Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto Sermons and Reflections

Friendship is vitally important to all of us. There has been a lot of research on friendship in recent decades. In this service we will talk about both the science and the power of friendship in our lives. Worship leader: Richard Heydt Special Music: Steven Chanan, piano If ... read more .

Throughout ancient cultures, light returning from darkness in nature led to symbolic tales of the same “miracle” occurring in human lives and communities. Today’s intergenerational service tells three of these as we mark the winter solstice, share the story of Hanukkah, and together bring to life ... read more .

While we don’t get snow flurries in the South Bay, the flurry of the winter holidays can sometimes be more stressful than joyful. But mindfulness practices are a potent remedy—and a gift you can benefit from all year long. Worship leader: Rev. Peter Farriday Special Music: Margaret ... read more .

Hope has many faces; some fanciful and escapist, others grounded and empowering. Today we explore the difference, and how to apply hope’s nourishing aspects to our lives and our world. Worship leader: Rev. Peter Farriday Worship associate: Brian Weller Special music: Veronika Agranov-Dafoe, piano If you prefer to join ... read more .

This Thanksgiving-weekend service explores ideas and practices that help us live with constant gratitude—an attitude that benefits mind, body, spirit, and others. Worship leader: Rev. Peter Farriday Worship associate: Jane Correia Special Music: Arhan Dutta, piano If you prefer to join the community of those attending online, there are ... read more .

In the face of what is crumbling, what is our ethical response to what falls apart? What do we do if there is no “exit” or “restart” for situations, organizations, or a world we are uncertain about how to heal, or harm we are uncertain ... read more .

The Dalai Lama teaches that being happy is good for both oneself and others. So it’s helpful to know some proven avenues to happiness—and which bring the deepest satisfactions. Worship Leader: Rev. Peter Farriday Special Music: Thomas Shoebotham, piano If you prefer to join the community of those ... read more .

Author Anais Nin said “I do not see the world as it is. I see it as I am.” This Sunday we explore how deeply one’s state of awareness, or stage of consciousness, affects how we see and act in the world. Worship Leader: Rev. Peter ... read more .

Spiritual traditions worldwide speak of people’s nonmaterial essence continuing beyond physical death. So in this season of Day of the Dead (native to Mexico) and the pagan holy day Samhain (now aka All Hallows Eve or Halloween), this service explores what may lie beyond this ... read more .

Join us for a joyful, all-ages Halloween service exploring the masks we wear and the truths beneath them. Together we’ll celebrate the courage to be authentic, and the magic of becoming our truest selves. We’ll have a fun skit and a hands-on activity where everyone ... read more .

A part playful, part serious look at spiritual teacher/author Thomas Moore’s imaginary “DSM-1 of Spirituality Disorders” – and the degree to which UUism is susceptible to some of them. Worship leader: Rev. Peter Farriday Special music: Aaron Lington, saxophone If you prefer to join the community of those ... read more .

How can we show up for each other’s mental health, and what does that mean for our spiritual lives? Rev. Barbara Meyers shares real stories—both what works and what doesn’t—from her ministry and her book  HELD , offering practical guidance for congregations who want to care more ... read more .

On the first Sunday of this autumn change of season, and in this time of transitional exploration at UUCPA, our service looks at some challenges and opportunities of change. Worship leader: Rev. Peter Farriday Special music: Martin Manley, jazz pianist If you prefer to join the community of ... read more .

Following on our 9/14 and 9/21 topics, this service explores some deeper implications of what people believe. Based on hymnal Reading #657. Worship leader: Rev. Peter Farriday Worship associate: Ed Haertel Special music: Veronika Agranov-Dafoe If you prefer to join the community of those attending online, there are two ... read more .

Courageous, compassionate characters people Unitarian Universalism’s inception and development. This service explores one early figure who helped make UUism a tradition of inclusiveness and free choice. Worship leader: Rev. Peter Farriday Special music: Gaelic Muses, Celtic trio If you prefer to join the community of those attending online, ... read more .

This service looks at some important ways that Unitarian Universalism differs from most faith traditions. Worship leader: Rev. Peter Farriday Worship associate: Barbara Saxton Special music: Teresa Orozco, flute If you prefer to join the community of those attending online, there are two options. One, join the service via ... read more .

In a letter to a friend, Emily Dickinson wrote “I am out with lanterns, looking for myself”. In addition to being a wonderful image and wonderfully poetic line, the idea of looking for oneself can be central to who we are. Worship leader: Richard Heydt Worship associate: ... read more .

There has been much talk in the past year, both pre- and post-election, about the soul of our nation, pointing to “soul” as the seat of sacred identity. What does it mean for nations or churches to have souls?  The soul of a church lies in its purpose or ... read more .

Each year at this time, we celebrate the ways we are all connected to each other and every other living thing. For our intergenerational Water Communion service, please bring a little water to pour into the communal bowl. We will give thanks for water and ... read more .

“A good book would take me out of myself and then stuff me back in, outsized, now, and uneasy with the fit.” – David Sedaris Censorship of written materials can be traced to the earliest documents in civilizations across the globe. Repeated waves of book ... read more .

Barb came out as transgender 30 years ago. Join him as he reflects on what was and is like to be transgender in these times, as well as how Unitarian Universalism has saved, supported, and challenged his life for these past 3 decades. Worship leader: Rev. ... read more .

We come from diverse backgrounds with our own stories about how we arrived at Unitarian Universalism. Join Rev. Cat for a service that celebrates our faith and shares her personal path to Unitarian Universalism and UUCPA. Worship leader: Rev. Catherine Boyle (she/her/hers) Worship Associate: Jane Correia If you ... read more .

Burmese Buddhism is an intricate blend of Theravada teachings and Myanmar’s older animist traditions. Pagodas often hold space for both Buddhas—sometimes illuminated with LED halos—and nats, the ancestral spirits still honored across the country. As a half-Burmese Unitarian Universalist, Thida Cornes (she/her) reflects on the ... read more .

Black residents are disappearing from Silicon Valley at an alarming rate, a trend driven by persistent disparities in housing, employment, and opportunity. As we examine the data and the lived experiences behind these numbers, it becomes clear—it’s no wonder these outcomes exist. Yet, amid these ... read more .

How do we say goodbye to a minister after 22 years? Come find out! Worship led by: Revs. Cat Boyle, Lucy Bunch, Melissa Thomson, and Jen Dillinger along with Jane Chronis, Matt Rosin, and Mayo Tsuzuki Special music: Veronika Agranov-Dafoe If you prefer to join the community of ... read more .