Podcasts about First Unitarian Church

What do some of the things we take for granted on Sunday in worship really mean and what do the differences in our worship and other types of worship mean? 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.

In this episode of Tiny Pulpit Talks, Rev. T. J. FitzGerald sits down with Zainab Khan, Managing Attorney of the Immigration Detention Project at Texas A&M University School of Law, for a conversation about immigration detention, faith, and justice. Zainab explains how attorneys are using federal habeas petitions to challenge prolonged immigration detention, why outcomes vary across Texas courts, and the kinds of cases her team is seeing under current immigration policies. Drawing on her experience as a former federal public defender and the daughter of Pakistani immigrants, she shares what called her to this work and how her Muslim faith sustains her in the face of injustice. Together, they explore the role of advocacy, the importance of hope, and how ordinary people can help support immigrants navigating an increasingly difficult legal system. Topics include: Immigration detention and habeas petitions Changes to bond hearings under current immigration policy Faith in the face of injustice Immigration law in Texas How attorneys and volunteers can get involved Links: Donation towards the project through DAI (make sure to put "IDP" in the dedication section when donating): https://www.cftexas.org/donors/fund-options/dallas-area-interfaith-fund/#donate-now Submit a request for habeas assistance: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=44HzaNpGuUe6V28yK48NoTyP69CKGbpJnVlTpx3Gx-RUNVlJMU5NNjMyUkI2WFZZSUFYNTI1M1BCUC4u Volunteer as a non-attorney with IDP: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=44HzaNpGuUe6V28yK48NoTyP69CKGbpJnVlTpx3Gx-RURTg1RE1JWDRDVlhHSkNQUk0wRVJYQVRNTC4u Volunteer as an attorney with IDP by emailing zainab_khan@tamu.edu.

Inspired by The Railway Man, the true story of British Army officer Eric Lomax and his journey through trauma toward reconciliation, we'll explore forgiveness as a courageous path toward wholeness.

What does ministry look like when your pulpit is a newspaper column? In this episode of Tiny Pulpit Talks, Rev. T. J. FitzGerald sits down with Rev. Mara Richards Bim — pastor, spiritual director, and journalist — for a conversation about practicing faith outside the sanctuary. Mara traces her path from founding a Dallas theater company, to seminary, to breaking some of the most consequential immigration stories in North Texas. Along the way, she and TJ find the thread connecting the minister and the reporter: the discipline of sitting with hard things and refusing to look away. They talk about: Cry Havoc Theater, and how interview-based storytelling led to journalism Writing for Baptist News Global as a Clemons Fellow Tracing attempted property purchases in Hutchins, Texas, back to the federal government The movement of detained people through Dallas Love Field — and why that story hasn't gained the same traction What clergy witnessed together on the front lines in Minneapolis Covering CPAC, and the toll of bearing witness to hate Why spiritual care has to include care for the body Faith voices in the public square, and reclaiming ground from Christian nationalism How any calling — not just ministry — can be a place where your faith shows up About Rev. Mara Richards Bim: Rev. Mara Richards Bim is a pastor, writer and spiritual director. Mara graduated from SMU's Perkins School of Theology in 2024 with a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction. After graduation, she served as the Program Director at Faith Commons. Mara was ordained to the Gospel Ministry by Royal Lane in 2025. Previously, Mara had a 20-year career as an award-winning theatre artist. She founded the nationally acclaimed Cry Havoc Theater Company which operated in Dallas from 2014-2023. In 2020 Mara received the Holloway Family Foundation's Visionary Leadership Award and in 2021 she was named one of D Magazine's "78 Women Changing the Face of Dallas." Mara is a Clemons Fellow at Baptist News Global where she regularly writes about the intersection of religion and politics, focusing on the threats posed by Christian fascism. She serves on the Leadership Council of Texas Impact and is also an active volunteer with Christians Against Christian Nationalism. She is the first Justice & Advocacy Fellow in the newly-launched Prophetic Leadership Program at Royal Lane. Mara and her family reside in Plano, Texas. Links Referenced Below https://baptistnews.com/article/autho... https://baptistnews.com/article/city-... https://baptistnews.com/article/who-i...

It is said that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." If that's so, beauty is all around us! Let's explore how our spiritual lives are nurtured and inspired by beauty.

Building is an act of creativity and courage. How do you know when is the time to tear down and when is the time to build, and what moves you to be a builder?

As our nation marks its 250th anniversary, what does America inspire in us? Pride and hope? Concern and challenge? Perhaps all of these at once. Through the voices of musicians such as Woody Guthrie and Bruce Springsteen, we'll reflect on the ongoing promise and unfinished work of the American story.

Life rarely follows the script we expect. Improvisation invites us to listen deeply, trust ourselves and one another, and create something meaningful in the moment. Drawing inspiration from the joyful spontaneity and musical genius of Bobby McFerrin, we'll explore what it means to embrace uncertainty with curiosity and discover unexpected possibilities along the way.

What does faith look like in a time of rising Islamophobia, Christian nationalism, and division? In this episode of Tiny Pulpit Talks, Rev. T. J. FitzGerald sits down with Rev. Mara Richards Bim and immigration attorney Zainab Khan for an honest conversation about what's happening in North Texas and across the country. Together, they explore how fear and misinformation are fueling anti-Muslim hate, why Christian nationalism is growing, and what people of faith can do to build stronger communities. They talk about: Islamophobia in Texas Christian nationalism and its impact on faith communities Immigration, belonging, and religious freedom How Christians, Muslims, and people of all faiths can stand together Simple ways to support your neighbors and make a difference in your community About Rev. Mara Richards Bim: Rev. Mara Richards Bim is a pastor, writer and spiritual director. Mara graduated from SMU's Perkins School of Theology in 2024 with a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction. After graduation, she served as the Program Director at Faith Commons. Mara was ordained to the Gospel Ministry by Royal Lane in 2025. Previously, Mara had a 20-year career as an award-winning theatre artist. She founded the nationally acclaimed Cry Havoc Theater Company which operated in Dallas from 2014-2023. In 2020 Mara received the Holloway Family Foundation's Visionary Leadership Award and in 2021 she was named one of D Magazine's "78 Women Changing the Face of Dallas." Mara is a Clemons Fellow at Baptist News Global where she regularly writes about the intersection of religion and politics, focusing on the threats posed by Christian fascism. She serves on the Leadership Council of Texas Impact and is also an active volunteer with Christians Against Christian Nationalism. She is the first Justice & Advocacy Fellow in the newly-launched Prophetic Leadership Program at Royal Lane. Mara and her family reside in Plano, Texas. About Zainab Khan: Zainab Khan serves as the Managing Attorney for the Immigration Detention Project that is funded by Dallas Area Interfaith and housed in the Texas A&M University School of Law Legal Clinic. The Immigration Detention Project helps eligible detainees seek release form immigration detention, whether through bond hearings in immigration court or habeas petitions in federal court. Prior to joining Texas A&M Law, Ms. Khan was a federal public defender, first in the Southern District of California, and most recently in the Northern District of Texas, defending the rights of the accused. Before that, she was a fellow at the Muslim Legal Fund of America, where she worked on criminal cases and civil rights cases affecting Muslim Americans. Ms. Khan is a graduate of the Southern Methodist University School of Law and the University of Texas at Dallas.

One root of our existence is the resilience of our ancestors. How do we use resilience today for our next generations? (On Thursday, June 18 at 6 pm in Channing Social Hall, we will screen Wall-E*, whose vision of humanity raises questions about endurance, responsibility, and renewal.)

What does it mean to be inspired? In this opening sermon of our summer series, Inspiration, Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter reflects on creativity, soul growth, and the lifelong process of becoming. Through the stories of Kurt Vonnegut, ancient understandings of inspiration as breath, and a Unitarian Universalist vision of spiritual growth, this sermon invites us to pay attention to what gives our lives meaning and what calls us forward. What inspires you, and how might it help you become more fully yourself?

Through the Irish folktale "Teig O'Kane and the Corpse," we reflect on the weight of moral obligation, the consequences of our choices, and the enduring truth that responsibility cannot be avoided.

What does it mean to live in a world that is driven by greed? This popular Tawainese folktale helps us think about fairness and selflessness as life values.

With many of our foundations in reason and Enlightenment-era thinking, Unitarian Universalists often struggle with mystery. We're often averse to things we might perceive as stories and beliefs that present as "supernatural." But what if "real" and "not real" is a false binary? Perhaps we're not asking the right questions when it comes to grappling with the unexplainable. About Cameron Young (they/them) Cameron is a lifelong Texan and Unitarian Universalist- prior to assuming the position as Lead for the UUA Southern Region Congregational Life staff, Cameron worked as field staff since 2019. Before joining the UUA, Cameron served as a lifespan religious educator in Fort Worth, Texas. Cameron has a Bachelor of Music from Louisiana State University and a Master of Divinity at Brite Divinity School where they graduated Summa Cum Laude and received the Sexual and Gender Justice certificate and the prestigious Walker Preaching Scholarship- they are currently a candidate for UU Ministry. A professional musician and classically trained singer, Cameron has performed in numerous operas and musicals, is a member and co-founder of the singing group Uptown Carolers and recorded with Grammy award winner Leon Bridges on his debut album. In their spare time, Cameron is an avid traveler, diehard fan of DFW sports teams, and devoted coffee drinker.

Join us as we celebrate and bless our youth coming of age and graduating seniors bridging into young adulthood.

What do we owe to mothers on Mother's Day. Lets talk about it!

T. S. Eliot wrote about the experience of seeking and exploring, only to return to where you started and to know the place for the first time. Looking back on our church's theme year, what do we know now – about ourselves, our faith, our community, our world – that we didn't know when we started? Reimagining and Remaking Series The world as we've known it is shifting, shaped by climate crisis, injustice, polarization, and deep longing for something better. In this closing series of our Return Again theme year, we ask: What now? What next? What if? This is a time for spiritual imagination. Let's explore the creativity needed to dream beyond the limits we've known, the courage to honor the Earth and our shared destiny, the persistence to make racial equity real, and the wisdom that comes when we return to our beginnings with new eyes. Together, we will imagine what is possible and take the first steps toward making it real.

In this episode of Tiny Pulpit Talks, Reverend T. J. FitzGerald sits down with Jerry Hawkins, our Director of Equity Initiatives and Community History Fellow in Residence, to explore the hidden and often erased history of race and racism in Dallas. Together, they discuss why uncovering these stories matters, how missing archives and silenced narratives shape public memory, and why imagination is sometimes necessary to rebuild a fuller picture of the past. Jerry shares his journey of piecing together Dallas's complex racial history, recommends essential books and documentaries, and reflects on how the city's future depends on honestly facing its past. This conversation offers a thoughtful introduction to Dallas history, community storytelling, and the ongoing work of racial equity.

The work of racial equity is foundational to the world we hope to build. We'll reflect on the commitment, honesty, and transformation required to bring that hope to life. Reimagining and Remaking Series The world as we've known it is shifting, shaped by climate crisis, injustice, polarization, and deep longing for something better. In this closing series of our Return Again theme year, we ask: What now? What next? What if? This is a time for spiritual imagination. Let's explore the creativity needed to dream beyond the limits we've known, the courage to honor the Earth and our shared destiny, the persistence to make racial equity real, and the wisdom that comes when we return to our beginnings with new eyes. Together, we will imagine what is possible and take the first steps toward making it real.

In this episode of Tiny Pulpit Talks, Director of Equity Initiatives Jerry Hawkins joins Rev. T. J. FitzGerald for a conversation about racial equity, faith, and the work already happening within the church and the wider Dallas community. Jerry shares his story, from growing up in Chicago to years of equity work across organizations, and reflects on what it means to step into this new role at the church. Together, they talk about the church's long-standing commitment to racial equity and why this moment is about turning intention into action.

On this Earth Day, we honor our deep interdependence with the living world and reflect on how we might care for our planet as a shared destiny. Reimagining and Remaking Series The world as we've known it is shifting, shaped by climate crisis, injustice, polarization, and deep longing for something better. In this closing series of our Return Again theme year, we ask: What now? What next? What if? This is a time for spiritual imagination. Let's explore the creativity needed to dream beyond the limits we've known, the courage to honor the Earth and our shared destiny, the persistence to make racial equity real, and the wisdom that comes when we return to our beginnings with new eyes. Together, we will imagine what is possible and take the first steps toward making it real.

Send us Fan MailWe've been meeting some of the amazing people out in the city of Des Moines doing the good work. This episode we're keeping it local, meeting with an amazing person right here on our church staff doing the good work!Support the show

Series: Building 4th Community — Member Presentations Russell takes us on a journey through the history and heart of Unitarian Universalism, from the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE to the pews of the First Unitarian Church of Dallas. He traces the anti-Trinitarian thread from Arius through the martyrdom of Michael Servetus — burned at the stake on green wood by John Calvin's Geneva — to the Transylvanian kings who first legalized Unitarianism in 1568. In early America, the movement intertwined with the Revolution itself: Jefferson, Adams, and Franklin held Unitarian views, and the Lexington Green meetinghouse served as both church and battlefield hospital. Russell highlights Theodore Parker — the self-taught abolitionist who walked ten miles to Harvard, harbored escaped slaves, funded John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry, and coined the phrase about the arc of the moral universe bending toward justice. Parker's words later shaped Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and Martin Luther King Jr.'s speeches. The presentation turns personal as Russell describes his own congregation's 125-year history of radical hospitality — hosting Muslim and LGBTQ+ congregations when no one else would, playing a foundational role in Roe v. Wade, and running the OWL comprehensive sexuality education program. He reads the church's affirmation — "Love is the doctrine of our church" — and shares how a minister recently preached that Unitarianism has an infinite number of sacraments, because the searching itself is holy. The group explores where UU emphasis on social justice intersects with the Ra Material's understanding of catalyst, suffering, and the activation of green-ray consciousness. Russell reflects that his understanding of suffering as integral to the human condition has deepened through his participation in Building 4th — a meeting point between UU's outward-facing compassion and the community's contemplative, inward-turning work with the Law of One. Key References: Ra, Session 34.6 (suffering as catalyst); Ra, Session 32.14 (acceptance of self as the Creator, an entity of infinite worth); the Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism; Theodore Parker's "arc of the moral universe"; the UUA's 2024 Core Shared Values.

Let's think outside the box together about what creativity and imagination is called for in this time. How far can our imagination take us? Reimagining and Remaking Series The world as we've known it is shifting, shaped by climate crisis, injustice, polarization, and deep longing for something better. In this closing series of our Return Again theme year, we ask: What now? What next? What if? This is a time for spiritual imagination. Let's explore the creativity needed to dream beyond the limits we've known, the courage to honor the Earth and our shared destiny, the persistence to make racial equity real, and the wisdom that comes when we return to our beginnings with new eyes. Together, we will imagine what is possible and take the first steps toward making it real.

Send us Fan MailWe've been meeting some of the amazing people out in the city of Des Moines doing the good work. This episode we're keeping it local, meeting with an amazing person right here on our church staff doing the good work!Support the show

In the latest novel from author Emma Straub, a newly-divorced woman named Annie reluctantly goes on a cruise with her sister, a cruise designed for fans of one 90s era boy band. But Annie's experience changes when she meets a member of the band who is lonely, and looking for a friend. Straub discusses American Fantasy, out today. Straub will be speaking with Lin Manuel Miranda on April 7 at 7 pm at the First Unitarian Church.

This Unitarian Universalist Easter sermon, "Above the Fold" by Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter, follows a reporter arriving in Jerusalem after Jesus' death, trying to gather the story for his readers. As he speaks with ordinary people, he hears how Jesus changed lives in simple but powerful ways. People became more generous, more compassionate, and more aware of one another. Through these encounters, the reporter begins to see that the true story lives in the way people carry forward what they learned. The sermon speaks about resurrection as something we experience in everyday life. It shows how love, kindness, and small acts of care can bring new life into the world. Rev. Kanter invites us to reflect on our own lives and consider who might need our attention, help, or compassion. The message is a call to live with an open heart and to take part in the ongoing work of bringing hope and love into the world.

In this episode of Tiny Pulpit Talks, Reverend T. J. FitzGerald shares important updates on immigration enforcement in Dallas and across the country. Drawing from what he's seeing in local neighborhoods and stories from other cities, he speaks about the growing fear many families are facing and the real impact on everyday life. He also highlights ways people can respond, from supporting mutual aid efforts to connecting with legal resources and staying informed. This episode reminds us that communities can stand together, care for one another, and take action in the face of uncertainty. Immigration Resources: https://linktr.ee/txhabeas First Unitarian Church of Dallas is a place you can return to - again and again - for love, connection, justice, and belonging. The support of members and friends of the church is what makes all of this possible. Make your 2026 pledge today - it matters! https://dallasuu.org/2026pledge/

More than a person; more than God. This Palm Sunday, we will reflect on how Unitarian Universalism might engage with this often-misunderstood theological idea.

Reclaiming Religious Language: Confession | Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter Many of us have never sat in a confessional but have had to break ourselves open to the truth of who we are. What is confession in a Unitarian Universalist context?

In this episode of Tiny Pulpit Talks, Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter and Rev. T. J. Fitzgerald explore the meaning of Lent in simple terms. They talk about this season as a time to reflect on life, mortality, and what truly matters, while inviting listeners to consider spiritual practices that go beyond just "giving something up." Instead, they share how picking up meaningful habits—like prayer, reflection, or reading together—can help ground us in everyday life. The conversation also touches on themes of confession, grace, and the power of being fully known and still loved. Through personal stories and thoughtful dialogue, they imagine how a faith rooted in deep, freeing love might create space for healing and connection. First Unitarian Church of Dallas is a place you can return to - again and again - for love, connection, justice, and belonging. The support of members and friends of the church is what makes all of this possible. Make your 2026 pledge today - it matters! https://dallasuu.org/2026pledge/

"Sacrament" is not a common word in Unitarian Universalist discourse, but we say it every Sunday in our Affirmation. Let's explore what we really mean when we say "the quest of truth" is our sacrament.

In this special Women's History Month episode of Tiny Pulpit Talks, Rev. T. J. FitzGerald and Rev. Beth Dana reflect on the legacy of women's leadership in Unitarian Universalism. They share stories about pioneering minister Olympia Brown and the "Iowa Sisterhood," a group of women who helped build congregations across the Midwest in the late 1800s while facing barriers and skepticism along the way. Their courage, creativity, and faith helped shape a tradition where women have long held meaningful leadership roles. The conversation also explores what matriarchal leadership can look like today. Rev. T. J. and Rev. Beth talk about family influence, ministry, and the ways women have turned qualities often labeled as "feminine" into sources of strength and community power. They invite viewers to think about the matriarchs in their own lives and how those examples might guide the future of our churches, families, and communities. Happy Women's History Month! First Unitarian Church of Dallas is a place you can return to - again and again - for love, connection, justice, and belonging. The support of members and friends of the church is what makes all of this possible. Make your 2026 pledge today - it matters! https://dallasuu.org/2026pledge/

In his sermon, "Reclaiming Religious Language: Blessing," Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter explores what it really means to give and receive a blessing in a world filled with conflict, fear, and uncertainty. Through stories, personal experiences, and the teachings of Jesus in the Beatitudes, he explores how blessing can begin with simple attention to one another and to the realities of life. This message invites us to slow down and see the people around us with compassion and care. When we recognize the humanity in others, our words and actions can become blessings that bring connection, healing, and hope into everyday life.

Several local faith leaders recently traveled to Minneapolis to protest ICE and to show solidarity with the community. We talk with them about what they witness and what they learned. In studio: Rev. Deborah L. Hughes, American Baptist minister Rev. Shari Quan, lead minister of First Unitarian Church of Rochester Rev. Dan Brockway, M.Div., Ph.D., lead pastor at Brockport First Baptist Rev. Lisa Friedman, Minister of Unitarian Universalist Church of Minnetonka, Minnesota ---Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding.---Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email, Facebook or Twitter. Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here.---Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections.

Join us for a much loved and meaningful tradition – Youth Sunday! Our YRUU teens lead the service, sharing their musical gifts and reflections on our theme year "Return Again."

In her sermon "Love at the Center," Rev. Beth Dana reflects on the meaning of unconditional love through the story of Hosea Ballou, a child who learned that he was loved even when he was muddy, curious, and imperfect. That early lesson shaped his belief that God's love must be wide enough for everyone. Rev. Dana invites us to remember that we are already beloved and we should see others the same way, especially in a world that often teaches shame, fear, and exclusion. Love is at the center of Unitarian Universalist faith and shows up in everyday practices like worship, community care, justice work, and self-compassion. The sermon calls us to keep choosing love, to take risks for it, and to let it guide how we live together.

In a time of violence and division Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter's sermon "Giving Heart" reflects on what it means to keep a giving heart when fear and anger feel overwhelming. Rev. Kanter names the grief and exhaustion many are carrying while affirming a Unitarian Universalist faith that sees this world as sacred and deeply interconnected. We are invited to move beyond tolerance toward genuine inclusion rooted in generosity, joy, and human dignity. This sermon calls for a steady practice of hope and care that resists dehumanization and protects our shared humanity even in the hardest moments.

A Unitarian Universalist Sermon for Martin Luther King Day | Rev. T. J. FitzGerald | 01.18.2026 In his sermon "The Name of Love," Rev. T. J. FitzGerald reflects on on Martin Luther King Jr.'s message for us in troubled times. Drawing from Dr. King's teachings on agape love, nonviolence, and moral courage, this UU sermon explores what it means to live with purpose when fear, injustice, and division feel overwhelming. It looks honestly at the tension between love and resistance and why Dr. King believed real love always carries a cost. King's speech at SMU on March 17, 1966: https://www.smu.edu/aboutsmu/mlk/transcripts

Welcome to our first post-holiday post since mid-December. Here is our first-ever, back-to-back twin episode post featuring The Artists Index podcast host Scott Bishop's conversations with Maggi Kerr Peirce, the author of A Belfast Girl. HERE IS PART ONE: According to the Parkhurst Brothers Publishing website, she "...sang her native Irish ballads from the Newport Folk Festival to Puget Sound during the 1970s. She performed on many of the same stages as Pete Seeger, the Kingston Trio, and Peter, Paul, and Mary." She graced storytelling festivals from coast-to-coast with her Irish stories. The revered storyteller, a founder of the Tryworks Coffeehouse, a legendary and long-running (1967-2002) folk music and arts venue in New Bedford, Massachusetts, held at the First Unitarian Church. It was a vibrant community hub for the musicians, poets, and young people of the South Coast. Maggi has been featured at the National Storytelling Festival and received the National Storytelling Network (USA) Oracle Award for lifetime achievement. Scott Bishop spoke with her at her home in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. Maggi Peirce was 93 at the time of her passing in December 2024. She shared just some of her many memories, as well as her love of the Tryworks Coffeehouse, the South Coast, and so much more.   Maggi Kerr Peirce Fairhaven Massachusetts 02719   Email | Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube   PODCASTS ALSO AVAILABLE ON: YouTube WHILE YOU'RE HERE: Please consider donating whatever you can to ensure that our mission continues as we document the legacies of South Coast Artists. If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know!  

Welcome to our first post-holiday post since mid-December. Here is our first-ever, back-to-back twin episode post featuring The Artists Index podcast host Scott Bishop's conversations with Maggi Kerr Peirce, the author of A Belfast Girl. HERE IS PART TWO: According to the Parkhurst Brothers Publishing website, she "...sang her native Irish ballads from the Newport Folk Festival to Puget Sound during the 1970s. She performed on many of the same stages as Pete Seeger, the Kingston Trio, and Peter, Paul, and Mary." She graced storytelling festivals from coast-to-coast with her Irish stories. The revered storyteller, a founder of the Tryworks Coffeehouse, a legendary and long-running (1967-2002) folk music and arts venue in New Bedford, Massachusetts, held at the First Unitarian Church. It was a vibrant community hub for the musicians, poets, and young people of the South Coast. Maggi has been featured at the National Storytelling Festival and received the National Storytelling Network (USA) Oracle Award for lifetime achievement. Scott Bishop spoke with her at her home in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. Maggi Peirce was 93 at the time of her passing in December 2024. She shared just some of her many memories, as well as her love of the Tryworks Coffeehouse, the South Coast, and so much more.   Maggi Kerr Peirce Fairhaven Massachusetts 02719   Email | Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube   PODCASTS ALSO AVAILABLE ON: YouTube WHILE YOU'RE HERE: Please consider donating whatever you can to ensure that our mission continues as we document the legacies of South Coast Artists. If you would like to be a guest on The Artists Index or have a suggestion, please let us know!  

Who we are is shaped by each other, even as we long to be our own person. We'll explore the UU value of interdependence and how we balance being ourselves with belonging to each other.

Beyond the Buffet: A Unitarian Universalist Sermon About Pluralism | Return to Who You Are | Rev. Beth Dana In her sermon, "Beyond the Buffet," Rev. Beth Dana explores what it truly means to be Unitarian Universalist in a world of many religions and cultures. Rev. Dana invites us to move past the idea of religion as a pick-and-choose buffet and instead embrace genuine pluralism, deep respect, and real engagement with difference. She also reflects on the other shared Unitarian Universalist values of transformation, justice, equity, interdependence, generosity, and love, and shows how they call us to honor many paths to the sacred without claiming to hold all the answers.

The Fire This Time | Return to Who You Are | Rev. T. J. FitzGerald 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.

Rest of the Story — After so many stories and visits, we pause and reflect on the ways the stories we tell impact us still today. 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/ Œ

In this episode of Tiny Pulpit Talks, Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter and Rev. T. J. Fitzgerald dive into what it truly means to be an LGBTQ-affirming church and why it matters now more than ever. This conversation explores queer inclusion in faith, Unitarian Universalist values, and the radical idea that church should be a place where everyone can be fully themselves. Rev. Daniel and T. J. reflect on the long history of LGBTQ+ leadership in Unitarian Universalism, the importance of integration over tokenism, and why being "open and affirming" is not revolutionary, but should be the norm. They also address current political and cultural attacks on LGBTQ+ communities, especially trans and nonbinary people, and discuss how faith communities can offer real sanctuary, solidarity, and joy in uncertain times. First Unitarian Church of Dallas is a place you can return to - again and again - for love, connection, justice, and belonging. The support of members and friends of the church is what makes all of this possible. Make your 2026 pledge today - it matters! https://dallasuu.org/2026pledge/

In this Unitarian Universalist Advent sermon, Rev. Beth Dana invites us into the quiet and often uncomfortable space of waiting. As we light candles and prepare for Christmas, we explore how Advent is less about rushing to joy and more about holding hope in the dark. Through story, tradition, and reflection, this message reminds us that waiting can open our hearts to something new. In a world marked by fear, division, and uncertainty, Advent calls us to break open closed doors and welcome light, peace, and love. This sermon connects the Christmas story to our lives today and encourages us to trust that even when we cannot see it yet, hope is already breaking through.

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. 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. 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/ Œ

Keith M. and Nathaniel Shannon document a week with Ink & Dagger and the lead up to "The Order" - their 3 reunion shows at the First Unitarian Church in Philadelphia, PA. Intro - 0:00 - 1:45 Ink & Dagger Recap - 1:46 - 1:31:23

In this episode of Tiny Pulpit Talks, Rev. T. J. Fitzgerald and Rev. Dr. Daniel Kanter talk about the long history of churches speaking up during hard political times. They reflect on how faith communities have played key roles in major moments like the American Revolution, the fight to end slavery, and the civil rights movement. They explain that speaking from the pulpit is about sharing values of faith, not supporting political parties, and that this freedom is deeply protected in both their religious tradition and the U.S. Constitution. They also share honest concerns about the current climate, where fear and uncertainty make some people feel less safe. The message is clear: First Unitarian Church of Dallas is here to face fear with faith, to care for neighbors, and to keep showing up with hope no matter what challenges come. First Unitarian Church of Dallas is a place you can return to - again and again - for love, connection, justice, and belonging. The support of members and friends of the church is what makes all of this possible. Make your 2026 pledge today - it matters! https://dallasuu.org/2026pledge/