βNever What You Imaginedβ
Easter Sunday, April 17, 10:50 am, Worship Service Livestream
Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister, preaching
This year is one when Passover and Easter land in the same stretch of time and Spring also is claiming the stage. Holding these stories, the rituals of remembering, one thing that strikes me is the fullness of this moment in all the stories of the season. How in them all it is a time of loss and hope, both. How in it all there is this vital readiness that is asked of us, and a reminder that what lies ahead is almost always in the big stories, nothing like what we had imagined.
Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister; Sam King, Worship Associate; Bell Choir led by Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; Laurel Sprigg, Soprano; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, Music Director
Shulee Ong, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Joe Chapot, Live Chat Moderator; Remigio Flood, Sexton; Kelvin Jones, Sexton; Amy Kelly, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher; Ralph Fenn, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour
If βthe unexamined life is not worth living,β how does Eastertime encourage us to examine ourselves β to roll away the stones on our hearts β and examine what lies within?
The Rev. Jami Yandle (they/them/theirs) is a non-binary Board Certified Chaplain and will be serving ... read more.
The Spiritual Practice of Showing Up: From trans rights to reproductive justice, voting rights to the environment, this is a crucial time in Texansβ fight for justice and UU values in the world. The Rev. Erin Walter, musician, dance teacher, and new Executive Director of ... read more.
"An Especially Big and Important Music Service"
Sunday, April 10, Worship Service Livestream
This Sunday, April 10th - after a 25-month delay - and in a follow up to our tribute to Walt Whitman in early December, several choirs return in larger numbers to perform the Dona Nobis Pacem by Ralph Vaughan Williams. In addition to having the UC Alumni Chorus join our church choir, we welcome students from the UC Menβs and Women's Chorales at Berkeley as well as a 45 piece orchestra. The pieces are enhanced exponentially with orchestral forces.
These combined choirs seek to honor the souls lost and displaced by the Ukraine invasion with their music. Dona Nobis Pacem was composed in response to the unsettling state of the world in 1936β Vaughan Williams compelled to cry out for peace featuring traditional texts as well as dramatic poetry by none other than Walt Whitman.
Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister; βWonder Daveβ Crady, Worship Associate; Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; Nancy Munn, soprano; Rene Minneboo, baritone; Orchestra and Choirs led by Mark Sumner, Music Director
Eric Shackelford, Camera; Donald Shearer, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Sound & Final Mixes; Joe Chapot, Live Chat Moderator; Remigio Flood, Sexton; Athena Papadakos, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher; Ralph Fenn, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour
"Word After A Word After A Word Is Power"
Sunday, April 3, 10:50 am, Worship Service Livestream
Poetry has the ability to awaken the mind with a single word or to give a gulp of water to the heart one didnβt know was thirsty. It can boldly tell undeniable truths to ourselves, and to Kings and Queens. It can make a crowd stir as well as call a profound silence in a filled auditorium. It is simple and complex, like each living being. Poetry is the language of Faithful Fools. Carmen Barsody and poets from the Tenderloin Community will lead us in a fool- hearted, poetic service in celebration of poetry month and their high holy month as Faithful Fools. (https://www.faithfulfools.org/)
Carmen Barsody, Sermonizer; Ed Bowers, Sermonizer; Kim Diamond, Sermonizer; Cheryl Shanks, Sermonizer; Joel Yates, Sermonizer; Poindexter (aka Dennis Adams), Worship Associate; AndrΓ©s Vera, Cellist; Matthew Linaman, Cellist; Ben Rudiak-Gould, Songleader; Jon Silk, Drummer; Mark Sumner, Pianist
Eric Shackelford, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Joe Chapot, Live Chat Moderator; Lee Jones, Sexton; Kelvin Jones, Sexton; Amy Kelly, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher; Ralph Fenn, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour
We are meaning-seeking animals. This means we can sometimes find ourselves looking for our purpose in our lives and communities. Itβs simple if weβre just looking to increase whatβs ours, raise our status, and beat our competitors into submission. But when we value healing β ... read more.
βWell I left my happy home
To see what I could find out
I left my folk and friends
With the aim to clear my mind out.β β Cat Stevens. On Rev. Joannaβs last service before leaving on sabbatical, she shares some thoughts about renewal, ... read more.
"What's Going On?"
Sunday, March 27, 10:50 am, Worship Service Livestream
I want to talk about what I have been seeing and hearing the last week or two -- not about timeless and eternal questions but about what is going on around and within us all these days... at least my best guess, with a little input from my friends. It will be a time to sing, too light candles, to enjoy each other in coffee hour, to be still, to breathe. Just come, however, you are able to join in.
Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Nancy Hardies, Annual Giving Fund Testimony; Sam King & Wonder Dave Crady, AOF Co-Chairs; Richard Davis, UU Seder 2022; Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, Music Director; Wm. GarcΓa Ganz, pianist
Eric Shackelford, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Joe Chapot, Live Chat Moderator; Remigio Flood, Sexton; Amy Kelly, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher; Ralph Fenn, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour
"The Question of Legacy"
Sunday, March 20, 10:50 am, Worship Service Livestream
I've been thinking a lot about legacy. Call it mid-life, call it an eternal itch we humans scratch and an eternal question with which we wrestle. It's a grounding question, a sobering one, sometimes an inspiring one, and maybe, maybe our answer changes as we go, as the path before us twists and opens. The question of legacy!
Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; "Wonder Dave" Crady, Worship Associate; Lori Lai, Annual Fund Testimonial; Dan Barnard, Facilities Manager; Linda Enger; Board of Trustees; Merle Easton; Robin Larsen, UUSF Women's Group; Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; Ben Rudiak-Gould, Songleader
Eric Shackelford, Camera; Donald Shearer, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Joe Chapot, Live Chat Moderator; Remigio Flood, Sexton; Athena Papadakos, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher; Ralph Fenn, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour
This is Ostara, the Spring Equinox, a time of planting. And we are looking ahead to a new future, hopefully a post-pandemic future. What do we want to plant?
"Rites of Passage Service: Big Life Questions"
Sunday, March 13, 10:50 am, Worship Service Livestream
We are excited to welcome our 4th and 5th graders for this year's Rites of Passage Service. The service will include wonderful music, performed by our bell and church choir, we'll have special songs, and a few surprises. And of course, the Big Life Questions! Our eight young people have waited an extra year for this service so we want to make this one extra special. And wait till you hear their questions! Β Join us for this special celebration.
Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister; Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Marigold Birch, 4th-5th Grade Lead Teacher; Dennielle Kronenberg, Canvass Testimony; Reiko Oda Lane, Organist & Bell Choir Director; UUSF Choir; Mark Sumner, Music Director; Jon Silk, Drummer; Nancy Munn, Soloist; Wm. GarcΓa Ganz, Pianist
Eric Shackelford, Camera; Shulee Ong, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Joe Chapot, Live Chat Moderator; Remigio Flood, Sexton; Athena Papadakos, Flowers; Alex Darr, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour
"The Ecology of Generosity"
Sunday, March 6, 10:50 am, Worship Service Livestream
Our preacher this week, The Rev. Vail Weller, has served congregations as parish minister in West Virginia, Michigan, and most recently San Mateo, California, where she still resides. She is also the Congregational Giving Director at the Unitarian Universalist Association and we are so grateful to have her with us on this Sunday when we kick off our 2022-23 annual giving/pledge drive for this community. This week's sermon "The Ecology of Generosity" draws deeply on the thoughts of Robin Wall Kimmerer and her book βBraiding Sweetgrassβ and explores the cycles of nature and the cycles of generosity.
Rev. Vail Weller, Guest Minister; Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Sam King & βWonder Daveβ Crady, Canvass Co-Chairs; Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, Music Director
Eric Shackelford, Camera; Shulee Ong, Camera; Donald Shearer, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Joe Chapot, Live Chat Moderator; Remigio Flood, Sexton; Judy Payne, Flowers; Alex Darr, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour
The world right now looks scary and its easy to imagine enemies around us. But the math says otherwise.
What is the ministry we do in the wider community? Join Live Oak members Joel Bercu, Audrey McCann, Chris Milhealsick, and Judy Reynolds, as they discuss taking action with school board issues, reproductive justice and anti-racism, voting, and climate justice.
