Unitarian Universalist Sermons and Conversations from First Unitarian Church of Dallas

To cherish is more than holding something dear. It is accepting the cost of loving, and loving still, "consciously, conscientiously, concretely, constructively," as poet Marge Piercy writes. Together we explore what it means to cherish.

As we come back together, what have we lost and gained, we explore what we cherish about each other, our faith community, and life.

Our Unitarian Universalist tradition responds "yes!" But what does it mean to be saved, and why does it matter?

William Ellery Channing forged the Unitarian response to this question and gave us much to ponder. What is sin? How do we fit into the traditional Christian story of sin and redemption? Does it matter? Why are we still so fixated on sin? How does this impact my life today?

Dr. Parker will share a personal testimony about the spiritual destination her journey has led to, and will teach a simple spiritual practice to ground

Some seek a spiritual destination that transcends this world and this life…but what if our spiritual destination is to be discovered right here and now?

– Spiritual destinations are known in pilgrimage. Lets look where we are pilgrims of soul.

– How does the Affirmation of our church serve as a grounding and resting place for us on our spiritual journeys?

– Untangling the complicity of religion with white supremacy and finding the yes to a deeper humanity for all of us.

– New spiritual and ethical understandings emerging from feminism and womanism as faith moves "earth ward" and we grapple with the false gods that have led to global climate change and ecological crises.

– Dealing with the ways we use religion to defend ourselves against our experiences of pain or loss. How can we let go of those defenses to come in closer contact with life's realities and life's sources of grace and healing?

– How to say 'yes' to America in all its complexity. What is the spiritual response to hope for our country? POSTLUDE: on Batiste playing the "Star Spangled Banner/Lift Every Voice and Sing" on NPR music Live Sessions hosted by WXPN

American Idols are everywhere so we might ask, where is the place for critique as a spiritual responsibility?

– What happens after we say "No" to dangerous ideas about God? We begin a spiritual journey to a deeper "Yes."

What idolatries exist in our tradition today, which we must say "no" to in order to embrace a more meaningful experience of the holy?

The power and importance of saying "no" to dangerous religious ideas about God.

Christianity today is not what it was intended to be. What can we learn from it about who we are? Was Jesus actually a Unitarian? These questions and other blasphemies are uncovered in this sermon.

How when the world opens up to us, our small vision becomes a grand one!

Join us as we celebrate and bless 9th graders who have completed Coming of Age and youth graduating from high school. This Sunday we will explore the ways we grow throughout our lives, no matter our age.

Practicing love beyond belief on Mother's Day.

We conclude our theme year looking back and forward at the stories of our lives and how this last year has taught us to live for the next.

Over the course of our lives we learn deeply impactful narratives about our own racial identity and the racial identities of others. How do we live and build community together knowing that race is a social construct, but racism is very real?

Earth day exploration of our present and future on this planet through a lens of UU values.

As we begin our sermon series on the stories we learn, unlearn, and rewrite over the course of our lives, we ask the question "in what image are we made?" How do the stories we learn from our family, our church, and our society shape the way we live in our bodies and express our sexuality?

Easter is not the same but the message can nurture us even as we push through the pandemic.

A Palm Sunday for Unitarian Universalists.

"Ministers sometimes say they only really preach one sermon. This is mine" - Rev. White

- Each one of us has something that contributes to the beauty and life of the world. What's yours?

How discipline in life is a blessing not a chore.

How do struggle and challenge define you?

There is hope after all the endings and death in life. How do we embrace it and find new life?

In this year of exploring the Stories of Our Lives, we turn to look at others' stories and how seeking to enter someone else's narrative grows our understanding, compassion, and empathy. Join us as we launch our Lenten Service Project with the UU Service Committee's Guest at Your Table Program and the North Texas Food Bank.

What happens when you bounce a superball around the church? The answer includes exploring how we care for each other.

As we conclude our worship series on the Story of Unitarian Universalism, we will explore the stories of our religious ancestors and how they shape our present and future.

What is the heart of Universalism doing in our faith today?

As we approach MLK Day, our second week in "The Story of Unitarian Universalism" series asks what the true reward is for doing what's right.

How does seeking truth give us strength in trying times?

Can we let go of 2020? Hell yes! Lets burn some stuff about last year and join in worship together.

In the gap between the excitement of Christmas and the burning service of the new year, what is there to ponder? Lets talk.

A Homily preceding a Christmas Pageant like no other in the mid of The Covid 19 pandemic. We will again tell the story of hope and new beginnings through scripture and song.

– The word "Joy" will be sung, said and noted throughout this season numerous times but does it have meaning? Advent gives us a chance to reflect on what joy really means.

We continue Advent by exploring the unknown. What do you turn to when you don't know the way?

- How do we use the things we try to avoid in life for our deepest growth?

– Freedom from want is a fundamental freedom for all people built into the American Dream. This week, we reflect on the stories we have learned and unlearned about Thanksgiving, abundance, and freedom.

– How do we give thanks and respond to what is underneath the surface of our daily lives?

– After an election can we find hope to move forward?

– As we mark All Souls Sunday in church, how do we practice being temporary ourselves?

– What happens when you have a vibrant curiosity about yourself and others?

– How promises are made and broken can change everything.

– What are the elements of a spiritually mature life?