We continue our series on sin with an exploration of pride, the first of the so-called deadly sins.

Pride is said to be the primal foundation for the remaining six: envy, anger, sloth, avarice, gluttony, and lust. It is evident that pride is among the most powerful motives for personal behavior and a major cause of conflict between nations.

Then there is that neighbor who perpetually ignores property lines, or the belief that what we feel is "our truth" and, therefore, is off limits to the challenge or critique of others. We'll explore real-life situations in which pride is both problematic and empowering. We'll also consider some antidotes to the kind of pride that is truly unhealthy.

Joining me on the Chancel will be Pastoral Care Minister Rev. Fred Rabidoux, Acting Director of Religious Education Betty Skwarek, and worship associates Alison Rittger and Tobias Sunshine. Our choir will minister in music.

This Sunday, why not take some pride in your church and invite a friend to join us for worship.

Artist Kristen Stephens will welcome both children and adults for a watercolor lesson Sunday at 10 in the art room. At the same time the Youth choir invites children six years and older to the Chapel to learn the holiday songs that will be performed next month. The 10 am Parents' Group will talk about the proposed child safety policy in the library.

Children and youth will go to the Sanctuary at 11 for the start of the worship service, and then will go to their classes. Toolbox of Faith students (grades 3 to 5) will explore the paintbrush tool which will introduce the concept of expression. Coming of Age students (grades 8 and 9) will meet their mentors, and high school Our Whole Lives (OWL) participants will complete their special lesson and overnight which began Saturday (November 15) at noon. The Early Childhood program will welcome children up to age five starting at 9:45 and the 11 am class will continue to focus on the theme "Thankfulness".

December has special programs scheduled each week, and adults are invited to contact Betty at 776-4580 to help. Each Sunday learners will explore a different holiday tradition including advent, solstice, caroling and a Christmas tableau, and Hanukkah.

New students and families are welcome throughout the year. You're invited to pick up a class brochure at the greeters table on Sundays or in the church office, and please call Betty with questions or to arrange a personal welcome Sunday morning.

The Adult Religious Education class list for the winter season will be available at the Greeters table, in the church office, and posted in various areas around the church. Please pick one up and begin planning which classes you want to take beginning in January.

Pam Hogan developed a successful training program for prison inmates and parolees to productively reenter society and the job market after their incarceration.

She'll speak to the Forum about her experiences and her book, From Prison to Paycheck!, which is written to help people with criminal records obtain jobs.

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

Reiko Oda Lane stirs our passions with her music from First Church's Robert Noehren Organ. Tuesday (November 18) she will talk about her own passion for music and demonstrate that organ at SCW's noon meeting.

A native of Yokohama, Japan, Reiko studied organ with the eminent Arthur Howes at the Peabody Conservatory of Music (now affiliated with Johns Hopkins University) and was the second recipient in 150 years of the coveted Artist Diploma. She played in the E. Power Biggs Memorial Concerts for two years, is director of the Society's three-octave bell choir, and has been the organist at First Church since 1997. She has performed throughout America, Europe, and Japan.

The SCW will hold its monthly business meeting at 11 and the social time begins at 11:30. Lunch ($7-$12) will be available at noon, and Reiko's presentation starts at 1.

All members and friends are invited to the SCW Tuesday events, and sign-ups for the catered lunch will be accepted through Sunday.

Browse, try baked goods and goodies, buy homemade gifts, enjoy the tastes, sights, sounds and magic of the holidays! Bell Choir, folks orchestra, and youth choir all will celebrate the holiday season!

Round out your holiday adventures with a homemade dessert at Ye Olde Victorian Tea Room!

There's still time to become a helping elf yourself, too! Contact Sonnie Willis via email or through the church office, 776-4580, to find out how.

Sign up on Sunday after service for the Saturday (November 22) no-host out-to-dinner group which will meet at a member's home on Russian Hill for a beverage and small snack. The group will then travel to Capp's family-style Italian restaurant in North Beach. Or, you can sign up to meet up directly at Capp's.

Dinner will be a choice of entrée with soup, salad, and bread, served family style. Great food. Moderate price. Excellent dining companions!

You can reserve your seat through Thursday (November 20th), and no potluck dish is needed. For more information contact Nancy Nielsen at 308-3412 or via email.

My mother used to say that my brother tended to see the glass half empty while I tended to see the glass half full. But by this past Thursday, I was only focusing on those four ounces of empty air in that 8 ounce glass, vacillating between anger and despair.

After all, a little more than half of those voting supported taking my rights away. The same rights that the Supreme Court of the State of California said were my due, under the California Constitution. A little more than half of those voting believe that I am not worthy of the same rights, privileges and responsibilities that heterosexual Californians have, simply by virtue of their being born heterosexual. A little more than half of those voting have said quite clearly that the love I may feel for someone of my own sex is not as real, not as precious, and not as special as the love that exists between heterosexuals.