Complete Service-first Unitarian Universalist Society Of San Francisco

"Millie Phillips Ordination Service" (January 26, 2020) On January 26th, at 6PM in our Sanctuary we ordained into UU Ministry Millie Phillips. Millie is a long time member and lay leader in the congregation who completed her studies at the Starr King School of the Ministry and was cleared for ordination this past spring by the denomination. As is the custom of Unitarian Universalism it is a congregation that ordains people into ministry and ours voted this fall at a special meeting to ordain Millie. Rev. Millie Phillips Rev. Christopher Bell, Senior Minister Rev. Dr. Dorsey O. Blake, Presiding Minister Rev. Cat Cox, Spiritual Director Rev. Margot Campbell Gross, Minister Emerita Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Carrie Steere-Salazar, Moderator, Board of Trustees Stephen Schwichow, Ordination Committee Chair Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Dr. Amy Kelly, Ordination Committee Eric Langhirt, Ordination Committee Jan and Howard Oringer, Ordination Committee Stephen Schwichow, chair, Ordinatio

"Who Are You to Judge?" (January 26, 2020) These days everyone's a critic. We all make judgments, good and bad, some with lasting and profound effects. Judgement assumes thoughtful deliberation, but we've all had occasion to make a snap judgement now and then. What forms and informs our ability to judge? When we strive to be non-judgmental, what role does judgement play? Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Sharon Weld, Ministerial Intern Reiko Oda Lane, organ Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Christopher Rodriguez, Trustee Shulee Ong, Camera Operator Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

"Honesty and Legacy II: Inspecting the Family Tree" (January 19, 2020) Once we hit on the idea that our legacy as a person, a family or a nation is tied inextricably to our history, we have to own the responsibility to dig into that history, especially the parts that got papered over or conveniently forgotten. We looked at that in November (or started to) around the United State’s history with Native and Indigenous peoples. Let’s look this morning at two families and their journeys and just some of what they unearthed and had/have to reckon with. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Don Wiepert, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organ Wm. García Ganz, guest conductor Eric Shackelford, soloist Judy Payne, Board Secretary Don Shearer, Camera Operator Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

"Religious Experience and the Ascent of Mount Ventoux" (January 12, 2020) Fourteenth Century poet and scholar, Frencesco Petrarca, more commonly known as Petrarch was part of the early Italian Renaissance. He was also Catholic and is widely considered one of the first humanists. At 32, he and his brother and two servants ascended Mount Ventoux. The journey up (and down) would be a turning point in his life. And the story raises the question, what is “religious experience”? Moreover is it important and if so, how, and so what? Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Sam King, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organ Roy Zimmerman, guitar/vocalist Ben Rudiak-Gould, song leader Linda Harris, UUSC Scott Benbow, Trustee Gino Fortunato, Auction Vanessa Vanderlaan, Camera Operator Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

Angels Among Us (December 24, 2019) Please join us for a retelling of the story of Christmas, for carols and candlelight and an invitation for the spirit of the season to take hold of us! This year there will be no pageant, but plenty of story telling, candles, gorgeous music of all kinds, and magic. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister; Sharon Weld, Ministerial Intern Richard Davis Lowell, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Reiko Oda Lane, organ and bell choir director Nancy Cooke Munn, soloist Laurel Sprigg, soloist Brielle Nelson, soloist Asher Davison, soloist Ellen McEntire Cowan, soloist Eric Shackelford, Camera Don Shearer, lights Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

The Big Question (January 5, 2020) Is there a difference between believing that God exists and believing in God? Rev. Dr. David Usher, Guest Minister Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Lisanicole Sarkisian, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organ Eric Hamilton, guitar Shanon Warto, song leader Reece Heart, Trustee Joe Chapot, Camera Operator Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

The End (December 29, 2019) In the last weekend of 2019, we’ve reached “the end” of a chapter: the end of this year and the end of this decade. We spend much of our lives reading and watching stories that draw neatly to a close, but in our messy real-world lives, “the end” so often brings more ambiguity than clarity. So how do we bring this chapter to a close, and open the next? Rev. Seanan Fong, Guest Minister Sharon Weld, Ministerial Intern Dennis Adams, Worship Associate Nanette McGuinness, soprano My-Hoa Steger, piano/accompanist VanNessa Hulme, song leader Lori Lai, Board Treasurer Eric Shackelford, Camera Operator Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

