HISTORICAL SOCIETY BELLOWS LECTURE
The annual Bellows Lecture was delivered on Sunday January 26, during the Adult Education time slot, by James Grant, the editor of Grant's Interest Rate Observer. The title of the talk was: "George F. Baker: The Heart and Soul of a Banker."

George F. Baker served as an All Souls trustee for more than 50 years during and after the period when Henry Whitney Bellows was the minister of this church. Mr. Baker, the founder of the First National Bank was instrumental in shaping and preserving the finances of All Souls. He and his family guided All Souls through the financial shoals of the Great Depression. According to Grant, Baker was a financial optimist, believing firmly in the economic value of character and judgment. According to Grant, Baker has been one of the most underestimated figures among the financial giants of his day. How his familyÕs long association with Liberal Religion affected his beliefs is hard to estimate today, but at the time, he often acted contrary to popular beliefs in financial matters and came up a winner. He was called "lucky" by his financial peers. This church certainly was lucky to have had such a knowledgeable trustee at the helm at very uncertain times.

RINGING BELLS FOR LIFE
The All Souls Task Force to Abolish the Death Penalty introduced an awareness program used around the country to mark each execution in the United States, on the day when it occurs. Bell ringers gather in front of churches or other organizations to not only mark but publicize these events, explaining to passers by the reasons for the bell ringing. At All Souls, the driving force behind introducing this procedure are Joan and Seymor Reisin.

CELEBRATING SPRING & ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARTY
—by Pat Taylor
The All Souls Social Events Committee hosted a party on Friday evening, March 14, in the Ware Room to celebrate the Spring that was yet to come, as well as the St. Patrick's Day that was destined to happen the following Monday. The party was definitely a "by popular demand" occasion, after the great success of the Committee's Holiday party last December. In addition to the wearing of the green, the March 14 party was noteworthy for its range of hors d'Ïuvres, from corned beef mini-sandwiches to cheese fondue. Sharon Bonds, Rose Patton and Gini Gold Wilkes put all the elements of the fun evening together.

PRE-AUCTION PARTY
One week before the successful Heart & Soul Auction at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, All Souls offered a more modest event in Friendship Hall. during which Frank Patton, Rae Ramsey and Bill Bechman entertained. A cadre of more than one hundred volunteers assisted.

Those who could not attend the "Big Auction" had an opportunity to bid on many Silent Auction items and during a live bidding session, ably conducted by Bill Bechman, some items donated specifically for the pre-auction party were on offer, as was the chance to bid on our outreach programs, which are totally financed through the Heart and Soul events. Sheila Darnborough was in charge of organizing the pre-auction festivities during which delicious donated hors d'œuvres and desserts were offered. In a festively decorated Friendship Hall, there was indeed a party ambiance and by the time it ended, $4,000 had been raised. Next year a kick-off party for the Auction, to be held on February 12, will take place in Friendship Hall during Coffee Hour on February 8.

Bill Bechman taking bids at the pre-Auction party

YOUTH/CAMPUS MINISTRY

Marc Loustau

This year, the UUA is focusing on Youth, Campus and Young Adult Ministry in order to keep young people active in the denomination. Marc Loustau, who has been accepted at Harvard Divinity School for next Fall, will be active in various areas at General Assembly this June. Marc has for several years served actively on the General Assembly Planning Committee (currently, as a Vice Chair), an elective office, representing a young-adult perspective.

On January 12, Alison Miller, who was the voice for youth and young adults at last year's GA in Québec, preached at All Souls as our congregation observed Youth and Young Adult Ministry Sunday. The aim of the UUA is to "mind the gap" between church-school age youths and young adults between 18 and 35 and to close it, and Alison has been active in that endeavor. Marc Loustau will respresent All Souls' effort in that direction in Boston this year. All Souls has contributed to the Mind the Gap fundraising campaign by the UUA to further these goals.