Complete Service-first Unitarian Universalist Society Of San Francisco

Ancient lessons, modern interpretations, carols and candlelight will welcome all comers. There are often nearly 500 people at this service, so come early! The offering will go to support our “Up on Top” after-school outreach program for children in the Tenderloin and Western Addition. The Reverend John Buehrens, Senior Minister The Reverend Alyson Jacks, Minister of Family Life Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Reiko Oda Lane, organ, Bell Choir Director Tom Dambly, trumpet Laurel Sprigg, soprano Madeleine Gerlach, soprano Morgen Warner, soprano Kate Offer, soprano David Jones, piano Mark Johnson, piano Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

On the shortest and darkest day of the year our ancient forebears had the spiritual sense to fend off fear and despair with the lighting of bonfires and some of the most joyous, festive revelry. The sermon will explore the themes of waiting, hope, and the loss of hope which is true despair - as well as the surprise (and cultivation) of joy. The service will include a reflection by Worship Associate, Alison Rittger and a Holiday Message from Rev. Dr. Kay Jorgenson, Minister Emerita. Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Alison Rittger, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, Choir Director Reiko Oda Lane, Organ and Bells Galen Workman, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

The church choir led by Dr. Mark Sumner and organist Reiko Oda Lane will be joined by singers from the East Bay and professional musicians who have gathered to share this most wonderful music. "Rejoice in the Lamb" is a favorite masterwork composed by Benjamin Britten who was celebrated throughout the choral world last year on his 100th birthyear. The unique and thought-provoking text is by Christopher Smart. Morten Lauridsen's music is now considered a world-wide treat and "Lux Aeterna" is his latest large-scale masterwork. Dr. Mark Sumner, Choir Director Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister Reiko Oda Lane, Organ David Jones, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

We welcome the Minister Emerita of First Unitarian in Portland, OR, where she built up one of the largest, most influential churches in the UUA and in the state, often preaching to 1000 people. She will do a reading from her latest book in the Fireside Room at 9:30 AM. The 11AM service will include a reflection by Worship Associate Ben Bear, a ceremony recognizing our many new members conducted by Rev. Buehrens. The Rev. Dr. Marilyn Sewell, Guest Preacher Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister Ben Bear, Worship Associate George Cavage, Membership Dr. Mark Sumner, Choir Director Reiko Oda Lane, Organ Eric Langhirt, Song Leader Kathleen Quenneville, Welcome

What constitutes a good ending? To a day, or to a life? Perhaps the answer is the same. Our service for Thanksgiving weekend will be graced by the music of some gifted young musicians. Please don't hesitate to bring visitors or friends. Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister David "Rudy" Ruettige, Worship Associate Young Performers International (YPI) Dr. Mark Sumner, Piano Jiun-Chyi Yew, soprano Eric Langhirt, Song Leader Linda Harris, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Unitarian Universalist oncology chaplain and inspiring speaker Michael Eselun as he explores our relationship to our own stories and how we can use them in the attempt to make spiritual sense of our lives. Joining Michael on the chancel are Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister and Alison Rittger, Worship Associate. Music from the choir led by Dr. Mark Sumner; Reiko Oda Lane, organ and Kate Offer, soprano.

It seems that children -- of all ages -- need prompting to be thankful. Why are we so persistently resistant to gratitude? And what helps us to overcome that resistance? Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Kate Offer, Soprano Emily Wilson, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Maya Angelou said, 'Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer.' Let's talk about how gratitude can comfort us when life has brought us to our knees. Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Sr. Sheila Flynn, O.P., Guest Visitor Reiko Oda Lane, Organist & Bell Choir Director Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Kathleen Quenneville, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

We will celebrate our beloved dead on All Souls Day by expressing how grief is resolved only in gratitude. Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Alyson Jacks, Minister of Family Life Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister Sue Anthony, Worship Assocaite Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Bill Klingelhoffer, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Many today harbor a barely concealed despair, anxious about the future - for themselves, for the planet, for coming generations. Yet they've also largely given up on traditional doctrines of salvation.' What does Unitarian Universalism have to offer to such spiritual seekers today? Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Rev. Szabolcs Czire, Special Guest Minister Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Kerry Parker, song leader Stan Hartzell, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

On this UN Sunday, we welcome the Executive Director of the UU Office at the United Nations. Bruce Knotts is a retired US diplomat who has become  a leader among NGOs at the UN on climate change, LGBT rights, and refugee issues. John Buehrens will conduct the service with Bruce. Bruce Knotts, Guest Preacher Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Kate Offer, Song Leader Dr. Mark Sumner, Choir Director & Piano Reiko Oda Lane, Organist & Bell Choir Director Galen Workman, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

