Unitarian Universalist Sermons and Conversations from First Unitarian Church of Dallas

First Unitarian Church of Dallas

Tune in each week to hear Unitarian Universalist sermons and conversations from First Unitarian Church of Dallas, a liberal religious presence in Dallas since 1899. Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter, Rev. T. J. Fitzgerald, and Rev. Beth Dana will inspire you with messages that are rationally spiritual and joyfully deep. No matter where you are in the world, you are invited to bring your whole self: your full identity, your questioning mind, and your open heart.

  1. 2D AGO

    Reclaiming Religious Language: Faith | Rev. T. J. FitzGerald

    Faith is not one-size-fits-all. For Unitarian Universalists, it can be rooted in many sources and expressed in many ways. Together, we'll consider how we claim and protect a life of faith that reflects our deepest values. Reclaiming Religious Language Series At the turning of the year, we pause to rediscover what matters most to us beneath the noise of daily life. Rooted in the Unitarian Universalist shared values, this series invites us into a spiritual homecoming in which we will reflect on the values that shape us. Through ritual, reflection, and community, we will release what no longer serves us, opening space for transformation. We will honor our pluralism, embrace our call to justice and equity, recognize our deep interdependence, and embody generosity as a way of being. At the center of it all, we return to love as a daily practice that grounds and sustains us.

    23 min

  2. FEB 22

    Reclaiming Religious Language: Sin | Rev. T. J. FitzGerald

    In this sermon, Rev. T. J. FitzGerald kicks of our Lenten series Reclaiming Religious Language by taking a fresh look at sin through a Unitarian Universalist lens. Starting in the Garden of Eden, he explores how the story has been shaped over time and how "original sin" may be less about disobedience and more about avoiding responsibility. Instead of inherited guilt, he considers the idea of original blessing and the power each person has to choose with conscience and courage. This sermon connects ancient scripture with the world we live in now. It challenges the habit of saying "I was just following orders" and invites us to take responsibility for our actions and our systems. In a time when injustice can feel overwhelming, Rev. T. J. calls us to claim our freedom, trust our moral voice, and live our faith with purpose. 📖 This sermon is part of our Reclaiming Religious Language Series In this series, we explore the religious words that shaped traditions before us and ask: What still speaks? What needs healing? What can we reclaim? Together, we will return again to the language of faith and engage with it honestly. We will reimagine what these words can mean for us now. 💚 Consider making a one-time contribution to First Church today. Your financial support allows us to provide our weekly livestream, produce Tiny Pulpit Talks - our weekly podcast, pay our staff, and make our UU values real in the world. 💲Give through PayPal, Venmo, & Apple Pay here: https://tinyurl.com/firstchurchpaypal 🌎 Join our global movement of truth, justice, and love. No matter where you are in the world, we invite you to be a part of our community. Fill out a welcome card at the following link and we'll be in touch with resources to get started: https://dallasuu.org/welcomecard/ 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/

    24 min

  3. FEB 15

    Return Again | Youth Sunday

    Join us for a much loved and meaningful tradition – Youth Sunday! Our YRUU teens lead the service, sharing their musical gifts and reflections on our theme year "Return Again." 🔥 This sermon is part of our Return to Who You Are Series At the turning of the year, we pause to rediscover what matters most to us beneath the noise of daily life. Rooted in the Unitarian Universalist shared values, this series invites us into a spiritual homecoming in which we will reflect on the values that shape us. Through ritual, reflection, and community, we will release what no longer serves us, opening space for transformation. We will honor our pluralism, embrace our call to justice and equity, recognize our deep interdependence, and embody generosity as a way of being. At the center of it all, we return to love as a daily practice that grounds and sustains us. 💚 Consider making a one-time contribution to First Church today. Your financial support allows us to provide our weekly livestream, produce Tiny Pulpit Talks - our weekly podcast, pay our staff, and make our UU values real in the world. 💲Give through PayPal, Venmo, & Apple Pay here: https://tinyurl.com/firstchurchpaypal 🌎 Join our global movement of truth, justice, and love. No matter where you are in the world, we invite you to be a part of our community. Fill out a welcome card at the following link and we'll be in touch with resources to get started: https://dallasuu.org/welcomecard/ 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/

