“Faith In Times of Crisis” Sunday, October 19, 2025 Our forebears in liberal religion here in San Francisco endured crises long before the present one we now face. As we continue to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of UUSF, our former Senior Minister and resident historian will share stories of faith and endurance. The service will include a visit from one of the most colorful characters in our history: Emperor Norton! After the service, copies of John’s history of UUSF, A Religious Center with a Civic Circumference: Unitarians in San Francisco Since 1850, will be available for sale and signing during another celebratory coffee hour.  Rev. John Buehrens; Dennis Adams, Worship Associate; Galen Workman, Moderator, Board of Trustees; UUSF Bell Choir led by Reiko Oda Lane, organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, director; Emanuela Nikiforova, violin; Wm. García Ganz, pianist Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Carrie Steere-Salazar, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher LIVESTREAM https://youtube.com/live/DS2ztBvAT90 OOS: https://t.ly/20251019OSWeb PLAYLIST: https://t.ly/20251019Playlist

“The Rest of The Story” Sunday, October 12, 2025, 10:50 am We begin the celebration of our 175th anniversary as a congregation with a return visit from the very first woman minister in our history. Diane Miller served UUSF for several years starting in the bicentennial year of 1976. Like onetime radio personality Paul Harvey, who always ended his broadcasts with the tagline, “And that’s the rest of the story,” Diane will share aspects of her ministry and experience here that few have heard before. She went on to serve as UUA Director of Ministry from 1993 to 2001. Rev. Dianne Miller, Guest Preacher; Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Lucy Smith, Board of Trustees Secretary; Joanne Kong, pianist; Christoph Wagner, cellist; Phil Browne, songleader, songleader; Mark Sumner, pianist Eric Shackelford; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Amy Kelly, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher LIVESTREAM https://youtube.com/live/D8bgLiqTPKs OOS: https://t.ly/20251012OSWeb PLAYLIST: https://t.ly/20251012Playlist

“Begrudging Journey to Compassion: Confessions of a Recalcitrant Pastor” Sunday, October 5, 2025, 10:50 am I knew directly after the election when some folks were talking about building bridges and understanding the other side that strategically and spiritually this was the right way to go—or would be. I also knew I couldn’t go there in that moment. But right now, compassion and a different kind of role for us as people of faith feel like, maybe, our only hope. And a powerful invitation to lead. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Maria G, Worship Associate; Liz Strand, Trustee; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, director; Morgen Warner, Soloist; Bill Ganz, pianist Shulee Ong; Eric Shackelford; Eli Boshears, Camera Operators; Desired Effect, sound; Alicia Cover, Order of Service; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Athena Papadakos, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher LIVESTREAM https://youtube.com/live/HtiCe_dl8Ko OOS: https://t.ly/20251005OSWeb PLAYLIST: https://t.ly/20251005Playlist

“Clearing the Pathway to Belonging” Sunday, September 28, 2025 As we approach roadblocks, stop signs, detours, and potholes on the path to belonging, what spiritual technology can we employ to continue along the path? Who or what stands in the way of naming our belonging in a community? Is internal repair needed to meet the welcoming road ahead? Mark Caswell, Ministerial Intern, Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Liz Strand, Trustee; Bill Klingelhoffer, shofar; Mark Levy, Guitarist and Vocalist; Mark Sumner, songleader Eric Shackelford; Camera Operator; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Athena Papadakos, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher LIVESTREAM https://youtube.com/live/U6qsyYtiND4 OOS: https://t.ly/20250928OSWeb PLAYLIST: https://t.ly/20250928Playlist

