Sermons-First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco

"The Human Spirit, Hardy and Delicate" (May 24, 2020)

Poppies come to us in magnificent clumps of color. They grow wild. They bring us hope.  If not for their brightly colored blooms, they would be considered a weed, given how their seeds drift on the wind and take root by any road or on any hillside. Their flowers are delicate, their life force is hardy. It was for these characteristics that they became Memorial Day's symbol of remembrance.

In wartime, we want to protest the violence and honor the lives of those serving. It is never easy to reconcile loss, especially untimely or violent loss, and regret. It is our task to hold both things, letting neither outweigh the other. It is our task to honor the human spirit which is both hardy and delicate.

Carmen Barsody, Faithful Fool

Sam Dennison, Faithful Fool

Sharon Weld, Ministerial Intern

Andrés Vera, cellist

My-Hoa Steger, pianist

Asher Davison, song leader

Eric Shackelford, camera

Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support

Alex Darr, Zoom Remote Host

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

"Negotiating Risk" (May 17, 2020)

Life is risky business, always, and always has been, but life right now has put the idea of risk at the center of our lives, and in more ways than one. Let's talk risk and what it brings into sharp(er) focus in our own lives and the world, and how this close dance-with-risk might change us!

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

Sam King, Worship Associate

Reiko Oda Lane, organ

Mark Sumner, bass

Wm. Garcia Ganz, piano

Asher Davison, bass-baritone

Eric Shackelford, camera

Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support

Alex Darr, Zoom Remote Host

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

"It Takes a Village: The People Who Shaped Us" (May 10, 2020)

Mothers are important, but also mothering and befriending, grand parenting and neighboring all shape us too as we grow, come to know ourselves, choose how and who we'd like to be in the world.  This Mother's Day we will celebrate the stories of, as Garrison Keillor says, "The Mothers and Others."

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

Anish Johnson, Worship Associate

Reiko Oda Lane, organ

Mark Sumner, bass

Wm. Garcia Ganz, piano

Brielle Nielson, mezzo-soprano

Asher Davison, bass-baritone

Jon Silk, drums

Eric Shackelford, camera

Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support

Alex Darr, Zoom Remote Host

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

"How Are You Feeling?" (May 3, 2020)

Fred Rogers taught us that it's important to express our feelings, and to be listened to and respected. It's not always easy to say what's in our hearts. We need to feel safe and know that others can be trusted. It's what we strive for in our Sunday School, and in all of our church interactions. This Sunday, we'll draw lessons from Mr. Rogers neighborhood that can help us on our way. This Sunday concludes our formal Sunday School programming. Our children and youth will join us virtually for the start of worship for a special Message for all Ages, then depart for their virtual classes, and wrap up for the church year.

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister

Reiko Oda Lane, organ

Mark Sumner, piano and baritone

My-Hoa Steger, piano and soprano

Brielle Nielson, mezzo-soprano

Asher Davison, bass-baritone

Jon Silk, drums

Eric Shackelford, camera

Joe Chapot, Social Media Support

Alex Darr, Zoom Remote Host

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

"Life in the Monastery" (April 26, 2020)

Part of me has always wanted to live in a monastery. The only problem is that my spouse wouldn't agree, and there are all those vows too. Lately, though, there is a lot monastic about my life, and maybe yours. What if we think of framing our time of stay-at-home as "Life in the Monastery"? What would that mean or might it.

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

Dennis Adams, Worship Associate

Reiko Oda Lane, organ

Giacomo Fiore, electric guitar and electronics

My-Hoa Steger, pianist

Brielle Nielson, mezzo-soprano

Asher Davison, bass-baritone

Eric Shackelford, camera

Joe Chapot, Social Media Support

Alex Darr, Zoom Remote Host

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

"Earth’s Lessons" (April 19, 2020)

On April 22,1970 “teach-ins” launched the first Earth Day. Fifty years later, voices from across the globe are demanding that we wake up, double down, and respond more quickly to the climate crisis. “Climate change is a timed test” (McKibben) and the 2020s will be our exam. This is neither a test of individual purity, nor an exam we can pass alone.  In this time of trauma and possibility, what are we learning? How can our faith help us to answer this existential call?

Rev. Lindi Ramsden, Guest Minister

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

Sharon Weld, Ministerial Intern

Reiko Oda Lane, organ

Dr. Mark Sumner, piano

Asher Davison, bass-baritone

Michele Kennedy, soprano

Jon Silk, drums

Eric Shackelford, camera

Joe Chapot, Social Media Support

Alex Darr, Zoom Remote Host

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

"Easter in Holy Week Times" (April 12, 2020)

This, you might say, is not exactly an Easter time.  The events of Holy Week, as it is traditionally celebrated, feel so much more accurate a description of where most of us find ourselves around the globe. We live now, more than we often do, together in the shadow of loss, keeping company with human limitations, facing our mortality, and present to all the ways in which bad things happen to good and not-so-good people alike. You might say we are a Covid-19 global tribe weather Holy Week times. So where is the hope and joy of Easter Sunrise for us?  Let's name it and sing of it together!

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister

Sharon Weld, Ministerial Intern

*Reiko Oda Lane, organ

*Tom Dambly, trumpet

*Handbell Choir

Dr. Mark Sumner, piano

Asher Davison, bass-baritone

Laurel Sprigg, soprano

Jon Silk, drums

Eric Shackelford, camera

**Joe Chapot, Social Media Support

**Alex Darr, Zoom Remote Host

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

*recordings

**offsite

"At Ease" (April 5, 2020)

During times of crisis and uncertainty, we experience suffering, and seek out ways to bring comfort to those in need, including ourselves. It being Palm Sunday, and Buddha’s birthday on April 8, we’ll journey with Jesus and Buddha to contemplate ways we can ease suffering and bring comfort to our souls.

Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister

Sharon Weld, Ministerial Intern

Reiko Oda Lane, organ

Wm García Ganz, piano

Asher Davison, vocals

Brielle Nelson, vocals

Jon Silk, drums

Eric Shackelford, camera

Joe Chapot, YouTube Social Media Chat Support

Alex Darr, Zoom Remote Host

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

"Perspective: The Power of Climbing up onto the Balcony and What Can We See?" (March 29, 2020)

We all know that anxiety and fear sharpen our minds and brains down to a narrow tunnel of needs and priorities and put our thoughts on infinite repeats of certain “What If’s” — or a long, tired, bleak list of them. The antidote to that is, in part, perspective, what one author called, “Getting up on the balcony.” So, let’s try and get up there, this morning. What can we see from the balcony of these days? What’s the long view? What do we ourselves, even, look like from up here?

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

Sharon Weld, Ministerial Intern

David Heilbron, Worship Associate

Reiko Oda Lane, organ

My-Hoa Steger, piano

Brielle Neilson, mezzo soprano

Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor

Eric Shackelford, camera

Joe Chapot, YouTube Social Media Chat Support

Alex Darr, Zoom Remote Host

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Drums, Video Edits

"Are We Saved?" (March 22, 2020)

A sermon about the age-old religious question and the honest-to-God answer (at least by this preacher)!

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister

Joe Chapot, Office Assistant & Young Adult Coordinator

Reiko Oda Lane, organ

My Hoa Steger, piano

Michele Kennedy, soprano

Asher Davison, bass

Eric Shackelford, camera

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits