Complete Service-First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco

Our worship theme for April is "wealth and poverty," explored in both the material and spiritual dimensions. Questions of distributive economic justice are ultimately moral and spiritual issues. Join John Buehrens for a powerful sermon which borrows its title from a book on the theme by UU Minister Richard Gilbert. Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Ben Bear, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, cho...

It's boom town times again in San Francisco, this time with companies on the cutting edge of technology. We hunger for the new; we fear being left behind in this year's Global Economy 3.0. But is there a spiritual downside? Rev. Mary McKinnon Ganz first hit the streets of San Francisco in the 1970s as a reporter for the AP and the SF Examiner. After completing her ministerial internship with this...

This Sunday is our special RITES OF PASSAGE Service! Our 12 ROP graduates, along with their Teaching Team, will join Revs. Buehrens, Benson and Jacks on the Chancel. Our talented group of 3rd-4th graders has spent the year learning about themselves and their church community. They have filled up the pages in their workbooks, interviewed the ministers and other church leaders. They've toured the bu...

Celebrate Easter with laughter and joy, music and stories of new life. Wear an Easter bonnet if you like, bring the children, and join the ministers, the Choir, the Bell Choir and singer-songwriter Mike Rufo in an Easter Sunday to remember. Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Rev. JD Benson, Assistant Minister Reiko Oda Lane, organ and Bell Choir Director Dr. M...

It has been said that the Exodus story, retold at Passover, is not only the key to "engaged religion," but has been re-interpreted in every social justice movement from Jesus on Palm Sunday through Marxism to other liberation struggles. Linda Enger, chair of our 2015 operating fund drive, will give both a report and a testimonial. Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Linda Enger, 2015 Canvass Chair...

Going to and from Selma Alabama for the 50th anniversary of the voting rights campaign there, John Buehrens was reading Racing to Justice: Transforming Our Conceptions of Self and Other to Build an Inclusive Society, by UC Berkeley professor john a. powell, who spoke at a dinner here on Feb. 28. In his final chapter, from which this sermon takes its title, Powell writes, "If spirituality is engage...

What does it mean to be a philosophically and theologically pluralistic community? What does matter in our relationships with one another and to what is it we each rely upon? Are you "right" or is what you believe/understand simply right for you?

In the late 1800's, American Philosopher, Josiah Royce, coined the term Beloved Community, a phrase adopted by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. To build the beloved community, according to Royce, requires love, loyalty, and cooperation, among other things. It also requires engagement and risk. And it takes practice - lots and lots of practice. Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Alison Rittger, Test...

Which comes first? Church community? Or our social justice mission? The chicken or the egg? We will launch our annual pledge drive for the UUSF operating budget. Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister Harry Arthur, Testimonial Dr. Mark Sumner, choir director Reiko Oda Lane, organ Rusty Harris-Bishop, tenor Kathleen Quenneville, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Servi...

Mutual trust is a form of "social capital." We move forward at the speed of trust, I am convinced. But when trust fails, the natural tendency is to seek our own safety. How do we begin taking risks again? Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Sue Anthony, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, piano Ted Rust, oboe Viva Knight, piano Emily Wilson, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship A...

When our trust has been betrayed, the first thing we do is put on armor to protect our vulnerable spots. Betrayal can be especially painful in matters of the heart and we are often left with feelings of guilt, shame, and anger. On Valentine's Day weekend, we ponder the creative power of vulnerability and the risk of love. Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Dr. Mark Su...

Martin Luther King's legacy towers above all the rest in our national imagination. We remember him for his pure dream of freedom and equality, and yet today that dream still seems so far from our nightmare of mass incarceration and the unbearable fact that black bodies don't seem to matter as much as white bodies. Come hear Cindy Pincus preach about spiritual reparations and religious hope as we e...

Most of us are alienated from someone. Often for quite good reason. How do we achieve anything like reconciliation? John will draw on his experience in family systems work to offer some insights on the age-old issue of forgiveness. Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Rev. JD Benson, Associate Minister Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister Milo Hanke, Jr, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organist Wm. Garcí...

As we begin the New Year, our service begins with a baby blessing - dedicating the grandchild of our beloved organist, Reiko Oda Lane. Her name: "Aria." In traditional churches, a theme raised at the New Year is how Jesus was named, brought to the Temple, adored by Magi, and then, as an adult, baptized. But why? John will tell a story about a visit to Israel that suggested an answer. Assistant Min...

Alex Darr, who grew up in UUSF, will serve as Worship Associate and Kristen Pedersen will work with Rev. Buehrens to create a service that will include the voices of young adults testifying to how UU values were part of their transformations and personal growth. Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Alex Darr, Worship Associate Kristen Pedersen, Young Adult Mark Johnson, piano Kate Offer, song leader...

The title is taken from the American poet, Theodore Roethke. The sermon will be a Christmas season response to the underlying tone of despair in so many lives and so much of our culture. Sue Anthony will be the Worship Associate. Trumpet, soloist, carols, and candlelight will welcome all. The Reverend John Buehrens, Senior Minister Susan Anthony, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director R...

Ancient lessons, modern interpretations, carols and candlelight will welcome all comers. There are often nearly 500 people at this service, so come early! The offering will go to support our “Up on Top” after-school outreach program for children in the Tenderloin and Western Addition. The Reverend John Buehrens, Senior Minister The Reverend Alyson Jacks, Minister of Family Life Dr. Mark Sumner, Mu...

On the shortest and darkest day of the year our ancient forebears had the spiritual sense to fend off fear and despair with the lighting of bonfires and some of the most joyous, festive revelry. The sermon will explore the themes of waiting, hope, and the loss of hope which is true despair - as well as the surprise (and cultivation) of joy. The service will include a reflection by Worship Associat...

The church choir led by Dr. Mark Sumner and organist Reiko Oda Lane will be joined by singers from the East Bay and professional musicians who have gathered to share this most wonderful music. "Rejoice in the Lamb" is a favorite masterwork composed by Benjamin Britten who was celebrated throughout the choral world last year on his 100th birthyear. The unique and thought-provoking text is by Christ...

We welcome the Minister Emerita of First Unitarian in Portland, OR, where she built up one of the largest, most influential churches in the UUA and in the state, often preaching to 1000 people. She will do a reading from her latest book in the Fireside Room at 9:30 AM. The 11AM service will include a reflection by Worship Associate Ben Bear, a ceremony recognizing our many new members conducted by...

What constitutes a good ending? To a day, or to a life? Perhaps the answer is the same. Our service for Thanksgiving weekend will be graced by the music of some gifted young musicians. Please don't hesitate to bring visitors or friends. Rev. John Buehrens,Senior Minister Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister David "Rudy" Ruettige, Worship Associate Young Performers International (YPI) Dr. Mark Sumner, Pia...

Unitarian Universalist oncology chaplain and inspiring speaker Michael Eselun as he explores our relationship to our own stories and how we can use them in the attempt to make spiritual sense of our lives. Joining Michael on the chancel are Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister and Alison Rittger, Worship Associate. Music from the choir led by Dr. Mark Sumner; Reiko Oda Lane, organ and Kate Offer, soprano...

It seems that children -- of all ages -- need prompting to be thankful. Why are we so persistently resistant to gratitude? And what helps us to overcome that resistance? Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Kate Offer, Soprano Emily Wilson, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast

Maya Angelou said, 'Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer.' Let's talk about how gratitude can comfort us when life has brought us to our knees. Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Sr. Sheila Flynn, O.P., Guest Visitor Reiko Oda Lane, Organist & Bell Choir Director Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Kathleen Quenneville, Welcome Jona...

We will celebrate our beloved dead on All Souls Day by expressing how grief is resolved only in gratitude. Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Alyson Jacks, Minister of Family Life Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister Sue Anthony, Worship Assocaite Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Bill Klingelhoffer, Welcome Jonathan Silk, Sound, Order of Service & Worship Archives/Podcast