Maintenance Week Wraps
Up
The church office and building
will be closed today (Friday, August 28) for
cleaning and repairs.
We thank the
maintenance staff for this annual labor of
love, and landscapers Keith Hollon and
Jennie Summers-Shea for the
restoration of the
Courtyard planters and Thomas Starr King
garden. Come and enjoy!
Turtles All the Way Down
Sunday at 11 in the Church Sanctuary
service conducted by Alison Rittger
I will be a spokesperson for the turtle as a
power animal, for Alfred North Whitehead,
personality types, poetry, intuition,
imagination, increased satisfaction, and
meaning making.
I invite you to increase your satisfaction
and shape the reality of your world by
thinking about everything because it is
important.
When we are able through our thoughts and
imagination to transform ourselves, we become
more peaceful and our individual and communal
actions do change the world.
Joining me on the chancel will be The Rev.
Greg Stewart, singer/songwriter
Lindasusan Ulrich, Stephen
Schwichow, and my singing, dancing
sister Linda Posner. Linda has been
nominated twice for a Tony award for her work
on Broadway, and she has appeared on TV and
film, taking a lead roll in Bob Fosse's
All That Jazz.. The ministry of music
will be provided by jazz pianist Larry Chinn.
— Alison Rittger
Small Group Ministries Open Applications
Applications for Small Group Ministries
groups are now available at the Greeter's
table at church and online.
Small Group Ministries is an on-going program
to help individuals deepen their connections
to each other, grow spiritually, and
strengthen our San Francisco Unitarian
Universalist community as a whole.
"During my three years in Small Group Ministry
I've been pleasantly surprised that each
group takes a fresh approach towards our
shared spiritual journey," says Stanley
Hartzell. "It has given me new
perspectives that have enriched my personal
growth."
The experience defines and strengthens
"fellowship," and meets the covenant ... "to
care for one another. "
You're invited to apply now for the coming
church year. Groups meet twice a month to
discuss, share, explore and discover topics
of interest.
A Small Group Ministry table will be in the
Starr King room during coffee hour following
services this Sunday - stop by for further
details.
Rev. Stewart Speaks Up for Healthcare
from Claire Bohman
Senior Minister, The Rev. Gregory
Stewart, (pictured to the left of Speaker
of the House Nancy Pelosi), was one of 10
members of the clergy invited
to discuss healthcare with Representative
Pelosi in a public forum last week.
The
conference was covered by the media and was
also featured in the Speaker's constituent
newsletter.
"...I was struck how the Biblical Book of
James calls for deeds not words, which is
exactly what is needed when it comes to
health insurance reform," Pelosi said. "The
Qur'an, the Scriptures, the Torah, and the
numerous faith-based schools of thought all
teach us that the dignity and worth in every
person demands that all be cared for. "
The meeting between faith leaders and the
Speaker was facilitated in part the San
Francisco Organizing Project.
Pulling and Planting and Photographing
Volunteers
pulled and planted together last
Saturday as the Buildings and Grounds
Committee transformed the area around Starr
King's sarcophagus into a memorial garden.
Photographer John Steele snapped a
series of shots of the day's gardeners,
including the one at the left. Artist
Sonnie Willis unleashed her Cannon, too.
What Does Our Religion Require of Us?
Last week's service on Islam's month of Ramadan
prompted Worship Associate Millie
Phillips to reflect on what our Unitarian
Universalist faith requires of us.
"So, what does Unitarian Universalism require
of me?" she asked.
"A task that I think no other religion does
so completely - to think for myself. To
co-create, within the ethical construct of
our principles and within the walls of this
beloved community, a religion that is
historically grounded and ever-evolving;
shared, yet uniquely my own."
The Courtyard Congregation
photos by Sonnie Willis
The community enjoyed a sunny Sunday in the
courtyard after last week's worship service.
Coffee and conversation were supplemented by
the presence of the summer art troupe and its
handiwork.
Photographer Sonnie Willis shares a
slide show of the people and art at the link
below.
