Predictions of humanity's demise and the destruction of all living things has been a religious theme from time immemorial. The apocalypse has been consistently used to scare people into salvation in many faith traditions.

History has flirted with the end of civilization on many occasions and politics has done much to promote its realization. Some of us have lived through, or are living in, situations in which it feels like the end is near. Yet we are still here. Says Forrest Church, "Religion is our human response to the dual reality of being alive and having to die."

Our lives will end; of this we can be sure. But will our death be the result of some corporate catastrophe, as predicted by both ancient sages and post-modern prophets? I don't think it really matters. This Sunday I'll tell you why.

Sharing the pulpit will be our partner church minister from Romania, Rev. Tibor Rusz, who has found his world coming to an end on more than on occasion. Please welcome his presence and affirm your gratitude for his ministry through your attendance.

Milo Hanke will be our Worship Associate and Grace Sizelove our Youth Worship Associate.

In collaboration with the opening of our Interfaith Winter Shelter, Sunday's Forum provides not only an update of the challenges facing San Francisco's homeless population, but also offers ideas on what can be done to address these issues.

We are pleased to present panel members: Sister Bernie Galvin, founder of the interfaith organization Religious Witness With Homeless People; Alex Darr discussing his work with the Faithful Fools Street Ministry; and church staff member Kelvin Jones, who will share insights from his work with homeless people through the United Council of Human Services.

The program will start at 9:45. Come at 9:30 for conversation, coffee, and (for a slight charge) a light breakfast.

Transylvania and Rite Of Passage

The congregation is invited to join the children and youth in the chapel this Sunday, January 28, at 10:00 am, for a one-room classroom featuring the Rev. Tibor Rusz sharing stories and information about life in Transylvania.

Rev. Rusz will also bring us answers from the children and youth of his congregation to questions submitted by our children last week. He will ask our youth to answer questions sent by their counterparts in our partner church.

Immediately following Rev. Rusz, at 10:30, we will all participate in a worship service recognizing our third graders who are entering their Rite of Passage months. We look forward to welcoming familiar and new faces to our one-room classroom!

Everyone will attend service at 11:00, and our children and youth will then go to their art or choir classes.

Infant/Toddler and Preschool classes will meet in their regular classrooms at 10:00am.

World Community Advocates presents Eniko Rusz, wife of visiting minister Rev. Tibor Rusz, at the Stone Soup Lunch at 12:30. Eniko is an assistant professor of medieval history at the University of Kolozsvar, Transylvania.

Her topic will trace the early position of women in that city, and she will offer personal insights on the current life of a professional working woman and mother.

Lunch of hearty soup and bread is $3.00; the program is free.

Find your purpose through relationship building. Join BAOC Senior Organizer Eleanor Milroy on Saturday morning for a thoughtful presentation and group conversation about strengthening our city's institutions.

Let's begin with our UU Society. Are you concerned about the proposed CPMC Medical Center across the street from our church, and its impact on our neighborhood? Do you want the new San Francisco Health Access Plan to succeed in providing care to 82,000 uninsured city residents?

Learn about how building relationships with institutions throughout the city can influence public decisions across a multitude of issues for years to come. Proliferate effectiveness!

Saturday, January 27, 10:00 to noon in the Thomas Starr King Room.

View the flyer for this event BAOC (pdf).

On Thursday, February 1st at Noon members of our congregation will again gather at our church and await the Lt. Watada Support Group, marching from the Japantown Peace Center to join us and other antiwar groups. We will then together march to the Federal Building Plaza to participate in the First Thursday Monthly Vigil and Die-In.

Last month, San Francisco UUs led this ritual and this month, it is being organized by the Catholic Dominican Sisters. Our Social Justice Peace Ministry invites everyone to attend this somber event calling for ending the war in Iraq, bringing the troops home now and commemorating the dead.

All will participate in the activities which include a Pledge of Nonviolence and support for those committing civil disobedience. A Nonviolent Civil Disobedience training informational class will be held at our church on Wednesday, January 31 at 7 pm. If you are interested in attending this meeting, contact Dolores Perez Priem at 415-387-2287.