Complete Service-First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco

"Imagine a World Without War" Sunday, May 25, 2025 On this Memorial Day weekend, let us imagine a world without war. War is the act most antithetical to our values. Right now, it may be hard to imagine a positive future at all, but without imagining what we truly want, not just knowing what we oppose, we remain stuck with what others decide for us.  Rev. Millie Phillips, Affiliated Community Minister; Sam King, Worship Associated; Jill Brindel, cellist; Mark Sumner, pianist Eli Boshears, Camera Operator; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Athena Papadakos, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Minds Wide Open" Sunday, May 18, 2025 I've been reading more about things like "flow" and right brain/left brain functioning. Anne Lamott speaks of the power of imagination and what it opens up, as opposed to the gifts and limits of rationality. How do we channel the creative, and where can it take us? Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Gregory Stevens, Worship Associate; Galen Workman, Moderator, Board of Trustees; Nancy Munn, soprano and pianist Eric Shackelford; Camera Operator; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Athena Papadakos, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Holding Open Possibilities for Each Other" Sunday, May 11, 2025 In this month when we look at the power of imagination, it is interesting to explore how we do that for one another in our personal relationships. How do parents use imagination (for good and ill) in the shaping of their kids' lives? How can we do that for one another, aware of the ways that are life-giving, second-chance-offering, and liberating? Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Dennis Adams, Worship Associate; UUSF Bell Choir led by Reiko Oda Lane, organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, director; Robin May, oboist; Wm. García Ganz, pianist Eric Shackelford, Camera Operators; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Carrie Steere-Salazar, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Oh the Possibilities! Annual Youth Worship Service" Sunday, May 4, 2025 Join our youth this Sunday to hear what they imagine as possible futures. We will be recognizing our High School Seniors as well. Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Julia Wald, Trustee; Sammy Alden; Eli Boshears; Max Dubler; Davia Ferree; Anakin Gupta; Kenley Gupta; Oriana Joos-Moren; Lucas Keeley; Hannah Murray; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, director; Wm. García Ganz, pianist Eric Shackelford; Shulee Ong; Eli Boshears, Francisco Castellanos, Camera Operators; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Carrie Steere-Salazar, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Fair Earth!" Sunday, April 27, 2025 Ecophilia, Pagan rituals and roots carried forward, hiking, eating—all that ties us to our love and relationship and responsibility to earth. We root ourselves in this (reground ourselves in it) to stay whole and joyful. Let's do that regrounding together. See you Sunday! Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Christine Patch-Lindsay, Pagan Interest Circle Chair; Liz Strand, Trustee; Haruka and Yuki Ota, cellists; Akane Ota, songleader; Jon Silk; drummer; Mark Sumner, pianist Eric Shackelford; Eli Boshears, Camera Operators; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Judy Payne, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"What Does Resurrection Look Like?" Sunday, April 20, 2025 Easter is upon us, the Sunday we talk about resurrection—of hope, of life, against all odds. In our Good Friday world, especially these days, how about some stories about resurrection and a reminder of how often it shows up... against the odds? Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Mari Magaloni Ramos, Worship Associate; UUSF Bell Choir led by Reiko Oda Lane, organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, director; Wm. García Ganz, pianist Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Eli Boshears, Camera Operator; Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Judy Payne, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Joy in the In Between" Sunday, April 13, 2025 It's the week when we begin the celebration of Passover in the Jewish tradition and Holy Week in Christianity—hard stories with important and ultimately triumphant endings. And this is a month when we are supposed to talk about joy?! How perfect! What is our relationship to joy—our right to it, our ability to access it when things are hard? This we need to be clear on! Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Sam King, Worship Associate; Galen Workman, Moderator, Board of Trustees; Rochelle Fortier Nwadibia and Don Shearer; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, director; Wm. García Ganz, pianist Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Athena Papadakos, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Attempted Poetry and Other Misdemeanors, Oh Joy!" Sunday, April 6, 2025, 10:50 am Joy is a little word with an expansive definition. There is Joy in the hard work of trudging towards Justice. And there is the pure joy of celebration. With a spring in your step, a poem in your heart, and companions by your side, the fraught world becomes a little lighter. Sure, we hear that there is danger everywhere: Danger to the right of us, Danger to the left. Danger within and Danger without. How Foolish it is to enter the fray wearing only armor plated with rhyme, padded with a quilt of verse, and carrying shields as light as any song. Come, let us gird ourselves with a little wry humor, a bit of dry wit, and let us join the poets in defending joy even in these dark days! Carmen Barsody and Sam Dennison, Faithful Fools; Kirsten Hove-Darr; Lori Lai, Trustee; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, director; Maria Gonzalez Gomez, soloist; Wm. García Ganz, pianist Eric Shackelford; Shulee Ong; Eli Boshears, Francisco Castellanos, Camera Operators; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Athena Papadakos, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Trust in the Wild" Sunday, March 30, 2025 Robin Wall Kimmerer, who writes about the natural world, writes about a world undergirded by trust, reciprocity, and generosity. But this is the same natural world that also has predators and prey and scarcity. Which do we put our trust in and why, and how does that shape life in our safe harbor? Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Mari Magaloni Ramos, Worship Associate; Lori Lai, Trustee; David Jones Stewardship Moment; Mirjam and Harry Moren, Canvass Chairs; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, director; Wm. García Ganz, pianist Shulee Ong; Eli Boshears, Francisco Castellanos, Camera Operators; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Amy Kelly, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Trusting In Community" Sunday, March 23, 2025 Join us for this All-Ages Worship to hear a sweet story about how a cat helped calm a scary storm and brought a community together. Interactive opportunities to build trust in our community, both within our walls and outside our walls, will be part of the service. Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Maria, Worship Associate; Sam Hamner, Miles Cunningham, Liam Hamner, Chantel Boshears and Eli Boshears, Stewardship Moments; Galen Workman, Moderator Board of Trustees; Rami Bar-Niv, pianist; Mark Sumner, songleader; Wm. García Ganz, pianist Eric Shackelford; Eli Boshears, Camera Operators; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Judy Payne, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Trust the Body" Sunday, March 16, 2025, 10:50 am What does it mean to live an embodied life, to treat the body as a shrine and as a source of wisdom? What happens when we don't? Maybe trust isn't just between two people or out in the world, but in one of the most fundamental relationships to ourselves? Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Gregory Stevens, Worship Associate; Linda Enger, Trustee; Kathleen Quenneville, Reflection; Lila Bailey, Reflection; Oriana Jooss Moren, Worship Associate; UUSF Bell Choir led by Reiko Oda Lane, organist; organist; UUSF Choir; Mark Sumner, Music Director; Wm. García Ganz, pianist Eric Shackelford; Shulee Ong; Eli Boshears, Francisco Castellanos, Camera Operators; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Carrie Steere-Salazar, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Leaning In" Sunday, March 9, 2025, 10:50 am Anxiety and a feeling of ungroundedness can erode trust in ourselves and in our community. How do we lean into relationships during challenging times? Are there ways we can build trust instead of diminish it? Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Daniel Jackoway, Worship Associate; Emma Wakeling, Membership and Young Adult Manager; Gino Fortunato, Membership Chair; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; UUSF Choir; Mark Sumner, Music Director; Wm. García Ganz, pianist Eric Shackelford; Shulee Ong; Eli Boshears, Francisco Castellanos, Camera Operators; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Carrie Steere-Salazar, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Safe Harbors in Stormy Times" Sunday, March 2, 2025, 10:50 am Someone teaches you about the ocean. Someone shows you how to swim for the joy of it, or maybe so you can be safe. Each of us will face storms, and what someone taught us about the water, about swimming, and about what will get us through is relevant now. And relevant to why generations have invested in the First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco, this port in the storm, for almost 175 years!  Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Dennis Adams, Worship Associate; Mirjam and Harry Moren, Canvass Chairs; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; UUSF Choir; Mark Sumner, Music Director; Dr. Joachim Reinhuber, pianist Eli Boshears, Camera Operator; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Amy Kelly, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Inclusion" Sunday, February 2, 2025 Who's in? Who's out? Belonging? Exclusion? Making room? Accommodations. Drawing the circle wider. Stretching beyond what we know, what and who is familiar. What does inclusion mean, and what does it ask, and why bother!  Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Carmen Barsody, Worship Associate; Galen Workman, Moderator, Board of Trustees; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; UUSF Choir; Mark Sumner, Music Director; Wm. García Ganz, pianist Eric Shackelford; Shulee Ong; Eliot Boshears, Francisco Castellanos, Camera Operators; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Jose Matias Pineda, Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Judy Payne, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usherisco Castellanos, Sextons; Amy Kelly, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Story: Wine, Weddings, and a Coming Out" Sunday, January 26, 2025 The theme of January is “Story.” One of the things I love about a tradition—religious, cultural, or literary—is that the community starts to repeat and value certain stories as worth revisiting, as worth revising in light of the interpretations we bring to them based on where we are in our lives. I've long been fascinated and horrified by the story of the wedding in Cana, one scene in the life of Jesus. It takes place in the Gospel as told by John, Chapter 2, verses 1-12. It's about wine. It's about a wedding. It is about a moment of coming out and the frightening and powerful inevitabilities that can be part of a life too.  Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Daniel Jackoway, Worship Associate; Galen Workman, Moderator, Board of Trustees; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; UUSF Choir; Mark Sumner, Music Director; Morgen Warner, Maggie McGrann soloists; Jon Silk, drummer; Wm. García Ganz, pianist Eric Shackelford; Eli Boshears, Camera Operators; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Thomas Brown, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Amy Kelly, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"MLK" Sunday, January 19, 2025 Jonathan Eig won the Pulitzer Prize for Biography in 2024 for his biography King: A Life. People who previously refused to be interviewed told their stories, government documents that were newly released, and lots of research present a rich perspective on more of the layers of the story of Martin Luther King Jr., his gifts, theological commitments, and his struggles. In the full story of a life, we know the heroic for what it truly is. Let's unpack some more layers of the story of this hero. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Mari Magaloni Ramos, Worship Associate; Hanna Hart, Winter Shelter; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; UUSF Choir; Mark Sumner, Music Director; Eric Shackelford, soloist; Stephen Saxon, soloist; Wm. García Ganz, pianist Shulee Ong; Francisco Castellanos, Camera Operators; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Thomas Brown, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Carrie Steere-Salazar, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Build Strength Through Our Stories" Sunday, January 12, 2025 Stories are powerful and offer us lessons to help resource ourselves. By looking at historical figures, ancestors, and our own lives, we can remember the stories that have given us resilience and have helped us build community in challenging times. Let's come together to tell these stories and share the lessons we have learned. Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Sam King, Worship Associate; Liz Strand, Trustee; Linda Harris, UUSC; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; Shannon Warto, Singer Eric Shackelford; Francisco Castellanos, Camera Operators; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Thomas Brown, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Carrie Steere-Salazar, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"The Stories We Tell" Sunday, January 5, 2025, 10:50 am Humans are storytellers, and stories have the power to influence us, for better or worse. Our affiliated community minister, Rev. Mille Phillips, will address what stories we tell ourselves or others. Do they empower us or hold us back? Which do we need to rewrite or retell? What stories do we need in 2025? Rev. Millie Phillips, Affiliated Community Minister; Santana Gonzalez-Gomez, Worship Associate; Stephen Cox, pianist; Jon Silk, drummer; Akané Ota, songleader Shulee Ong; Eric Shackelford; Francisco Castellanos; Eli Boshears, Camera Operators; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Thomas Brown, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Athena Papadakos, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Hanging of the Greens" Sunday, December 15, 2024 Join us for the annual Hanging of the Greens Service. This all-ages service has us begin together in the sanctuary and then move around the church, decorating garlands and wreaths and making pomanders, learning a winter song, and coming together at the end in that age-old ritual in pre-Christian Europe of bringing evergreens into the winter halls, a reminder that life continues through winter into spring. Come join the fun! Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Eli Boshears, Worship Participant; Oriana Moren, Worship Participant; Calder Law, Worship Participant; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; UUSF Choir; Mark Sumner, director; Wm. García Ganz, pianist Shulee Ong, Camera Operator; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Thomas Brown, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"How Do We Lead?" Sunday, December 8, 2024 Church has always been a place (and houses of worship in general) where the definition and understanding of how leadership shows up among us is broader and fuller than the world sometimes defines it. It's not so much that we loosen the definition but that we see so clearly how it takes so many different skills and gifts to make the whole of what we want to do together possible. This Sunday we will ask three leaders, in different tenures of leadership, to reflect on what calls them into the work and what they have learned and reflect on our own notion of and call to lead. The service is created and led with our Nominating Committee -- the group charged at UUSF not just of identifying leaders but equipping and developing and celebrating their leadership. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Courtney Young-Law; Ruth Grace Wong; John Meliska; Linda Enger; Gino Fortunato, Emma Wakeling, Membership; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; UUSF Choir; Mark Sumner, director Shulee Ong; Eric Shackelford, Camera Operators; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Thomas Brown, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Amy Kelly, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Seeing Nature and Presence Through the Eyes of Robin Wall Kimmerer" Sunday, December 1, 2024, 10:50 am This sleepy Sunday of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend—one of the quietest times I know anymore (assuming you don't dive into Black Friday's melee)—is a great time to walk and wander with scientist, professor, mother, and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Robin Wall Kimmerer.  Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Richard Davis-Lowell, Worship Associate; Rami Bar-Niv, pianist; Akané Ota, songleader; Wm. García Ganz, pianist Eric Shackelford, Camera Operator; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Thomas Brown, Jose Matias Pineda, Sextons; Amy Kelly, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Breaking Bread" Sunday, November 24, 2024 As we prepare to gather at the tables to mark next week's day of gratitude, let's tell stories of what shows up on our tables, who and how we gather, and the practices that begin here. Bring a bread or baked good to share at our social hour afterwards, if you are baking or have the opportunity to do so! Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Daniel Jackoway, Worship Associate; Linda Harris, UUSC; UUSF Bell Choir led by Reiko Oda Lane, organist; UUSF Choir; Mark Sumner, director; Wm. García Ganz, pianist Shulee Ong; Eric Shackelford; Francisco Castellanos; Eli Boshears, Camera Operators; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Thomas Brown, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Carrie Steere-Salazar, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Forgiveness & Repair: A Ritual" Sunday, November 17, 2024 We will gather in our annual ritual to examine where in our lives repair and forgiveness might happen. How can we heal ourselves and each other from harms we have done? Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Carmen Barsody, Worship Associate; Lucy Smith, Secretary, Board of Trustees; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; UUSF Choir; Mark Sumner, director; Maggie McGrann; Lila Bailey, soloists; Wm. García Ganz, pianist Eric Shackelford; Eli Boshears, Camera Operators; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Thomas Brown, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Carrie Steere-Salazar, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"The State of the Union and the Soul of the Nation" Sunday, November 10, 2024 No matter what happens in our election, as I write this, it is playing out in voting booths and polling places across the country. We will have work to do together. The divide is too big, the rhetoric too scary and angry, for us to think that we can just declare victory or defeat and bunker back down on our side of the issues or arguments. As a nation, we need to reconnect to each other, to what is exacerbating any legitimate differences, heal some old wounds, and perhaps get good at declaring what we will not, the majority of us, agree to descend into. In addition, we need some articulated notion of the common good wrestled into national consciousness to anchor us against the storms of climate change and international anti-democratic movements and all else we need to face off, creatively, against instead of using up our energy to fight one another. This Sunday we gather ourselves, as we are, to begin to attend to what we have just been through and are facing as the emerging state of our union. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Dennis Adams, Worship Associate; Galen Workman, Moderator, Board of Trustees; Larry Chinn, jazz pianist; Mark Sumner, songleader; Ben Rudiak-Gould, songleader Shulee Ong; Eric Shackelford; Eli Boshears, Camera, Camera Operators; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Thomas Brown, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Athena Papadakos, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Uncertainty" Sunday, November 3, 2024 Among the hardest emotions to tolerate is uncertainty. And yet it is both so much a part of our lives, inevitably, part of the entire mortal condition, and part of a life that takes risks and reaches for the stars. It is also the river we wade into this election season. How do we live in the face of and dance with uncertainty?  Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Santana McBride, Worship Associate; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; UUSF Choir; Mark Sumner, director; Andrew Kessler, baritone; Wm. García Ganz, pianist Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Thomas Brown, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Athena Papadakos, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Listening to Our Ancestors" Sunday, October 27, 2024 On this day, we honor and celebrate the time of year held sacred in so many traditions to recognize our continued connection to our ancestors. Although it is not lined up with Samhain, All Saints and Souls Day, and Día de Los Muertos, we will hold that legacy and step into that sacredness of time. In the spirit of this time and sacred season, you are invited to bring a copy of a photo, a memento, or a favorite food of someone you lost to worship and be prepared to speak their name. The foods you bring will be shared during social hour. The service will be participatory. Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Mari Magaloni Ramos, Worship Associate; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; Akané Ota, songleader; William Klingelhoffer, french horn; Marilyn Thompson, pianist Shulee Ong, Eli Boshears, Camera Operators; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Thomas Brown, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Judy Payne, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Skilling up for Love" Sunday, October 20, 2024 Being human is not just something we are born into; it is something we practice. Being human in a person who loves deeply and loves well is the same. And nothing is more crucial to a strong and loving relationship than deep listening—the kind that is seductive, gorgeously affirming, and brings us extraordinarily deep connection—the kind, I think, we dream of.  Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Carmen Barsody, Worship Associate; UUSF Bell Choir led by Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, Music Director; Wm. García Ganz, pianist Shulee Ong, Camera Operator; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Judy Payne, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher LIVESTREAM https://www.youtube.com/live/9_RWPLfqkmQ OOS: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1f-3kWxVK0Se578WqCwVpVxs-hW2Nl2Yz/view?usp=sharing PLAYLIST: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGWIRF9PinfwK8TliKztqBBfUCcpkpQLS

"Listening Deeply to Hear if We Got the Story Right" Sunday, October 13, 2024 Storytelling is powerful. Maybe the most powerful tool we have to move human hearts and wills—a nation, a family, people—all of us tell and live into a lot of stories and their truths. Which means stories also need to be interrogated, and we only do that by listening deeply, getting curious, and being willing, if need be, to change something as sacred as the stories we tell... and live by. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Kate Steinberg, Ministerial Intern; Mari Magaloni Ramos, Worship Associate; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, Music Director; Nancy Munn, Akané Ota, Ben Rudiak-Gould, Andy Kessler, soloists; Wm. García Ganz, pianist Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Amy Kelly, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Accountability to What We Hear Inside" Sunday, October 6, 2024, 10:50 am As we enter into the Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and as we launch into an examination of the theme of Deep Listening, I find myself reflecting on how deep listening to ourselves, our inner voice and feelings, is foundational to our personal discernment. Perhaps the most foundational practice for it. What does it mean to listen deeply to ourselves and commit to doing so?  Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Kate Steinberg, Ministerial Intern; Daniel Jackoway, Worship Associate; Galen Workman, Moderator; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; UUSF Choir led by Wm. García Ganz, pianist Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Thomas Brown, Jose Matias Pineda, Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Amy Kelly, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"The Turbulence of Invitation" Sunday, September 29, 2024, 10:50 am Invitation sounds so easy and lovely, but already this month we have unpacked some of both what it opens up for us and what it requires. What about the ways invitations throw the unexpected our way? In ways small and large, it requires courage and bent-knee flexibility and readiness as a posture. Let me tell you a small example from my recent experience narrow boating in England and a few other stories too as we look together at the turbulence that is part of living life alive to invitation. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Gregory Stephens, Worship Associate; Julia Wald, Trustee; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; Joanne Kong, pianist; Christoph Wagner, cellist; Nancy Munn, songleader; Mark Sumner, pianist Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Thomas Brown, Jose Matias Pineda, Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Carrie Steere-Salazar, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

“From a Wave to a Welcome: Invitation as a Spiritual Practice” Sunday, September 22, 2024 How do UUs embody the core value of liberating love? Perhaps we commit to “invitation” as a conscious practice, continually inviting new experiences and new ways of being to co-create a better world. This week we'll consider how an everyday welcome might transmute into a radical welcome. Kate Steinberg, Ministerial Intern; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Richard Davis - Lowell, Worship Associate; Mari Magaloni Ramos, Worship Associate; Linda Enger, Trustee; Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, Music Director; Jon Silk, Drummer; Wm. García Ganz, Pianist Shulee Ong; Eric Shackelford, Camera Operators; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Carrie Steere-Salazar, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Invitation to Participate in the Democratic Process" Sunday, September 15, 2024, 10:50 am How do we as UUs live into our values as we engage the democratic process? How is this a spiritual practice? As we sort through all the chatter, let us find ways to ground ourselves in what we believe to participate in the democratic process intentionally. Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Kate Steinberg, Ministerial Intern; Mari Magaloni Ramos, Worship Associate; Cal Ball, UU the Vote; Lucy Smith, Board Secretary; Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, Music Director; Wm. García Ganz, Pianist Shulee Ong; Eric Shackelford; Francisco Castellanos, Camera, Camera Operators; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Athena Papadakos, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Spiritual Practices and Climate Justice" Sunday, July 7, 10:50 am, 2024 "We can never return to innocence, but we can move forward with integrity." - Rev. Dr. Howard Thurman The 20th-century spiritual leader, Rev. Dr. Howard Thurman, loved San Francisco. A mentor to Martin Luther King, Jr., and Pauli Murray, Thurman found in this city a special dynamism, a variety of people, and chance interactions that could be a gateway to transformation, individually and collectively, to resist racism, classism, and hardness of heart. In a time of climate crisis, what is love asking us to do? Spirituality and activism are not opposites—Thurman would often say they are complements. To sustain long-term work for change—whether challenging air pollution health risks, adapting to rising sea levels, cultivating food forests and community gardens, securing safe, affordable housing, or preparing renewable energies—requires vision, community, and time to "center down." Let's explore how personal spiritual practices may help inform our work for climate justice.  Rev. Daniel Lawlor, Guest Minister; Mari Magaloni Ramos, Worship Associate; Galen Workman, Moderator, Board of Trustees; Jessie Nucho, flautist; Nancy Munn, songleader; Wm. García Ganz, pianist Eric Shackelford; Francisco Castellanos, Camera, Camera Operators; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Amy Kelly, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Radical Rethinking of God: God is Queer" Sunday, June 30, 10:50 am, 2024 On this Pride Weekend, we will dive into Queer Theology: What does it have to say about the nature of God and of the holy? Why is that important for all of us?  Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Carmen Barsody, Worship Associate; Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; Lambert Moss, singer; Andy Kessler, Songleader Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Thomas Brown, Jose Matias Pineda, Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Amy Kelly, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Harmony Unveiled: The Secret Music of the Renaissance" Sunday, June 23, 10:50 am, 2024 "Bigger" Music Sunday is thrilled to present "Harmony Unveiled: The Secret Music of the Renaissance," a mesmerizing service full of vocal and instrumental masterpieces sung by Areté Singers, an East Bay ensemble renowned for their innovative vocal performances. They will team up with RammDance, which features Léna Alvino, Noelle Tham, and Maddie Sager with choreography by Courtney Ramm, as well as Matthew Xie on lute and Jamie Mulfinger on flute and recorder. This exquisite program offers an immersive journey into one of history's most vibrant and transformative musical periods. The congregation will experience the rich tapestry of Renaissance music, marked by its intricate polyphony, lush harmonies, and emotive depth. The shared cultural and historical significance of the performed music will not only entertain but also enlighten the audience. Mark Sumner, Music Director; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Areté Singers led by Tim Salaver, Music Director; Matthew Xie, Lute/Baroque Guitar; Jamie Mulfinger, Flute/Recorder; Courtney Ramm, Director and Choreographer, Maddie Sager, Léna Alvino, Noelle Tham, RammDance Eric Shackelford, Camera; Francisco Castellanos, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Judy Payne, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

“What They Taught Us?” Sunday, June 16, 10:50 am, 2024 What does it mean to be a man? What did we learn, from whom, and how? What do we want to pass on? Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Sam King, Worship Associate; Trio: Akané Ota, Kei Uchida, Tetsuya Taura, singers; Yuki Ota and Haruka Ota, cellists; Mark Sumner, pianist Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Amy Kelly, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Metaphors for Us" Sunday, June 9, 10:50 am, 2024 Bring your flowers this week as we engage in the ritual of the end of our year, where we make visible the life we have made tangible among us. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Dennis Adams, Worship Associate; Liz Strand, Secretary, Board of Trustees; UUSF Bell Choir led by Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, Music Director; Nancy Munn, Akane Ota, Soloists; Wm. García Ganz, Pianist Shulee Ong, Camera; Francisco Castellanos, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Thomas Brown, Jose Matias Pineda, Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"A Look Back" Sunday, June 2, 10:50 am, 2024 Let's look back on our year together. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Mari Magaloni Ramos, Worship Associate; Galen Workman, Trustee; Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, Music Director; Andrew Kessler, Guest Director; Wm. García Ganz, Pianist Shulee Ong, Camera; Francisco Castellanos, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Thomas Brown, Jose Matias Pineda, Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Carrie Steere-Salazar, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Meditations on the Transformative Power of Street Ministry" Sunday, May 26, 10:50 am, 2024 Join Rev. Charlotte as she reflects on her experiences as a street minister in Marin, the transformative power of connecting with our unhoused neighbors (and how it changed her life), and her new project helping communities create spaces of belonging for all people. Rev. Charlotte Maitreya Cramer, Guest Minister; Sam King, Worship Associate; Linda Enger, Trustee; Shana Downs and Jill Rachuy Brindel, cellists; Akane Ota, Songleader; David Jones, pianist Francisco Castellano, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Thomas Brown, Jose Matias Pineda, Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Athena Papadakos, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"The Fight to be Authentic, and Loved" Sunday, May 19, 10:50 am, 2024 It is so central to want to be seen and loved for who we are, understood, if we can be so lucky. It is also the source of so much pain (and power) to make that journey in a world, in a family, at a time that won't easily make a place for you in the family of things, to paraphrase poet Mary Oliver. Drawing from Lamya H's "Hijab Butch Blues," let's talk about some of the journey to being authentically ourselves. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Daniel Jackoway, Worship Associate; Galen Workman, Trustee; Nancy Munn, voice and piano Eric Shackelford, Camera; Francisco Castellanos, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Thomas Brown, Jose Matias Pineda, Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Athena Papodakos, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"A Polymath Nun and Why She Matters on this Mothers' Day" Sunday, May 12, 10:50 am, 2024 Reflections on Hildegard von Bingen: The Patron Saint of Late Bloomers. She founded her own abbey, created her own language, and wrote one of the first musical plays. She was a wonderful composer who set her own lushly poetic texts. Hildegard was 42 before she started writing anything down, and she was also someone who didn't accept her place in the world. In a male-dominated church, she went on preaching tours at a time when women were not supposed to preach, especially in public. She refused to behave in a certain way. She wrote at a time when, if the church authorities had not thought she was divinely inspired, she could easily have been put to death as a heretic. Let's witness how else she might inspire. Dolores Perez Heilbron; Louise Diskerud; Judith Stoddard; Kathleen McClung; Nancy Munn; Maggie McGrann, Worship Participants; Carmen Barsody, Worship Associate; Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, Music Director; Yuhi Aizawa Combatti, Guest Soprano soloist, Nancy Munn, Akané Ota, Soloists; Wm. García Ganz, Pianist Shulee Ong, Camera; Jackson Munn, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Thomas Brown, Jose Matias Pineda, Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Judy Payne, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Treasures from the Journey" Sunday, May 5, 10:50 am, 2024 Our high school seniors will be sharing the stories, relationships, and learnings from their time growing up in a UU church and answering what they treasure from their journey. Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Claire Cover, Bree Shennum, Charlie Zwibelman; Galen Workman, Trustee; UUSF Bell Choir led by Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, Music Director; Wm. García Ganz, Pianist Shulee Ong, Camera; Francisco Castellanos, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Thomas Brown, Jose Matias Pineda, Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Judy Payne and Athena Papadakos, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"When Legacy Propels Boldness" Sunday, April 28, 10:50 am, 2024 The word "legacy" always draws for me images of things past: heavy, anchoring, a little dusty, and old. But in reality, they are just as often more like a sail for covering fast oceans or a ballast for weathering storms than a heavy anchor somewhere fixed and forgotten. This Sunday, I will talk about some of the legacy of the UU Service Committee (UUSC) and its living legacy as I return from a trip to Poland with its Board to meet with organizations doing the work to protect human rights and serve war-torn lands as boldly as that which launched the organization over 70 years ago. Moreover, this Sunday we will talk about our own legacy in this church with our Allyne Circle and those we honor and name this Sunday who are added to our plaque. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Sarah Ellerman, Allyne Circle; Linda Enger, Trustee; Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, Music Director; Wm. García Ganz, Pianist Shulee Ong, Camera; Francisco Castellanos, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Amy Kelly, Flowers; Thomas Brown, Jose Matias Pineda, Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Understanding Autism, Each Other, and Ourselves" Sunday, April 21, 10:50 am, 2024 For many people, when they learn they're on the Autism spectrum, they gain a rich and empowering understanding of themselves. Let's learn about these identities so we can support each other's unique spiritual journeys and be a more accessible and compassionate congregation! Sam King, Guest Preacher; Rev. Millie Phillips, Affiliated Community Minister; Tad Hopp, Worship Participant; Eric Hamilton, Guitarist; Mark Sumner, Pianist; Ben Rudiak-Gould, Songleader Eric Shackelford, Camera; Francisco Castellanos, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Thomas Brown, Jose Matias Pineda, Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Amy Kelly, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Perspectives on Earth" Sunday, April 14, 10:50 am, 2024 From the astrophysicist, Neil deGrass Tyson, to the botanist and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Robin Wall Kimmerer, and through the eyes of the poets, how do we see earth? And what does that tell us about ourselves and life—this life—on this planet we call home? Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Richard Davis-Lowell, Worship Associate; Greggory Stevens, Story for All Ages; Galen Workman, Trustee; Members of the San Francisco and Kensington Unitarian Universalist Church Choirs; Mark Sumner and Bryan Baker, directors; Wm. Garcia Ganz, pianist; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; Jon Silk, drummer Shulee Ong, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Carrie Steere-Salazar, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Person by Person by Person" Sunday, April 7, 10:50 am, 2024 Person by Person by Person… that is how change occurs. Not once and for all, but continuously. Change changes what is possible, and each person we engage makes the possible a little more hopeful. In the words of Bryan Stevenson, “You don't change the world with the ideas in your mind, but with the conviction in your heart.” Change requires intention and a willingness to take risks. We suspect that change will not always turn out how we expected it to, and we know what was gained can sometimes be lost. But this is the Fools' way; it's our theory of change—person by person, the world is changed.    Carmen Barsody & Sam Dennison, Faithful Fools; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Jack Dello & Sherry Dello, Canvass Chairs; Liz Strand, Trustee; Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, Music Director; Claudine Jones, Rusty Harris-Bishop, Morgen Warner, soloists; Jon Silk, Drummer;Wm. García Ganz, pianist Jonathan Silk, Audio and Video; Eric Shackelford, Camera; Carrie Steere-Salazar, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Roll that Rock Away" Easter Sunday, March 31, 10:50 am, 2024 Life has a lot of tombs, losses, and setbacks. And there are rocks, heavy and awkward, that protect and seal them. What are the ways we don't end our stories at the rock or tomb? What does it require of us to make resurrection also the stuff of our lives? Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Dennis Adams, Worship Associate; Bill Klingelhoffer and Courtney Young-Law; Canvass Testimonials; Linda Enger, Trustee; UUSF Bell Choir led by Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, Music Director; Nancy Munn, Vocalist; Wm. García Ganz, Pianist Shulee Ong, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Amy Kelly, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Lessons from the Road" Sunday, March 24, 10:50 am, 2024 I was fortunate enough to have the gift of almost three straight months to renew and refresh in the ancient tradition of sabbath, or fallow times. Thirty-two of those days (but who is counting?) were spent on the road, circling through the American Southwest, with my husband. It is a modern pilgrimage that many of us have done some version of before—a car, a map, some time ago. I'd love to bore you with some of what germinated on the road. And thank you. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Mari Magaloni Ramos, Worship Associate; Kathleen McClung and Dennielle Kronenberg, Canvass Testimonials; Galen Workman, Trustee; Rami Bar-Niv, Pianist; Andy Kessler, Songleader; Wm. García Ganz, Accompanist Eric Shackelford, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Carrie Steere-Salazar, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Written in Pencil" Sunday, March 17, 10:50 am, 2024 We sing from a hymnal called Singing the Living Tradition. What does it mean that ours is a living tradition? In light of the changing landscapes of religion and Unitarian Universalism how do we keep the tradition alive rather than stagnant history? Rev. Cheryl M. Walker, Guest Minister; Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Greggory Stevens and Nancy Munn, Canvass Testimonials; Galen Workman, Trustee; Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, Music Director; Jon Silk, Drummer; Wm. García Ganz, Pianist Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Eric Shackelford, Camera; Athena Papadakos, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Religion... I Too Dislike It" Sunday, March 10, 10:50 am, 2024 Poet Marianne Moore once wrote a poem beginning, “Poetry . . . I too dislike it.” Yet by its end she affirmed something real in it, and worthwhile. So it is with religion, sayeth the preacher. If you (or your friends) resonate to the phrase “spiritual, but not religious,” this sermon is for you, and for them. Rev. John Buehrens; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Mari Magaloni Ramos, Worship Associate; Judith Ottoson and Richard Brydon, Canvass Testimonial; Linda Enger, Trustee; Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, Music Director; Wm. García Ganz, Pianist Shulee Ong, Camera; Eric Shackelford, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Judy Payne, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"It's Time to Build" Sunday, March 3, 10:50 am, 2024 Over the past several years, UUSF has weathered a pandemic, staff transitions, budget worries, and so much more. Now, we are at a place of recognizing our resilience and moving into a new stability. As we contemplate the year to come, let's determine what we want to build together and celebrate who we are! Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Daniel Jackoway, Worship Associate; Sherry Delo & Jack Delo, Canvass Co-Chairs, Canvass Co-Chairs; Lucy Smith, Secretary; Bill Lowell, Membership Team; Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, Music Director; Nancy Munn, Soloist; Jon Silk, Drummer; Wm. García Ganz, Pianist Shulee Ong, Camera; Eric Shackelford, Camera; Jackson Munn, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Judy Payne, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher