Participants

Service Notes
Meg McGuire, Ministerial Intern
Dennis Adams, Worship Associate

Technology
Eric Shackelford, camera 
Shulee Ong, camera 
Jonathan Silk, sound/oos design
Joe Chapot, social media
Thomas Brown, sexton
Les James, Zoom Coffee Hour

Musicians
VanNessa Hulme, soprano
Derek Silbermann, pianist 
Leandra Ramm, song leader
Brielle Marina Neilson, song leader
Ben Rudiak-Gould, song leader
Asher Davison, song leader
Mark Sumner, director

Reiko Oda Lane, organist

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Cover image "farmhouse tableware" by Hannah Busing (learn more)

ABOUT

A jack of many musical trades: pianist, composer, teacher, arranger and music director Derek Silbermann is a recent transplant from the Los Angeles music community. Derek started his musical journey as a classical piano student in Santa Barbara, pursuing many other instruments through high school he discovered composition as a means of playing every instrument. Going into college Derek moved on to study "classical"(he prefers the term concert) composition as his emphasis. 

During this time Derek developed what his mentor, pianist and composer Tamir Hendelman referred to as "Derek's Augminishedstyle" which to this day pervades Derek's sound despite genre, style or instrumentation. Derek was a Music Composition Merit Scholarship recipient through his years at Cal State Northridge where he also studied: film composition, classical piano, jazz, organ, harpsichord, sound design and synthesis. While at CSUN, Derek participated in many jazz bands and classes led by Gary Pratt, Matt Harris and Bill Cunliffe.  While working for the film/TV/video game composer Larry Hopkins, Derek was ghost writer on much of the first 2 seasons of "Desperate Housewives' ', cues on video game "Jak and Daxter 3" as well as other multimedia projects.  

Together, he and his wife, VanNessa, own Silbermann Studios. www.silbermannstudios.com Derek is an active jazz and multi styles pianist in the greater Bay Area. Derek also currently serves as the music director at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Santa Clara where his duties include leading the music program whether conducting from the organ, piano or harpsichord and will begin his Master’s Degree study at San Jose State University in 2021.

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VanNessa Hulme Silbermann is a vocalist, director and educator. As a vocalist, VanNessa is anything but typical. She has been hailed internationally and at home for her uniqueness and ability to sing all genres, from classical to musical theater, gospel to R&B. As a versatile stage actor, VanNessa has performed over 150 lead and supporting roles in opera and musical theater. She is a 3 time regional finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and the Winner of the Llangollen Eisteddfodd Music Festival “Music Theater Singer of the World” and a finalist in the music festivals Opera Competition.  As a director, VanNessa has over 100 productions under her belt, ranging from live theater to music events to speakers and educational seminars, both for school and professional organizations. She is known for her creative choices, audience participation, and bringing the arts to under-served communities. Education is of high importance to VanNessa and she continues to invest herself in educating children about music and helping them to tap in to their own creativity. She has taught in both public and private schools for nearly 20 years.  VanNessa, with her husband Derek, is the co-owner of Silbermann Studios, a music education and performance organization.

COFFEE HOUR

12:15 PM on Sundays  

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Anyone is welcome to join our community for our Virtual Coffee Hour, immediately following the Sunday Worship Service. Coffee not required.

Join via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/725737157

Meeting ID: 725 737 157

One tap mobile: +16699006833,,725737157# US (San Jose)

An American Genocide

Sunday, November 29 at 1:00 p.m.

Dr. Benjamin Madley, Ph.D, UCLA, author of An American Genocide.

We are honored to be able to present professor Benjamin Madley at this holiday weekend Zoom meeting. In our quest to educate ourselves about American history, and after celebrating our most American holiday, Thanksgiving, it is fitting that we look closely at the history of our country, and our state in particular. 

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Please join us for this Zoom meeting using the link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87119438221?pwd=YUNnVkEwYUh2d29tWnpDamJoelo2QT09

Meeting ID: 871 1943 8221
Passcode: 025469
Dial by your location
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

Aloha AUUction 2021!

Silent Auction: 1/29 to 2/24

Live Auction: 2/5

The soft breezes and the inclusive culture of Hawaii—the most diverse state in the union—are calling all UUSF members and friends to participate in the fabulous Aloha AUUction 2021! This major UUSF fundraiser and fun-raiser will be held from the comfort of our homes, and all of us can participate to help our UUSF community thrive in the new year. We’ll need donations in every category: Experiences, Services, Collector’s Items. All of us can do something. 

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Here are just a few ideas:

Weekend or week-long getaways, Cooking class, Zoom scavenger hunt, Storytelling, Homemade soup, Dinner preparation and delivery, Wine, beer, sake or kombucha tasting, Live online concert, Original art item, Baking/cooking projects with ingredients brought to your door, Kids' art materials kit delivered to your door, Planter filled with plants/flowers of your choice, Earrings made to order, 2 hours of garden care, Driveway car wash, 2 hours of shopping or other errands.

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To make a donation of any experience, service or item (click here)

Questions? Email Sue Anthony at susan.j.anthony@comcast.net.

New UU: A 2-Session series for Visitors and Newcomers

Tuesday, February 2 and 9

7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Leader: Rev. Alyson Jacks and Rev. Vanessa Southern

Pre-Registration Required

Questions? Email Rev. Jacks -

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Join Revs. Jacks and Southern, and special guests, for a two session New UU class. This interactive class will introduce you to Unitarian Universalism and our congregation. If you don't have Zoom capability, there is a simple way to call in to participate. 

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Session 1: A quick journey from Past to Present, Unitarian Universalist history and theology.

To understand where we are now culturally as a movement, in our philosophies and practices, and our place in the larger landscape of religious history, we'd like to give you an overview of some of the big sweeps of time and where Unitarian Universalism's roots began and where we find ourselves today. We will cover history, theology and a bit of what we call "polity" -- how we run ourselves and why we do it like that.  

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Session 2: First UU Society Past to Present

Along the same lines we'd like you to see the history of this particular congregation, it's place in the life and history of San Francisco and California. What has been part of this life, and right now how does this congregation understand the work of spiritual growth, the call to social action, what are our worship traditions (and why are they the way they are), how do we connect and take care of each other, and what is entailed in being called "a member." 

Transcendentalism Then and Now

Wednesday, January 6, 13, 20, & 27, 2021

6:30 - 9:00 p.m.

Leader: Rev. Dr. John Buehrens

Hosted by UU Church of Palo Alto

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Registration: Advance registration is required. Please email Marilyn Austin at areclasses@uucpa.org to sign up for the class. The link will be provided to registered participants.

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Rev John Buehrens is the retired senior minister of the UU church in San Francisco. After the last time he gave a guest sermon at UUCPA, numerous members of our congregation asked the ARE Committee to arrange for him to teach a class for us. We have finally accomplished that! On the four Wednesday evenings in January, from 7:30 to 9:00, Rev. Buehrens will teach a class via zoom entitled Transcendentalism: Then and Now. He will identify contemporary issues as well as explore the pioneering efforts of our spiritual forbears in spiritual practice, women's rights, anti-racism, and ecotheology. All four sessions will include both lecture and discussion. Those wishing to attend should email areclasses@uucpa.org in order to receive the zoom link.

BIPOC Gatherings at UUSF

1st Sunday of the Month from 9:30 AM to 10:50 AM

An invitation for those who would like to join our monthly BIPOC gatherings. The sacred space is open to our members and friends who are Black, Indigenous and People of Color, takes place by Zoom (for now) on the first Sunday of every month often from 9:30-11am. If you are interested in attending or finding out more, please email bipoc@uusf.org. Please come join this space for joy, renewal, care and inspiration.

Racial Equity Task Force Meeting

Journey Toward Wholeness Racial Equity Task Force Meeting
Tuesday, December 22, 7PM to 8:30 PM

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The Journey Toward Wholeness / Racial Equity Task Force meets monthly on the 4th Tuesday. Last month we created a covenant for our work together and clarified that our focus, for the moment, will be on furthering the work within UUSF to dismantle white supremacy culture and build Beloved Community. 

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If you're interested in joining us on Tuesday, email info@uusf.org for meeting information and the materials for the meeting.

Special Holiday Virtual Coffee Hour

"We will have a Special Holiday Virtual Coffee Hour on Sunday Dec 13 at 12:15pm. We invite those that want to participate to wear the most festive outfits, accessories and creative backgrounds to attend this special Zoom meet up. We will have icebreakers, games and encourage people to enjoy their brown bag holiday treats and beverages! Come celebrate the “Warmth of Home” with us!

Yoga with Amy

Wednesdays from 7PM - 8:15 PM 

Register Here

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You are invited to join Amy Hunt for weekly online yoga sessions, every Wednesday evening, from 7-8:15 PM, until December 16. These sessions are open to anyone, from those with no previous yoga experience to longtime yoga practitioners. As in most yoga classes, the sessions promote strength, flexibility, balance, and focus, as well as creating space for relaxation, but these particular sessions have a therapeutic intention, aimed to increase the resilience of your nervous system, essential to managing stress. 

Morning Metta Meditation

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8-8:30 AM

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The zoom link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/75735734442 

(password metta)

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UUSF has the great fortune to offer two meditation programs you can participate in at any time. They are lead by Elena Hanyo Perez, a member of UUSF, licensed acupuncturist, and lay minister with Bright Dawn Center for Oneness Buddhism. See our website for more information.

Equanimity Practice

Fridays, 8-8:30 AM

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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. 

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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. 

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Appropriate for all religious backgrounds and levels of meditation experience. Attendees can choose to leave their microphone and camera off and just follow along.

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The zoom link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/75735734442#success (password metta)

Wednesday Morning Vigils

Wednesdays from 7:30 to 9AM on the steps of UUSF

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As a consequential election approaches, With the overt threat to subvert its outcome; With the prospect of a shift in the Supreme Court that could threaten long held basic rights; Our choices and our voices on the ballots and in the public square are critical.

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We cannot afford to be silent. We invite you to join fellow UUs and other people of conscience as we gather with signs and banners in front of our church.

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We have banners and signs but feel free to make and bring your own addressing those concerns you find most critical to raise.

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We want to do this in a way that is safe for everyone so please bring and wear your masks, use hand sanitizer, and socially distance.

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The garage and interior of the church will not be available so please find street parking if you drive.

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Let us know what you think at neveragain@uusf.org