If you think all Unitarian Universalist congregations and worship services are alike, think again. Just within our own borders the range of theologies, demographics, ways of being together, worship styles, and approaches to social justice and religious education are virtually as unique as each congregation. Now, transport yourself to, say, Eastern Europe, and you may wonder what happened altogether to your Unitarian Universalism.

That's what may happen this Sunday, so fasten your pew belts and experience a sermon that takes you to places many of us have never been.

Our partner church minister, the Reverend Tibor Rusz-Fogarasi, will preach from the worldview that fuels his passions rather than try to construct a sermon that attempts to resonate with modern-day American Unitarian Universalists. We wouldn't have it any other way.

Other participants include youth worship associate Grace Sizelove and The Reverend Gregory Stewart.

A luncheon featuring chicken paprikash will honor our partner church family. See the story below for more information.

Judy Liteky, wife of Congressional Medal of Honor Awardee and Vietnam war hero Charlie Liteky (pictured at left), will speak about her husband's transformation from a gung ho military man to a peace activist.

A short video will be shown about the many decorated veterans who are now leaders in the School of the Americas (SOA) Watch movement. The film includes Fr. Roy Bourgeois, founder of SOA Watch, who will speak in the Sanctuary on Friday, February 9th at 7:30 pm.

The SOA Watch movement seeks to close the military training school located at Fort Benning, Georgia, which trains Latin American military and police. Many graduates of the SOA have been implicated in massive human rights abuses, and in 1996 the Pentagon was forced to admit the use of a torture training manual at this institution.

Judy Liteky is a former Catholic nun who now teaches Mathematics at Canada College. She is dedicated to non-violent social activism.

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

from Natalie Freeburg, Acting Director of Religious Education

Members and friends are invited to put travel shampoos, lotions, razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, nail clippers, emery boards, soap, washcloths, zippered clear bags, lip balm, and new large, white socks into in the basket by the greeters table Sunday.

Our children will assemble toiletry kits and make Valentine treats next Sunday (February 11) for the men staying at our winter shelter using these donated items. If you would like to donate a large quantity of any item or to volunteer to help please contact Linda Harris.

Life of Pi by Yann Martel will be the focus of next Thursday's (February 8th's) Book Club discussion at the church between 2 - 4 pm.

The club will also attend Pillowman at the Berkeley Rep as a group on February 24 at 2:00 pm. Contact Joan Rost as soon as possible to be included in the group.

 Pillowman will be discussed at the March 8 Book Club meeting.

The Friday Peace Vigil takes place weekly at 3 pm on the corner of Franklin and Geary (although rain cancels!). Signs are available, or bring your own.

For more information call Bernice Biggs.

In January, our Society hosted our first Blood Drive in a very long time. The staff of Blood Centers of the Pacific were able to collect 13.5 pints of blood.

Big thanks to all who participated, and keep a look out for future blood drives, too!

Everyone is invited to a special luncheon this Sunday at 12:30 in the Starr King Room honoring Rev. Tibor Rusz-Fogarasi and his wife, Prof. Eniko Rusz-Fogarasi. The celebration will include a Hungarian meal, wine, and special goodbye gifts for their journey home to Kolozsvar, Transylvania.

There will be a chance for conversation and questions. A $15 donation is requested.

Beginning Sunday our congregation will welcome 80 homeless men to four weeks of shelter and hospitality.

The men will sleep in the Starr King Room and enjoy home-cooked dinners and breakfasts.

You can help as a greeter or breakfast server and share the warmth of this special time. Talk with Leslie Bader at the Winter Shelter sign-up table on Sunday.

The Society's December campaign for Up On Top brought in a total of $10,700. Up On Top is a free after-school program housed in the Religious Education wing of the Unitarian Center. It provides individual tutoring and enrichment for children from the Tenderloin and Western Addition.

Linda Harris reports that Guest at Your Table donations for human rights and relief work of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee have topped $2,500.

Christmas Eve plate collections provided $3,700 for the support of the Interfaith Winter Shelter Program which starts at our church this Sunday.

Thank you to members of the community who have stretched their personal budgets to provide this generous financial support.

The Committee on Committees of the UUA Board of Trustees is accepting applications for three adults to serve as Adult Members-at-Large of the Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU) Youth Council for two-year terms beginning in July, 2007.

Applicants should have deep interest and experience in supporting Unitarian Universalist Youth with enthusiasm, wisdom and healthy boundaries.

The UUA is seeking applications from parish ministers, directors of Lifespan religious education, experienced youth advisors and lay members of congregations to serve as Adult Members-At-Large. As it strives to live out Unitarian Universalist values and reflect who we are as a community, the Board is intentionally looking for applicants from various races, ethnicities, genders, and sexual orientations. The deadline for applications is March 1, 2007.