How do we measure health — in our selves and our communities? We know that healthy communities are rare in this country where health care costs too much, covers too little, and doesn't meet the needs of diverse communities. How can we build a land with quality, affordable, culturally competent health care for everyone?

What is the role of religious communities in addressing the health care crisis in the United States? Why does our commitment to "respect the interdependent web of existence of which we are a part" call us to an ethic of collective care? How can we ground ourselves spiritually and theologically in this struggle?

Come hear health care stories of Society members and explore how we, as people of faith, can work towards healing and health in our communities.

The service will be led by Cathy Rion of the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry and Worship Associate Lindasusan Ulrich, with music from Chris Waltz and Reiko Lane.

The Summer Arts Troupe is back in the Chapel Sunday preparing for next week's foray into a different part of The City. Come join and create new art work to give away, find roles for all who have something to say, revel in the joy felt on last week's trip to Civic Center, and anticipate what the next foray will bring.

Summer Arts begins in the Chapel at 10 Sunday mornings. Artists from ArtSeed, Josefa Vaughn and Manon Bogerd-Wada, organize the visual art component of this project while Rev. Denis Paul is in charge of the performance. Nancy Buffum, the Administrator holds everything together, and Betty Skwarek is in charge of program development.

Do you know what it feels like to get a smile from an unsuspecting stranger that just received a chocolate from you? Could you have known about the man who spends Sunday mornings at Civic Center giving from his own resources to the homeless because, as he told Josefa, the economic downturn has been even harder on them than on him. Who knew that we would receive as much as we gave just by taking our Summer Arts' show out into the community? (photo by Rev. Denis Paul is from last week's service at City Hall)

You'll never know how good it feels to be a part of something this wonderfully zany unless you try it. Feelings can't be recorded or photographed. They must be experienced.

There's no better place to grab a little joy and a lot of pleasure than at Summer Arts, 10 to 12:15 from now through August 23. See you on Sunday!

It's Lammas, one of the Four Gates of Power in the pagan solar year. This week the world is riding a Big Wave of energy at the full moon's eclipse.

Come join the Pagan Interest Circle this Saturday at 7 pm in the Chapel as they cast their circle and their magical nets into the element of Water.

Visitors are welcome, and are invited to phone Christine at 424-6964 for additional information.

from Nan Parks McCarthy

Your loving gifts are providing a wonderful summer for 36 magnificent children who attend, Monday to Friday, Up On Top's 8-week summer camp.

They have academic classes in the mornings and then in the afternoons they are off on a field trip. The photograph (above) shows them at the Academy of Science.

Very special thanks to your continued support!

Building and Grounds Work Party — Sign up at the Building and Grounds table following the service to landscape the Starr King corner of our church on Saturday morning, August 22, from 9:30 until 1. The group will dig out older plants, dig in soil additives, transplant, and put in new plants. You're encouraged to bring work gloves, water, and garden tools.

The best exhibition of Leonard Breger's work in 30+ years ends Sunday at 4 pm following a special free conversation with the artist Saturday (August 8) at 4 pm.

"It is not a retrospective, but is an excellent selection of work since 1990. It's well hung and well lighted," reports Leonard's wife, Liz Breger.

Additional details are available from the Marin Center of Contemporary Art.