(415) 776-4580
ADULT SPIRITUAL GROWTH PROGRAM
Welcome to the Adult Spiritual Growth page! Below you will find a listing of our current offerings. All programs are open to everyone. Make sure to check if the class requires registration
If you have questions, or would like to offer a class for our community, please contact Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life
Email - lshennum@uusf.org
Phone - (415) 776-4580
Minister's Book Group
On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy Snyder
Wednesday, December 11, 6:30-8 PM (Zoom) Led by Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern
This short book is already being quoted widely in our post-election world. Written in 2017 by Snyder, who is a professor of history at Yale and faculty advisor for the Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies, Snyder takes his scholarship of nationalism, Marxism, political movements, and European and World War II history and distills what shows up when Tyranny is slouching it’s way toward our corner of the world. A small book (Vanessa promises a quick read), this book offers one framework for how to step into the new year in our corner of the emerging world order.
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes and Other Lessons from the Crematory by Caitlin Doughty
Wednesday, January 22, 2025, 6:30-8:00 pm (Zoom)Led by Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern
December there will be no Minister's Book Club, but January will be Smoke Gets in Your Eyes and Other Lessons from the Crematory by Caitlin Doughty. Caitlin Doughty has a degree in medieval history and a flair for the macabre. She also worked at a crematory where she cared for bodies and became “an intrepid explorer in the world of the dead.” This best-selling memoir is full of vivid characters, wit, and a woman’s coming of age in the face of the death we all avoid. “ According to the SF Chronicle review, "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" reveals how the fear of dying warps our society and will make you reconsider how our culture treats the dead.
BIPOC Small Group - Deepening Series
Third Sundays from 1:00-3:00 pm, Hybrid
November 17
December 15
January 19
February 16
Led by Rev. Seanan Fong
This small group will provide a space for the BIPOC community to engage deeply in spiritual themes and practices. For more information, contact Rev. Seanan at seanan@sfcontemplarium.org.
Advance Care Planning and End-of-Life Options in California
These workshops with information on how to intentionally go into planning for end of life. This information is important no matter what adult stage of life you are in.
Planning A Memorial or Celebration of Life Service/What Support Does UUSF Provide
Sunday, November 10, 1-2:30 pm, Chapel
Refreshments provided.
Facilitated by Revs. Vanessa Rush Southern and Laura Shennum
We will provide resources and answer questions about planning a Memorial or Celebration of Life Service. We will share the support UUSF offers to members/friends at the end of their lives as well as what is important for us to know to provide that support.
Wills, Living Trusts, and Legal Stuff
Sunday, January 19, 1-2:30 pm, TSK Room
Refreshments provided.
Facilitated by Julia Wald and Ben Gale
Information will be provided about how to set up legal documents and ensure they will honor your wishes.
End of Life Choices Recording
If you would like to view the End of Life Choices presentation from Sunday, Oct. 13, and/or the presentation slides, then please email Rev. Laura Shennum at lshennum@uusf.org.
New UU Class: Welcome Home
Next class: Sunday February 9
New UU is an interactive class offered by our Minister for Congregational Life, Rev. Laura Shennum. This class offers the chance to get a deeper understanding of Unitarian Universalism and our congregation. Attending this class is also one of the steps to becoming a member at UUSF, however all are welcome, no matter their interest in membership.
Our next class will be on Sunday February 9 2025 at 1PM, in-person at UUSF. The registration link will be posted in January, visit this page then to sign-up.
The Unitarian Universalist EcoSocialist Network
The Unitarian Universalist EcoSocialist Network is hosting a discussion group on all things spirituality, ecology, and the socialist transition of society.
If you're interested in finding out more or getting involved, contact Gregory Stevens: gregorystevensw@gmail.com
MORNING METTA MEDITATION
Tuesdays & Thursdays
8:00-8:30 am
Leader: Elena Perez, Member of UUSF
Online Class. Click button to join Zoom call. ZOOM Password: metta
Watch a Sample Recording Morning Metta Mediation
You are warmly welcomed to join this "Morning Metta Meditation" group, which meets Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 8-8:30 am. Elena leads a simple, centering loving kindness meditation practice which is appropriate for all religious backgrounds and levels of meditation experience. Attendees can choose to leave their microphone and camera off and just follow along.
About the Leader: Elena Perez is a member of UUSF. She is a Licensed Acupuncturist who practices in SF at Dance With Life Chiropractic in the Inner Sunset, and in Fresno at Benessere Fresno.
Questions? email elena@communityneedles.com
EQUANIMITY PRACTICE
Fridays
8:00-8:30 am
Leader: Elena Perez, Member of UUSF
Online Class. Click button to join Zoom call. ZOOM Password: metta
Watch a Sample Recording Equanimity Practice
You are warmly welcomed to join our "Equanimity Practice" group, which meets on Fridays, 8-8:30 am. Elena Hanyo leads a simple meditation practice on cultivating equanimity- that is accepting the reality of life's highs and lows, and developing an attitude of peaceful calm abiding throughout the inevitable changes. This practice balances the heart-centered approach of our other group, lovingkindness- as it is common to get attached to positive outcomes for those we spend time wishing well. Equanimity allows us to develop mental stability and even-minded loving awareness. Appropriate for all religious backgrounds and levels of meditation experience. Attendees can choose to leave their microphone and camera off and just follow along.
About the Leader: Elena Hanyo Perez is a member of UUSF. She is a Licensed Acupuncturist who practices in SF at Dance With Life Chiropractic in the Inner Sunset, and in Fresno at Benessere Fresno, as well as a lay minister with Bright Dawn Center for Oneness Buddhism.
Questions? Email elena@communityneedles.com