“Revisiting Stories: The Prodigal Son and Belonging” Sunday, September 14, 2025 We talk about the importance of sacred stories. They come in many forms. The gentle ones whose wisdom goes down sweet and easy and the ones that require a lot more work. In my experience the Prodigal Son, a story told in the Gospel of Luke, is one that a lot of people want to toss aside. It pricks our notions of fairness, our own sibling rivalries. On Sunday we will roll up our sleeves and lean into it and see what wisdom it has to offer. It is a story particularly relevant to the question of belonging. This Sunday we will also ritual confer on the Rev. Alyson Jack the title of Minister Emerita with a reception to follow!   Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister, preaching; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Rev. Margot Campbell Gross, Minister Emerita; Rev. Alyson Jacks, Minister Emerita; Carmen Barsody, Worship Associate; Mark Caswell, Ministerial Intern; Linda Enger, Vice Moderator, Board of Trustee; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, Music Director; Wm. García Ganz, pianist Shulee Ong; Camera Operator; Desired Effect, Sound; Jonathan Silk, Order of Service; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Judy Payne, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher LIVESTREAM https://youtube.com/live/VhmcXLatBJs OOS: https://t.ly/20250914OSWeb PLAYLIST: https://t.ly/20250914Playlist

“Raindrops, Rivers, Oceans: An Annual In Gathering to Community” Sunday, September 7, 2025 We will be regathered into community for another year in our annual Water Communion Service this Sunday. Separateness is an illusion. We were meant to meet and merge and make a life together. And so we begin our new year. Bring your waters from your travels, your garden spigot, or the ocean around the corner, or use some of ours.  Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Rev. Seanan Fong, Community Minister; Mark Caswell, Ministerial Intern; Galen Workman, Moderator, Board of Trustee; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; Morgen Warner, Kate Offer, soloists; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, Music Director; Wm. García Ganz, pianist Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Dan Barnard, Facilities Manager; Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Judy Payne, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher LIVESTREAM https://youtube.com/live/Shsk48nI5Ps OOS: https://t.ly/20250907OSWeb PLAYLIST: https://t.ly/20250907Playlist

“The Power and Draw of Wonder” Sunday, August 24, 2025 Dacher Keltner, Professor of Psychology and expert in the study of emotion, has been focusing on the human experience of wonder. What is its power? Where and how do we find it? Why is it worth making room for? His book “Awe” will be our September Minister’s Book Group book! Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Carmen Barsody, Worship Associate; Carl Cade, Trustee; Larry Chinn, pianist; Mark Sumner, songleader Eric Shackelford, Camera Operators; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Carrie Steere-Salazar, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher LIVESTREAM https://youtube.com/live/6CV6jBKrgZM OOS: https://t.ly/20250824OSWeb PLAYLIST: https://t.ly/20250824Playist

“Crossing the Threshold: A service on death and dying... and a life informed by both.” Sunday, August 17, 2025 Our musicians this Sunday have a ministry companioning those through death and dying. So we will sit with what it means to be with those on the journey across the threshold to death. How can music be a part of it? How does our sense of dying inform the way we live in ways that are liberating and joyful and wise? Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Gregory Stevens, Worship Associate; Linda Enger, Trustee; Akane Ota, songleader; Bill Ganz, pianist; Joel Karabo Elliott, Dr. Aditi Sethi & Jay Brown, Ways of Remembrance ensemble Alicia Cover; Eric Shackelford; Shulee Ong; Eli Boshears, Camera Operators; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Judy Payne, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher LIVESTREAM https://youtube.com/live/5yBVauhGy80 OOS: https://t.ly/20250817OSWeb PLAYLIST: https://t.ly/20250817Playlist

“Love at the Center Part 2” Sunday, August 10, 2025 We will pick up our conversation from July and explore the remaining themes from the book, “Love at the Center.” Participants from the class will share their reflections on what they learned about and what they currently believe about love. Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Mari Magaloni Ramos, Worship Associate; Anne Diaz, Riki Panganiban, Niko Gomez-Guhde, Chelsea Thomas; Galen Workman, Moderator, Board of Trustees; Stephen Cox, pianist; Mark Sumner, songleader Eric Shackelford; Camera Operator; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Athena Papadakos, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher LIVESTREAM https://youtube.com/live/FmGLWq_uOdI OOS: https://t.ly/20250810OSWeb PLAYLIST: https://t.ly/20250810Playlist

“All for One & One for All” Sunday, August 3, 2025 Matt has led music and worship for hundreds of services in congregations all over the U.S. and Canada. Matt has a degree in hand drumming from Berklee College of Music and has studied abroad in Cuba, Ghana, and Central America. In addition to music, Matt is also an active community organizer and educator. His service will be on the work for justice and inspiration on the journey. More info at https://www.rhythmrevelations.com/. Matt Meyer, Guest Preacher; Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Asani Seawell, Worship Associate; Mark Sumner, pianist Eric Shackelford; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Athena Papadakos, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher LIVESTREAM https://youtube.com/live/A0kQBBWXMAY OOS: https://t.ly/20250803OSWeb PLAYLIST: https://t.ly/20250803Playlist

“Poetry in Times of Reverie” Sunday, July 27, 2025 Poetry is a moment distilled. Sometimes it is life pressed into the pages of a book or, more vividly, as Robert Frost said, it is a way of “taking life by the throat.” And Alice Walker said, “Poetry is the lifeblood of rebellion, revolution, and the raising of consciousness.” In the deep valley of summer, we will sit with some poetry. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Kathleen McClung; Galen Workman, Moderator, Board of Trustees; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; Rami Bar-Niv, pianist; Mark Sumner, songleader Eli Boshears, Camera Operator; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Judy Payne, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher LIVESTREAM https://youtube.com/live/ThdQY-hoBZs OOS: https://t.ly/20250727OSWeb PLAYLIST: https://t.ly/20250727Playlist

“Spirituality and Inner Freedom” Sunday, June 22, 2025 These days, as basic human rights and freedoms are under constant attack, the battle for our attention is relentless. What if the real locus of our freedom is within each of us? What if we put greater attention there? Our former senior minister returns to our pulpit to speak about the vital role of spiritual practice and discipline in renewing the progressive soul of America. Rev. John Buehrens, Preacher; Sam King, Worship Associate; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; Allen Biggs and Tommy Kesecker, percussionists; Nancy Munn, songleader Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Athena Papadakos, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher LIVESTREAM https://youtube.com/live/QwwRBMNNlQU OOS: https://t.ly/20250622OSWeb PLAYLIST: https://t.ly/20250622Playlist

“Lessons from our Fathers” Sunday, June 15, 2025, 10:50 am We learn from their words and their actions, from how they succeeded and where and how they stumbled. What are some of the lessons from our fathers that carry us forward with grace and courage? Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Daniel Jackoway, Worship Associate; Eric Hamilton, guitarist; Akane Ota, songleader; Mark Sumner, pianist Eric Shackelford; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Athena Papadakos, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher LIVESTREAM https://youtube.com/live/syV8GGefgF4 OOS: https://t.ly/20250615OSWeb PLAYLIST: https://t.ly/20250615Playlist

“Celebrate! Our Annual Flower Communion Sunday” Sunday, June 8, 2025 I had a coach once who said when you are going up the mountain, you have to take time to go to the overlooks, take in how far you have come, celebrate and enjoy the view, and rehydrate before you move on. We will look back this Sunday, engage in our annual Flower Communion ritual to end our year, and prepare for our annual meeting. Bring a flower from your garden (or from your neighbors!) and come join in a time of taking in the view. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Carmen Barsody, Worship Associate; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, director; Wm. García Ganz, pianist Eric Shackelford, Camera Operators; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Athena Papadakos, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher LIVESTREAM https://youtube.com/live/9WRlLT5uL10 OOS: https://t.ly/20250608OSWeb PLAYLIST: https://t.ly/20250608Playlist

“Show Tunes and Tee-Shirts” Sunday, June 1, 2025 A story (maybe two) of life on its own terms, bold, joyful, and that left the world better than they found it. Come, and be ready to smile and sing. Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Dennis Adams, Worship Associate; Emma Wakeling, Membership and Young Adult Manager; Judith Stoddard, Membership; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; UUSF Choir; Mark Sumner, director; Wm. García Ganz, pianist Eli Boshears, Camera Operator; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Judy Payne, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher LIVESTREAM https://youtube.com/live/a45sYV3o0NE OOS: https://t.ly/20250601OSWeb PLAYLIST: https://t.ly/20250601Playlist

