Pilgrimage to the Khasi Hills: A Deep Dive into Our UU Partnership in India | Tiny Pulpit Talks: 044

In this episode of Tiny Pulpit Talks, Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter talks with Rev. T. J. FitzGerald and Rev. Beth Dana about the annual First Church pilgrimage to the Khasi Hills of Northeast India, where over 10,000 Unitarians have built a deeply rooted, indigenous faith community.

He shares powerful stories from the Annie Margaret Barr Children’s Village, and explores what it means to build lasting relationships across cultures. The India Pilgrimage is about more than service. It’s about mutual growth, connection, and faith lived out in real time. Learn how this unique pilgrimage shapes lives and how members of the congregation can get involved.

To apply for the 2026 India Pilgrimage, fill out the form here: dallasuu.org/india

00:00 – Welcome & introductions
00:37 – Why we travel to Northeast India
01:05 – The indigenous Unitarian movement
01:51 – Supporting the Annie Margaret Barr Children’s Village
02:48 – What the pilgrimage experience is like
05:19 – Ritual, prayer & interfaith learning
05:41 – Changes we’ve seen over the years
06:47 – Arts, music, & camp for the kids
08:30 – Who can go & how to apply: dallasuu.org/india
08:57 – Final thoughts & invitation to join

Tiny Pulpit Talks is a podcast series from First Unitarian Church of Dallas that takes a behind-the-scenes look at ministry from a Unitarian Universalist perspective. This is a rare opportunity to see what goes into crafting meaningful and inspirational sermons, learn how worship comes together each Sunday, and explore the many facets of spiritual leadership. Subscribe to get updates about new episodes here on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.