Sermons-First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco

“The Virtue and Pitfalls of Moral Purity”

Sunday, February 8, 2026

There has been such a wide swing in recent years between approaches to injustices in our world that ask for unwavering focus that at its extreme bleeds into Cancel Culture, with the I am hearing lately, in various places, to see the strategic need for nuance and changing alliances. Let's talk about the gift and dangers of an attachment to moral purity in our moral lives.

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Mark Caswell, Ministerial Intern; Liz Strand. Trustee; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; UUSF Choir, led by Mark Sumner, Director; 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

don't despair

Sunday, February 1, 2026

Carmen Barsody, Sam Dennison and Mari Magaloni Ramos, preaching


If these times call for resilience (and they do), we best not despair, for despair dissipates and distracts. Despair unmoors us and sets us adrift. No! Let us not despair. Let us look simply and solidly upon what is happening here and now. Let us not be swallowed by fretful imaginings. Yes, let us take a deep breath and get on with what is ours to do. This is how we will be prepared for the long haul: we will be together, grounded and in community with resilience. Let us not despair! Let us be resilient!

Carmen Barsody; Sam Dennison; Mari Magaloni Ramos; Linda Enger, Vice-Moderator, Board of Trustees; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; UUSF Choir, led by Mark Sumner, Director; Nazelah Jameson, soloist; Nancy Munn, pianist; Wm. García Ganz, pianist


Eric Shackelford; Shulee Ong; Eli Boshears, Camera Operators; Desired Effect, Sound; Jonathan Silk, Order of Service; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Amy Kelly, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

“Echoes & Endurance: Notes from Minneapolis”

Sunday, January 25, 2026


Come on Sunday as we reflect on what is unfolding in Minneapolis, the echoes through recent history, the danger of amnesia, and the power of stubbornness, courage, and love.


Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Mark Caswell, Ministerial Intern; Daniel Jackoway, Worship Associate; Dolores Perez Heilbron; Bruce Neuburger; Tom McAninley, Prayer Gong; Julia Wald, Trustee; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, Director; Wm. García Ganz, pianist

Eric Shackelford; Shulee Ong; Eli Boshears, Camera Operators; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Amy Kelly, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

“Leadership From Where You Are”

Sunday, January 18, 2026

How are we called to lead, what does leadership ask, how does it shape us, and what forms does it take? We will hear from three members who show up in the world powerfully and differently and ask what leadership—that piece of our lives—can look like.

Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Mark Caswell, Ministerial Intern; Erica Murray, Bruce Neuberger, Erica Murray, Adam Varoqua, Worship Associates; Hanna Hart & Courtney Young-Law, Nominating Committee; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; Morgen Warner, Nancy Munn, Brielle Morgan, Ben Rudiak-Gould, Asher Davison, soloists; Wm. García Ganz, pianist

Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Judy Payne, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

“The Parable of the Rainbow: Resisting Change”

Sunday, January 11, 2026

What is our relationship to change, especially when we are in multi-generational spaces? We will explore the parable of the rainbow and the metaphors it provides to look at change differently.

Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Galen Workman, Moderator, Board of Trustees; Linda Harris, UUSC; Emma Wakeling, Membership and Young Adult Manager; Judith Stoddard, Membership Committee; Nancy Munn, soprano; Wm. García Ganz, pianist

Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Kelvin Jones, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Judy Payne, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher