Podcast: Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto Sermons and Reflections

Stories Within Stories

Yesterday marked 20 years since the tragic events of September 11, 2001. The attack and its aftermath invited us into the stories of each others’ lives, often in heartbreaking ways. Let’s reflect together on how such sharing can bring us greater life and richer meaning. … read more.

Let Us Not Be Resigned

The pandemic has shaken the world of work. Many businesses are finding it impossible to bring back employees under their former conditions. In three months of this spring alone, 11.5 million U.S. workers quit their jobs, a wave called the Great Resignation that may still … read more.

The Magic Penny

Last week we talked about time. This week the topic will be money, and the following week, the series will wrap up with a service on work.

It’s said that you have to spend money to make money. We get that when it’s applied to, say, … read more.

How to Fit It All In

There’s just so much to do, and the 24 hours in a day never seem to be enough to catch up. Even retired folks find it hard to get to the end of their to-do list. And the stress seems to set in earlier and … read more.

Questions, Questions, Questions

In what has become an annual tradition, Amy takes your questions and answers as many as she can in the time usually allotted to a sermon. The identities of the questioners will be confidential. And she has a question for you, too: “What question would … read more.

Cakes, Quanta, and the Meaning of Life

Our guest speaker this morning is Leika Lewis-Cornwell (they/she pronouns) who is the President of the UUHA and a UU minister in formation. Over the course of a career as an organizational, policy, and cyber security consultant, Leika has helped public, private, and nonprofit organizations … read more.

Sacred Drag

Today’s sermon encourages reflection upon the history and sacred aspects of drag.  Sister Plush has been a fully professed member of the San Francisco Order of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence for seven years.  Her ministry focuses on Queer and Trans young adults, encouraging them … read more.

Democracy is Coming

The dream of democracy in the United States has never been completely realized, but it remains as an ideal, prized most when we most fear that it could slip away. Today we celebrate the nation’s birthday by sharing some of the ways we can help … read more.

Don’t Think of an Elephant

Today’s Fathers’ Day sermon was inspired by recalling a book by George Lakoff called Don’t Think of an Elephant that Steve read over two decades ago.  Although the examples are a bit dated, it’s not hard to see that they still apply today, and have … read more.

S – t – r – e – t – c – h

When it comes to personal and spiritual growth, what’s the right amount of challenge? As with exercise, it can’t be downright painful (at least not to the point of actual injury), and to be effective, it also can’t be too relaxed. We aim to do … read more.