We continue this sermon series with a look at specific times and places where, against all odds, the power of hope has transformed the people who chose to embrace it.

What are the themes and approaches for overcoming adversity that are shared by the hopeful in very different corners of the world? The responses to this question provide us with ways to apply the power of hope to our own challenging personal situations.

Please join us on a "world tour" of hope-filled endeavors and enter the summer season with a can-do attitude. Joining me on the pulpit will be Pastoral Care Minister Rev. Fred Rabidoux, Acting Director of Religious Education Betty Skwarek, and Worship Associate John McCoy. I am delighted that soprano Nancy Cooke Munn will minister to us in music this Sunday.

Please bring a friend to church or make new friends at church this Sunday.

Tim Redmond, Executive Editor of the San Francisco Bay Guardian, will speak to Forum on the coming elections and other hot issues of 2008.

Tim is a popular Forum guest whose progressive perspective illuminates local, regional, and national politics. We welcome him back to the podium.

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

Lawrence Paul and his puppets will put on a show for elementary age students in this week's Sunday school. They will be performing an original play written especially for this age group.

Religious Education participants will dreamstorm about the Lifespan program activities Saturday (May 31) 9 am to 3 pm at the church.

Rev. Greg Stewart and Acting Director of Religious Education Betty Skwarek will lead an exploration of the Society's religious education programs for both adults and children - what we've done, what we want to keep, what we want to add, and how we are going to bring this all together.

You're invited to come to the Lifespan discussion -- please call Betty at the church office (776-4580) to let her know you're coming.

Interested in Coming of Age? Any youth in eighth or ninth grade next year is eligible. The Religious Education team is having an informational meeting this Sunday following the service. People interested in teaching or mentoring in this program are also invited.

from Linda Harris and the Society's Unitarian Universalist Service Committee activists

Stay at church after the Sunday service and find out:

• the hidden costs of bottled water
• how to safely dispose of your unused and expired medications so they don't contaminate our waterways
• information regarding pending water-related legislation in California
• the latest on the international campaign for the human right to water

Representatives from Bay Area groups which work on water related issues and other experts in the field to be on hand to give us information about why water is being called "the next oil", answer questions, and provide concrete steps that we can take to address this growing crisis.

Scheduled speakers include: Dorothy Green, the founder of Heal the Bay and the California Water-Impact Network and author of Managing Water: Avoiding Crisis in California; Patricia Jones, Program Manager for the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee's Environmental Justice Program; Adam Scow, California organizer for Food and Water Watch's Water-For-All Campaign; and Rev. Lindi Ramsden, Executive Director of the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of California and Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum - Silicon Valley.

Teleosis Institute, RAMP (Recycled AIDS Medicine Program), and the SFPD will conduct a drug take-back program so that all categories of expired and unused medications can be safely disposed of or re-used internationally.

There will also be lunch available at a nominal cost.

To find out more information, click below for a flyer or contact Linda Harris at 215-7292.

from Jane Park, Moderator of the Board of Trustees

Over 260 households have pledged $437,000 to the community's 08-09 operating expenses so far. A record $293,000 was raised at the 11 am service on Celebration Sunday!

The Society's minimum goal is $526,000. If we surpass this, we can do so much more!

Our beautiful center, with its vibrant worship, exciting events and rich programming, depends on your financial support. Everyone can help with a check, a credit card, or a pledge for a future contribution.

Please put your pledge card in the mail today, or contact Executive Director Nancy Evans at 776-4580 for more information.

Beginning June 1, the church and center will close at 6:30 pm on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays when no events are scheduled.

Please check the posted signs!