Your donation makes the UUCPA Auction the biggest and best party of the year. Donation ideas—an outing, hiking or biking event, picnic, dinner, themed party, or event hosted by you. A homemade savory or sweet. The offer of a talent or skill. A weekend at your family’s cabin. Or a fun event or service you dream up to share with our community. Auction questions? Email auction@uucpa.org.
To be included in ...
Don’t forget! On October 12, 2025, we are changing our Sunday worship start time to 10:30AM. This change is in response to several requests to move our Sunday worship start time later as well as to pick a time that is intuitively easy to communicate and remember. Mark your calendars and enjoy the extra 15 minutes to arrive, greet friends, and ...
On October 18 from 2-4:30pm, come join us for an afternoon of dancing, crafting, singing, stilting, and socializing. Called by Susan Petrick with music by the Opporchoonists. Susan will teach easy-to-learn dances from American and British Isles folk traditions suitable for all ages.
Our next meeting is October 15, 7-8:30, on Zoom. We’ll discuss the novel “The Saint of Bright Doors” by Vajra Chandrasekera. At the end of the meeting, we will choose a book for our December 17th meeting. Bill Hackenberger (scifi+owner@uucpa.org)
Humanists at UU invite you to a Watch Party for California Freethought Day, Sunday, October 12, from 12 to 5 pm, in Room 4-5. The live event will be outdoors at the California State Capitol Building and livestreamed to UUCPA’s Room 4-5. The day is sponsored in part by the American Humanist Association. California Freethought Day combines the fun ...
This regular announcement describes the current closures and cautions on campus, as we prepare for our Campus Vision remodel project. Current status on closures can also be found under “Recent News” on the church website homepage.
FOR YOUR SAFETY AT ALL TIMES, PLEASE RESPECT BARRIERS AND SIGNAGE ON CAMPUS.
CURRENT STATUS: There are NO current closures on ...
The Yale Whiffenpoofs are coming to Palo Alto for a special performance at UUCPA on Sunday, October 26th at 7:30pm!
Welcome to UUCPA! We’re glad you’re here. We want to get to know you and share the gifts of Unitarian Universalism. In this 4-week group, we’ll practice deep listening, share our own values and histories, and explore all that UUCPA offers. Our curriculum is called “Starting Point,” and each session features readings, sharing circles, and ...
The Forum meets from 8:30 to 10 am on Sunday mornings. Here are the Forum topics for October 2025:
10/5 AI and American National Security (Great Decisions) – Susan Owicki
10/12 Experiencing the Resonant Reading Group – Ann Zeise
10/19 Inspiring Quotes and Sayings – Dick Duda
10/26 Discussion of Matters of Current Local, National, & International Interest, & ...
Have fun and make new connections at an informal potluck Circle Supper this fall hosted at a UUCPA member’s home! There is still availability at the last 3 supper dates in October and November. Use this Circle Supper sign-up form to choose a supper that works for you. The host will contact you to confirm ...
Folks at the Action Council table will show you how to support groups working to improve conditions for people in Gaza. Look for the table on the patio after the service.
We will be highlighting (and encouraging UUs to contribute to) these non-profits: Redwood City based Rebuilding Alliance (https://www.rebuildingalliance.org/), currently working to supply food specifically for ...
Last Sunday we celebrated Water Communion together and now your hopes, prayers and blessings are shared on campus. Come see the River you all created this Sunday. It is located on the walkway towards the office. If you can’t get to campus, you can read the cards here:
If you registered your child(ren) last year, you are registered for this year. New families and folks who need to update their information please register here.
This Sunday all children and youth will go to class together after the Story for All Ages with their teachers.
Preschool – 2nd Grade will meet in Room 6.
3rd – 5th Grade ...
Can’t commit to teach every time but would like to help out? Join our substitute list! No experience teaching required but a background check is. Reach out to revcat@uucpa.org.
Hello again!
Last month I offered an initial introduction that mainly contained practical information about how to best contact me, my typical schedule, and the like. I said there I’d follow up with some personal, professional, and spiritual background, and I’m happy to share that with you now.
I grew up in St. Paul, MN, third in ...
The Hotel de Zink Homeless Shelter will be hosted on our campus each night in September 2025, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., with about 10 guests staying on cots in the main hall. Many thanks to all who volunteered to bring meals—we now have every night covered! If you signed up and would like ...
The Forum meets from 8:30 to 10 am on Sunday mornings. Here are the Forum topics for July 2025:
9/7 The Future of NATO and European Security – Michael Abramson (Great Decisions)
9/14 The New Telescope in Chile – Warren Schmidt
9/21 The Contamination of Ethnic Lingo, Symbols, and Everyday Words: How the Interconnection of Politicalization and Propaganda ...
Have you been thinking of joining the choir? If so, this is a good time to try it out. Studies have shown that singing is not only fun but good for you! It reduces stress, increases your ability to fight disease, helps strengthen lung capacity and memory, and builds a sense of joyful community. We rehearse ...
The Resonant Reading group, an exploration of ideas, feelings, and our life experiences using a different short reading as our springboard each time, meets on Saturdays at 4 pm and Wednesdays at noon via Zoom. All are wide open and you are welcome to come twice a week or once in a while. ...
We are recruiting teachers and advisors for the fall. Want to teach but never have done it before? Taught for a long time ago and would like to teach again? Do you want to lead a short-term project instead of an entire class for next year? Reach out to Cat to learn more at revcat@uucpa.org
The Action Council has recently made the following endorsements:
Co-sponsorship of the Interfaith Booth at the Silicon Valley Pride Festival on August 30-31 in San Jose. As a co-sponsor, the Action Council has made a donation to the cost of the booth and UUCPA will be listed again as a welcoming congregation on the sponsor list and on the ...
Small changes create big results! This in-person support group is designed for anyone looking to improve their quality of life through better sleep, nutrition, movement, and stress management. 3Whether you’re looking to boost your energy, prevent disease, or manage a chronic condition, we’ll explore science-backed strategies and real-life best practices from peers to help you feel ...
I’m so pleased to begin my time as UUCPA’s Interim Minister! Some of you may not know that I served as Sabbatical Minister from July – December of 2023, and I’m thrilled to have been invited back. I’m grateful to the Search/Hiring Team for their confidence in me, and very much look forward to getting ...
The Forum meets from 8:30 to 10 am on Sunday mornings. Here are the Forum topics for August 2025:8/3 What is it we love so much about our pets? – Barbara Symons8/10 Are we a part of a 1% group? – Warren Schmidt8/17 Taking Action for Peace and Justice – Kristi Iverson8/24 The impact of ...
While the remodel of the UUCPA campus hasn’t started yet, we are ready! Due to the hard work of the Campus Vision Task Force, our contractor assures us that there will be evening and weekend access to all UUCPA buildings during construction. What great news!
That means the following will continue as usual:
Sunday worship—in person and on Zoom ...
The Campus Vision Task Force broke ground on Sunday, July 6. After 4 long years of planning, we’re finally getting started!
We convened along the entrance drive outside the door to the back hall, where the outside unit for our heat pump HVAC will be installed. Snacks and celebratory drinks were provided.
Missed the event? ...
Dear, dear UUCPA folks,
I can’t thank you enough for that wonderful send-off on the 15th. All the coordination by Rev. Cat and her great poem for the Time for All Ages (move over, Dr. Seuss!)–all the graceful participation from Mayo Tsuzuki and Rev. Melissa Thomson–Rev. Jen Dillinger’s inspiring sermon–Rev. Lucy Bunch’s very moving laying on ...
You may notice some new signs around campus. They are there because the difference between public and private spaces has legal implications for immigration enforcement. ICE cannot enter private space without a judicial warrant.
We cannot prevent ICE from coming into public spaces, which some of UUCPA’s spaces are. But we can make it clear that ...
The Forum meets from 8:30 to 10 am on Sunday mornings. Here are the Forum topics for July 2025:
7/6 Positive outlook on the global economy – Dave Joki
7/13 What was the most fun thing you experienced this week? Barbara Symons (facilitator)
7/20 Is Trump an “enemy, domestic”? Bob Greene
7/27 Discussion of Matters of Current Local, National, ...
UUs of color, mark your calendars!
We come together as Black, Indigenous, People of Color Unitarian Universalists to be sanctuary to one another. To hear our stories. To share collective grief and joy. We keep us safe. We keep us free. We are so glad to have you connected with our growing movement and we hope ...
Please check out all the fun events we have planned for this summer. Grab a printed copy from the CYRE board this Sunday.
May 25
Summer Sunday School for K-8 Starts at 10:15
Jun 1
Flower Communion Intergenerational Service
Jun 8
Summer Sunday School for K-8 at 10:15
Jun 15
Summer Sunday School for K-8 at 10:15
Jun 21
Equinox Celebration and Game Night 6 ...
American Humanist Association Annual Conference Watch Party at UUCPA - June 28
Glad you asked …
Campus Vision: working to decarbonize the UUCPA campus, getting rid of natural gas
EV ride events, collaborating with Acterra and other to expand awareness
Activity Fair: encourage more walking, bicycling events
Veg forward UUCPA food, kudos to Edie Keating Sundays lunch and brunches, environmentally friendly cheese tasting, and looking for more ideas to get member ...
At our June 1 congregational meeting, the UUCPA congregation resoundingly voted yes to call Reverend Catherine Boyle to continue as Assistant Minister of Religious Education. Rev. Cat accepted our call and sent this message:
Thank you—truly—for the joy and honor of calling me as your Minister of Religious Education. I’m filled with gratitude for your trust ...
The Forum meets from 8:30 to 10 am on Sunday mornings. Here are the Forum topics for June 2025:
6/1 (Great Decisions) International Cooperation on Climate Change – Sarah Doxiadis
6/8 Women are not marrying now. Why? Warren Schmidt
6/15 Memories of Forum Folks – Dick Duda (Facilitator)
6/22 Should we do away with daylight savings time? Tom Parker
6/29 ...
UUCPA members have a big decision to make next week!
Dear UUCPA folks,
Well, here we are! The congregation has gathered in numerous small groups to talk about the future of our religious education (RE) ministry, the Discernment Committee has compiled a report of these conversations, and the Board has unanimously recommended that we call Rev. Cat ...
Great news on the Campus Vision Project! Both of our permits, the Building Permit and the Utility Permit, have been approved! So are we knocking down walls tomorrow? Not quite yet …
The next step is to get an updated bid from the contractor, Bach Construction, based on the approved plans which include changes required by ...
Most years, our Flower Communion is on the second Sunday in May (the same day as Mothers’ Day), but please note that this year we will celebrate it on June 1. This is one of Unitarian Universalism’s most beloved traditions. Everyone brings a flower, creating a multi-colored, multi-scented, many-splendored abundance of blooms on our altar ...
There will be a special congregational meeting on Sunday, June 1st, at 11:30AM, directly following the service. At this meeting, the RE Discernment Task Force will present their final report and recommendation based on the feedback they received during the small group discussion phase of the discernment process. That report has been shared with the congregation and ...
This week, the Religious Education Discernment Task Force shared our report with the UUCPA Board, and the Board endorsed our recommendation to move ahead for Reverend Cat Boyle to become our called Assistant Minister of Religious Education. Overall, we find that Cat’s strengths are needed by UUCPA, and we believe that she will continue to ...
Ecojustice Camp is running this year from July 21-25. More information and register here.
. . . which makes this Sunday’s service extra-special.
https://youtu.be/leapdEjqWG0
The Heart and Home Collaborative’s Board sent this letter, along with several notes written by guests (reproduced here):
Heart and Home Collaborative’s women’s cold weather shelter wrapped up its 2024–25 shelter season on March 31, and we just want to say thank you.
Because your community opened its doors, women had a safe place to come inside — not ...
To opt out, please inform the church office by June 15
We have had numerous requests for us to resume making a printed directory of church members. Wishing to balance connection and privacy, we will only print names, photos, email addresses, and phone numbers–no physical addresses. If you wish to have any or all of your ...
Thank you to everyone who participated in UUCPA’s Annual Meeting on April 27! With a strong turnout, we accomplished a lot together:
New Leadership Elected: We warmly welcome our incoming Board of Trustees members—Robert Neff, Steve Ludington, Liam Mina, Heather Chen, Arhan Dutta, David Puryear (full terms), and Gary Rosin (partial term). We also elected Linda ...
We recently sent a notice that the Action Council was requesting Board approval to sign a letter on behalf of UUCPA rejecting presidential attacks on nonprofit organizations. This message is to let you know that both the Action Council and the Board voted unanimously to sign this letter, along with the UUA, on behalf of UUCPA. ...
Our national Unitarian Universalist Association has signed onto this open letter rejecting presidential attacks on nonprofit organizations, started by the ACLU.
From the letter: “This attack on nonprofits is not happening in a vacuum, but as a part of a wholesale offensive against organizations and individuals that advocate for ideas or serve communities that the president finds objectionable, ...
The Action Council is pleased to announce the new slate of approved Justice Partners for FY25-26, to be voted on at the April 27 Annual Meeting. You can find the list of Partners here. There are some changes of note:
1. We replaced Acterra with Canopy as the environmental Justice Partner, based on a nomination from the Green Sanctuary Committee.
2. We added a second LGBTQIA+-focused ...
The Forum meets from 8:30 to 10 am on Sunday mornings. Here are the Forum topics for May 2025:
5/4 India: Between China, the West, and the Global South – Kunda (Kay Brown) (Great Decisions)
5/11 Dealing with forgetfulness – Susan Owicki
5/18 Recent histories: memories vs current perceptions (notable people) Dick Duda and/or Richard Heydt
5/25 Discussion of Matters ...
What to do if ICE shows up at your congregation, place of worship, non-profit business, clinic, or private employer - May 7
