Unitarian Universalist Sermons and Conversations from First Unitarian Church of Dallas

How do we take our faith with us into the rest of our lives? Together we consider ways to bring together parts of our own lives. Living a Purposeful Life is the first sermon series of our theme year "Waves of Purpose, Tides of Change." Join us to explore the spiritual inner work required to transform our personal lives.

What does living with purpose really mean for a Unitarian Universalist? What does grounding ourselves in rituals and activating our spiritual lives look like? Where do we find resources to grow and guide our actions as UUs to make the world a better place? These are all questions we will be asking and discussing throughout the 2023-2024 theme year. Our goal is to locate 'Faithful Geographies' that become touchpoints for living impactful lives that matter. By creating depth in ourselves, connections with others and commitments beyond our own desires we can turn purpose into change together. So we look ahead to riding the 'Waves of Purpose' into 'Tides' that make a difference in the world. We will ask another question of ourselves as we navigate through the seas of social and political challenges which is 'What are people for?' or to put it another way, 'what are we really for as progressive religious people in community? First Unitarian Church of Dallas is devoted to genuine inclusion, depth and joy, reason and spirit. We have been a voice of progressive religion in Dallas since 1899, working toward a more just and compassionate world in all of what we do. We hope that when you come here your life is made more whole through experiences of love and service, spiritual growth, and an open exploration of the divine. Learn more at https://dallasuu.org/ New sermon every week. Subscribe here: https://tinyurl.com/1stchurchyoutubesubscribe Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1stuchurch/ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1stUChurch Watch the livestream on Sundays at 9:30am, 11am, & 7pm CST: https://dallasuu.org/live/

We draw from our Universalist heritage and seek to answer one of humanity's burning questions together. This sermon is part 2 of our 2-part Unitarian Universalism 101 series, where we will be exploring the foundations of our faith. First Unitarian Church of Dallas is devoted to genuine inclusion, depth and joy, reason and spirit. We have been a voice of progressive religion in Dallas since 1899, working toward a more just and compassionate world in all of what we do. We hope that when you come here your life is made more whole through experiences of love and service, spiritual growth, and an open exploration of the divine. Learn more at https://dallasuu.org/ New sermon every week. Subscribe here: https://tinyurl.com/1stchurchyoutubesubscribe Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1stuchurch/ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1stUChurch Watch the livestream on Sundays at 9:30am, 11am, & 7pm CST: https://dallasuu.org/live/

When we think about the world, how can we commit to the idea that Unitarians have protected for centuries that humanity is good?

Who is our neighbor today? And how can we be good neighbors? Together we will hold all of the many things it means to be a neighbor today.

"Geography is destiny." Where we are now and what is promised in the future is at the core of many beliefs. We look at what answers to these questions mean to our faith.

It takes courage to move past our fear in order to speak up, say what needs to be said, and do what we've been scared to do. It requires us to "get a spine!"

What do we do when it all falls apart? For millennia religious people have been asking this very question. Let's try to answer it together.

Our summer sermon series "This American Life" is based on NPR's famed radio show. We will explore various stories that illuminate the importance of story and particular experiences to help us recognize our common humanity.

Our summer sermon series "This American Life" is based on NPR's famed radio show. We will explore various stories that illuminate the importance of story and particular experiences to help us recognize our common humanity

Birders talk about their "spark bird" – the first bird that got them hooked on bird watching. Each of us, whether we are birders or not, has a "spark bird" – something that grabbed our attention, kindled our passion, and changed our life. What is yours? Our summer series "This American Life" is based on NPR's famed radio show. We will explore various stories that illuminate the importance of story and particular experiences to help us recognize our common humanity.

We kick off this series by reflecting on our role as progressive religious people in patriotic celebrations. We will also hear from Rev. Nangroi Suting, minister to the Unitarian Universalist Church of North East India. ••• Our summer sermon series "This American Life" is based on NPR's famed radio show. We will explore various stories that illuminate the importance of story and particular experiences to help us recognize our common humanity.

Join us for this final Sunday in our Artists Who Inspire series, in which we affirm "art is for everybody!" We will explore the personal, public, and provocative pop art of Keith Haring in the 1980s.

We look into the life of Nina Simone, her bold confrontation with race, and the power of her voice to confront the times she lived in.

"Artists Who Inspire: Stevie Wonder" June's Artists Who Inspire sermon series highlights performers, musicians, and visual artists who inspire our spiritual lives to persevere, adapt, find joy, and face obstacles in our way. artists who inspire our spiritual lives to persevere, adapt, find joy and face obstacles in our way. What makes them unstoppable? What does are do to us? How are we moved by their lives and their art? Rev. T. J. FitzGerald is preaching

We kick off our Artists Who Inspire series looking into the life of Josephine Baker. Her life inspires persistence, the leveraging of fame for resistance movements and a commitment to sensuality on stage. Join us.

The power of memory and honor are everywhere in our lives. We hold close those who gave the last full measure of their devotion in service this Memorial Day Sunday.

We have all come of age and graduated parts of our lives. What does it all mean?

How do you know when you belong in a community? We all know the experience of being seen, found, and beloved…and we know its opposite.

Liberation does not happen overnight. We envision together building the Beloved Community and how to bring it to life.

What is the work of 'Revolutionary Love?' As we wrap up the theme year let's get practical about how to continue to practice it.

What does it mean for humans to be in solidarity with the Earth? Celebrate Earth Day with us!

"Redeeming Words: Revelation" - Rev. Beth Dana Revelation is a scary word for some Unitarian Universalists. We'll explore what it has to do with us and what the Palm Sunday story of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey revealed then and now.

Along our Lenten journey, we reflect together on the meaning of virtue in our lives and in our shared wider community. What can old notions of virtue tell us? What new virtues are with us today?

Little is more human than sin. It touches all of our lives. As part of our Lenten series, we'll talk about what sin really means to us…and what it doesn't.

Guest preacher Rev. John Young, author of the new book "Nurture Your Spiritual Path," joins Rev. Kanter to explore what we can learn from the many religious pursuits of faith and truth. Rev. Young served as the minister of Central Unitarian Church in Paramus, NJ, from 1977-1991, during which time Daniel's family were members of his church.

"Redeeming Words: Sacrament" Rev. Thomas Fitzgerald Special events and experiences mark many of our lives. Together we'll consider how to decide which of those experiences are sacred and which aren't. ••• MUSIC: violinist Harvey Wechsler and pianist Alan Dyer

We start a Lenten series on theological terms that need reinterpretation and reimagination with 'Redemption.' Join us as we start this period of reflection as liberal religious people in a world that assumes a lot about theology and church.

Join us for a message about finding joy in this moment.

Working for justice and equity is hard. How much of ourselves do we give to the work? And how much do we keep? And how do we care for ourselves and each other in the process? A WADE worship event.

WADE (Worth and Dignity Engagements) has been part of our effort to celebrate racial equity work and what it means to step into the actions of liberating ourselves and each other in the spirit of love. We will honor WADE and step into the water together this Sunday.

We will explore what our covenant is and what promise-making, breaking, and repairing mean in a spiritual community such as ours. Reflect on the promises you make to yourself and others and how this church can help you center them in a larger narrative.

Reflection is not a passive act. As we tie together the uniquely spiritual practice to our faith of Pause, Discern and Reflect we ask ourselves what is worthy of our reflection and how does it lead us to actions that make a difference.

The discernment of peacemakers is holy. We celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. this Sunday and how his discernment speaks to us still.

Our annual burning service, in which we pause to let go of what needs to be let go and look forward to the year ahead.

What resolutions are worth making this year? And which must we keep?

Christmas Day stories and music celebrating the role of Unitarian Universalists in beloved Christmas traditions.

In her Homily "A Time for Wonder," delivered before our annual Christmas Pageant, Rev. Dana asks, "How can a familiar story inspire wonder?"

At the center of every faith lies a mystery waiting to be solved.

What we long for is what we are.

What endings mean to beginnings. Advent begins.

A practice of gratitude can change our lives and the world.

What keeps us going in hard times? We'll explore optimism and hope and the movements that sustain us.

Do we have a democracy and what is spiritual about it? This sermon will be given and received days before election day.

Reflection on those we love who have died and how they live in us.

Seekers of justice in our world are great treasures. On this Sunday we will learn more about what it takes to carry on our justice-seeking and sources of strength for the journey

Speaking with others about our values can be hard. Together we'll explore some of the most rewarding ways we can engage in this important work

How do we widen the circle of our lives as a church and as people are called on to make room for others?

What are the church's "ends," and how are they practices of revolutionary love? Our church calls us to see ourselves as an integral part of the web of relationships – with self, with others, and with the holy. How do we engage in spiritual growth, not as a solitary endeavor, but knowing we are part of something larger?

How has Unitarian Universalism participated in revolutions in our world? And how can it help a hurting world yet again?