Sister Sheila of the South African Kopanang Women's Group returns to the pulpit with a reality check informed by her experience of life at the cutting edge of HIV/AIDS. She will share thoughts on our global responsibility to preserve our human and natural resources for future generations.

As World AIDS Day (December 1) approaches, Sister Sheila will bring greetings from the South African community that has touched our Congregation.

"Kopanang is about more than putting food on the table," explains Sister Sheila. "Our work is about relationships. It is about wonder and creativity in the midst of struggle and poverty, the sharing of stories and differing cultural identities, building understanding between each other."

"I do not speak with a view to making people feel guilty, which is such a negative waste of energy, but to engage us with the reality of this wonderful world of potential relationships that we can choose to be integrally part of."

Members of Young Performers International (pictured below) will be the guest musicians.

Faith leaders from Congregation Emanu-El, Old St. Mary's, St. Mark's Lutheran, Calvary Presbyterian Church, St. John's United Church of Christ, 3rd Baptist Church and the San Francisco Islamic Society, will gather at Grace Cathedral for this celebration.

The Cathedral is located at 1100 California Street at Taylor.

Dr. Lisinka Ulatowska will speak about how ordinary citizens can give input on global policies and decisions by using the United Nations as an instrument for peace. She will explain how groups in our civil society and the U.N. can work together.

Dr. Ulatowska, a resident of The Netherlands, represents the Association of World Citizens and the Institute for Planetary Synthesis at the U.N. and is the author of FEARLESS: Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things in a World Gripped by Fear.

This Forum program was scheduled after the November newsletter and this announcement updates the newsletter's schedule.

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

Don't miss learning first hand the work of this extraordinary woman and the community she serves. Join in a discussion of the theological questions that arise in the reality of AIDS/HIV.

The 12:30 soup and bread lunch is $3. There is no charge for the program which will begin at 12:45.

Millicent Rutherford was recently admitted to California Pacific Medical Center. Millicent apparently has experienced a fractured pelvis due to a fall and is expected to remain in the hospital for several weeks.

John is with her daily and requests no visitors at this time. Millicent asks that no flowers or other gifts be sent, but rather that contributions be made either to the ACLU or the Society. Cards may be sent to the Rutherford's home.

Forty Allyne Bequest Circle members toasted Ruth Asawa and her permanent gift of the wire sculpture in the Fireside Room at a reception hosted by Reverend Greg Stewart and the Planned Giving Committee last Saturday.

Many Allyne Bequest Circle members found their names in David Chabot's artistic print on display in the Fireside Room (see below).

The Planned Giving Committee is continuing to identify Society members and friends who have included the Society in estate planning with a legacy gift and to include them in the Allyne Bequest Circle. Committee members also are available to provide information about the variety of estate and financial planning options available.

Please contact Joan Rost (939-1068) or Nancy Evans at the church office (776-4580) with information, comments, or questions.

The Holiday Faire's festive array of fair-trade gift baskets, gourmet foods and baked goods, art, hand crafts, books, jewelry, entertainment - something for everyone on your list - is getting ready for its Sunday December 3rd takeover of the church!

Do your holiday shopping at the Faire and give the mad after-Thanksgiving commercialism a miss.

There are still many opportunities to be a part of this happy occasion. When we all work together this Faire is a magical event, doubly enjoyable for those who make it happen.

To join the elves working before, during, and after the Faire, contact Cheryl at 876-7006 her email or Leslie Bader at 776-4580 her email.

Thank you to Music Director Dr. Mark Sumner, the Choir, the UC Berkeley Alumni Choir, the orchestra, and the soloists for the worship service concert last week! The performances inspired our souls.