The church and center will be closed on
Monday, February 19, in observance of
President’s Day. We will open at 5 pm that
evening to accommodate the Monday evening
groups as well as the Winter Shelter guests
and volunteers.
Proud To Be Humanist
Sunday, February 18 at 11 am in the Sanctuary
service by Rev. Gregory L. Stewart
When I meet with clergy of historically
orthodox houses of worship as their
oft-labeled heretic, I am asked, "Why would
humanists want to join a church?"
My answer is not as flippant as it first
sounds: "For the
same reasons most everyone else does."
This gives me the opportunity to challenge
stereotypes attributed to those who claim to
be good without
God. The humanistic impulse has been a
reforming influence within our Unitarian
Universalist ranks; moreover, it has exerted
its positive influence on virtually all
organized religions, regardless of their
place on the theological spectrum.
Today I will tell you what humanism has
taught me.
Joining Rev. Stewart on the Chancel will be
Worship Associates Grace Sizelove and
Nicolette Toussaint and Commitment
Sunday leader Lee Most.
Monthly Hospitality Sunday Invites You!
Luncheon in the Thomas Starr King Room Sunday at 12:30
This Sunday is Hospitality Sunday – a great
time to sit and chat with friends. Plan to
stay after the worship service -- no
reservations, no prerequisites, no worries!
The $5 lunch includes choice of baked potato
with toppings or Sloppy Joe, plus corn on the
cob, green salad, and a surprise dessert.
Please contact Nancy Evans if you
would like to help prepare or serve this
community event.
Child Artists Display their Work
Artists' Reception Sunday after the Service in the Kings Gallery
from Natalie Freeburg, Acting Director of
Religious Education and Liz Breger
Enjoy the lively and colorful work by the
children in our Unitarian Universalist Sunday
morning religious education program by
visiting the Martin Luther King Room
after the worship service. The artists will
be present and refreshments will be served.
The show is on exhibition through March
4th.
Last Sunday more than 50 children and adults
gathered in the chapel to decorate Valentines
and cookies, to assemble toiletry kits, and
to decorate a donation box for men's
clothing. (The pictures for this article show
children doing this work.) During the classes
they shared ideas about how gifts that are made
with love are priceless and how the physical
act of creating a gift of love transforms the
receiver and the giver. There were also
lessons about homelessness and the unfairness
of that situation.
Yesterday (February 14) children gathered
and sang several songs before the men at the
winter shelter and distributed the gifts made
on Sunday.
Sunday School classes begin at 10 and go
until 12:15. There are age groupings for
infants through high schoolers who gather each
Sunday to create community, learn about
themselves and their own spirituality, and
form intergenerational friendships. You are
welcome to join in!
Just show up Sunday or call Natalie at
776-4580 during the week so we can welcome
you.
The adult Book Club will be attending
Berkeley Repertory's The Pillowman as
a group February 24th and invites you to join
them! They will discuss the play at their
March 8 meeting. Please contact Joan Rost for more information.
New Unitarian Universalist Class Meets
Sunday at 12:30 in the Fireside Room
The final class in a this winter's series for
people
wanting to learn about the history of
Unitarian Universalists and the San Francisco
Society will be Sunday at 12:30. Attendance
at earlier classes is not required,
and a light lunch will be served.
Led by The Reverend Alyson Jacks
(pictured) and Rev. Greg Stewart the
New Unitarian Universalists classes introduce
new members and inquirers to information
about our faith and our community's 156-year
legacy in San Francisco.
Please call the church office at 776-4580 for
more information to tell us you're coming
Sunday.
Kenn Jones
Long-time Society
member Kenn Jones died on Tuesday,
February 6.
Kenn was a former member of the Board of
Trustees, coordinated church work parties
with Habitat for Humanity, and chaired the
men's monthly breakfast meetings for many
years. Kenn was a warm and considerate
person, quick to offer help or a friendly
word of approval.
Per his request, no memorial service is
planned, but we remember him with respect and
affection.
