Podcast: Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto Sermons and Reflections

Moral Beauty and the Shape of Justice

The Beloved Community is one of deep justice and moral beauty. But the ugly and misleading ways in which we talk about justice in today’s society blind us to its deeper meaning — justice that will truly “roll down like waters.” Let’s refresh and re-establish … read more.

Grace Notes

Our guest preacher writes: In a world that seems to have taken some disastrously wrong turns, I find myself struggling to maintain balance and a positive outlook. By word of mouth, TV, and print, I’m aware that others are having some of the same difficulties. … read more.

History, Retold

As Artificial Intelligence grows, there is much wondering about whether the line between truth and fiction will be ever harder to know. Today, we look back, both in the short term and the arc of history, to discover deeper truths, together.

Rev DL Helfer (they/them) is … read more.

Who Owns the World?

Achieving real social and economic justice will require more than just charity and generosity. We will also need to re-envision and re-interpret some of our system’s basic economic concepts. One approach is to rethink the meaning of property, following a path that Thomas Paine (inspired … read more.

Judgment and Curiosity

Two attitudes, two ways to journey through the world. As Amy departs for the explorations made possible by a six-month sabbatical, she shares her thoughts on the doors each one opens or closes. What happens when we meet one another, meet ideas, meet the world, … read more.

Intergenerational Flower Communion

Exactly 100 years ago, on June 4, 1923, the minister of the Unitarian Church in Prague, Czechoslovakia, the Rev. Norbert Čapek, introduced the Flower Celebration. He asked the people of the congregation to bring flowers, and after they gathered them into one beautiful display and … read more.

Beautiful and Terrible

“Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid,” says Frederick Buechner. Here we are, plunked down in a life that encompasses devastating tragedies and transcendent joys. What shall we do?

In addition to giving the sermon, Amy sings music by three … read more.

An Act of Restoration

Today we are celebrating Earth Day a little late (April was packed) and reconsidering one species that we often regard as having no useful role in our ecosystem. What it contributes to the global community seems to be far outweighed by what it takes. Of … read more.

We Don’t Talk About Burnout

Life in Silicon Valley is phenomenally stressful. There are as many different ways to try to cope with its pressures as there are personalities, and understanding how our personality intersects with the stress can help us to be less vulnerable to the complete exhaustion known … read more.

Dismantling, Rebuilding, Repairing

Is the UUCPA group Dismantling White Supremacy, which first convened in late 2019, an education program, a justice project, a support-oriented small group, a spiritual growth group . . . ?

Yes!

Today, by speaking about what they’ve learned, what they’re doing, and the kinds … read more.