Complete Service-first Unitarian Universalist Society Of San Francisco

"Giving it Up for Lent" (March 14, 2021) Worship Service I am not one for giving up chocolate or ice cream.  Those kinds of punishing practices never work for me -- I once "gave up soda" for a week and drank more soda in that week than the previous month. But there are some things I'd like to give up. How about you? Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Sam King, Worship Associate Wonder Dave, Annual Operating Fund Campaign Reiko Oda Lane, organist Mark Sumner, conductor/pianist Brielle Marina Neilson, soprano Leandra Ramm, alto Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor Asher Davison, bass Eric Shackelford, camera Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support Alex Darr, Coffee Hour Zoom Thomas Brown, Sexton Carrie Steere-Salazar, flowers Joseph Gonzalez, cover image https://unsplash.com/@miracletwentyone Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, video edits Order of Service: https://content.uusf.org/Order_Of_Service/2021/20210314OSWeb.pdf Music: https://content.uusf.org/Sound/20210314Music.mp3   Reflection: https://c

"Times Like These" (March 7, 2021) Worship Service To stand in important moments, in the midst of historic chapters is to do our part. And to wonder about all those historic chapters, and generous, courageous shoulders that came before ours. Meg McGuire, Ministerial Intern Gayle Reynolds & Keith Hollon, Annual Operating Fund Drive Reiko Oda Lane, organist Mark Sumner, conductor/pianist Michele Kennedy, soprano Leandra Ramm, alto Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor Asher Davison, bass Eric Shackelford, camera Shulee Ong, camera Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support Les James, Coffee Hour Zoom Thomas Brown, Sexton Judy Payne, flowers Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, video edits Order of Service: https://content.uusf.org/Order_Of_Service/2021/20210307OSWeb.pdf Music: https://content.uusf.org/Sound/20210307Music.mp3

"Love and Accountability" (February 28, 2021) Worship Service Accountability can sound unpleasant, even scary, but what if it didn’t have to be? Disability justice educator and writer Mia Mingus offers a dream of what accountability can be- one that might support us in living into our work as a congregation. Meg McGuire, Ministerial Intern Carmen Barsody, Worship Associate Daniel Jackoway, Worship Associate Mari Magaloni, 8th Principle Task Force Liz Strand, 8th Principle Task Force Mark Sumner, song leader/pianist Eric Hamilton, guitarist Brielle Marina Neilson, song leader Jon Silk, drums Eric Shackelford, camera Shulee Ong, camera Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support Les James, Coffee Hour Zoom Thomas Brown, Sexton Judy Payne, flowers Alex Perez, cover image, https://unsplash.com/@a2eorigins Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, video edits Order of Service: https://content.uusf.org/Order_Of_Service/2021/20210228OSWeb.pdf Music: https://content.uusf.org/Sound/20210228Music.mp3 Reflection: https://content.uusf

"Being Ready" (February 21, 2021) Worship Service This month the Minister's Book Club is reading John Lewis's Memoir (written with Michael D'Orso) "Walking with the Wind" and it has me thinking about the idea of being ready. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Meg McGuire, Ministerial Intern Richard Davis-Lowell, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organist Mark Sumner, conductor Leandra Ramm, soprano Brielle Marina Neilson, alto Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor Asher Davison, bass Eric Shackelford, camera Shulee Ong, camera Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support Les James, Coffee Hour Zoom Thomas Brown, Sexton Amy Kelly, flowers Waranont (Joe), cover image, https://unsplash.com/@tricell1991 Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, video edits Order of Service: https://content.uusf.org/Order_Of_Service/2021/20210221OSWeb.pdf Music: https://content.uusf.org/Sound/202102021Music.mp3 Reflection: https://content.uusf.org/Sound/Reflections/20210221RDLReflection.mp3

"Lessons of Love" (February 14, 2021) Worship Service Years ago I read an article in some low-brow magazine in which a woman was reflecting on what she had taken away from all the past relationships that were long gone. Broken hearts (or breaking hearts) was only part of the story. Learning French, because she fell in love with a Frenchman, was one. There was a laundry list of how love had changed her from the superficial to the enduring. Lessons in Love. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Don Wiepert, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organist Leandra Ramm, soprano Brielle Marina Neilson, alto Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor Asher Davison, bass Mark Sumner, pianist Eric Shackelford, camera Shulee Ong, camera Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support Les James, Coffee Hour Zoom Thomas Brown, Sexton Amy Kelly, flowers engin akyurt,cover https://unsplash.com/@enginakyurt Jude Beck cover https://unsplash.com/@judebeck Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound Order of Service: https://content.uusf.org/Order_Of_Service/2021/2

"The Year of the Ox" (February 7, 2021) Worship Service Lunar New Year, begins next week Friday, February 12th. Although I am not in a family that has celebrated Lunar New Year,  many in our community do which is such a gift.  Especially this year, this Year of the Ox. Reading about this figure -- hardworking, reliable, honest and loyal -- am I the only one who finds herself thirsting for a world and a Year re-animated by the virtues of the Ox? Let's celebrate that! Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Dennis Adams, Worship Associate Lori Lai, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organist Leandra Ramm, soprano Brielle Marina Neilson, alto Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor Asher Davison, bass My-Hoa Steger, pianist Mark Sumner, conductor Eric Shackelford, camera Shulee Ong, camera Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support Alex Darr, Coffee Hour Zoom Thomas Brown, Sexton Carrie Steere-Salazar, flowers Macau Photo Agency, oos photo - https://unsplash.com/@macauphotoagency Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound,