Society for Community Work Offers Scholarships
Applications Available today and Due April 13
from Marbeth Munn
Attention, all graduating High School students
and undergraduate college students!
Applications for Society for Community Work
scholarships for the year 2007 - 2008 are
available in the church
office. Deadline for turning in applications
is Friday, April 13.
For further information call Dick Castile
or Marbeth Munn.
Join the CommUUnity Out at Dinner
Saturday (February 17) starting in Members' Homes
from Joan Stoker Rost
The CommUUnity is going out to dinner
Saturday (February 17). Groups will start
at a member's home for appetizers and
beverage and then will migrate to a no-host
dinner at a local ethnic restaurant.
Because this month's dinners will be at
restaurants instead of the normal potlucks,
you can still decide you want to participate.
To join in, contact Joan by Saturday
(February 17) morning to learn where to meet
up for the evening.
This is a great way to get to know members of
the Congregation in a small informal setting
without a potluck contribution.
Good and Welfare
Rev. Fred Rabidoux has been suffering
from back
pain intermittently for several weeks. Cards
to the church or his home are welcome.
Congratulations to Music Director -- and now
Grammy Award Winner! -- Dr. Mark
Sumner who is a singer with the Los Angeles
Chamber Singers & Cappella. The group won a
2007 Grammy Award Monday night for Best Small
Ensemble Performance for their Padilla:
Sun of Justice.
Building manager Donald Johnson
received distressing news from his two
brothers in New Orleans. A tornado tore off
the roof of their home on Monday night. This
same home was badly damaged by Hurricane
Katrina, and Donald had personally replaced
the roof last October. No one was injured,
but the brothers have evacuated, again. Our
best wishes to Donald's family.
Society Votes for Peace Banners and Ribbon
Mock-up of approved banners and
ribbon
Members of the Society voted last Sunday to
take a symbolic public stand for peace by
placing banners on the tower and a ribbon
around the Church and Center.
Two prominent statements facing the traffic
on Franklin and Geary Streets will proclaim
"San Francisco Unitarian Universalists Stand
for Peace, Work for Justice" and "Love mercy.
Walk humbly. Do justly."
Members will be invited to write personal
statements for peace on a ribbon which will be
wrapped around the entire perimeter of the
buildings.
The Social Justice Council will work with the
ministers and lay staff on the project. The
timing, details, and ceremony for the
creation of the ribbon and the unveiling of
the banners will be announced soon.
Your Contributions at Work
from Nancy
Evans, Interim Executive Director>
The recent rainy weather caused us some
concern for our Winter Shelter guests who
must leave at 6am, rain or shine. The
Society purchased and distributed 80 rain
ponchos last weekend – the funds came from
the Christmas Eve special collections. Thank you!
Rev. William Sinkford Among
Most Influential Black Spiritual Leaders
from the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA)
UUA President William G. Sinkford was honored
for the second consecutive year by
Beliefnet.com as one of the nation's most
influential black spiritual leaders. Rev.
Sinkford shares the spotlight with faith
leaders from many spiritual traditions,
including Iyanla Vanzant, Archbishop Wilton
Gregory, Imam Siraj Wahhaj, and Rev. Johnnie
Colemon.
The editors described their selections with
these words: "While by no means
comprehensive, the list represents some of
today's most prominent -- and controversial
-- spiritual figures, as well as those whose
lifelong efforts have earned them a place in
history."
Be My (Senior Friday) Valentine
from Sonnie Willis
Last Friday Caroline from OnLok Senior Health
provided the card making supplies at Senior
Fridays as participants created hand-made
Valentine cards.
Rev Fred Rabidoux prepared an excellent
lunch for the launching of the new Senior
Fridays gathering.
Senior Fridays are held once a month, and
members and friends are invited to come to
the church for the lunch program. Upcoming
plans include:
March 9th - Falls Prevention workshop
April 13th - Movie "Surfing for Life" - abut
seniors who surf
May 11th - Journaling and writing biographies
June 8th - Maintain Your Brain
workshop
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