I am delighted to welcome to our pulpit Bruce Knotts, executive director of the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office in New York City. About his homily Bruce writes:

Together we'll consider the work of the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office, an organization that punches far above its weight. It exercises significant influence at the United Nations, especially in the areas of human rights, ending genocide, sustainable development, and climate change.

We'll explore the role of the United nations in the world, a global organization that is appreciated worldwide but little understood in the United States. In light of our discoveries, what actions are Unitarian Universalists called to initiate and support on a global scale to change the world with compassion and justice as we help build the Beloved Community?

Joining me on the Chancel will be Pastoral Care Minister Rev. Fred Rabidoux, Ministerial Intern Joel Gilbertson-White, and worship associates Larry Danos and Whitman Donaldson. Singer/songwriter Chris Waltz and harpist Annamarie Gergely will minister in music.

If you have friends who wish to act globally as well as locally, please bring them to church with you this Sunday.

Bruce will also address the Forum Sunday at 9:30. He will speak about "Building a Culture of Peace".

The free program will start at 9:45. Come at 9:30 for conversation, coffee, and (for a slight charge) a light breakfast.

Trick-or-Treaters for UNICEF will be unleashed Sunday immediately after the service. Children and youth (costumes encouraged!) will be asking for donations for the United Nations Children's Emergency Fund.

Adults are invited to stop by the change table in the gallery so you can more easily disburse your gifts.

Starting at 10 in the Sunday school classes, children and youth will be learning about sustainability - What it is? What it means around the world? What we can do to create a more sustainable existence.

When the costumed children come to collect the adults' coins for UNICEF they will know about UNICEF's push to make life more sustainable in poverty stricken areas around the world in the quest to ameliorate poverty.

Harpist Annamarie Gergely will give a short pre-service concert in the Sanctuary starting at 10:30 am.

Annamarie is on an American tour from Transylvania (Romania). Her selections will include:

• Germaine Tailleferre: Sonata for Harp (1st and 2nd movement)
• Louis Spohr: Fantaisie
• Elias Parish Alvars: Serenade
• Bela Bartok: An Evening in the Village

You're invited to enter the Sanctuary early and enjoy this musical treat.

Clayton's life was guided by his work ethic, his commitment to political change, and his interests in the outdoors, opera, and travel. He shared these interests with his wife of 28 years, Joan Stoker Rost.

Clayton joined this Society when he and Joan moved to San Francisco. He enjoyed coming to services until very recently. Clayton continued as a member of the UU Fellowship of Santa Cruz. Previously he was a Unitarian Universalist in Eureka, Berkeley, and Palo Alto. He was one of the founding members of the Humboldt Unitarian Fellowship over 50 years ago.

Services will be held at 1:30 pm on November 22 at the church. A reception will follow.

We extend our sympathy and love to Joan and to Clayton's other family and friends.

Our senior minister, the Reverend Gregory L. Stewart, suffered a back injury this week and has begun physical therapy. We send him our sympathy and healing thoughts.

Come learn about the "Wheel of the Year" led by Nancy Buffum, Sunday 1:00 to 2:30. This is the first of a series of eight classes spaced throughout the year to coincide with the major pagan holidays. This session will focus on Samhain which corresponds with Halloween.

Nancy is a founding member of the Society's Pagan Circle and is active in other pagan groups in the community. The course fee is $5 per session, and scholarships are available. You may register on-line or at the door.

For more information check out the adult religious program information online.

While investigating the flooding in the Chapel that occurred during the recent rainstorms, eight balls were discovered on one short length of gutter on the Chapel roof.

They do not belong to Montessori or Up On Top, so the balls were either dropped by seagulls or brought by our own children on Sundays.

We will speak to the seagulls.

Everyone else can help make sure that our children don't lose their play toys to the gutters by keeping balls out of the courtyard and play areas during the rainy season.

One little boy told me, "I love playing here. It makes me happy." And then he showed me where he planted flowers so everything would be beautiful.

The Up On Top children have a safe and enriching place where they can have fun, enjoy learning and be in a positive environment where the staff and volunteers lovingly challenge and care for the kids.

For information on how to volunteer and make a difference in the lives of the children visit our free after school program online.

The popular ritual of the Blessing of the Animals was held last Sunday in the Chapel with many species participating.

The honorees were duly blessed in a gentle manner by Senior Minister Rev. Gregory Stewart and Intern Minister Joel Gilbertson-White. Juin-Chyi Yew and Maria Solis provided songs of praise for all creatures during the celebration.

Virginia Handley of Paw PAC, a political action watchDOG group focusing on state legislation concerning the welfare of animals was the featured speaker.

To learn more about the sponsoring committee, UUs for the Ethical treatment of Animals, email Dolores.

Special -- and photo-friendly -- activities filled the church and Center on Sunday. Thanks to photographer Sonnie Willis for snapping memories and posting them online.

Take a tour of the action!