Join in community at 10 am tomorrow when we host the Interfaith Thanksgiving service. See below for details.

The church and center will be closed on Friday (November 28). The Flame will resume its Thursday publication schedule next week.

I sometime explain to spiritual seekers that the author and Unitarian Universalist minister Robert Fulghum has summed up my personal theology in the pithy title of his book, Maybe (Maybe Not).

If the theological ambiguity that Fulghum writes about is the result of rigorous study and life application, then the title of my sermon indicates one place where doubt is essential in the quest for certainty -- the local church.

This holiday season I invite you to cherish your doubts, even your fears, and put them to good use rather than to rest.

Joining me on the Chancel will be Pastoral Care Minister Rev. Fred Rabidoux, Acting Director of Religious Education Betty Skwarek, Worship Associate Claire Bohman, and rap artist Eric. I'm pleased to have Young Performers International providing inspirational music for this service of worship and celebration.

Fifth Sundays are fundays in Sunday School. We suspend the serious business class work and social justice for lighter activities.

Participants will begin with a community building activity at 10: creating structures from marshmallows and toothpicks. Then the 11 o'clock hour will feature a puppet show.

The Early Childhood program welcomes children up to age five beginning at 9:45. The November theme, "Thankfulness", will be taught in activities and song beginning at 11.

Newcomers are welcome throughout the year. Please phone Betty at 776-4580 so that we may give you a personal welcome on Sunday.

Naim Frangieh will tell the Forum about the Free Gaza movement which sailed two boats into Gaza on August 23.

The group defied the Israeli blockade, and sailed on to Cyprus with Palestinians aboard needing assistance. One passenger was a 16-year-old boy who needed an artificial leg after a tank shell explosion.

Naim Frangieh is a member of the Free Gaza Steering Committee and a victim of ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in 1948.

He will speak of the Free Gaza movement as well as his own experiences, presenting perspectives on Lebanon and Palestine.

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

The Society will host San Francisco's annual Interfaith Thanksgiving service for the first time in several years. The adult choir, percussionist Allen Biggs, and Moroccan musician Sheik Chadley will add their ministries to the service.

The tradition of this interfaith service was begun by First Church and Temple Emanu-El many, many years ago and was expanded five years ago to include a wider array of voices and visions calling for common ground among people of faith.

All are invited and welcome... so bring friends and family!

The professional photographs -- including the ones of the squaredancing at the reception -- are online, and they've shared thoughts (and more links) about their wedding, too.

David Jones, former Moderator of the Society, has been elected to the Board of Trustees of the Starr King School for the Ministry, in Berkeley. David brings his financial acumen and organizational experience to the Board.

Starr King School is one of two Unitarian Universalist seminaries in the country, and provides more ministers to our denomination than any other school. Starr King is an active member of the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley and has frequently provided interns for training at our church.

The Holiday Faire elves are accepting volunteered items for the Bake Sale at the December 7th festival.

If you are able to donate baked goods, please phone Judy at 775-7861.

Members and friends who have included a gift to the Society in their estate plans will be recognized during the worship service on Sunday, December 14. Many Allyne members received pins at the recent Allyne Circle tea and Rev. Greg Stewart will present additional pins during the worship service. The pins are made by hand from recycled materials at the Bombolulu Workshop for the Handicapped in Kenya. They symbolize sisters Edith and Lucy Allyne, whose legacy gifts made possible the construction of our Unitarian Universalist Center.

Planned Giving is a beautiful expression of stewardship, and it is also important that the Society knows about and honors your wishes. On Sunday, December 14, we will recognize those members who have advised us in writing of their intent by December 9. The Declaration of Intent form is the simplest way to do this. Contact Nancy Evans at the church office, or chairs Mike McGirr and Joan Rost, for questions and additional information.

Last week's Flame had spotted two San Francisco couples in the People of Faith, Standing on the Side of Love video published on YouTube by the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA).

Assistant Moderator Matt Fuller, husband Brian Brantner, and their daughter are in the clip, too.

Read the credo that Alison delivered at the November 16th service.