Complete Service-first Unitarian Universalist Society Of San Francisco

Which comes first? Church community? Or our social justice mission? The chicken or the egg? We will launch our annual pledge drive for the UUSF operating budget. Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister Harry Arthur, Testimonial Dr. Mark Sumner, choir director Reiko Oda Lane, organ Rusty Harris-Bishop, tenor Kathleen Quenneville, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Mutual trust is a form of "social capital." We move forward at the speed of trust, I am convinced. But when trust fails, the natural tendency is to seek our own safety. How do we begin taking risks again? Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Sue Anthony, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, piano Ted Rust, oboe Viva Knight, piano Emily Wilson, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

When our trust has been betrayed, the first thing we do is put on armor to protect our vulnerable spots. Betrayal can be especially painful in matters of the heart and we are often left with feelings of guilt, shame, and anger. On Valentine's Day weekend, we ponder the creative power of vulnerability and the risk of love. Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Dr. Mark Sumner, Choir Director Reiko Oda Lane, Organ and Bell Choir Director Howard Oringer, Stewardship Committee Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Martin Luther King's legacy towers above all the rest in our national imagination. We remember him for his pure dream of freedom and equality, and yet today that dream still seems so far from our nightmare of mass incarceration and the unbearable fact that black bodies don't seem to matter as much as white bodies. Come hear Cindy Pincus preach about spiritual reparations and religious hope as we engage again and again with the great, unfinished American experiment in freedom. Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Regina Wells, spirited play teacher Kat Liu, Worship Assocaite Dr. Mark Sumner, choir director Reiko Oda Lane, organist Eric Shackelford, baritone Merle Easton, Humanists/Non-Theists Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Most of us are alienated from someone. Often for quite good reason. How do we achieve anything like reconciliation? John will draw on his experience in family systems work to offer some insights on the age-old issue of forgiveness. Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Rev. JD Benson, Associate Minister Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister Milo Hanke, Jr, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organist Wm. García Ganz, guest choir director Morgen Warner, soprano Kate Offer, soprano Kate Offer, song leader Dolores Perez Priem, Transition Team/Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

As we begin the New Year, our service begins with a baby blessing - dedicating the grandchild of our beloved organist, Reiko Oda Lane. Her name: "Aria." In traditional churches, a theme raised at the New Year is how Jesus was named, brought to the Temple, adored by Magi, and then, as an adult, baptized. But why? John will tell a story about a visit to Israel that suggested an answer. Assistant Minister Rev. JD Benson will join John on the Chancel. Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Rev. JD Benson, Assistant Minister Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister Reiko Oda Lane, organist E. McEntire Cowan, mezzo-soprano Mark Johnson, piano Kate Offer, song leader Stephen S, Welcome Aria Ruby Hikari Reyes, dedicated baby Nysa Hikari Lane and Martin Reyes, parents of dedicated baby Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Alex Darr, who grew up in UUSF, will serve as Worship Associate and Kristen Pedersen will work with Rev. Buehrens to create a service that will include the voices of young adults testifying to how UU values were part of their transformations and personal growth. Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Alex Darr, Worship Associate Kristen Pedersen, Young Adult Mark Johnson, piano Kate Offer, song leader Margaret Pearce, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

The title is taken from the American poet, Theodore Roethke. The sermon will be a Christmas season response to the underlying tone of despair in so many lives and so much of our culture. Sue Anthony will be the Worship Associate. Trumpet, soloist, carols, and candlelight will welcome all. The Reverend John Buehrens, Senior Minister Susan Anthony, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Reiko Oda Lane, organ, Bell Choir Director Tom Dambly, trumpet Laurel Sprigg, soprano Kate Offer, soprano Mark Johnson, piano Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Ancient lessons, modern interpretations, carols and candlelight will welcome all comers. There are often nearly 500 people at this service, so come early! The offering will go to support our “Up on Top” after-school outreach program for children in the Tenderloin and Western Addition. The Reverend John Buehrens, Senior Minister The Reverend Alyson Jacks, Minister of Family Life Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Reiko Oda Lane, organ, Bell Choir Director Tom Dambly, trumpet Laurel Sprigg, soprano Madeleine Gerlach, soprano Morgen Warner, soprano Kate Offer, soprano David Jones, piano Mark Johnson, piano Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