"To Change the World, with Love" Sunday, February 27, 10:50 am, Worship Service
In her book "Pleasure Activism" author adrienne maree brown questions whether activism needs to look like suffering and opens up the invitation for this piece of what we do to be not just more sustainable but life-giving, pleasurable!! What does she mean by "pleasure activism" and how can it change more than just our social justice work but our lives?
Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Carmen Barsody, Worship Associate; Reiko Oda Lane, Organist & Bell Choir Director; Richard Fey, Baritone; Brielle Marina Neilson, Songleader; Ben Rudiak-Gould, Songleader; Michele Kennedy, Soprano; Allen Biggs, Percussionist; Mark Sumner, Pianist & Music Director
Eric Shackelford, Camera; Shulee Ong, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Joe Chapot, Live Chat Moderator; Remigio Flood, Sexton; Judy Payne, Flowers; Alex Darr, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour
Helping others often brings to mind feeding the homeless or digging a well in another country. But there are different needs right in our own neighborhood.
"To Sondheim, with Love" Sunday, February 20, 2022 Livestream Worship Service
This morning we celebrate the great composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim who recently passed away at the age of 91. His cool cleverness and skeptical, often ironic, intellectual character have long been commented on. It is not hard to find articles with titles like "The Case for Sondheim as Existentialist," or an obituary describing him as a "philosopher of music." A number of philosophers have taken it hard over the loss of so marvelous and so philosophical an artist. Cornel West: "His genius shall live forever! He was profound in content, subversive in form and always beautifully lyrical."
To honor his passing, and too feast on what he has "served up," we have chosen a couple of his beloved, familiar songs and, for some, adding a few more new favorites to cement and enlarge his fanbase. No matter how many times you listen to Sondheim, you find yourself taken to new places emotionally. Because of his singular command of music and lyrics, the second you absorb any of what is there, what was first intellectual immediately cuts straight to the heart.
Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Dr. Mark Sumner; Music Director; Carmen Barsody, Worship Associate; Daniel Jackoway, Worship Associate; UUSF Choir; Nancy Munn, Soloist; Richard Fey, Soloist; Brielle Marina Neilson, Soloist; Leandra Ramm, Soloist; Asher Davison, Soloist; Ben Rudiak-Gould, Soloist; Gilead Wurman, Soloist; Wm. Garcia Ganz, Pianist
Eric Shackelford, Camera; Shulee Ong, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Joe Chapot, Live Chat Moderator; Remigio Flood, Sexton; Amy Kelly & Athena Papadakos, Flowers; Alex Darr, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour
We talk about βBuilding Beloved Communityβ all the time. But what does it actually mean?
"To Relationships, with Love" Sunday, February 13, 2022 10:50 am, Worship Service
Over the years, we can learn a few things about what it means to be in relationship well. How to love well? How to get over the rough spots and increase the joy and depth of connection. What are some of the lessons of love?
Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Dennis Adams, Worship Associate; Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, Music Director; Wm. Garcia Ganz, Accompanist
Eric Shackelford, Camera; Shulee Ong, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Joe Chapot, Live Chat Moderator; Remigio Flood, Sexton; Kelvin Jones, Sexton; Athena Papadakos, Flowers; Alex Darr, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour
"Weaving Waters: Regional Assembly Worship" Sunday, February 6, 2022 10:50 am, Worship Service
This worship is an embodied, engaging, multi-gen service focusing on unity and interdependence. It is a testimony, boldly embracing the reality of Regionalization - combining resources and congregations to better and more equitably serve a vast geography from Western Nebraska through and to Alaska (and beyond). At its core, this worship is told as a parable in four voices, telling the story of a tetrad of rivers cascading together, while maintaining their individual sources, and yet also combining to bring nutrients, gifts, and life giving flow to something much larger than themselves. It is a βboth / andβ story of interweaving, while keeping oneβs essence and culture. It is a story central to Unitarian Universalism, a movement founded on two magnificent things combining, with a new wonderful entity emerging as a result.
Sunday Service Coordinator: Matthew Clayton Davis; Rev Summer Albayati; Rev Justin Almeida; Marena McGregor, Assistant Director of Lifespan Religious Education; Jamili Omar, Director of Lifespan Faith Formation; RejUUvenation Youth Leadership Collective with Penelope Venturini; Pacific Western Region Emerging Adult Task Force with Amelie Heise and Charlie Mara; Eric Bliss; Music by Crispy Watkins
One of the things you need the most silently disappeared during the pandemic.
