Where you go, I will go;
where you lodge, I will lodge.
    Your people shall be my people,
and your God shall be my God.
Where you die I will die -
there will I be buried. 
May the Lord do thus to me,
and  more as well,
if even death parts me from you!
- Ruth 1:16-17  

---

For me, these are the most wonderful words of covenant between two human beings in the Bible.  Ruth said them to Naomi, as she followed her kinswoman back to her native land.  Ruth’s willingness to give up her own faith, country and culture to adopt Naomi’s faith, country and culture as her own exemplifies the very heart of love.
   
This covenantal relationship between these two women received God’s blessing and the approval of others.  The words of the covenant, said in private between Ruth and Naomi, imply that even nonpublic commitment contains power that is honored by God and must be honored by us.
   
This relationship echoed and centuries later Jesus said to his disciples at one point, “No longer do I call you servants, now I call you friends …” (John 15:15).
   
Jesus’ words still have meaning for us.  As his friends, our loyalty is to the love of God we have known in Christ.  That loyalty can be acted out in different ways:  in financial gifts for the suffering,   
in comforting the sorrowful, in praying for those in need.  It can be acted out by encouraging those who have political power to act for real justice and grace.  We may write letters, sign petitions, stand with those who hurt,  educate others, demonstrate and march …
   
At the end of June we will celebrate Gay Pride Day.  Some of our members and friends will participate in the parade.  Somebody asked me once about the name.  What is there to be “proud” about?  Why show “pride?’  Certainly not the fact of being gay.  That is not an appropriate subject for pride, since it is not something we created or did ourselves.  It just happens.  Some people are gay, some aren’t.  The “pride” in Gay Pride is the pride in telling the truth about being gay, telling the truth about our lives.  It is pride in standing up to centuries of lies and oppression.  It also means exposing and forgiving the oppression of many religious people.  It is proudly telling the truth about our relationships, our love, and thus telling the truth about our faith.
   
Love, forgiving, truth-telling … all of a sudden Gay Pride is starting to sound like a very Christian event to me.  Our challenge is to call for unconditional love and to be truthful to everyone.

          Peace,

Rev. Wilfried Glabach
Pastor
 minister@sanfranciscoucc.org

We encourage any member interested in being more involved in the direction of the church to consider talking to Rev Glabach about having their name included in the vote during our Annual Meeting.

Individually the task is too great, but the efforts of many dedicated people produce great results.  Speak with Chair Ken Tipton or Steering Committee members o find out what kinds of tasks Committee members may be called upon to perform, and the different talents and abilities  needed to carry them out.

Please pray about serving on our Steering Committee.

Anyone interested in becoming a Fellowship Hour Volunteer, please see a Steering Committee member.

 
NIGHT MINISTRY NEEDS YOU!
“Whether it’s because of financial hard times or the complications of life these days, there is a growing need for people to help each other.  For over 35 years, the San Francisco Night Ministry has provided help to people all over the city.  The homeless, hungry, victims of violence, the sick, the elderly, the mentally ill and the lonely receive help during hours when it is hard to find help.”  (San Francisco Night Ministry brochure)

The San Francisco Night Ministry is in need of Crisis Counselors, who work in a team with the Night Minister who is on duty out on the streets.  Counselors dispatch the Night Minister to a caller’s apartment, hotel or other place of the caller’s choosing.  Calls are generally from people who are upset, lonely, new to San Francisco  or who have experienced a trauma, like family violence or the loss of a loved one.

The Night Ministry asks for a one year commitment of at least one four-hour shift a month, from 10 PM-2 AM.  There is an initial 22-hour training, plus about every two months, an evening training session with pot luck dinner, and an occasional Saturday training day.

If you are interested in training to be a Crisis Counselor or would like more information, contact the San Francisco Night Ministry Volunteer Coordinator at (415) 441-0123.

All members are welcome to attend and observe.

RAINBOW FELLOWSHIP
Ken Tipton and Richard Leger will host Rainbow with a barbecue in their back yard on Sunday, June 12th.   Meet at 6:30 PM; bring a pot luck dish to share.  Members will finalize plans for participation in the Pride parade.

Contact Ken or Richard for further information and directions to their home.

GATHER TOGETHER
The June meeting of the Home Gathering group will take place at the home of David Farmer on Wednesday, June 22nd, from 6:30-8:30 PM Bring a pot luck dish to share. 

If interested, please RSVP to Rev. Wilfried, or call him for more information. Contact either Wilfried or David for directions to David’s home.

SENIOR SERVICES FOR MARCH
June 8th:  Eden Villa -- 2750 Geary Boulevard, 3 PM
June 9th:  Coventry Park -- 1550 Sutter Street 11 AM
June 15th:  Bridge Point -- 1601 19th Avenue, 3 PM

All are welcome to attend.