    18 min

  4. FEB 8

    Love at the Center: A Unitarian Universalist Sermon about Shared Values | Rev. Beth Dana

    In her sermon "Love at the Center," Rev. Beth Dana reflects on the meaning of unconditional love through the story of Hosea Ballou, a child who learned that he was loved even when he was muddy, curious, and imperfect. That early lesson shaped his belief that God's love must be wide enough for everyone. Rev. Dana invites us to remember that we are already beloved and we should see others the same way, especially in a world that often teaches shame, fear, and exclusion. Love is at the center of Unitarian Universalist faith and shows up in everyday practices like worship, community care, justice work, and self-compassion. The sermon calls us to keep choosing love, to take risks for it, and to let it guide how we live together. 🔥 This sermon is part of our Return to Who You Are Series At the turning of the year, we pause to rediscover what matters most to us beneath the noise of daily life. Rooted in the Unitarian Universalist shared values, this series invites us into a spiritual homecoming in which we will reflect on the values that shape us. Through ritual, reflection, and community, we will release what no longer serves us, opening space for transformation. We will honor our pluralism, embrace our call to justice and equity, recognize our deep interdependence, and embody generosity as a way of being. At the center of it all, we return to love as a daily practice that grounds and sustains us. 💚 Consider making a one-time contribution to First Church today. Your financial support allows us to provide our weekly livestream, produce Tiny Pulpit Talks - our weekly podcast, pay our staff, and make our UU values real in the world. 💲Give through PayPal, Venmo, & Apple Pay here: https://tinyurl.com/firstchurchpaypal 🌎 Join our global movement of truth, justice, and love. No matter where you are in the world, we invite you to be a part of our community. Fill out a welcome card at the following link and we'll be in touch with resources to get started: https://dallasuu.org/welcomecard/ 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/

    15 min

  5. FEB 2

    The Name of Love: A Unitarian Universalist Sermon for Martin Luther King Day | Rev. T. J. FitzGerald

    A Unitarian Universalist Sermon for Martin Luther King Day | Rev. T. J. FitzGerald | 01.18.2026 In his sermon "The Name of Love," Rev. T. J. FitzGerald reflects on on Martin Luther King Jr.'s message for us in troubled times. Drawing from Dr. King's teachings on agape love, nonviolence, and moral courage, this UU sermon explores what it means to live with purpose when fear, injustice, and division feel overwhelming. It looks honestly at the tension between love and resistance and why Dr. King believed real love always carries a cost. King's speech at SMU on March 17, 1966: https://www.smu.edu/aboutsmu/mlk/transcripts 💚 Consider making a one-time contribution to First Church today. Your financial support allows us to provide our weekly livestream, produce Tiny Pulpit Talks - our weekly podcast, pay our staff, and make our UU values real in the world. 💲Give through PayPal, Venmo, & Apple Pay here: https://tinyurl.com/firstchurchpaypal 🌎 Join our global movement of truth, justice, and love. No matter where you are in the world, we invite you to be a part of our community. Fill out a welcome card at the following link and we'll be in touch with resources to get started: https://dallasuu.org/welcomecard/ 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/

    22 min

  6. JAN 26

    Giving Heart: A Unitarian Universalist Sermon About Generosity | Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter

    In a time of violence and division Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter's sermon "Giving Heart" reflects on what it means to keep a giving heart when fear and anger feel overwhelming. Rev. Kanter names the grief and exhaustion many are carrying while affirming a Unitarian Universalist faith that sees this world as sacred and deeply interconnected. We are invited to move beyond tolerance toward genuine inclusion rooted in generosity, joy, and human dignity. This sermon calls for a steady practice of hope and care that resists dehumanization and protects our shared humanity even in the hardest moments. 🔥 This sermon is part of our Return to Who You Are Series At the turning of the year, we pause to rediscover what matters most to us beneath the noise of daily life. Rooted in the Unitarian Universalist shared values, this series invites us into a spiritual homecoming in which we will reflect on the values that shape us. Through ritual, reflection, and community, we will release what no longer serves us, opening space for transformation. We will honor our pluralism, embrace our call to justice and equity, recognize our deep interdependence, and embody generosity as a way of being. At the center of it all, we return to love as a daily practice that grounds and sustains us. 💚 Consider making a one-time contribution to First Church today. Your financial support allows us to provide our weekly livestream, produce Tiny Pulpit Talks - our weekly podcast, pay our staff, and make our UU values real in the world. 💲Give through PayPal, Venmo, & Apple Pay here: https://tinyurl.com/firstchurchpaypal 🌎 Join our global movement of truth, justice, and love. No matter where you are in the world, we invite you to be a part of our community. Fill out a welcome card at the following link and we'll be in touch with resources to get started: https://dallasuu.org/welcomecard/ 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/

