Unitarian Universalist Sermons and Conversations from First Unitarian Church of Dallas

– What can we be grateful for? In a time when the world presents so many challenges to our sense of gratitude and abundance, let's practice giving thanks together.

Today's sermon looks at the prophets in our lives, not as a clairvoyant, or a psychic but more akin to a namer, someone who is called to look and discern the what of what is, and name it.

– What role does discomfort play in the transformation of our lives?

– On this "All Souls" Sunday in church, we take time to honor those who have come before us, to grieve those we have lost, and to look toward our own legacy.

We are a faith in which reason and spirituality go hand in hand. Join us to explore our rationally spiritual identity and practice.

In some other faith traditions, sharing good news is a spiritual mandate. What do you know about living well, and how do you teach that just as you are?

– What is a Church For? Can we be serious about our work and create a joyful place? Join us for our "Connections Sunday".

A Zen koan I know asks "Does an enlightened person fall under the laws of cause and effect?" This koan will be our text for a sermon on mistakes, punishment and forgiveness. What's the difference between an original sin and an original mistake?

During the Jewish High Holy Day service of Yom Kippur, the entire book of Jonah is read aloud. It's a curious story about a cowardly procrastinator who reluctantly, and despite his own efforts, becomes a prophet for compassion, mercy and justice. We'll look at what Jonah's story has to tell us about our own prophetic presence in today's tumultuous times.

– How do people of different religious backgrounds and experiences worship and work together in one church? Find out this week!

– This year in church asks us what a progressive congregation is called to do and be in this moment. Join us as we start this church year together.

Labor Day was created to honor the American labor movement and workers contributions to our country. As it now seems just a three-day-weekend finish to summer, the income and wealth gaps widen, and the gap between a minimum and living wage widens. What is our role regarding these issues and those it affects?

This week, we look at Unitarianism: a theological perspective whose adherents are intertwined with our country's history. This little understood faith tradition, now paired with Universalism, continues to evolve as we pursue spiritual lives and bring healing and justice to the world.

During the next two weeks, we take a look at the basic values and history of our tradition. This week, we explore Universalism. What does "No Hell" mean in 2017?

– How do you know if you're using your life well? Does a "calling" exist for every person? If so, how do we find it?

– It's called the "problem of evil" in theological terms. Why do some people have so much, while others so little. Is life, or the universe fair?

– So many of the questions we received related in some way to what it means to be alone and to make meaningful friendships. We'll explore the spiritual side of solitude and relationships.

– For many people, "prayer," means something different now from what we were taught as children. How do today's Unitarian Universalists understand and practice prayer?

– Why do ministers wear robes and stoles? Why come to church instead of praying at the lake? Is there something special about particular prayers, times, or places in our lives? These questions and more.

– Sure, our church comes from the Judeo-Christian family tree, but don't we also find wisdom in many other sources? Are we a Christian church or something else?

– on this 4th of July weekend, we take a look at what kind of people we become and look at one of your common questions, "How do we become people who have more grace in our lives?"

One of the most common questions we received from you is, "How is 'God' understood here?" Let's dive in and see.

Got questions? This summer in worship we're exploring the spiritual questions that keep you up at night. This Sunday kick off the series by exploring the role of questions (and answers) in the spiritual life.

– How to reclaim faith without losing your soul. Daniel's last sermon for 2017 as he leaves on sabbatical.

Joshua Heschel said, "The Sabbath is the day on which we learn the art of surpassing civilization."

– How does our sense of identity shape what is possible in our lives?

– A reflection on what it means to continue to grow and change as a spiritual person.

– On this day we reflect on the lessons we can learn from motherhood (whether or not we've experienced it ourselves). We will also have our twice-yearly child dedication ceremony, blessing some of the youngest members of our community and dedicating ourselves as a congregation to supporting their spiritual growth.

– This week our congregation joins a national reflection within Unitarian Universalism about racism and faith. What does race have to do with building heaven on earth? Can we find a soul-saving way to be in relationship with one another?

Once a year our High School Youth perform the entire Sunday Worship Sevice. It's on e of our most popular services every year. First Homily ~ Grace Oldham Second Homily ~ Kemper Watson

– Our faith calls us to care for this one earth that holds us all. Join us to explore creation care this Earth Day.

- Easter Day Celebration

– We look at how Palm Sunday points us towards Easter.

– Do we have to lose who we are to be in a meaningful community?

– What comes from the hardest moments of our lives?

– Some say faith is the absence of doubt, I say otherwise.

– Our Unitarian Universalist faith says that "revelation is not sealed," and that we continue to learn new things and discern new meaning through the experiences of our lives. But what do we do when it seems like God is silent?

– We parted ways with the idea of "original sin" a long time ago in this church. What would an original blessing mean?

– Unitarian Universalism calls us to profound theological humility, rather than making idols of our churches, our opinions, or ourselves. We explore a Lenten practice of cultivating such humility.

– We explore trust as faith.

– How does what we love change what's possible?

– What does it mean to live as the embodiment of our faith?

Rev. Kanter's sermon considers the inspired life of Nazi resister and minister Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and what it has to teach us today.

Women's suffragist and first woman minister ordained by full denominational authority. Her life spanned the era from the first suffrage organizing to passage of the 19th Amendment.

We explore how Dr. King's life stands as an example of how a life of courage can shape history, and take stock of where we are.

– What is a spiritual life for? What does it do for us and others?

– Each year we gather for a ritual of letting go, to give up something from our lives or the past year. Start the new year with intention!