If you believe that we should create a more just society, from what can you draw inspiration?

One source that nourished the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s was a liberating reading of the Bible.

Rev. Gibson, himself a participant in the civil rights movement, applauds such an understanding. Beyond that, he suggests that stories from the civil rights movement may themselves be a source of inspiration and vision for us as we face the challenges of today.

Thomas Atwood will serve as Worship Associate and Stephen Schwichow will be the Trustee welcoming worshipers.

Music for the service will be performed by Gamelan Bamboo Bali. Their music and instruments come from the secular tradition of rindik and joged. Rindik is typically performed with two or three musicians using two bamboo marimba-like instruments with or without a bamboo flute. This music is very relaxed and atmospheric and is typically played as background music.

Members and friends are invited to enjoy a courtyard BBQ after the Sunday Service to send off in style sexton Thomas Brown (pictured at left in a photo by Sonnie Willis) and Rev. Gordon and Judy Gibson.

Thomas is leaving for New Orleans for several months of Katrina reconstruction on the homes of his mother and aunt and the historic church the family has attended all their lives. After a two-year wait, some government funding has finally become available to help those in Thomas' community.

You may also wish Thomas a happy birthday -- he will be 59 years young on Monday (September 3).

Gordon and Judy Gibson are returning to their home in Tennessee after Rev. Gibson's conducting of the August Sunday services. "Thank you!" to Rev. Gibson, and we look forward to the Gibsons' future visits to our congregation when they see Shirley Gibson, Tim Pori, and their granddaughters.

A $5 donation is requested for the BBQ. All money received will go to assist Thomas with his travel costs.

Up On Top, the after school program for neighborhood children from low-income families started by this Society, presents San Francisco's legendary Wesla Whitfield in a benefit concert at the Empire Plush Room September 22nd.

General admission tickets will be available Sunday for $100 per person. Preferential, reserved seating will also be available to benefactors of the event with levels ranging from $500 to $2000. A portion of every ticket is tax deductible. Up on Top volunteers will be selling tickets after service this Sunday and each Sunday until the performance. They may also be obtained by emailing upontopconcert@yahoo.com.

Wesla is a noted cabaret singer who lives in the Bay Area and has appeared on stages around the world. She is a longtime friend of Society member Julia Wald, and became aware of Up On Top through Julia.

Wesla will be accompanied by pianist Mike Greensill, her musical partner. Mike appears on the popular weekly radio show "West Coast Live", which is broadcast on KALW. Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, a supporter of Up On Top and neighborhood after school programs, is honorary chair of the event.

For more information, please contact Up On Top volunteers:

• To donate an item to the silent auction or to donate items for gift baskets, email Carol Ruley
• To purchase general admission or benefactor tickets, email Up On Top or call Luanne Schulte at 642-1969
• To make a cash contribution or for additional information, contact Sandi Pilon, Event Chair by email .

The choir and bell ringers are hosting a 'welcome home' potluck supper tonight (August 30) from 6-8:30 pm to both greet our regular music-making family and to invite all interested folk to get to know this special community.

If you are interested in attending, email Dr. Sumner or phone 920-9105 and you will be given directions to the dinner and all questions will be answered!

Alex Darr (pictured with Kirsten Hove) and fellow Faithful Fools will show sculpture and paintings in an exhibit called Dream Parlor which will open Monday (September 3) with a potluck reception from 5:30 - 8 pm.

Inspired by the Dream Workshop Rev. Cathleen Cox-Burneo led this spring at the Fools' Court and by the opportunity to dream up new uses for the space which once housed the Faithful Fools Copy Shop, Kirsten and Alex collaborated with friends to present Dream Parlor.

This indoor sculpture garden installed in the Fools' lobby gallery invites visitors to consider how their own dreams can become reality and to suppose "if that were my dream..."

The opening reception coincides with the Fools' regular first Mondays gathering called Fools of the Round Table. The community will eat together at 5:30 and discussion will begin around 7.

The Fools invite you to come and to bring something to share if you can. For further information call Alex at 515-3517.