"The Wonder of Being Alive" (January 31, 2021) Worship Service Being alive is more than just existing, more than not being dead. Adjectives abound when we talk about being alive. We can be animated. Lively. Alert. Awake. Being alive, to me, is about being in relationship. For some of us, we feel most alive when we are with other people. Others find their aliveness in nature. Many find it in art, particularly the making of art.  As we begin the slow return to spring, let’s spend some time imagining what it means to be alive in this world. Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Sam King, Worship Associate Larry Chinn, pianist Asher Davison, song leader Mark Sumner, accompanist Eric Shackelford, camera Shulee Ong, camera Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support Alex Darr, Coffee Hour Zoom Thomas Brown, Sexton Carrie Steere-Salazar, flowers Em bé khóc nhè, cover image Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Video Edits Order of Service: https://content.uusf.org/Order_Of_Service/2021/20210131OSWeb.pdf Music: https

"The Nature of Religious Experience and the Power of Knowing" (January 24, 2021) Worship Service William James in his classic text, "The Varieties of Religious Experience" outlines the qualities common to so-called religious experiences. One of them is knowing. It may be the hardest for UU's to reckon with and it may be the quality that we most need to get in touch with now in our life as a nation. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Meg McGuire, Ministerial Intern Richard Davis-Lowell, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organist My-Hoa Stegger, pianist & soprano Leandra Ramm, soprano Brielle Marina Neilson, alto Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor Asher Davison, bass Mark Sumner, conductor/pianist Members of the UC Men’s and Women’s Chorales, Berkeley, Morgan Nilsen, clarinet Jim Rebhan, accordion Eric Shackelford, camera Shulee Ong, camera Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support Alex Darr, Coffee Hour Zoom Thomas Brown, Sexton Judy Payne, flowers Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Video Edits Order of Service: ht

Saying "I'm Sorry" (January 17, 2021) Worship Service What is a "good apology" one with grace and authenticity of the kind that makes it land and gives it the power, or just potential power, to heal. It's always relevant, and more so perhaps today to have this skill at hand. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Meg McGuire, Ministerial Intern Dennis Adams, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organist Eric Shackelford, soloist Leandra Ramm, soprano Brielle Marina Neilson, alto Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor Asher Davison, bass Mark Sumner, conductor/pianist Eric Shackelford, camera Shulee Ong, camera Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support Alex Darr, Coffee Hour Zoom Thomas Brown, Sexton Judy Payne, flowers Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Video Edits Order of Service: https://content.uusf.org/Order_Of_Service/2021/20210117OSWeb.pdf Music: https://content.uusf.org/Sound/20210117Music.mp3 Reflection: https://content.uusf.org/Sound/Reflections/20210117DAReflection.mp3

“Homosexuality and the Bible" (January 10, 2021) Worship Service So much harm has been done in the name of religion and for many of us, in our lifetimes, that means messages about what it means to be LGBTQ and Christianity, grounded, we are told, in the Bible.  Hmmm.  I invite us to dig a little deeper to know the truth and understand our liberation from the lies, and maybe take some time for some healing too. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Carmen Barsody, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organist Christine Tulis, harpist Asher Davison, song leader Eric Shackelford, camera Shulee Ong, camera Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support Alex Darr, Coffee Hour Zoom Thomas Brown, Sexton Amy Kelly, flowers Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Video Order of Service: https://content.uusf.org/Order_Of_Service/2021/20210110OSWeb.pdf Music: https://content.uusf.org/Sound/20210110Music.mp3 Reflection: https://content.uusf.org/Sound/Reflections/20210110CBReflection.mp3

“Whole Enough" (January 3, 2021) Worship Service It’s a new year. How does this season of intentions and fresh starts shape how we see ourselves- and one another? And how might we want it to? Meg McGuire, Ministerial Intern Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Michael Bossier, TWZ Player Lori Lai, TWZ Player Meg McGuire, TWZ Player Don Shearer, TWZ Player Leslie Trook, TWZ Player The Harmony People: Anjalisa and Gary Garrett Reiko Oda Lane, organist Mark Sumner, conductor Leandra Ramm, soprano Brielle Marina Neilson, alto Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor Asher Davison, bass Jon Silk, drums My-Hoa Steger, pianist Eric Shackelford, camera Shulee Ong, camera Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support Alex Darr, Coffee Hour Zoom Thomas Brown, Sexton Amy Kelly, flowers Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Video Order of Service: https://content.uusf.org/Order_Of_Service/2021/20210103OSWeb.pdf All Music: https://content.uusf.org/Sound/20210103Music.mp3

“Let the End be the Beginning: A Meditative Service for the New Year" (December 27, 2020) Worship Service This service will be a time structured for meditative reflection on the year past and the year to come. Be prepared to sit with your own thoughts, take notes. It's a time to take stock, stand like Janus, the ancient god of transitions, a face pointed in each of two directions, forward and backward, before stepping into the new year. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Sam King, Worship Associate Radim Zenkl, multi-instrumentalist Reiko Oda Lane, organist Mark Sumner, director Leandra Ramm, soprano Brielle Marina Neilson, alto Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor Asher Davison, bass 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/2020/20201227OSWeb.pdf

“Christmas Eve Service" (December 24, 2020) Worship Service Join us for Christmas Eve, the familiar story, music, just bring your own candle and have it ready. After service we will also have a Zoom gathering for Caroling. It won't be like any Christmas Eve before but it will be familiar and a chance to usher in the night together. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Meg McGuire, Ministerial Intern Richard Davis-Lowell, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organist/handbell choir director Mark Sumner, conductor Tom Dambly, trumpeter Leandra Ramm, soprano Brielle Marina Neilson, alto Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor Asher Davison, bass VanNessa Hulme Silbermann, soprano Derek Silbermann, keyboard UCAC, UC Chorale & UUSF choristers UUSF Handbell Choir 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_Servi

“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