Complete Service-First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco

Many today harbor a barely concealed despair, anxious about the future - for themselves, for the planet, for coming generations. Yet they've also largely given up on traditional doctrines of salvation.' What does Unitarian Universalism have to offer to such spiritual seekers today? Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Rev. Szabolcs Czire, Special Guest Minister Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Kerry Parker...

On this UN Sunday, we welcome the Executive Director of the UU Office at the United Nations. Bruce Knotts is a retired US diplomat who has become  a leader among NGOs at the UN on climate change, LGBT rights, and refugee issues. John Buehrens will conduct the service with Bruce. Bruce Knotts, Guest Preacher Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Kate Offer, Song Leader Dr. Mark Sumner, Choi...

John sometimes jokes that he keeps getting called back into ministry because God knows he still needs to learn patience! But the actress Meryl Streep recently wrote that experience taught her there are some things with which it's fine to have no patience at all. Ah, the wisdom to know the difference! On this St. Francis Day, we hold a Blessing of Animals in the Chapel. Rev. John Buehrens, Senior M...

The great Unitarian minister A. Powell Davies reportedly said that "Life is just a chance to grow a  soul." Another Unitarian, the Bay Area's own poet-songwriter-activist, Malvina Reynolds, wrote a prose poem she called "The Soul Book." Come, join us in exploring what it might really mean to "grow a soul." Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Cindy Pincus, Intern Minister Dr. Mark Sumner,...

We mark the Jewish High Holidays, the "Days of Awe,"with the sounding of the shofar and the call to teshuvah - which means turning, or returning. The birds and animals do this instinctively. For humans, it takes a decision. As Shlomo Carlebach sings, "Return to who you are; return to what you are; return to the home of your soul." Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Alex Darr, Worship Associate Re...

We're taught as children that it's not polite to stare. But what happens when we look long enough to see something delightfully new beneath a familiar façade?  This week, embrace the value of taking the long look and learn how to stare. Our new Intern Minister is entering her final year of studies at the Pacific School of Religion. She is an environmental scientist by training. Rev. John...

The poet Marianne Moore once began a poem, "Poetry: I too dislike it." Our new minister feels the same about religion! And yet, like the poet, finds "in it, after all, a place for the genuine." Surely for today's "cultured despisers of religion," of whom we know many-for those who consider themselves atheists, agnostics, and "spiritual, but not religious-what we offer here is "a place for the genu...

Our children, youth, and teachers will process in following their welcome back breakfast. Minister Emerita Kay Jorgensen will invest John with an official cap from the Faithful Fools Street Ministry. Margot Campbell Gross will again lead us in meditation and prayer. And our preacher will be the new President of Starr King School for the Ministry. Don't miss this Sunday! Invite your friends. Rev. J...

"Only connect!" said the novelist E.M. Forster. But "connections are made slowly," warned poet Marge Piercy, "sometimes they grow underground." John Buehrens will preach, but the service will also include a chance to learn how to connect at UUSF to other spiritual seekers and skeptics through Small Group Ministry.          Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister...

Whatever you can do or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now." These words are often attributed to Goethe. In fact, they have another origin. Beginning with other beloved but misattributed sayings, I will explore both myth making and the art of beginning well to promote change that lasts...          Rev. Dr. Jo...

"How dare you assume that I am . . ." Well, fill in the blank! In an opening series of sermons on the  ABCs of spirituality and life in community, our new Senior Minister promises that if we don't make too many assumptions about him, he won't make many about us. Then we can really begin to meet, connect and grow spiritually through I-Thou encounters.   The Rev. Dr. John Buehren...

Aging With Grace: An Intergenerational Discussion. Church member Millie Phillips will share about what she has learned about the issue of aging, particularly from our Unitarian Universalist perspective. Getting older brings with it limitations and changes, but it's also a time to embrace life.     The Rev. Dr. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Millie Phillips, Guest Preacher Julia...

What is the purpose of poetry? What is the purpose of religion? How do the two purposes overlap? Our speaker, Rev. Dr. Lynn Ungar, both a UU minister and a published poet, will share her theology, her poetry, and how the two interrelate.   The Rev. Dr. John Buehrens, Senior Minister The Rev. Dr. Lynn Ungar Guest Minister Judith Stoddard, Worship Associate Mark Johnson, Pianist Millie Phi...

How do we listen for, and respond to, the sacred when we are up against a problem that isn't easily "fixed," when we feel overwhelmed by our own powerlessness and limitations? This theme is especially relevant in the world of health care, one of the most intimate areas of our lives where, despite our increasing technological innovations, our human vulnerability and imperfections persist. We will r...

The Executive Director of the Interfaith Council of San Francisco, Michael Pappas, will speak from his experience about the role the Interfaith Community plays in the life of the city and how our church fits into it. Michael Pappas, Guest Preacher Christine Patch-Lindsay, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Ted Rust, Oboist Viva Knight, Pianist Kate Offer, Song Leader Jonathan Silk, Sound,...

Sundays mornings are now for baseball, soccer, and dance practices in the secular world. Where has the Sabbath gone? How can we "Do" church and religious education while competing with these other interests? Can we radically remake our style for this era? And what does Dark Matter have to do with anything anyway? With a background as a mathematician and a theologian, Jeffrey stays up on the latest...

When was the last time you listened with more than your ears? Join us in an exploration of deep listening: what it is, how we do it, and the meaning for us as Unitarian Universalists. Come prepared for a fully embodied and engaging experience led by Youth and Young Adult Coordinator and divinity student Molly Johnson Molly Johnson, Guest Preacher Christine Patch-Lindsay, Worship Associate Alison R...

We each have sacred cows: ideas and life practices that we do not find it easy to have challenged or to change. What are some of the common ones for UUs, for Americans & for you? In the 21st century, spirituality is going global, just as are the other aspects of our lives. How could this globalization of spirituality challenge and help us and our religious movement? The Rev. John Young, Guest Mini...

As Dave Sammons takes his leave he'll reflect on his ministry with us and his hopes for our future. The past two years have shown him what a solid congregation this is and what it has going for it as a new minister guides it forward. The Rev. Dr. David Sammons, Interim Senior Minister Reiko Oda Lane, Organist & Bell Choir Director Jiun-Chyi Yew, Pianist Larry Marietta, Guest Conductor Jonathan Sil...

Most of us like to think of ourselves as truthful, but every once in awhile we catch ourselves telling one of those "little white lies." We're tired, so we say: "I wish I could come to your party but I've already made a commitment to go to see Joe." "Oh yeah, the person wonders, why does Joe always trump my invitation? Why doesn't my party take precedence? Little white lies can set traps hard to g...

On Memorial Day in some towns and cities people gather in cemeteries where the dead of war are buried to pay tribute to their sacrifice. But what would these troops have wanted said about them in thier eulogies we might say for them to say - and what would we want said in our own eulogies? Would it be the same as what others would say about us after we're gone? The Rev. Dr. David Sammons, Interim...

Jeremy is a graduate of Pacific School of Religion (PSR), former intern at this church and currently serves as the Minister of the Mission Peak UU Church in Fremont, CA.He says of his topic: "In a time when distractions abound and attention spans are at an all-time low, we need to be reminded of the importance of really hearing each other." The Rev. Jeremy Nickel, Guest Minister Christine Patch-Li...

Thirty years after she died, Dave Sammons feels it's time to write a letter to his mom. She died after suffering through a stroke, her husband's death, and a year in a nursing home. Dave wants to share his letter so that all of us might think about our mothers in a way both caring and honest. It's tough being a mom, yet after the game is over, even the burliest football player lets tears roll down...

We celebrate the culmination of this year's Coming of Age program with a special worship service for our seven graduates: Maeve Dellert, Alicia Cover, Spencer Gowin, Fiona King, Olivia Ong, Mara Pulgram and Lana Whealey. The year-long class, which includes three district-wide retreats gives youth time and opportunity to explore their spirituality and to deepen their relationship to their home cong...

For this Sunday after Earth Day we should reflect on what religious groups have to say about the issues threatening the earth today, from climate change, to resource depletion and the pollution of our rivers, oceans and lakes. If the Baptists can speak out about what's happening, what about us? The Rev. Dr. David Sammons, Interim Senior Minister Dr. Mark Sumner, Pianist Kate Offer, Song Leader Ted...