Complete Service-first Unitarian Universalist Society Of San Francisco

Aging With Grace: An Intergenerational Discussion. Church member Millie Phillips will share about what she has learned about the issue of aging, particularly from our Unitarian Universalist perspective. Getting older brings with it limitations and changes, but it's also a time to embrace life.     The Rev. Dr. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Millie Phillips, Guest Preacher Julia DeFranco, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Kate Offer, Song Leader Laura Inserra, Instrumentalist Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

What is the purpose of poetry? What is the purpose of religion? How do the two purposes overlap? Our speaker, Rev. Dr. Lynn Ungar, both a UU minister and a published poet, will share her theology, her poetry, and how the two interrelate.   The Rev. Dr. John Buehrens, Senior Minister The Rev. Dr. Lynn Ungar Guest Minister Judith Stoddard, Worship Associate Mark Johnson, Pianist Millie Phillips, Song Leader Chris Waltz, Guitarist, Irish Flutest & Vocalist Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

How do we listen for, and respond to, the sacred when we are up against a problem that isn't easily "fixed," when we feel overwhelmed by our own powerlessness and limitations? This theme is especially relevant in the world of health care, one of the most intimate areas of our lives where, despite our increasing technological innovations, our human vulnerability and imperfections persist. We will reflect on lessons learned from the world of health care chaplaincy and how we can put these to work in our everyday lives. The Rev. Susan Porter Conrad, Guest Minister Derek Czajka, Worship Associate and Song Leader Mark Johnson, Pianist Christine Tulis, Harpist & Vocalist Kem Stone, Percussionist & Keyboardist Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

The Executive Director of the Interfaith Council of San Francisco, Michael Pappas, will speak from his experience about the role the Interfaith Community plays in the life of the city and how our church fits into it. Michael Pappas, Guest Preacher Christine Patch-Lindsay, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Ted Rust, Oboist Viva Knight, Pianist Kate Offer, Song Leader Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Sundays mornings are now for baseball, soccer, and dance practices in the secular world. Where has the Sabbath gone? How can we "Do" church and religious education while competing with these other interests? Can we radically remake our style for this era? And what does Dark Matter have to do with anything anyway? With a background as a mathematician and a theologian, Jeffrey stays up on the latest theories science has to explain this incredible experience we know as the Universe. He will bring his interests to his sermon. Jeffrey Melcher, Guest Preacher Emily Wilson, Worship Associate Katrina Walter, Flutist Reiko Oda Lane, Organist David Jones, Pianist Millie Phillips, Song Leader Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

When was the last time you listened with more than your ears? Join us in an exploration of deep listening: what it is, how we do it, and the meaning for us as Unitarian Universalists. Come prepared for a fully embodied and engaging experience led by Youth and Young Adult Coordinator and divinity student Molly Johnson Molly Johnson, Guest Preacher Christine Patch-Lindsay, Worship Associate Alison Rittger, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, Pianist Kate Offer, Song Leader Eric Hamilton, Guitarist Richard Popovich, Guitarist Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

We each have sacred cows: ideas and life practices that we do not find it easy to have challenged or to change.What are some of the common ones for UUs, for Americans & for you? In the 21st century, spirituality is going global, just as are the other aspects of our lives.How could this globalization of spirituality challenge and help us and our religious movement? The Rev. John Young, Guest Minister Nanette McGuinness, Soprano Soloist Mark Johnson, Pianist Kate Offer, Song Leader Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

As Dave Sammons takes his leave he'll reflect on his ministry with us and his hopes for our future. The past two years have shown him what a solid congregation this is and what it has going for it as a new minister guides it forward. The Rev. Dr. David Sammons, Interim Senior Minister Reiko Oda Lane, Organist & Bell Choir Director Jiun-Chyi Yew, Pianist Larry Marietta, Guest Conductor Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Most of us like to think of ourselves as truthful, but every once in awhile we catch ourselves telling one of those "little white lies." We're tired, so we say: "I wish I could come to your party but I've already made a commitment to go to see Joe." "Oh yeah, the person wonders, why does Joe always trump my invitation? Why doesn't my party take precedence? Little white lies can set traps hard to get out of. The Rev. Dr. David Sammons, Interim Senior Minister Christine Patch-Lindsay, Worship Associate Megan Lehmer, Small Group Ministry Coordinator Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Giacomo Fiore, Guitarist Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

