Describing Unitarian Universalism in twenty-five words or less (the so-called "elevator speech") is insufficient for liberal religious life in the real world.

To simply say that liberal religionists can believe "anything they want" is more than misguided; it is wrong.

Let's dig deeper and not settle for theological milk (or its soy equivalent) when we can serve meat (or tofu). What we find, once tendencies toward exegetical laziness are overcome, is a rich faith that holds us close both on life's mountaintops and in its valleys.

Monday culminates the most expensive election season ever seen in California with over $500 million spent in all campaigns.

Now it's our turn. Next Tuesday's Election will be one of the most complex elections in San Francisco and California history.

The Forum Election Team will help guide us through a review of the California and San Francisco ballots. Bring your Voter's Handbooks, newspapers, and slate cards and participate in our members' review of the issues and candidates.

As this is the longest ballot card in San Francisco history, the program will start PROMPTLY at 9:45 in the Martin Luther King Room. Come at 9:30 for conversation, coffee, and (for a slight charge) a light breakfast.

from Liz Breger

In the Starr King Room - Jenny Kennedy, Artist and Illustrator, shows watercolor landscapes, still lifes, botanical illustrations, and ink-pen drawings. Her style is meticulous and colorful, carefully rendered with lots of attention to detail.

In the Martin Luther King Room - Andre Glase shows photography and paintings. Andre Glase, a long-time friend of Unitarian Universalism, has an eye for the exquisite moment in nature's play of light and color.

For information about the Art Committee or having a show in the Kings Gallery, call Jan Bernard at 334-1484 or Jasper Schad at 677-9902 or by email.

Reporter Nancy Mullane interviewed the family at their home in October. The 5 1/2-minute story is available on the National Public Radio website.

All committee chairs, group leaders, contact people, or otherwise-designated representatives of any group within our Society is asked to attend this important leadership gathering. This meeting will include information on how to promote events, leadership development, and communication with the Board.

The Council of Committee Chairs is a bi-annual opportunity for our lay leaders to share information, coordinate schedules, and discuss priorities. Come with your meeting and event dates to post to the church calendar for the next 18 months!

David Jones will be the special guest convener, and presenters will include Chuck Rosene of the Pacific Central District staff, Senior Minister Greg Stewart, former Moderator Galen Workman, Moderator Linda Enger, and Assistant Moderator Jane Park.

Here is installment two of the story behind the C Minor Mass of Mozart. In this month leading up to the November 19th performance during the 11 am service, many clues will be provided you so that you can delve into helping us solve the C Minor Mystery.

The Trick or Treat for UNICEF last Sunday raised a generous $403.39 from our community. Congratulation to our children for collecting about $60 more than last year!

Thank you for not only helping children around the world, but for also demonstrating to our children the act and importance of donating.

It’s November – do you know where your Safeway Club Card is? It could be helping raise money for our community when you've registered it with the eScrip fundraising program. Member Mark Calvey will have an eScrip table at coffee hour this Sunday to answer your questions and provide forms and assistance with eScrip sign-ups.

All Safeway eScrip accounts must be renewed every November, so go to www.escrip.com to fill out the on-line enrollment card today. Find our Society alphabetically or by number #140972249. And if you haven’t registered your credit card or customer card, you can do that too.

Remember to scan your Safeway Club card when making purchases at the Safeway Pharmacy so the First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco gets a portion of your prescription purchases and co-pays. Other participants in eScrip include Macy’s, Mollie Stone’s, Andronico’s, and OfficeMax.

Make your shopping dollar count in this confidential, no-hassle program. If every member and friend would sign on, we estimate that those contributions would be the equivalent of a 13th month of pledges!

The remaining fall Adult Religious Education classes will be promoted through flyers on the bulletin board (behind the greeters table), and notices in The Flame, Order of Service, and the monthly newsletter. There is a registration form in your November newsletter, and you can also find one on the bulletin board. Please turn them in to the Adult Religious Education mailbox in the office.

Saturday, November 4: "Learn to Relax - Neck and Shoulder Massage" has been cancelled and rescheduled for Spring 2007.
Sunday, November 5: "Gems from General Assembly (GA)" continues it video presentation of sermons delivered at GA in June, 2006. This week, ministers from Unitarian Universalist churches in New Orleans will talk about the challenges to their churches and to their faiths.
Thursday, November 9: Book Club will review "The Red Tent" by Anita Diamante. NOTE: This meeting will meet in the afternoon at 2 pm NOT 7 as stated in the insert in the November newsletter. $5

The Holiday Faire is coming on December 4! We are looking for several volunteers to help with activities for children and youth of all ages. This is your chance to be involved, especially if you usually cannot participate in Sunday School. We welcome ideas, and also have some activities that we will repeat from successful years past. We are looking for a core planning team as well as volunteers for that day. Please contact Natalie Freeburg directly if you are interested.

Thinking of going to the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) General Assembly in Portland next June? If you haven’t thought about it, you should!

Our San Francisco congregation sends ten delegates to represent our Society at this annual gathering of Unitarian Universalists from all over North America. The Nominating Committee is now in the process of selecting candidates for our delegate election in April, 2007

Delegates will join thousands of other Unitarian Universalists for learning, discussion, and democratic process in the beautiful city of Portland from June 20 through 24, 2007. Find more detailed information on programming, registration, and highlights at the UUA website.

If you are interesting in representing our Society in this important role, please email Shirley Gibson or phone her at 668-2197.