Unitarian Universalist Sermons and Conversations from First Unitarian Church of Dallas

Do I (or do we) have enough? We all ask this question at times. Join us as we explore this question in a faithful way.

This week we kick off our worship series "Enough" by asking: How do we know when we are enough in life, and are we asking the right question?

Let's look at just what that trust might mean.

Join us in celebrating First Unitarian Church of Dallas's 120 years as a liberal religious presence in Dallas!

– How do we find meaning, rest, and hope in a world that feels more polarized every day?

What is a community? Let's celebrate ours!

How do we stop and listen to what's important when life gives us more noise than we can handle?

– We kick off our program year exploring what is it to be human in this age

What do Unitarian Universalists believe about life after death? Join us for Week 3 of the UU 101 Seeker Series!

This question is frequently asked of the ministers. Behind it is another question-'What is Unitarian Universalism?' And another, 'What should I say or not say we are?' This Sunday we will unpack all of this.

Each Sunday, we pray "God of Many Names, and Mystery beyond all our naming." What do we mean when we talk about God in this progressive congregation?

Greg Brownderville is Director of Creative writing and a professor at SMU. He helps us reflect on how our authentic lives become works of art.

What can we learn about ourselves through silence, and deep listening? Have you ever experienced silence as troubling? Why? What did it reveal? What is the role of silence and listening in agitating for change?

How do tradition and change interact in religious community, and in your life? How does community help you become your best self? Joan Chittister says: "Tradition is what constitutes the heart and soul of an institution, its purpose and reason for being, its highest vision of itself and its deepest dreams. Traditionalism includes all the tiny little customs and practices, laws and explanations that reflect the insights important to maintaining that tradition in every particular age that succeeds it." Where do you see tradition and traditionalism present in your life, your family, and this church?

– Do you ever not recognize the person looking back at you in the mirror? How do we deeply know ourselves and live with integrity?

– Happiness is a spiritual thing and begs the questions of us like: what makes us truly happy? What is settling for less than the best? What is happiness when life is out of control?

– If mistakes are such a normal part of being human, why do we get so good at hiding them from ourselves and others?

– Not giving up is a spiritual and purposeful notion in life. Let's explore it.

"Surrender is a kind of trust fall into the universe."

Aaron's sermon looks at how our response to forces beyond our will says much about who we think we are, and whether it's possible to be humbled and holy at the same time.

– Unitarian Universalism offers precious freedom to countless incarcerated individuals, over 1,000 of whom are part of the Church of the Larger Fellowship. Hear how UUism lives in prisons and jails, and how free world UUs are reaching behind bars to share our faith.

– What is good… inherently good means what? The common good means what?

– Franciscan author, Richard Rohr, affirms that great love and great suffering are two of the primary paths of transformation in life. Today we bless our teenagers and youth who "come of age" and graduate, and we offer guidance on how they, and we, navigate the path before us.

– On this Mother's Day, we will reflect on our incredible capacity for chaos – the chaos of life, motherhood/parenthood, and the world.

– As we wrap up our theme year on courage as a spiritual discipline, join Revs. Kanter, White, and Dana as they preach together on courage in the lives of our members and the world.

– Youth Sunday our annual youth-led Sunday service, and one of our most popular each year! Van Hamilton delivered the Homily and Giovanni Kanter gave the Testimonial.

– Easter! Join us for a joyous celebration of love and life.

Since UUSC's founding, Unitarian Universalists have been fundamental to UUSC's work to advance human rights. With shared values under threat, there is an even louder call to collaborate and even more that we can accomplish together. How we can come together, with hope, to advance justice in the face of some of today's greatest human rights challenges.

– Have you ever hesitated to speak up, step out, or share an idea for fear of being ridiculed? This Sunday, we will explore the moments when we are called to risk ridicule for a greater good.

– Every great adventure and so many meaningful decisions in our lives have uncertain outcomes. This week we look at how to navigate uncertainty as a spiritual practice.

Does risk choose us or do we choose risk?

–The risk of commitment and all I learned in India this month.

As we enter the season of Lent, we reflect on the courage and risk it takes to make a meaningful life while knowing that we are mortal. From dust we come and to dust we shall return. This is the first Sunday in our "Risky Business" series. First Unitarian, Universalist, Church, Liberal, Faith, Welcoming, Progressive, Agnostic, Spiritual, Humanist, Activist

- Are there non-negotiables even in a creedless church? Why would it matter to you?

- What in your life would need to die so that the right things could live?

As a mother of toddlers, I'm reading up on how to nurture their growth and development. One of these books discusses the difference between people who ask "how?" and people who ask "why?" Which are you? Come explore how these approaches shape our religious and spiritual lives.

Why does it matter?

– In a world full of fake and phony, being yourself is a great thing. But what about when that becomes a challenge?

– What is the courage to say no and why?

– Sometimes, saying yes is hard, even when you know what's right. We explore MLK's legacy and our own, when we say yes.

We say "I'm sorry" all the time, not always reflecting on what we mean and what the words require of us. Join us as we explore how saying "I'm sorry," and really meaning it, is an everyday act of courage.

Letting go for a new year. In our annual burning ceremony, we symbolically burn off the things we want to leave behind.

Another holiday season is winding down. A new year is racing toward us. But how do we as UUs make the most of the here and now?

– Season got you down? Got the blues? We got a solution! Let's do the blues together.

Children lead us in worship as they bring the Christmas story alive in our sanctuary and in the world.

How do you cultivate joy in hectic times?

– Signs and symbols beckon us on to what? Advent asks us what star in the east we will follow.

Rev. White is joined in dialogue by two First Unitarian high school students, Van Hamilton and Olivia Thompson.

The Shaker song says "'tis a gift to come down where we ought to be, and when we find ourselves in the place just right, 'twill be in the valley of love and delight." In this week of Thanksgiving, let us reflect with gratitude on those places in our lives that are "just right."

– Is it really possible for a country to change? What about you?