Church For The Fellowship

The Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples is an interfaith, interracial, and intercultural community co-founded in 1944 by Rev. Dr. Alfred Fisk and Rev. Dr. Howard Thurman. It is dedicated to personal empowerment and social transformation through a relationship with the Spirit of God in All Life. The church holds in-person services on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays at 11:00am, which are also live-streamed and available on Zoom.

The church operates as an inclusive spiritual home for seekers of all backgrounds, emphasizing that its worship addresses the deepest needs of the human spirit without undermining existing religious contexts. It is designed to deepen authentic lines along which individuals have led their quest for spiritual reality. The community welcomes everyone to gather casually, dressed in whatever they are comfortable wearing.

New visitors can join by signing up for the mailing list to receive the weekly minister's reflections and Zoom invite links for services and special events. The church also hosts an Engaged Spirituality online forum on 4th Sundays and a monthly beloved community check-in on the second Sunday. Parking for special events is available at St. Brigid's Academy.

The church's worship service is structured around four major movements: Ingathering of Community, Practicing the Presence, Resting in the Presence, and Sending Forth. These movements create a seamless tapestry of worship that aims to address the deepest aspirations of the human spirit. The service is described as a creative venture in interracial, intercultural, and interdenominational communion.

The church's Declaration states that it believes human dignity is inherent in each person as a creature of God and interprets the meaning of human life as essentially spiritual. It affirms that the God of Life and the God of Religion are one and the same, promoting understanding, confidence, and fellowship among people. The vision described by Dr. Thurman involves daring deeds that challenge the spirit of the times and kindle inspiring hope.

The church has been designated as a San Francisco Landmark in 2023, marking over 80 years of dedication to personal and social transformation. It celebrated its 75th Jubilee Anniversary in October 2019 with the inaugural Dorsey O. Blake Forum for Social Transformation. The formal inaugural service took place on October 8, 1944, at the First Unitarian Church in San Francisco.

The current Presiding Minister is Rev. Dr. Kathryn L. Benton, and the Associate Ministers include Rev. Martin Todd Allen, Rev. Elizabeth Olson, Rev. Suzi Spangenberg, and Rev. Elena Rose Vera. The Board of Trustees includes Bryan Caston as Board Chair and Michael Brown as Vice Chair. Musicians include Dr. Carl L. Blake as Director of Music and pianists William 'Bill' Quist and Dr. Karen Melander-Magoon.

The church is located at 2041 Larkin Street in San Francisco, California, and can be reached by phone at (415) 776-4910 or by email at info@fellowshipsf.org. The official website is fellowshipsf.org, where visitors can find calendars, historical archives, and ministers' blogs. The church also maintains a Facebook profile for community updates.

Recent feedback on Trustburn shows a 4 out of 5 rating from 10 reviews, with a mix of 3, 4, and 5-star ratings. Reviewers consistently praise the welcoming atmosphere, thought-provoking sermons, and the genuine sense of community and connection. Many note that the teachings are relevant and encourage personal growth.

Reviewers frequently mention the inclusive and warm atmosphere, describing it as a place where everyone feels like family. The leadership team is often described as dedicated and inspiring, while the worship experience is noted for being beautiful and powerful. The community is highlighted as supportive and full of love.

The church's website provides all necessary information, including service times and event details, which reviewers found helpful. The volunteers are described as dedicated, and the pastor delivers messages that resonate with many attendees. The overall experience is portrayed as positive and enriching.

The church's history involves a desire to found an interracial fellowship to bridge understanding among varied races, cultures, and faiths in American society. Dr. Howard Thurman left his position as Dean of the Chapel at Howard University to join Dr. Fisk in a team ministry. The inaugural service included prominent figures from various religious and civil rights organizations.

The church's mission includes making a specific impact upon the community through a membership committed to applying the principles of the Fellowship in everyday living. Each member is called upon to find their own avenue of practical expression in fulfilling the Commitment. The church seeks to recognize and appreciate every aspect of truth regardless of the channel through which it comes.

The church offers video and audio recordings of sermons and special events, along with a ministers' blog of weekly messages. Historical archives of guest speakers and recipients of the Howard Thurman Award are also available. The calendar includes periodic special events, including the annual Convocation in October.

The church's website states that it is an interfaith, interracial, and intercultural community of seekers dedicated to personal empowerment and social transformation. The vision is to deepen the authentic lines along which individuals have led their quest for spiritual reality. The church believes in the inherent dignity of each person and the unity of the God of Life and the God of Religion.