Have you ever been afraid? More and more, I'm finding that fear permeates our lives on an almost day to day basis. Fear's impact is cumulative, eventually rendering us impotent to love -- both with others and ourselves. Fear is so influential because deep down we know our life is unpredictable and that we are all vulnerable.

Religion says we need not give up or give in when fear traps us in its clutches. Moreover, it posits a way out of fear: Perfect love casts out fear.

This Sunday we'll apply perfect love to our imperfect lives in order to bring us closer to the end of fear.

Joining me on the Chancel will Pastoral Care Minister Rev. Fred Rabidoux and Ministerial Intern Joel Gilbertson-White. The Choir, the Bell Choir, and soprano Jiun-Chyi Yew will minister in music.

Start the month off right; bring a friend to church with you this Sunday.

Gerald Nicosia, post-Beat poet, biographer and historian, author of Home to War, the story of the Vietnam veterans movement, and Memory Babe, A Critical Biography of Jack Kerouac, speaks on his latest book, Jan Kerouac, a Life in Memory. His work is the first biography of the late Jan Kerouac, Jack Kerouac's daughter and a much-praised novelist herself.

Hosting this week's Forum will be Karen Melander-Magoon and Joe Kelleher. Preparing breakfast will be Larry Danos and Melvin Starks.

Evelie Posch is leading a Sing-Along, 10 am Sunday, and people of all ages are welcome to stop in the Chapel and join in. Evelie will be accompanied by Eric Shackelford on bass.

Newcomers are especially encouraged this month to sing with the youth choir and provide dinner music for the Men's Shelter on Sunday, February 21st.

Full schedules for Lifespan Faith Exploration and registration information are available at the Greeter's Table on Sundays and online.

We are pleased that Youth Choir Director Carolyn Jayne is home and doing better. She welcomes cards and email messages, and we send her our best wishes.

The Men's Interfaith Winter Shelter Breakfast program continues to be a very rewarding experience for both individuals and groups.

The group that had volunteered to prepare breakfast on Saturday, February 20 has a scheduling conflict, and we are offering that breakfast preparation to another group or to individual helpers. A crew of four desirable; more works well; less is hard. Stan Hartzell or Kate Kuckro will be there as the shift leader.

Please contact Joan Rost at 563-0623 or by email if you or your group can help on the 20th.

Many thanks to everyone for your generous support of the shelter program.

Otto O'Connor will lead chapel Sunday from 11:00 am to 12:15 pm.

The topic is the Fifth Principle of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA), "We affirm and promote the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process."

In children's language it's, "We believe that all people should have a voice and a vote about the things which concern them."

We welcome newcomers, visitors, and your child's sleepover friends to this Chapel and all Family Faith Exploration programs. You're welcome to come Sunday without reservations, or call Betty at 776-4580 so that she can answer your questions and be ready to welcome you as an expected guest Sunday morning.

The successful candidate will establish neighborhood centers of caring and service throughout San Francisco and recruit team neighborhood team captains who, in turn, will delegate volunteers (Society members) for direct care or action. In doing so we hope to create and sustain an increased Unitarian Universalist presence on the streets where we live.

We are looking for candidates who understand that outreach and evangelism are crucial to our liberal religious movement's success, who have a heart for urban ministry and understand the unique challenges of city-center churches, who can easily "share the ministry," and who are most comfortable when institutional decisions are made at the lowest level of authority.

While we prefer an ordained, fellowshipped minister, we are open to others with college degrees who can articulate their desire to serve us as a "calling," and who can cite relevant life experience that would serve us well.

This is a 25-30 hour per week position with full benefits at 30 hours. For ministers, this is a direct hire (not hire-to-call). Comprehensive training is provided.

Inquiries should be directed to the Reverend Gregory L. Stewart, Senior Minister, at 776-4580, ext. 122.

If you are ready to help us create a congregation in which every member has the opportunity to minister, we'd love to hear from you.

Are you wondering how your finances will be affected by the financial crisis?

Would you like to pose your questions to a reporter who is covering the fallout from the banking crisis as the banking reporter for the San Francisco Business Times?

Society member Mark Calvey is also a frequent guest on KQED's Forum radio program and the station's TV program This Week in Northern California. Plus, he's appeared on CNN and the Nightly Business Report to discuss banking issues and observations.

