First Unitarian Church of Dallas

Candlelight & Communion | Christmas Eve | 7 pm
2025-12-24 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
A quiet, reflective service. All are invited to receive communion.
In-person worship only, no livestream.
View the complete holiday schedule here.

The Fire This Time | Return to Who You Are | Rev. T. J. FitzGerald
2026-01-04 09:30 - 12:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
We begin the year with our annual burning ritual. In honoring the UU value of transformation, we let go of what no longer serves us—making room for new commitments and deeper truths
Rev. T. J. FitzGerald is preaching. Music provided by Jesse Chavez, trumpet and Grant Wareham, organ.
Worship at 9:30am and 11am CST in-person or online • 7:00pm ONLINE ONLY
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.

The Name of Love | Return to Who You Are | Rev. T. J. FitzGerald
2026-01-05 00:00 | TX
We reflect on the UU values of justice and equity by celebrating the ministry and movement shaped by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and those he inspired.
Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter is preaching. Music provided by Kindred Voices.
Worship at 9:30am and 11am CST in-person or online • 7:00pm ONLINE ONLY
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.

Meet and Greet Q&A with Jerry Hawkins, new Director of Equity Initiatives
2026-01-11 12:30 - 13:30 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Sunday, January 11
12:30 pm, Crow Library
Our newest member of the staff, Jerry Hawkins, Director of Equity Inititaives wants to meet you. All are welcome at this informal time to ask Jerry questions and get to know more about his work here at the church.
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Connection Sunday
2026-01-18 10:30 - 13:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
With the start of a new year, now is the perfect time to find your special place within our church community! Join us for an opportunity to connect with groups and service opportunities in the church.
Make sure to bring your mobile device with the Realm Connect app to make connecting with groups even easier!

CANCELLED Racial Equity 101 with Jerry Hawkins
2026-01-25 12:30 - 13:30 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
DUE TO WEATHER, THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED. WE WILL PROVIDE UPDATES WHEN IT IS RESCHEDULED.
Jerry Hawkins, Director of Equity Initiatives, will lead a time of engagement and learning around what the work for racial equity means in our area, in our church, and in our lives. This program will be offered throughout the year if you can’t make this one.

Brunch in Community
2026-02-01 10:30 - 13:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Pay-what-you-want toward this important youth fundraiser. Gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options. Proceeds go to the 9th grade Boston Heritage Trip and the YRUU Justice Learning Trip.
Can’t make it this Sunday and still want to support our Odyssey & YRUUers? Click HERE to donate so we can ensure our youth are able to enjoy these amazing opportunities.

Aging Well Series: Planning Your Memorial
2026-02-01 12:30 - 13:30 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Join Rev T. J. FitzGerald and Jean Ann Powers to learn more about planning your memorial, the Raggio Memorial Garden, and having your name engraved on the stones.
PLEASE REGISTER IN REALM

At the Pan-African Connection - Screening & Panel
2026-02-01 12:30 - 15:00 | Sanctuary, 4015 Normandy Ave, Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Sunday, February 1
12:30 – 3:00, Sanctuary
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At the Pan-African Connection explores a pressing question facing Black America today: as socioeconomic progress stalls, where do unity and equity now take root? Filmmaker Anthony Asota searches for answers inside a local Black-owned bookstore in Dallas, uncovering reflections on community, history, and the lingering impact of past decades.
The Racial Equity Task Force invites you to a screening of this important documentary, followed by a thought-provoking discussion with the film’s star, Akwete Tyehimba. The conversation will be led by one of the film’s producers Jerry Hawkins, Director of Equity Initiatives, alongside Frank Morris, Board Member and Racial Equity Task Force member, offering deeper perspective on the film’s themes and their relevance today.
Please enjoy Brunch in Community, a pay-what-you-want brunch served by the church’s youth and benefitting youth programs, in Channing before attending the screening.

Clay Cane - Discussion & Book Signing in partnership with Interabang Books
2026-02-14 15:00 - 17:00 | Sanctuary, 4015 Normandy Ave, Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Interabang Books, in partnership with First Unitarian Church of Dallas, welcomes Clay Cane for a discussion and signing of his new novel, Burn Down Master’s House.
Clay Cane is a New York Times bestselling author, award-winning journalist, radio host, and political analyst. He hosts The Clay Cane Show on SiriusXM, reaching more than 3 million listeners weekly, and regularly appears on ABC, MSNBC, FOX, and CNN. His work has been featured in The Washington Post, CNN.com, and BET. He is also the author of The Grift and Live Through This.
The conversation will be moderated by Nicole Gordon, Metropolitan Dallas Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
This is a FREE event to attend. Some books will be available for purchase, but pre-orders are highly encouraged. Only books purchased through Interabang Books will be signed at the event.
Click here to pre-order. Select pick up at Interabang at checkout.

Ash Wednesday Service
2026-02-18 18:00 - 19:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
We invite you to begin the season of Lent with us at our contemplative Ash Wednesday service, in which we reflect on our mortality from a Unitarian Universalist perspective. All are welcome to join us in the Sanctuary at 6:00 pm. In-person only.

Why Are You You? Film Screening & Discussion
2026-02-28 18:00 - 20:30 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Saturday, February 28 | 6:00 pm
First Unitarian Church of Dallas
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Join First Unitarian Church of Dallas for a screening and discussion of Why Are You You?, a feature documentary exploring the history and lasting impact of the Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU).

Why Are You You? traces the story of YRUU, a UU youth movement founded in 1983 where adolescents were encouraged to discover their authentic selves, build beloved community, and work for justice in the world. In this film, former participants reflect forty years later on how their YRUU experiences shaped who they became and how they still show up in the world today.

This special screening is timed to honor a meaningful piece of local UU history: for many years, First Unitarian Church of Dallas hosted a district-wide youth conference, or “youth rally,” that brought YRUU youth together from across the region. We invite current congregants, friends, and especially those who grew up in YRUU (or its predecessor LRY) to join us for this special night.

Mike Alves, who grew up in YRUU here in Texas and whose daughter Phoebe also graduated from YRUU, is curating a collection of YRUU photos and mementos to share at the event and is welcoming submissions from the wider community. If you have photos, memorabilia, or stories you’d like to contribute, please send them to yruudoc@gmail.com.

Whether you’re reconnecting with a formative chapter of your life or discovering this history for the first time, we hope you’ll join us for this meaningful screening and conversation.

New Families Gathering
2026-03-01 10:00 - 10:45 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Sunday, March 1 from 10 to 10:45 am
Children’s Commons. 2nd Floor, Hallman

Start growing your village at First Church! Join us for our New Families Gathering—an opportunity for families with children to get connected within the church community, whether you’re brand new to the church or have been attending for a while. Meet fellow families, get to know our dedicated staff and ministers, and learn about our ministries for children, youth, and families. Coffee and a light breakfast will be provided.

Join the “Parents of First Unitarian” Group in Realm to RSVP and stay connected. (Groups > Find Groups > Children & Youth)

New to Realm? Click here to learn more.

Realm Training for Church Members
2026-03-15 13:00 - 14:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Sunday, March 15, 20261:00 – 2:15 pm, Hallman Room 305
Want to get more comfortable using Realm, our church app and communication platform?
Join Sharon Thompson, Director of Membership & Hospitality, for a training session where you’ll learn the basic how-to’s, discover helpful features, and get your questions answered.
Tired of receiving too many email notifications—or wish you got more of the ones that matter? We’ll also show you how to adjust your email and notification settings so Realm works best for you.
CLICK TO REGISTER IN REALM

Spring Concert Series: Organ and Trumpet Recital
2026-03-22 13:30 - 14:30 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Grant Wareham presents a recital of music for organ and trumpet with trumpeter Tim Andersen. The program will feature Okna, written by composer Petr Eben as a musical depiction of the glorious stained glass windows crafted by artist Marc Chagall, which feature Jewish sacred art.
In-person and streaming on dallasuu.org/live.
Click to register in Realm.

Aging Well: How to Have Difficult Conversations
2026-03-29 12:30 - 14:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Uncertain about how to talk to your family about your or their end-of-life wishes? Not sure how to discuss with your loved ones if it’s time to stop driving, accept additional care, or move out of their home?
Join Carol Franzen, Elder Care Consultant and Care Manager, to learn how to discuss all aspects of aging and end-of-life choices with those you care for and about, from living situations to your final wishes.
A guide from The Conversation Project and other practical information will be provided.
Click to register in Realm.

Maundy Thursday
2026-04-02 19:30 - 20:30 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Pause for a reflective, moving service. Communion will be followed by a candlelight Tenebrae reading of the story of Jesus’ betrayal. Music provided by the Sanctuary Choir and Désirée Elsevier, viola. In-person only.

Easter Sunday
2026-04-05 09:30 - 12:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
A celebration of love, hope, and renewal! Invite your friends, family, and neighbors to join us for worship and our annual Egg Scramble. Be prepared for lots of beauty and special surprises this year.

Egg Scramble between services at 10:40am
Bring a basket and don’t be late!
Children 4 years and younger meet on the Preston playground.
Children Kinder – 3rd grade meet on the playground patio
Children 4th grade and over meet on the patio between the playground and Memorial Garden.

Multi-Generational Worship at 9:30am and 11am
Rev. Daniel Kanter is preaching and music will be provided by the Sanctuary Choir.

No Sunday School classes.

Livestream at 9:30am, 11am and 7pm.

Legacy Giving Informational Meeting
2026-04-12 12:30 - 13:30 | TX
Learn how legacy giving can sustain your values and your church into the future.
Presented by Martha Norton, Director of Finance and Stewardship
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Earth Day Sunday - 10th Anniversary
2026-04-19 10:00 - 12:30 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Sunday, April 19, 2026
10 am – 12:30 pm in Channing Social Hall
Celebrate and learn with the Climate Action Team! Join us for a Native Plant Sale with Texas Conservation Alliance plus art sales, info tables, electric vehicle showcase, and family fun.

Spring Concert Series: Earth Day Concert with the Sanctuary Choir
2026-04-19 13:30 - 14:30 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
A program celebrating the Earth, featuring selections from Randall Thompson’s Frostiana and Nancy Galbraith’s setting of the Aurora Levins Morales poem Resurrection, which we commissioned and premiered in May of 2025.
In-person and streaming on dallasuu.org/live.
Click to register in Realm.

Creative Community Art Show - Reception
2026-04-25 14:00 - 17:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Celebrate creativity at First Unitarian’s Creative Community Art Show and Sale! Enjoy an inspiring display of artwork, meet the talented artists behind the pieces, and find beautiful works to take home. It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet artists from the church and connect with our vibrant community. We hope to see you there!
Reception in Channing Hall
Saturday, April 25
2 PM – 5 PM
Show in Channing Hall
Sunday, April 26
9 AM – 1 PM

Creative Community Art Show - Sunday Show
2026-04-26 09:00 - 13:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Celebrate creativity at First Unitarian’s Creative Community Art Show and Sale. Enjoy an inspiring display of artwork, meet the talented artists behind the pieces, and find beautiful works to take home. It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet artists from the church and connect with our vibrant community. We hope to see you there!
Reception in Channing Hall
Saturday, April 25
2 PM – 5 PM
Show in Channing Hall
Sunday, April 26
9 AM – 1 PM

A History of Race and Racism in Dallas, Part 1: Highlighting the Women who Fought for Equality and Equity in Dallas
2026-04-26 12:30 - 14:00 | Sanctuary, 4015 Normandy Ave, Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Please join Jerry Hawkins, Director of Equity Initiatives, as he explores Part 1 of a chronological history of race and racism in Dallas, featuring stories, primary sources and event recaps. This presentation will highlight women in Dallas who struggled to make Dallas a more equitable city!

90 minute presentation with a 10 minute Q&A break in the middle and 20 discussion/Q&A at the end.

Click to register in Realm.

Childcare is available for this event. Please register in advance by clicking here.

Men's Retreat - Spring 2026
2026-05-07 18:00 - 21:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
We will join to discuss how to deepen supportive relationships in our lives and our communities. Retreat Leader Dave Snell will return to share some of us new findings about connection and community building. Dinner will be provided.

Click to register in Realm.

Ken Cowan, Organ & Lisa Shihoten, Violin: Concert Celebrating the Walker Pipe Organ 35th Anniversary
2026-05-24 13:30 - 14:30 | Sanctuary, 4015 Normandy Ave, Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Internationally celebrated organist Ken Cowan is joined by his wife, violinist Lisa Shihoten, for a recital commemorating the 35th anniversary of our Walker pipe organ.
About Ken Cowan
Regarded as one of North America’s finest concert organists and praised for his dazzling artistry, impeccable technique, and imaginative programming by audiences and critics alike, Ken Cowan maintains a rigorous performing schedule that takes him to major concert venues in America, Canada, Europe, and Asia.
Mr. Cowan has been a featured artist in recent years at national conventions of the American Guild of Organists in Los Angeles, Minneapolis and Houston. He has performed at many regional conventions of the AGO and has been featured at several conventions of the Organ Historical Society and the Royal Canadian College of Organists.
A native of Thorold, Ontario, Canada, Mr. Cowan received the Master’s degree and Artist Diploma from the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, studying organ with Thomas Murray. Prior to attending Yale, he graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia where he studied with John Weaver. Following initial studies with his father, David Cowan, his primary teacher during his high school years was James Bigham.
Numerous critically acclaimed compact disc recordings by Mr. Cowan are available. His most recent releases are Dynamic Duo, (Pro Organo), featuring Mr. Cowan and Bradley Welch in a program of works for duo organists, performed on the monumental Casavant organ at Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth, TX and Ken Cowan plays The Great Organ (Pro Organo), recorded at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York City. Many of Mr. Cowan’s recordings and live performances have been featured on the nationally distributed radio show PIPEDREAMS from American Public Media.
Mr. Cowan is currently Professor of Organ and head of the organ program at The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University. He is additionally Organist and Artist-in-Residence at Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church in Houston, TX

About Lisa Shihoten
Violinist Lisa Shihoten enjoys an active career as a chamber musician, soloist, and teacher. She is a member of the prestigious New York City-based Jupiter Symphony Chamber Players, where she appears regularly alongside some of the world’s most prominent musicians. Her solo appearances have included concerto performances under the direction of Kurt Masur, Robert Spano, and David Shallon. As a chamber musician and soloist, she has appeared in concert halls throughout the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Her numerous awards include honors from the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, the Caramoor Center’s Evnin Rising Stars program, the Menuhin International Competition for Young Violinists, and the Paganini International Violin Competition. Her appearances at summer festivals have included the Caramoor Music Festival, the Ravinia Festival, the North Shore Chamber Music Festival, the Norfolk Music Festival, the Aspen Music Festival, and the Verbier Music Festival. She regularly performs duo recitals throughout the U.S. with her husband, organist Ken Cowan. Upcoming engagements include solo appearances in China.
A native of Chicago, Ms. Shihoten earned her bachelor’s degree at The Juilliard School as a student of Dorothy DeLay and Masao Kawasaki, and her master’s degree from the Yale School of Music as a student of Peter Oundjian. After a decade on the violin faculty at Princeton University, she is currently a faculty violin instructor at the Michael P. Hammond Preparatory Program at Rice University in Houston. Ms. Shihoten is also a guest instructor at the Betty Haag Academy of Music in Chicago, where she has the great honor of working with her childhood violin teacher, Betty Haag-Kuhnke.

Meet & Greet Your Elected Church Leaders
2026-05-31 12:15 - 13:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Sunday, May 31
12:15 – 1:00 pm
Don Krehbiel Music Center
The Nominating Committee invites members interested in exploring service on the Board, Nominating Committee or Endowment Committee to a special opportunity to meet and hear from our elected officials currently serving on these groups. This is your chance to engage, learn about their work, ask questions, consider serving and connect!
Click here to learn more about volunteer leadership at First Church.
CLICK TO REGISTER IN REALM.

Parish Meeting
2026-06-07 12:30 - 13:30 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Click to register in Realm.
The Board of First Unitarian Church of Dallas invites you to join them on Sunday, June 7th at 12:30pm in the Sanctuary or on Zoom for the Parish Meeting. (Zoom link provided with registration.)
🍕There will be pizza before the meeting in Channing Social Hall.
Rev. Kanter will share updates about the work of the church and the Board will provide updates on their priorities for the coming year.
All are welcome – youth, adults, new members, friends of the church, people who have never been to a Parish meeting, and those who have attended for years. We hope to see you there.
Childcare is available during the Parish Meeting until 2:00 p.m. Pizza lunch is provided to all Meeting attendees, including their children. If your child needs snacks or food other than the pizza, please bring it with you. Paid caregivers will be ready to receive your child at the Nursery Desk shortly before Parish meeting begins. Please register in advance at this link.

The Political Theologies of Populism: Virtual Book Talk
2026-06-11 18:00 - 20:00 | TX
CLICK TO REGISTER IN REALM
Join us for a virtual book talk with Rev. Dr. Colin Bossen, discussing his new book “The Political Theologies of Populism.”
The Zoom link will be sent upon registration to the email address you used to register.
Click here to purchase the book from the publisher.
It is also available from Amazon, www.bookshop.org, and for order through local bookshops.
An excavation of populist movements in the US and their associated religious tropes.
In this work, author Colin Bossen argues that for over a century, American populist movements—even explicitly secular ones—have drawn on religious ideas and practices to infuse their politics and bring people together. Bossen explores Pan-African populism, white supremacist populism, and early twentieth-century pluralistic populism in the United States that coalesced into well-known, vastly different groups with a lasting presence in the American imagination: the Universal Negro Improvement Association (also known as the Garveyites), the Ku Klux Klan, and the Industrial Workers of the World (also known as the Wobblies). This book employs both historical analysis and political theory to unpack the trajectory of these groups and to illustrate how their respective search for belonging showcases as similar principles, despite their extremely different beliefs. This is a finding that, Bossen argues, exemplifies the mechanisms behind twenty-first-century politics, including the rise of Trumpism. This groundbreaking comparative analysis challenges readers to consider the repetition of history in today’s political landscape and shows them how to rise to the challenges of our current political moment.
About Colin Bossen
Rev. Dr. Colin Bossen is senior minister of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston and a visiting fellow with Harris Manchester College at the University of Oxford. He is the coauthor of Resistance and Transformation: Unitarian Universalist Social Justice History and author of the forthcoming publications American Populism and Unitarian Universalism and Unitarian Universality Theologies: A Global Study.

Screening of Wall-E
2026-06-18 18:00 - 20:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
As part of our Inspiration Sermon Series, we will screen Wall-E*, a film that explores resilience: our ability to survive hardship, reclaim what matters most, and imagine a better future. The film will be followed by a brief discussion.

Rev. T. J. will preach on these themes the following Sunday, June 21.

Register in Realm.
