We’d love to welcome you to Starr King.

Our Sunday service begins at 10:30 AM Pacific Time. If it’s your first time, we suggest arriving about 10 minutes early. That will give you time to look around, ask any questions you have, and settle in before the service begins.

Finding us

You won’t see the church building from Bayview Avenue. Look for the Starr King sign and Pride flag at 22577 Bayview Avenue. Turn into the driveway there and follow it down to the church, nestled among the trees beside San Lorenzo Creek.

There’s plenty of free parking.

The doors will be open, and someone from our Welcoming Team will be there to greet you, show you around, and answer questions.

Accessibility

We want Starr King to be a place where everyone can participate comfortably. We have designated accessible parking, and our building is step-free throughout. We have all-gender accessible restrooms and one has a baby changing table. The sanctuary has a hearing assistance system; just ask at the sound booth if you’d like to use the hearing-assist headphones. If there’s something else that would make your visit easier, please let us know.

What is a Starr King service like?

Our services include music, readings, reflection, silence, and time to share key happenings in our lives. They usually last about an hour. We don’t gather to tell anyone what to believe. We gather to deepen our connection with one another, explore what gives our lives meaning, and renew our commitment to creating a more loving and just world.

We begin by greeting one another, including the people joining us on Zoom. Don’t be surprised when everyone starts waving! We light our flaming chalice, the sacred symbol of Unitarian Universalism, and sing together several times during the service. The words are projected on the screen, and you’re welcome to sing or simply listen.

Music is an important part of worship at Starr King. Our Music Director Linli Wang, who is the rehearsal pianist for the San Francisco Ballet, leads and accompanies our congregational singing and provides music throughout the service. Our choir and other musicians also contribute.

Coming with children

If you’re coming with children, we’ll introduce you to someone from our Family Ministry team. Our Director of Religious Education, Ariel Smith-Iyer, is with us on the first and fourth Sundays of the month, so those are especially good Sundays to visit with children.

Most Sundays, there’s a special class for children. Children begin in the sanctuary with the rest of the congregation, where we share a Wisdom Tale for all ages. Then we sing the children out to their class. Parents and caregivers are welcome to go with them, and children who prefer to stay in the sanctuary are welcome to do that too. There’s a low table at the back with coloring materials for children who would like something quiet to do during the service.

We bring our lives into worship

During Joys, Sorrows & Gratitudes, people may share something they’re celebrating, grieving, worrying about, or simply carrying with them. We hold these joys and concerns together, followed by a time of silence and music. You’re always welcome simply to listen.

A time for reflection

There may be a reading, followed by a sermon or homily of about 10–20 minutes. Usually Rev. Eric Meter speaks; on other Sundays the service may be led by a guest minister or one of Starr King’s lay worship leaders. The reflections invite us to think more deeply about our spiritual lives, our relationships with one another, and the world we share.

Later in the service we take an offering. Visitors are not expected to contribute. You are our guest, and your presence is gift enough.

We close with music, a benediction, extinguishing the chalice, and one more wave as Roomies and Zoomies say goodbye to each other.

After the service

If you’re new to Starr King, we’d especially like to meet you. Right after worship, we invite newcomers to gather for a few minutes near the sound booth. We’ll say hello, hear a little about what brought you to Starr King, answer questions, and learn what you might be looking for in a community.

Then stay for coffee hour if you’d like. There’s coffee, tea, snacks, and time to talk and get to know people.

On the first Sunday of each month, we also hold a congregational conversation after coffee. Visitors are warmly invited. You can simply listen or participate as fully as you like.

Come as you are

You don’t need to know the words, understand Unitarian Universalism, or share any particular set of beliefs before you walk through the door. And come dressed as yourself. You’ll see everything from Sunday best to jeans and T-shirts. Wear whatever feels comfortable to you.

Come as you are. We’ll be glad to meet you.