Complete Service-first Unitarian Universalist Society Of San Francisco

Considered this country's poet laureate by many Americans of African descent, Langston Hughes' work also captured the feelings, experiences, and dreams common to all human beings.  Poetry, it has been said, the middle zone between words and music.  Langston Hughes wanted his poems to convey the spirit of American jazz. A look at his life, his religion, and his message.         Reverend Ben Bortin, Guest Minister Alison Rittger, Worship Associate Larry Chinn, Pianist Elizabeth Hornby, Pianist Maria Solis, Song Leader Jonathan Silk, Sound and Order of Service

Best known for his song-writing and union organizing activities, Woody Guthrie also produced a large quantity of writing (mostly unpublished) on matters of religion and spirituality in a strongly universalist vein. Rev. Steve Edington’s   book and sermon, Bring Your Own God, holds up some of these writings and places them in the context of Woody’s overall life. His book is the result of two years of research at the Woody Guthrie Foundation and Archives. Reverend Steve Edington, Guest Minister Christine Patch-Lindsay, Worship Associate Thomas Yee, Violinist Wm. García Ganz, Pianist Kate Offer, Song Leader Jonathan Silk, Sound and Order of Service

Without water to drink there is no life. The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) has chosen the “human right to water” as one of its primary four areas of focus.  It is an issue of environmental justice. This Sunday we will celebrate the justice work of the UUSC and the remarkable work we have been doing in California and around the world to make safe drinking water available for everyone.

Overcoming Social Anxiety to Recognize Belonging. For some of us, it can be hard to remember that we all belong in the interconnected web of life when we don’t even feel like we belong among our friends. Let’s explore together what it would look like to cut through our anxiety, recognize our belonging, and from that place invite our friends to join us Molly Johnson, Guest Preacher and Seminarian Rev. Dr. John Young, Worship Associate David Jones, Pianist Kate Offer, Soprano Soloist Jonathan Silk, Sound and Order of Service

The Reverend Dr. Stephen Furrer leading his last service as UUSF’s Interim Senior Minister, and joined by the incoming Interim Senior Minister, the Reverend Dr. David Sammons in which they will ceremonially hand over the ministerial reigns/mantle/keys and invite the worshipping community to renew its commitment to freedom of the pulpit and freedom of the pew.

For contemporary UUs it's easy to forget our Christian roots. The same is true for Dave Sammons. But coming off a long tenure on the board of a Progressive Christian seminary he has often wondered what it would be like if he actually were a Christian - not a Christian like you might find in a conservative church, but the kind of Christian one is being taught to be at a progressive school, like the one on whose board he sat. The Rev. Dr. David Sammons, Consulting Minister The Reverend Dr. Stephen H. Furrer, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, Pianist and Song Leader Thomas Yee, Violinist Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Jonathan Silk, Sound and Order of Service

Reverend Stephen Furrer shares some impressions on ministry, the sacred, church dynamics, his tenure at UUSF, and that which signifies. New Member In-gathering Ceremony during worship and a reception afterwards honoring our new members and the nearly concluded interim senior ministry of Reverend Stephen Furrer. The Rev. Dr. Stephen H. Furrer,Interim Senior Minister Christine Patch-Lindsay, Worship Associate George Cavage, Membership Chair Christine Tulis, Harpist and Vocalist Ken Stralka, Percussionist and Keyboardist Kerry Parker, Order of Service Support; Amy Kelly, Flowers Eric Rawlins, Sound; Kate Offer, Song Leader

What If ? -- Complete delivered by The Rev. Alyson Jacks June 9, 2013 at 11:00 am The Rev. Alyson Jacks, Interim Director of Religious Education Christine Patch-Lindsay, Worship Associate Charmaine Emery, San Francisco Threshold Choir Director Members of the San Francisco and Bay Area Threshold Choirs Members of the UC Berkeley Alumni Chorus Eric Shackelford, Baritone Soloist Kerry Parker, Order of Service Support

The 3rd Grade Rites of Passage service where four young theologians pose their BIG QUESTIONS to Revs. Furrer and Jacks. The 3rd grade Rites of Passage class and the culminating service has been part of our church community since 1993 and is a highlight of the church year.  The ROP program was created to strengthen our children's relationship to their church and honor their ongoing religious development. Join us for this special Sunday service.  There's a good chance that the questions we'll consider this Sunday are your questions too. Under the direction of Music Director Dr. Mark Sumner and Bell Choir Director Reiko Lane, there will be fantastic music.  In addition, we will have a special presentation of the Rites of Passage gift to our Society. The Rev. Dr. Stephen H. Furrer, Interim Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Interim Religious Education Director Dr. Mark Sumner, Choir Director Reiko Oda Lane, Bell Choir Director Rachel King, 3rd Grade Rites of Passage Teaching Team Da

Rev Dr. Steve Furrer on the power and enchantment of our memories will consider the question of what it means to memorialize, as the weekend observances will do across the land.

