Complete Service-first Unitarian Universalist Society Of San Francisco

Many of us are comfortably among the affluent and rich Americans who hold 87% of US wealth. As people who wish to be responsible and want to diminish unfair privilege, how much of the necessary change and sacrifice are we willing to participate in so that the US may become an economic and political democracy again? Rev. John Young, Guest Minister Sue Anthony, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organ Mark Johnson, piano Cassandra Bequary, violin. Judy Payne, Welcome leslie Ottaviano, sound Jonathan Silk, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

We are bound together with strong threads of inspiration, reverence and love. Our stories are those of individual lives woven together with our shared lot in life. We have made the choice to be in this intentionally diverse and inescapably interdependent religious community. How shall we grow even more deeply into its fabric? Rev. Carol Thomas Cissel, Guest Minister Kat Liu, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organ Mark Johnson, piano Shannon Warto, mezzo soprano Galen Workman, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Theologian Kortright Davis explains that true hospitality requires us to move beyond our boundaries and to extend the spirit of welcome to the stranger, to those easily seen as ?Others?. But do we want to step away from the ease and comfort of congregational homogeneity? If so, how do we set The Welcome Table for all to be fed? Come join us to listen, share and learn. Rev. Carol Thomas Cissel, Guest Minister Ben Bear, Worship Associate Mark Johnson, piano Laura Inserra, Blossom Bells, Khen, Hang Jim Valent, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Dawn began contemplative practice  in 1997. She is currently earning an MA (MDiv equivalent) in Buddhist Studies and Chaplaincy from the Graduate Theological Union. Dawn was ordained in Burma in 2009, and was authorized to teach Buddhist practice, from the perspective of loving-kindness, by her Burmese teacher that year. She teaches meditation, mindfulness, and loving-kindness in Buddhist, clinical, and educational settings. She serves intermittently as a commissioned interfaith chaplain and was a student in John Buehrens preaching class this spring at Starr King School for the Ministry. Dawn Neal, Guest Preacher Alison Rittger, Worship Associate Chair Dr. Mark Sumner, piano & song leader Mark Johnson, piano Radim Zenkl, mandolin & flute Jim Valent, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

We have just celebrated the involvement 50 years ago of hundreds of Unitarian Universalists in Selma, Alabama, in support of Black voting rights. But we should also know about and learn from Unitarian Universalists living in the South whose work on racial issues preceded and followed the voting rights demonstrations of 1965. Gordon Gibson was part of the Selma civil rights campaign, served as  the only Unitarian Universalist minister in Mississippi 1969-84, and has recently written "Southern Witness: Unitarians and Universalists in the Civil Rights Era". At UUSF he is best known as Shirley Gibson's father. Rev. Gordon Gibson,Guest Minister Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Reiko Oda Lane, organ Eric Hamilton, guitar Marc Theobald, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

This will be Flower Communion Sunday. Bring a flower, if you can, to be exchanged for one brought by someone else.John will tell the story of how the flower communion developed at what was the largest Unitarian church in the world in Prague, between the world wars. He will also tell a story relevant to the central question of his developmental ministry? with us. How will we know when we have arrived? Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Rev. JD Benson, Assistant Minister Alex Darr, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, piano Reiko Oda Lane, organ Gayle Reynolds, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

It's hard to feel at home in the world. But if we are going to fulfill our mission as a sanctuary for spiritual exploration, we must welcome pilgrims on life's journey. Our service will include the formal welcome of new members who have joined UUSF in recent months. Please try to be present to let them know that we are glad they have chosen to join us. Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister George Cavage, Membership Chair Dr. Mark Sumner, choir director Reiko Oda Lane, organ Gayle Reynolds, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

A person entirely tied up in him (or her) self becomes a very small package, said one great progressive preacher. True joy emerges, often unexpectedly, in giving oneself to a purpose far larger than oneself. So what purpose might that be for you? At this time in your life. Because, you may recall, to everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven." Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Ben Bear, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, choir director Reiko Oda Lane, organ Wm. GarcÌa Ganz, piano Stan Stanley Hartzell, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

On this Memorial Day Weekend, many members of UUSF will be on the All-Church Retreat. The joyous, UU remnant left in the city will gather in the Sanctuary, And have a joyous time, perhaps remembering that true joy is only possible in the full awareness of loss and absence. Rev. Margot Campbell Gross, Minister Emerita Alison Rittger, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organ The St.Petersburg Menís Ensemble unknown, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Claiming the name ?gay,? was an act of liberation for same-sex loving men and others in our culture. But today, in 78 countries in our world, such sexual expression remains life-threatening. Our own Guardian Group helps to resettle LGBTQ refugees fleeing for their lives. We will join with progressive congregations of every stripe in proclaiming a ?Gilead Sabbath,? to include straight and gay alike, in claiming a right to joy. With some definition of what such joy truly is. Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Alison Rittger, Worship Associate David Jones, piano Natalie Raney, cello Bill Klingelhoffer, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Many of us feel a bit ?other.? If we are wise, we learn to treat others as we ourselves would like to be treated. Our mothers, if they were wise, told us this. But we often need the reminder. And sometimes our mothers do too! On this Mother?s day Sunday John offers a sermon with a story involving his own mother, and the process of being wisely open to joy again. No matter what. Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Sue Anothony, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, choir director Reiko Oda Lane, organ Kate Offer, soprano Stan Stanley Hartzell, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

