Complete Service-first Unitarian Universalist Society Of San Francisco

Worship is constantly changing. The root of the word goes back to the Anglo-Saxon “worth -shaep.” The constant purpose being to help give shape to what is of true worth, to shape our inner lives that way. Taking off from an essay on religion in an age of science, John will discuss how rock concerts, intimate groups, and even astronomy offer aspects of what we seek – but not the whole. Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Susan Anthony, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Reiko Oda Lane, organist Wm. García Ganz, piano Judy Payne, trustee Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound & Worship Archives/Podcast

The Soul as Inner Connection The late Malvina Reynolds, a Bay Area Unitarian activist and singer-songwriter, once wrote a prose piece she called her “Soul Book,” arguing that the soul is something we acquire in the course of living rather than something inherent. Whether you believe the soul exists or not, is inherent or acquired, we hope you’ll find your own soul expanded by the reflection offered by Ben Bear.   Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Ben Bear, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Reiko Oda Lane, organist Wm. García Ganz, piano Gayle Reynolds, Vice Moderator Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound & Worship Archives/Podcast

Alienation and Reconnection Alienation, said theologian Paul Tillich, is inherent in the human condition. We live alienated from ourselves, from others, and from the very ground of our being. How then do we reconnect? Preaching for us will be a scientist turned minister, now retired from active ministry but still serving as a research scholar at Starr King School for the Ministry. John Buehrens calls Jay "one of my wisest colleagues." The Coming of Age class will provide the Message for All Ages. Rev. Dr. Jay Atkinson, Guest Minister Kat Liu, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, song leader Reiko Oda Lane, organist and bell choir director Giacomo Fiore, guitar Emily Wilson, Administrator Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound & Worship Archives/Podcast

Connecting To Beauty On Valentineís Day we will ponder eros ñ not just as sexual attraction ñ but as the divine energy that connects us to the beauty all around us. Those who are lonely, or depressed, or feel spiritually starved (and that is all of us at times) often need to practice connecting to beauty. Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Alison Rittger, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, music director Reiko Oda Lane, organist Wm. GarcÌa Ganz, piano Linda Robertshaw, percussion Reece Hart, Trustee Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound & Worship Archives/Podcast

Practicing Connection Many of us, including your Sr. Minister, are actually introverts. We have to be intentional about making a real connection with other people. Those who are natural extroverts sometimes need to be intentional about just listening. This is how the web of community is woven, in diversity. Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Milo Hanke, Worship Associate Aggie Sweeney, Fundraising Consultant to UUSF Reiko Oda Lane, organist Wm. Garcia Ganz, guest choir director James Valent, Trustee Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound & Worship Archives/Podcast

In These Hands: Embodying Justice In his latest book, Prehension: The Hand and the Emergence of Humanity, philosopher and writer Colin McGinn tells the amazing story of how the hand formed human evolution. Our hands -- with their dexterity, flexibility, precision, and sensitivity -have been instrumental in shaping the world around us, for better and for worse. The hand has also played a critical role in how we practice justice making. We carry protest signs. We feed the hungry. We plant gardens. We raise our fists, lift hammers and write letters. But it’s not just the hands. Justice making is a bodily endeavor, summoning our hands, hearts, bodies, minds and voices to act in concert. The more we practice and fine tune our justice making muscles, the better we’ll get. Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Alison Rittger, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organist Threshold Choir Bill Klingelhoffer, Trustee Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound & Worship Archives/Podcast

Holding Out For Mercy When I get to talking too much about justice, my wife Gwen is likely to say aloud, “Personally, I’m holding out for mercy.” Aren’t we all? In the effort actually to practice justice, nothing is more important than forgiving ourselves and one another as we stumble on the way. Wisdom from rabbinic tradition is relevant and will be applied. Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Phil Marshall, Worship Associate George Cavage, Membership Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Reiko Oda Lane, organist and bell choir director Wm. García Ganz, piano Peter Gross, Trustee Kate Offer and Mark Johnson, Sing-a-long Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound & Worship Archives/Podcast

Waking Up White The Black Lives Matter movement has been a wake-up call to white America. When did you wake up to issues of race in your own life? How have those early experiences helped or hindered your re-awakening in this new moment in the quest for racial justice. Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Richard Davis, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Reiko Oda Lane, organist Eric Shackelford, soloist Judy Payne, Trustee Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound & Worship Archives/Podcast

Beloved Conversations:Healing Our Way Toward Beloved Community A group of UUSF members is about to begin a curriculum called "Beloved Conversations: Meditations on Race and Ethnicity." Several other UU churches in the region are already involved. The conversation about racial justice is important. Rev. JD Benson, Assistant Minister Alex Darr, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organist Wm. García Ganz, guest conductor Rusty Harris-Bishop, soloist Galen Workman, Secretary Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound & Worship Archives/Podcast

Practicing Justice Seeking justice as an advocate or activist is one thing -- sometimes akin to serving an ideal. Practicing justice in one's life, every day, is something more concrete and challenging. William Blake said, "[Whosoever] would do good to another must do it in Minute Particulars. General Good is the plea of the scoundrel, hypocrite, and flatterer." Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Ben Bear, Worship Associate E. McEntire Cowan, mezzosoprano Laura Inserra, multi-instrumentalist David Jones, piano Christian Artmann, flute Kathleen Quenneville, Moderator Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound & Worship Archives/Podcast

Transitions Major transitions are always done in the face of fear, grief, or anxiety. Young adults Joseph Chapot and Cierdwynn Donaldson will testify to their own experiences of finishing college, becoming engaged, changing gender identity, and dealing with the death of a parent, while Rev. Buehrens leads us in preparing for a spiritually grounded transition into a New Year. Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Joseph Chapot, Young Adult Cordinator Cierdwynn Donaldson, Young Adult Reiko Oda Lane, organ Eric Hamilton, guitar Kathleen Q., Moderator Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound & Worship Archives/Podcast

Fear Not! Said The Angels Pt2 For a more contemplative experience of Christmas Eve, on the same theme. Sue Anthony will serve as Worship Associate, and soloists rather than full choir will provide the Christmas music. The Reverend John Buehrens, Senior Minister The Reverend JD Benson, Assistant Minister Susan Anthony, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Reiko Oda Lane, organ Jason Park, trumpet Kate Offer, soprano David Jones, piano Jiun-Chyi Yew, soprano Maria Solis, soprano Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound & Worship Archives/Podcast

Fear Not! Said The Angels Intergenerational service with full choir and Christmas music in a multi-generational context. Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Dr. Mark Sumner, piano, Music Director Reiko Oda Lane, organ, Bell Choir Director Jason Park, trumpet Jiun-Chyi Yew, soprano Maria Solis, soprano Kate Offer, soprano David Jones, piano Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound & Worship Archives/Podcast

Natural Fear and Historical Hope Managing our own fears and anxieties is a primary test of our faithful living, no matter what we believe or disbelieve. “What’s an angel?” asked a little girl. “Not someone who’s always good,” replied her wise mom. “But someone who teaches me about facing fear, as you sometimes do.” We’ll mark the Winter Solstice, when our early ancestors feared the sun might disappear forever and begin to sing Christmas carols. Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Kat Liu, Worship Associate Wm. Garcia Ganz, conductor Laurel Sprigg, soprano Mark Johnson, piano William Klingelhoffer, Trustee Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound & Worship Archives/Podcast

A Royal Banquet: In The Face of Fear The UUSF Choir and the UC Berkeley Alumni/ae Choir combine with an orchestra under the direction of UUSF Music Director Dr. Mark Sumner for a performance of William Walton’s BELSHAZZAR’S FEAST – with brief historical and reflective commentary by Rev. Buehrens on the story from the ancient Book of Daniel. Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Mark Sumner, Music Director Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound & Worship Archives/Podcast

Thoughts In the Presence of Fear The title is borrowed from poet, ecologist, peace advocate and essayist Wendell Berry, who wrote on this theme after 9/11. Here we are again, and on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day. What is the most faithful response to fear? -- within us, around us, and beyond our own control? Chanukah, that Jewish festival of religious freedom, begins Sunday evening, and helps to ground our spiritual andmoral reflection. Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Rev. JD Benson, Assistant Minister Reiko Oda Lane, Organist and Bell Choir Director Mark Sumner, Music Director Judy Payne, trustee Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound & Worship Archives/Podcast

Nostalgia and Expectations Thanksgiving weekend also brings us the first Sunday of Advent, the season of expectation. John’s sermon will touch on some memories – of his first Thanksgiving as a young husband; of his wife’s ordination 30 years ago this weekend – along with some thoughts about expectations. Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Sister Sheila Flynn, O.P., from the Kopanang Community in South Africa Alex Darr, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Mark Sumner, piano Steve Taylor-Ramírez, guitar and vocals Jim Valent, trustee Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound & Worship Archives/Podcast

Crossing Over   On the Sunday before Thanksgiving we celebrate Guest at Your Table Sunday, and dedicate the offering to the work of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. 75 years ago, in 1940, they began rescuing refugees from totalitarian regimes in Europe. Today they work on many fronts: economic justice; rights in crisis; environmental justice – here and all around the world. Rev. Buehrens is vice-chair of the UUSC Board. Plan to stay for a gala luncheon in celebration of UUSC’s anniversary. Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Rachel Gore Freed, UUSC VP and Chief Program Officer Ben Bear, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Mark Sumner, Music Director Emily Wilson, Director Finance & Administration Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound & Worship Archives/Podcast

Breaking Barriers: Learning to Move at the Speed of Trust When I think about barriers and boundaries, I think of Robert Frost's poem, “Mending Wall” and its famous line “ Good fences make good neighbors.” In the poem, Frost asks, “Why do they make good neighbors … Before I built a wall, I’d ask to know what I was walling in or walling out, and to whom I was like to give offense?” Boundaries serve a purpose, no doubt. But what happens when boundaries become barriers to building deeper connection and trust with others?  How do we learn to trust?  From infancy to old age, trust is key to our well-being, even our survival. Today’s service we’ll unpack trust and play with some of its core building blocks, finding ways to build bridges instead of barriers, and maybe mend some fences along the way.   Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Milo Hanke, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Mark Sumner, Music Director Reece Hart, Trustee Jonathan

All of us need “good boundaries?” But in an age of both constant electronic communications and firewalls, of more border-crossers, refugees and asylum seekers than ever how do we – how should we – respond? The service will be followed by a Town  Hall meeting about plans to make our 50 year old UU Center and historic church sanctuary more hospitable. Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Alison Rittger, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, Organist and Bell Choir Director Mark Sumner, Music Director Galen Workman, Welcome and Announcements Jonathan Silk, Sound & Worship Archives/Podcast