“Imagine a World Without War” Sunday, May 25, 2025 On this Memorial Day weekend, let us imagine a world without war. War is the act most antithetical to our values. Right now, it may be hard to imagine a positive future at all, but without imagining what we truly want, not just knowing what we oppose, we remain stuck with what others decide for us.  Rev. Millie Phillips, Affiliated Community Minister; Sam King, Worship Associated; Jill Brindel, cellist; Mark Sumner, pianist Eli Boshears, Camera Operator; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Athena Papadakos, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher LIVESTREAM https://youtube.com/live/AJLDpaQbBpY OOS: https://t.ly/20250525OSWeb PLAYLIST: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGWIRF9PinfwkYHRLRxwwSYgJZ_JXtsI8

“Minds Wide Open” Sunday, May 18, 2025 I’ve been reading more about things like “flow” and right brain/left brain functioning. Anne Lamott speaks of the power of imagination and what it opens up, as opposed to the gifts and limits of rationality. How do we channel the creative, and where can it take us? Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Gregory Stevens, Worship Associate; Galen Workman, Moderator, Board of Trustees; Nancy Munn, soprano and pianist Eric Shackelford; Camera Operator; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Athena Papadakos, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher LIVESTREAM https://youtube.com/live/TE92tijCH2U OOS: https://t.ly/20250518OSWeb PLAYLIST: https://t.ly/20250518Playlist

“Holding Open Possibilities for Each Other” Sunday, May 11, 2025 In this month when we look at the power of imagination, it is interesting to explore how we do that for one another in our personal relationships. How do parents use imagination (for good and ill) in the shaping of their kids’ lives? How can we do that for one another, aware of the ways that are life-giving, second-chance-offering, and liberating? Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Dennis Adams, Worship Associate; UUSF Bell Choir led by Reiko Oda Lane, organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, director; Robin May, oboist; Wm. García Ganz, pianist Eric Shackelford, Camera Operators; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Carrie Steere-Salazar, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher LIVESTREAM https://youtube.com/live/KSQaHFbcHw8 OOS: https://t.ly/20250511OSWeb PLAYLIST: https://t.ly/20250511Playlist

“Oh the Possibilities! Annual Youth Worship Service” Sunday, May 4, 2025 Join our youth this Sunday to hear what they imagine as possible futures. We will be recognizing our High School Seniors as well. Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Julia Wald, Trustee; Sammy Alden; Eli Boshears; Max Dubler; Davia Ferree; Anakin Gupta; Kenley Gupta; Oriana Joos-Moren; Lucas Keeley; Hannah Murray; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, director; Wm. García Ganz, pianist Eric Shackelford; Shulee Ong; Eli Boshears, Francisco Castellanos, Camera Operators; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Carrie Steere-Salazar, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher LIVESTREAM https://www.youtube.com/live/7cS8PSFjxM4 OOS: https://t.ly/20250504OSWeb PLAYLIST: https://t.ly/20250504Playlist

“Fair Earth!” Sunday, April 27, 2025 Ecophilia, Pagan rituals and roots carried forward, hiking, eating—all that ties us to our love and relationship and responsibility to earth. We root ourselves in this (reground ourselves in it) to stay whole and joyful. Let’s do that regrounding together. See you Sunday! Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Christine Patch-Lindsay, Pagan Interest Circle Chair; Liz Strand, Trustee; Haruka and Yuki Ota, cellists; Akane Ota, songleader; Jon Silk; drummer; Mark Sumner, pianist Eric Shackelford; Eli Boshears, Camera Operators; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Judy Payne, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher LIVESTREAM https://www.youtube.com/live/7ZEvXT1Ox8o OOS: https://t.ly/20250427OSWeb PLAYLIST: https://t.ly/20250427Playlist