In recent times a bevy of articles have been written that indicate the American family is under siege.

This is nothing new to many parents here at the Society; we live in a city that is less "family friendly" than most. Our public schools are fraught with danger, and city streets offer a seductive laboratory for life-draining experimentation. Mortgages compete with groceries and health care in the household budget. The topic of bullying is part of the banter at the dinner table.

What is a religious response to the decline in social support for the diversity of family configurations in our midst? How can those with and without children work to create a more nurturing society for families?

For guidance we'll turn to psychologist Mary Piper and philosophers Cornel West and Sylvia Ann Hewlit, all of whom are voices from the front line in the war on parents.

Joining me on the Chancel are Minister Emerita Margot Campbell Gross, Community Minister Kay Jorgensen, Ministerial Intern Joel Gilbertson-White, Trustee Ben Bear, and Worship Associates Millie Phillips and Tobias Sunshine. Our choir, directed by Dr. Mark Sumner and accompanied by organist Reiko Oda Lane, ministers in music. If you know someone who is an advocate for children or is raising a family, then this is the Sunday to invite them to join you in worship and celebration at the Society.

Cathy Rion and Rev. Lindi Ramsden (pictured at right) of the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry (UULM) will talk to the Forum about solutions for state-wide and nation- wide health care issues.

Where does the government stand? How close are we to universal health care? How can the UULM work with Unitarian Universalist congregations to find solutions?

Come to the Forum Sunday and find out!

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

It's finally here! The first official meeting of our re- energized YRUU (Young Religious Unitarian Universalists) group is this Sunday, November 15.

Youth and advisors will have pizza in the youth room after church then move to Fireside where Eric Swanson will get things going aided by some of the youth who have said they were interested in leadership roles. The meeting will end at 3:00 pm.

All youth in 8th through 12th grade are invited as is everyone who has an interest in being an advisor. If you want pizza, please RSVP to Betty at bskwarek@uusf.org or 776-4580 ext 162.

Earlier this year, our congregation conferred the title of "Minister Emerita" on Rev. Margot Campbell Gross, co-minister of this church from 1995 to 2004.

Today we will celebrate with a reception in her honor following the Sunday service.

Please join in this very special occasion.

Business Meeting: 11:00 am Socializing: 11:30 am Catered Lunch ($7-12): 12:00 pm

1 pm: Stillman Stewart "Don't Try This At Home" & "The Preachers' Sons"

Stillman Stewart, tells his own story and introduces "The Preachers' Sons," a documentary about our first family, Nov. 17 at the Society for Community Work (SCW).

A stay-at-home parent, Stillman tells others "Don't try this at home," according to his husband, the Rev Greg Stewart. Excerpts from "The Preachers' Sons," a documentary about the Stewarts, will be shown.

Sign-ups for the catered lunch will be accepted through Sunday, November 15 at the SCW table during coffee hour or by calling Christine Patch- Lindsay at (415) 564-3108.

Are you interested in leading a class?

We're putting together classes and special programs for our winter/spring semester and would like your proposals.

If it helps with your planning, the classes that drew the most interest this fall were Beginning Buddhist Meditation, Peruvian Shamanism, The Wheel of the Year on Samhain, Art for Everyone, and the Sing-along.

Please give us your ideas in writing either by emailing Betty at bskwarek@uusf.org or dropping off your proposal in the church office, box #8.

Volunteers have come forward to keep the Flame lit, but they need your help. Please make sure to submit your photos and stories to Flame@uusf.org instead of emailing anyone personally.

Mail sent to the church email address will be distributed to the people doing the editing each week. The submission deadline remains noon on Wednesday.

And, thank you for your articles, photographs, and other submissions that keep the newsletter flaming!