Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto

In Our Own Words

“Through all my life stages, the basic principals of our faith have carried me through. The simple Unitarian maxim of "deeds not creeds" says it all for me.”
— Lucy, life-long member

 

“I think I was really a Unitarian Universalist even before I came to my first service.  It feels good that I’m encouraged to find my own answers about what I believe – and yet here I still feel surrounded and supported by people who share my values and ask how they can make a difference in the world. “
— Edie, member since 2002

 

“While members of the church all have their own individual beliefs - one thing we all have in common is the desire to form a compassionate community.  That's why I'm glad my family attends this church.”
— Gerry

 

“An important part of my life is being supportive of and involved with the many Social Justice projects in which our church participates.”
— Rae, member since 1950

 

“All the wonderful people who congregate at UUCPA make it an interesting retreat. I find so many ordinary folks with fascinating stories, plus a bunch of cute kids.”
- Ila K

“Our family values the down to earth crowd of individuals and parents we encounter within this congregation. It is a nice sanctuary from the high paced parenting of the region-- we all get a moment to step back and laugh and even sometimes cry about the ongoing challenges and joys of raising our kids here.”
— Eleanor, member since 2007

 

“I used to cry attending my first services here. I was so moved by the music, the message, my relief at finding a church where I felt at home. And I felt like this was a place where I could bring my grief as well as my joy. It still is.”
 — Lynn, member since 1996

 

UUCPA is a place for adults and families who seek a community where they can find spiritual and philosophical inspiration.  It attracts those who want to learn, share, grow and act in an environment that encourages individual ideas and the search for shared truths.  It is a diverse community that inspires you to bring your talents and energy to act for local and global social justice, human dignity, and spiritual openness.
— UUCPA member Mayo

 

• Where do you go to find a spiritual fellowship that allows a family to combine practices from multiple faiths?
• Where do you go when you or your spouse come from a non-faith background, yet you are searching for a liberal religious grounding for your children?
• Have you thought about what your response will be to your children’s questions about “Where we go after death?” “What does God look like?” “How can we help homeless man living on the street?”
• Where do you go when you need reassurance or comfort following a natural or man-made disaster?

Unitarian Universalism can offer a supportive spiritual environment that doesn’t ask that you follow doctrine, but instead allows you to find your own peace within a diverse community. We share thoughts and feelings with other independent thinkers in an open and respectful environment. Think “community” instead of “church”and keep an open mind.
— UUCPA member Maribea

Unitarian Universalists believe in the dignity of all human beings… not in spite of; but because of the fact that we all have an individual journey to reconcile ourselves with the eternal. I’m a UU because I think hell and heaven are both right here on earth. I believe that only serious people, whatever faith they draw on, working together can minimize the one and maximize the other.

The Unitarian Universalist tradition is one that celebrates, not just tolerates religious different religious beliefs. That’s the only kind of religion that makes sense to me.

Unitarian Universalists appreciate that there can be many ways to experience the inifinite. We know that morality does not belong to any one tradition or doctrine. Our strength comes from our diversity and our appreciation that a community can be formed by people with many ways of thinking. We have spirited arguments and committee meetings about the things we believe in, and some of us argue very very well.

— UUCPA member Greg Idzik-Meyer

My religion must stand up to rigorous intellectual examination, but it must also allow and support deep emotions and intuition.  It must be ethical and support actions based on committment to moral values. My religious expression must have room for ritual, music, poetry and the best aesthetic experiences. This church has all of those for me.
— Kathy, life-long UU