We will begin the service with Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister, recognizing those who have volunteered as teachers in our religious education program this year. In the day-to-day roller coaster ride through our lives we experience a range of feelings moment by moment. Joy is something deeper than pleasure or happiness. A reservoir of joy sits tranquil, unaffected, awaiting our acceptance. How shall we find a path to our joy? Rev. JD Benson, Assistant Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Dr. Mark Sumner, choir director Reiko Oda Lane, organ and bell choir director Kate Offer, soprano Margaret Pearce & Gary Lorentzen, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Our worship theme for April is "wealth and poverty," explored in both the material and spiritual dimensions. Questions of distributive economic justice are ultimately moral and spiritual issues. Join John Buehrens for a powerful sermon which borrows its title from a book on the theme by UU Minister Richard Gilbert. Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Ben Bear, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, choir director Reiko Oda Lane, organ Gayle Renolds, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

It's boom town times again in San Francisco, this time with companies on the cutting edge of technology. We hunger for the new; we fear being left behind in this year's Global Economy 3.0. But is there a spiritual downside? Rev. Mary McKinnon Ganz first hit the streets of San Francisco in the 1970s as a reporter for the AP and the SF Examiner. After completing her ministerial internship with this congregation and the Faithful Fools Street Ministry 10 years ago, she went East to serve congregations in Virginia and Massachusetts. Last fall, she returned to walk again with friends and Fools in the Tenderloin. Rev. Mary McKinnon Ganz, Guest Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Alison Rittger, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, piano Mark Johnson, piano Katrina Walter, flute Larry Danos, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

This Sunday is our special RITES OF PASSAGE Service! Our 12 ROP graduates, along with their Teaching Team, will join Revs. Buehrens, Benson and Jacks on the Chancel. Our talented group of 3rd-4th graders has spent the year learning about themselves and their church community. They have filled up the pages in their workbooks, interviewed the ministers and other church leaders. They've toured the building, designed a service project, and created symbolic artwork, which will be on display at the service. In addition, they've contemplated some of life's Big Questions. This Sunday the ministers will do their best to answer those Big Life  Questions, wish them luck! Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Rev. JD Benson, Assistant Minister Alex Darr, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organ Dr. Mark Sumner, Choir Director UC Berkeley Alumni Chorus Santa Barbara Choral Society Margaret Pearce, Welcome Rites of Passage: Alex Darr (Teacher), Indigo Murphy, Nicholas Fortuna

Celebrate Easter with laughter and joy, music and stories of new life. Wear an Easter bonnet if you like, bring the children, and join the ministers, the Choir, the Bell Choir and singer-songwriter Mike Rufo in an Easter Sunday to remember. Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Rev. JD Benson, Assistant Minister Reiko Oda Lane, organ and Bell Choir Director Dr. Mark Sumner, Choir Director Tom Dambly, trumpet Mike Rufo, guitar & vocals Kathleen Quenneville, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

It has been said that the Exodus story, retold at Passover, is not only the key to "engaged religion," but has been re-interpreted in every social justice movement from Jesus on Palm Sunday through Marxism to other liberation struggles. Linda Enger, chair of our 2015 operating fund drive, will give both a report and a testimonial. Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Linda Enger, 2015 Canvass Chair Alison Rittger, Worship Associate Chair Reiko Oda Lane, organ Dr. Mark Sumner, Choir Director Mark Theobald, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Going to and from Selma Alabama for the 50th anniversary of the voting rights campaign there, John Buehrens was reading Racing to Justice: Transforming Our Conceptions of Self and Other to Build an Inclusive Society, by UC Berkeley professor john a. powell, who spoke at a dinner here on Feb. 28. In his final chapter, from which this sermon takes its title, Powell writes, "If spirituality is engagement with the deeper sense of self, the divine, or God, narrow engagement with the egoistic self is the lack of spirituality. The suffering that is caused by separation cannot be healed by this small self. Indeed, it is this same small self and the institutional arrangements that it collectively brings into being that cause social suffering." Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Dr. Phil Marshall, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organ David Jones, piano Maria Solis, soprano Jiun-Chyi Yew, soprano Kat Liu, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

What does it mean to be a philosophically and theologically pluralistic community? What does matter in our relationships with one another and to what is it we each rely upon? Are you "right" or is what you believe/understand simply right for you?

In the late 1800's, American Philosopher, Josiah Royce, coined the term Beloved Community, a phrase adopted by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. To build the beloved community, according to Royce, requires love, loyalty, and cooperation, among other things. It also requires engagement and risk. And it takes practice - lots and lots of practice. Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Alison Rittger, Testimonial Dr. Mark Sumner, choir director Ted Arnold, soloist Threshold Choir Galen Workman, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast