Unitarian Universalist Sermons and Conversations from First Unitarian Church of Dallas

We hear "practice makes perfect" all the time. But what does a spiritual practice do for us, really? Return to the Home of Your Soul Series We begin the church year by returning not just to a place, but to each other. This four-part series invites us to reconnect with the essence of our shared spiritual life, the center that holds us through practice, reason, covenant, and love. Throughout the mon...

As the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur approaches, let's explore the covenants that bind us and how we return again and again to the home of our soul. Return to the Home of Your Soul Series We begin the church year by returning not just to a place, but to each other. This four-part series invites us to reconnect with the essence of our shared spiritual life, the center that holds us through practice,...

Coming home to our faith includes an examination of the use of reason in a world that challenges it everyday. Return to the Home of Your Soul Series We begin the church year by returning not just to a place, but to each other. This four-part series invites us to reconnect with the essence of our shared spiritual life, the center that holds us through practice, reason, covenant, and love. Throughou...

What is your superpower? What is its source and sustenance? Let's explore how our superpowers collectively make a difference when we come together 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....

ngathering is our kick–off to the church year. Let's come together once more to renew our bonds and celebrate the journey ahead. Return Again Finding the sacred ground where we are made and remade Return again, Return again, Return to the home of your soul. Return to who you are, Return to what you are, Return to where you are born and reborn again. – Shlomo Carlebach In a world constantly in moti...

In the second sermon of our UU 101 series, Rev. Beth Dana explores the heart of Universalism, rejecting fear-based religion and embracing the radical truth that all people are worthy of love. This sermon calls us to "love the hell out of the world" by confronting injustice, resisting evil with compassion, and working toward collective liberation. Drawing inspiration from early Universalists, Rev....

What does it mean to be a Unitarian? In this sermon from our Unitarian Universalism 101 series, Rev. T. J. Fitzgerald explains the history and heart of Unitarianism in simple, practical terms. He shares the story of the hymn By the River, the debates at the Council of Nicaea, and why Unitarians believe that God is One and God is Love. This message also looks at what Unitarian Universalism means to...

First Unitarian Church of Dallas is pleased to welcome guest preacher Adam Lawrence Dyer. Caribbean Radical Caribbean immigrants in the 1920s were among some of the most powerful voices protesting the violence of lynching and other racial oppressions. It is often from immigrants that we learn what it means to value freedom. About Adam Lawrence Dyer. Adam Lawrence Dyer is an ordained minister and w...

First Unitarian Church of Dallas is pleased to welcome guest preacher Adam Lawrence Dyer. Proud To Be An American At a time when our country seems determined to tear itself apart, how do we answer this question from a Unitarian Universalist perspective? About Adam Lawrence Dyer. Adam Lawrence Dyer is an ordained minister and was the lead minister at First Parish in Cambridge Unitarian Universalist...

Through works like Rent, Jonathan Larson gave voice to a generation grappling with love, loss, and the search for meaning. This Sunday, we'll reflect on his legacy and how his art reminds us to live boldly, love freely, and measure our lives in moments that matter. This is part of our Artists Who Inspire Sermon Series. Join us this July for a moving exploration of creativity, courage, and the huma...

With wit, wisdom, and a generous heart, Dolly Parton has become a beloved cultural force. Join us as we explore her life and music, celebrating themes of compassion, humility, and joyful resistance to the status quo. This is part of our Artists Who Inspire Sermon Series. Join us this July for a moving exploration of creativity, courage, and the human spirit in our annual summer sermon series, "Art...

In this special 50th episode of Tiny Pulpit Talks, Rev. Beth Dana and Rev. T. J. Fitzgerald take a moment to reflect on how this podcast began - born out of a desire to show a more intimate look at the church's values and mission beyond what you might see in the Sanctuary on Sundays. Together, they share stories from the early days of the podcast, how it's evolved, and what might be next. Most imp...

Bold, raw, and deeply personal, Frida Kahlo's art continues to challenge and inspire. This Sunday, we'll consider how Kahlo's unflinching self-expression and embrace of pain as part of the creative process call us to authenticity, resilience, and radical love of self. This is part of our Artists Who Inspire Sermon Series. Join us this July for a moving exploration of creativity, courage, and the h...

