"I shall speak from the heart of the world we find ourselves in, and the call to seize the 'now' moment given to us to be agents of transformation," writes Sister Sheila Flynn.

"How we need one another as a community, as partners, to effect this transformation, which will confront us with the need for radical truth and equip us to remain disciplined and faithful to this call. It is about the truth of our world, the truth of ourselves, and the spiritual heart that enables us to become emissaries of hope and healing."

Sr. Sheila Flynn comes to us from South Africa, where she teaches women of AIDS-stricken communities to develop their artistic skills to support their families. You can see some of their work at the Holiday Faire (see below).

The Reverend Greg Stewart will join Sr. Sheila on the Chancel along with pastoral care minister Rev. Fred Rabidoux, ministerial intern Jeremy Nickel, and worship associate Stephen Schwichow. The choir will minister in music. Bring a friend to church this season!

Sr. Sheila Flynn, O.P., has spent more than a decade working in South Africa. Our church's relationship with Sr. Sheila began in the year 2001, when our minister, Rev. Margot Campbell Gross, spent two months of her sabbatical at the Thabong Community of Dominican Nuns outside Johannesburg, South Africa. Friendships have blossomed since that time.

from Cheryl Deaner

Right after Sunday's Service, the Children's Choir will lead the Congregation to the ribbon cutting ceremony marking the start of this year's Holiday Faire.

Whether this is your first time at the Faire or your 30th, the experience is always new. Join in for fun, food, music, gifts, crafts (including artwork from Sister Sheila's community in South Africa), children's games, great conversation, and your brew of choice - found either in the Victorian Tea Room or the Olde English Pub.

With over a hundred Society Members participating, we guarantee there will be something for everyone! PLUS - word has it that we will be having a special visitor from the North Pole...

Want to be a good elf? Volunteer for two hours of set up Saturday the 8th between 10am to 5pm. Also, giftables and baked goods are appreciated on Saturday. On Sunday, help make take down short and sweet by volunteering at 3:30 pm.

Any questions? Call the Faire's Head Elves, Leslie Bader at 776-4580 or Cheryl Deaner at 282-2200. The Holiday Faire is a unique experience that wakes up the holiday spirit in all of us for one magical day of celebration each year. Don't miss it!

from Betty Skwarek, Acting Director of Religious Education

This coming Sunday, the Religious Education theme is "sharing hope." Chapel will include a story about Charles Follen, the Unitarian minister who was credited with bringing the Christmas tree to America, and a discussion about how hope helps us try.

Children and youth will be wrapping presents for their Angel Child and decorating the Christmas tree in the Chapel. Students will also begin work on the Christmas Eve Pageant.

Ongoing information about programs for children and youth is available in a Google group. Anyone interested in programs for young people may join. The group is moderated so email Betty Skwarek or phone her at 776-4580 to be added to the group.

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.

The Unitarian Universalists - United Nations Office (UU-UNO) will be accepting donations of warm clothes for the Faithful Fools at the Holiday Faire.

They'll take your old coats, sweaters, hats, scarves, gloves, even blankets, and give you a hot drink in exchange.

It's getting cold out there! Warm up and gain some extra space in your closets while helping the homeless.

UU-UNO will also have a limited supply of UNICEF holiday cards available for sale.

It has been the Society's tradition for many years to decorate the Chancel during the holidays with an abundance of red poinsettia plants dedicated in honor and in memory of special loved ones.

If you would like to contribute to this celebration, please send $25 (or more) to the Church Office in care of Grace Lam, Bookkeeper, marked "poinsettias." Your name and dedication will appear in the Order of Service on December 23 and Christmas Eve.

"How can I get involved in the community?" is a question I hear frequently in the hallways and meetings. My answer has gotten simple: The only indispensable requirement for being in community is to show up. You cannot be part of a community if you aren't there!

That sounds abysmally obvious, yet coming to church regularly seems like an incredibly difficult task for us San Franciscans who have too many activities on our calendars. But, coming together on Sundays and sharing time, worship, and friendship are absolutely necessary to belonging to any community.

What else brings me to church on Sunday? How about last week?

I started at the Forum where former Supervisor Matt Gonzalez was personable, interesting, right on, and dead wrong -- all in 45 minutes. Hope came down the aisles at the 11 am service when the Congregation welcomed a child in the Sanctuary. And, friends and future friends talked, planned, and grew together in the King Rooms after the service.

It was a pretty near perfect Sunday at church for me.

I try to come every week. But, because of family commitments I missed the service after Thanksgiving. Interference happens!

Fortunately, Jonathan Silk captures the service audio and posts it online on the sermon page. I downloaded Ben Bear's Draw a Circle. I thought it was brilliant as I listened to it on my mp3 player at the gym. Try out downloading yourself next time you miss a Sunday!

How about this week, next week, and the next?

Please give yourself the time to be in community. See you at church.