On the shortest and darkest day of the year our ancient forebears had the spiritual sense to fend off fear and despair with the lighting of bonfires and some of the most joyous, festive revelry. The sermon will explore the themes of waiting, hope, and the loss of hope which is true despair - as well as the surprise (and cultivation) of joy. The service will include a reflection by Worship Associate, Alison Rittger and a Holiday Message from Rev. Dr. Kay Jorgenson, Minister Emerita. Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Alison Rittger, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, Choir Director Reiko Oda Lane, Organ and Bells Galen Workman, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

The church choir led by Dr. Mark Sumner and organist Reiko Oda Lane will be joined by singers from the East Bay and professional musicians who have gathered to share this most wonderful music. "Rejoice in the Lamb" is a favorite masterwork composed by Benjamin Britten who was celebrated throughout the choral world last year on his 100th birthyear. The unique and thought-provoking text is by Christopher Smart. Morten Lauridsen's music is now considered a world-wide treat and "Lux Aeterna" is his latest large-scale masterwork. Dr. Mark Sumner, Choir Director Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister Reiko Oda Lane, Organ David Jones, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

We welcome the Minister Emerita of First Unitarian in Portland, OR, where she built up one of the largest, most influential churches in the UUA and in the state, often preaching to 1000 people. She will do a reading from her latest book in the Fireside Room at 9:30 AM. The 11AM service will include a reflection by Worship Associate Ben Bear, a ceremony recognizing our many new members conducted by Rev. Buehrens. The Rev. Dr. Marilyn Sewell, Guest Preacher Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister Ben Bear, Worship Associate George Cavage, Membership Dr. Mark Sumner, Choir Director Reiko Oda Lane, Organ Eric Langhirt, Song Leader Kathleen Quenneville, Welcome

What constitutes a good ending? To a day, or to a life? Perhaps the answer is the same. Our service for Thanksgiving weekend will be graced by the music of some gifted young musicians. Please don't hesitate to bring visitors or friends. Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister David "Rudy" Ruettige, Worship Associate Young Performers International (YPI) Dr. Mark Sumner, Piano Jiun-Chyi Yew, soprano Eric Langhirt, Song Leader Linda Harris, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Unitarian Universalist oncology chaplain and inspiring speaker Michael Eselun as he explores our relationship to our own stories and how we can use them in the attempt to make spiritual sense of our lives. Joining Michael on the chancel are Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister and Alison Rittger, Worship Associate. Music from the choir led by Dr. Mark Sumner; Reiko Oda Lane, organ and Kate Offer, soprano.

It seems that children -- of all ages -- need prompting to be thankful. Why are we so persistently resistant to gratitude? And what helps us to overcome that resistance? Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Kate Offer, Soprano Emily Wilson, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Maya Angelou said, 'Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer.' Let's talk about how gratitude can comfort us when life has brought us to our knees. Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Sr. Sheila Flynn, O.P., Guest Visitor Reiko Oda Lane, Organist & Bell Choir Director Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Kathleen Quenneville, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

We will celebrate our beloved dead on All Souls Day by expressing how grief is resolved only in gratitude. Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Alyson Jacks, Minister of Family Life Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister Sue Anthony, Worship Assocaite Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Bill Klingelhoffer, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Many today harbor a barely concealed despair, anxious about the future - for themselves, for the planet, for coming generations. Yet they've also largely given up on traditional doctrines of salvation.' What does Unitarian Universalism have to offer to such spiritual seekers today? Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Rev. Szabolcs Czire, Special Guest Minister Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Kerry Parker, song leader Stan Hartzell, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

On this UN Sunday, we welcome the Executive Director of the UU Office at the United Nations. Bruce Knotts is a retired US diplomat who has become  a leader among NGOs at the UN on climate change, LGBT rights, and refugee issues. John Buehrens will conduct the service with Bruce. Bruce Knotts, Guest Preacher Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Kate Offer, Song Leader Dr. Mark Sumner, Choir Director & Piano Reiko Oda Lane, Organist & Bell Choir Director Galen Workman, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

John sometimes jokes that he keeps getting called back into ministry because God knows he still needs to learn patience! But the actress Meryl Streep recently wrote that experience taught her there are some things with which it's fine to have no patience at all. Ah, the wisdom to know the difference! On this St. Francis Day, we hold a Blessing of Animals in the Chapel. Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister Alison Rittger, Worship Associate Kate Offer, Song Leader Mark Johnson, Piano Thomas Yee, Violin Trudy Lionel, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast