Services Archive

“Going Local”

Download the Morning Program HERE or just read it below.

Marks comments about his upcoming discourse:

Going Local

OF HIS UPCOMING DISCOURSE MARK WRITES: 2000-mile salads, money streaming out of our local communities, dependence on global corporations, living in debt, little to no connection and commerce with the people around us, over-dependence on fossil fuel, depopulation and impoverishment of rural communities – these are the hallmarks of a global economy with little concern for the flourishing of our local communities. But there is a movement that is working to transform our systems in a more local direction.

INTRODUCING OUR GUEST MINISTER: Leading today’s morning assembly is the Rev. Dr. Mark Y.A. Davies. Mark is the Wimberly Professor of Social and Ecological Ethics at Oklahoma City University where he has worked in both teaching and administration for 25 years. He is an ordained elder in the Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Mark’s Ph.D. is from Boston University in the area of Social Ethics, and he has served Boston University School of Theology as a member of its Dean’s Advisory Board and as the alumnus representative their Green Team as part of the Green Seminary Initiative.

Mark engages in advocacy and activism in the areas of peace, social justice, and ecological sustainability. Locally this is expressed through his work with the Human Community Network, which works to create non-violent systemic change for a just and flourishing human and ecological community through collaboration, education, innovation, and action. See www.humancommunitynetwork.org.

He and his wife Kristin live in Edmond, OK in the United States, and they have two daughters who attend Oklahoma City University.

THE MORNING PROGRAM:

TMP 05-22

Pernicious Propaganda

Download The Morning Program here or read it embedded below.

Marks comments about his upcoming discourse: Everywhere we turn we are immersed in propaganda that is being used to persuade us to believe and act in ways others wish us to believe and act, often with little regard for the truth or the common good. Are there ways for us to weaken the pernicious power that propaganda has in our lives?

INTRODUCING OUR GUEST MINISTER: Leading today’s morning assembly is the Rev. Dr. Mark Y.A. Davies. Mark is the Wimberly Professor of Social and Ecological Ethics at Oklahoma City University where he has worked in both teaching and administration for 25 years. He is an ordained elder in the Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Mark’s Ph.D. is from Boston University in the area of Social Ethics, and he has served Boston University School of Theology as a member of its Dean’s Advisory Board and as the alumnus representative their Green Team as part of the Green Seminary Initiative.

Mark engages in advocacy and activism in the areas of peace, social justice, and ecological sustainability. Locally this is expressed through his work with the Human Community Network, which works to create non-violent systemic change for a just and flourishing human and ecological community through collaboration, education, innovation, and action. See www.humancommunitynetwork.org.

He and his wife Kristin live in Edmond, OK in the United States, and they have two daughters who attend Oklahoma City University.

TMP 05-15

“Strong Families – More than Cards and Flowers”

Strong Families – More than Cards and Flowers –

The Worship Team, leading

Download The morning program here or read it immediately below.

There are reasons the worship team decided to focus on history of Mother’s Day and Flower Communion today. Both Unitarian women invented events, both carry intriguing messages about families and connections. One is still predominately a UU celebration while the other was co-opted by the Methodists and Hallmark. Both speak to our hearts, and both can challenge us to deepen our connections with one another and in the larger world.

Bring a flower, or two as together we remember the creation stories of both events, along with introducing ourselves to the Strong Family Network, of which the UUA is a member.

TMP 05-08 v.2 FINAL

Strong Families – More than Cards and Flowers

“Strong Families – More than Cards and Flowers”
Flower Communion Sunday & Mother’s Day, too!

The Worship Team, leading

There are reasons the worship team decided to focus on history of Mother’s Day and Flower Communion – both events were invented by Unitarian women, both carry intriguing messages about families and connections. One is still predominately a UU celebration; the other was co-opted by the Methodists and Hallmark. Both speak to our hearts, and both can challenge us to deepen our connections with one another and the larger world.

Bring with you a flower, or two as together we remember the creation stories of both events, along with introducing ourselves to the Strong Family Network, of which the Unitarian Universalist Association is a member.

“Right Belief or Right Living” – The Rev. Dr. David Usher

The Rev. David Usher, guest minister (video message)

Download the morning program or read it below.