Rev Joel Scholefield will share memories of growing up in the long-ago-sold church parsonage in Pacific Heights. Joel is an award-winning elementary school in Berkeley; despite doing it for 20 years, it was his second career. During his first career, Joel served UU congregations in Indiana, New York, and California. The Rev. Joel Scholefield, Guest Minister Rev. Dr. John Young, Worship Associate Chris Waltz, Vocalist, Guitarist and Flautist David Jones, Pianist Jonathan Silk, Podcast

Mother’s Day Observed in music, story, and song. “Healing Touches and Songs,” Rev Furrer affirming what we love about motherhood…and what make us—many of us—chafe. How new patterns of love allow ancient instincts to breath in one’s heart.

Reverend Stephen Furrer and members of the SGM celebrate a key ministry of our congregation and how it resonates with not only in the hearts of many current members, but with the heart of historical UU tradition. Brief ceremony honoring this year’s Small Group Ministry Facilitators.

The second of two April sermons on ministry and UUSF, by Interim Senior Minister Steve Furrer. Hearing, following, accepting a “call” is woven, somehow, into the heart of the ministry. When it comes to actually calling a minister accepted congregational practices and the UUSF bylaws also play important parts. Some thoughts on what ministry looks like…and how—with your input—it looks even better.

What does it mean to be a part of a church community? Dave Sammons' thesis is that it's about more than the things like good music, programs and a sympathetic staff, as important as these things are. There's something about "being here" that matters. So, he'd like to explore what the "being here" involves.

The first of two April sermons by Interim Senior Minister Reverend Stephen Furrer seeking to first pose and then answer the question: by what authority does a Unitarian Universalist minister speak? On what basis does a minister in our tradition base her or his authority? Catholics claim apostolic succession; other traditions make other claims. What are ours?

Reflections, Dreams & Thoughts. Margaret Fuller made the case for beloved communities that were both politically radical and spiritually wholesome. Reverends Alyson Jacks, David Sammons, and Margot Campbell Gross share their understanding of how it is that church’s matter, and—in particular—the church at 1187 Franklin Street. The Rev. Dr. Stephen H. Furrer, Interim Senior Minister The Rev. Dr. David Sammons, Consulting Minister The Rev. Margot Campbell Gross, Minister Emerita The Rev. Alyson Jacks, Interim Director of Religious Education Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Thomas Yee, Violinist Jonathan Silk, Order of Service, Sound and Recording CANVASS TEAM 2013-2014 Jim Valent, Chair Kiam Cua Susan Anthony Laurence Pulgram Shirly Gibson Rebecca Lyon David Jones

The Deeper Affirmation of Yes Easter and the renewal of hope and creativity wherever love abides. The Rev. Dr. Stephen H. Furrer, Interim Senior Minister The Rev. Dr. David Sammons, Consulting Minister The Rev. Alyson Jacks, Interim Director of Religious Education Alison Rittger, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Reiko Oda Lane, Organist & Bell Choir Director Wm. García Ganz, Pianist Tom Dambly, Trumpeter Peer, Religious Education Student Till, Religious Education Student Margot, 3rd Grade Rites of Passage Student Zuzu, 3rd Grade Rites of Passage Student Mariella, 3rd Grade Rites of Passage Student Tita, 3rd Grade Rites of Passage Student Jonathan Silk, Order of Service, Sound and Recording

“To Spring, To Leap, To Jump Over Lightly” Reverend Furrer on Passover and Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem—a mythic reappraisal. The Rev. Dr. Stephen H. Furrer, Interim Senior Minister Alison Rittger, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Jiun-Chyi Yew, Soprano Soloist Wm. García Ganz, Pianist Jonathan Silk, Order of Service, Sound and Recording

“The Two Cultures” By Dr. John E. Hearst. English chemist and novelist C.P. Snow’s 1959 essay "The Two Cultures" lamented what he saw as a growing disconnect between scientists and "literary intellectuals." UC Emeritus Professor of Chemistry John Hearst has resolved to bridge this gap by reaching across the aisle, so to speak: a man of science speaking to people of faith. The Rev. Dr. Stephen H. Furrer, Interim Senior Minister The Rev. Alyson Jacks, Interim Director of Religious Education Dr. John E. Hearst, Guest Preacher Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director, Pianist Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Judy Fjell, Guitarist and Vocalist Jonathan Silk, Order of Service, Sound and Recording