Podcast: Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto Sermons and Reflections

Say What?: The Power of Language

Language has incredible power to harm or heal, to oppress or liberate. Using words with care is a vital practice for people of faith and conscience—it’s even a key spiritual practice in many traditions. But it’s not always easy. What do we do when some … read more.

I Didn’t Mean To . . . Navigating the Minefield of Impact and Intent

Increasingly, we argue that, in the face of harm, impact is all that matters; bringing up intent is, at best, irrelevant and, at worse, usually just an excuse for bad behavior. But why then do we still care so much about intent, motive, or causation … read more.

Because Every Body Is Sacred

From “Don’t Say Gay” bills to the swath of laws criminalizing gender-affirming and abortion-related care, attacks on bodily autonomy in the US are escalating at an alarming pace. And, this nation has always targeted certain kinds of bodies as less worthy of protection and freedom … read more.

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.