Whether life goes on in tiny, measured increments or flies by like a speeding bullet, faith goes along for the ride. Or does it?

This week we will look at how faith works in a liberal religious tradition like our own.

We'll enjoy a story from Sandra Niman, Society member and storyteller. Guest musician, Lisa Sangita Moskow will play her sarod, a North Indian 25-string lute.

We will welcome Lindasusan Ulrich, Worship Associate, who will share a credo.

Finally, we will be delighted to welcome Sister Abegail from the Clouds of Hope Child Care Centre in KwaZula/Natal, South Africa. Sister Abegail is in San Francisco to receive the "Unsung Heroes" Award from the Dali Lama.

Congregants of all ages are invited to participate in puppet making in the art room at 10 am. Puppets come in many forms, not just marionettes on strings. You will have the opportunity to try several different techniques to animate the characters you create.

Attention Youth! Transitions service on June 7 includes the ritual of Bridging for those who are graduating from High School. The young adults are preparing a welcome for you -- even if we haven't seen you in a while. You have the opportunity to share stories about your life's journey with the Congregation, and we will help you connect with Unitarian Universalists where ever you may go next.

But we can't do any of this if we don't know who you are. Please contact Betty Skwarek or call her at 407-0622 by the end of April so we can include you in this ceremony.

Nancy DeStefanis, Executive Director of San Francisco Nature Education, also known as the "Heron Lady of Golden Gate Park," will show new slides of the nesting herons and their offspring as well as a new short film on the herons at the Stow Lake colony.

San Francisco Nature Education has taught over 7,000 kindergarten through 5th grade students since its founding in 2000. Nancy shows film and slides of the charismatic birds that nest In Golden Gate Park.

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

Michele Peticolas, PhD. will show her award-winning film, Secrets of Life and Death, which will be followed by discussion.

Following the deaths of her parents, Michele began filming the four-part series "Secrets of Life and Death" which focuses on death as an impetus for personal and spiritual change. With the first two films completed, she has been exploring their effectiveness in stimulating dialogues on death in various community groups.

Michelle is a sociologist and filmmaker. She taught sociology at St. Mary's University in Minnesota, media research at NYIT and television production in New York and Berkeley. She currently teaches seminars on end-of-life at JFK University and facilitates a partner-loss support group at Sutter VNA & Hospice.

The requested donation for the evening is $10, and you're invited to come to the class without pre-registering.

Bonita passed away in San Francisco Tuesday (April 14) with Patti by her side. The family plans to celebrate her life at a service in her hometown Ohio Unitarian Universalist church.

When you think San Francisco history, you think Gold Rush! Then, you think interesting personalities, Emperor Norton, Topsy Turvy, and Mary Ellen Pleasant. Mary Ellen was a runaway slave, entrepreneur, civil right activist, and Voodoo Queen.

Jim Duggins new novel, The Power: A Novel of Voodoo, is the most carefully researched story of Mary Ellen Pleasant that has ever been done. He'll share his insights during the early afternoon program.

The activity schedule will be:

SCW Business meeting - 11 am
Social Time - 11:30
Lunch ($7-$12) - Noon
Program - 1 pm

• Harvey Milk Public School's Intergenerational Poetry Project
• Jim Duggins, The Power: A Novel of Voodoo

Members and friends are invited to the program. Please drop by the SCW table on Sunday to let them know you're coming so that they can plan have your lunch ready Tuesday.

The All-Church Retreat will be signing-up volunteers to help organize this year's annual retreat which will be at the YMCA Camp Loma Mar June 12 through Sunday the 14th.

The Retreat organizers welcome all types of volunteers - from those who can spare only an hour or two to those who can offer several hours per week. How could you share your talents?

• Help plan workshops, the worship service, the campfire sing-along, and other activities for both kids and adults.
• Greet people and answer questions during coffee hour at the registration table.
• Contribute writing and/or graphic design skills to create this year's brochure or help with publicity.
• Assist with the many other tasks required to organize the retreat.

To volunteer, to share an idea for a workshop or activity, or to take advantage of early bird registration prices, please stop by the registration table after service or contact Lee Most by email or by phone at 706-6138.

As part of its leadership development initiative, the Board of Trustees has been leading a congregational conversation about what the church is doing right in inspiring our members.

Sunday, the Board invites you to share your stories of being inspired, motivated, and empowered in our community. These conversations will shape the all-day, all-church leadership event on Saturday, May 9, where we will explore new ways of doing church activities.

Lunch will be available for $5 in the Thomas Starr King Room after the worship service. Grab a plate and join us next door!

Are you looking for a way to help other members of our community during these difficult economic times? Or do you need some help yourself? The new Community Bulletin Board back by the vending machines offers First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco community members a place to post:

• Jobs wanted and job opportunities, ranging from babysitting and other one-time gigs to full time positions.
• Housing, including rooms/apartments for rent or needed.
• Items needed, for sale, to trade, or to give away.
• Volunteer opportunities or offers to volunteer, both one-time and ongoing

The Thursday night Small Group Ministry created and will maintain the bulletin board as one of our service projects. They hope that this Community Bulletin Board will provide another place for members and friends to connect as we all try to get through this economic downturn together.

Check out the bulletin board in the back hallway. You're invited to post your information following the guidelines up on the board, and read what others have shared.

New Members recognized Easter Sunday

from Liz Strand, Membership Chair

If you've been considering joining this church, bring your coffee and come upstairs to the minister's study above the office after the worship service.

The Invitation to Membership meets every third Sunday, and this is your April invitation to join the First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco.

You can have a conversation with The Reverend Greg Stewart and other interested people. Then take an opportunity to make a financial pledge, and sign the historic membership book.

We look forward to seeing you!

Enhance your sense of belonging to "The Beloved Community" by participating in Small Group Ministry where profound sharing within a small group deepens one's sense of commitment to the entire Society.

The Small Group Ministry Bridging group meets the first and third Tuesday of each month from 7 until 9 pm in the Murdock Room and is currently welcoming new participants.

Applications will be available Sunday during coffee hour.

from Bill Klingelhoffer and Ron Weber
co-chairs, Annual Budget Drive

Who pledges? and why?

• "I love the music!"
• The worship services are amazing.
• The sextons deserve a raise.
• Our Center is beautiful, but when will it stop leaking in the (art room, chapel, rose window)?
• The Church should do more _______.

Whether you give as a spiritual practice, or because you know that the Unitarian Universalist programs you love require feeding, please add your pledge card to the 205 we have received as we go to press. (And if you require a waiver for financial hardship, please note that request on your card.)

Deliver your completed pledge card into the office by Sunday.

We are waiting to hear from you to know what we can do in 2009!

Worshiping out in a beautiful park amongst our greater community can speak to our spirits in a different way than any indoor sanctuary. Come join intern Peter Olandt and others every Saturday in April in Dolores Park.

The community will gather for a picnic (bring your own) around 3 and begin worship at 4. You're invited to come find us at the corner of Dolores and 20th and join in.

If you would like to read, lead a song, play an instrument, light the chalice, or any other aspect, please contact Peter at 776-4580 or by email.

Peter highly recommends the use of public transportation as parking can be difficult. The J MUNI line rolls right next to the park, and the 16th and Mission BART station is a short walk away.

The Bell Choir in their Easter Bonnets

The Congregation turned out in its spring finery with many heads covered with many fashionable head coverings.

Life has been full since I completed my internship at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco last June. In August I got married and moved across the country to Cape Cod.

In the fall I participated in a chaplaincy training program at Mass General Hospital that pushed and pulled me to growth in areas I didn't even know I had. At the end of January my wife Nicole and I took our overdue Honeymoon to Morocco where we daily had our minds blown and our assumptions destroyed by the rich and ancient culture of Northern Africa.

When we returned to Cape Cod I locked myself in my study for two months and prepared to see the Ministerial Fellowship Committee, which is our denomination's final stop on the ordination express. I saw the MFC two weeks ago in Chicago, and I am thrilled to report that at the end of our time together, they welcomed me into the Unitarian Universalist Ministry!

I wanted to extend an enormous thank you to the entire San Francisco Unitarian Universalist community. In my final preparations to see the MFC, I could not help but see the influence of countless members, experiences, and learnings that took place during my time with you. As my journey towards my first call continues, and as I spend my life unfolding the details of my work, you will always travel with me.

Peace to you all.

Brad Gaffney will be serving as the Editor of this newsletter for the next two editions.

Please make sure that you send in your stories to the Flame@uusf.org email address. Check your email address books to make sure that The Flame has its own listing and that there are no "Ozdachs.com's" or "Ozdachs.biz's" involved in submitting stories!