When the demand for cultural conformity is challenged and successfully transformed into increased civil liberties, it is almost always the artists who lead the charge and ensure the change.

I believe creative change (personal or social) is realized only when the artist and activist in each of us comes to terms and partners with the other.

While history is replete with examples, this service focuses on the life and work of the Hungarian composer Béla Bartók, a Unitarian whose free thinking influenced more than just musical scores.

Today's sermon intends a theological interpretation of the meaning of Bartók's modernism and folklorism within the context of twentieth-century Hungary and its potential impact on us today.

Ann Frisch of the Nonviolent Peace Force will outline the progress being made to resolve communal conflicts that are destabilizing many regions in Africa, Asia, and elsewhere in the world.

Come hear the exciting news of how the Nonviolent Peace Force is creating peaceful alternatives and reducing violence and civil discord and saving hundreds of lives.

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

Come join the fun Saturday (March 24) at 5:30 when a BBQ in the courtyard kicks off the Family Overnight. All children and parents are welcome, and spending the night is not required!

Our families will enjoy games, treasure hunts, storytelling at 9:00 pm (by Mary Norris), the opportunity to climb the tower of our church, and more! This is your opportunity to mix and mingle with those you may not know, sleep in the sanctuary or chapel - bring your own bedding and toiletries (dress warmly!), and enjoy time together.

A separate, but adult-supervised, sleepover room for our youth will have pirate films! Great fun for all ages!

If you know you will come, please contact Eric Shackelford at 661-6775 or by email so we can have an estimate of food. Sunday School will be held at 10 am the next morning, and breakfast is also provided. For dinner, overnight, and breakfast we request a $10 donation from families with $4 per additional child.

Spring has arrived, bringing with it the opportunity to celebrate the holidays of many faiths over the next few weeks: Muslim Nooruz, earth-centered Spring Equinox, Jewish Passover, and Christian Easter! Come join in the hands-on experiential activities, beginning at 10:00 am each Sunday for children and youth. All are welcome. Please contact Natalie Freeburg at 776-4580 ext 162 for more information.

A memorial service for long-time member Margaret Coope will be held at the church on Thursday, March 29, at 2pm. A reception will follow.

We will hear some special memories from those who knew her well.

Margaret was active in many organizations, most especially educational activities.

Come and celebrate the life of this remarkable woman.

The Nominating Committee of the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office has nominated Liz Cormier to that organization's national board. The election will be held April 13 in New York. Good luck, Liz!

The Global Oneness Project is featuring an interview with Faithful Fool Sister Carmen Barsody on its website. Watch Carmen reflect on To Meet as Human Beings.

When Marjory arrived at the Bothin Burn Center at St. Francis Hospital, after an accidental stove fire which burned 30% of her body, and the surgeon explained the surgical procedure necessary, Marjory replied, "Get on with it!"

After that first skin graft surgery, the doctor came out of the operating room and held up his arms like a winning prizefighter and told John, "She's a real fighter!"

With the help of Marjory's devoted husband and family, and medical personnel at the Burn Center, she successfully survived the painful operations and therapy and has recovered beautifully. Marjory rarely complained about her pain, and now enjoys outings with John, her family, and friends.

The Faithful Fools invite all people in our the community to help create a magical environment and fabulous food at the Annual Oscard's Feast Celebration and fund raiser, March 31st. The festivities are next weekend, but the Fools are filling their volunteer positions now.

Sign up this week to volunteer! Participate in decorating and setting a beautiful, festive dining room or pick up tips on making an amazing home-style Mexican menu developed by brother and sister team Yvonne and Michael Garcia (assisted by Denis Paul and Andrea Jorgensen.)

Didn't get enough of waiting tables during college? Here's your chance! Then there's always "the party after the party" when washing dishes becomes an event of it's own with snacking and great conversations by all.

For more information on volunteer opportunities, please call the Fools at 474-0508 (or email) or Andrea at 407-6721 (or email).

Twelve Faithful Fools completed 7 days on a Street Retreat last Saturday. Pictures of their journey are online -- retreater Melissa Farfarman is pictured (above) in this article.

On Monday two Society Members were arrested in front of Senator Diane Feinstein's Office on Market and Montgomery Streets along with others from the Declaration of Peace Campaign and other peace groups.

Meg Whitaker-Greene and Dolores Perez Priem (pictured in a photo from San Francisco Indymedia), were arrested along with 55 others for committing civil disobedience protesting the Iraq War and commemorating the dead. They carried a casket with the American flag. One of their co-arrestees was Daniel Ellsberg who spoke to them while being held at the Hall Of Justice about the help he received from the Unitarian Universalist Beacon Press when he published the Pentagon Papers.

The Declaration of Peace Campaign was adopted by the UUA at its General Assembly in June 2006.

Representative Stark's faith stance proclaims what Unitarian Universalists have promoted for years: authentic religion does not teach adherents what to think. Instead it insists they know how to think for themselves. Worship requires determination, not a deity, and intention, not indoctrination. Like other liberal religious traditions, Unitarian Universalism celebrates the differences that unite us. Diversity of thought and opinion ignites theological growth, while confessional conformity quenches it. We need atheists in our congregations as much as (if not more than) theists if we are to live fully human lives — the essence of salvation.

— Reverend Gregory Stewart

It's not courageous to make a simple statement about personal beliefs. What is courageous is to stand up in Congress and say, "Let's tax the rich and give the money to poor kids."

— Representative Pete Stark reacting to being called courageous for his statement