“Begrudging Journey to Compassion: Confessions of a Recalcitrant Pastor”

Sunday, October 5, 2025, 10:50 am

I knew directly after the election when some folks were talking about building bridges and understanding the other side that strategically and spiritually this was the right way to go—or would be. I also knew I couldn’t go there in that moment. But right now, compassion and a different kind of role for us as people of faith feel like, maybe, our only hope. And a powerful invitation to lead.

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Maria G, Worship Associate; Liz Strand, Trustee; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, director; Morgen Warner, Soloist; Bill Ganz, pianist

Shulee Ong; Eric Shackelford; Eli Boshears, Camera Operators; Desired Effect, sound; Alicia Cover, Order of Service; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Athena Papadakos, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher