Past Services and Recordings
November 30, 2025
- Listening as an Act of Appreciation
- Worship Leader – Rev. Daniel Trollinger
- Music: Triangle Vocal Project (11:00 am); Barbara Welanetz – Cantor (9:00 am); Pam DiLavore – Cantor (11:00 am); Matt Reid – Piano
Worship Associate: Simon Kaplan
Stories are a universal language that transcends borders, languages, and generations. Sharing stories is a thread that connects us all, reminding us of our shared humanity. And listening is a core part of any story. What happens when we slow down and listen, really listen to one another, to Life? Listening opens the door to possibility, connection, and even transformation.
November 23, 2025
- Why We Call This Faith
- Worship Leader – Rev. Daniel Trollinger; Guest Minister – Rev. Dr. William "Bill" Sinkford
- Music: Eno River Singers, Beloved Community Chorus (11:00 am); ERUUF House Band (11:00 am); Alex Thompson – Piano (9:00 am); Wendy Looker – Music Director
Unitarianism was created as a religion of reason, unafraid of new knowledge from science or sociology. But reason is not the only way of knowing that we embrace. Wholeness asks us to believe in things unseen, things most certainly not being made manifest in our current world. Religion invites us into the space where hope is justified and where love can win.
Rev. Sinkford is a lifelong Unitarian Universalist and the first African American to serve as President of the Unitarian Universalist Association (2001–2009). In 2010, he was called as Senior Minister of First Unitarian Church of Portland, where he was named Minister Emeritus in 2022. Throughout his decades of ministry, Rev. Sinkford has been a prophetic voice for racial justice, inclusive language, and spiritual renewal. A gifted pastor, preacher, and institutional leader, he continues to inspire and guide new generations of Unitarian Universalists.
November 16, 2025
- Cristosal: Justice, Truth, and Voice
- Worship Leader: Rev. Jim Lewis with Cristosal
- Music: Chalice Singers, Sunshine Kids (11:00 am); Alex Thompson – Piano; Wendy Looker – Music Director
Worship Associate: Latin America Migration Group
Justice Giving: Cristosal
René Valiente, research director of Cristosal, will speak about his own experiences and about the work of Cristosal defending human rights and promoting democratic rule of law in Central America.
November 9, 2025
- All the Small Things
- Worship Leader – Rev. Jim Lewis
- Music: River Folk (11:00 am); Christian Nadell – Cantor; Alex Thompson – Piano
Worship Associate: Mur Lafferty
Multigenerational Service
In the midst of challenge, gratitude can be a vital part of enriching our lives. For this multigenerational service, bring your gratitudes large and small. We will sing, hear stories, and share our small gratitudes together.
November 2, 2025
- Celebrating the Gifts of Those Who Have Gone Before
- Worship Leader – Rev. Daniel Trollinger
- Music: Eno River Singers with Lisa Jones, Speaker (11:00 am); Alex Thompson – Piano; Wendy Looker – Music Director
Worship Associate: Angie Holt
Justice Sunday
We are on the threshold between past and future, holding the legacy of our ancestral lineages. We choose, consciously or not, what we carry forward through our way of being in the world. In this All Souls service, we will engage the practice of honoring our ancestors through story, song, and ritual. There will be an Ancestor’s Table for photos/mementos of loved ones, and later in the service, we’ll light candles in their memory.
October 26, 2025
- My Religion Is Kindness
- Worship led by Nontheist Group
- Music: Judy Moore-Vocalist; Eric Thomas-Guitar & Vocals; Helen Wolfson-Hammered Dulcimer; Alex Thompson-Piano; Wendy Looker-Music Director
Worship Associate: Ben Holt
Generosity Sunday – Communities in Partnership
Kindness is a human trait. People can be kind whether or not they believe in god. Come explore how acts of kindness benefit both the giver and receiver of kindness and become part of the kindness epidemic the world so badly needs.
October 19, 2025
- Practical Compassion
- Worship Leader – Rev. Jim Lewis
- Music: Matt Reid – Piano (9:00 am); ERUUF House Band & Beloved Community Chorus (11:00 am); Wendy Looker – Music Director
Worship Assocaite: Jaye Vaughn
We often consider what it means to feel compassion for another. But what does it look like to practice that compassion in the world?
October 12, 2025
- Breaking Open: Leading and Learning
- Worship Leader – Rev. Daniel Trollinger; Guest Preacher – Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley
- Music: Artist-in-Residence, Shana Tucker–Cello; Johann Montozzi-Wood – Cantor; Alex Thompson – Piano
How do we respond to the ways in which it seems like our world is breaking us apart? Is there a way to be broken open that allows us to consider new forms of leadership and even new forms of learning?
Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley is the Lead Minister at the First UU Church of Columbus, OH.
Shana Tucker is a cellist, singer-songwriter, teaching artist and arts educator.
October 5, 2025
- How Does Interconnectedness Work?
- Worship Leader: Rev. Daniel Trollinger
- Music: Pam DiLavore – Cantor (9:00 am); Eno River Singers (11:00 am); Alex Thompson – Piano; Wendy Looker – Music Director
Worship Associate: Lisa Jones
Justice Sunday: Durham CAN, Jaye Vaughn
Sunday, September 28, 2025
- Pride: Journeys in Queer Spirituality and Meaning-Making
- Worship Leader: Rev. Jim Lewis
- Music: Sunshine Kids, Chalice Singers, Beloved Community Chorus (11:00 am); Alex Thompson – Piano; Wendy Looker – Music Director
Worship Participants: Lisa Jones, Susanna Murrie
Rev. Jim, Lisa Jones, and Susanna Murrie will offer stories of spirituality and meaning-making from their own lives as we celebrate LGBTQ+ community this Pride weekend in Durham.
Thursday, September 25, 2025
- Multifaith PRIDE Vespers - Deep, Divine Waters: The Queer Sacredness of Our Stories
- Worship Leader: Rev. Jim Lewis
- Music: Lisa Rhodes – Vocals, Guitar; Elana Scheiner – cello
IN PERSON ONLY
Join Durham clergy and congregations in celebrating and holding queer community. We will honor LGBTQ+ experiences and how we build and shape community, all in the context of our sacred and/or deeply meaningful understandings.
Sunday, September 21, 2025
- Practicing Connection
- Worship Leader: Rev. Daniel Trollinger
- Music: Matt Reid – Piano (9:00 am); ERUUF House Band (11:00 am); Wendy Looker – Music Director
Worship Associate: Mur Lafferty