John sometimes jokes that he keeps getting called back into ministry because God knows he still needs to learn patience! But the actress Meryl Streep recently wrote that experience taught her there are some things with which it's fine to have no patience at all. Ah, the wisdom to know the difference! On this St. Francis Day, we hold a Blessing of Animals in the Chapel. Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister Alison Rittger, Worship Associate Kate Offer, Song Leader Mark Johnson, Piano Thomas Yee, Violin Trudy Lionel, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

The great Unitarian minister A. Powell Davies reportedly said that "Life is just a chance to grow a  soul." Another Unitarian, the Bay Area's own poet-songwriter-activist, Malvina Reynolds, wrote a prose poem she called "The Soul Book." Come, join us in exploring what it might really mean to "grow a soul." Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister Dr. Mark Sumner, Choir Director Reiko Oda Lane, Organ Kerry Parker, Sopranos Soloist Margaret Pearce, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

We mark the Jewish High Holidays, the "Days of Awe,"with the sounding of the shofar and the call to teshuvah - which means turning, or returning. The birds and animals do this instinctively. For humans, it takes a decision. As Shlomo Carlebach sings, "Return to who you are; return to what you are; return to the home of your soul." Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Alex Darr, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, Organ Kate Offer, Song Leader Maria Solis, Soprano & Guitar Bill Klingelhoffer, Shofar & French Horn Joan Rost, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

We're taught as children that it's not polite to stare. But what happens when we look long enough to see something delightfully new beneath a familiar façade?  This week, embrace the value of taking the long look and learn how to stare. Our new Intern Minister is entering her final year of studies at the Pacific School of Religion. She is an environmental scientist by training. Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Alyson Jacks, Family Life Minister Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister Alison Rittger, Worship Associate Regina Wells, Spirted Play Teacher Dr. Mark Sumner, Choir Director Reiko Oda Lane, Organ Kathleen Quenneville, Trustee Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

The poet Marianne Moore once began a poem, "Poetry: I too dislike it." Our new minister feels the same about religion! And yet, like the poet, finds "in it, after all, a place for the genuine." Surely for today's "cultured despisers of religion," of whom we know many-for those who consider themselves atheists, agnostics, and "spiritual, but not religious-what we offer here is "a place for the genuine." Again, you are urged to invite unaffiliated friends. Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister Dr. Mark Sumner, Choir Director Reiko Oda Lane, Organ Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Our children, youth, and teachers will process in following their welcome back breakfast. Minister Emerita Kay Jorgensen will invest John with an official cap from the Faithful Fools Street Ministry. Margot Campbell Gross will again lead us in meditation and prayer. And our preacher will be the new President of Starr King School for the Ministry. Don't miss this Sunday! Invite your friends. Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt, Guest Minister Rev. Margot Campbell Gross, Minister Emerita Rev. Kay Jorgensen, Minister Emerita Rev. Alyson Jacks, Minister of Family Life Regina Wells, Spirited Play Teacher Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister Dr. Mark Sumner, Choir Director Reiko Oda Lane, Organ Michaelle Goerlitz, Percussionist David Chiu, President San Francisco Board of Supervisors Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

"Only connect!" said the novelist E.M. Forster. But "connections are made slowly," warned poet Marge Piercy, "sometimes they grow underground." John Buehrens will preach, but the service will also include a chance to learn how to connect at UUSF to other spiritual seekers and skeptics through Small Group Ministry.          Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Rev. Margot Campbell Gross, Minister Emerita Judith Stoddard, Small Group Ministry Coordinator Derek Czajka Sandra Niman Larry Chinn, Guest Pianist Dr. Mark Sumner, Pianist Kerry Parker, Song Leader Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Whatever you can do or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now." These words are often attributed to Goethe. In fact, they have another origin. Beginning with other beloved but misattributed sayings, I will explore both myth making and the art of beginning well to promote change that lasts...          Rev. Dr. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Minister of Family Life Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Kate Offer, Song Leader Gamelan Kori Mas Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

"How dare you assume that I am . . ." Well, fill in the blank! In an opening series of sermons on the  ABCs of spirituality and life in community, our new Senior Minister promises that if we don't make too many assumptions about him, he won't make many about us. Then we can really begin to meet, connect and grow spiritually through I-Thou encounters.   The Rev. Dr. John Buehrens, Senior Minister The Rev. Margot Campbell Gross, Minister Emerita Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Reiko Oda Lane, Organist & Bell Choir Director Jonas Magram, Guitarist, Pianist and Vocalist Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast