Sermons-First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco

The Winter Solstice is a time to celebrate the season with the hanging of greens and decorating trees. This year’s solstice service and celebration, we'll ring bells, sing seasonal songs, and tell winter tales too. Holidays and rituals are an invitation - an opening out of the ordinary into extraordinary. Join us for this intergenerational service where we’ll reflect upon the beauty and the mystery of the wintering season.

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister

Meg McGuire, Ministerial Intern

Reiko Oda Lane, organist

Mark Sumner, conductor

Leandra Ramm, soprano

Brielle Marina Neilson, alto

Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor

Asher Davison, bass

My-Hoa Steger, pianist

Solstice Ringers

Eric Shackelford, camera

Shulee Ong, camera

Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support

Alex Darr, Coffee Hour Zoom

Thomas Brown, Sexton

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Video

https://content.uusf.org/Order_Of_Service/2020/20201220OSWeb.pdf

https://content.uusf.org/Sound/20201220Music.mp3

“The Soul of America: Worth Saving?" (December 13, 2020) Worship Service

As we explore the wrongs and rights in American history and contemporary life questions arise: Can there be a faith that abides? Is Beloved Community possible or is it a dream inevitably deferred?

Rev. Dr. Dorsey Blake, Guest Minister

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

Reiko Oda Lane, organist

Mark Sumner, conductor

Leandra Ramm, soprano

Brielle Marina Neilson, alto

Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor

Asher Davison, bass

My-Hoa Steger, pianist

Eric Shackelford, camera

Shulee Ong, camera

Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support

Alex Darr, Coffee Hour Zoom

Thomas Brown, Sexton

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound

Order of Service:

https://content.uusf.org/Order_Of_Service/2020/20201213OSWeb.pdf

All Music:

https://content.uusf.org/Sound/20201213Music.mp3

“The Perfect Body and Ladder" (December 6, 2020) Worship Service

The second sermon in a series on our bodies as part of our religious journeys, that is to say of how we find and make meaning in this life.

Poet and Movement-founder Sonya Renee Taylor writes and speaks and encourages others to do so about our relations to our bodies and one another. But more so she ties it to a larger notion, a spiritual stumbling block, a dangerous construct that wise folks from the Dalai Lama to Jesus have warned against -- Taylor calls it the imaginary ladder.  And how it hurts and distracts us from what is important and healing and life saving.

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

Meg McGuire, Ministerial Intern

Reiko Oda Lane, organist

Leandra Ramm, soprano

Brielle Marina Neilson, alto

Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor

Asher Davison, bass

Luis Maurer, pianist

Eric Shackelford, camera

Shulee Ong, camera

Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support

Les James, Coffee Hour Zoom

Thomas Brown, Sexton

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, drums

https://content.uusf.org/Order_Of_Service/2020/20201206OSWeb.pdf

https://content.uusf.org/Sound/20201206Music.mp3

This time of the year is usually marked by gathering and breaking bread with friends, family and neighbors. As love for one another calls us to keep our gatherings limited, virtual, or non-existent this year, the moment is ripe to remember- and reimagine. Can we bring what’s at the heart of these gatherings out into the world in new ways? What might be required of us to do so?

Meg McGuire, Ministerial Intern

Dennis Adams, Worship Associate

VanNessa Hulme, soprano

Derek Silbermann, pianist

Mark Sumner, director

Leandra Ramm, songleader

Brielle Marina Neilson, songleader

Ben Rudiak-Gould, songleader

Asher Davison, songleader

Eric Shackelford, camera

Shulee Ong, camera

Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support

Les James, Coffee Hour Zoom

Thomas Brown, Sexton

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound

https://content.uusf.org/ Order_Of_Service/2020/20201129OSWeb.pdf

https://content.uusf.org/Sound/20201129Music.mp3

https://content.uusf.org/Sound/Reflections/202011129DAReflection.mp3

“I Sing the Body Electric" (November 22, 2020) Worship Service

There is so much to give thanks for, but what about this body that carries us through the world; the ones poets and scientists, photographers and even the Psalmists could not help but be astounded by.  So, a little tribute to the gorgeous miracle and mystery and work of art -- the human body.

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

Mari Magaloni, Reflection

Reiko Oda Lane, organist

Mark Sumner, director/piano

Leandra Ramm, soprano

Brielle Marina Neilson, alto

Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor

Asher Davison, bass

My-Hoa Steger, pianist

Eric Shackelford, camera

Shulee Ong, camera

Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support

Alex Darr, Coffee Hour Zoom

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, drums

Order of Service:

https://content.uusf.org/Order_Of_Service/2020/20201122OSWeb.pdf

All Music:

https://content.uusf.org/Sound/20201122Music.mp3

Reflecton:

https://content.uusf.org/Sound/Reflections/202011122MMReflection.mp3

“Now What?" (November 15, 2020) Worship Service

As the weeks after the election unfold, so will the answer, of what next.  And so we will gather words of inspiration, clarity wherever we find them, and our own reflections on this moment in history.  To that end, if you hear of words worth sharing, if you have your own reflection you'd like to share, please send it to me as we weave together an answer during this time.

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

Meg McGuire, Ministerial Intern

Sam King, Worship Associate

Reiko Oda Lane, organist

Mark Sumner, pianist

Asher Davison, bass

Leandra Ramm, mezzo soprano

Shannon Warto, soprano

Ariel Andrew, mezzo soprano

Alex Taite, tenor

VanNessa Hulme, soprano

Derek Silbermann, piano

Lyman Medeiros, bass

Lyndon Rochele, drums

Kate Offer, soprano

Brielle Marina Neilson, mezzo soprano

Eric Shackelford, camera

Shulee Ong, camera

Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support

Alex Darr, Coffee Hour Zoom

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound

“Rebuilding Trust" (November 8, 2020) Worship Service

Great damage has been done to social trust in recent years. Not only to trust in leaders, government, the integrity of elections, but also trust in facts, science, shared reality, and in our fellow citizens. Repair is a moral and spiritual project that will require almost superhuman effort. How and where can each of us begin?

Rev. Dr. John Buehrens

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Ministerr

Reiko Oda Lane, organist

Andrés Vera, cellist

Leandra Ramm, soprano

Brielle Marina Neilson, alto

Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor

Asher Davison, bass

Mark Sumner, director/pianist

Eric Shackelford, camera

Shulee Ong, camera

Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support

Alex Darr, Coffee Hour Zoom

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound

“Healing and Hope" (November 1, 2020) Worship Service

In this lead up to this election, which for many of us feels like the very future of our nation, of its best self, lies in the balance, let’s talk about what will be required of us on the other side. Let's talk about healing and hope.

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister

Reiko Oda Lane, organist

Mark Sumner, director

VanNessa Hulme, soprano

Brielle Marina Neilson, mezzo soprano

Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor

Asher Davison, bass

Wm. García Ganz, accompanist

Eric Shackelford, camera

Shulee Ong, camera

Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support

Alex Darr, Coffee Hour Zoom

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, drums

"The Ways We Grieve" (October 25, 2020) Worship Service

This Sunday we are going to create an altar, a community one, filled with the portraits and stories of those we love and lost, who shaped us.  It will be our honoring of the spirit of what All Souls Day and Dia De Los Muertos has made space for for centuries -- paying homage, bringing the living spirit of life that endures back close to hold us.

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

Dennis Adams, Worship Associate

Mark Sumner, pianist

Andrés Vera, cellist

My-Hoa Steger, pianist and songleader

Asher Davison, songleader

Asher Davison, bass

Eric Shackelford, camera

Shulee Ong, camera

Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support

Alex Darr, Coffee Hour Zoom

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound

“Breathing Room" (October 18, 2020) Worship Service

The atmosphere is toxic – from both the devastating fires across the west and the increasingly inflammatory political rhetoric - leaving us gasping for fresh air, fresh ideas – a fresh start. More than ever, we need open space to help us recoup, rejuvenate, and regenerate our spirits. How do we channel our energies to ensure that those physical, spiritual and emotional spaces are available to all people?  For our personal, collective and planetary wellbeing, we all need breathing room to get us through. Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.  - Arundhati Roy

Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister

Carmen Barsody, Worship Associate

Reiko Oda Lane, organist

Mark Sumner, singer/director

Sarah Rose Cohen, soprano

Brielle Marina Neilson, mezzo soprano

Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor

Asher Davison, bass

Eric Shackelford, camera

Shulee Ong, camera

Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support

Alex Darr, Coffee Hour Zoom

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound