Religion has the reputation of saying "No" to much of what makes life worth living. This can lead to rejection of the Church and the suppression of the spiritual impulse.

Even in religious liberalism it is common to describe its tenets by what we don't believe rather than by that what we hold true.

Today I'll say "Yes" to the foundational beliefs of Unitarian Universalism; perhaps you will too.

Worship Associate Alison Rittger will also help us determine who we are and what we believe. The choir will minister in music.

Tim Holt, environmentalist, author, and former publisher of the Suttertown News, will elaborate on his research recently published in the San Francisco Chronicle about the difficulties of maintaining our city as a attractive and affordable living environment for many of our middle class families.

His articles in the April 8th Insight section provided two perspectives on how San Francisco can keep its families from moving out. (Graphic is by the Chron's Lance Jackson. See links to the stories below.)

This is Tim's third appearance at The Forum. He travels regularly from his Mt. Shasta home via bicycle and train to the Bay Area.

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

Children and youth will meet in age-grouped classrooms for experiential learning, reflection, and fun starting at Sunday at 10. Visitors are always invited, and advance notice is requested but not required. For further information, please contact Natalie Freeburg at 776-4580 ext 162 or by email.

After their hands-on Cool Deeds experience last week, learners will reflect on the effort it takes to clean up the world. Class members will be pledging how they can improve their personal realms and discussing how a small group of people turned the local celebration of Earth Day into a world-wide day of community caring.

Last Sunday more than 30 children, youth, and adults carpooled to Ocean Beach for a Cool Deeds Sunday. Braving strong winds that blew sand up their noses, in their ears and glued sand to their scalps, they gathered more than six large bags of trash and four bags of recyclables. (Click below for photos by Mitsu Yoshikawa.)

Ranging in age from 3 to 86, participants proved that age is never an obstacle to taking care of our world or living our principles! Thanks to Linda Harris for all her coordination!

The Hunchback of Notre Dame, with Lon Chaney playing the memorable title role in the 1923 classic, will be screened at the church Wednesday (April 25) from 1-3 by the Film Lovers. Drop-ins are welcome, and a $5 donation is suggested.

The Growing On task force is offering food and information in a quick 30-minute program Sunday starting at 12:30 in the Thomas Starr King Room. You are invited to this update and children will be welcomed at the event or can enjoy child care in a quieter room.

Under the direction of MC's Claire Weber and Galen Workman the community will take a quick tour of What's Growing On Around Here: the Society's actions, the Pacific Central District's plans, and how you can help Unitarian Universalism grow.

Pictured for this article is a mock-up of the Sunday newspaper inserts which will be going into Bay Area papers in September. Wally Cleland's display will be available at the lunch, and you can see it online.

Come on Sunday! No reservations are required! A donation of $5 (or $10 for a family) to cover food costs is suggested.

"Our goal was to find the gems in our city that can be enjoyed by both architects and the public," the Chronicle reported Zigmund Rubel saying. He is president of the local AIA chapter's board and a principal at the firm Anshen+Allen. "We also wanted a mixture of turn-of-the-century buildings and more contemporary works."

The Plaza Apartments, primarily designed by Paulett Taggart, was also feted by the AIA as one of the top 5 residential buildings in the city. The honor for her Sixth and Howard street building is especially compelling because the structure is subsidized housing built in a low-income area of San Francisco.

California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) is moving ahead with plans to build a huge hospital diagonally across the street from our Sanctuary. The photo below shows the outline of the proposed building when viewed from St. Mary's parking lot south of Geary.

Supervisor Alioto-Pier has called for a public hearing regarding CPMC's city-wide plans. Please join First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco-CPMC Committee members and other concerned citizens on Monday (April 23) at 3:00 in City Hall, Room 263, to express your opinions.

You are invited to put your words of peace on a ribbon that will encircle the Church and Center. The writing will be in the Sanctuary after the service.

Children and youth are especially invited to add their words for peace on the ribbon this week. Friendly clowns will be on hand to assist children of all ages with the writing as needed.

For anyone who does not have time to write on the ribbon this Sunday, please jot down your message on the blue "Speak Your Peace" cards in the church office. Social Justice volunteers will make sure your words are seen.

No need to miss the What's Growing On luncheon, just sign the blue peace card and Social Justice helpers will put your words on the ribbon or incorporate your card into the display inside the Center!

Delegates to this year's General Assembly and to the Pacific Central District were elected by the Congregation last Sunday.

The ten delegates to General Assembly are: Thomas Atwood, Liz Cormier, Nancy Deutsch, Matt Fuller, Kristen Kekich, Amy Kelly, Fred Rabidoux, Carrie Steere-Salazar, Sonnie Willis, and Bill Wise.

The seven delegates to the Pacific Central District are: Barbara Bourns, Joe Chapot, Milo Hanke, David Jones, Amy Moses, Anna Sylvester, and Claire Weber.

All remaining candidates will serve as alternates to the General Assembly or Pacific Central District.

On April 12th church staff prepared a special champagne brunch to fete the volunteers that regularly serve the Society by helping in the office.

The entire staff toasted the 20 volunteers honored. Entertainment was provided by Jay Roller who was accompanied by Dr. Mark Sumner on the piano.