Complete Service-first Unitarian Universalist Society Of San Francisco

Healing, Resistance, and a Hole in the Roof What does it take for us to be healed, as individuals and as communities? What does healing have to do with resistance (or with a hole in the roof, for that matter)? Stories from the Faithful Fools weekly "Conversation of Biblical Proportions." Rev. Mary Ganz, Assistant Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Dennis Adams, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, music director Reiko Oda Lane, organ Asher Davison, song leader Margaret Pearce, Food Bank Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting

Written But Not Yet Sealed These are the Days of Awe. It is time when the work of atonement (at-one-ness) is supposed to be our focus. It's our last chance to fix a year's wounds, wrongs, missteps. What would it mean to live that way? Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Richard Davis, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, piano Asher Davison, song leader Andres Vera , cello Molly Mahoney , soprano Rev. John Young, Social Justice Ministry Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting

The Perfect Day Sabbath seems like such an old word, but particularly as articulated in the Jewish Tradition it is a gorgeous, but forgotten, notion of what helps shape and ground a rich, full life. What is Sabbath? Perhaps more countercultural and radical an idea than we think. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Ben Bear, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, Choir Director Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Jonah Berquist, Task Force on Future Ministry Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting

Coffee in the Desert The ancient rite or obligation of hospitality is just that, ancient and sacred. From the Bedoin people and the Greeks, to the Jews and then the Christians; on the Indian subcontinent and everywhere where people once were strangers and could not forget how powerful it was to be welcomed. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Rev. Mary McKinnon Ganz, Affiliated Community Minister Dr. Mark Sumner, music director Reiko Oda Lane, organ Bill Ganz, piano Asher Davison, song leader Galen Workman, moderator Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting

Work That is Real In honor of Labor Day, we will be hosting Rev. Ben Meyers , who will share what he and his congregation in San Mateo learned in their experience working with local labor and partners for justice for workers at SFO. Effectively lobbying the Airport Commission to break a wage freeze on food workers. Rev. Ben Meyers, Guest Minister Daniel Jackoway, Worship Associate The San Francisco Labor Chorus Pat Wynne, SSFLC Music Director Dr. Mark Sumner, piano Asher Davison, song leader Harry Moren, Family Faith Committee Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting

Fresh Starts We've all had particular moments in our lives that stay with us. A time where we felt alive, awake, open and present. Full-bodied moments. Do you remember the first time you fell in love? Took a stand for justice? What about those beginner steps that set you on a religious path? This Sunday we'll reflect on the meaning of time, how we move through it, trying to feel the fullness of each moment as it passes. Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Richard Davis, Worship Associate Dan Frechette, guitar and vocals Laurel Thomsen, violin and vocals Dr. Mark Sumner, piano Shannon Warto, song leader Elaine Pratt, Welcome Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting

In the Present Moment If seasons of the year invite different seasons of the soul, what about summer invites us to focus more on being in the present moment? How do we do that? What gets in the way? And how do we take the best of that practice into the frenetic busyness of the year that waits just beyond Labor Day? Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Phil Marshall, Worship Associate Ted Rust, oboe Viva Knight, piano Dr. Mark Sumner, piano Asher Davison, song leader Gayle Reynolds, Welcome Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting

Together: A Reflection on Small Group Ministry At the start of UUSF's new ministry with Reverend Vanessa Rush Southern, an exploration of what it means to come together, to gather, in an intentional way. What do we give up? What do we gain? In Small Group Ministry, we commit —for a specified time—to meet in small groups, to explore and share our spiritual journeys, and deepen our friendships. Millie Phillips, Guest Preacher Judith Stoddard, Small Group Ministry Elaine Pratt, Small Group Ministry Coordinator Laura Pedersen, Small Group Ministry Judith Stoddard, Small Group Ministry Laurel Sprigg, soprano Daniel Lockert, piano Dr. Mark Sumner, piano Asher Davison, song leader Carrie Steere-Salazar, Welcome Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting

The Enduring Purpose of Religious Community All specific congregational mission statements aside, why do we come together and what is it we're supposed to be doing here? What is it communities like ours have been about for centuries and should always be about? What is our enduring purpose for being? Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Reiko Oda Lane, piano Bill Ganz, conductor Elliott Etzkorn, accompanist Galen Workman, Welcome Kathleen Quenneville, Task Force on Future Ministry Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting

Thriving in Difficult Times Difficulty can arise in any arena of our lives: partners, children, friends, work, health, finances, church, community, politics or the larger word. When things are really bad we just hope we can survive. This morning we’ll explore possibilities for thriving in difficult times. Rev. Doug Kraft, Guest Minister Kat Liu, Worship Associate Jennifer Peringer, piano, accordion Martha Rodriguez-Salazar, percussion, vocals Members from the 94110 Protest Band Catherine Jameson, soprano Shannon Warto, soprano Asher Davison, song leader Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting

Surrender to the Weight of Being Healed Surrender to the Weight of Being Healed: what does it mean to bear witness and change worlds? Issues can't be repaired; problems can. How do we recognize the beauty and the wounded within and beyond us, and make real and lasting change for the good? C'mon, good people! Let's to it! Rev. JD Benson, Assistant Minister Rochelle Fortier Nwadibia, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, piano Catherine Jameson, soprano Elliott Etzkorn, accompaniment Asher Davison, song leader John Young, Welcome Leslie Ottaviano, Sound Jonathan Silk, OOS, Podcasting

What Do A Billion Muslims Have To Teach Us About Unitarian Universalism? Islam, the second largest religion in the world, could be thought of as a Unitarian heresy. Like American Unitarians 1200 years later, Muhammad and his followers regarded Jesus as a prophet, but not a God. They believed that the kingdom of God belonged to all people, not just a chosen few. In many ways Islam and Unitarianism share a certain kinship, particularly in relation to the Judeo-Christian tradition. At the same time, there are vast differences. Islam arose in the 7th century on the Arabian Peninsula among Bedouins. American Unitarianism arose in the 19th century among the "Boston Brahmins". Islam asserted itself in the language of poetry. Unitarianism asserted itself in the language of reason. Today, Unitarians are among the most vocal allies of Muslims in the United States and Rumi is one of our favorite poets. And yet, we know so little about the textual tradition of Islam. Let's explore a bit of that tradition and see what it

Strange Foolishness: Meditations on Political Correctness “Strange Foolishness: Meditations on Political Correctness.” -- Is Unitarian Universalism "a chapel of political correctness,” as some have charged? -- (and is that a bad thing?) ... We try to untangle the cultural, theological, and political threads that impact our thinking, our speaking, and the way we are together. Rev. Mary McKinnon Ganz, Affiliated Community Minister Alex Darr, Worship Associate Wm. Garcia Ganz, piano Joanne de Mars, cello Asher Davison, song leader Carrie Steere-Salazar, Welcome Jonathan Silk, OOS,Sound and Podcasting

Mend Thine Every Flaw, A Sermon for America's Birthday What makes America great? And what exactly do we need to go back to make it great again? The Reverend Dr. David Keyes finds parallels between the ancient Israelites’ desire to ignore Moses and go back to what they knew, even if that was slavery, and the American citizens whose discomfort with a changing world prompted them to elect Donald Trump president. Having spent most of his professional life serving as an interim minister, Dr. Keyes can speak eloquently to the stresses of change. Come hear what he has to tell us about it. Rev. Dr. David Keyes, Guest Minister Lucy Smith, Worship Associate Lary Chinn, piano Nanette McGuinness,soprano Asher Davison, song leader Galen Workman, ofertory sentence Jonathan Silk, OOS,Sound and Podcasting