On Memorial Day in some towns and cities people gather in cemeteries where the dead of war are buried to pay tribute to their sacrifice. But what would these troops have wanted said about them in thier eulogies we might say for them to say - and what would we want said in our own eulogies? Would it be the same as what others would say about us after we're gone? The Rev. Dr. David Sammons, Interim Senior Minister Reiko Oda Lane, Organist St. Petersburg Men's Ensemble Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Jeremy is a graduate of Pacific School of Religion (PSR), former intern at this church and currently serves as the Minister of the Mission Peak UU Church in Fremont, CA.He says of his topic: "In a time when distractions abound and attention spans are at an all-time low, we need to be reminded of the importance of really hearing each other." The Rev. Jeremy Nickel, Guest Minister Christine Patch-Lindsay, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, Pianist Mark Johnson, Pianist Derek Czajka, Songleader Luther Lewis III, Tenor Soloist Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Thirty years after she died, Dave Sammons feels it's time to write a letter to his mom. She died after suffering through a stroke, her husband's death, and a year in a nursing home. Dave wants to share his letter so that all of us might think about our mothers in a way both caring and honest. It's tough being a mom, yet after the game is over, even the burliest football player lets tears roll down his cheeks and says "I love you, Mom. This game was for you." The Rev. Dr. David Sammons, Interim Senior Minister The Rev. Alyson Jacks, Family Life Minister Regina Wells, Spirited Play Teacher Dr. Mark Sumner, Choir Director Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Maria Solis, Soprano Soloist Robert Weber, Baritone Soloist Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

We celebrate the culmination of this year's Coming of Age program with a special worship service for our seven graduates: Maeve Dellert, Alicia Cover, Spencer Gowin, Fiona King, Olivia Ong, Mara Pulgram and Lana Whealey. The year-long class, which includes three district-wide retreats gives youth time and opportunity to explore their spirituality and to deepen their relationship to their home congregation and our wider UU movement. During the service, each graduate will share their personal credo statements.  In addition, there will be songs, special music from the church and bell choirs and much more. The Reverends Sammons and Jacks will be there to round out the worship team. The Rev. Dr. David Sammons, Interim Senior Minister The Rev. Alyson Jacks, Family Life Minister Dr. Mark Sumner, Choir Director Reiko Oda Lane, Organist & Bell Choir Director Kate Offer, Soprano Soloist Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Podcast

For this Sunday after Earth Day we should reflect on what religious groups have to say about the issues threatening the earth today, from climate change, to resource depletion and the pollution of our rivers, oceans and lakes. If the Baptists can speak out about what's happening, what about us? The Rev. Dr. David Sammons, Interim Senior Minister Dr. Mark Sumner, Pianist Kate Offer, Song Leader Ted Rust, English Hornist and Oboist Viva Knight, Pianist Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Podcast

The music, stories and thoughts woven together in this service are meant to honor the spirit of Easter: the rebirth of life that comes with Spring and the re-beginnings that can happen for people if they leave behind what's not working in their lives and move ahead with an uplifted spirit. The Rev. Dr. David Sammons, Interim Senior Minister The Rev. Alyson Jacks, Family Life Minister Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Reiko Oda Lane, Organist & Bell Choir Director Tom Dambly, Trumpeter Laurel Sprigg, Soprano Soloist David Jones, Pianist Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Podcast

This sermon is about that day, long ago when Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a donkey through a gate strewn with palms. What did this mean and does it have anything to say to us today - we folks who've outgrown donkeys and palms? The Rev. Dr. David Sammons, Interim Senior Minister George Cavage, Membership Committee Chair Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Podcast

The Reverend Dr. Dorsey Blake, who succeeded Howard Thurman as the minister of The Fellowship of All People here in San Francisco. Dorsey also serves on the faculty of Starr King School for the Ministry, where he is one of the school's favorite teachers. In his sermon Dr. Blake will pick up on the hopeful themes to be found in the writings of Howard Thurman, a man who encouraged people of all backgrounds to live a better future into being by working to both envision a better future and to achieve it. The Rev. Dr. Dorsey Blake, Guest Minister The Rev. Dr. David Sammons, Interim Senior Minister Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Podcast

In their film about the life of a make-believe prophet like Jesus, the crazy men who make up "Monty Python" have him hanging on the cross singing with his cross-mates "Always look on the bright side of life." We should. But there's also a not-so-bright side, too, as we could see with him hanging there. How do we negotiate a life when there's often an unpredictable balance between the bright and the not-so-bright? The Rev. Dr. David Sammons, Interim Senior Minister John Young, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, Pianist Jiun-Chyi Yew, Soprano Soloist Thomas Yee, Violinist Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Podcast

Giving to a church isn't a burden. It should be something we feel good about, as we do when we support something that, to us, has real meaning. The Rev. Dr. David Sammons, Interim Senior Minister Stephanie Gowin, Board of Trustees Moderator Members of the Task Force on Future Ministry Members of the 2014 Canvass Committee Reiko Oda Lane, Organist & Bell Choir Director Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Podcast

Continuing the conversation about what it means to be faithful people, we'll switch this week to the  notion of what it means to be religious, at least in our liberal religious sense. The Rev. Dr. David Sammons, Interim Senior Minister The Rev. Alyson Jacks, Family Life Minister Derek Czajka, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, Choir Director Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Podcast