Sermons-First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco

Fresh Starts

We've all had particular moments in our lives that stay with us. A time where we felt alive, awake, open and present. Full-bodied moments. Do you remember the first time you fell in love? Took a stand for justice? What about those beginner steps that set you on a religious path? This Sunday we'll reflect on the meaning of time, how we move through it, trying to feel the fullness of each moment as it passes.

Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister

Richard Davis, Worship Associate

Dan Frechette, guitar and vocals

Laurel Thomsen, violin and vocals

Dr. Mark Sumner, piano

Shannon Warto, song leader

Elaine Pratt, Welcome

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting

Together: A Reflection on Small Group Ministry

At the start of UUSF's new ministry with Reverend Vanessa Rush Southern, an exploration of what it means to come together, to gather, in an intentional way. What do we give up? What do we gain? In Small Group Ministry, we commit —for a specified time—to meet in small groups, to explore and share our spiritual journeys, and deepen our friendships.

Millie Phillips, Guest Preacher

Judith Stoddard, Small Group Ministry

Elaine Pratt, Small Group Ministry Coordinator

Laura Pedersen, Small Group Ministry

Judith Stoddard, Small Group Ministry

Laurel Sprigg, soprano

Daniel Lockert, piano

Dr. Mark Sumner, piano

Asher Davison, song leader

Carrie Steere-Salazar, Welcome

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting

The Enduring Purpose of Religious Community

All specific congregational mission statements aside, why do we come together and what is it we're supposed to be doing here? What is it communities like ours have been about for centuries and should always be about? What is our enduring purpose for being?

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister

Reiko Oda Lane, piano

Bill Ganz, conductor

Elliott Etzkorn, accompanist

Galen Workman, Welcome

Kathleen Quenneville, Task Force on Future Ministry

Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting

What Do A Billion Muslims Have To Teach Us About Unitarian Universalism?

Islam, the second largest religion in the world, could be thought of as a Unitarian heresy. Like American Unitarians 1200 years later, Muhammad and his followers regarded Jesus as a prophet, but not a God. They believed that the kingdom of God belonged to all people, not just a chosen few. In many ways Islam and Unitarianism share a certain kinship, particularly in relation to the Judeo-Christian tradition. At the same time, there are vast differences. Islam arose in the 7th century on the Arabian Peninsula among Bedouins. American Unitarianism arose in the 19th century among the "Boston Brahmins". Islam asserted itself in the language of poetry. Unitarianism asserted itself in the language of reason. Today, Unitarians are among the most vocal allies of Muslims in the United States and Rumi is one of our favorite poets. And yet, we know so little about the textual tradition of Islam. Let's explore a bit of that tradition and see what it can tell us about our own faith.

Alessandro Gagliard, Guest Preacher

Susan Anthony, Worship Associate

Reiko Oda Lane, piano

Radim Zenkl, mandolin, mandola, ukulele, didgeridoo

Asher Davison, song leader

Gayle Reynolds, Welcome

Jonathan Silk, OOS,Sound and Podcasting

Strange Foolishness: Meditations on Political Correctness

“Strange Foolishness: Meditations on Political Correctness.” -- Is Unitarian Universalism "a chapel of political correctness,” as some have charged? -- (and is that a bad thing?) ... We try to untangle the cultural, theological, and political threads that impact our thinking, our speaking, and the way we are together.

Rev. Mary McKinnon Ganz, Affiliated Community Minister

Alex Darr, Worship Associate

Wm. Garcia Ganz, piano

Joanne de Mars, cello

Asher Davison, song leader

Carrie Steere-Salazar, Welcome

Jonathan Silk, OOS,Sound and Podcasting

Mend Thine Every Flaw,

A Sermon for America's Birthday

What makes America great? And what exactly do we need to go back to make it great again? The Reverend Dr. David Keyes finds parallels between the ancient Israelites’ desire to ignore Moses and go back to what they knew, even if that was slavery, and the American citizens whose discomfort with a changing world prompted them to elect Donald Trump president. Having spent most of his professional life serving as an interim minister, Dr. Keyes can speak eloquently to the stresses of change. Come hear what he has to tell us about it.

Rev. Dr. David Keyes, Guest Minister

Lucy Smith, Worship Associate

Lary Chinn, piano

Nanette McGuinness,soprano

Asher Davison, song leader

Galen Workman, ofertory sentence

Jonathan Silk, OOS,Sound and Podcasting

Confessions of A Curious Cleric: Reflections On 45 Years of Ministry

We each bring our own gifts. Ministry is something we all do. John will confess what he wishes he had done differently. Perhaps to inspire us to stay curious and open to what the future may unfold. The Choir will end with the Forman Benediction by Daniel Pinkham, composed in John’s honor for his last service as UUA President.

Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister

Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister

Rev. JD Benson, Assistant Minister

Rev. Gwen Langdoc Buehrens

Kathleen Quenneville, welcome and reflection

Rev. Lindi Ramsden

Rev. Dr. Marilyn Sewell

Rev. Dr. David Sammons

Rev. John Young

Rev. David Keyes

Rev. Meg Whitaker-Greene

Reiko Oda Lane, organ

Mark Sumner, music director

Jonathan Silk, OOS,Sound and Podcasting

The Curious Case Of This Congregation and Of Schrodinger’s Cat

These last three years have been among the happiest and most satisfying of my professional life. Yet UUSF still suffers from some self-defeating understandings of itself. As “Developmental Minister” I will play therapist to try to help you to change the narrative. Worship will include a covenant with Lay Chaplains.

Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister

Rev. JD Benson, Assistant Minister

Susan Anthony, Worship Associate

Reiko Oda Lane, organ

Asher Davison, song leader

Katrina Walter, flute

Adrienne Malley, oboe

Jeannie Psomas, clarinet

Patrick Johnson-Whitty, bassoon

Leslie Hart, french horn

Margaret Halbig, piano

Joe Chapot, welcome

Nathan Gandrud, OOS

Jonathan Silk, sound and podcasting

Inquiring Minds Want To Know: A Question Box Sermon

Worship Associate Richard Davis and I will pick the 10 best questions for me to answer. Briefly.

The Choir will sing Rumi’s “Come, Come, Whoever You Are,” in English, Spanish and Chinese. We will thank the facilitators of Small Group Ministry. The Bell Choir will perform. Bike to Worship Sunday!

Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister

Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister

Richard Davis, Worship Associate

Reiko Oda Lane, organ

Dr. Mark Sumner, music director

Asher Davison, song leader

Christopher Rodriguez, welcome

Nathan Gandrud, OOS

Leslie Ottaviano, sound

Jonathan Silk, podcasting

Practicing Love

Our pulpit guest on Memorial Day weekend is a lay member of the UU Congregation of Santa Rosa, a Marriage and Family Therapist, and recipient of several district awards as an outstanding lay preacher. Dennis Adams will serve as Worship Associate. Andres Vera, cello, and Randy Adams, piano, will provide music. Meanwhile, our ministers will be with 100+ members & friends at the annual All-Church Retreat, practicing community-building in a less formal and relaxed setting at the CYO Camp in Occidental. Please join us, one place or the other!

Jan Ogren, Guest Preacher

Dennis Adams, Worship Associate

Andres Vera, cello

Randy Adams, piano

Galen Workman, welcome

Nathan Gandrud, OOS

Leslie Ottaviano, sound

Jonathan Silk, podcasting