Complete Service-first Unitarian Universalist Society Of San Francisco

A prayer in our hymnal includes the line, “Forbid that we should feel superior to others when we are only more shielded.” Columbus Day (otherwise known as Indigenous People’s Day) seems a good time to ponder what it is that lies behind arrogance, even in ourselves. Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Phil Marshall, Worship Associate Mark Johnson, piano Thomas Yee, violin Jeuen Yee, piano Jim Valent, Welcome and Announcements Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

No one wants to “lose face, much less be humbled or humiliated. Yet few humans can escape it. What matters is how we respond. On the feast day of Francis of Assisi, some stories of spiritual response. Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Kat Liu, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, music director Reiko Oda Lane, organ and bell choir director Bill Klingelhoffer, Welcome and Announcements Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Minister Emeritus of the Mt. Diablo UU Church in Walnut Creek, Rev. Sammons served UUSF as Interim Minister before John Buehrens arrived. Let’s give him, and his wife, Jan, a warm welcome. His sermon will compare the recent book on "Character" by columnist David Brooks with the ideas of the spiritual founder of Unitarianism in America, William Ellery Channing. Rev. David Sammons, Guest Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Rev. JD Benson, Assistant Minister Dr. Mark Sumner, piano Reiko Oda Lane, organ Jiun-Chyi Yew, soprano Greg Meissner, tenor Rev. Mary Katherine Morn, UUA Emily Wilson, Welcome and Announcements Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

We mark the Jewish High Holidays with adapted liturgy and appropriate music. The central theme of the Days of Awe is teshuvah, turning and returning. John’s sermon will reflect on the need for a spirituality not of one-time repentance, but rather of continuous self-renewal – which sounds far easier than it often is. Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Alison Rittger, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, choir director Reiko Oda Lane, organ Bill Klingelhoffer, shofar Maria Solis, soprano Alexandra Sessler, soprano Judy Payne, Welcome and Announcements Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Remembering his own years as a member of the United Mine Workers, John’s sermon will mark Labor Day weekend and discuss the increasing attacks on all forms of unionization. New member Bruce Neuberger, author of  Lettuce Wars: Ten Years of Struggle in the Fields of California , will offer a reflection on his years with the United Farm Workers. Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Bruce Neuberger, Worshio Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, Song Leader Larry Chinn, jazz piano Reece Hart, Welcome and Announcements Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Our Unitarian heritage is full of examples of wise and foolish ways to understand our faith. Rev. John Buehrens will draw on his broad experience as a historian and as a leader of our denomination. Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Galen Workman, Board Secretary Dr. Mark Sumner, piano Martha Rodriguez Salazar, flute and voice Sarah Bonomo, clarinet Jennifer Peringer, piano Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

When we are young, we are taught to look both ways before crossing the street. By midlife, we’ve probably learned to look at life from both sides now. How do we keep spiritually alive when, as we age, there is so much to look back upon but life’s end is drawing closer? Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Amy Kelly, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organ Hans York, guitarist/vocalist Dr. Mark Sumner, song leader Kathleen Quenneville, welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

When we are young, we are taught to look both ways before crossing the street. By midlife, we’ve probably learned to look at life from both sides now. How do we keep spiritually alive when, as we age, there is so much to look back upon but life’s end is drawing closer? Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Milo Hanke, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organ Nanette McGuinness, soprano soloist Mark Johnson, piano Dr. Mark Sumner, song leader Mark Theobald, welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

We often say how important it is to welcome the stranger, and indeed we do try to practice hospitality. But a closer, deeper connection is not so easy to risk. Growing up, many of us learned things about other people--some true, some false--but these teachings can make it more difficult for us to really see, and love, our neighbors as our selves. Sometimes we have to learn to shut our eyes to things we have been taught about others, in order to see another more humanly and more deeply. The Reverend Emerita Margot Campbell Gross serves as spiritual advisor to the Small Group Ministry Program. Judith Stoddard is the coordinator of the program. Other participants in this service are current or former small group facilitators. Rev. Margot Campbell Gross, Minister Emerita Judith Stoddard, SGM Coordinator Rev. Rev. Fred Rabidoux, Small Group Ministry Megan Lehmer, Small Group Ministry Peter Gross, Small Group Ministry Alessandro Gagliardi, Small Group Ministry Julia DeFranco, Small Group Ministry David J

"What is essential is invisible to the eye" says the fox in "The Little Prince". In a world of matter and form, what is this knowing that lives with only the shape the human heart may offer? Intuitive understanding is essential to the human condition. How shall we cultivate and value this kind of knowing, and why should we? Rev. JD Benson, Assistant Minister Phil Marshall, Worship Associate David Jones, piano Ted Rust, oboe Viva Knight, piano Jim Valent, welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Face it, humility doesn't come easily to most of us Unitarian Universalists; it doesn't come easily to Americans, either, especially to those of us living here in the most beautiful city on Earth. Yet, there it is on the wall. A hard look at an often-forgotten virtue. Rev. Mary McKinnon Ganz, Guest Minister Kat Liu, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organ Mark Johnson, piano Kate Offer, soprano Kathleen Quenneville, Moderator Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Many of us are comfortably among the affluent and rich Americans who hold 87% of US wealth. As people who wish to be responsible and want to diminish unfair privilege, how much of the necessary change and sacrifice are we willing to participate in so that the US may become an economic and political democracy again? Rev. John Young, Guest Minister Sue Anthony, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organ Mark Johnson, piano Cassandra Bequary, violin. Judy Payne, Welcome leslie Ottaviano, sound Jonathan Silk, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

We are bound together with strong threads of inspiration, reverence and love. Our stories are those of individual lives woven together with our shared lot in life. We have made the choice to be in this intentionally diverse and inescapably interdependent religious community. How shall we grow even more deeply into its fabric? Rev. Carol Thomas Cissel, Guest Minister Kat Liu, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organ Mark Johnson, piano Shannon Warto, mezzo soprano Galen Workman, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Theologian Kortright Davis explains that true hospitality requires us to move beyond our boundaries and to extend the spirit of welcome to the stranger, to those easily seen as ?Others?. But do we want to step away from the ease and comfort of congregational homogeneity? If so, how do we set The Welcome Table for all to be fed? Come join us to listen, share and learn. Rev. Carol Thomas Cissel, Guest Minister Ben Bear, Worship Associate Mark Johnson, piano Laura Inserra, Blossom Bells, Khen, Hang Jim Valent, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Dawn began contemplative practice  in 1997. She is currently earning an MA (MDiv equivalent) in Buddhist Studies and Chaplaincy from the Graduate Theological Union. Dawn was ordained in Burma in 2009, and was authorized to teach Buddhist practice, from the perspective of loving-kindness, by her Burmese teacher that year. She teaches meditation, mindfulness, and loving-kindness in Buddhist, clinical, and educational settings. She serves intermittently as a commissioned interfaith chaplain and was a student in John Buehrens preaching class this spring at Starr King School for the Ministry. Dawn Neal, Guest Preacher Alison Rittger, Worship Associate Chair Dr. Mark Sumner, piano & song leader Mark Johnson, piano Radim Zenkl, mandolin & flute Jim Valent, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

We have just celebrated the involvement 50 years ago of hundreds of Unitarian Universalists in Selma, Alabama, in support of Black voting rights. But we should also know about and learn from Unitarian Universalists living in the South whose work on racial issues preceded and followed the voting rights demonstrations of 1965. Gordon Gibson was part of the Selma civil rights campaign, served as  the only Unitarian Universalist minister in Mississippi 1969-84, and has recently written "Southern Witness: Unitarians and Universalists in the Civil Rights Era". At UUSF he is best known as Shirley Gibson's father. Rev. Gordon Gibson,Guest Minister Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Reiko Oda Lane, organ Eric Hamilton, guitar Marc Theobald, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

This will be Flower Communion Sunday. Bring a flower, if you can, to be exchanged for one brought by someone else.John will tell the story of how the flower communion developed at what was the largest Unitarian church in the world in Prague, between the world wars. He will also tell a story relevant to the central question of his developmental ministry? with us. How will we know when we have arrived? Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Rev. JD Benson, Assistant Minister Alex Darr, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, piano Reiko Oda Lane, organ Gayle Reynolds, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

It's hard to feel at home in the world. But if we are going to fulfill our mission as a sanctuary for spiritual exploration, we must welcome pilgrims on life's journey. Our service will include the formal welcome of new members who have joined UUSF in recent months. Please try to be present to let them know that we are glad they have chosen to join us. Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister George Cavage, Membership Chair Dr. Mark Sumner, choir director Reiko Oda Lane, organ Gayle Reynolds, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

A person entirely tied up in him (or her) self becomes a very small package, said one great progressive preacher. True joy emerges, often unexpectedly, in giving oneself to a purpose far larger than oneself. So what purpose might that be for you? At this time in your life. Because, you may recall, to everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven." Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Ben Bear, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, choir director Reiko Oda Lane, organ Wm. GarcÌa Ganz, piano Stan Stanley Hartzell, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast