Sermons-First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco

"The Turbulence of Invitation"

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”

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"

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"

"We can never return to innocence, but we can move forward with integrity."

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"

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"

"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?”

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

"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

"Metaphors for Us"

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

"Meditations on the Transformative Power of Street Ministry"

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