Blinded by the Light (December 22, 2019) As we honor the time of Hanukkah along with so many other holidays that speak of light, of miracles, of hope, we gather to do the same. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Carmen Barsody, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director and Harpsicord Reiko Oda Lane, organ Ellen McEntire Cowan, soloist Asher Davison, song leader Don Shearer, Camera Operator Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

Hanging of the Greens: A Multigenerational Extravaganza! (December 15, 2019) This is a service that was created by the Princeton UU Church and made its way through many congregations and this year makes its debut with us. Honoring the longest days of the year, the ancient traditions of bringing in greens to remind us of what is alive in the depths of winter, we will gather, sing, create, move around the building, drink cider and revel as people of all ages, together, celebrating the all of it. Come join. Risk the experiment of this Sunday! Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Sharon Weld, Ministerial Intern Sam King, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Reiko Oda Lane, organ Bill Ganz, piano Don Shearer, Camera Operator Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

what are we waiting for? (December 8, 2019) For many people this time of year is one of waiting…for the sun to return, the people to come together, the lamp to burn long enough, for the Savior to be born. This morning will be a time for each of us to reflect, what are we really waiting for? The Offering this morning will go to Kopanang, the women’s empowerment group in South Africa, founded by Sister Sheila in 2001. This congregation has been contributing to Kopanang for the past nineteen years, and our support has been crucial to this community living in the area of shacks, riven by poverty, violence, and AIDS. Sadly, this year Sister Sheila will not be with us, she is in Australia recovering from a bad fall. Rev. Margot Campbell Gross, Minister Emerita Carmen Barsody, Worship Associate Sharon Weld, Ministerial Intern VanNessa Hulme, soloist Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Reiko Oda Lane, organ & bell choir director VanNessa Hulme, soloist Eric Shackleford, Trustee Don Shearer, Camera Operator Jona

A Pearl of Great Price (December 1, 2019) This service is about the value in finding the "work of one’s life”…  despite the challenges / obstacles … finding that thing that lights up one’s eyes and life. … mostly an optimistic intention that also acknowledges what is hard. Sharon Weld, Ministerial Intern Don Wiepert, Worship Associate Mark Sumner, piano Andrés Vera, cello My-Hoa Steger, piano Shannon Warto, song leader Amy Kelly, Trustee Eric Shackelford, camera Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

The Ultimate MassUp (November 24, 2019) This Sunday is BIG MUSIC Sunday. If you've never been to one, hold on to your hat and be sure to fasten your seat belts. Actually, DO grab a seat and belt yourself in. We sold out last Sunday at Hertz Hall in Berkeley and those who sat in the aisles may come again THIS SUNDAY to experience it again---to say nothing of those planning to spend $20 at the door who were turned away. It fills up the service in several ways this Sunday, complete with an actual programme and a freewill donation towards our "Alex Post" Fund which support special sharing of this kind in the future. With a chorus of 180, soloists and 45-piece orchestra (If you extrapolate the Hamilton orchestra with this, the comparable ticket price would be over $4,000) we would not want to perform for a congregation smaller than the performing forces! The balcony will be open for overflow congregants. You will NOT want to miss "The Ultimate Mass-Up....a mash-up of movements from the greatest masses ever wri

Happiness is.... (November 17, 2019) Ancient philosophers have talked about happiness. Religions have weighed in on what it means for us and how to find it. And ever since the launching of the field of positive psychology, the study (rigorous, measurable, double-blind and controlled studies) of what makes us happy has confirmed some of what we always knew, but also dismantled some of what we thought we knew would make us happy. Where does knowing all this leave us? Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Daniel Jackoway, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organ Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Judy Payne, Board Secretary Shulee Ong, video camera Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

Authenticity and the Price of Being Most Fully Human and Yourself (November 10, 2019) Later this month on November 20th it will be Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day to remember all those whose lives were lost in anti-transgender violence. It raises the larger question of why? And the struggles of transgender folks, a high number of whom take their own lives too. At heart, though, the struggle is so familiar, isn't it? Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Lisanicole Sarkisian, Worship Associate Rev. Claire Bohman, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organ Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Eli Wise, guitar & vocals Asher Davison, vocals Carrie Steere-Salazar, Moderator Don Shearer, video camera Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits, drums

Imagine That! (October 20, 2019) I think of church as an Imaginarium, a place devoted to the exploration of the imagination. In the Imaginarium we learn to see and experience things from different angles and discover new perspectives. We open ourselves to new (and sometimes old!) ideas, widen our vision, and gain deeper understanding. Growing our imaginations takes practice, courage, and faith, which, after all, is what church is all about. Just imagine, won’t you? Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Sharon Weld, Ministerial Intern Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director VanNessa Hulme, soprano Brielle Nelson, mezzo soprano Eric, Hamilton, classical guitar Aaron Kierbel, percussion Carrie Steere-Salazar, Moderator Vanessa Vanderlaan, video camera Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

Honoring the Ancestors (November 3, 2019) This weekend is the confluence of the celebrations of the Day of the Dead in Mexican and Mexican-American communities and in Catholicism the All Saints and All Souls Days. All of them are about honoring those who have gone before, loved, gone. And so we spend a little time honoring and thinking about what it means to honor our ancestors. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Carmen Barsody, Worship Associate Sharon Weld, Ministerial Intern Anjalisa Aitken, vocals (The Harmony People) Gary Garrett, guitar & vocals (The Harmony People) My-Hoa Steger, piano Asher Davison, song leader Reece Hart, Board Trustee Max Benbow, Young Adults Don Shearer, video camera Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

Honesty and Legacy (October 13, 2019) This Monday will be Columbus Day or, as we better know it now, Indigenous People's Day. That change is a call, part of a movement to tell a whole history, a full and honest history of our nation. It is a call to talk about, not just the ideals, or the retold stories of lore, but of the moments that are not heroic but that are also stamped indelibly on our history and legacy. It is a question many of us face in our own families-of-origin, to tell truths, not just cleaned-up ones. Why do that? And what happens (or can) when we do? Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Richard Davis-Lowell, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organ Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Liz Patterson, solo Judy Payne, Board Secretary Don Shearer, video camera Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

The Cost of Turning (October 6, 2019) Yom Kippur and the Days of Awe that precede it ask us turn back to God, or whatever we know and name as holy or as the desired to ground of our being. What does it take to make that turning in our lives? What does it cost us? And what does it make room for? Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Lisanicole Sarkisian, Worship Associate Sharon Weld, Ministerial Intern Reiko Oda Lane, organ William Klingelhoffer, shofar Jill Brindel, cello Matthew Arnerich, piano Diane Frank, poem Ben Rudiak Gould, song leader Scott Benbow, Trustee Shullee Ong, video camera Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

A Caring Community (September 29, 2019) Each week we remind ourselves of our covenant to “dwell together in peace, to seek the truth in freedom, and to help one another.” This Sunday we explore the various pastoral ministries of the community, designed to facilitate mutual helping and care. What are some of the ways each of us might be involved in these ministries? How do they contribute to congregational life? Rev. Pamela Gehrke, Assistant Minister Daniel Jackoway, Worship Associate Mark Sumner, piano Reiko Oda Lane, organ Eric Hamilton, guitar Asher Davison, song leader Lori Lai, Board Treasurer Shullee Ong, video camera Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

What Books Changed Your Life? (September 22, 2019) We talk about the "larger library of human wisdom" from which we draw as Unitarian Universalists. That includes, of course, poetry, history, psychology, biography -- all the places learning and insights about life and the living of it surfaces for us. What about books, then, fiction, non-fiction, have most changed us. What is our own personal scripture; what verse, so to speak, changed the course of our life in some significant way. On Sunday we will reflect a little together on books that changed our lives -- mine and a few other folks too. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Gayle Reynolds, Partner Church Carrie Steere-Salazar, Partner Church Sam King, Worship Associate Kat Liu, Worship Associate Mark Sumner, music director Reiko Oda Lane, organ Amy Kelly, Trustee Don Shearer, video camera Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits