Unitarian Universalist Sermons and Conversations from First Unitarian Church of Dallas

What does it mean to be genuinely inclusive when Muslims are being targeted because of their faith? In the first sermon of our 2026 UU Foundations series, Rev. T. J. FitzGerald looks at the rise of Islamophobia in North Texas and what it means for religious freedom. He also explores how fear and misinformation can shape the way we see our neighbors. As Unitarian Universalists, we believe that religious freedom belongs to everyone. We can learn more about Islam, speak up when we hear hate, and stand with people whose faith is being targeted. In our faith, genuine inclusion means making room for one another and remembering that we belong together. 💚 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/

How do we share what we love about our UU faith with others? In the final sermon of our Questioning series, Rev. Beth Dana responds to questions from our members and friends about evangelism, faith development, self-improvement, and what it means to share the good news of Unitarian Universalism. Questions explored include: What role does self-improvement play in Unitarian Universalism? How do we see value in other people's faith when we're troubled by the ways that faith is expressed? What obligation do we have to persuade others to do justice and see the humanity in one another? What does it mean to evangelize, proselytize, witness, or testify? What is the difference between sharing our faith and trying to convert someone? Does Unitarian Universalism have a history of evangelism? How can we spread awareness of Unitarian Universalism today? " What is the "good news" of Unitarian Universalism? 💚 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/

What does it mean to be Unitarian Universalist? In the second sermon in our Questioning series, Rev. T. J. FitzGerald continues answering questions submitted by our members and friends. This time we explore topics including history, identity, values, and evolving traditions of Unitarian Universalism. Questions explored include: How does covenant work at our church? When did the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) begin, and how is it doing today? What is the relationship between First Unitarian Church of Dallas and the wider UU movement? When did Unitarian Universalism become an LGBTQ-affirming faith? How much do we teach traditional Jewish and Christian values? What does it mean to learn from religious traditions while also allowing them to evolve? What makes Unitarian Universalism a movement rather than simply a denomination? These questions give us the opportunity to consider what holds a diverse faith community together. 💚 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/

Is the Bible literally true? In this episode of Tiny Pulpit Talks, Reverend T.J. FitzGerald looks at this age-old religious issue from the viewpoint of Unitarian Universalism. Rather than analyzing whether each line of scripture is historically or scientifically correct; Rev. T. J. asks another important question - How do people understand sacred texts and what influence should those texts have over our lives? Topics include: How the Bible came to be and why interpretation is always part of the conversation Archaeology, translation, and biblical scholarship: what can (and cannot) tell us about scripture How to have respectful conversations with those holding different beliefs regarding scripture The true measure of sacred texts: how it inspires us to treat others A UU perspective on faith, truth & religious freedom 🌱 Enjoy the podcast? Consider a one-time gift to support the staff & resources required to keep it going. 💲 Give through PayPal, Venmo, & Apple Pay here: https://tinyurl.com/firstchurchpaypal 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/ Give - your support allows us to transform lives and make UU values real in our community and beyond: https://dallasuu.org/give-now

What have you always wanted to ask your ministers? This summer, our members and friends shared their biggest questions about faith, worship, theology, and Unitarian Universalism. In this first sermon of our Questioning series, Rev. T. J. FitzGerald responds to some of the congregation's questions including: Why do our ministers wear robes? What does Unitarian Universalism say about death? How can we find comfort in grief? Is there room for belief in a supernatural God in a UU church? How do Unitarian Universalist beliefs compare to other faith traditions? Is making space for different beliefs becoming a radical act? Questioning – Summer Sermon Series, Sundays, August 2 – 16. Our Questioning sermon series is built around the questions you submitted. Asking questions is at the heart of the Unitarian Universalist tradition, and together we'll explore your questions about worship, our faith, our congregation, and living our values in the world. 💚 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/

In this episode of Tiny Pulpit Talks, Rev. T. J. FitzGerald sits down with Zainab Khan, Managing Attorney of the Immigration Detention Project at Texas A&M University School of Law, for a conversation about immigration detention, faith, and justice. Zainab explains how attorneys are using federal habeas petitions to challenge prolonged immigration detention, why outcomes vary across Texas courts, and the kinds of cases her team is seeing under current immigration policies. Drawing on her experience as a former federal public defender and the daughter of Pakistani immigrants, she shares what called her to this work and how her Muslim faith sustains her in the face of injustice. Together, they explore the role of advocacy, the importance of hope, and how ordinary people can help support immigrants navigating an increasingly difficult legal system. Topics include: Immigration detention and habeas petitions Changes to bond hearings under current immigration policy Faith in the face of injustice Immigration law in Texas How attorneys and volunteers can get involved Links: Donation towards the project through DAI (make sure to put "IDP" in the dedication section when donating): https://www.cftexas.org/donors/fund-options/dallas-area-interfaith-fund/#donate-now Submit a request for habeas assistance: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=44HzaNpGuUe6V28yK48NoTyP69CKGbpJnVlTpx3Gx-RUNVlJMU5NNjMyUkI2WFZZSUFYNTI1M1BCUC4u Volunteer as a non-attorney with IDP: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=44HzaNpGuUe6V28yK48NoTyP69CKGbpJnVlTpx3Gx-RURTg1RE1JWDRDVlhHSkNQUk0wRVJYQVRNTC4u Volunteer as an attorney with IDP by emailing [email protected]. 🌱 Enjoy the podcast? Consider a one-time gift to support the staff & resources required to keep it going. 💲 Give through PayPal, Venmo, & Apple Pay here: https://tinyurl.com/firstchurchpaypal 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/ Give - your support allows us to transform lives and make UU values real in our community and beyond: https://dallasuu.org/give-now

Inspired by The Railway Man, the true story of British Army officer Eric Lomax and his journey through trauma toward reconciliation, we'll explore forgiveness as a courageous path toward wholeness. 💚 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/

What does ministry look like when your pulpit is a newspaper column? In this episode of Tiny Pulpit Talks, Rev. T. J. FitzGerald sits down with Rev. Mara Richards Bim — pastor, spiritual director, and journalist — for a conversation about practicing faith outside the sanctuary. Mara traces her path from founding a Dallas theater company, to seminary, to breaking some of the most consequential immigration stories in North Texas. Along the way, she and TJ find the thread connecting the minister and the reporter: the discipline of sitting with hard things and refusing to look away. They talk about: Cry Havoc Theater, and how interview-based storytelling led to journalism Writing for Baptist News Global as a Clemons Fellow Tracing attempted property purchases in Hutchins, Texas, back to the federal government The movement of detained people through Dallas Love Field — and why that story hasn't gained the same traction What clergy witnessed together on the front lines in Minneapolis Covering CPAC, and the toll of bearing witness to hate Why spiritual care has to include care for the body Faith voices in the public square, and reclaiming ground from Christian nationalism How any calling — not just ministry — can be a place where your faith shows up About Rev. Mara Richards Bim: Rev. Mara Richards Bim is a pastor, writer and spiritual director. Mara graduated from SMU's Perkins School of Theology in 2024 with a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction. After graduation, she served as the Program Director at Faith Commons. Mara was ordained to the Gospel Ministry by Royal Lane in 2025. Previously, Mara had a 20-year career as an award-winning theatre artist. She founded the nationally acclaimed Cry Havoc Theater Company which operated in Dallas from 2014-2023. In 2020 Mara received the Holloway Family Foundation's Visionary Leadership Award and in 2021 she was named one of D Magazine's "78 Women Changing the Face of Dallas." Mara is a Clemons Fellow at Baptist News Global where she regularly writes about the intersection of religion and politics, focusing on the threats posed by Christian fascism. She serves on the Leadership Council of Texas Impact and is also an active volunteer with Christians Against Christian Nationalism. She is the first Justice & Advocacy Fellow in the newly-launched Prophetic Leadership Program at Royal Lane. Mara and her family reside in Plano, Texas. Links Referenced Below https://baptistnews.com/article/autho... https://baptistnews.com/article/city-... https://baptistnews.com/article/who-i... 🌱 Enjoy the podcast? Consider a one-time gift to support the staff & resources required to keep it going. 💲 Give through PayPal, Venmo, & Apple Pay here: https://tinyurl.com/firstchurchpaypal 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/1stchurchyoutubes... Follow us on Instagram: / 1stuchurch Follow us on Facebook: / 1stuchurch Watch the livestream on Sundays at 9:30am, 11am, & 7pm CST: https://dallasuu.org/live/ Give - your support allows us to transform lives and make UU values real in our community and beyond: https://dallasuu.org/give-now

It is said that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." If that's so, beauty is all around us! Let's explore how our spiritual lives are nurtured and inspired by beauty. 💚 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/

Building is an act of creativity and courage. How do you know when is the time to tear down and when is the time to build, and what moves you to be a builder? 💚 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/