So You Wanna Be a Universalist? | UU 101 | Rev. Beth Dana
2025-08-24 09:30 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | First Unitarian Church of Dallas, 4015 Normandy Ave., Dallas, TX, 75205, United States
The late Rev. Forrest Church said “Universalism is an exacting gospel.” What does it take to live Universalism in this time and place?
UU 101 Series
Unitarian Universalism is a living tradition rooted in rich history, grounded in timeless values, and always evolving to meet the needs of today’s world. In this two-part series, we’ll explore the twin pillars that give our faith its name and its shape. Invite your friends, family, and neighbors to this series!

Rev. Beth Dana is preaching,
Music provided by harpist Kimberly DeRosa.
Worship at 9:30am and 11am CST in-person or online • 7:00pm ONLINE ONLY

Superheroes Among Us | Rev. Beth Dana
2025-08-31 09:30 - 12:00
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.
Rev. Beth Dana is preaching, music provided by Alicia Martinez, soprano
Worship at 9:30am and 11am CST in-person or online • 7:00pm ONLINE ONLY

Ingathering Sunday: Return Again | Rev. T. J. FitzGerald
2025-09-07 09:30 - 12:00
Ingathering 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 motion, fractured by noise, change, and uncertainty, we offer a sacred invitation: Return Again. This theme year is a spiritual journey back to center, a reclaiming of what grounds us in ourselves, in each other, and in the Divine, however we name it.
Return Again speaks to the deep human longing for home – not only the physical place, but the spiritual, ancestral, and communal homes we carry within. It is a call to listen for the still small voice amid the clamor of modern life, and to remember who we are, where we come from, and what we are called to become.
Over the course of this year, we will move through a rhythm of return that invites depth, vulnerability, courage, and imagination:

Return to the Home of Your Soul

Ancestors of Faith

Breaking Open

Return to Who You Are

Reclaiming Religious Language

Reimagining and Remaking

Come as you are. Bring your questions, your longings, your weariness, and your hope. Together, let us return, remember, and reimagine.
Rev. T. J. FitzGerald is preaching, music provided by the Sanctuary Choir.
Worship at 9:30am and 11am CST in-person or online • 7:00pm ONLINE ONLY

Making Perfect | Return to the Home of Your Soul | Rev. T. J. FitzGerald
2025-09-14 09:30 - 12:00
We hear “practice makes perfect” all the time. But what does a spiritual practice do for us, really?
Rev. T. J. FitzGerald is preaching
Worship at 9:30am and 11am CST in-person or online • 7:00pm ONLINE ONLY

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 month, we will reflect on the enduring vision of our faith and the ways it draws us toward a shared future. We’ll consider how regular spiritual practice shapes our lives and helps us grow. Together, we’ll explore the role of reason as a vital companion to faith, and we’ll honor the deep promises that bind us to one another.

Connection Sunday
2025-09-14 10:30 - 13:30
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.
Make sure to bring your mobile device with the Realm Connect app to make connecting with groups even easier!

Reason to Hope | Return to the Home of Your Soul | Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter
2025-09-21 09:30 - 12:00
Coming home to our faith includes an examination of the use of reason in a world that challenges it everyday.
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

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 month, we will reflect on the enduring vision of our faith and the ways it draws us toward a shared future. We’ll consider how regular spiritual practice shapes our lives and helps us grow. Together, we’ll explore the role of reason as a vital companion to faith, and we’ll honor the deep promises that bind us to one another.

The Ties That Bind | Return to the Home of Your Soul | Rev. Beth Dana
2025-09-28 09:30 - 12:00
What are the covenants that hold us and how do they call us to return again and again to the home of our soul?
Rev. Beth Dana is preaching. Music provided by Kindred Voices.
Worship at 9:30am and 11am CST in-person or online • 7:00pm ONLINE ONLY

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 month, we will reflect on the enduring vision of our faith and the ways it draws us toward a shared future. We’ll consider how regular spiritual practice shapes our lives and helps us grow. Together, we’ll explore the role of reason as a vital companion to faith, and we’ll honor the deep promises that bind us to one another.

All Church Picnic
2025-09-28 12:00 - 14:00
Sunday September 28, 2025, immediately following the 11 am service.
Join us for the First Unitarian Church of Dallas’ All-Church Picnic as we kick off the new church year! This gathering is open to members, friends, and families of all ages. Come enjoy delicious food as we celebrate community and connection together. Bring your picnic spirit and we’ll bring the rest!
PLEASE REGISTER IN REALM

Trinity River Talk for World Rivers Day with Amy Martin
2025-09-28 14:00 - 15:30
Sunday, September 28th, 2 – 3:30 pm
First Unitarian of Dallas
4015 Normandy Ave, Dallas, TX 75205
Trinity River Talk for World Rivers Day with Amy Martin
Followed by a discussion with Rich Grayson & Fouad Jaber
Sponsored by First Church’s Climate Action Team and Ned Fritz Legacy.
The Trinity River: The Watery Tie that Binds North Texas
There is only one river in North Texas: the Trinity. Once rejected and forgotten, paid attention to only when it floods, the Trinity is transforming from a place of refuse to refuge.
We’ll take a tour of the Trinity’s four forks—Clear, East, Elm, and West—exploring each one’s unique characteristics, plus the nature preserves and attractions they are home to. This riverine network is home to the Trinity River Paddling Trail https://trinitycoalition.org/paddling-trail/, a National Park Service recreation trail with over 120 miles of floating fun.
The talk concludes with a brief overview of our river follies, including the time when the West Fork was known as the River of Death, the misguided attempts to turn it into a barge canal that was thwarted by Ned Fritz https://nedfritz.com/, and the absurd idea to place a freeway in its floodplain, which took over a decade to be abandoned. Yet there are more Trinity indignities in the works.
In celebration of World Rivers Day, after the talk Amy will moderate a discussion with Rich Grayson of the Texas Rivers Protection Association https://txrivers.org and Texas Stream Team https://www.meadowscenter.txst.edu/…/texasstreamteam.html/, and Fouad Jaber, professor of biological and agricultural engineering at Texas A&M University. Both are members of First Unitarian of Dallas, as was Ned Fritz.
Photo by Daniel Koglin.

Aging Well Series: End of Life Planning with Deborah Burkham
2025-09-30 13:30 - 15:00
As part of our Aging Well Series, we are pleased to present “End of Life Planning” by Deborah Burkham from The Senior Source.
Come learn about the important information you need to help you and your loved ones with end of life planning.
Topics to include Powers of Attorney, wills, probate, and much more……
We hope you can join us!
PLEASE REGISTER IN REALM

The Unitarian Trinity | Ancestors of Our Faith | Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter
2025-10-05 09:30 - 12:00
The difference between the Unitarian and the Trinitarian theologies is what shaped us but what are we now?
Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter is preaching. Music TBD.
Worship at 9:30am and 11am CST in-person or online • 7:00pm ONLINE ONLY

Ancestors of Our Faith Series
This series honors those whose courage and conviction formed the soul of our tradition. They were not perfect, but they were faithful: to truth, to love, and to the possibility of a better world. In honoring these ancestors of faith, we ask: What do we inherit from them? What do we carry forward?
We begin with the 4th-century Unitarians who challenged the prevailing Trinitarian view of Jesus, asking whether their bold theological ideas still speak to us today. We move to the 19th-century Transcendentalists, whose vision of the “transient” and the “permanent” in religion continues to offer clarity and guidance. We then honor those in our movement who have defied oppressive systems, reminding us that civil disobedience can be both effective and deeply faithful. Finally, we turn to the humanist voices in our history, exploring what their insights offer for a life of meaning and purpose now.

The Transient and The Permanent | Ancestors of Our Faith | Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter
2025-10-12 09:30 - 12:00
Transcendentalists in the middle of the 19th century changed our religion forever. They pointed to the transient and permanent in religion that can guide our lives today.
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

Ancestors of Our Faith Series
This series honors those whose courage and conviction formed the soul of our tradition. They were not perfect, but they were faithful: to truth, to love, and to the possibility of a better world. In honoring these ancestors of faith, we ask: What do we inherit from them? What do we carry forward?
We begin with the 4th-century Unitarians who challenged the prevailing Trinitarian view of Jesus, asking whether their bold theological ideas still speak to us today. We move to the 19th-century Transcendentalists, whose vision of the “transient” and the “permanent” in religion continues to offer clarity and guidance. We then honor those in our movement who have defied oppressive systems, reminding us that civil disobedience can be both effective and deeply faithful. Finally, we turn to the humanist voices in our history, exploring what their insights offer for a life of meaning and purpose now.

CANCELLED: We Are One With Mother Earth with Zara Monrroy
2025-10-17 18:00 - 19:30
Due to complications with international travel logistics, Zara will unfortunately not be able to be here. We are so sorry for this change in plans. We, like so many of you, were so looking forward to learning from Zara.
If you still wish to be in community this Friday, leaders of Earth Centered Spirituality will hold space for meditation, chanting, ritual, and connection at the scheduled time and location.

Being Ungovernable | Ancestors of Our Faith | Rev. T. J. FitzGerald
2025-10-19 09:30 - 12:00
From abolition to civil rights, many in our faith have resisted unjust systems. What does faithful civil disobedience look like today?
Rev. T. J. FitzGerald is preaching. Music provided by the Kindred Voices and April Sellers.
Worship at 9:30am and 11am CST in-person or online • 7:00pm ONLINE ONLY

Ancestors of Our Faith Series
This series honors those whose courage and conviction formed the soul of our tradition. They were not perfect, but they were faithful: to truth, to love, and to the possibility of a better world. In honoring these ancestors of faith, we ask: What do we inherit from them? What do we carry forward?
We begin with the 4th-century Unitarians who challenged the prevailing Trinitarian view of Jesus, asking whether their bold theological ideas still speak to us today. We move to the 19th-century Transcendentalists, whose vision of the “transient” and the “permanent” in religion continues to offer clarity and guidance. We then honor those in our movement who have defied oppressive systems, reminding us that civil disobedience can be both effective and deeply faithful. Finally, we turn to the humanist voices in our history, exploring what their insights offer for a life of meaning and purpose now.

Brunch in Community
2025-10-19 10:30 - 13:30
Sunday, October 19, 2025, after both services, Channing Social Hall
Let the congregation’s youth serve you Brunch In Community this Sunday! Pay-what-you-want toward this important youth fundraiser. There will be gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options available. All 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.”

Realm Training for Church Members
2025-10-19 13:00 - 14:15
Sunday, October 19, 20251:00 – 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

Are You A Humanist? | Ancestors of Our Faith | Rev. Beth Dana
2025-10-26 09:30 - 12:00
Humanism is a foundational thread of our Unitarian Universalist tradition. What do our humanist ancestors have to say to us today about faith and life?
Rev. Beth Dana is preaching. Music TBD.
Worship at 9:30am and 11am CST in-person or online • 7:00pm ONLINE ONLY

Ancestors of Our Faith Series
This series honors those whose courage and conviction formed the soul of our tradition. They were not perfect, but they were faithful: to truth, to love, and to the possibility of a better world. In honoring these ancestors of faith, we ask: What do we inherit from them? What do we carry forward?
We begin with the 4th-century Unitarians who challenged the prevailing Trinitarian view of Jesus, asking whether their bold theological ideas still speak to us today. We move to the 19th-century Transcendentalists, whose vision of the “transient” and the “permanent” in religion continues to offer clarity and guidance. We then honor those in our movement who have defied oppressive systems, reminding us that civil disobedience can be both effective and deeply faithful. Finally, we turn to the humanist voices in our history, exploring what their insights offer for a life of meaning and purpose now.

All Souls
2025-11-02 09:30 - 12:00
Join us for our annual service of remembrance. Together we remember and honor the lives of those who have died this year in our annual service of All Souls. You are invited to bring a photo of a loved one you have lost for the altar.
Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter is preaching. Music provided by Kindred Voices.
In-person worship at 9:30 & 11am or livestream at 9:30 & 11am and 7pm CST.

First Unitarian Church of Dallas Memorial Concert
2025-11-02 17:00 - 18:00
Click to register in Realm.
First Unitarian Church Sanctuary Choir
Grant Wareham, Director
Alan Dyer, Organ
Alicia Martinez, Soprano
Jonathan Greeer, Baritone
First Unitarian Chamber Orchestra
The Sanctuary Choir presents 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 50-voice choir will be joined by a 19-piece chamber orchestra on the stage, along with the organ in the balcony for Gabriel Fauré’s stunning requiem.
Repertoire:
We Hold a World – Richard Scher & Rev. T.J. FitzGerald
Precious Lord, Take My Hand – arr. Arnold Sevier
Requiem – Gabriel Fauré
$100 donations from many have traditionally funded this concert; we are grateful for any generous donation within your means.
Click here to contribute.

Milestones on the Journey | Rev. Beth Dana
2025-11-09 09:30 - 12:00
What makes a moment a milestone? Let’s explore the importance of milestones in our spiritual lives and in community. We will also recognize our members celebrating 25- and 50-year anniversaries in our congregation.
Rev. Beth Dana is preaching. Music by the Eckert family.
Worship at 9:30am and 11am CST in-person or online • 7:00pm ONLINE ONLY

Hand in Hand | Guest Minister Rev. Jen Crow | Celebrating Rev. Beth Dana's 10 Years of Ministry
2025-11-16 09:30 - 12:00
This Sunday, we welcome guest minister Rev. Jen Crow as we celebrate Rev. Beth Dana’s 10 Years of Ministry.
Across the generations, across the country, across theologies and untold multitudes of experiences, we name and nurture and sustain the faith that has the power to transform us individually and collectively. Today we celebrate the ties that bind us together and the part we play in building the world we long for.
Guest minister Rev. Jen Crow is preaching. Music provided by the Sanctuary Choir & Kindred Voices
Worship at 9:30am and 11am CST in-person or online • 7:00pm ONLINE ONLY
About Rev. Jen Crow
Rev. Jen Crow currently serves as Senior Minister at First Universalist Church of Minneapolis. She lives in Minneapolis with her wife and teenage children. She is a hockey mom, a track parent, and an erratic gardener who cherishes morning walks, time with her wife, and live music. Her commitment to recovery, spirituality, transformative love and authenticity is at the center of her life and work. Rev. Jen’s primary spiritual practice is writing, and her most recent work can be found in her book, Take What You Need: Life Lessons After Losing Everything.

Crafty Bake Sale
2025-11-23 08:45 - 13:00
Join us for the Crafty Bake Sale!
This annual fundraiser, organized by the Women’s Alliances, supports both church and community organizations through the collective efforts of our talented bakers, crafters, and volunteers.
Last year, the event raised $8,000, benefiting groups such as the Center for Reproductive Rights, Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center, Texas Equal Access Fund, and Truth Pregnancy Resource Center, among others. Your participation helps us continue this tradition of giving and generosity.
Everyone is invited—church members, friends, and guests alike! Browse an incredible selection of handmade crafts and homemade baked goods, perfect for holiday gifting or personal treats. Every purchase directly supports vital causes within our community.

For All That Will Be, Yes! | Rev. T. J. FitzGerald
2025-11-23 09:30 - 12:00
Giving thanks is hard sometimes. We look at ways we can try this, even amid so many challenges.
Rev. T. J. FitzGerald is preaching.
Worship at 9:30am and 11am CST in-person or online • 7:00pm ONLINE ONLY

Trim the Hearth | Breaking Open | Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter
2025-11-30 09:30 - 12:00
Advent calls us to ready our lives for what is to come. As carefully as we prepare our homes, how might we prepare our hearts and spirits for the season ahead?
Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter is preaching. Music TBD.
Worship at 9:30am and 11am CST in-person or online • 7:00pm ONLINE ONLY

Breaking Open Series
Based on the beloved hymn “People, Look East,” this Advent series invites us into a season of waiting that is also a season of preparing, softening, and opening. We will notice what is breaking open in us and around us — moments when cracks let in light, when hearts stretch to hold both sorrow and hope, and when breaking open becomes a path to transformation.
Our journey begins with an exploration of preparation that looks beyond the visible tasks of the season to the deeper work of readying our hearts and spirits for what lies ahead. We will plant seeds of possibility in seemingly barren ground, trusting in growth we cannot yet see. We will join in the joy and wonder of our community’s Christmas pageant, welcoming the light that children so naturally carry. And we will create space for the tender truths of this season, acknowledging that sorrow and struggle are also part of our Advent journey, and that even in those places, healing and hope can take root.

Holiday Luncheon & Celebration for Members 70 and Better
2025-12-06 12:30 - 15:30
Exclusively for church members 70 and better, a festive afternoon of great food, socializing and holiday caroling. Look for the invite in your email inbox!
To Volunteer to help at the celebration: If you can bake cookies, assemble cookie tins, drive attendees, decorate, host, set up, clean up, photograph the event, and/or deliver cookie tins click here to sign up.

Hanging of the Greens
2025-12-06 18:00 - 20:00
🎄 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 really 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!
The evening will include skits from our ministers, special music, games, interactive elements for the kids, and cookies & punch from the Women’s Alliances. Don’t miss it!
Holiday of Hope Gift Drive for Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center
Help bring joy to children in need this season by supporting our Holiday of Hope toy drive for Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center.
Drop off new, unwrapped toys at Hanging of the Greens on Saturday, December 6 or at church on Sunday, December 7 to help bring comfort and joy to children and families experiencing child abuse in our community.
Click here for gift ideas.

Barren Earth | Breaking Open | Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter
2025-12-07 09:30 - 12:30
Even when the earth feels bare, seeds can still be planted. What are we planting in the barren earth these days?
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

Breaking Open Series
Based on the beloved hymn “People, Look East,” this Advent series invites us into a season of waiting that is also a season of preparing, softening, and opening. We will notice what is breaking open in us and around us — moments when cracks let in light, when hearts stretch to hold both sorrow and hope, and when breaking open becomes a path to transformation.
Our journey begins with an exploration of preparation that looks beyond the visible tasks of the season to the deeper work of readying our hearts and spirits for what lies ahead. We will plant seeds of possibility in seemingly barren ground, trusting in growth we cannot yet see. We will join in the joy and wonder of our community’s Christmas pageant, welcoming the light that children so naturally carry. And we will create space for the tender truths of this season, acknowledging that sorrow and struggle are also part of our Advent journey, and that even in those places, healing and hope can take root.

We See A Great Light | Christmas Pageant & Child Dedications | Rev. Beth Dana
2025-12-14 09:30 - 12:00
Through the joy and wonder of our Christmas Pageant, we celebrate the light that children bring and the ways they might remind us of love’s arrival in the world.
Rev. Beth Dana is preaching. Music provided by Kindred Voices
Worship at 9:30am and 11am CST in-person or online • 7:00pm ONLINE ONLY

Breaking Open Series
Based on the beloved hymn “People, Look East,” this Advent series invites us into a season of waiting that is also a season of preparing, softening, and opening. We will notice what is breaking open in us and around us — moments when cracks let in light, when hearts stretch to hold both sorrow and hope, and when breaking open becomes a path to transformation.
Our journey begins with an exploration of preparation that looks beyond the visible tasks of the season to the deeper work of readying our hearts and spirits for what lies ahead. We will plant seeds of possibility in seemingly barren ground, trusting in growth we cannot yet see. We will join in the joy and wonder of our community’s Christmas pageant, welcoming the light that children so naturally carry. And we will create space for the tender truths of this season, acknowledging that sorrow and struggle are also part of our Advent journey, and that even in those places, healing and hope can take root.

Parish Meeting - December 2025
2025-12-14 12:30 - 13:30
Voting members are invited to enjoy pizza, hear updates from church leaders, vote on the 2025 budget, and celebrate the 2025 elected leaders. There will also be an update from the Strategic Planning Steering Team.
Childcare is available for this event. Click here to register.

Blues Christmas | Breaking Open | Rev. T. J. FitzGerald
2025-12-21 09:30 - 12:00
Our annual time to acknowledge the ways this time of year can try our spirits. The blues is a balm for your soul.
Rev. T. J. FitzGerald is preaching. Featuring special Blues Music.
Worship at 9:30am and 11am CST in-person or online • 7:00pm ONLINE ONLY

Breaking Open Series
Based on the beloved hymn “People, Look East,” this Advent series invites us into a season of waiting that is also a season of preparing, softening, and opening. We will notice what is breaking open in us and around us — moments when cracks let in light, when hearts stretch to hold both sorrow and hope, and when breaking open becomes a path to transformation.
Our journey begins with an exploration of preparation that looks beyond the visible tasks of the season to the deeper work of readying our hearts and spirits for what lies ahead. We will plant seeds of possibility in seemingly barren ground, trusting in growth we cannot yet see. We will join in the joy and wonder of our community’s Christmas pageant, welcoming the light that children so naturally carry. And we will create space for the tender truths of this season, acknowledging that sorrow and struggle are also part of our Advent journey, and that even in those places, healing and hope can take root.
