(415) 776-4580
ADULT SPIRITUAL GROWTH PROGRAM
Welcome to the Adult Spiritual Growth page! Below, you will find a list of our current offerings. All programs are open to everyone. Make sure to check if the class requires registration. You can easily complete the registration process online.
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
New UU Class: Welcome Home
Next class: Wednesday October 28, 2026
Join Rev. Laura Shennum and Emma Wakeling for our New UU class! This interactive class offers the chance to get a deeper understanding of Unitarian Universalism and our congregation. It offers an introduction to UU history, UUSF's mission and covenant, information about the membership process, and ways to get involved in our community.
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 take place on Wednesday October 28, 6:30PM - 8:00PM, on Zoom.
Register for the class using the link below.
Email Emma Wakeling with any questions: ewakeling@uusf.org
Mindfulness As An Act of Resistance:
Day of Mindfulness
Saturday, October 24, 10:00 am to 3:30 pm, Chapel
Home Within Sangha, a practice group within the Plum Village tradition founded by socially engaged Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh, in cooperation with UUSF's Adult Spiritual Growth, invites you to a Day of Mindfulness. Together we'll enjoy the nourishment of shared silence and practice sitting, walking, and eating meditation. We'll sing some simple practice songs, watch a recorded dharma talk by Thich Nhat Hanh, and rest deeply in a guided relaxation. The day closes with dharma sharing, a chance to reflect together in small groups on our experience of practice.
In a culture that pushes us to always do more, produce more, and consume more, the practice of slowing down, paying attention, and living simpler is counter-cultural. Mindfulness practice helps us live more fully, see more clearly, and build reserves so that we can be more present for those around us. As our teacher has said, we cannot bring peace to the world if we do not have peace in ourselves.
No experience with meditation or Buddhism is needed. Come as you are; everyone is welcome. Please bring a vegetarian lunch for the day and a yoga mat for our lying-down meditation, and wear comfortable clothes. Chairs will be provided for seated meditation; you may bring a meditation cushion if you prefer. The day is offered freely, with an opportunity to give dana (voluntary donation) at the end. All proceeds will go to support UUSF, and no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Classes are also scheduled for Saturday, January 23, and Saturday, April 24.
Join a Small Group
Small Groups are forming now!
Small Group Ministry meets twice a month in groups of 8-10 people either in person or online to explore themes related to our UU values and faith. They are led by a trained facilitator and are a great way to connect in the community.
For questions, contact Rev. Shennum at lshennum@uusf.org
Join Us for Creative Explorations!
First Sunday of each month, October 2026 through May 2027
Starting in October, Louise Diskerud and Debbie Wu will host small group ministry creative explorations on the first Sunday of each month, running through May (note: no session in December). Creatively explore our monthly themes in community!
Details:
- Location: October in the MLK Room; subsequent months in Stebbins
- Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
- No sign-up required: Feel free to drop in!
- Lunch: Bring your lunch if you'd like
No prior artistic experience is required.
Minister's Book Group
All are welcome to join the Minister’s Book Group, a gathering in which we read a book our Senior Minister, Vanessa Southern, chooses (often before she has read it!). Designed to provoke conversation about our lives and values, enter into the voice and experience of writers and thinkers we can learn from, and chew on both fiction and non-fiction, gathering wisdom from among us!
**October Minister’s Book Group**
Celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month on October 28th with a Zoom discussion of "Marsha: The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P. Johnson" by Tourmaline, a biography highlighting the life and impact of the iconic Black transgender activist.
Elder Wisdom Group
Second Tuesdays, 12PM - 2:00PM
Facilitated by Rev. Laura Shennum
Calling all our Senior Citizens! Join Rev. Laura on the second Tuesday of each month, in person at UUSF, to engage in topics that are important to you. A light lunch will be provided. We will decide our focus areas in September and there is no need to register. For more information, contact Minister of Congregational Life Rev. Laura at lshennum@uusf.org.
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
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 that 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