The word evangelism conjures up the most unpleasant images for religious liberals and atheists alike. They are images of tent revivals preying on the poor and unsuspecting, ministers peddling fake faith healing like a snake oil salesman in a traveling carnival, while forcing followers to adopt a creed that leaves them enslaved.

Unitarian Universalism has great news to share about the power we have to heal ourselves and each other. We each have a stake in this community of faith, with all of the rights - and responsibilities - of our resources. We know we don't have to wait for an outside agent to make us whole. Best of all, when we fully engage with one another, our strength comes from our diversity of beliefs.

But, if we don't share that great news, if we keep it to ourselves out of fear of being perceived as dreaded evangelists, we run the risk of doing ourselves and the world a disservice.

Rev. Denis Paul, and Worship Associate Lindasusan Ulrich will reflect on the possibilities of sharing our beliefs creatively, energetically, and joyfully, with a special appearance by participants in the Lifespan Religious Education Summer Arts program.

Come on and all!

Newcomers young and old are welcome as we finish up the art and drama program of the mini-celebration "The Good King". Ages 5 and up are welcome, and the production especially needs a few more youth over 8 and adults to hold the banner.

The Congregation is invited to hear the message of The Good King in the Summer Arts mini-celebration in the courtyard immediately following the service. This presentation is the premiere of the program that the artists will take to San Francisco parks July 26 and in August.

Summer Arts 2009 takes place every Sunday this from 10 to 12:15, meeting in the Chapel. This art/celebration/alternative worship, led by Rev. Denis Paul, is for children 5 and up and adults of all ages. Bring your ideas, your friends and summer house guests, and your creative selves.This Lifespan Religious Education program is presented in cooperation with Faithful Fools and ArtSeed.

For more information, contact Nancy Buffum by email or at 776-4580.

Childcare for children up to age 5 is available every Sunday from 9:45 am to 12:30 pm, upstairs in the Religious Education wing.

Dr. Lee Helena Lawrence, activist, psychologist, former faculty member of Harvard, and a member of the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry Action Network will speak at a special Sunday FORUM about the latest efforts to affect the national legislation for Health Care Reform.

Linda Leu, of the Health Access and the Health Care for America Now Campaign will also speak and be available for questions.

The Forum will be reconvened after the worship service for further discussion and a time for action: letter writing, narrative sharing, etc.

Come and learn how your voice and actions can make a difference and affect legislation!

The free program will start at 9:45. Come at 9:30 for conversation and coffee.

Please come to the Dutton Study after the Sunday Service where you will have an opportunity to become a member of this vibrant community.

The minister and a member of the Board of Trustees will share stories and answer questions, and those choosing to join will make a pledge of record and sign the historic membership book. This meeting is also open to those who are considering membership, but want to learn more before making a decision.

Bring a cup of coffee and take the next step in your spiritual journey.

Hey, I am not a big dancer. I'm more of a wallflower.

But, I'm going to be at the dance to volunteer and try to build a caring community.

Busy July 25th? That's okay. We have plenty of pre-dance volunteer opportunities: dance decorations, poster folding, telephone reminders, pizza crust pickup from Hayward on the Thursday before the dance, and the purchase of paper products, eating utensils, and raffle tickets before the event.

To help out contact Lori at 707-9680 or email her.

As I listened to Rev. Greg Stewart's sermon on the last of the deadly sins, anger, I kept thinking about the breakthrough I had many years ago when, for the first time, I really allowed myself to feel angry.

I had lived for so long cut off from my emotions, and anger was the first to show up and say, "Here - let me show you the way." In many instances, anger has played a profoundly important and positive role in my life, as it has for many women.

Someone recently mentioned to me that we all have a relationship with anger. Like any relationship, though, it can be destructive or healthy - blinding rage over a perceived slight is not the same as justifiable indignation at mistreatment.

Anger manifests in different ways for each of us, like the aspects of ourselves that come out when we're with different friends. Is anger the friend who pulls you aside and tells you, "This isn't right - you need to do something" and spurs you towards change? Is it the one who stays on your couch for two months with no signs of leaving, as you slowly simmer your way to an ulcer? Or perhaps it's the friend with whom you act out big, irrational scenes and who is best kept at a distance?

Anger, like all emotions, is neither good nor bad - it's what you do with it that matters. A hammer isn't inherently evil because it can smash windows nor inherently good because it can build houses.

Of one thing I'm sure, though: trying to eliminate anger or repress it is a recipe for disaster. That energy has to go somewhere, and usually it turns inward against the body.

Ultimately, anger can be a powerful resource, because it gives us valuable information about places of imbalance in our lives or the world around us. What we do with that information - and the energy behind it - is where we choose whether anger becomes an obstacle or an ally.

New recycling efforts are underway , and we need everyone to, mmmm..., pitch in!

Especially, we need you to pitch in cans, bottles and office paper, but not Styrofoam, paper plates, hot cups, etc. That's right: no disposable coffee cups can be recycled - not even paper!

If you're not sure what to throw where, the square blue containers have information that will help you figure out what can be recycled.

For more dialogue on recycling, please come to the Coffee Klatch to discuss the options with Nancy Evans and Donald Johnson July 26 at 12:30.