Educational ministries based in local churches are in trouble everywhere.

As congregations across this city drop religious education programming on Sunday morning, saying that there are no longer families with children dwelling here, our own program grows. For liberal religion to thrive we all need to be able to articulate what we believe and then apply those beliefs to our daily decision making. That is what religious education — for all ages — is all about.

Today we'll explore why we should care about Sunday School in the city.

Special musical guests, the Cal Jazz Choir, will be joined on the chancel by Pastoral Care Minister Rev. Fred Rabidoux, Acting Director of Religious Education Betty Skwarek, Andrew Kornhaber, and guests from the Unitarian Universalist - United Nations Office in New York City.

"From this vision of the role of the United Nations in the next century flow three key priorities for the future: eradicating poverty, preventing conflict, and promoting democracy."
— Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United Nations

The photo shows a UN worker with a child orphaned by AIDS.

The free 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

Religious Education learners will widen their perspective about who are our neighbors. Sunday in Chapel students will imagine living in Ghana. This exploration will complement the Unitarian Universalist - United Nations Office presentation in the Sanctuary. Junior and Senior youth will attend the Sanctuary service.

The cookies pictured at the right are from the designer collection baked by children for the Winter Shelter guests. Sunday School classes have explored the February theme of "Love Your Neighbor" by looking at neighbors as geographically close as the Thomas Starr King Room and as physically remote as Ghana!

Senior Youth advisors are taking reservations for the pizza dinner and overnight scheduled for March 8. Parents and youth are invited to dinner and a discussion about upcoming programs. Then parents will leave and the youth will settle in for fun and games (and maybe some sleep). Contact any of the advisors or the Religious Education office at 776-4580 for more information.

New students are welcome throughout the year, and parents are invited to phone Acting Director of Religious Education Betty Skwarek at 776-4580. Religious Education teams will have tables for adult and children Religious Education programs at coffee hour after the service so congregants will have an opportunity to learn more about the activities.

Rev. Alyson Jacks begins leading a New UU class series Sunday after the service — healthy snacks will be available. Newcomers and people wanting to know more about Unitarian Universalism and the Society are invited to attend. Please contact Rev. Jacks or the Religious Education office at 776-4580.

Andrew Kornhaber, filmmaker, will speak at the Stone Soup forum about the making of the documentary Every Child is Our Child. The movie details a project sponsored jointly by the Unitarian Universalists - United Nations Office (UU-UNO) and the Queen Mothers of Manya Krobo, Ghana.

By combining traditional and modern resources, the Queen Mothers have helped to lower the AIDS rate in their community and have changed the lives of countless children orphaned by the disease. By partnering with the UU-UNO, the people of Manya Krobo have built an educational foundation for their community's future.

This film is an inspiring and perspective-altering story, filled with stunning visuals, that provides its viewers the opportunity to become active participants in changing the lives of numerous children by connecting them with the Every Child is Our Child program.

The World Community Advocates monthly Stone Soup is open to all members and visitors. Lunch is only $4 and the free program begins at 12:45.

The primary function of the Board of Review is to serve as an appeals board for ministers whose fellowship in the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is terminated, or religious educators whose credentials are revoked, because of serious misconduct. Fortunately, the board has very little of that kind of work to do. The board meets periodically to discuss issues of policy and procedure.

The Board of Review consists of eight members elected by the UUA General Assembly: three ministers, a credentialed religious educator (Betsy), and four lay members (including Bob).

Congratulations to our Members for being so active in the denomination!

Welcome! to the nine people who joined The First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco by signing the Membership Book in the minister's office last Sunday.

The girl in the photograph practicing her signature wasn't one of those who joined... but her parents did!

We're glad to have you all with us!

People on the path to Membership are invited to join the Society the third Sunday of each month — the next ceremony will be Sunday, March 16th. Membership in our 157-year-old religious community requires making a pledge of record, meeting with the minister, and signing the historic membership book. You are invited to phone Rev. Gregory Stewart at 776-4580 for a conversation about Membership.

At some juncture most of us are called to service, whether it be to care for a dying parent, to volunteer in our community, or to support a social justice or political movement. Seen as a practice of awareness, service becomes a spiritual practice. This perspective reminds us that real service is always mutually beneficial, and is a natural expression of our interdependence.

Frank Ostaseski, Founding Director of Zen Hospice Project and the Metta Institute, will conduct a class on the Spirit of Service which is co-sponsored by the Society's San Francisco Insight Meditation community.

The classes will meet from 7 - 9 pm at the church. Participants are asked to register for the entire four-evening series and commit to attending all programs unless an urgent situation arises. They are also asked to read How Can I Help? Stories and Reflection on Service by Ram Dass and Paul Gorman in preparation for the course.

Frank Ostaseski has dedicated most of his adult life to service, working with the homeless, political refugees, and individuals with disabilities. In 1987, he helped create the Zen Hospice Project, the first Buddhist hospice in America. In 2004, he founded the Metta Institute to provide innovative educational programs on spirituality and dying. His groundbreaking work has been widely featured in the media, including the Bill Moyers series On Our Own Terms, the Oprah Winfrey Show, and in numerous print publications. In 2001, Frank was honored by H.H. the Dalai Lama for his years of compassionate service to the dying and their families.

The cost for the series is $40, plus dana. For additional information please call Jonathan at 994-5951.

Ministerial Intern Jeremy Nickel created a YouTube channel for the Society last week. UUSFweb's first video is Rev. Gregory Stewart's God is Optional, You Are Not which was mentioned in last week's Flame. You're invited to subscribe to the UUSFweb channel and watch for future videos. Thank you, Jeremy!

Last Sunday's service and social hour were visited by paparazzi! A photojournalist from San Francisco State University attended the 11 am service and was seen unobtrusively kneeling in the aisles and lining up angles in the Sanctuary.

During coffee hour, Friction.tv's Melody McCloskey filmed Rev. Gregory Stewart and other participants in our community for the Society's future channel on that website. More information on that Unitarian Universalist foray into cyberspace will be shared when the videos go live.

Meanwhile, we are pleased to report that The Flame is now received by 1037 email subscribers each week. Don't forget that you can forward today's edition — or any week's Flame — by clicking on the "Forward this newsletter to a Friend" link below the gray border at the bottom of the this message!