Mark's looking forward to a lively discussion emanating from your questions and observations. Mark sees more trouble ahead this year as the economic distress on Main Street from the financial storm ricochets back onto Wall Street. He says we can kiss free checking good-bye and say hello to a return of annual fees on credit cards. And from a broader perspective, Mark sees a return to Great Depression era values and attitudes.

Drop in on this free program and learn more!

Join us for Unitarian Universalist Bible Study Sunday from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm.

Bob Burchfield, the group facilitator, leads discussion focusing on the Bible as literature.

This class is held every first Sunday. New comers are always welcome.

Are you looking to make connections that extend beyond the Sunday Service and coffee hour? Then join us for our first gathering of Small Group Ministry's Sunday Circle Sunday from 1-3 pm in the Chapel.

Guided by trained Small Group Ministry facilitators, the Sunday Circle provides members, guests and friends with the opportunity for personal and spiritual exploration in a welcoming and safe setting. These Small Groups will meet on the first and third Sundays of each month from 1 pm to 3 pm. Each set of four sessions will have a particular theme; the first Sunday Circle will explore the topics of community, connections, and belonging.

Please come join us and extend your experience of community and spiritual exploration. We know you will find it an enriching journey!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Kate Kuckro by email or at 308-1976. We look forward to gathering with you this Sunday.

You can sign up for this four-session Small Group after services in the Thomas Starr King Room or by filling out the online application.

The William and Alice Hinckley Fund scholarship applications are available at the link below and in the church office. Completed applications and attachments must be received in the church office by 5:00 pm March 31.

The William and Alice Hinckley Fund scholarships are awarded to graduate students from the Bay Area. Financial need, career plans reflecting humanitarian concern, and good academic work are given priority by the selection committee.

The fund was established in 1892 by Captain Hinckley to foster "religion, learning, and charity." Applicants chosen for final consideration will be interviewed by member of the scholarship committee.

Do you have questions about Unitarian Universalism? Like to learn more about this congregation? If yes, then please join us for the monthly Newcomer Orientation at 12:30 pm Sunday in the Murdock Room.

We will answer any questions you have and invite you to share what you are searching for in a spiritual community. A short film about the diversity and history of the Unitarian Universalist movement will also be viewed.

No commitments are required. We need just your questions and comments for this one-hour discussion.

Please join us, won't you?

Our Society will be hosting a very special event on Friday, March 5. Rev. Peter Morales, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA), will be the main speaker and guest of honor that evening at a dinner to benefit the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of California (UULMCA). Further information and tickets for the event will be available in the Starr King Room after the service Sunday.

In the meantime, save the date, Friday, March 5, so you won't miss the opportunity to meet and share dialogue with the leader of our denomination while benefiting the Legislative Ministry's work. This celebratory event will also offer an opportunity to meet and mingle with other Bay Area Unitarian Universalists and UULMCA supporters while sharing a delicious meal and dancing to a live band.

More information and an opportunity to buy tickets will be available on the UULMCA website next week or by calling Linda Harris at 215-7292.

I think we will call this one January at a Glance. Life goes by so quick around here, so sit back and catch a Unitarian Universalist moment.

Thank you, Sonnie!

Get into the Great Green Auction groove! Give of your time and skills. Whatever you can think of will be great!

Here are just a few thoughts off the top of my head:

• an art tour
• a baking lesson
• dinner at your home
• piano lessons
• weight loss lessons
• paintings
• drawings

Whatever gift you can contribute, let the auction know. Just fill out this Auction Form by February 28.

Questions? Contact Karen Susag at 596-2582 or email for more information.

Join in raising money for the blessed church we have grown to love.

The Society for Community Work (SCW) is again offering scholarships to undergraduate college students. Awards are based on financial need, community involvement, and academic achievement. Scholarships are awarded for one year at a time; current scholarship recipients need to submit a renewal application in order to be considered for an award in 2010-11.

To apply for a scholarship, students need to complete the Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) by the state's deadline of March 2 and, if eligible, to apply for a Cal Grant. In addition to the FAFSA, applicants must complete a new or renewal SCW application and submit transcripts from their most recent term in school. New applicants will also be asked to submit a one-page biographical essay.

Students do not need to be US citizens or permanent residents to qualify for an SCW scholarship.

The SCW application must be submitted by April 9.

For more information about the SCW application, or to request that an application be sent to you (or to someone you know who might be eligible), please contact: Janet Hewins or Carrie Steere-Salazar.