We kick off a new sermon series this month that takes a new look at an old challenge: sin, particularly the so-called seven deadly sins: pride, envy, anger, lust, gluttony, greed, and sloth.

You are not likely to hear much about sin in liberal religious circles and perhaps traditional understandings no longer speak to religious seekers in postmodern times.

Throughout the Sin Series we'll be considering the nature of good and evil in a culture that misappropriates both in an effort to maintain the status quo.

In this election year we've already heard a lot about sin, and we may even be called "sinners." Now that's a badge I'll wear! Come and find out why.

Joining me on the Chancel will be Ministerial Intern Peter Olandt, Acting Director of Religious Education Betty Skwarek, and acolyte Dionte Stewart. Our choir will minister in music.

Why not bring a friend or two to church and celebrate Sunday together!

Neighboring Faiths class participants will be leaving on a trip to the Interfaith Chapel at the Presidio for their first visit of the year to a non-Unitarian Universalist church.

Youth who wish to go on the Presidio trip but who have not yet signed up are invited to contact the Religious Education office or one of the teachers to get a permission form. The office telephone number is 776-4580. Youth 6th grade and older who are not going on this trip or are not in one of the other classes are invited to attend the 11 am worship service in the Sanctuary with their parents.

Sunday school for children will begin at 9:45 when the early childhood program welcomes children up to age five. Youth Choir will gather in the chapel and young artists will create their work in the Art Room at 10. The Parent Group will also gather at 10 in the Religious Education Library.

Then at 11, preschoolers will focus on the October theme "The Earth's been Good to Me". Other children and youth will attend the beginning of the service in the Sanctuary then go to their classes: Creating Home for K through 2nd graders and Our Whole Lives for 10th, 11th and 12th graders. Rite of Passage 3rd graders will be attending a Pacific Central District rope course.

On Wednesday (October 22) at 7 pm come to the European Roots of Unitarian Universalism and hear about "Polish Brethren/Socinianism in Poland". By 1400, King Jadwiga had established a legacy of tolerance and support for education, health care, and property rights for her people. This tolerance was fecund grounds for the growth of democracy, our own Constitution, and the stirrings of the separation of church and state.

The focus of this class session will be the Socinian movement in Poland, which flourished from 1585 to 1638. The class fee is only $5 and may be paid at the door.

Matt Martin, General Manager of local public radio station KALW 91.7 FM, will explore local media vis a vis national politics in an interconnected world at Sunday's breakfast forum.

When you can get news from anywhere whenever you want, what do you want from local media? And what does local media even mean in a metropolis like the Bay Area, particularly in respect to national elections?

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

from Carrie Steere Salazar

Feast your senses this Sunday at the OctoberQuest in the King Rooms and Courtyard following the worship service. Food, fun and passion are on display, as our Unitarian Universalist activity groups go all out to share their ministries.

Check out what other spiritual liberals are doing, and sign up to join in.

Make connections, make friends, make meaning -- and enjoy a delicious lunch to benefit the springtime ordination of Denis Paul.

from George Mayer

California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) is again moving ahead with plans for the Cathedral Hill Hospital. This very large building would be located across from the church and would significantly alter the character of the neighborhood.

CPMC invites you to a Community Forum at the Cathedral Hill Hotel next Thursday (October 23) from 7 - 9 pm. Come and hear their plans.

The Cathedral Hill Neighbors Association will also address the proposed hospital at their meeting at St. Mary's Cathedral, lower level the following Thursday (October 30) at 7 pm.

Come find out about the planned hospital and its impact on our religious community's activities.

Many of the changes we take for granted are not necessary parts of aging, according to Society for Community Work (SCW) presenter Penny Sablove, Physical Therapist, Feldendkrais teacher, and 4th degree black belt in Aikido.

The Tuesday (October 21) SCW lunch will be followed by Penny's demonstrations of how improved habits of movement and training can build strength.

Everyone in the church community is invited to sign up for the SCW events at the coffee hour after Sunday's service. The public SCW events will start with a social hour at 11:30, and the cost for the lunch and program is $7 - $12 on a sliding scale.

Tuesday's SCW meeting will be the final opportunity to make reservations to join a special SCW-only tour of The Contemporary Jewish Museum's Andy Warhol exhibition, Andy Warhol's Extraordinary Series, Ten Portraits of Jews of the Twentieth Century.

from the Unitarian Universalists for Marriage Equality

The Society's public stand for marriage equality has two high visibility events scheduled at the time of the November 4th election. The community's campaign to defeat Prop 8, the marriage ban, will invite friends and members to participate in Goin' to the Chapel: A Wedding and a Vigil in Defense of Marriage for All.

The wedding will be the marriage of Senior Minister Rev. Gregory Stewart and Stillman Stewart at the 11 am worship service November 2nd. You are invited!

The vigil will start at 7:30 pm Monday, November 3rd, as members and friends gather in the Sanctuary for an interfaith vigil for marriage equality. Following the half-hour candlelight service, the church will remain open throughout the night and during the day until 8 pm Tuesday when the polls close.

Mark your calendars! Invite your friends! Stand on the side of love with your Unitarian Universalist community.

From Sunday (October 19) through Saturday (October 25) the Faithful Fools will be walking next to people who are living on the streets sharing experiences that will bring them to a deeper understanding of what it means to be homeless.

Through a personal encounter with the daily rounds of searching for cardboard for a bed, or waiting in endless lines for food and services, the Fools are brought to a deeper understanding of that for which they must advocate to bring changes.

Everyone is welcome to join in a vigil that will be held at the Fool's Court at 234 Hyde Street during this time. The Street Zendo will be open for meditation Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 - 10 am; Wednesday from 9 am - 2:40 pm, and Friday from 8 -9 am.

Have you missed having lighted candles on our beautiful Sanctuary sculpture? The holders had loosened over the years and created a hazard. They are now being repaired - a cost of $800 for silver solder and new brass fittings. Please contact Rev. Greg Stewart or Nancy Evans if you would like to make a special contribution to sponsor this restoration!

Other special needs include repair and refinishing the sanctuary doors ($1,800) and painting the metalwork of the East Rose window ($4200). Donating for the restoration of these historical fixtures is a meaningful way to remember special people or events, or for a personal sponsorship.

Yes, we have a building maintenance fund, but it will be fully utilized by even more pressing -- although less glamorous -- maintenance needs.

from the Editors

The Flame will be continued to be published Thursday mornings, and the deadline for articles will remain Tuesday at 12 noon.

A majority of the people who responded to the reader survey said that they preferred for this newsletter to keep its Thursday publication schedule. So, we'll keep it!

Thank you for helping us with the publication day decision, and thank you for all of the generous compliments you sent in!