Complete Service-first Unitarian Universalist Society Of San Francisco

The great Unitarian minister A. Powell Davies reportedly said that "Life is just a chance to grow a  soul." Another Unitarian, the Bay Area's own poet-songwriter-activist, Malvina Reynolds, wrote a prose poem she called "The Soul Book." Come, join us in exploring what it might really mean to "grow a soul." Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister Dr. Mark Sumner, Choir Director Reiko Oda Lane, Organ Kerry Parker, Sopranos Soloist Margaret Pearce, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

We mark the Jewish High Holidays, the "Days of Awe,"with the sounding of the shofar and the call to teshuvah - which means turning, or returning. The birds and animals do this instinctively. For humans, it takes a decision. As Shlomo Carlebach sings, "Return to who you are; return to what you are; return to the home of your soul." Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Alex Darr, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, Organ Kate Offer, Song Leader Maria Solis, Soprano & Guitar Bill Klingelhoffer, Shofar & French Horn Joan Rost, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

We're taught as children that it's not polite to stare. But what happens when we look long enough to see something delightfully new beneath a familiar façade?  This week, embrace the value of taking the long look and learn how to stare. Our new Intern Minister is entering her final year of studies at the Pacific School of Religion. She is an environmental scientist by training. Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Alyson Jacks, Family Life Minister Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister Alison Rittger, Worship Associate Regina Wells, Spirted Play Teacher Dr. Mark Sumner, Choir Director Reiko Oda Lane, Organ Kathleen Quenneville, Trustee Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

The poet Marianne Moore once began a poem, "Poetry: I too dislike it." Our new minister feels the same about religion! And yet, like the poet, finds "in it, after all, a place for the genuine." Surely for today's "cultured despisers of religion," of whom we know many-for those who consider themselves atheists, agnostics, and "spiritual, but not religious-what we offer here is "a place for the genuine." Again, you are urged to invite unaffiliated friends. Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister Dr. Mark Sumner, Choir Director Reiko Oda Lane, Organ Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Our children, youth, and teachers will process in following their welcome back breakfast. Minister Emerita Kay Jorgensen will invest John with an official cap from the Faithful Fools Street Ministry. Margot Campbell Gross will again lead us in meditation and prayer. And our preacher will be the new President of Starr King School for the Ministry. Don't miss this Sunday! Invite your friends. Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt, Guest Minister Rev. Margot Campbell Gross, Minister Emerita Rev. Kay Jorgensen, Minister Emerita Rev. Alyson Jacks, Minister of Family Life Regina Wells, Spirited Play Teacher Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister Dr. Mark Sumner, Choir Director Reiko Oda Lane, Organ Michaelle Goerlitz, Percussionist David Chiu, President San Francisco Board of Supervisors Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

"Only connect!" said the novelist E.M. Forster. But "connections are made slowly," warned poet Marge Piercy, "sometimes they grow underground." John Buehrens will preach, but the service will also include a chance to learn how to connect at UUSF to other spiritual seekers and skeptics through Small Group Ministry.          Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Rev. Margot Campbell Gross, Minister Emerita Judith Stoddard, Small Group Ministry Coordinator Derek Czajka Sandra Niman Larry Chinn, Guest Pianist Dr. Mark Sumner, Pianist Kerry Parker, Song Leader Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Whatever you can do or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now." These words are often attributed to Goethe. In fact, they have another origin. Beginning with other beloved but misattributed sayings, I will explore both myth making and the art of beginning well to promote change that lasts...          Rev. Dr. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Minister of Family Life Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Kate Offer, Song Leader Gamelan Kori Mas Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

"How dare you assume that I am . . ." Well, fill in the blank! In an opening series of sermons on the  ABCs of spirituality and life in community, our new Senior Minister promises that if we don't make too many assumptions about him, he won't make many about us. Then we can really begin to meet, connect and grow spiritually through I-Thou encounters.   The Rev. Dr. John Buehrens, Senior Minister The Rev. Margot Campbell Gross, Minister Emerita Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Reiko Oda Lane, Organist & Bell Choir Director Jonas Magram, Guitarist, Pianist and Vocalist Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Aging With Grace: An Intergenerational Discussion. Church member Millie Phillips will share about what she has learned about the issue of aging, particularly from our Unitarian Universalist perspective. Getting older brings with it limitations and changes, but it's also a time to embrace life.     The Rev. Dr. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Millie Phillips, Guest Preacher Julia DeFranco, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Kate Offer, Song Leader Laura Inserra, Instrumentalist Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

What is the purpose of poetry? What is the purpose of religion? How do the two purposes overlap? Our speaker, Rev. Dr. Lynn Ungar, both a UU minister and a published poet, will share her theology, her poetry, and how the two interrelate.   The Rev. Dr. John Buehrens, Senior Minister The Rev. Dr. Lynn Ungar Guest Minister Judith Stoddard, Worship Associate Mark Johnson, Pianist Millie Phillips, Song Leader Chris Waltz, Guitarist, Irish Flutest & Vocalist Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

