"If the stars should appear one night in a thousand years, how would men believe and adore", wrote Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Emerson gave us new ways to worship and forever changed the direction of Unitarian Universalism. In this service we'll look to Emerson for inspiration and we'll wonder if wonder is the root of being religious.

The worship will include wondrous songs from the Folk Orchestra and guest artist, composer, vocalist, and songwriter Chris Waltz who will perform an eclectic blend of Celtic, Sephardic, and Spanish music. Worship Associate Susan Anthony will share a reflection on the call to religious expression.

Be prepared to wonder about the beauty of bird song and the joys of singing harmony.

Unitarian Universalists working with the UU Service Committee and at the UU's United Nations office are working to halt genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan. The worsening murders and human rights abuses are expanding and threatening more of Africa each day.

Marina Knee of the San Francisco Bay Area Darfur Coalition presents this important program on actions we take to stop the current spiral. The effort is supported by the Society's Social Justice Ministries: Unitarian Universalists - United Nations Office San Francisco chapter led by Liz Cormier and the San Francisco chapter of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee led by Linda Harris.

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

This is the last Sunday to bring in clothing donations for the men in our shelter! There are two cardboard boxes that are decorated to receive them: in the hallway opposite the church office and in the Thomas Starr King Room.

About 25 children and adults gathered last Wednesday, Valentine's Day, at the winter shelter. The group sang to the guests and passed out toiletry kits, Valentine treats, and trail mix that had been made at the Gifts from the Heart Sunday School activity.

The tables were festive, the room packed with more than 100 men, and the songs were uplifting. As the children distributed the bags, wonderful connections were made between the children and the guests, and brief, but heartfelt conversations were shared. Participants were deeply moved and convinced that this was certainly faith in action.

The Chinese New Year was welcomed last Sunday by the procession of a dragon, made by the 3rd-5th graders in our Sunday School program. Facilitated by Nancy Buffum, the art work was colorful, imaginative and fierce. It will hang in the Thomas Starr King room through March as part of the Children's Art Show.

A Coming of Age Dinner for the participants in the year-long program for 8th-10th graders, their mentors, and parents will gather this Sunday evening to hear the credos presented by the mentors. These mentors will set an example of the variety and depth of credos held by members in our congregation, as inspiration for the youth to begin to formulate their own credos for their May 20 service.

Rev. Paul Chaffee, Executive Director of the Interfaith Center at the Presidio, will tell the remarkable story behind "Remembered Light. Glass Fragments from World War II" starting at 12:45 in the Martin Luther King Room. The free presentation will follow a simple lunch ($3 donation requested) at 12:15.

The glass fragments, collected by Frederick McDonald, a U.S. Army chaplain, were all that remained from the priceless stained glass windows that adorned many cathedrals and synagogues in Europe. These shards have been transformed by 13 local artists into a magnificent series of 25 stained-glass "McDonald Windows," currently on exhibit at the Officers Club in the Presidio.

Paul Chaffee will tell us the story of this transformation and the incorporation of the windows in a new wing to be built at the Interfaith Center at the Presidio.

Walk-ins are welcome to both the lunch and lecture. You're also invited to attend either activity if your schedule won't let you come for the two activities.