David was the hula hoop champion Manchester before going on to write one of the greatest books of knock knock jokes and it’s probably most famous for his art exhibition at the Guggenheim of cotton candy sculptures. He was raised a Unitarian in Adelaide, Australia. After four years as a jackaroo in the outback of Australia and then traveling solo around the world he studied for the ministry in Oxford, England, where he gained a Master’s degree in Philosophy & Theology. He subsequently earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Andover Newton Theological School. He has ministered in the UK and the USA, finishing his thirty-six-year career as Interim Minister in Grass Valley, California. He was the founding President of The International Council of Unitarians and Universalists (ICUU) and is the author of two books. He is now retired and lives in San Mateo.

TMP 05-01 V.3“Right Belief or Right Living”

The Importance of Diversity for Human and Ecological Communities

The morning program (appears here on Saturday)

The Importance of Diversity for Human and Ecological Communities.

The Rev. Dr. Mark Y.A. Davies, leading

The most sustainable and resilient ecological communities are those with greater biodiversity. What lessons might we learn from nature about the significance of diversity for the well-being of our human communities.

Returning again this morning is the Rev. Dr. Mark Y.A. Davies. Mark is the Wimberly Professor of Social and Ecological Ethics at Oklahoma City University where he has worked in both teaching and administration for 25 years. He is an ordained elder in the Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Mark’s Ph.D. is from Boston University in the area of Social Ethics, and he has served Boston University School of Theology as a member of its Dean’s Advisory Board and as the alumnus representative their Green Team as part of the Green Seminary Initiative.

Transcendence and Enlightenment: A New Take on the story of Easter

Title and Description: Transcendence and Enlightenment: A New Take on the story of Easter

We’ve all heard the story about Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, but is it fact or is it an allegory for something else?

DOWNLOAD the morning program or read it below w/o having to download it.

ABOUT OUR GUEST SPEAKER: Beth Ferree is currently serving as President at the UU Church of Oak Cliff in Dallas. She is also a certified life coach and bereavement counselor who combines tarot, mediumship, and counseling to help others reach beyond their trauma and grief to discover their power.

TMP 04-17

Building Resilient Community in Times of Chaos

The morning program or read it below without downloading.

Building Resilient Community in Times of Chaos
The Rev. Dr. Mark Y.A. Davies, leading

It might be tempting to give up on building community in chaotic times, but that is precisely when we need community the most, and building community is one of the most important ways to move through and beyond the chaos.

Leading today’s morning assembly is the Rev. Dr. Mark Y.A. Davies. Mark is the Wimberly Professor of Social and Ecological Ethics at Oklahoma City University where he has worked in both teaching and administration for 25 years. He is an ordained elder in the Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Mark’s Ph.D. is from Boston University in the area of Social Ethics, and he has served Boston University School of Theology as a member of its Dean’s Advisory Board and as the alumnus representative their Green Team as part of the Green Seminary Initiative.

Mark engages in advocacy and activism in the areas of peace, social justice, and ecological sustainability. Locally this is expressed through his work with the Human Community Network, which works to create non-violent systemic change for a just and flourishing human and ecological community through collaboration, education, innovation, and action. See www.humancommunitynetwork.org.

He and his wife Kristin live in Edmond, OK in the United States, and they have two daughters who attend Oklahoma City University.

TMP 04-10

“Survival”

“Survival” – the Rev. Dr. Don Fielding returns to Red RiverUU to share his unique preaching style.

You may download the MORNING PROGRAM or scroll down and read it below.

Of his morning discourse, Don writes:

It is a very scary time. Survival is on everyone’s mind. Will Ukraine survive? W

ill democracy survive? Polls are showing that young people are increasingly leaving religion; will religion survive? And if religion is threatened, what about our religion? Are Unitarian Universalism days numbered too?

I will have some thoughts about the survival of religion, and our religion as well. Come and hear my recommendations about what we need to do to survive.

Over the last 25 years, Don has made the trip from Plano to lead our morning assemblies on many occasions. As part of our “Glimmers of Silver” 25th anniversary – we’ve asked him to return (again) to delight, challenge and inspire us with another sermon – one he has been working on over the last couple of months.

INTRODUCING OUR RETURNING GUEST MINISTER…

The Rev Dr. Don Fielding changes career paths after 25+ years as a geologist and chose to study for the ministry. He graduated from Meadville/Lombard Theological School in Chicago – a UU seminary – in 1990, was ordained and served OTH the Denton UU Fellowship and the UU Church of Oak Cliff from 1990 until his retirement in 2003 when he became minister emeritus of the Denton UU Fellowship. He says one thing he learned by serving two congregations at the same time is that a sermon that flies at one spot may fall flat at the other location since each congregation has its own way of being together. Don returns after a far-too-long absence. Don enjoys writing sermons, which he calls a reflection, and we call a discourse and presents worship in his own style which will be abundantly clear on Sunday. It is a joy to have him back with us again.

TMP 04-03 FINAL EDITED FOR STEWARDSHIP MOMENT

“History Now? Diversity, Race, and Schooling”

Dr. William Lloyd Fridley, speaking

THE MORNING PROGRAM: Download it HERE or read it below.

America’s public schools, and in some cases colleges, are being subject to a host of measures regulating and restricting what is taught. At least 36 states have adopted or introduced laws or policies that restrict teaching about race and racism. Bills targeting divisive concepts (“ideas about race and sex that challenge the dominant narrative of America’s founding and history”) have been introduced in seven states and enacted in three. School boards across the country have taken steps to “investigate” and remove curricular materials and content, to prohibit training about diversity, and to ban books from school libraries. We’ll examine select examples of these phenomena through historical, philosophical, and pedagogical lenses to address the question: Does history have a future in our schools?

ABOUT OUR GUEST SPEAKER:

William Lloyd Fridley will be retiring after 23 years as Professor of Education at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Fridley is a philosopher of education, and a faculty advocate and activist working to promote shared governance in his work with the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and as archivist for the SOSU Faculty Senate. He and his wife Carolyn will be moving their tent to Atlantic Beach, Florida.

TMP 03-27 - v.2

“Going Local”

Pernicious Propaganda

“Strong Families – More than Cards and Flowers”

Bring a flower, or two as together we remember the creation stories of both events, along with introducing ourselves to the Strong Family Network, of which the UUA is a member.

Strong Families – More than Cards and Flowers

“Strong Families – More than Cards and Flowers”
Flower Communion Sunday & Mother’s Day, too!

“Right Belief or Right Living” – The Rev. Dr. David Usher

The Importance of Diversity for Human and Ecological Communities

Transcendence and Enlightenment: A New Take on the story of Easter

Building Resilient Community in Times of Chaos

Mark’s Ph.D. is from Boston University in the area of Social Ethics, and he has served Boston University School of Theology as a member of its Dean’s Advisory Board and as the alumnus representative their Green Team as part of the Green Seminary Initiative.

He and his wife Kristin live in Edmond, OK in the United States, and they have two daughters who attend Oklahoma City University.

“Survival”

“Survival” – the Rev. Dr. Don Fielding returns to Red RiverUU to share his unique preaching style.

You may download the MORNING PROGRAM or scroll down and read it below.

Of his morning discourse, Don writes:

It is a very scary time. Survival is on everyone’s mind. Will Ukraine survive? W

ill democracy survive? Polls are showing that young people are increasingly leaving religion; will religion survive? And if religion is threatened, what about our religion? Are Unitarian Universalism days numbered too?

I will have some thoughts about the survival of religion, and our religion as well. Come and hear my recommendations about what we need to do to survive.

“History Now? Diversity, Race, and Schooling”

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Bring a flower, or two as together we remember the creation stories of both events, along with introducing ourselves to the Strong Family Network, of which the UUA is a member.

“Strong Families – More than Cards and Flowers” Flower Communion Sunday & Mother’s Day, too!

Mark’s Ph.D. is from Boston University in the area of Social Ethics, and he has served Boston University School of Theology as a member of its Dean’s Advisory Board and as the alumnus representative their Green Team as part of the Green Seminary Initiative.

He and his wife Kristin live in Edmond, OK in the United States, and they have two daughters who attend Oklahoma City University.

“Survival” – the Rev. Dr. Don Fielding returns to Red RiverUU to share his unique preaching style.

You may download the MORNING PROGRAM or scroll down and read it below.

Of his morning discourse, Don writes:

It is a very scary time. Survival is on everyone’s mind. Will Ukraine survive? W

ill democracy survive? Polls are showing that young people are increasingly leaving religion; will religion survive? And if religion is threatened, what about our religion? Are Unitarian Universalism days numbered too?

I will have some thoughts about the survival of religion, and our religion as well. Come and hear my recommendations about what we need to do to survive.

Connect With Us

Red River Unitarian Universalist Church

Our Social Media

Find Us

“Strong Families – More than Cards and Flowers”
Flower Communion Sunday & Mother’s Day, too!