This Sunday is both Palm Sunday in the Christian Tradition and the five year anniversary of our country's invasion of Iraq. You just might be surprised by how much these two events have in common.

The service will ask us to think about what lessons we can take from Palm Sunday that will inform our response to the Iraq War, and further, how our liberal religious tradition can synthesize the different voices of this conflict in order to help lead the way out of it.

Joining Jeremy on the chancel will be Dolores Priem, Branduin Stroud, and Youth Worship Associate Antonia Porter.

Sam Perryman, who grew up in this Congregation, will provide a glimpse of his work with Sri Lankan Aid, a student-run, not-for-profit organization founded after the 2004 tsunami. The organization provides humanitarian relief in villages on and near the front lines of the country's civil war.

Sam will share the Forum with representatives from Non-Violent Peaceforce, which has been working for over three years in Sri Lanka as escorts for all parties to prevent violence and nurture peace.

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

Sunday in chapel children and youth will learn about Norbert Capek (pictured) who created the flower communion which the Congregation will share at the Easter Sunday worship service.

The Kindergarten, first, and second grade classes will have a story-telling fest! The children will share their illustrations of the stories they have heard during the past two weeks.

Junior youth will build story lines for the movie they are creating. They will also work on their acting abilities through theater games.

Senior youth will develop their own programs with guidance from their advisors.

Preschool teachers and parents are invited to meet in Kincaid at 10 am to discuss program directions and curriculum for next year.

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.

Religious, political, and peace leaders will begin a week of actions commemorating the 5th year of the US invasion of Iraq in a broad-based vigil in the church Sanctuary Sunday at 5 pm. You are invited to come and join the call for reflection and action.

Senior Minister Rev. Gregory Stewart, Vice Presidential candidate Matt Gonzalez, Actor Sean Penn, and Peace Mom Cindy Sheehan are among those who will talk about peace and Iraq.

"What will it take to realize the world we seek, with peace as normative and war as nonsensical? What will it take?" asks Rev. Stewart. "Can we settle our differences with talking sticks instead of smart bombs? What will it take? There must be a way to feed the world rather than bleed its citizens. What will it take?"

Speakers will show how individual San Franciscans can help change minds to change the world.

"In the fight for peace and justice," Rev. Stewart adds, "God is optional but you are not. You possess the hands and feet of justice."

A short list of names of people killed in the war will be read to honor all those who have fallen. The peacemaking will conclude with a walk from the church to the steps of the War Memorial Building on Van Ness Avenue.

The Great Green Auction drew crowds of happy bidders at its conclusion last Sunday. Pledges totaled $11,012 for the 130+ items donated.

Thank you to the donors, bidders, staff, and community of volunteers that made the auction a financial and social success!

If you left before the winners were posted last week, you can check the tote board in the King Room Sunday. See if your bid was the top one, and see a cashier to collect !

The Faithful Fools have published photos and video from their January travels to Nicaragua where they spent time in the barrios of Managua and in the rural community of San Diego, Condega. Click on the links at the bottom of this article to see the first-hand views.

Within the Faithful Fools, once people have done an extended Street Retreat on the streets of San Francisco, they may travel to Nicaragua. There they extend their understanding of the global realities and weave the web of solidarity as each works for peace and justice in their own communities.

Oscard's Feast, the annual Foolish fund raising festival, has been set for Friday, March 28 at the church. Invitations are being prepared, and more information will be in future Flames.

The Faithful Fools also invite the Congregation to celebrate with them the wedding of Bruce Meyer and Marcie Kroft Sunday at 2 pm at the Fools Court, 234 Hyde Street. It is a moment of great happiness! If you'd like to send a card, just mail it to the Fools who will give it to the couple.

"I'm doing it to deal with my own suffering, as well as to reduce whatever grief my personal unhappiness may be sluicing into the universal ocean of pain, " she said.

Seven gradate students last year shared a total of $33,500 in scholarships provided by William and Alice Hinckley (photo is of Captain Hinckley).

The Hinckleys were Members of this Congregation in the 1800's and their generous bequest continues to fund education for Hinckley Scholars and to provide money for learning, religion, and charity.

The 2007 Hinckley Scholars have described their educational progress which ranges from learning in classes at Starr King School for the Ministry to first-hand service in Uganda.

"Reading the reports and understanding how two Members of this Congregation continue to effect lives is a positive, religious experience," says Don Williams, chair of the Hinckley Fund Scholarship Committee.

These three Hinckley Scholars have given permission for their mid-year educational updates to be shared with you.