Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto Sermons and Reflections

Worship Leader: Rev. Kevin Mann Worship Associate: Steven Mashin Follow along in the order of service: https://bit.ly/uucpa_oos_20241229 . If you prefer to attend online, there are two options. One, join the service via Zoom  bit.ly/uucpa_service_1015am_v3 . To get the passcode, email  sundayservice@uucpa.org  or call ... read more .

Accompaniment is the radical act of being with someone even when it is hard and you don’t know how things will turn out. With the increase in fascism across our country, our society often tells us to isolate, take care of our own first, and ... read more .

The words of our benediction continue to guide us in how to fight fascism. To hold fast to what is good when there are so many forces that threaten to erode it, we have to first know: what is good? What, in ourselves and ... read more .

The choir, along with a seven-person band, is here to make our pageant a musical! Well, almost. They’ll sing several pieces to help make the story of Jesus’s birth come to life, along with whoever wishes to take a non speaking role in the play ... read more .

In the service two weeks ago , we heard about a method of conversation that helps people to change their minds. The down side probably occurred to you: “Can’t anyone use this to make anyone change their minds to any idea–including really bad ones?” Well, ... read more .

Thanksgiving is a purely an American holiday, celebrating the union of two very different peoples – the Natives and the Pilgrims, and their survival of a brutal winter. We will delve into the history of what actually happened that fateful week, and how we can ... read more .

So we say to each other at the end of every service. (This is the first in a series of sermons based on our benediction.) The words are both a blessing–may you experience peace–and an exhortation–may you bring peace into the world. In a country ... read more .

Many religious teachers agree with this sentiment from our benediction. Jesus said, “When someone strikes you on one cheek, offer him the other.” The Buddha said “Only love dispels hate.” Muhammad offered kindness to a woman who abused him daily. But we ordinary people, faced ... read more .

Where to next? We have endured so much uncertainty. Uncertainty itself is so painful that often, we cope better with bad news than with waiting for what might be bad news. Looking at history, though, we can take hope from just how uncertain and unpredictable ... read more .

Today is our annual Remembrance Service, when we particularly call to mind all that we have loved and lost: people, animals, friendships, hopes, abilities. Whether the losses occurred long ago or recently, loom large or are comparatively small, we honor them, because that is how ... read more .

Love is the power that holds us together and is at the center of our shared values. We are accountable to one another for doing the work of living our shared values through the spiritual discipline of Love. –Article II (Purposes and Covenant) of the ... read more .

In recent years two letters and a plus sign have been added to LGBTQ making the complete designation LGBTQIA+. Our speaker learned earlier this year that one of those letters probably applies to him. In a talk that ties in with Amy’s series on men’s ... read more .

Generosity. We cultivate a spirit of gratitude and hope. We covenant to freely and compassionately share our faith, presence, and resources. Our generosity connects us to one another in relationships of interdependence and mutuality. –Article II (Purposes and Covenant) of the Unitarian Universalist Association Bylaws Generosity is ... read more .

It’s our first animal blessing since 2020! In the spirit of St. Francis, patron saint of non-human animals, whose day is this Friday, we give thanks to all the animals who bring their incredible variety, beauty, weirdness and wildness to our world. Please bring any ... read more .

Justice. We work to be diverse multicultural Beloved Communities where all thrive. We covenant to dismantle racism and all forms of systemic oppression. We support the use of inclusive democratic processes to make decisions within our congregations, our Association, and society at large. — Article II (Purposes ... read more .

We are called into community, in love and by one another. Ministry is always a relationship, and when entered into with seriousness and intention, it affirms the congregation’s commitment to its mission. Starting soon, UUCPA will reflect on ministry and our calling to faith ... read more .

Pluralism. We celebrate that we are all sacred beings, diverse in culture, experience, and theology. We covenant to learn from one another in our free and responsible search for truth and meaning. We embrace our differences and commonalities with Love, curiosity, and respect. — Article II (Purposes ... read more .

Transformation. We adapt to the changing world. We covenant to collectively transform and grow spiritually and ethically. Openness to change is fundamental to our Unitarian and Universalist heritages, never complete and never perfect. — Article II (Purposes and Covenant), Unitarian Universalist Association Bylaws As we explore ... read more .

Video preview of this Sunday’s service–with mystery guest! Equity. We declare that every person is inherently worthy and has the right to flourish with dignity, love, and compassion. We covenant to use our time, wisdom, attention, and money to build and sustain fully accessible and ... read more .

Our guest preacher, Rev. Steve Edington, writes: The sermon title draws on one of the chapters in my work in progress book The Gospel According to Jack: Tracking Kerouac in My Life.  When Jack Kerouac passed away in 1969, he was largely regarded as a literary flash-in-the-pan. ... read more .

A Joyful Alternative Watch Amy’s video message about today’s events. In the movie Bull Durham, the catcher Crash Davis advises his fastball-pitching protege: “Strikeouts are fascist. Throw some ground balls. It’s more democratic.” Even back then (1988), the term “fascism” was overused, hurled at anyone who ... read more .

We’ll consider home this morning: a concept with deep spiritual meanings, as well as a justice issue as we seek to ensure that everyone has a safe place to call home. Millie Phillips is a Unitarian Universalist minister and faith-rooted organizer with the East Bay ... 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 .

The service’s message about friendship is more than a warm affirmation of its importance. It can be joyful and spontaneous, or edgy and slow-growing. Friendship is found in the relationship of two well-known political opposites who demonstrate their mutual caring even as they adamantly disagree on ... read more .

Images hold power. They shape and inform how we perceive the world. They also influence how we treat people around equity, accessibility and inclusion. Join us as we learn to break down societal barriers in order to break through, break open and break free into ... read more .