Podcast: Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto Sermons and Reflections

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.

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.