How do we listen for, and respond to, the sacred when we are up against a problem that isn't easily "fixed," when we feel overwhelmed by our own powerlessness and limitations? This theme is especially relevant in the world of health care, one of the most intimate areas of our lives where, despite our increasing technological innovations, our human vulnerability and imperfections persist. We will reflect on lessons learned from the world of health care chaplaincy and how we can put these to work in our everyday lives. The Rev. Susan Porter Conrad, Guest Minister Derek Czajka, Worship Associate and Song Leader Mark Johnson, Pianist Christine Tulis, Harpist & Vocalist Kem Stone, Percussionist & Keyboardist Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

The Executive Director of the Interfaith Council of San Francisco, Michael Pappas, will speak from his experience about the role the Interfaith Community plays in the life of the city and how our church fits into it. Michael Pappas, Guest Preacher Christine Patch-Lindsay, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Ted Rust, Oboist Viva Knight, Pianist Kate Offer, Song Leader Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Sundays mornings are now for baseball, soccer, and dance practices in the secular world. Where has the Sabbath gone? How can we "Do" church and religious education while competing with these other interests? Can we radically remake our style for this era? And what does Dark Matter have to do with anything anyway? With a background as a mathematician and a theologian, Jeffrey stays up on the latest theories science has to explain this incredible experience we know as the Universe. He will bring his interests to his sermon. Jeffrey Melcher, Guest Preacher Emily Wilson, Worship Associate Katrina Walter, Flutist Reiko Oda Lane, Organist David Jones, Pianist Millie Phillips, Song Leader Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

When was the last time you listened with more than your ears? Join us in an exploration of deep listening: what it is, how we do it, and the meaning for us as Unitarian Universalists. Come prepared for a fully embodied and engaging experience led by Youth and Young Adult Coordinator and divinity student Molly Johnson Molly Johnson, Guest Preacher Christine Patch-Lindsay, Worship Associate Alison Rittger, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, Pianist Kate Offer, Song Leader Eric Hamilton, Guitarist Richard Popovich, Guitarist Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

We each have sacred cows: ideas and life practices that we do not find it easy to have challenged or to change.What are some of the common ones for UUs, for Americans & for you? In the 21st century, spirituality is going global, just as are the other aspects of our lives.How could this globalization of spirituality challenge and help us and our religious movement? The Rev. John Young, Guest Minister Nanette McGuinness, Soprano Soloist Mark Johnson, Pianist Kate Offer, Song Leader Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

As Dave Sammons takes his leave he'll reflect on his ministry with us and his hopes for our future. The past two years have shown him what a solid congregation this is and what it has going for it as a new minister guides it forward. The Rev. Dr. David Sammons, Interim Senior Minister Reiko Oda Lane, Organist & Bell Choir Director Jiun-Chyi Yew, Pianist Larry Marietta, Guest Conductor Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Most of us like to think of ourselves as truthful, but every once in awhile we catch ourselves telling one of those "little white lies." We're tired, so we say: "I wish I could come to your party but I've already made a commitment to go to see Joe." "Oh yeah, the person wonders, why does Joe always trump my invitation? Why doesn't my party take precedence? Little white lies can set traps hard to get out of. The Rev. Dr. David Sammons, Interim Senior Minister Christine Patch-Lindsay, Worship Associate Megan Lehmer, Small Group Ministry Coordinator Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Giacomo Fiore, Guitarist Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

On Memorial Day in some towns and cities people gather in cemeteries where the dead of war are buried to pay tribute to their sacrifice. But what would these troops have wanted said about them in thier eulogies we might say for them to say - and what would we want said in our own eulogies? Would it be the same as what others would say about us after we're gone? The Rev. Dr. David Sammons, Interim Senior Minister Reiko Oda Lane, Organist St. Petersburg Men's Ensemble Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Jeremy is a graduate of Pacific School of Religion (PSR), former intern at this church and currently serves as the Minister of the Mission Peak UU Church in Fremont, CA.He says of his topic: "In a time when distractions abound and attention spans are at an all-time low, we need to be reminded of the importance of really hearing each other." The Rev. Jeremy Nickel, Guest Minister Christine Patch-Lindsay, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, Pianist Mark Johnson, Pianist Derek Czajka, Songleader Luther Lewis III, Tenor Soloist Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Thirty years after she died, Dave Sammons feels it's time to write a letter to his mom. She died after suffering through a stroke, her husband's death, and a year in a nursing home. Dave wants to share his letter so that all of us might think about our mothers in a way both caring and honest. It's tough being a mom, yet after the game is over, even the burliest football player lets tears roll down his cheeks and says "I love you, Mom. This game was for you." The Rev. Dr. David Sammons, Interim Senior Minister The Rev. Alyson Jacks, Family Life Minister Regina Wells, Spirited Play Teacher Dr. Mark Sumner, Choir Director Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Maria Solis, Soprano Soloist Robert Weber, Baritone Soloist Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast