Come on, you must indulge yourself at this time of the year!

Try to find a corner at the office without fresh baked cookies, or a desktop sans candy bowl. And what about those seasonal delicacies that appear only at this time of year?

Gluttony, the culinary trickster, is more interested in the craving to eat than the joy of cooking.

During a season that celebrates excesses both edible and inedible, perhaps it is time to take stock of our own proclivities toward paunch. This is the third sermon in an on-going series on the nature of sin in the post-modern world.

Joining me on the Chancel will be Pastoral Care Minister Rev. Fred Rabidoux, Faithful Fools Outreach Minister Denis Paul, Ministerial Intern Peter Olandt, Worship Associates Alison Rittger and Antonia Porter, and Trustee Stephen Schwichow. Planned Giving leader Joan Rost will help the Congregation honor Allyne Circle members during the service.

Please join us this Sunday and bring a friend to your house of liberal worship.

Sunday we will celebrate the life and spirit of the Holly King and the gifts he brings between the summer and the winter solstices.

Members of the Pagan Interest Circle will facilitate the program which will include story and worship. Participants will also enjoy music to call the spirits of the directions and a craft project representing each of the four directions.

Producers of Christmas Eve tableau are still casting for the parts of two wise persons. If your child would like a part in this tableau please call Betty Skwarek, 415-776-5480 x 162 or email her. Costumes will be fitted this Sunday and dress rehearsal will be December 21.

Adult Religious Education programs for spring are being planned. If you have an idea for a class that you would like to lead, please contact Betty Skwarek. And, don't forget to pick up information about winter classes in the office and at the Greeter's table. See what classes you want to attend in January and February.

This Sunday will be your last chance to drop off at church warm clothing for the Faithful Fools.

The UU-UNO committee is accepting donations of coats, sweaters, hats, scarves, gloves, and even blankets for San Francisco's homeless.

Bring your gifts to the Starr King Room after the service.

The Renaissance-themed wedding will be officiated by Senior Minister Rev. Greg Stewart and accompanied by Reiko Lane. A champagne reception will follow in the entrance hall.

Aaron and Stefanie joined the Society in 2006. Stefanie is an opera singer who has performed at the church in the past and hopes for more performance opportunities in the new year.

Aaron is a musician and web designer. The couple also has a band together called 'Accolade'. They plan to finish recording their first album after they return from their fantasy honeymoon in England, Scotland, and Ireland.

For more details and photos, please visit their fairy-tale-come-true website.

Paint the Town Red and Green with the Society for Community Work (SCW) at their Chrisma-Hanu-Kwanza-kah* party Tuesday (December 16).

This cosmically blended event will feature multi-tradition music around the piano with David Jones and live holiday performances by Marci Karr and Maddy Gerlach at 11:30.

"This is a chance to meet SCW's 2008-2009 scholar recipients," according to Scholarship Co-chairs Janet Hewins and Carrie Steere-Salizar.

The Rev. Greg Stewart-Claus has a Holiday-ish reading and The Senior Monsignors will chant a Gregorian "Chrisma-Hanu-Kwanza-kah" blessing before the holiday lunch.

You may sign up for the event at the SCW table through Sunday. SCW members and visitors are encouraged to bring a gift of toiletries and other personal care items to the party. Donations will be delivered to the residents of the Hamilton Family Center.

* A fictional holiday similar to Festivus and Chrismukkah. It combines Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa into a satirization of the effect of political correctness on the holiday season, often is seen as a secular series of celebrations rather than the formerly overt religious connotations of Christmas.

Sunday's breakfast Forum will be a welcoming forum to get to know new members of the Society -- and each other -- better! Dr. Jim Adams will host.

The Forum Committee hopes to make the welcoming program an annual event. New members and old members are invited!

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

A wide variety of gift baskets of varying prices will be available at the UUSC table after the service this Sunday and next. The baskets debuted at the Holiday Faire last weekend.

Items available in baskets are fair-trade coffee, tea, chocolate, hot chocolate, baking cocoa, almonds, and cranberries. Pre-made baskets are ready for the quick shopper, and UUSC volunteers will also help you put together a custom gift basket.

Your purchase of these baskets benefits the human rights work of the UUSC as well as supporting the international fair trade movement's work to assure that the farmers who produce these goods earn a fair, living wage and work under humane conditions.

"Thank You!" to all the volunteers and attendees who made the Holiday Faire a success!

The Faire grossed over $4,500, and Up On Top sold out every cookie, earning $700.

Fair Trade Gift baskets will be on sale again this Sunday (see story, above), and Alternative Gift orders may be placed anytime! These fun and meaningful gifts are a great way to share the holiday spirit with your family and friends.