Complete Service-first Unitarian Universalist Society Of San Francisco

“The Wintering Season" (December 20, 2020) Worship Service The Winter Solstice is a time to celebrate the season with the hanging of greens and decorating trees. This year’s solstice service and celebration, we'll ring bells, sing seasonal songs, and tell winter tales too. Holidays and rituals are an invitation - an opening out of the ordinary into extraordinary. Join us for this intergenerational service where we’ll reflect upon the beauty and the mystery of the wintering season. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Meg McGuire, Ministerial Intern Reiko Oda Lane, organist Mark Sumner, conductor Leandra Ramm, soprano Brielle Marina Neilson, alto Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor Asher Davison, bass My-Hoa Steger, pianist Solstice Ringers Eric Shackelford, camera Shulee Ong, camera Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support Alex Darr, Coffee Hour Zoom Thomas Brown, Sexton Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Video Order of Service: https://content.uusf.org/Order_Of_Service/2020/20201220

“The Soul of America: Worth Saving?" (December 13, 2020) Worship Service As we explore the wrongs and rights in American history and contemporary life questions arise: Can there be a faith that abides? Is Beloved Community possible or is it a dream inevitably deferred? Rev. Dr. Dorsey Blake, Guest Minister Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Reiko Oda Lane, organist Mark Sumner, conductor Leandra Ramm, soprano Brielle Marina Neilson, alto Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor Asher Davison, bass My-Hoa Steger, pianist Eric Shackelford, camera Shulee Ong, camera Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support Alex Darr, Coffee Hour Zoom Thomas Brown, Sexton Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound Order of Service: https://content.uusf.org/Order_Of_Service/2020/20201213OSWeb.pdf All Music: https://content.uusf.org/Sound/20201213Music.mp3

“The Perfect Body and Ladder" (December 6, 2020) Worship Service The second sermon in a series on our bodies as part of our religious journeys, that is to say of how we find and make meaning in this life. Poet and Movement-founder Sonya Renee Taylor writes and speaks and encourages others to do so about our relations to our bodies and one another. But more so she ties it to a larger notion, a spiritual stumbling block, a dangerous construct that wise folks from the Dalai Lama to Jesus have warned against -- Taylor calls it the imaginary ladder.  And how it hurts and distracts us from what is important and healing and life saving. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Meg McGuire, Ministerial Intern Reiko Oda Lane, organist Leandra Ramm, soprano Brielle Marina Neilson, alto Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor Asher Davison, bass Luis Maurer, pianist Eric Shackelford, camera Shulee Ong, camera Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support Les James, Coffee Hour Zoom Thomas Brown, Sexton Jonathan Silk, OOS, S

“Coming to the Table" (November 29, 2020) Worship Service This time of the year is usually marked by gathering and breaking bread with friends, family and neighbors. As love for one another calls us to keep our gatherings limited, virtual, or non-existent this year, the moment is ripe to remember- and reimagine. Can we bring what’s at the heart of these gatherings out into the world in new ways? What might be required of us to do so? Meg McGuire, Ministerial Intern Dennis Adams, Worship Associate VanNessa Hulme, soprano Derek Silbermann, pianist Mark Sumner, director Leandra Ramm, songleader Brielle Marina Neilson, songleader Ben Rudiak-Gould, songleader Asher Davison, songleader Eric Shackelford, camera Shulee Ong, camera Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support Les James, Coffee Hour Zoom Thomas Brown, Sexton Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound Order of Service: https://content.uusf.org/Order_Of_Service/2020/20201129OSWeb.pdf All Music: https://content.uusf.org/Sound/20201129Music.mp3 Reflection: https://cont

“I Sing the Body Electric" (November 22, 2020) Worship Service There is so much to give thanks for, but what about this body that carries us through the world; the ones poets and scientists, photographers and even the Psalmists could not help but be astounded by.  So, a little tribute to the gorgeous miracle and mystery and work of art -- the human body. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Mari Magaloni, Reflection Reiko Oda Lane, organist Mark Sumner, director/piano Leandra Ramm, soprano Brielle Marina Neilson, alto Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor Asher Davison, bass My-Hoa Steger, pianist Eric Shackelford, camera Shulee Ong, camera Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support Alex Darr, Coffee Hour Zoom Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, drums Order of Service: https://content.uusf.org/Order_Of_Service/2020/20201122OSWeb.pdf All Music: https://content.uusf.org/Sound/20201122Music.mp3 Reflecton: https://content.uusf.org/Sound/Reflections/202011122MMReflection.mp3

