This Sunday I have invited the Reverend Francis Mercer to speak from our pulpit. Fran works tirelessly for the Unitarian Universalist United Nation's Office (UU-UNO) in New York City, and also comes to us directly from the presidential campaign trail in those influential swing states.

The inspiration for Rev. Mercer's sermon comes from the works of Dag Hammerarskjold, the Secretary General of the United Nations (1952-1961), who encouraged, "Let us hold out the chalice of our being."

I encourage you to come and hear this ambassador for peace.

Joining me on the Chancel will be youth lector Arthur Stewart and worship associates Jennifer Burton, John Chodacki, and Elizabeth Lundberg, members of our congregation's Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office Committee. The choir will minister in music.

The Society's Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office working group will have a table in the Thomas Starr King room following the service. You are invited to stop by and talk with the local advocates to learn about the national UU-UNO program and the activities at our church.

Children and youth will work on three different approaches to Social Justice this week:

• They will work for a cause - making cookies for "Home Away from Homelessness."
• They will raise money through "Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF" following the service.
• They will advertise a third cause, buying Fair Trade Chocolate through "Reverse Trick-or-Treat."

As always, care for children up to age 5 will begin in Early Childhood Room 1 at 9:45. Preschool instruction will begin at 11.

All other children and youth will begin making cookies in the church kitchen and Thomas Starr King room at 10. At noon, the children will Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF and Reverse Trick-or-Treat in the patio, hallways, and coffee hour.

Adults who want additional change for the UNICEF boxes will be able to obtain it at change table in the hallway.

The Adult Religious Education task force is working on offerings for the winter session that begins in January. If you are interested in presenting a class, please contact the Religious Education office right away by calling 776-4580. Religious Education leaders are also looking for people to facilitate discussion groups.

David Holwerk, Editorial Page Editor of the Sacramento Bee, will discuss the national elections and the role media plays in the issues as well as its influence on public opinion and legislative action.

A special focus Sunday will be on the national elections from a media perspective and the possibilities inherent in a new administration in Washington D.C.

..one of the worst things about civilization is that anybody that gits a letter with trouble in it comes and tells you all about it and makes you feel bad, and the newspapers fetches you the troubles of everybody all over the world, and keeps you downhearted and dismal most all the time, and it's such a heavy load for a person.

— Mark Twain, from Tom Sawyer Abroad

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

There is much excitement and an equal number of loose ends regarding the planned Marriage Equality events for November 2 - 4: Stillman and Rev. Greg Stewart's wedding and the vigil to follow.

Please join us for one last "get it together" meeting Tuesday (October 28) at 6 pm.

We will greatly appreciate your ideas, implementation, and support, and are offering leadership roles in everything from decorating to organizing for both the reception and vigil.

If you cannot attend the meeting on Tuesday, please let us know if you are available for an assignment or wish to offer special services.

Monica is active in the Pagan Interest Circle (PICT) and is a Coming of Age mentor.

Want to participate in Greg and Stillman's wedding?

We're going to build them a wedding cake made of cupcakes and we want yours! As befits the diverse nature of their family, our Society, and the Marriage Equality coalition, this cake will be a coming together of many flavors from many hands. But you can be sure the whole will be more than the sum of its parts.

We're expecting a large turnout for the service on Nov. 2, so we will need a lot of cupcakes. If you can contribute, either baking or buying any number, please let Lucy Smith know by Thursday (October 30). She can be reached at 510-528-8540 or by email.

Because of other events at the church that weekend, we'll not be able to accept the cupcakes at the church before Sunday morning. But we will need to know how many to expect, so don't forget to contact Lucy.

The two were pictured -- and Otto was heard -- at a No on 8 phone bank. They were part of the human side of the story which dealt with the tactics of the initiative campaign.

Thanks for acting on your Unitarian Universalist values, B. J. and Otto!

photo by Sonnie Willis

Congratulations to the six newest Members of the First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco. These participants in our community signed the Membership book last week.

Welcome Rick Armstrong-Shaul, Mark Ewing, Michelle McKellar, Loyd Newman, Stet Sanborn, and Pat Swan. Individual photos of these members are highlighted on the Membership bulletin board.

We're glad you're here!

The Pagan Interest Circle has placed the annual Samhain/Day of the Dead bulletin board altars at the entrance to the Starr King Room.

You are invited to post photos, messages, and names of loved ones who have passed on the altar to the Beloved Dead. Please also share on the Welcome altar, messages or photos honoring someone or something newly born into your life.

The postings will be displayed and available for your additions through Sunday, November 9.

What is remembered lives.

Uvonne is promising friendly conversation and light refreshments to Members, friends, and other San Francisans who stop in and check out her gourd art and intricate necklaces.

For more information, call Uvonne at 337-1439 on contact her by email.