Sermons-First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco

"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...

"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 pres...

"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...

"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...

"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...

"Gifts Great and Small" (March 15, 2020) This is Pi(e) weekend. The ratio of the radius of our circle of caring and sharing to its circumference, geometrically, is forever roughly 3.14. So just what does this mean for our relatively small, church community in relation to the great surrounding spiritual and social needs of the city and world in which we live? What part of the whole pie of services...

"A Thousand Cuts and the Work of Healing" (March 8, 2020) This week we will look at what are called micro-agressions, how they unfold even in our community, how we intervene and imagine a world without them. Members Mari Maglione and Michael Bossier from Fake Comedy Radio, Don Shearer, Rochelle Fortier-Nwadibia and our ministers will lead a journey of skits and reflection as we explore this way to...

"What Goes Around..." (March 1, 2020) So many stories, good stories — aren’t we in need of some good stories — to tell of another possible law of the universe. Or maybe just another addition to the Golden Rules worth risking on. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Sharon Weld, Ministerial Intern Nancy Buffum, Annual Operating Fund Drive Campaign Co-Chair Joe Dellert, Annual Operating Fund...

"Envisioning Justice" (February 23, 2020) As you imagine a better future, what changes would you make for yourself, for the church, for the neighborhood? We will envision personal and collective change that inspires us all, and we will spotlight the justice work already achieved by this congregation. Sharon Weld, Ministerial Intern Jan Oringer, Worship Associate Sam King, Worship Associate Emma's...

"From Darwin to Unitarian Universalism" (February 16, 2020) Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection set into motion a way of thinking that has profoundly affected not only the understanding of biology but also influenced a much wider range of human concerns, including religion. This is most evident in Unitarian Universalism. We will trace how this came about and reflect on how this way o...

"I Do, I Do: A Sermon on Relationships" (February 9, 2020) After all these years of doing weddings, and watching marriages (and living in one), and being in relationship, what can we say definitively about love and what makes us stick together. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Dennis Adams, Worship Associate Mark Sumner, music director Reiko Oda Lane, organ Bill Ganz, piano Asher Daviso...

"The Year of..." (February 2, 2020) Our congregations draw from the wisdom and experience and the traditions of their families and communities-of-origin, the practices they carry forward, and how they weave these into lives that feel grounded and guided. This Sunday as we are in the season of Lunar New Year, we'll take a moment -- in no way is this service a celebration of Lunar New Year as any on...

"Millie Phillips Ordination Service" (January 26, 2020) On January 26th, at 6PM in our Sanctuary we ordained into UU Ministry Millie Phillips. Millie is a long time member and lay leader in the congregation who completed her studies at the Starr King School of the Ministry and was cleared for ordination this past spring by the denomination. As is the custom of Unitarian Universalism it is a congre...

"Who Are You to Judge?" (January 26, 2020) These days everyone's a critic. We all make judgments, good and bad, some with lasting and profound effects. Judgement assumes thoughtful deliberation, but we've all had occasion to make a snap judgement now and then. What forms and informs our ability to judge? When we strive to be non-judgmental, what role does judgement play? Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associa...

"Honesty and Legacy II: Inspecting the Family Tree" (January 19, 2020) Once we hit on the idea that our legacy as a person, a family or a nation is tied inextricably to our history, we have to own the responsibility to dig into that history, especially the parts that got papered over or conveniently forgotten. We looked at that in November (or started to) around the United State’s history with Nat...

"Religious Experience and the Ascent of Mount Ventoux" (January 12, 2020) Fourteenth Century poet and scholar, Frencesco Petrarca, more commonly known as Petrarch was part of the early Italian Renaissance. He was also Catholic and is widely considered one of the first humanists. At 32, he and his brother and two servants ascended Mount Ventoux. The journey up (and down) would be a turning point in...

Angels Among Us (December 24, 2019) Please join us for a retelling of the story of Christmas, for carols and candlelight and an invitation for the spirit of the season to take hold of us! This year there will be no pageant, but plenty of story telling, candles, gorgeous music of all kinds, and magic. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister; Sharon Weld, Mi...

The Big Question (January 5, 2020) Is there a difference between believing that God exists and believing in God? Rev. Dr. David Usher, Guest Minister Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Lisanicole Sarkisian, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, organ Eric Hamilton, guitar Shanon Warto, song leader Reece Heart, Trustee Joe Chapot, Camera Operator Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Ed...

The End (December 29, 2019) In the last weekend of 2019, we’ve reached “the end” of a chapter: the end of this year and the end of this decade. We spend much of our lives reading and watching stories that draw neatly to a close, but in our messy real-world lives, “the end” so often brings more ambiguity than clarity. So how do we bring this chapter to a close, and open the next? Rev. Seanan Fong,...

Blinded by the Light (December 22, 2019) As we honor the time of Hanukkah along with so many other holidays that speak of light, of miracles, of hope, we gather to do the same. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Carmen Barsody, Worship Associate Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director and Harpsicord Reiko Oda Lane, organ Ellen McEntire Cowan, soloist Asher Davison, song leader Don Shearer, Camera...

Hanging of the Greens: A Multigenerational Extravaganza! (December 15, 2019) This is a service that was created by the Princeton UU Church and made its way through many congregations and this year makes its debut with us. Honoring the longest days of the year, the ancient traditions of bringing in greens to remind us of what is alive in the depths of winter, we will gather, sing, create, move arou...

what are we waiting for? (December 8, 2019) For many people this time of year is one of waiting…for the sun to return, the people to come together, the lamp to burn long enough, for the Savior to be born. This morning will be a time for each of us to reflect, what are we really waiting for? The Offering this morning will go to Kopanang, the women’s empowerment group in South Africa, founded by Sis...

A Pearl of Great Price (December 1, 2019) This service is about the value in finding the "work of one’s life”…  despite the challenges / obstacles … finding that thing that lights up one’s eyes and life. … mostly an optimistic intention that also acknowledges what is hard. Sharon Weld, Ministerial Intern Don Wiepert, Worship Associate Mark Sumner, piano Andrés Vera, cello My-Hoa Steger,...

The Ultimate MassUp (November 24, 2019) This Sunday is BIG MUSIC Sunday. If you've never been to one, hold on to your hat and be sure to fasten your seat belts. Actually, DO grab a seat and belt yourself in. We sold out last Sunday at Hertz Hall in Berkeley and those who sat in the aisles may come again THIS SUNDAY to experience it again---to say nothing of those planning to spend $20 at the door...

Happiness is.... (November 17, 2019) Ancient philosophers have talked about happiness. Religions have weighed in on what it means for us and how to find it. And ever since the launching of the field of positive psychology, the study (rigorous, measurable, double-blind and controlled studies) of what makes us happy has confirmed some of what we always knew, but also dismantled some of what we thoug...