First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco December 27, 2015 11:00 AM UPCOMING EVENTS 1187 Franklin Street, San Francisco, CA 94109 415-776-4580 ; FAX 415-776-4400 www.uusf.org/ [email protected]/ #UUSF Senior Minister Rev. John Buehrens 132 [email protected] Associate Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks 232 [email protected] Assistant Minister Rev. JD Benson 162 [email protected] Director Finance & Administration Emily Wilson 152 ewilson @uusf.org Center Facilities Director Kerry E. Parker 202 [email protected] Building Manager Donald Johnson 272 [email protected] Communications Manager Jonathan Silk 192 [email protected] Young Adult Coordinator Joseph Chapot [email protected] Music Director Dr. Mark Sumner 252 [email protected] Organist Reiko Oda Lane 282 [email protected] Administrative Assistant John Wright 102 [email protected] UUSF STAFF Title 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 [email protected]. WELCOME TO THE FIRST UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY OF SAN FRANCISCO S ince 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 AM January 10: “State of the Empire” with Reese Erlich Membership @12:30 PM January 10: "Invitation to Membership" with Alyson Jacks (rsvp [email protected]) Adult Religious Education • Ministers' Seminar @9:30 AM, Fireside Room January 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 PM January 15: “King” produced by the History Channel and narrated by newsman Tom Brokaw.