The Flame
published Thursday, July 17, 2008

Don't Put Off Being Happy
Sunday, July 20 at 11 am in the Church Sanctuary
somber man service conducted by The Rev. Gregory Stewart

The great French dramatist Jean Anouilh once observed, "There will always be a lost dog somewhere that will prevent me from being happy."

It seems we are always just one step always from true happiness. Do you ever find yourself waiting for something "good" to happen to you? What needs to take place for you to finally be happy? A new job? Getting married? Having a child? Retirement?

A lost dog I believe that achievement alone will never make us happy but I'll tell you what does. Don't put it off; your happiness is already here!

Joining me on the Chancel will be Worship Associate Alison Rittger and musician Lisa Sangita Moskow.

— Rev. Greg Stewart

Asian/Pacific Islanders Gather
Sunday at 1pm at the First Unitarian Church of Oakland
from the Pacific Central District of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations

All Unitarian Universalists who self-identify as Asian/Pacific Islander (API) are invited for food and fellowship at a potluck at the First Unitarian Church of Oakland, on Sunday from 1-4 pm.

Please email Karen Eng for more information.

Those interested in joining theAPI Yahoo! group to stay informed about such events and other items of interest to the API Unitarian Universalist community are invited to send an email to Karin Lin or to simply go to the Yahoo! sign-up page.

Good and Welfare
We were saddened to learn of the death of former Moderator Dore Schwab. Dore died June 1st at the age of 86.

Dore served the Society as Moderator from 1965-1968 and was a Trustee of the William and Alice Hinckley Fund from 1970 until earlier this year.

We extend our sympathy to Dore's family and many friends.

Yelp!
Society Sponsors Ads on User Review Website
The First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco has started to advertise on the Yelp. Yelp is a hot way for younger and Internet-savvy San Franciscans to check out businesses and organizations. Users write short reviews, rate the service, and build up a network of friends whose opinions they trust.

Yelp approaches organizations which already have positive reviews and asks them if they want to pay for enhanced listings and to have banners suggesting them when users type in certain searches.

Last month Yelp noticed that the Unitarian Universalist Church and Center had 10 positive reviews, and they called us. Thanks to outreach funding from the Hinckley Fund, we will be a Yelp sponsor for the next six months.

Board of Trustees, Staff Plan Church Year
photo by Rev. Fred Rabidoux

The 2008-9 Board of Trustees met at Walker Creek Ranch last week for a weekend-long planning seminar. A shot of the Society's leadership team includes:

Participants in the 2008 Board of Trustees Retreat. Top left: Treasurer Thad Smith, Acting Director of Religious Education Betty Skwarek, Don Williams, Secretary Claire Weber , Music Director Dr. Mark Sumner, Stephen Schwichow, Senior Minister Rev. Gregory Stewart, Sonnie Willis. Front row: Moderator Jane Park, Mike McGirr, Ben Bear, Assistant Moderator Matt Fuller , and Bill Wise. Board Members not pictured: Tara Hernandez and Carol Johnson.

phone: 415 776-4580

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