More than a jazz legend, Duke Ellington was a visionary who used music to speak to the soul. We'll reflect on how his life and compositions invite us into the divine rhythms of life and justice. This is part of our Artists Who Inspire Sermon Series. Join us this July for a moving exploration of creativity, courage, and the human spirit in our annual summer sermon series, "Artists Who Inspire." Eac...

In this episode of Tiny Pulpit Talks, Rev. T.J. FitzGerald and Rev. Beth Dana dive into the theological roots and modern-day relevance of Universalism within Unitarian Universalism. 🙌 In this episode, they ask the bold question: "If Jesus came to save all, are we already saved?" From John Murray's radical message of universal salvation in early America to Hosea Ballou's tender imagery of a loving...

In this special episode of Tiny Pulpit Talks, Rev. T. J. FitzGerald reflects on the deep significance of Juneteenth, a celebration of freedom rooted in Texas soil, and the legacy of Opal Lee, the "Grandmother of Juneteenth," whose tireless advocacy made June 19th a federally recognized holiday. Join us as we explore: The history of Juneteenth and its importance for all Americans Why this day holds...

In this episode of Tiny Pulpit Talks, Rev. T. J. FitzGerald and Rev. Beth Dana sit down for a timely and practical conversation about how Unitarian Universalists can prepare to show up at protests with courage, compassion, and responsibility. Many of us feel the urgent call to take to the street - for racial justice, climate action, reproductive freedom, immigrant rights, and more. But before we s...

In this episode of Tiny Pulpit Talks, Rev. T.J. Fitzgerald sits down with Dallas-based immigration attorney Jiroko Lopez for a conversation about what it really means to seek legal status in the United States. Rev. T.J. and Jiroko unpack the myths, the fear, and the staggering complexity of immigration law in this country. They talk about red cards, the Fourth and Fifth Amendments, and the rights...

In the final sermon in our Faith & Film series, Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter explores what it means to live courageously in a world that often demands our silence and compliance. Drawing inspiration from the film The Way Way Back, the abolitionist legacy of Thaddeus Stevens, and the struggles we face in today's political and personal climate, this message calls us to resist fear, reject prescribed paths...

The Grapes of Wrath, based on John Steinbeck's classic novel, is a powerful exploration of human dignity, social justice, and the pursuit of a better life. The film challenges us to reflect on economic inequality, the struggles of the marginalized, and the enduring power of hope and solidarity in the face of adversity. It calls us to act with compassion and empathy toward those who suffer and to a...

Babe, the heartwarming story of a pig who dreams of becoming a sheepdog, reminds us that kindness, empathy, and the courage to be ourselves are at the heart of transformation. Through Babe's journey, we are invited to reflect on the importance of compassion and how it transcends species, class, and expectations. The film underscores the power of love and understanding in breaking down barriers and...

In this Unitarian Universalist Pride Sunday sermon, Rev. T. J. Fitzgerald weaves together the story of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, queer theology, and the lived realities of LGBTQ+ people. From Miles Morales' transformation into Spider-Man to the words of Audre Lorde and James Baldwin, Rev. Fitzgerald explores how heroism, guilt, and survival are central to both superhero stories and queer...

In this sermon, Rev. Beth Dana opens our Faith and Film Series with a deep look at Disney's Moana 2 through the lens of Unitarian Universalist faith, Pacific Island history, and womanist theology. Moana's journey to reconnect her people becomes a powerful metaphor for how we find our way in hard times - when the path isn't clear, when we feel lost, or when we're trying to heal what's been broken....

In this Unitarian Universalist Memorial Day sermon, Rev. T. J. Fitzgerald reflects on the legacy of faith, resistance, and sacrifice. Drawing on the stories of Michael Servetus and John Calvin, and the painful truths of war, from the Civil War to World War I to modern-day Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan, this sermon challenges us to honor the fallen not just with memory, but with action, courage, and hop...

In this episode of Tiny Pulpit Talks, Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter, Rev. Beth Dana, and Rev. T. J. FitzGerald discuss religious trauma and how it continues to impact the spiritual and emotional well-being of many people, especially in communities like ours in North Texas. They explore what healing can look like within a Unitarian Universalist context, where spiritual practices like prayer and community...