    26 min

  7. JAN 19

    I Am You and You Are Me: A Unitarian Universalist Sermon About Interdependence | Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter

    In his sermon, I Am You and You Are Me, Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter speaks about interdependence as a sacred truth at the heart of life. He reflects on human existence, gratitude, and the deep connection that links us to one another and to all living beings. Beginning each day with thankfulness becomes a way to remember that life itself is a gift. The sermon moves through moments of wonder, struggle, and hope, naming the longing to belong in a fractured world. It invites us to see ourselves as part of a living web, guided toward compassion and responsibility by our shared aliveness. 🔥 This sermon is part of our Return to Who You Are Series At the turning of the year, we pause to rediscover what matters most to us beneath the noise of daily life. Rooted in the Unitarian Universalist shared values, this series invites us into a spiritual homecoming in which we will reflect on the values that shape us. Through ritual, reflection, and community, we will release what no longer serves us, opening space for transformation. We will honor our pluralism, embrace our call to justice and equity, recognize our deep interdependence, and embody generosity as a way of being. At the center of it all, we return to love as a daily practice that grounds and sustains us. 💚 Consider making a one-time contribution to First Church today. Your financial support allows us to provide our weekly livestream, produce Tiny Pulpit Talks - our weekly podcast, pay our staff, and make our UU values real in the world. 💲Give through PayPal, Venmo, & Apple Pay here: https://tinyurl.com/firstchurchpaypal 🌎 Join our global movement of truth, justice, and love. No matter where you are in the world, we invite you to be a part of our community. Fill out a welcome card at the following link and we'll be in touch with resources to get started: https://dallasuu.org/welcomecard/ 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/

    11 min

  8. JAN 11

    Beyond the Buffet: A Unitarian Universalist Sermon About Pluralism | Return to Who You Are | Rev. Beth Dana

    Beyond the Buffet: A Unitarian Universalist Sermon About Pluralism | Return to Who You Are | Rev. Beth Dana In her sermon, "Beyond the Buffet," Rev. Beth Dana explores what it truly means to be Unitarian Universalist in a world of many religions and cultures. Rev. Dana invites us to move past the idea of religion as a pick-and-choose buffet and instead embrace genuine pluralism, deep respect, and real engagement with difference. She also reflects on the other shared Unitarian Universalist values of transformation, justice, equity, interdependence, generosity, and love, and shows how they call us to honor many paths to the sacred without claiming to hold all the answers. 💚 Consider making a one-time contribution to First Church today. Your financial support allows us to provide our weekly livestream, produce Tiny Pulpit Talks - our weekly podcast, pay our staff, and make our UU values real in the world. 💲Give through PayPal, Venmo, & Apple Pay here: https://tinyurl.com/firstchurchpaypal 🌎 Join our global movement of truth, justice, and love. No matter where you are in the world, we invite you to be a part of our community. Fill out a welcome card at the following link and we'll be in touch with resources to get started: https://dallasuu.org/welcomecard/ 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/

    17 min
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4.8
out of 5
57 Ratings

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Tune in each week to hear Unitarian Universalist sermons and conversations from First Unitarian Church of Dallas, a liberal religious presence in Dallas since 1899. Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter, Rev. T. J. Fitzgerald, and Rev. Beth Dana will inspire you with messages that are rationally spiritual and joyfully deep. No matter where you are in the world, you are invited to bring your whole self: your full identity, your questioning mind, and your open heart.

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