In todayβs world, it can be easy to be angry, resentful, even hateful. Unitarian Universalism calls us to love boldly. Join Carrie Krause for her last sermon at Live Oak as she recalls her time here and shares her last lesson for us on living ... read more.
"The Many Faces of Leadership" Sunday, January 30, 2022 10:50 am, Worship Service
Two days from now the Lunar New Year celebrations will begin and the Year of the Tiger will begin with it. And although being born under one of the Chinese Zodiac signs or another is supposed to have some influence on your character or disposition, perhaps each sign can also be an invitation to all of us to explore some way we can also choose to be present in the world. The Tiger is in part about leadership. And there are stories from traditional texts around the world about the different faces of leadership. Could one be yours?
Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Lori Lai, Board Treasurer; Wonder Dave, Worship Associate; AndrΓ©s Vera and Elijah Lacin, Cellists; Ben Rudiak-Gould, Songleader; Mark Sumner, Pianist
Shulee Ong, Camera; Donald Shearer, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Joe Chapot, Live Chat Moderator; Remigio Flood, Sexton; Amy Kelly, Flowers; Alex Darr, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour
"Some Joy Please"
Sunday, January 23, 10:50 am, Worship Service Livestream
This Sunday let's take a break from lockdown woes and worries and turn our attention to how we bring joy and pleasure into our lives. Is it a song, a favorite recipe, a good book? Hard times make us think that joy isn't possible. But we think joy and pleasures, and staying in touch with both, is the secret sauce that will get us through. Join Revs Southern and Jacks for a service with wonderful music by our Organist Reiko Oda Lane, Choir Director Mark Sumner and soloists Richard Fey, Leandra Ramm, Brielle Marina Nielson, Ben Rudiak-Gould, and Nancy Munn. A morning to ground our reflection on what gives us joy, what are our secret pleasures, what gets us through these days. More joy? Yes, please.
Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister; Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; Richard Fey, Leandra Ramm, Brielle Marina Nielson, Ben Rudiak-Gould, and Nancy Munn, Songleaders; Mark Sumner, Pianist
Eric Shackelford, Camera; Shulee Ong, Camera; Donald Shearer, Camera; Steven Kroeger, Sound & Livestream; Joe Chapot, Live Chat Moderator; Jon Silk, editing; Kelvin Jones, Sexton; Judy Payne, Flowers; Alex Darr, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour
Who are the βteammatesβ in your life? And what does it mean to be optimistic in 2022? We close out the Ted Lasso series by looking closer at some of the wisdom shared in the Ted Lasso show to see what we might find helpful ... read more.
In this special all-online service, Live Oak members share their experiences of the pandemic and their hope for what lies ahead.
"History is not History"
Sunday, January 16, 10:50 am, Worship Service Livestream
On this Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend when we could focus on the history of the Civil Rights Movement, let's focus on the present realities. From the old deed to an old house to a new staff member's request for a simple lanyard, to modern civil rights leaders asking we celebrate MLK Day only one way this year, what does our bending of the moral arc of our nation today say about where history is not history, but right in front of us.
Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Carmen Barsody, Worship Associate; Mari Magaloni Ramos, Worship Associate; Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; Nancy Munn, soprano; Brielle Marina Neilson, alto; Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor; Richard Fey, bass; Mark Sumner, Music Director
Eric Shackelford, Camera; Shulee Ong, Camera; Donald Shearer, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Joe Chapot, Live Chat Moderator; Kelvin Jones, Sexton; Judy Payne, Flowers; Alex Darr, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour
In this second sermon in the βTed Lassoβ series, we examine our attitudes β which ones help us build strong relationships and move forward with our goals, and which are barriers?
"'God' is not God's name"
Sunday, January 9, 10:50 am, Worship Service Livestream
As a theist, a liberal theist, in a pluralistic religious movement, and a congregation with a significant humanist/atheist/non-theist members, I don't talk much about God. Today, I will, and what that word, that-which-it-points-toward, means for me, and has for other progressive theists too. And whether it is useful to us, even those of us, who don't think we are theists.
Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Dennis Adams, Worship Associate; Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; Jill Rachuy Brindel, Cellist; Brielle Marina Neilson, Songleader
Eric Shackelford, Camera; Reiko Oda Lane, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Joe Chapot, Live Chat Moderator; Remigio Flood, Sexton; Kelvin Jones, Sexton; Carrie Steere-Salazar, Flowers; Alex Darr, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour
We begin our January βTed Lassoβ sermon series with an interactive, ritual-based service called the βFire Communion.β Come in person Sunday at 10 am for an outdoor service at Live Oak (also Livestreamed) where we honor the past, and let it go. Please bring your ... read more.
"Right Belief or Right Living" Sunday, January 2, 2022, Worship Service Livestream
On Sunday, January 2nd, the Rev. David Usher will be preaching β right belief or right livingβ. David was the hula hoop champion Manchester before going on to write one of the greatest books of knock knock jokes and itβs probably most famous for his art exhibition at the Guggenheim of cotton candy sculptures. We hope youβll join us for this wonderful Sunday with the Reverend David Usher.
Rev. Dr. David Usher, Guest Minister; Rev. Dr. John A. Buehrens; Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; Elliott Etzkorn, Classical Pianist; Ben Rudiak-Gould, tenor
Eric Shackelford, Camera; Shulee Ong, Camera; Donald Shearer, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Joe Chapot, Live Chat Moderator; Remigio Flood, Sexton; Carrie Steere-Salazar, Flowers; Alex Darr, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour
Epiphany is the moment we knew our lives would be the same. In a thousand huge and miniscule ways, we experienced epiphanyΒ all throughout 2021. Now we are in 2022, knowing differently. What did we realize and when? What might we know next?
"Kwanzaa" Sunday, December 26, 10:50 am, Worship Service
This Sunday we will celebrate and deepen our understanding of Kwanzaa, an African American and Pan-African cultural holiday observed by millions of people worldwide. Please join us in honoring the symbols and significance of another important December rite that lends texture and meaning to this Holiday Season. We will be helped by Brotha Clinton Sockwell II from The Village Project SF and UUSF members Sam and Christina McCauley Hamner, who celebrate Kwanzaa with their family.
Rochelle Fortier Nwadibia, Board Moderator; Brotha Clinton Sockwell II from The Village Project; Sam and Christina McCauley Hamner; Larry Chinn, Jazz Pianist; Ben Rudiak-Gould, Songleader
Eric Shackelford, Camera; Donald Shearer, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Joe Chapot, Live Chat Moderator; Remigio Flood, Sexton; Judy Payne, Flowers; Alex Darr, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour
Join us Christmas Eve for a night of classic Christmas readings, carols, and candlelight.Β
Whose holiday is it, anyway? Historians point out the pagan roots of Yule amidst voices calling for a more religious and less inclusive Christmas. In truth, the holiday has always been a melding of traditions, a pluralistic celebration of humanity and the world in which ... read more.
Note: There will be only one service on December 12th. βA Very Unitarian Christmasβ will be held at 9:30 AM, in person and online, and it will be followed by a Congregational Meeting at 10:30 AM.
Join all ages as we explore the Christmas holidays through ... read more.
Thousands of years of evolution have wired us for a winter holiday season β¦ and this past year has amplified the need. Itβs a time for celebrating transformation, hope, and joy.Β
"Being Alive" (December 12, 2021) Worship Service
We are welcoming the President of Starr King School For The Ministry, the Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt preaching. And we are celebrating two rites of passage -- blessing the newest member of our congregation, Baby Eliot, and celebrating Thomas Brown who has served this congregation for over two decades and is formally retiring. Come join service and the party.
Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt, Guest Minister; Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister; Rochelle Fortier-Nwadibia, Board Moderator; Scott Miller; Thomas Brown; Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; Giacomo Fiore and Bruno Bartalos, guitarists; Nancy Munn, Songleader; Asher Davison, bass-baritone; Wm. Garcia Ganz, accompanist
Eric Shackelford, Camera; Donald Shearer, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Joe Chapot, Live Chat Moderator; Kelvin Jones, Sexton; Roberto Delalo, Sexton; Athena Papadakos, Flowers; Alex Darr, Les James, Tom Brookshire, Zoom Coffee Hour