Life is full of transitions and we'll focus on two that have significance in our congregation: Rite of Passage for children in the third grade, and a Bridging Ceremony (into young adulthood) for youth who are graduating from high school.

Our younger UUs will pose questions to the ministers that are sure to address issues that concern us all. Our teens will share how being a Unitarian Universalist and a member of this church has shaped their lives so far and what they will take from us to the next chapter of their lives.

This is the first worship service designed and presented by our acting director of religious education, Betty Skwarek. Our honorees are Callie Brandeis, Ashley Coskey, Tiana Kujawski, Neil Robarge, Tobias Sunshine, Caitlin Furney, Grace Komarek-Meyer, Katya Shackelford, and Emilia Theobald.

Joining us on the pulpit will be Pastoral Care Minister Fred Rabidoux, Community Minister Alyson Jacks, and Ministerial Intern Jeremy Nickel. The choir and the youth choir minister in music. Note: this service is for all ages! Childcare is available for infants through age five. ≈ Greg

This protest movement against the School of the Americas (SOA) has grown to tens of thousands from across the country and throughout Latin America. Over 20,000 attended the vigil and rally at Fort Benning, Georgia in 2007, including veteran activists and many new younger participants.

Come and listen to students from Richmond High School as they relate why they are involved in this movement. Their witness is compelling. Former U.S. Army Officer Lieutenant Colonel Byrne Sherwood, a former East Bay school teacher and veteran of the Vietnam War, will also bear witness.

A short video precedes the program.

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

How do children grow up as Unitarian Universalists? At Sunday's service, experience the wisdom of our children as we celebrate transitions in their lives and learn about our church from their eyes. It is a time to recognize those who have helped them on their journey and to consider what having children in our congregation means to each of us.

We will have childcare for children five and younger but no Sunday school. Children over five are invited to attend the entire service in the Sanctuary.

When we come to church we bring ourselves molded by the experiences of our lives. This is true whether we are eight years old or eighty. Stopping occasionally to celebrate what are lives have taught us and to anticipate the next steps on our paths is important. We recognize the accomplishment of these youth and our roles as individuals and as a congregation in shaping these lives, just as we remember the roles of those who influenced us in years past. What we do for and with these children is our gift to them and to the world that they will inhabit long after we are gone.

• The complete schedule of Religious Education activities is available online.

Come join us this Sunday for the congregational meeting to vote on the 2008 - 2009 budget recommended by the Board of Trustees. We will also consider a motion to waive our bylaw's annual audit requirement for fiscal year 2007-8. Instead, the Board (and our auditing firm) recommend a financial review.

The meeting begins shortly after the service in the Thomas Starr King room. Lunch will be available, thanks to our All Church Retreat committee. So grab a hot dog and make your voice heard at this important meeting.