and community activists who have come together to take public positions on the Education, Transportation, Energy, and other vital policy initiatives being decided on this November 7 California Ballot.

David Schmidt, of the California Clean Money Campaign, will share the reasons many Unitarian Universalists throughout California are supporting Proposition 89 to bring publicly financed campaigns to California and reduce the impact of special interests now financing most of our political campaigns.

The program will begin in the Martin Luther King Room at 9:45. Come at 9:30 for conversation, coffee, and (for a slight charge) a light breakfast

from Jim Adams

Lola McDowell will speak on Art as a Universal Language at the discussion following the World Community Advocate's Stone Soup luncheon. The after-service program will feature a slide show on the work of Niki De Saint Phalle. Her Garden of Tarot is pictured above.

Liz and Leonard Breger will also participate in the discussion.

A donation of $3 is requested for a lunch of vegetarian soup, salad, and bread. The free program will start at 12:45.

The Congregation’s children will be trick-or-treating for UNICEF in their Halloween costumes Sunday after the worship service.

This fun tradition of our community helps to raise awareness and empower our children to help other children around the world. So when a child approaches you saying “Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF!” please drop a coin in his or her box to help improve the lives of children all over the world.

This popular interactive three-session class is designed to welcome newcomers, answer questions, and help you to navigate your way in this dynamic and loving community.

This is the perfect place for new members who want to learn more about the First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco and for friends and prospective members who are seeking more information before deciding to join.

Seminar dates are this Sunday (October 29), November 5, and November 12. The group will meet after the Sunday service from 12:30 to 4 pm, and refreshments will be served.

Pre-registration for this free class is required. So, tell the church office that you're coming by phoning 776-4580 or emailing Rev. Alyson Jacks before Sunday. Childcare is available, too, if requested when you register.

Cohousing communities combine the advantages of private homes with the benefits of more sustainable living, including shared common facilities and ongoing connections with neighbors. These intentional neighborhoods, created and managed by residents, offer an innovative solution to today's environmental and social challenges.

Jean and Henry Kroll are hosting a presentation with experienced cohousing advocates Sunday in the chapel starting at 6. Is San Francisco Ready? Come and find out.

Cohousing:Neighborhoods for People will be featured during the presentation.

Refreshments will be served, and a $5 donation is requested. Advance reservations are required so please let the Krolls know you're coming by phoning 775-0755 or by emailing them. You can also register online at Meetup.

Everyone's invited to the second planning meeting for the Holiday Faire this Sunday at 1pm in the Stebbins Library.

Elves have 5 weeks to make magic! So whether your favorite thing is the Tea Room or crafts, singing or cleaning, come and make sure that Santa has plans for it on the sleigh.

Contact Cheryl Deaner at 876-7006 for more information.

Last Sunday our church hosted an interfaith service marking the 50th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Pictured are Fr. Maurus Nemeth, OSB; Rev. Erika Orban; Rabbi Ferenc Raj; and Rev. Gabor Magyari-Kope. The two Transylvanian ministers are in their traditional capes.

Greetings were offered by the Rev. Greg Stewart and music was provided by Reiko Lane. Photo by Sonnie Willis

The Board of Trustees, Rev. Greg Stewart, and Nancy Evans earlier this month spent a weekend in retreat among the redwoods, working hard to chart a course for the upcoming church year.

After reviewing suggestions made at the Pacific Central District-led Ministerial Settlement Workshop and recommendations from the Search Committee, action plans were developed in four main areas:

• enhancing the linkage between committees and the Board, including a process for leadership development
• exploring the challenges/opportunities of growth in membership
• updating and expanding our Policy and Procedures manual
• improving communication between the Board and the Congregation.

The Board will begin a series of Town Hall meetings to share information and to deepen our understanding of what is important to the Congregation. Board members have volunteered to work in four small groups to expand the action plans and lead our efforts in these four focus areas.

We look forward to working with the Congregation to strengthen the shared ministry of the Society.

In celebration of Samhain on October 31st, everyone is invited to bring pictures, notes, or other mementos of those you have lost to add to the Altar to the Beloved Dead set up in the Thomas Starr King Room.

At this time we also welcome the new lives that have come to join ours over the past year, so pictures and other mementos of the babies and other new things that have come to enrich your life are welcomed at the Altar for the New Babies.

This year the Pagan Interest Circle will not be conducting a Samhain Service on Sunday afternoon of October 29th. Anyone interested in attending one may consider the Spiral Dance, which will be held on Saturday (October 28th). See Reclaiming for more information.

Mozart's C Minor Mass (K.427), widely known as the Grand Mass, is far more ambitious and elaborate than even his magnificent Requiem Mass (K.626). In retrospect, perhaps it helps not to perish in the process...but I digress.

Yet for all its polyphonic grandeur, the coming of the C Minor Mass gives us a chance for some genuinely Wolfganian fun. So I've created a little game called "C Minor Mastery," in which you get the chance to lord your superior knowledge and intellect over everyone else. Leopold, I fear, would never have approved - not openly, anyway.

Then apply your deductive powers to come up with your solution to the C Minor Mystery.