Unitarian Universalist Sermons and Conversations from First Unitarian Church of Dallas

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?

All of us yearn to be of use, to have work that is real and meaningful. What is your real work?

Part 2 of our Unitarian Universalist series on our Universalist present.

Part 1 of our annual 2-part sermon series intro to Unitarian Universalism

Rev. Beth Dana reflects on what the pandemic and sabbatical taught her about this question

What is a miracle and what does a Unitarian Universalist do with a miracle? •••MUSIC: Ruth Ann Ritchie, flute, Alan Dyer, piano

The Kubler-Ross five stage model of grief is a place to start when grieving, but it isn't the only way to navigate grief. Grief isn't something we move through as if we have a map. It has its own shape and according to the poet Albert Huffstickler "that's what we're looking for: not the end of a thing but the shape of it."

How does attentiveness help us find the sacred in the mundane?

As Rev. Beth returns from sabbatical, she reflects on the meaning of rest and what kind of rest we need right now in this world.

Interestingly, given the title, this sermon, written by Rev. Kanter, had to be "preached" at the last minute by Rev. Beth Dana because Daniel was under the weather and unable to do it himself.

Second in our two part series on democracy in America.

In our first installment of a two part series on democracy and patriotism, Rev. Edwin Robinson was set to speak on being black in America. In light of Roe being overturned only 2 days prior to this service, the subject matter understandably expanded.

An exploration of our spiritual response to Juneteenth.

When we give up hope we see the world as it is. When we are motivated by love, not by hope, we discover ways to serve and to be of use.

Storyteller Nicole Stewart and Rev. Daniel Kanter will tell abortion stories that address how we remove shame from our lives and how we learn how to listen to others.

Buddhist monk and US Army Veteran Claude AnShin Thomas will preach about peace in a warring world.

Rev. Ruth's final sermon to the congregation, exploring the energy and efforts of our community that she will take with her, and the energy she hopes to inspire.

Coming of Age and Senior Graduation Sunday give us a chance to reflect on life lessons.

On this Mother's Day Sunday, we'll look at the nature and nurturing of trees, how they mother one another and us.

Revisiting the theme year as we look to ground our lives in gratitude.

Karter talks about her spiritual journey, and how much her church community has meant to her along the way.

Easter Worship is a celebration of hope's victory over despair. Lets do that!

What is triumph and how does it look to those who know some stories end badly. Let's look at Palm Sunday together as we enter 'Jerusalem' with triumph on our hearts.

Moss Allison in his famous song writes: "Everybody's crying mercy when they don't know the meaning of the word." Today we explore the meaning of mercy and the openings it creates.

Reclaiming the concept of grace is a difficult task for us. But thinking of it as "surprising goodness," makes it easier to defy the idea of "cheap grace," a term coined by German pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer to describe how most people perceive grace — as a personal benefit.

In many Christian traditions, repentance has come to mean confession of our sins, admitting how far we've wandered off the path and promising to do better next time. But what if repent means something more? Could repentance be a way in which we awaken and live a fuller life? This Sunday, we reclaim the complex and life giving idea of repentance.

What markers on our spiritual journeys do we need to claim and reclaim. We start our Lenten series on reclaiming theological terms that are foundations of our faith.