What does it mean to live joyfully deep? As Unitarian Universalists, we recognize that joy is much more than a passing feeling or a response to circumstances. In this sermon, Rev. Beth Dana explores joy as a deep spiritual quality that can sustain us through difficult times.

Topics include: joyfully deep, joy and spirituality, cultivating joy, joy and sorrow, spiritual practice, finding joy in difficult times, Unitarian Universalism, UU spirituality, Wendell Berry, Mary Oliver, Inside Out, joy and resilience, joy and community

💚 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 rationally spiritual? In the second sermon of our 2026 UU Foundations series, Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter explores a faith that makes room for questions and welcomes the use of reason. At First Unitarian Church of Dallas, we bring our whole selves to the search for meaning.

This sermon considers how our beliefs shape the way we live and asks what our choices reveal about what we value. Rational spirituality means taking our faith seriously enough to question it, examine it, and put it into practice.

Topics include: rational spirituality, reason and faith, doubt, ethics, Unitarian Universalism, spiritual life, justice, equity, authenticity

💚 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 gets personal about the spiritual practices that sustain his Unitarian Universalist faith. He shares his morning meditation and prayer, along with an evening examen for reflecting on the day.

Rev. T. J. explores why ritual matters and how spiritual practices can help protect our peace and well-being. He also shares a few ideas for developing a deeper spiritual practice, including The Artist's Way and the examined life.

Topics include: spiritual practices, daily rituals, meditation, prayer, loving-kindness meditation, forgiveness, the examen, spiritual well-being, Unitarian Universalism, and The Artist's Way.

🌱 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 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/