First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco

December 27, 2015 11:00 AM

U P CO M I N G E V E N T S

1187 Franklin Street, San Francisco, CA 94109 415-776-4580 ; FAX 415-776-4400

www.uusf.org/ info@uusf.org/ #UUSF

Senior Minister Rev. John Buehrens 132 jbuehrens@uusf.orgAssociate Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks 232 ajacks@uusf.orgAssistant Minister Rev. JD Benson 162 jdbenson@uusf.orgDirector Finance & Administration Emily Wilson 152 ewilson @uusf.orgCenter Facilities Director Kerry E. Parker 202 reservations@uusf.orgBuilding Manager Donald Johnson 272 djohnson@uusf.orgCommunications Manager Jonathan Silk 192 jsilk@uusf.orgYoung Adult Coordinator Joseph Chapot youngadults@uusf.orgMusic Director Dr. Mark Sumner 252 sngwtme@gmail.com Organist Reiko Oda Lane 282 reikolane@gmail.comAdministrative Assistant John Wright 102 jwright@uusf.org

UUSF STAFFTitle Name Ext. Email

Transitions

Last chance for Small Group Ministry this year - REGISTRATION ENDS TODAY!Small groups (of about eight to ten people) meet twice a month for two hours at a time, practicing the art of deep listening while addressing themes that are significant to their members. Several on-going groups have room to welcome a new participant or two in January. Groups include long time UUSF members as well some who have recently joined, and are also open to friends and visitors considering membership. You can register online on our Small Group Ministry web page at www.uusf.org which is located under the Groups and Ministries tab. You are invited to a Q & A session today after church in the Murdock Room, or address your questions to sgm@uusf.org.

WELCOME TO THE FIRST UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY OF SAN FRANCISCO

Since its founding in 1850 this congregation has been a beacon of religious liberalism in this city. During the Civil War, the Rev. Thomas Starr King was

credited with keeping California in the Union. He also challenged racism, raised millions for humanitarian relief and inspired new efforts in education.

Unitarianism and Universalism in America both arose in New England during the American Revolution. Because the roots of both traditions are in the Judeo-Christian tradition, you will see on the walls of our sanctuary two inscriptions:

"What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (from the Hebrew prophet Micah) and “The Kingdom of God is within you.” (from the Gospels)

Our religious forebears were far more interested in the religion of Jesus than in beliefs about Jesus. Today we agree more about how we strive to treat others than we do about beliefs. Our backgrounds and spiritual orientations are diverse. Among us are people who consider themselves atheists, agnostics, humanists, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, and people guided by other forms of spirituality and belief.

Belief is many things, and so is disbelief. But we are interested in what happens to us when we open our minds to wider truth, our hearts to compassion, and our souls to the call to work for justice and peace.

If you are interested in learning more, we invite you to a Newcomers Orientation usually held on the first Sunday of each month following the service. At the Welcome Table you will find pamphlets and other information. For more about our congregation, please visit our website at www.uusf.org.

Newcomer Orientation! Sunday, January 3, 12:30 PM, Murdock Room

New to this church? New to Unitarian Universalism? Come to this informal, interactive orientation to learn more about our church community and our faith tradition. Newcomer orientation is co-led by our ministerial and membership teams. Open to everyone.

Transhumanism - Humanist and Non-Theists Potluck and Discussion Sunday, January 3, 6PM, Fireside Room

Scott Prinster, a specialist in the history of science and medicine, published an article in the Fall 2015 issue of "UU World" entitled "Better than Human?" on the topic of transhumanism. The article defines transhumanism as  the application of technology to enhance human capacities.  Included in the list of enhancements are smart drugs, nutritional supplements, and genetic enhancements.  Transhumanism also advocates the application of computer technology to  increase the human potential.  Mr. Prinster raises the issue of the ethical right to pursue such enhancements. His greatest concern is the creation of a technologically enabled elite at the expense of the general population.

On January 3, 2016, the UUSF Humanists and Non-Theists will host a discussion of the ethics involved in such enhancements. Bob Burchfield will moderate the discussion after presenting a brief overview of the history of transhumanism and some of the other enhancements considered by its advocates. 

If you are able, please bring something to share at the potluck dinner that starts at 6PM. The discussion starts at 6:30 PM. We’ll be in the Fireside room. Everyone is welcome.

SOME OF THE UPCOMING EVENTS IN JANUARY 2016 (ALL ARE WELCOME)

Forum @9:30 AMJanuary 10: “State of the Empire” with Reese Erlich

Membership @12:30 PMJanuary 10: "Invitation to Membership" with Alyson Jacks (rsvp ajacks@uusf.org)

Adult Religious Education

• Ministers' Seminar @9:30 AM, Fireside RoomJanuary 3, 10, 24 & 31: "Great Souls in UU History" with John Buehrens

• The Ministers' Book Club January 12, 13 & 17: Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption, by Bryan Stevenson

Sensible Cinema @ 6:30 PMJanuary 15: “King” produced by the History Channel and narrated by newsman Tom Brokaw.

“As Adam supposedly said to Eve on the way out of the Garden,‘Well, dear, it seems that we are going to be living in a time of transition.”

Order of ServiceDecember 27, 201511:00 AM to 12:15 PM

WELCOME TO OUR VISITORS!

TAKE A SEAT!For people with chemical sensitivities, there is a scent-free zone, go down to the right; for people with service animals, to the left.Hearing impaired? Just ask an usher for an assistance device.

CANDLES at the front of the sanctuary may be lit in silent sign of thanks or of prayerful concern.

LET US KNOW who you are, by filling out a yellow visitor card. We’ll send you our weekly e-mail, The Flame, and our monthly newsletter, FirstNews.

PLEASE JOIN USfor coffee and conversation following every service.

TAKE A BRIEF TOURof our historic church. Meet your tour guide at the front of the sanctuary immediately after service.

CHILDREN AND YOUTHFor information about our programs for all ages, including adults and seniors, contact Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister, ajacks@uusf.org, or see the Welcome Desk.

YOUNG ADULTS, 20s and 30s, have a growing and active community here! Contact Joe Chapot, Young Adult Coordinator, at youngadults@uusf.org.

UU Public Issues Forum (MLK ROOM) and Minister’s Seminar (Fireside Room)happen at 9:30 AM on most Sundays

Newcomer Orientation happens on the first Sunday of each month at 12:30 PM

Invitation to Membershiphappens on the 2nd Sunday of alternate months: Sept., Nov, Jan, Mar., May.

UPCOMING SERVICESunday, January 3, 11AM, Sanctuary

PRACTICING JUSTICE Rev. John Buehrens preaching

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*Hymn 350 The Ceaseless Flow of Endless Time McKee

*Covenant

Love is the spirit of this church, and service is its prayer. This is our great covenant: to dwell together in peace, to seek the truth in freedom, and to help one another.

*Doxology Tallis' Canon

Prelude Grand Jeu et Duo Louis Claude Daquin

Chalice Lighting Joe Chapot, Young Adult

Reflection Vanessa Vanderlaan

Opening Words Rev. John Buehrens

Welcome and Announcements Gayle Reynolds, Vice Moderator

Music Sarabande BWV 998 J. S. Bach

Greeting One Another

* Please rise if you are able.

Offertory Sentence

*Benediction

Postlude Go Tell It on the Mountain          Olive Nelson Russell

Reading The Layers Stanley Kunitz

Offertory Over the Rainbow Harold Arlen

Resp. Reading 544 New Year’s Day Kathleen McTigue

*Hymn 51 Lady of the Season’s Laughter Julion

Eric Hamilton, guitar

Reflection Joe Chapot

*Hymn 123 Spirit of Life Carolyn McDade

Reflection Concluding Unscientific Postscript Rev. John Buehrens

Classical guitarist Eric Hamilton has been touring North America since the 1970s. He enjoys a multifaceted career as soloist and ensemble performer, recording artist, arranger, teacher, and industry-recognized instrument technician. Since 1994, Eric has collaborated extensively with composer and guitarist Mason Williams, composer of the triple-Grammy winner, Classical Gas. Together they have produced four commercial CD releases. Eric has attended master classes with some of the finest classical guitarists in the world, including Christopher Parkening at Montana State University and Roland Dyens, professor of guitar at Conservatoire national supérieur de musique et de danse, Paris. Eric teaches guitar programs at the Cathedral School for Boys, Grace Cathedral, Katherine Delmar Burke School for Girls, the French American International School, San Francisco and the Conservatory of Vocal and Instrumental Arts (COVA), Golden Gate Academy, Oakland.

ABOUT TODAYS GUEST MUSICIAN

Joseph Chapot has been the Young Adult Coordinator since early 2015 leading the UUSF community network of those in their 20s & 30s, which is an avenue through which we engage our faith, community, and leadership. All are welcome to participate in our events and projects. YA Coordinator Joseph Chapot is always available by email to answer questions and can be reached at youngadults@uusf.org. More info on their webpage (http://www.uusf.org/#!young-adults/ciir) Joe has been a member of the UUSF community since 1999 and currently attends UC Berkeley, where he is majoring in Economics and minor in City Planning.

ABOUT OUR YOUNG ADULT SPEAKERS

Happy Holidays!The church and center will be closed for holiday break starting Monday, December 28 and will reopen Saturday, January 2. Questions or concerns? Please email info@uusf.org or call 415-776-4580.

Reflection Cierdwynn Donaldson

Music Valse sem Nome Baden Powell

Cerridwyn Donaldson is a 25 year old woman who was raised at UUSF. Despite already being born different due to her disability, she still felt something was missing growing up. In 2013, she discovered what that something was and came out as a transgender woman. For the last two years, she has been taking hormones/blockers and is currently starting the process of Sex Reassignment Surgery.

Vanessa Vanderlaan is the daughter of our member Marty Vanderlaan, and the late Pat Post. She grew up in UUSF and is now a student at the University of Oregon.