According to Garrison Keillor, the mythical town of Lake Wobegon was first settled by Unitarian missionaries who came west to "convert the Indians to Christianity by the means of interpretive dance."

Sadly, the thought of Unitarian Universalist evangelists is always good for a laugh. Why should that be so? Do we not have "good news" to share with our neighbors? Unitarian Universalism is a faith that can bring health and wholeness to growing numbers if we would learn to share its message with conviction and grace.

Reverend Greg Stewart adds: Don't miss this opportunity to hear and experience the engaging ministry of one of contemporary Unitarian Universalism's most knowledgeable spokespersons. The bell choir and choir will perform; joining Revs. Jonasson and Stewart on the chancel will be Ministerial Intern Jeremy Nickel and Worship Associate Alison Rittger.

Rev. Jonasson is the Unitarian Universalist Association's director for large congregations. He will meet with committee chairs and lay leaders of our Society on Saturday (October 27) from 10:00 am - 12:00 noon.

He shares the view of many in our movement that our congregation will become larger and more influential, given our current growth pattern. Such change is often accompanied by anxiety. Rev. Jonasson will give participants tools to navigate the path that presents itself in this second year of shared ministry.

Your participation as a lay leader is vital to the Society's health and success. Please come to this discussion, and let's learn together about the privileges and peccadilloes of large church life.

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

Join in the Chapel at 1 pm for celebratory words, music, and fellowship as the Congregation toasts the legacy of caring, community-building, and social activism these amazing friends have created.

Beverages, light refreshments, and dessert will be served.

The send-off will include the Folk Orchestra and the best wishes of many friends.

from Betty Skwarek, Acting Director of Religious Education

Children and youth are invited to wear their costumes Sunday for Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF. They'll get instructions about what they need to do in their Sunday School classes and be ready to gather donations immediately following the service.

UNICEF and the work it does will be the topic of the Sunday School lessons so education learners will be able to tell you about the organization when they collect your donations.

Tip to non-children: bring CHANGE to the service Sunday. Lots of CHANGE. (Paper currency -- or an encouraging smile -- are also accepted!)

The 10:00 Art Class will be working on Day of the Dead projects. This past week they created cardboard heroes that stood by themselves. If your child is 5 or older consider bringing him or her at 10 to try out the art program and create an innovative work!

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.

Rev. Greg Stewart will meet with the parents group at 9:30 in the Chapel to talk about their interests and concerns. The time has been moved up ½ hour and the room changed to the Chapel so participants will have more time and space for this important discussion.

Rev. Stewart will be answering questions that were placed in the question box, any that have been emailed to him, and questions from people who are present. Older youth and anyone interested in Religious Education, including non-parents, are invited to attend.

As reported in an earlier UUA email message, the fires currently sweeping across southern California have affected Unitarian Universalists (UUs) in many communities. In response to this disaster, the Pacific Southwest District (PSWD) of the UUA has begun the PSWD Fire Relief Fund. A district committee will disburse all funds collected to UU congregations, UUs in need, community groups in relationship with UU congregations, and other groups supporting those most in need.

District Executive Ken Brown notes, "As we have found in the past, insurance does not cover such devastation and it can take years for those affected to recover."

Donations to the PSWD Fire Relief Fund are being accepted online at http://tinyurl.com/ytfz3f.

If you wish to contribute by mail, please send funds to:
Pacific Southwest District
Fire Relief Fund
2052 Norma Street Oxnard, CA 93036.

Rev. Watson is a former member of this Society and has been serving as Southold's consulting minister for the past year.

Congratulations to Rev. Watson -- we are very proud!

Unitarian Universalists for Peace and Unitarian Universalist - United Nations Office invite you to attend this unique service at Grace Cathedral (1100 California Street). Join other Unitarian Universalists, Quakers, Episcopalians, Muslims, Jews, Presbyterians and a wide representation of people of faith in this solemn event.

Join thousands Saturday calling for an end to the war in Iraq. Start at Civic Center at 11 am and march to Dolores Park - OR - join the rally at Dolores Park after 12 noon to hear the program, to meet others working to stop the war, and to find out how to plug into these activities.

Unitarian Universalists for Peace and Unitarian Universalist - United Nations Office want the destruction and waste to stop, and we have to take to the streets to protest in large numbers. This is the only way our elected officials will realize that their perpetuation of the war is not what the people want.

Over 100 political, religious, labor and community groups have come together to organize a series of major demonstrations this fall. Saturday's San Francisco protest and march is one of the actions designed to focus officeholders on the will of the people.

For further information, contact Dolores Perez Priem at 387-0873.

The Rev. William G. Sinkford, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA), joined the Rev. John Thomas, general minister and president of the United Church of Christ (UCC), in delivering 73,000 antiwar petitions from congregants to key Washington, D.C., politicians' offices on October 10.

The contingent, including the UCC's Rev. Linda Jaramillo, executive minister for justice, as well as representatives from both denominations' offices, visited the offices of Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi (D-CA); Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid (D-NV); and House Republican Leader, John Boehner (R-OH) to deliver the petitions along with a cover letter.

Invitations have gone out for the November 17th celebration which will mark the completion of the new elevator, paid for by a generous and specific bequest from former Moderator Lois Gorham. Allyne Circle members are those who have publicly stated their intent to remember the Society in their estates, so it is particularly fitting that they have the honor of hanging a plaque honoring Lois.

Paul Armstrong will have a role in the ceremonies, and Maddy Gerlich will provide entertainment.

If you have named the Society in your estate but have not yet received an invitation to the celebration, please contact Planned Giving co-chairs Joan Rost or Michael McGirr so that you to may be included in the festivities. Or, let them know if you want to make the Society a beneficiary so that they can provide you information which will help you to be intentional and clear about your legacy gift.

Mike and Joan can be reached by email or by calling Joan at 563-0623.

Members and friends filled the courtyard last week, enjoying the sunshine, eating finger food, and talking with representatives of our active community about opportunities to join in.

As newsletter editors we love all services and sermons equally. They are all wonderful. Really.

However, if you didn't hear Rev. Gregory's Stewart's October 21 sermon on his family's first 15 months in California, we recommend that you download it or listen to it online now. Messages like it are a big reason we come to church on Sunday.