Lets face it, dialoguing with members of Generation X can at times be a difficult task. More known for their sarcasm, wit, and irony than their other astonishing accomplishments (ever heard of Google, Wikipedia, or Myspace?) many come away from conversations with Gen Xer's feeling abused and confused.

We will look at Gen X speech and attempt to do some translating work that will hopefully enable you to hear the stories of Xer's with new ears. Further, you will learn a little about the spiritual quest of Xer's, and what our Unitarian Universalist movement stands to gain from it, and what it could potentially add to it.

Joining Jeremy Nickel on the Chancel will be Pastoral Care Minister Rev. Fred Rabidoux. Along with our choir, Michaela Romano-Meade will provide special music.

The Intern Committee will be hosting a reception for Jeremy Nickel in the courtyard following the service.

Reese Erlich, internationally renown journalist, returns to The Forum to discuss his new book, The Iran Agenda, in which he explains "the real story" behind the deepening crisis between Washington and the rulers of Iran.

The Iranian President was at the United Nations this week in New York and new statements were also issued in Washington. After 30 years of conflict between the United States and Iran over oil, Islamic rulings, global terrorism, nuclear development, among other matters, the relationship has grown increasingly confrontational.

Few American journalists are better prepared to inform us about the events today and the historical and cultural setting that undergirds this current crisis.

The program will start at 9:45. Come at 9:30 for conversation, coffee, and (for a slight charge) a light breakfast.

from Betty Skwarek, Acting Director of Religious Education

Two special programs start Sunday morning (and every Sunday morning) at 10 am: Children's Art for children 5 and older and Youth Choir for children 6 and older. Children under 5 are welcome in the Nursery at that time.

The Sunday schedule will be:

10:00 Nursery - Upstairs
10:00 Art - End of walkway upstairs
10:00 Choir - Chapel
10:45 Parents sign children out of Art or choir and take them to service
11:00 Preschool - Upstairs next to Nursery
11:00 Junior Youth - Murdock
11:00 Senior Youth - Kincaid (Senior youth will be in the service either September 30 or October 7. There will be a sign on the classroom door telling students where the class is.
11:00 Elementary Students - Go to Service
11:10 Elementary Students - Chapel
11:25 Elementary Students - Classrooms
K-1st Emerson (upstairs)
2nd Downstairs below nursery
3rd, 4th, 5th Thoreau (upstairs)
12:15 Classes dismissed - Parents sign-out children either at classroom or playground

Following the art and classes families are invited to come to the Church Picnic in Golden Gate Park (see story below for details).

Many thanks to the volunteers who have been helping everywhere in the program -- teaching classes, watching the playground, preparing and serving snacks.

We are still looking for more teachers so we can have two people in every classroom. We also recruiting parent volunteers for snacks. Lori Lai is snack coordinator. You can talk with her Sunday to sign up for future weeks.

New students are welcome throughout the year, and parents are invited to phone Acting Director of Religious Education Betty Skwarek at 776-4580 for more information.

Drive or ride to the All-Church Picnic at the Log Cabin in Golden Gate Park Sunday from 1 to 4. Carpools will leave the church after the service.

Hotdogs and hamburgers (veggie burgers, too!) will be available for a modest cost. Please bring chips, fruit, or cookies to add to the feast.

Games, music, and lounging are central activities. Wear a "salmon" or other environmentally friendly T-shirt to this party in the Park! (The picture is of Ministerial Intern Jeremy Nickel working this summer to save wild salmon.)

All comers are invited to an outdoor church work party Saturday (September 29) from 9:30 until 1:00.

The crew will add new soil in the sarcophagus area (pictured) and plant new plants. These workers will also weed and clean the sidewalks around the Center.

The monthly work parties are a great way to show your appreciation for how our building looks and to make it look inviting to newcomers and members alike. The Saturdays are also great ways to meet others in the community: weeds are a wonderful common enemy to overcome.

Come on Saturday -- no sign-up or reservations required. Just bring work gloves -- tools will be provided. A pizza lunch will be served.

On September 6, I faxed a message to every member of Congress telling them, "Not another dollar. Not another life." To make sure they heard me, I am headed to Capitol Hill with my colleague Rev. John H. Thomas, the United Church of Christ's General Minister and President. On October 10 we will be walking into your representatives' offices to tell them to end the war and I want to bring you with me!

Sincerely,
Rev. William G. Sinkford

These photographs are from the Iraq Moratorium public witnessing that was held on our church steps last Friday (September 21). Amy Moses MC'ed the community call for peace which included an impassioned statement by Senior Minister Reverend Gregory Stewart.

San Francisco Country Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi lead the applause for diva Wesla Whitfield and for Up On Top at last Saturday's (September 22) benefit concert.

In addition to the benefit, this Congregation has now contributed almost $7,000 to the annual funding drive for the afterschool program.

Donation envelopes will be available in the pews this final Sunday of September for any who missed the special collection earlier in the month.

The Faithful Fools invite you to their annual celebration of the life of St. Francis of Assisi, the man in whose honor we bless our animals each year.

The Fools will celebrate the Transitus, the commemoration of Francis' death, at their Fools of the Round Table Monday (October 1) at 5:30. The gathering will be at Fools Court, 234 Hyde Street.

The pot-luck dinner begins at 5:30 pm followed by a celebration of the Transitus. The celebrants will read together a story from The Language of the Soul's Night.

You're invited to bring a dish to share if you can, or just bring yourself. For more information, please call Melissa Fafarman at 441-3987.