What is it about change that frightens us? I believe change is a gift — one that is necessary for growth — personal, professional, emotional, spiritual — although I sometimes hesitate before unwrapping it.

For with change comes the possibility of failure, and most of us loathe failure more than we love growth. But the only real failure in life is the failure to grow from what we go through.

When change comes we have the opportunity to reorient ourselves using spiritual principles that keep us steady during uncertain times and that can lead us on the path to wholeness. That's exactly where change takes us.

Joining me on the Chancel will be Community Minister Rev. Denis Paul, Ministerial Intern Joel Gilbertson-White, Lifespan Faith Exploration Director Betty Skwarek and Worship Associate Lindasusan Ulrich. The Choir will provide us with ministry in music.

If you know someone who is navigating change, please invite them to church.

Sunday is Valentine's Day and the Forum will celebrate the big heart of the Winter Shelter, the Faithful Fools, and the Night Ministry. The honored guests will be Rev. Thom Longino of Night Ministry as well as Rev. Denis Paul, Affiliated Community Minister, who serves with the Faithful Fools.

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

For this week and next, the youth choir is expanding to include voices of both adults and children as they prepare to perform for the Men's Shelter on the evening of Sunday, February 21.

Newcomers are especially encouraged this month to sing with the youth choir and provide dinner music for the Men's Shelter next Sunday.

It's great fun for anyone who enjoys singing and would like to help make life a little better for those men who are staying here this month.

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

On the second and third Sundays of the month all children and youth go to the service in the Sanctuary before dispersing to their classrooms.

This is an opportunity for the entire church community to join together for a few minutes. Children and youth are always welcome to remain in the service rather than leave for their classes during the sung affirmation; and parents are also welcome to come with their children and stay or return to the Sanctuary later.

This Sunday, especially, consider taking your children back to the Martin Luther King room following their classes to see the children's art show and participate in the reception.

You're invited to drop in the Stebbins Library and check out the books on religion, justice, and life! The collection is open 12:30 pm after Sanctuary service every Sunday.

Want more? Become a volunteer and assist Rosa Loki in cataloging valuable books from our former ministers, including some volumes from 150 years ago!

And, don't forget to stop by the Sunday Book Wagon located in the Thomas Starr King Room. There you will find a wide assortment of books, CD's and DVD's for purchase. They open at 12:30 pm.

Susan B. Anthony was born February 15, 1820, and you are invited to her 190th birthday party Sunday at 12:15 pm in the Murdock Room.

Grab a cup of coffee or tea in the Starr King Room after church and come to the Murdock Room for birthday cake. Rumor has it that Susan will channel her spirit through one of our Society members and re-enact the sentencing portion of her trial when she was found guilty of voting.

The spirit of the judge will, temporarily, possess our own Kiam Cua. We will then view a video of Susan's life and struggle to form "a more perfect union" based on the self-evident truth that all women and men, of all colors, are equal.

This event is sponsored by the Adult Faith Exploration Committee.

Please contact Emily Drennen, Adult Faith Exploration Assistant, with any questions.

Information on these positions is posted on the Society's web site.

Spread the word!

Encourage the excellent candidates you know to join the staff of San Francisco's home for liberal religion.

From the Gold Rush and its aftermath, to the Summer of Love, to today, the Society for Community Work (SCW) has been committed to helping people.

The Society was formed in 1873 in response to the crushing needs arising here as the Gold Rush's out-of-work and out-of-luck flocked into San Francisco. The Haight Ashbury Free Clinic was formed in response to the Summer of Love and its subsequent challenges. However, there exists another connection between the two.

At Tuesday SCW Luncheon program, Jeff Schindler of the Clinic will illustrate how one of SCW's many community grants -- one which helps fund the Free Clinic's Intergenerational Care Center -- has helped provide the most comprehensive health care services available at a single health center anywhere in San Francisco.

Sign-ups for the lunch will be accepted through Sunday at the SCW table during Sunday coffee hour or can be made by calling Christine Patch-Lindsay at 564-3108.

On Sunday, January 3 Ministerial Intern Joel Gilbertson-White projected in the Sanctuary a video of his sermon, A Responsive Imaginarium.

This video is now available to the public. Joel has it available in large and small sizes to download onto your computer.

Just click the links below and see what Joel was talking about. If you have problems with the video links in this email, try them at the Society's web site.

Each month the Society publishes a 16-page paper newsletter for members, friends and anyone interested in exploring the wider church community.

Every issue is packed with great articles from our Ministry, upcoming events, exciting church news and information, and many ways to get involved and connect with one another.

If you have not received your paper copy of the February FirstNews Newsletter, you can download a copy here, or stop by church Sunday and pick one up.

Joel On Fear

Sermon Archive