Love is the Spirit of this Church, and Service is its Prayer.
WORSHIP SERVICE
"Accountability to What We Hear Inside"
Sunday, October 6, 2024, 10:50 am
Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister, preaching
As we enter into the Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and as we launch into an examination of the theme of Deep Listening, I find myself reflecting on how deep listening to ourselves, our inner voice and feelings, is foundational to our personal discernment. Perhaps the most foundational practice for it. What does it mean to listen deeply to ourselves and commit to doing so?
Watch This Week's Service Here
Watch Previously Recorded Worship Services
October: The practice of Deep Listening
Listening helps us find our way. The listening of therapists allows us to navigate our way through life. We turn to prayer to hear God’s guidance. We listen to experts so we can get ahead. Like a flashlight that leads us through the darkness, listening helps us stay on course. And yet maybe there’s more to it than that. What if listening doesn’t just guide us through the world but also creates our world? That sacred space of being deeply listened to isn’t just calling us home; it is home. We don’t have conversations; we are our conversations. Listening literally constructs the world we live in. And whom we become. One wonders if this is why the poet Joyce Sutphen says, “Listen carefully. Your whole life might depend on what you hear.”
-- Soul Matters (www.soulmatterssharingcircle.com)
THE FLAME
UUSF Weekly Newsletter
October 2, 2024
The Flame, our weekly newsletter, is published every Wednesday! We cover Sunday services as well as recent UUSF news and upcoming events. On Fridays, we also send a brief email outlining the weekend's events. If you send us an email at flame@uusf.org The Flame will be sent directly to your inbox.
Garden Party Silent Auction and Celebration on October 20th
October’s Silent and Live Auctions—Start Partying Today!
The Garden Party Silent Auction is now available HERE. Just click on the “Auction Catalog” to see the many items, outings, and parties awaiting your bid. Our silent auction runs until 2 p.m. at the October 20th Garden Party and Live Auction. Bid with your heart and get the ball rolling—the auction is our largest fundraiser of the year!
This was just confirmed: October 20th's Live Auction will feature live Oktoberfest music and dancing to "Joe Smiell and His Bavarian Band," brought to you by the kind donations of Bill Klingelhoffer and Jack and Sherry Delo.
Get your tickets now to avoid that last-minute rush and help us know how many meals to plan HERE. Yes, the price of your ticket includes a feast. Our German and Asian Oktoberfest menu items will include ample vegan options, desserts, and your choice of non-alcoholic beverages. Or, for a small donation, enjoy Oktoberfest beer and pretzels (Ein Prosit!) or sip this year’s signature cocktail or wine.
Other features of our October 20th garden-themed party include gardening advice from our Plant Doctor, a plant sale, dancing a waltz or polka, and our popular poker raffle. Dare to get a temporary tattoo! Stop by our photo booth. Outbid your competition at our silent auction tables. Dress up to win a prize for: 1) the best floral outfit 2) the best Asian Oktoberfest outfit and 3) the best German Oktoberfest garb! In addition, Family Ministry Staff members will supervise family-friendly activities, crafts, and video games for our children and youth.
But the most exciting time will be when Gary Lorentzen, a professional auctioneer, kicks off the live auction at 2:00 pm on October 20th. Be there or be square!
November 3, 1:30 pm, Sanctuary
The Starr King Way Performance Series (SKWPS) event is set for November 3. The 21V Choir, an innovative ensemble of soprano and alto voices, will perform "Reclaiming Radical 2.0" in the sanctuary. The performance will feature changemakers like Martin Luther King, Dolores Huerta, César Chavez, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Miss Major Griffin-Gracy. The choir will perform songs from North, South, and Central America, rethinking existing boundaries and assumptions. The concert will be free and open to the public, with a suggested donation of $20. The choir's performance will be a reminder of the importance of intergenerational unity and radical community in a divisive world.
GET INVOLVED!
“… and Service is our Prayer.”
UUSF relies on all of us to offer our time and ideas in order to build the church that we all know and love! To see a list of volunteer opportunities, classes, and ministries, visit the "Finding Your Ministry" form below. For additional questions, or if you are interested in finding other ways to get involved at UUSF, feel free to contact the UUSF Nominating Committee HERE.
NEWCOMER ORIENTATION
NEWCOMER ORIENTATION
Sunday October 6: Martin Luther King Room
Sunday November 3: Fireside Room
12:30pm
New to this community? New to Unitarian Universalism?
Newcomers are welcome to join us after the service to meet some of our members and learn more about our congregation and Unitarian Universalism.
It's a great chance to meet other folks in the community, ask any questions you might have, and find out how to get involved in our programs and ministries.
Free childcare is available to attendees who need it.
We look forward to meeting you!
Upcoming! & Watch Now
"Gaining Our Freedom"
Sunday, September 1, 10:50 am, 2024
This Election Will Reverberate for Two Generations
Sunday Forum, September 8, 9:30 am, 2024
"Invitation to the Waters"
Sunday, September 8, 10:50 am, 2024
Election 2024 Roundup! What can we expect?
Sunday Forum, September 15, 9:30 am, 2024
"Invitation to Participate in the Democratic Process"
Sunday, September 15, 10:50 am, 2024
Postcards to Hitler: A German Jew’s Defiance in a Time of Terror
Sunday Forum, September 22, 9:30 am, 2024
“From a Wave to a Welcome: Invitation as a Spiritual Practice”
Sunday, September 22, 10:50 am, 2024
UU Association Annual Assembly: New Values & Actions Report
Sunday Forum, September 29, 9:30 am, 2024
"The Turbulence of Invitation"
Sunday, September 29, 10:50 am, 2024
"We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Fascism! Writers’ Hopes for Humanity."
A literary festival with food, readings, theater, and music.
Sunday, September 29, 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Alison Owings & Del Seymour The Mayor of the Tenderloin
Sunday Forum, October 6, 9:30 am, 2024
"Accountability to What We Hear Inside"
Sunday, October 6, 10:50 am, 2024
FAMILY MINISTRY
Stay up to date with what is happening for our families and Sunday School program by subscribing to the Thursday weekly emails. To be put on the email list, please contact Rev. Laura Shennum at lshennum@uusf.org.
FROM THE COVID ADVISORY GROUP
Recommendation for close contacts of cases.
If you have new COVID-19 symptoms, you should test and mask right away.
If you do not have symptoms, and are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 infection and would benefit from treatment, you should test within 5 days.
If you do not have symptoms and have contact with people who are at higher risk for severe infection, you should mask indoors when around such people for 10 days. Consider testing within 5 days after the last exposure date (Day 0) and before contact with higher-risk people. For further details, see CDPH COVID-19 testing guidance.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
If you have questions, suggestions, resources or want/need clarification, please reach out to our Covid Advisory Team Here.
NEW TO UUSF?
GET CONNECTED
WATCH & LISTEN
While we meet live every Sunday morning at 10:50 am PT, worship certainly isn’t restricted to those moments! Anytime you need a comforting word, a song that will help you with your life, visit our video archives or listen to one of our podcasts.
