First Unitarian Church of Dallas

"Five Ways to Save Your Spiritual Life" | Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter
2024-01-21 09:30 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Diving into the five disciplines we talk about as spiritual guides we will reflect on what works and why.
Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter is preaching, music provided by the Sanctuary Choir
Worship at 9:30am and 11am CST in-person or online • 7:00pm ONLINE ONLY

"Whose Dream?" | Rev. Beth Dana
2024-01-14 09:30 - 12:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
This Sunday we honor the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and recommit ourselves to the vision and the work of Beloved Community.
Rev. Beth Dana is preaching. Music provided by vocalist Marquis McBride and George Cornelius.
Worship at 9:30am and 11am CST in-person or online • 7:00pm ONLINE ONLY

"Refining Fire" | Burning Service
2024-01-07 09:30 - 12:30 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
We welcome all to our annual ritual of letting go of those things which do not serve us anymore. Please join us.
Rev. T. J. FitzGerald is preaching, music TBD.
Worship at 9:30am and 11am CST in-person or online • 7:00pm ONLINE ONLY

"First Watch" | New Year's Eve | Online Only
2023-12-31 08:00 - 17:00 | TX
On this last day of the year we consider what we’ve seen together this year and prepare our hearts and minds for what’s to come.

Rev. T. J. FitzGerald is preaching, music provided by the First Church Jazz Combo.
Worship at 9:30am and 11am CST ONLINE ONLY – No in-person worship

Christmas Morning | Online Only | 10 am
2023-12-25 10:00 - 11:00 | TX
Tune in for a re-broadcast of the 9 pm Christmas Eve service.
Livestream only: https://dallasuu.org/live/
View the complete holiday schedule here.

Lessons & Carols | Christmas Eve | 9 pm
2023-12-24 21:00 - 22:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Bring your family and friends and celebrate Christmas Eve!
In-person worship only, no livestream.
View the complete holiday schedule here.

Candlelight & Communion | Christmas Eve | 7 pm
2023-12-24 19:00 - 20:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States

All Generations | Christmas Eve | 5 pm
2023-12-24 17:00 - 18:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Bring your family and friends and celebrate Christmas Eve with us. All are welcome for this multi-generational service!
In-person worship only, no livestream.
View the complete holiday schedule here.

Blues Christmas | Christmas Eve | 11 am
2023-12-24 11:00 - 12:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Join us for worship as we celebrate Christmas with some great blues music and mini-homilies from the ministers on the “Christmas Blues.”
Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter, Rev. T. J. Fitzgerald, and Rev. Beth Dana are preaching.
Worship at 11am CST in-person or online

Parish Meeting
2023-12-17 12:15 - 13:15 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Voting members are invited to enjoy pizza, hear updates from church leaders, vote on the 2024 budget, and celebrate the 2024 elected leaders.
Childcare is available for this event. Please register in advance by clicking here.
Livestream available at https://dallasuu.org/live/

Christmas Pageant
2023-12-17 09:30 - 12:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Join us for the annual Christmas Pageant, acted out by the children of the church. Child dedications will take place in both services.
Rev. Beth Dana is preaching “The Christmas Story”, music provided by the Sanctuary Choir.
Worship at 9:30am and 11am CST in-person or online • 7:00pm ONLINE ONLY

Holiday Organ Recital with Bradley Hunter Welch
2023-12-10 12:15 - 12:45 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Join us after the 11am service for a recital of seasonal organ music from Bradley Hunter Welch. This event will also be livestreamed at https://dallasuu.org/live
About Dr. Welch
Hailed as “A world-class virtuoso” and “an expert at defining darks, lights, shadows and colors,” Bradley Hunter Welch is increasingly in demand as a recitalist, concerto soloist, and collaborative artist. A native of Knoxville, TN, Bradley holds the Doctor of Musical Arts, Master of Musical Arts, Master of Music degrees, and the Artist Diploma from Yale University where he studied with Thomas Murray and Martin Jean. He also holds the Bachelor of Music degree magna cum laude from Baylor University where he studied with Joyce Jones.
Dr. Welch is the 2003 First Place winner of the Dallas International Organ Competition and was also awarded the Audience Prize for the second time, having previously won it in 2000. He was Director of Music & Arts at Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, TX from 2009 to 2014 and currently devotes his full-time attention to a thriving solo concert career. Between his concert and recording engagements, Dr. Welch serves as Artist-in-Residence as Christ Church (Anglican) in Plano, TX–one of the largest Anglican churches in the United States. In addition to these duties, he performs approximately 20 concerts annually under the exclusive artistic management of Phillip Truckenbrod Concert Artists, Hartford, CT.
His premier recording is the first solo organ recording of the Cliburn Organ at Broadway Baptist Church. Bradley is married to Kara Kirkendoll Welch, a flutist in the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Adjunct Professor of Flute at Southern Methodist University. They have a son–Ethan Hunter Welch–and a daughter–Avery Kristine Welch.

Peace Breaks Out
2023-12-10 09:30 - 12:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Amid the conflicts in our lives and our world we consider how peace enters the world and how we can nurture it.

Rev. T. J. FitzGerald is preaching, music provided by organist Bradley Hunter Welch
Worship will be followed by a Holiday Organ Recital with Bradley Hunter Welch. Click here for details.
Worship at 9:30am and 11am CST in-person or online • 7:00pm ONLINE ONLY

What Are We Waiting For?
2023-12-03 09:30 - 12:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Advent themes are often apocalyptic but are they predictions or demands on our spiritual lives?
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

Hanging of the Greens
2023-12-02 18:00 - 19:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Get ready to deck the halls and jingle all the way to our annual “Hanging of the Greens” extravaganza! The Hanging of the Greens isn’t just about sprucing up our space for the season; it’s about bringing our vibrant community together to take part in a joyful tradition. Bring your holiday spirit and let’s make merry memories together!

On the Road from Greed to Giving
2023-11-26 09:30 - 12:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
As we travel the road together from Thanksgiving to Advent and Christmas, we reflect on the spirit of generosity in us and in this season.
Rev. Beth Dana is preaching, music provided by banjoist Ben King
Worship at 9:30am and 11am CST in-person or online • 7:00pm ONLINE ONLY

2023 Thanksgiving Dinner
2023-11-23 12:00 - 15:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
You are invited to the First Unitarian Church of Dallas 2023 Thanksgiving Dinner at 4015 Normandy Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75205. Doors open at 11:30 AM, Dinner at 12:00 noon on Thursday November 23, 2023.
We have room for about 100 participants. Turkey & ham will be provided by the church.
In addition to food items, we need volunteers to help set up, to act as greeters and to clean up after the dinner. If you can help, please sign up for one or more of these categories (in addition to bringing a food item). We will also have a communal wine table. If you wish to contribute, please bring wine to share.
If you encounter any problems signing up or want to modify your signup, contact either Krishna (krishnakavi@yahoo.com) or Theresa (tlumkavi@gmail.com), 972-863-8896.
For general questions about the event, you can contact Margaret Gillett (gmgillett@sbcglobal.net), 214-808-6397.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO BRING FOOD AND VOLUNTEER

Winter’s Faith: Grief, Gratitude, and Generosity, and Justice with guest minister Rev. Mary Katherine Morn
2023-11-19 09:30 - 12:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
We welcome our longtime friend and President of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, Rev. Mary Katherine Morn, as we celebrate the Thanksgiving season together.

About Rev. Mary Katherine Morn
After 30 years in faith-based leadership, the Rev. Mary Katherine Morn joined UUSC as President and Lead Executive Officer in 2018. She has helped to grow a number of progressive congregations serving their members and the larger community.
Mary Katherine contributed to efforts for economic, racial, and social justice in Macon, Georgia at the Economic Opportunity Council/Headstart with the NAACP. She also worked deeply in the reproductive justice movement. In Nashville, Tennessee, she collaborated with the Interfaith Alliance and Industrial Areas Foundation. In Fairfax, Virginia, she worked with interfaith ministries addressing hunger and homelessness, collaborated with LGBTQI+ advocacy organizations, and served on the county’s homelessness task force.
Mary Katherine also served in volunteer leadership with the Unitarian Universalist Ministers’ Association and for four years as Director of Stewardship and Development for the Unitarian Universalist Association.

MUSIC: Sanctuary Choir
Worship at 9:30am and 11am CST in-person or online • 7:00pm ONLINE ONLY

Crafty Bake Sale
2023-11-19 08:45 - 13:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Come shop for baked goods, crafts, and gifts benefitting charities supported by the Women’s Alliances.
Accepting cash, check, and credit card.

Listening Deeply with guest minister Rev. Justin Schroeder
2023-11-12 09:30 - 12:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
In this service, Rev. Justin will explore the idea that life is always trying to engage with us, is making invitations to us, is trying to connect with us, and that a spiritual practice helps us hear those invitations and bids for connections.
About Rev. Justin Schroeder
Rev. Justin Schroeder has more than two decades of experience in spiritual leadership. From 2009-2021, he served as Senior Minister and Co-Senior Minister at First Universalist Church of Minneapolis. In this role, he led the congregation in centering a racial justice commitment as an expression of their faith. He has counseled couples, led rites of passage, and supported hundreds in deepening their spiritual practices.
Rev. Justin Schroeder and his wife, Juliana Keen, recently launched ‘“Holding Space for Change,” a practice that accompanies and supports people through life transitions. They provide spiritual direction, support groups, retreats, and individual therapy and coaching..
He has an active daily spiritual practice, which includes meditation, writing, and yoga. Justin enjoys gardening, games, biking, baking, running, and spending time with his children.

MUSIC: April and Les Sellers
Worship at 9:30am and 11am CST in-person or online • 7:00pm ONLINE ONLY

Concert in Remembrance
2023-11-11 17:00 - 18:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Saturday, November 11
5 – 6pm, Sanctuary
The Sanctuary Choir along with 10 members of the professional choir Orpheus Chamber Singers present this concert in remembrance in memory of our departed loved ones.
The music you’ll experience is lush and beautiful and provides a varied emotional landscape of light, love and hope, as well as deep sorrow and dread. Our 60-voice choir will perform from the stage, and joined by the organ in the balcony, will provide surround sound from the intimate to the thrilling.
Prior to the concert, you will also have an opportunity to light a candle in memory of a loved one.
Repertoire:
Requiem – Maurice Durufle
Sure on this Shining Night – Morton Lauridsen
Featuring Guest Musicians
Scott Dettra, organist
Scott Dettra is acclaimed as one of America’s outstanding concert organ virtuosos. Hailed as a “brilliant organist” (Dallas Morning News), and an “outstanding musician” (The Diapason), his playing is known for its clarity, rhythmic intensity, and musical elegance, and has been described by The American Organist as “music making of absolute authority and sophisticated expression.” He serves as Organist of Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, teaches on the organ faculty of Southern Methodist University, and is organist for The Crossing, the multi-Grammy-winning professional chamber choir based in Philadelphia.
Throughout 2022, Mr. Dettra undertook a celebrated national tour of the complete organ works of César Franck in commemoration of the composer’s bicentenary. Recent and upcoming performances include appearances in New York, Chicago, Boston, Washington, San Francisco, Atlanta, and Kansas City. Festival appearances include the Lincoln Center Festival, the Carmel Bach Festival, the Arizona Bach Festival, the Bermuda Festival of the Performing Arts, and the Piccolo Spoleto Festival. He has been a featured performer at national conventions of the American Guild of Organists, the Association of Anglican Musicians, the Organ Historical Society, and the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, and is in demand as a clinician and adjudicator for master classes, workshops, and competitions.
Maiya Williams, soloist
Maiya Williams, mezzo soprano, is a Graduate Artist Certificate student in Voice Performance at the University of North Texas. Currently, she studies under the tutelage of Molly Fillmore. In 2021, she earned her B.M. in Choral Music Education from Stephen F. Austin State University and most recently, a Masters of Music in Voice Performance from the University of North Texas. During her studies, Williams has been a recurring member of Vox Aquilae, the Baroque vocal ensemble under UNT Choral studies. Past operatic roles include Mistress of the Novices (Suor Angelica), Háta (Prodaná nevěsta), Marcellina (Le Nozze di Figaro), Dido (Dido and Aeneas), and scenes from Cenerentola, Falstaff, La Boheme, Puccini’s Madame Butterfly, and an upcoming role as Dorothée in Massenet’s Cendrillon. She has also participated in the Luke Housner Summer Opera Workshop in Houston, TX. As a DFW based musician, Williams has made appearances with Orpheus Chamber Singers, Fort Worth Opera, The Puccini Society of Dallas, and will appear with The Dallas Opera chorus in Spring 2024 for the production of Romeo et Juliette
Jason Awbrey, soloist
Heralded as having “one of the most gorgeous baritones on earth” by The Dallas Morning News, baritone Jason Awbrey is an active vocal soloist and choral artist. His lyric voice has garnered critical acclaim for his performances of literature ranging from the early Renaissance period through the 21th century. In a recital of German lieder with Voces Intimae, Scott Cantrell of The Dallas Morning News said “everything sounded so easy, so natural” and “[it] was sheer magic.”
He has performed with various professional ensembles throughout the United States, Mexico, and Europe, including Ars Lyrica of Houston, Grammy® award-winning ensembles Conspirare and Roomful of Teeth, Dallas Bach Society, Dallas Symphony, Northeast Symphony, Crescendo, Harmonia Stellarum, Tactus, The Orchestra of New Spain, Orpheus Chamber Singers, Rapides Symphony Orchestra, San Antonio Symphony, Santa Fe Desert Chorale, Oklahoma Bach, Verdigris Ensemble, Texas Camerata and Vox Humana. Jason has recorded with a number of ensembles including Conspirare, Orpheus Chamber Singers, Verdigris Ensemble, and Vox Humana.
Recent and upcoming highlights include performances of Bach Cantatas BWV 4 & BWV 140 with Crescendo Bach Choir, Bach cantatas BWV 10 & 147 with Oklahoma Bach, Schütz Christmas Oratorio with Harmonia Stellarum, and a tour of Germany and Portugal with Roomful of Teeth.
Register in Realm

