The life of primatologist Jane Goodall is a lesson in hope.

While living with apes in the Gombe desert of Africa, Goodall found that hope eluded her until she reconciled the religion of her childhood with the science of her craft.

Thus hope was not a free gift; rather it was an earned commodity. Goodall's work and witness are her receipt.

What price must we pay for hope and is it worth it? Come and find out, and bring a friend who might be shopping for hope.

Joining me on the Chancel will be Pastoral Care Minister Rev. Fred Rabidoux, Acting Director of Religious Education Betty Skwarek, soloist Maria Solis, and guitarist Eric Hamilton. The choir also ministers in music.

Many of attorney Bob Bacon's clients are convicted murderers sentenced to death. He works on their appeals, trying to keep the State from adding to the toll of humans killed.

Come hear Bob speak with first-hand experience on The Death Penalty in 2008: Finding Our Way Out of the Culture of Death.

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

from Betty Skwarek, Acting Director of Religious Education

Adult Worship Associates will meet with Youth Worship Associates Sunday at 10 am.[Time corrected from email newsletter.] Together they will get to know one another as part of the mentor selection process. In the coming weeks the adult Worship Associates will mentor their younger counterparts as a part of the Youth Worship Associate program.

Other Religious Education learners will hear about our famous Unitarian Universalist for April, Charles Darwin (pictured). Darwin's mother was a Unitarian and he attended the Unitarian church in England many times. His work has had a profound impact on our denomination, even though he never formally joined a congregation!

The "take-one, bring-one" library is open for business. The books are mostly for children although there are a few good books for older youth and adults. Remember, when you take a book, please replace it with another of comparable quality.

New students are welcome throughout the year, and parents are invited to phone Acting Director of Religious Education Betty Skwarek at 776-4580 for more information.

Soldiers of Conscience, a new documentary film about war, peace, and wrestling with conscience over killing in war will have preview screening Saturday (April 12) at 7 pm. Ian Slattery, a Young Adult Group member, is the film's Associate Producer.

The 86-minute film will be introduced by Gerald Nicosia, Author of "Home to War: a History of the Vietnam Veteran's Movement.

A suggested donation of $5 will be accepted. Childcare by Kristen Tool will be available.

Everyone is welcome to contribute finger food for the reception to follow. Please bring fruit, crackers, nuts or other ready-to-serve vegetarian snacks to the kitchen before 3. (Please mark your donations "MM" to separate them from the art reception items.)

from Liz Breger

Meet the four "Illuminata" photographers and talk with them about their photographs in the exhibit Transformation up on the walls through April 28th.

Their work explores the world of forgotten objects, loss of childhood, the process of aging, and ephemeral encounters with passersby. This dynamic photo exhibition explores the transitory nature of being.

The show presents four bodies of work: In My Backyard by Adrienne Defendi; Across the Great Divide by Charlotte Kay (pictured is her "Bridge"); Cal Trans Graveyard by Kay Taneyhill; and Passing Through by Roxanne Worthington.

Their apartments will take 3 - 6 months to renovate, and their landlord has not taken any steps to return their deposits or their April rent, which was paid a few hours before the fire. So far they are "filling out forms", looking for affordable housing, looking for affordable housing, and trying to salvage their personal items.

The Society for Community Work provided the men with immediate bridge funds. Anyone wishing to make a donation can send a check payable to the church with "fire fund" on the memo line.

Youth and families with children are invited to dinner and an overnight the April 19 and 20 weekend. Sign-up after service this week so that the right amount of food and supplies will be on hand.

Starting at 5 Saturday (April 19) the BBQ will be fired up in the courtyard for burgers, sausages, veggie burgers, salad, drinks, plus whatever you bring to share.

Bring friends... Extended family members...

Come for the In-gathering... Play games... Listen to stories... Climb the Tower... Sleep practically anywhere! Bring your own sleeping bag and pad. Or, go home after dinner and the evening fun -- staying overnight isn't required!

Parents or an adult need to accompany children and be responsible for those they bring. There will be a supervised, parent-free room for Junior Youth and Senior Youth.

Volunteers can sign-up by phoning Nancy Buffum at 242-1608. The overnight is $10 per family of any size plus $4 per child or adult guest. Individual Members may also reserve their spot at the grill for $4.

Rev. Gregory Stewart and his family attended the Los Angeles premiere of the documentary film which features the family last weekend.

Preacher's Sons tells the story of "a traditional family with two fathers". Movie makers C Reed and Mark Nealey were members of the Pasadena Unitarian Universalist congregation which Rev. Stewart served beginning in 1997. The couple decided to tell the video story of the Stewart family, and they continued the filming through Rev. Stewart's installation as Senior Minister in San Francisco. Our Society and San Francisco itself are featured positively in the film.

This remarkable film is being presented at independent theaters and its producers are working with distributors to attract wider audiences. The Flame will report on its Bay Area screenings when they are arranged.

We send our condolences to C Reed on the death of her husband Mark Nealey last month. Rev. Stewart co-officiated at the funeral for Mark at the Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church, Pasadena, the day after the premiere of the film. The Stewart family attended the service.

Please call the church office today to let us know the number of family members who will share the community Celebration Sunday feast on April 20th. Caterers Donald and Thomas need to know!

Why is this community important to you? Edie Wolterbeek answers:

I joined the Society 10 years ago to be part of the choir, and found so much more.

The music has been a large part of my life here, and I have "spread my wings", gaining the confidence to ring with the bell choir, and sing solos with the choir.

Sharing crafts with others has been so enriching. I helped Diane knit socks, and she taught me to braid rugs. And along the way, I made wonderful friends.

Edie, on left, with rug-crafting guru Diane Weber in 2008

The first "performance" of the Brahms Requiem included only the first three movements, and a tympani drowned out the other performers. The drumming destroyed the effectiveness of the choral fugue and the orchestral fugue which could not be heard above the fierce banging.

On April 27th the full worship service will consist of a complete performance of this major classic. The tympani will be better behaved.

The in-church performance will feature the Sanctuary choir assisted by over one hundred and fifty singers from University of California Berkeley. They will be accompanied by a forty-six piece orchestra and soloists Nancy Cooke Munn and Jeffrey Fields.

Dr. Sumner tells us more about the first performance of the piece in the link below.