Sunday is both Palm Sunday, a Christian feast which falls on the Sunday before Easter, and April Fool's Day, celebrated each year as a "high holy day" by the Faithful Fools Street Ministry and other faithful fools.

After a Saturday night of clowning, feasting, and dancing at Oscard's Feast, come join Laurel Liefert, former ministerial intern and back-up vocalist in the dance band, as she explores the flirtatious, fluid boundary between foolishness and faith.

Joining Laurel on the Chancel will be worship associates Susan Anthony and Joe Chapot. Music for the service will be provided by the Folk Orchestra and vocalist Jiun-Chyi Yew, accompanied on the piano by Dr. Mark Sumner.

San Francisco building contractor Jim Reid presents an April 1st program the Faithful Fools will love! After spending "Seven Nights in Hell" on the streets and in homeless shelters, trying to understand the plight of those without homes, Jim decided to do something about it.

Jim will take you on an imaginary journey down into the deep hopelessness of being homeless, then back into the spring sunshine of a possible church-based solution to the problem.

His concept, Habitat for the Homeless, is dedicated to helping homeless people build simple decent housing for themselves and others. The housing units, he calls ShelterOne, are to be provided to clean and sober homeless people in exchange for volunteer service in an Adopt-a-Block/Park program.

Jim envisions homes provided for volunteer service to clean and maintain city blocks and parks. He will tell Forum of his attempts to realize his concept in San Francisco and his hopes to take the his idea to big city mayors around the country

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

Seeing the Divine – The Spirituality of Vincent Van Gogh Classes will start next Tuesday (April 3) and continue , April 10, 17, 24; 7 - 9 pm.

Vincent Van Gogh had two purposes in life: to serve God and to serve humanity. Through his art, he was able to do both. Discover the joy, beauty, sorrow and genius of this artist, and explore the intense personal journey of his life through slides and photographs.

The course is led by artist and educator Marlene Aron. The cost is $60 ($50 for Members). Space is limited – pre-registration and payment reserves your place. Please call 776-4580 to register with a credit card or send your check to the office. Please write in memo line “Adult RE: Van Gogh”.

One-Room Spring Celebrations for Children

Sunday beginning at 10 am children age 5 and up will be involved in our one-room "Spring Celebrations". Muslim Nooruz, earth-centered Equinox, Jewish Passover and Christian Easter will be presented and celebrated. After joining the main service at 11 am for the first part, the classes will split up to go to Youth Choir, art, or upper age alternative activities. Sunday School will end at noon.

Safety and Security meeting after church

If you or your child are involved at our Society, please try and attend this meeting presented by the Board of Trustees and the Safety and Security committee. Please bring your concerns and feedback on our urban community, and come prepared to learn and share ideas. Childcare is provided from 12:30 to 2:30 pm at no charge. Light snacks will be provided, but please have your child bring a brown bag lunch.

The Faithful Fools Street Ministry's annual fund raising fiesta is Saturday starting at 6 pm at the church. Fools, food, and fun will fill the hallways and rooms.

Appetizers, Dinner, and Dancing are on the agenda.

This “Foolish” event
encourages you to...
come as you are,
dress up,
dress down or
dress like a clown!

Tickets are available in advance for a requested donation of $45 or more. Contact the Fools to reserve your spot!

We look forward to seeing Mia Shackelford who is featured on The Learning Channel (TLC)'s My Life as a Child Monday (April 2) at 7 pm. TLC is Channel 280 on DirecTV, Channel 72 on RCN cable, and Channel 50 on Comcast cable. See TLC for more details. Thank you for sharing your perspective with us, Mia!

from Liz Breger

Meet artists Andy Gross and Gloria Brown Sunday in the Kings Gallery. Be inspired by the artwork and enjoy refreshments!

Andy's paintings will hang in the Starr King Room . Andy is a longtime Art Committee member and friend of the Society. Gloria's mixed media collage-paintings are in the Martin Luther King Room. Gloria is a solid, veteran artist and a new friend of our community. The show is up through Sunday, May 6.

Our urban setting presents challenges and opportunities, as we seek to be good neighbors and offer a safe and welcoming house of worship. Please come this Sunday for a town hall meeting hosted by the Board of Trustees and the Safety and Security Committee.

We want to hear your thoughts, ideas, hopes and concerns.

After a brief presentation by the Safety and Security Committee, all present will have a chance to share their thoughts. Child care and light snacks will be provided.

Sign up at Sunday's coffee hour to join in the April potluck dinners which will be enjoyed in members' homes Saturday, April 14th.

CommUUnity dinners are a great way to get acquainted. Everyone is invited to join a local group for dinner.

Call Joan at 563-0623, contact her after church this week, or email her for more information and to sign up.

The Fools present a performance of The Witness Monday (April 2) at 6:30 at Fools Court, 234 Hyde Street. There is no admission charge; a free-will offering will be accepted.

The Witness is a one-woman play based on the ten Ox-herding pictures of the ancient Zen Buddhist teaching. The Martha Boesing play follows the journey of a young woman onto the streets who comes to understand that she must look at the assumptions of her own mind before she can enter whole-heartedly into the community of all living beings.

There is a pot-luck beginning at 5:30, so please come and eat and then enjoy a magnificent play.