Podcast: Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto Sermons and Reflections

Not (Only) Our Own

Both our political system and our religious tradition grew out of a highly individualistic philosophy. But our experiences tell us that we are, in fact, not only shaped by but inextricably intertwined with others: especially our families, but also friends, the wider community, and the … read more.

A Living Tradition

As individuals, Unitarian Universalists aspire to keep questioning, growing, changing, and moving. The same is true of our denomination as a whole. Before and since the merger of the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of America (60 years ago this week), the tradition … read more.

Reflections of a Ladies Man

Who gets written out of history, and whose stories have been lost to us until they are retold? Rev. Barnaby Feder tells us about two, Rev. Phebe Hanaford and Rev. Elizabeth Padgham, and we’ll even hear directly from them!

Barnaby comes to us today from … read more.

Building the Foundation

Over many decades, our congregation has helped countless people to get under a roof (oftentimes ours!) and to find transitional and permanent housing. Frustratingly, housing and homelessness are even more acute problems than ever. AND: no one is better situated than us to figure out … read more.

Hope and Courage

“The opiate of the theologians” . . . “a threat to Christianity” . . . “a pernicious heresy”: What is this terrifying doctrine? Universalism. We celebrate it this morning in what is, by one reckoning, the 250th anniversary year of its blossoming on this continent. … read more.

Stories Like Constellations

You can read the text of the sermon on Darcey’s blog:

Stories Like Constellations

We are constantly making up stories about why things happen and what those events mean. A good story can help us through hard times. A good story can help … read more.

The Quest for Immortality

In this intergenerational service, we celebrate Easter with stories, very special music, and a traditional animal of the season: the cicada.

Photo of cicada’s wings (c) Roger Smith, used by permission

Worship leader: Rev. Amy Zucker Morgenstern

Special Music: Karen Van Dyke, flute, and … read more.

Making the Invisible Visible

Invisible people roll past us, walk among us, even speak to us . . . and what’s even stranger, we are sometimes invisible to them. This isn’t a fantasy movie, but instead, a strange fact of our existence, one that Passover urges us to challenge … read more.

One Year

*Note: Remember to put your clocks forward, or you will be very late to the service!*

Today’s service shares what we have experienced, learned, mourned, and hoped for during this past year, to give us inspiration for the last push.

The Woman’s Point of View

So many of our mental models were created for and by men. The hero’s journey, for example, is a particular kind of journey for a particular kind of hero, suited more to typically male ways of being than female ones. When we re-imagine how such … read more.