Adults

There are many programs for adults at UUCPA. This includes special classes offered by the Adult Learning Journey committee as well as ongoing group meetings and events.

Adult Learning Journey (ALJ)

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto, through the Adult Learning Journey committee, offers an array of classes, groups, and events designed to support and enhance the lifelong spiritual explorations of our adult members, friends, and visitors.

Our offerings encourage participants to open their minds and hearts to new understandings, to share their diverse experiences with one another, and to engage in compassionate action outside of the congregation.

Classes encourage the continued spiritual and ethical exploration of Unitarian Universalist values through learning about diverse faiths, philosophies, and wisdom traditions, as well as pursuing a deeper understanding of our Unitarian Universalist identity and principles. All Adult Learning Journey classes are offered at no charge.

For information on any Adult Learning Journey class, seminar or workshop, contact the church office (650-494-0541), or send an email to aljclasses@uucpa.org.

Vision and Mission of ALJ

Vision: All adult members and friends of UUCPA know about and can choose to participate in inclusive programs that address their diverse interests and needs in furthering their individual spiritual journeys and that enrich our community and world.

Mission: The Adult Learning Journey Committee offers classes that align with the UU Principles and with the mission of UUCPA (see below). The classes aim to enrich the mind and spirit and seek to:

support our faith development and spiritual growth;
respect the many, diverse ways to be human;
enhance knowledge of the self;
address the specific interests and needs of the adult UUCPA community;
foster connection and compassion with each other and with the world; and
recognize and promote diversity and inclusion in our community and world.

Adult Learning Journey Class Schedule

We welcome your participation in the following explorations, generally held in the Fireside room at UUCPA in hybrid fashion:

ALJ Class - Buddhism: Unitarianism Without the You

10/26/2025 at 12:00 PM

Buddhism: Unitarianism Without the You

A Friendly Meeting With a UU (Buddhist) Monk

Join Ajahn Kovilo Bhikkhu, a Unitarian-born American Buddhist monk, for conversation, several short guided meditations, and Q&A centering around Buddhism as seen through Unitarian eyes. Topics for discussion may include:

The similarities and differences between Unitarianism and Buddhism
The beauty of cognitive flexibility around how and when to pick up your ego
The utility and practice of deep meditation
The aspects of faith and transcendence in Buddhism
Being Buddhist in America
Why the heck would anybody want to be a monk

Details:

Time: October 26th, 2025 12:00- 1:30 pm
Location: Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto, Fireside Room (the room behind the coffee table)
Facilitator: Ajahn Kovilo Bhikkhu (né Ian Hillard – son of UUCPA member Paula Hillard)
Presenter: Ajahn Kovilo
Biography: Ajahn Kovilo is a Unitarian-born, Theravāda Buddhist monk. Having been introduced to meditation through the Goenka Vipassana tradition, Ajahn entered the monastery in 2006 and received full ordination at Abhayagiri Monastery, California in 2010, spending the next decade training at monasteries in the Ajahn Chah tradition in America and Thailand. In 2020, after a year of practicing at a Pa Auk Sayadaw monastery, Ajahn Kovilo enrolled at the Dharma Realm Buddhist University (DRBU) to study Pali and to better understand Mahāyāna practices. Having graduated from DRBU in 2024, Ajahn Kovilo is now helping to found Clear Mountain Monastery in Seattle, Washington – a vibrant community with beautiful in-person and online teachings and gatherings. For more information, visit www.clearmountainmonastery.org and check out their YouTube interviews with many Buddhist luminaries such as Joseph Goldstein, Bhikkhu Bodhi, Sharon Salzberg, Gil Fronsdal, Tenzin Palmo, Bhante G, Rick Hanson, Oren Jay Sofer, Doug Smith and many more at https://www.youtube.com/c/ClearMountainMonastery.

Fourth Sunday Waffles and snacks will be available after the service. Please use a paper plate. Suggested contribution $2.

Child care will be provided.

ALJ Class - Living Our Values: Allyship in Action

11/02/2025 at 12:00 PM

We care deeply about fairness, equity, and inclusion—but it’s not always easy to know how to respond when a microaggression occurs. Building on September’s Welcoming Congregations class, join Rev. Cat Boyle for an engaging and supportive session where we’ll explore how to be stronger allies through open conversation and roleplay. Together, we’ll practice responding with courage, compassion, and care.

Details:

Time: November 2, 2025 12:00- 1:30 pm
Location: Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto, Fireside Room (the room behind the coffee table)
Facilitator & Presenter: Rev. Cat Boyle

Light snacks and child care will be provided.

ALJ Class - Buddhism: Unitarianism Without the You

10/26/2025

12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Fireside Room and Zoom

ALJ, Spotlight

Buddhism: Unitarianism Without the You A Friendly Meeting With a UU (Buddhist) Monk Join Ajahn Kovilo Bhikkhu, a Unitarian-born American Buddhist monk, for conversation, several [...]

More Info

ALJ Class - Living Our Values: Allyship in Action

11/02/2025

12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Fireside Room and Zoom

ALJ, Spotlight

We care deeply about fairness, equity, and inclusion—but it’s not always easy to know how to respond when a microaggression occurs. Building on September’s Welcoming [...]

More Info