Gesundheit!
2023-11-05 09:30 - 12:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
What are the blessings in our lives that really matter? We will bless the 25 and 50 year member anniversaries as part of a service of blessing one another.
This is the final sermon in our Rituals That Ground Us series, during which we are exploring the resources that sustain us on our spiritual journey.
Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter is preaching MUSIC: Kindred Voices
Worship at 9:30am and 11am CST in-person or online • 7:00pm ONLINE ONLY

All Souls
2023-10-29 09:30 - 12:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Together we remember and honor the lives of those who have died this year in our annual service of All Souls.
This is the fourth sermon in our Rituals That Ground Us series, during which we are exploring the resources that sustain us on our spiritual journey.
Rev. T. J. FitzGerald is preaching MUSIC: Sanctuary Choir
Worship at 9:30am and 11am CST in-person or online • 7:00pm ONLINE ONLY

At-ONE-ment
2023-10-22 09:30 - 12:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Rituals of repentance, repair, and atonement are radical in the context of our unapologetic world. What do these rituals look like for us as Unitarian Universalists and how do they ground us?
This is the third sermon in our Rituals That Ground Us series, during which we are exploring the resources that sustain us on our spiritual journey.
Rev. Beth Dana is preaching MUSIC: violist Desiree Elsevier
Worship at 9:30am and 11am CST in-person or online • 7:00pm ONLINE ONLY

Liberty in Action
2023-10-15 09:30 - 12:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
The ways we support the work of the church are close to our hearts. We share together the roots and the fruits of this important act.
This is the second sermon in our Rituals That Ground Us series, during which we are exploring the resources that sustain us on our spiritual journey.
Rev. T. J. FitzGerald is preaching MUSIC: Sanctuary Choir
Worship at 9:30am and 11am CST in-person or online • 7:00pm ONLINE ONLY

Front Porch Conversation with Dr. Brian H. Williams
2023-10-08 12:30 - 14:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Join Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter for a conversation with Dr. Brian H. Williams about his new book “The Bodies Keep Coming: Dispatches from a Black Trauma Surgeon on Racism, Violence, and How We Heal.”
Dr. Brian H. Williams led the trauma team that treated police officers ambushed by a sniper in Dallas, Texas, on July 7, 2016, the largest loss of life for US law enforcement since 9/11. At a press conference days later, his heartfelt comments about the tragedy touched thousands, and Huffington Post named it one of the most memorable television moments of 2016. With more than two decades of experience treating urban gun violence victims in Tampa, Boston, Atlanta, Dallas, and Chicago, Dr. Williams has served as a congressional health policy advisor and now serves as a professor of trauma and acute care surgery at the University of Chicago.
Dr. Williams graduated from the United States Air Force Academy with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. After six years on active duty, he enrolled at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine and then completed a general surgery residency at Harvard Medical School and a fellowship in trauma and surgical critical care at Emory University. After the Dallas shooting, Dr. Williams became an international spokesperson for racial justice. In 2017 Mayor Rawlings appointed him chair of the Dallas Citizens Police Review Board. His leadership helped unite the Dallas Police Department, community activists, police associations, and City Council to revamp the role Dallas civilians play in police oversight.
A conversation will be followed by a book signing.
How to get your copy of “The Bodies Keep Coming:”
· You can pre-order the book from Interabang Books at this link. Choose the pick up option and write “First Unitarian Event” in the notes.
· Interabang Books will also be on site on Oct 8th from 11am-2pm selling books in person.
✨ Click here to register in Realm.
If you are unable to attend in-person, the event will be livestreamed at https://dallasuu.org/live/.

Rituals That Ground Us
2023-10-08 09:30 - 12:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
As a church that is not a liturgical church in the traditional sense we sure do have a lot of rituals! How and why are rituals in our lives good for us?
This is the first sermon in our Rituals That Ground Us series, during which we are exploring the resources that sustain us on our spiritual journey.
Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter is preaching MUSIC: Kindred Voices
Worship at 9:30am and 11am CST in-person or online • 7:00pm ONLINE ONLY

Affirmation Service & Reception for Rev. T. J. FitzGerald
2023-10-01 16:00 - 18:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
Join us for a special worship service to officially welcome Rev. T. J. FitzGerald into his position as one of our ministers. The Affirmation Service makes a statement of the relationship between minister and congregation, blesses him into service among us, and celebrates his arrival on the ministerial team at First Church.
Special music will be provided by the Eckert Family and Rev. Jeremy L. Williams, Ph.D. from Brite Divinity School will be preaching.
Reception to follow the service.
About the guest minister:
The Rev. Jeremy L. Williams, Ph.D. is a nationally sought-out thinker, preacher, leader, and author. He hails from Rocket City, USA—Huntsville, Alabama. As a scholar of religion who specializes in New Testament and Early Christianity, Dr. Williams earned his Ph.D. at Harvard University. He is an Assistant Professor of New Testament at Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University and author of the new book “Criminalization in Acts of the Apostles: Race, Rhetoric, and the Prosecution of an Early Christian Movement.”
If you are unable to attend in person you can watch the livestream here.

Sharing Ministry
2023-10-01 09:30 - 12:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
What does it mean to minister? Let’s find it in the church but also in our lives.
This is the final sermon in our Living a Purposeful Life series, during which we are exploring the spiritual inner work required to transform our personal lives.
Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter is preaching MUSIC: First Church musicians Mary Hestand, Debra Morrison, Jean Ann Powers, Les Sellers, April Sellers, George Cornelius, Tom Cook, Bart Chaney, and Gary Eckert.
Worship at 9:30am and 11am CST in-person or online • 7:00pm ONLINE ONLY

Connection Sunday
2023-09-24 10:30 - 14:00 | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
With the start of a new church 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. Grab some coffee and a donut and visit with group leaders in Channing Hall after each service. There will be extra fun for kids of all ages in the courtyard playground area.
Make sure to bring your mobile device with the Realm Connect app to make connecting with groups even easier!