Not Knowing - The Resistance to Certainty Rev. Sonya, now Minister to the UU Congregation of Tuolumne County in Sonora, preached an earlier version of this sermon to the UUs of Oakland as part of a recent UUA “teach-in” series on the issue. If you have any lingering concerns, questions, or thoughts on this topic, please do feel free to e-mail her at sonya.sukalski@comcast.net - she'd love to hear from you! In particular, it is her sincere hope that lifting up some stories of UUs of Color will move people to go deeper. Rev. Sonya Sukalski, Guest Minister Phil Marshall, Worship Associate Mark Sumner, piano Asher Davison, song leader Allen Biggs, percussion Fred Morgan, percussion Scott Benbow, welcome Jonathan Silk, OOS,Sound and Podcasting

Confessions of A Curious Cleric: Reflections On 45 Years of Ministry We each bring our own gifts. Ministry is something we all do. John will confess what he wishes he had done differently. Perhaps to inspire us to stay curious and open to what the future may unfold. The Choir will end with the Forman Benediction by Daniel Pinkham, composed in John’s honor for his last service as UUA President. Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Rev. JD Benson, Assistant Minister Rev. Gwen Langdoc Buehrens Kathleen Quenneville, welcome and reflection Rev. Lindi Ramsden Rev. Dr. Marilyn Sewell Rev. Dr. David Sammons Rev. John Young Rev. David Keyes Rev. Meg Whitaker-Greene Reiko Oda Lane, organ Mark Sumner, music director Jonathan Silk, OOS,Sound and Podcasting

The Curious Case Of This Congregation and Of Schrodinger’s Cat These last three years have been among the happiest and most satisfying of my professional life. Yet UUSF still suffers from some self-defeating understandings of itself. As “Developmental Minister” I will play therapist to try to help you to change the narrative. Worship will include a covenant with Lay Chaplains. Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Rev. JD Benson, Assistant Minister Susan Anthony, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organ Asher Davison, song leader Katrina Walter, flute Adrienne Malley, oboe Jeannie Psomas, clarinet Patrick Johnson-Whitty, bassoon Leslie Hart, french horn Margaret Halbig, piano Joe Chapot, welcome Nathan Gandrud, OOS Jonathan Silk, sound and podcasting

Inquiring Minds Want To Know: A Question Box Sermon Worship Associate Richard Davis and I will pick the 10 best questions for me to answer. Briefly. The Choir will sing Rumi’s “Come, Come, Whoever You Are,” in English, Spanish and Chinese. We will thank the facilitators of Small Group Ministry. The Bell Choir will perform. Bike to Worship Sunday! Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Richard Davis, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organ Dr. Mark Sumner, music director Asher Davison, song leader Christopher Rodriguez, welcome Nathan Gandrud, OOS Leslie Ottaviano, sound Jonathan Silk, podcasting

Practicing Love Our pulpit guest on Memorial Day weekend is a lay member of the UU Congregation of Santa Rosa, a Marriage and Family Therapist, and recipient of several district awards as an outstanding lay preacher. Dennis Adams will serve as Worship Associate. Andres Vera, cello, and Randy Adams, piano, will provide music. Meanwhile, our ministers will be with 100+ members & friends at the annual All-Church Retreat, practicing community-building in a less formal and relaxed setting at the CYO Camp in Occidental. Please join us, one place or the other! Jan Ogren, Guest Preacher Dennis Adams, Worship Associate Andres Vera, cello Randy Adams, piano Galen Workman, welcome Nathan Gandrud, OOS Leslie Ottaviano, sound Jonathan Silk, podcasting

Community as Sanctuary . . . and more The mission statement of UUSF says that we exist “to be a sanctuary for individual religious growth and learning, to celebrate life and worship in diverse fellowship, to bear witness to suffering and joy, and to work for peace and justice in our world.” Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Phil Marshall, Worship Associate Jiun-Chyi Yew & Maria Solis, sopranos Dr. Mark Sumner & David Jones, accompanists Asher Davison, song leader Alan Alpert, tenor Carrie Steere-Salazar, welcome Leslie Ottaviano, sound - recording Jonathan Silk, OOS and podcasting