“Now What?" (November 15, 2020) Worship Service As the weeks after the election unfold, so will the answer, of what next.  And so we will gather words of inspiration, clarity wherever we find them, and our own reflections on this moment in history.  To that end, if you hear of words worth sharing, if you have your own reflection you'd like to share, please send it to me as we weave together an answer during this time. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Meg McGuire, Ministerial Intern Sam King, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organist Mark Sumner, pianist Asher Davison, bass Leandra Ramm, mezzo soprano Shannon Warto, soprano Ariel Andrew, mezzo soprano Alex Taite, tenor VanNessa Hulme, soprano Derek Silbermann, piano Lyman Medeiros, bass Lyndon Rochele, drums Kate Offer, soprano Brielle Marina Neilson, mezzo soprano Eric Shackelford, camera Shulee Ong, camera Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support Alex Darr, Coffee Hour Zoom Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound

“Rebuilding Trust" (November 8, 2020) Worship Service Great damage has been done to social trust in recent years. Not only to trust in leaders, government, the integrity of elections, but also trust in facts, science, shared reality, and in our fellow citizens. Repair is a moral and spiritual project that will require almost superhuman effort. How and where can each of us begin? Rev. Dr. John Buehrens Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Ministerr Reiko Oda Lane, organist Andrés Vera, cellist Leandra Ramm, soprano Brielle Marina Neilson, alto Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor Asher Davison, bass Mark Sumner, director/pianist Eric Shackelford, camera Shulee Ong, camera Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support Alex Darr, Coffee Hour Zoom Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound

“Healing and Hope" (November 1, 2020) Worship Service In this lead up to this election, which for many of us feels like the very future of our nation, of its best self, lies in the balance, let’s talk about what will be required of us on the other side. Let's talk about healing and hope. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Reiko Oda Lane, organist Mark Sumner, director VanNessa Hulme, soprano Brielle Marina Neilson, mezzo soprano Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor Asher Davison, bass Wm. García Ganz, accompanist Eric Shackelford, camera Shulee Ong, camera Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support Alex Darr, Coffee Hour Zoom Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, drums

“Creating the Altar" (October 25, 2020) Worship Service This Sunday we are going to create an altar, a community one, filled with the portraits and stories of those we love and lost, who shaped us.  It will be our honoring of the spirit of what All Souls Day and Dia De Los Muertos has made space for for centuries -- paying homage, bringing the living spirit of life that endures back close to hold us. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Dennis Adams, Worship Associate Mark Sumner, pianist Andrés Vera, cellist My-Hoa Steger, pianist and songleader Asher Davison, songleader Asher Davison, bass Eric Shackelford, camera Shulee Ong, camera Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support Alex Darr, Coffee Hour Zoom Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound

“Breathing Room" (October 18, 2020) Worship Service The atmosphere is toxic – from both the devastating fires across the west and the increasingly inflammatory political rhetoric - leaving us gasping for fresh air, fresh ideas – a fresh start. More than ever, we need open space to help us recoup, rejuvenate, and regenerate our spirits. How do we channel our energies to ensure that those physical, spiritual and emotional spaces are available to all people?  For our personal, collective and planetary wellbeing, we all need breathing room to get us through. Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.  - Arundhati Roy Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Carmen Barsody, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organist Mark Sumner, singer/director Sarah Rose Cohen, soprano Brielle Marina Neilson, mezzo soprano Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor Asher Davison, bass Eric Shackelford, camera Shulee Ong, camera Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support Alex Darr,

“New Habits of the Heart: Seeing for Real" (October 11, 2020) Worship Service There is a Ted Talk by X called "The Dangers of the Single Story." Meg's mentioned it once already since she started as our Intern and then again this last week when the subject came up of how we fall into habits about the stories we tell.  And what gets lost in the telling of them. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Meg McGuire, Ministerial Intern George Wiepert, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organist Mark Sumner, percussion/director Sarah Davison, soprano Brielle Marina Neilson, mezzo soprano Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor Asher Davison, bass Wm. García Ganz, pianist Kramer Dhal, percussionist Eric Shackelford, camera Shulee Ong, camera Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support Alex Darr, Coffee Hour Zoom Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, drums and conga

“Big Love" (October 4, 2020) Worship Service This week is the 250th anniversary of Universalism and the day the congregation votes on its next settled ministry.  It is also a time of great upheaval.  What's the way forward and what anchors us as we go? Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Meg McGuire, Ministerial Intern George Wiepert, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organist Mark Sumner, singing/conducting My-Hoa Steger, pianist Michele Kennedy, soloist Brielle Marina Neilson, soloist Ben Rudiak-Gould, soloist Asher Davison, soloist Eric Shackelford, camera Shulee Ong, camera Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Drums

"I'm Sorry" (September 27, 2020) Worship Service Never before has it been as important as it is now to take to heart the lessons at the heart of Yom Kippur and make it's annual practices, a part of our ongoing spiritual practices.  Humility and Atonement: The Great Turning. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Sam King, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organist Brielle Marina Neilson, mezzo-soprano Bill Klingelhoffer, french horn Wm. García Ganz, pianist Eric Shackelford, camera Shulee Ong, camera Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound

"The Sum of Our Parts" (September 20, 2020) Worship Service The central task of religious community, according to Rev. Mark Morrison Reed, is to uncover the bonds that bind us to one another. So, what holds us together? Without the brick and mortar, the face to face connection we’ve long relied upon, how do we stay rooted in this deeper relatedness? Meg McGuire, our new ministerial intern, will reflect on religious community and what’s possible when we come together. Meg McGuire, Ministerial Intern Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Dennis Adams, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organist VanNessa Hulme, soloist Brielle Marina Neilson, soloist Ben Rudiak-Gould, soloist Asher Davison, soloist Eric Shackelford, camera Shullee Ong, camera Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound

"Plow this Field... and other mantras to pull us through a wild and unfolding new year." (September 13, 2020) This Sunday is the Sunday we always launch, officially, the new church year. Sunday School with our kids and youth kicks off, folks return from their summer places (geographically and/or mentally) and we live and learn and serve and witness and weather and delight in another year of life together.  We are doing that again, but in a wild kind of year.  And I have been thinking about how to hold myself steady through it and all the uncertainty of what will come.  I'll share with you what I have been thinking and I'd love to know what you are thinking too! Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Meg McGuire, Ministerial Intern Michael Bossier, performer Jayanti Chapot, performer Don Shearer, performer Reiko Oda Lane, organist Sarah Rose Cohen, soloist Brielle Marina Neilson, soloist Ben Rudiak-Gould, soloist Asher Davison, soloist

"What Do We Do When We're Under Attack?" (September 6, 2020) Rev. Millie Phillips, a member of this congregation, is currently serving the UU Community of Lake County. For this Labor Day service, she draws on her many years of experience as a union activist to celebrate worker resistance during these difficult times. Rev. Millie Phillips, Guest Minister Sam King, Worship Associate Select members of The Rockin’ Solidarity Chorus Pat Wynne, director Asher Davison, song leader Ben Rudiak-Gould, song leader My-Hoa Steger, pianist Eric Shackelford, camera Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound

"Jonah and the Big Fish" (August 30, 2020) I love stories and their power to teach or invite us to let them speak to us wherever we are.  And I love the story in the Hebrew Scriptures of Jonah and his journey with that Big Fish. And what layers we might find for ourselves in it about how to face life and what it might insist on from us. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Gregg Biggs, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organist Eric Hamilton, guitarist Mark Sumner, pianist Asher Davison, song leader Eric Shackelford, camera Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, drums

"Launching the Fledglings" (August 23, 2020) It's an odd year to think about how to raise and launch adults (be they nieces, nephews, children, grandchildren).  It is also a process and one we are engaged in all along the way. It probably also has lessons about how we deal with some adults too!!! Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Dennis Adams, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organist Asher Davison, clarinet and song leader Wm. García Ganz, pianist Ben Rudiak-Gould, song leader Eric Shackelford, camera Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, drums

"Turning Points" (August 16, 2020) Our history is full of turning points. So are our individual lives. As we live through a time full of both danger and opportunity, let us reflect on some of the great turning points in our national history – such as women winning the right to vote in August, 1920, or same sex couples winning the right to marry just five years ago, – and how they came about. John Buehrens is the past Senior Minister of UUSF, the past President of the Unitarian Universalist Association (1993-2001), a past honorary President of Religions for Peace, and was national co-chair of Freedom to Marry from 2002 t0 2012. He is the author of seven books, most recently, Conflagration: How the Transcendentalists Sparked the American Struggle for Racial, Gender, and Social Justice. Rev. John Buehrens Richard Davis-Lowell, Worship Associate Jennifer Peringer, pianist Martha Rodríguez Peringer, flutist Asher Davison, Songleader Brielle Neilson, Songleader Eric Shackelford, camera Joe Chapot, Social Media

"Story Time" (August 9, 2020) We are the stuff of stars. A collection of particles held together by the laws of physics and the forces of nature. We talk of free will but we move and act in accordance to evolution’s playbook. What sets us apart is our ability to reflect, to look back in time and imagine the future – to see ourselves as part of the unfolding story of time, and ask ourselves what does it mean to be human after all. Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Don Wiepert, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organist Andrés Vera, cellist My-Hoa Steger, pianist Mark Sumner, Songleader Brielle Nielson, Songleader Eric Shackelford, camera Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support Alex Darr, Zoom Remote Host Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound