Sunday, July 5, 2020 at 11AM led by Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

Following on our sermon on "Negotiating Risk" (May 17) we will look this Sunday at the flip side of risk -- that part of engaging life that is scary but gorgeous and transformative, that keeps us growing and alive.

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister
Dennis Adams, Worship Associate
Reiko Oda Lane, organist
Gilead Wurman, baritone
Asher Davison, bass-baritone
Wm. Garcia Ganz, pianist
Eric Shackelford, camera
Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support
Alex Darr, Zoom Remote Host
Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

Sunday, June 28, 2020 at 11AM led by Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

In the story of creation told in Hebrew Scriptures, after six days of work creating heaven and earth, God took a day off. And so there’s a long tradition in Judaism and Christianity and Islam this day of Sabbath so the actual day that’s marked as such as different in each tradition. It is a day of mandatory rest. A day in which we are supposed to pretend that everything is perfect as it is and well in the gorgeousness of life at our feet. To me this is a genius creation by man or God who or whatever you want to credit it to. And I want to talk again about why.

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister
Sharon Weld, Ministerial Intern
Reiko Oda Lane, organist
Allen Biggs, marimbist
Asher Davison, song leader
Mary Jane Mikuriya, Internship Committee
Marie Kazan-Komarek, Internship Committee
Luanne Schulte, Internship Committee
Eric Shackelford, camera
Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support
Alex Darr, Zoom Remote Host
Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

Sunday, June 21, 2020 at 11AM led by Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

June 19th, every year, also known as Juneteenth, Freedom Day, Black Fourth of July, is the day in The United States that we commemorate June 19, 1865, when two and a half years after the Emanciation Proclamation was implemented, enslaved African Americans in parts of the South finally got word of their liberation.  

As we commemorate that date we will look at the history of lost stories, as part of the legacy of slavery and the founding fabric of the United States.  We will tell the story of Bilali.

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister
Judith Stoddard, Worship Associate
Reiko Oda Lane, organist
Michele Kennedy, soprano 
My-Hoa Steger, pianist
Jon Silk, drums
Carlton Ball, actor
Michael Bossier, actor
Jayanti Chapot, actor
Alyson Jacks, actor
Don Shearer, actor
Eric Shackelford, camera
Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support
Alex Darr, Zoom Remote Host
Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound

Sunday, June 14, 2020 at 11AM led by Sharon Weld, Ministerial Intern

We look at the importance of community and the power of radical welcoming - a celebration of the congregation and a thanks for priceless gifts. This will be Sharon's last sermon with us as our 2019-2020 Ministerial Intern.

Sharon Weld, Ministerial Intern
Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister
Reiko Oda Lane, organist
Jennifer Peringer, pianist
Ben Rudiak-Gould, song leader
Eric Shackelford, camera
Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support
Alex Darr, Zoom Remote Host
Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

Sunday, June 7, 2020 at 11AM led by Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

Rochelle Fortier Nwadibia, Worship Associate
Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor
Asher Davison, bass-baritone
Wm. Garcia Ganz, pianist
Eric Shackelford, camera
Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support
Alex Darr, Zoom Remote Host
Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits, drums

Sunday, May 31, 2020 at 11AM led by Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister

One of the side-effects of physical distancing and shelter-in-place is loneliness. According to Dr. Vivek Murthy, the former Surgeon General, research shows that more than 20% of the US adult population struggles with loneliness, and that was before COVID19. Social connection is baked into our nervous system. We need human interaction to survive. What causes loneliness and how can we help to alleviate it?  Faith communities, I think, are a great place to begin the conversation.

Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister
Richard Davis-Lowell, Worship Associate
Reiko Oda Lane, organist
Michele Kennedy, soprano
Brielle Neilson, mezzo-soprano
My-Hoa Steger, pianist
Jon Silk, drums
Eric Shackelford, camera
Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support
Alex Darr, Zoom Remote Host
Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

Sunday, May 24, 2020 at 11AM led by Carmen Barsody and Sam Dennison, Faithful Fools

Poppies come to us in magnificent clumps of color. They grow wild. They bring us hope.  If not for their brightly colored blooms, they would be considered a weed, given how their seeds drift on the wind and take root by any road or on any hillside. Their flowers are delicate, their life force is hardy. It was for these characteristics that they became Memorial Day's symbol of remembrance.

In wartime, we want to protest the violence and honor the lives of those serving. It is never easy to reconcile loss, especially untimely or violent loss, and regret. It is our task to hold both things, letting neither outweigh the other. It is our task to honor the human spirit which is both hardy and delicate.

Carmen Barsody, Faithful Fool
Sam Dennison, Faithful Fool
Sharon Weld, Ministerial Intern
Andrés Vera, cellist
My-Hoa Steger, pianist
Asher Davison, song leader
Eric Shackelford, camera
Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support
Alex Darr, Zoom Remote Host
Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

Sunday, May 17, 2020 at 11AM led by Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

Life is risky business, always, and always has been, but life right now has put the idea of risk at the center of our lives, and in more ways than one. Let's talk risk and what it brings into sharp(er) focus in our own lives and the world, and how this close dance-with-risk might change us!

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister
Sam King, Worship Associate
Reiko Oda Lane, organ 
Mark Sumner, bass
Wm. Garcia Ganz, piano
Asher Davison, bass-baritone
Eric Shackelford, camera
Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support
Alex Darr, Zoom Remote Host
Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

Sunday, May 10, 2020 at 11AM led by Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

Mothers are important, but also mothering and befriending, grand parenting and neighboring all shape us too as we grow, come to know ourselves, choose how and who we'd like to be in the world.  This Mother's Day we will celebrate the stories of, as Garrison Keillor says, "The Mothers and Others."

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister
Anish Johnson, Worship Associate
Reiko Oda Lane, organ 
Mark Sumner, bass
Wm. Garcia Ganz, piano
Brielle Nielson, mezzo-soprano
Asher Davison, bass-baritone
Jon Silk, drums
Eric Shackelford, camera
Joe Chapot, Social Media Chat Support
Alex Darr, Zoom Remote Host
Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

Sunday, May 3, 2020 at 11AM led by Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister and Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister

Fred Rogers taught us that it's important to express our feelings, and to be listened to and respected. It's not always easy to say what's in our hearts. We need to feel safe and know that others can be trusted. It's what we strive for in our Sunday School, and in all of our church interactions. This Sunday, we'll draw lessons from Mr. Rogers neighborhood that can help us on our way. This Sunday concludes our formal Sunday School programming. Our children and youth will join us virtually for the start of worship for a special Message for all Ages, then depart for their virtual classes, and wrap up for the church year.

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister
Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister
Reiko Oda Lane, organ 
Mark Sumner, piano and baritone
My-Hoa Steger, piano and soprano
Brielle Nielson, mezzo-soprano
Asher Davison, bass-baritone
Jon Silk, drums
Eric Shackelford, camera
Joe Chapot, Social Media Support
Alex Darr, Zoom Remote Host
Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

Sunday, April 26, 2020 at 11AM led by Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

Part of me has always wanted to live in a monastery. The only problem is that my spouse wouldn't agree, and there are all those vows too. Lately, though, there is a lot monastic about my life, and maybe yours. What if we think of framing our time of stay-at-home as "Life in the Monastery"? What would that mean or might it.

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister
Dennis Adams, Worship Associate
Reiko Oda Lane, organ 
Giacomo Fiore, electric guitar and electronics
My-Hoa Steger, pianist
Brielle Nielson, mezzo-soprano
Asher Davison, bass-baritone
Eric Shackelford, camera
Joe Chapot, Social Media Support
Alex Darr, Zoom Remote Host
Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

Sunday, April 19, 2020 at 11AM led by Rev. Lindi Ramsden, Guest Minister

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 this time of trauma and possibility, what are we learning? How can our faith help us to answer this existential call? 

Rev. Lindi Ramsden, Guest Minister
Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister
Sharon Weld, Ministerial Intern
Reiko Oda Lane, organ 
Dr. Mark Sumner, piano
Asher Davison, bass-baritone
Michele Kennedy, soprano
Jon Silk, drums
Eric Shackelford, camera
Joe Chapot, Social Media Support
Alex Darr, Zoom Remote Host
Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

Sunday, April 12, 2020 at 11AM led by Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

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 present to all the ways in which bad things happen to good and not-so-good people alike. You might say we are a Covid-19 global tribe weather Holy Week times. So where is the hope and joy of Easter Sunrise for us?  Let's name it and sing of it together!

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister
Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister
Sharon Weld, Ministerial Intern
*Reiko Oda Lane, organ 
*Tom Dambly, trumpet
*Handbell Choir
Dr. Mark Sumner, piano
Asher Davison, bass-baritone
Laurel Sprigg, soprano
Jon Silk, drums
Eric Shackelford, camera
**Joe Chapot, Social Media Support
**Alex Darr, Zoom Remote Host
Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

*recordings
**offsite

Sunday, April 5, 2020 at 11AM led by Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister & Sharon Weld, Ministerial Intern

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
Reiko Oda Lane, organ 
Wm García Ganz, piano
Asher Davison, vocals
Brielle Nelson, vocals
Jon Silk, drums
Eric Shackelford, camera
Joe Chapot, YouTube Social Media Chat Support
Alex Darr, Zoom Remote Host
Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

Sunday, March 29, 2020 at 11AM led by Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

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 balcony.” So, let’s try and get up there, this morning. What can we see from the balcony of these days? What’s the long view? What do we ourselves, even, look like from up here?

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister 
Sharon Weld, Ministerial Intern
David Heilbron, Worship Associate
Reiko Oda Lane, organ 
My-Hoa Steger, piano
Brielle Neilson, mezzo soprano 
Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor
Eric Shackelford, camera
Joe Chapot, YouTube Social Media Chat Support
Alex Darr, Zoom Remote Host
Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Drums, Video Edits

Sunday, March 22, 2020 at 11AM led by Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

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, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

Sunday, March 15, 2020 at 11AM led by Rev. Dr. John Buehrens

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 that UUSF attempts to provide goes to whom? What proportion of those efforts should each of us try to support with our gifts of time and treasure?

Rev. Dr. John Buehrens, Guest Preacher
Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister
Richard Davis-Lowell, Worship Associate
Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director
Reiko Oda Lane, organ and bell choir director
Joe Dellert, Canvass Co-Chair
Lori Lai, Board Treasurer
Shulee Ong, Camera
Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

Sunday, March 8, 2020 at 11AM led by Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

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 be better and more whole together.

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister
Sharon Weld, Ministerial Intern
Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director
Reiko Oda Lane, organ
Wm. García Ganz, piano
Mari Maglione, TWZ Player
Michael Bossier, TWZ Player
Don Shearer, TWZ Player
Rochelle Fortier-Nwadibia, TWZ Player
Leandra Ramm, soloist
Brielle Nielson, soloist
Asher Davison, soloist
Ben Rudiak-Gould, soloist
Eric Shackelford, Trustee
Shulee Ong, camera
Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits, drums

Sunday, March 1, 2020 at 11AM led by Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

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 Drive Campaign Co-Chair
Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director
Reiko Oda Lane, organ
Wm. García Ganz, piano
Scott Benbow, Trustee
Eric Shackelford, camera
Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

Sunday, February 23, 2020 at 11AM led by Sharon Weld, Ministerial Intern

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 Revolution, Guest Music
Dr. Mark Sumner, piano
Kerry Parker, song leader
Judy Payne, Trustee
Shulee Ong, camera
Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits, Drums

Sunday, February 16, 2020 at 11AM led by Jim Barnett, Worship Leader

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 of thinking can lead to greater fulfillment of life’s potentials.

Jim Barnett has been a UU for 45 years. He is retired from his career in biomedical research, a graduate of the Humanist Institute and currently the chair of the Humanists and Non-Theists committee at UUSF.

Jim Barnett, Worship Leader
Carmen Barsody, Worship Associate
Dolores Perez Heilbron, Worship Associate 
Dr. Mark Sumner, music director
Reiko Oda Lane, organ and bell choir director
Eric Shackleford, Trustee
Sharon Weld, camera
Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

Sunday, February 9, 2020 at 11AM led by Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

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 Davison, soloist
Amy Kelly, trustee 
Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits, drums

Sunday, February 2, 2020 at 11AM led by Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

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 one who grew up with it would recognize -- and we'll take a moment to honor some of the threads that weave through this season of celebration and beginning.

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister
Daniel Jackoway, Worship Associate
Lori Lai, Board Treasure
Kat Liu, Worship Associate
Andrés Vera, cello
My Hoa Steger, piano
Mark Sumner, piano
Ben Rudiak-Gould, song leader
Reece Hart, Trustee
Shulee Ong, Camera Operator
Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

Sunday, January 26, 2020 at 6PM led by Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

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 congregation that ordains people into ministry and ours voted this fall at a special meeting to ordain Millie. 

Rev. Millie Phillips
Rev. Christopher Bell, Senior Minister
Rev. Dr. Dorsey O. Blake, Presiding Minister
Rev. Cat Cox, Spiritual Director
Rev. Margot Campbell Gross, Minister Emerita
Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister
Carrie Steere-Salazar, Moderator, Board of Trustees
Stephen Schwichow, Ordination Committee Chair
Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister
Dr. Amy Kelly, Ordination Committee
Eric Langhirt, Ordination Committee
Jan and Howard Oringer, Ordination Committee
Stephen Schwichow, chair, Ordination Committee
Melvin Starks, Ordination Committee
Judith Stoddard, Ordination Committee
Eric Hamilton, guitarist
Randy Moore, drummer
Reiko Oda Lane, organ
Richard Saunders, bass
Keith Saunders, pianist
Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director
Shulee Ong, Camera
Jonathan Silk, sound, OOS

Sunday, January 26, 2020 led by Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister

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, Associate Minister
Sharon Weld, Ministerial Intern
Reiko Oda Lane, organ
Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director
Christopher Rodriguez, Trustee
Shulee Ong, Camera Operator
Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

Sunday, January 19, 2020 led by Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

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 Native and Indigenous peoples. Let’s look this morning at two families and their journeys and just some of what they unearthed and had/have to reckon with.

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister
Don Wiepert, Worship Associate
Reiko Oda Lane, organ
Wm. García Ganz, guest conductor
Eric Shackelford, soloist
Judy Payne, Board Secretary
Don Shearer, Camera Operator
Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Podcasting, Video Edits

Sunday, January 12, 2020 led by Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister

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 3