It's easy to embody our liberal religious faith for an hour a week or so on Sunday morning. What are we to do the rest of the week?

That depends. If our Principles and Purposes are more than just a puff piece or a publicity document, then every breath we take is drawn with gratitude and released for service.

And what about our corporate work as an outpost of liberal religion in the most liberal of U.S. cities?

That depends. If our religious community is more than just a country club or concert hall, then every move we make seeks to bring all creatures into harmony with the divine.

Join me as we take a look into the world beyond Sunday.

Participating with Rev. Stewart on the Chancel will be the Rev. Dr. Kay Jorgensen, pastoral care minister Rev. Fred Rabidoux, community minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, new ministerial intern Peter Olandt, and youth lector Whitman Donaldson.

We will receive new members, welcome back our choir, and experience the sights and sounds of the gamelan as performed by the ensemble Kori Mas'. Make this Sunday a homecoming to remember and introduce a friend to your church home.

The Religious Education year begins Sunday with the Registration Breakfast at 9, a sing-along at 10, and community chapel at 11.

A completed registration form and volunteer form are your family's ticket to the breakfast.

Carolyn Jayne will lead the sing-along which will feature songs from the hymnal and other Unitarian Universalist songbooks.

In chapel, participants will welcome one another back to church and look at what is coming during the next year. Chapel is open to anyone who wishes to attend but the activities are geared to fit the interests of children and youth.

A new Sharing the Journey class begins Sunday at 12:30 in the Fireside room. Friends and members are invited to experience this free program about Unitarian Universalism and its role in developing your personal spiritual practice.

There are two ways to get printed messages to Veronica:

Send an email to Sophie, who will print it and bring it to Veronica on her next visit.

Send email to St. Mary's Medical Center with a subject of "Veronica Masterson Get Well Message". According to the hospital website, they will print the email and deliver it to Veronica the same day.

Snail mail communications may be sent to:

St. Mary's Medical Center
Acute Rehabilitation, 4 West
Veronica Masterson, Patient
450 Stanyan St
San Francisco, CA 94117

Healing thoughts are sent to Pat Post's mother, Bonita Post. She is a a life-long Unitarian Universalist, age 80, who underwent open heart surgery at UCSF on July 31st. She has been released from the hospital, and is recovering at home in Foster City. Martin Vanderlaan reports that Bonita's recovery is going well.

Join fellow Unitarian Universalists tonight (September 4) from 6:30-9:15 at the church for another evening of making phone calls for the No on 8 campaign to preserve Marriage Equality. Food will be provided!

The Equality For All coalition is partnering with our Society to co-sponsor this event.

The evening includes training, a simple script to follow during your calls, and coaches to support you while you phone bank. You can help by making phone calls to recruit other volunteers and by calling voters to educate them about defeating Prop 8 - the marriage ban.

The polls show a tight race, and equality advocates have a lot of work ahead of them to reach out to undecided voters. The more people No On 8 workers talk to about this issue, the more votes they get on their side. Your participation will make a difference!

To volunteer, contact Rob Packenham by email or call him at (408) 425-1486. Or, show up with — or without — your cell phone tonight.

Lizabeth Ramos, an Up On Top 5th grader, was named a 2008 "Kid Who Cares" by Northern California Grantmakers earlier this summer.

A Kid Who Cares is someone who is unselfish, curious, and compassionate, a community-builder who gives back and shows special concern for peers, family, neighborhood, and school.

Lizabeth was one of 14 Bay Area children who were honored at an awards ceremony on August 14th.

Congratulation, Lizabeth! And, congratulations to Up On Top for supporting such an outstanding young person. Up On Top is the free after-school and summer program for children from low income families near the church. The organization was formed by our Congregation, and the Society continues to donate space for its activities.

The Society's Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) members and friends are invited to a potluck Saturday (September 6) in the Martin Luther King Room.

Over the past couple of years the church community has grown and with that growth have come many new GLBT members and supportive friends. Not only will this be a great opportunity for us at First Church to meet each other but also a great chance for our fellow GLBT friends and allies from other congregations in Northern California to come to the First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco and strengthen the ties that connect us all.

The food choices fall roughly into four categories: salads, main courses, desserts, and beverages. Please let the organizers know if you plan to attend, number of guests, and what you'll be bringing. Please label vegan and vegetarian fare for easy identification.

RSVP to Stephen Schwichow or contact him for more information. He can be reached by email or phone at 680-0848. If you can help with set-up (4 pm) or stay for clean-up (8:30 pm) please let Stephen know that as well.

It's been a long time since the last church GLBT social event. The time has come to reinvigorate GLBT fun in our congregation. See you on Saturday!

It's time to sign up for this year's Small Group Ministry . Participants are now forming groups that will meet from late September through May.

"Participating in a Small Group has been a life-changing experience for me, and it is one that I hope to share with as may people as possible," explains Kate.

"My own experiences in Small Groups have given me lasting friendships, helped me grow spiritually, broadened my perspective, and challenged me in ways that I couldn't even have imagined when I originally joined," she adds.

To join a group, apply online at or fill out a paper application in the church office by September 14. Please feel free to contact Carol Ruley, Chair, Small Group Ministry, at 846-3986 or by email with any questions.

photo by Sonnie Willis
credo by Stephen Schwichow

Rev. Gordon Gibson (pictured, upper right) energized the Congregation at last week's worship service with his call for meaty meaning making. The Sonnie Willis photograph shows some of the rocking that went on in the Sanctuary.

Worship Associate Stephen Schwichow shared his beefy credo. He mixed in some okra and rhubarb, too.

Faithful Fools say "THANK YOU!" to all who were part of the effort of installing a stair lift at the Fool's Court at 234 Hyde Street.

Marbeth Munn came one Thursday morning to take the first ride up the stairs.

With a balloon tied to the chair and a crowd cheering her, Marbeth rode triumphantly to the second floor. The photograph on the left shows her on the maiden chair trip.

The Fools thank all of you who helped them in the "Raise Marbeth" campaign which made this a reality. It is a gift that will keep on giving.