Podcast: Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto Sermons and Reflections

Genie in a Bottle

What is a genius? Someone rare, we know that. Someone with extraordinary gifts that few of us can hope to have. Figures such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Nikola Tesla, Marie Curie, Ella Fitzgerald, Michael Jordan. Or, descending slightly from the stratosphere, someone with an IQ … read more.

Chalice Sunday

Our annual intergenerational service in which we ask and answer questions such as: What is the origin of the flaming chalice symbol? What does the chalice mean to you? What happens when we put all those meanings together into one community? Why do we have … read more.

Ruts, Routes, and Paths

Habits go straight to the heart. When we’re trying to break an unwanted habit and failing, we often feel as if there’s something wrong with us. The same thing happens when we’re having trouble creating a better habit. It’s true that our habits say a … read more.

Brick by Brick: Chanting Down Babylon

An intergenerational service celebrating the life and message of Martin Luther King, Jr., and how his ministry continues on through folks who are fearless in the face of oppression and aggression. Our minister of religious education, Cat Boyle, leads us in a liberating service … read more.

Mystery Gifts

When we embrace mystery, we never know just what we’re going to discover. In this service, we won’t even know what order things are going to happen. A pile of wrapped gifts will be on the altar, and as each is opened by a volunteer … read more.

New Year’s Eve Service

Rev. Alex da Silva Souto [they+Brown+Latinx] has been a person of the “in-between space” since birth and childhood in Brazil. They are currently the minister of Sierra Foothills UUs in Auburn, where they remain a devoted social justice advocate, liturgical artist, and partner in the … read more.

Season of Giving

In the “Season of Giving,” it is easy to give too much or to feel like we are not giving enough. Let us take a moment to relax and ensure that our own wells do not run dry, so that we may be fully present, … read more.

No-Rehearsal Christmas Pageant

In this intergenerational service, we rejoice in the everyday miracles of the season, marking the winter solstice, telling the story of Hanukah, and inviting all who wish to play a part to help make the story of Jesus’s birth come to life. Our annual tradition … read more.

Overcoming Overwhelming Odds

So many of us are familiar with the story of David vs Goliath.  It is a story deeply rooted in the way we tell ourselves that we can face and overcome whatever stands between us and our desired outcomes.  

This week we will look at this … read more.

Poetry Speaks to Us

Poetry is perfect for lovers of words, lovers of sounds and lovers of ideas. And it’s there for anyone willing to take the plunge. Richard Heydt and a few UUCPA friends will read some of our favorite poems and talk about the place of poetry … read more.