liberal, inclusive, LGBTQ friendly, all denominations, progressive, welcoming

From Fundamentalism to Freedom – A Personal Journey

An overview of my personal journey through fundamentalist Christianity to a religion of inclusion, justice, and sustainability.

The Rev. Dr. Mark Davies is the Oklahoma State Humanities Scholar for the Smithsonian Institute Museum on Main Street Water/Ways exhibit. He is also the Wimberly Professor of Social and Ecological Ethics; Director of the World House Institute for Social and Ecological Responsibility; and Executive Director of the Leadership. Education, and Development Hub North America for the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry at Oklahoma City University where he has worked in both teaching and administration for 22 years. He is a United Methodist minister and holds a Ph.D. in Social Ethics, from Boston University.

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.

The Global U/U Story

UNO Sunday

On this United Nations Sunday, an exploration about an important global issue and be inspired to take action in the name of justice. That’s what the global U/U story is all about – Unitarians, Universalists, and Unitarian Universalists around the world engaging in liberal spiritual worship and doing their part to bend the arc of history toward justice.

This I Believe: Five Members Share their Credo

Don Rogers, Ellie Dyer, Jack Bolerjack, Jolene Whitten and Joyce Peak, speaking.

all have a foundation upon which we build our religious philosophy. It is nestled deep in our soul rather than printed in any brochure and hungers to be shared. It comes from the depth of our own thought and heart. It is the core of our individual spiritual path. Credo literally means, “I give my heart and loyalty to…” Astute credos marry the gifts of both intellect and spirit. Credos spur presenters to select highlights from their religious odyssey, highlight in those affirmations that sustain them during the happy and hard days and nights of life.

Our First Breath is from the Ocean

On Sunday an exploration of the significance of the oceans for all life on earth and what responsible care calls us all to do to care for and protect this beautiful and precious part of our planet.

The Rev. Dr. Mark Davies is the Oklahoma State Humanities Scholar for the Smithsonian Institute Museum on Main Street Water/Ways exhibit. He is also the Wimberly Professor of Social and Ecological Ethics; Director of the World House Institute for Social and Ecological Responsibility; and Executive Director of the Leadership. Education, and Development Hub North America for the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry at Oklahoma City University where he has worked in both teaching and administration for 22 years. He is a United Methodist minister and holds a Ph.D. in Social Ethics, from Boston University.

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.

And the First Angel Sounded the Trumpet

Dr. Tata returns to Red River with an oddly coherent message from the apocalyptic Book of Revelation. Turns out John’s Revelation isn’t a fanatical religious rant. Even in the first century, we were warned against the idolatries of empire, and the warning is even more timely today vis à vis the climate crisis. The hegemony is slow to be moved to fix what it can fix. It’s an inconvenient truth about how we have come to this point in our history. (Spoiler alert: The whole book’s a spoiler.)

Bible: Truth or Fable?

There are three levels of the Bible. Level one is all lies, level two is half truth and level three is all truth? This talk will open your spiritual mind to reason and reasoning of the Bible. What level are your at?

James was born in Fort Apache, Bronx, NY. Raised Catholic until the age of 14, he ventured into the world and has been self employed all his life. He and his wife have children and “many grand kids”. His greatest passion and interests are always looking for WHY. In 1984 he earned a Doctor of Divinity but chose not to be a parish preacher. He has self published ten books exploring the Bible and offered to share his insights on the Bible with us. He is a friend of the congregation and we welcome him to our free pulpit.

On the 5th Sunday we change slightly our morning schedule, suspending Conversations & Calorie in favor of “In 4 Lunch” – an all-church potluck. Everyone is invited to bring a dish to share and plan on tarrying following the morning assembly to break bread together.

Undermining Hope, Asylum in 2019

Our asylum laws were developed to comply with our obligations to provide refuge to persecuted people. That system is being undermined with unprecedented attacks. What is going on and what should we do?

Since 2012 Bill Holston has been the Executive Director of Human Rights Initiative of North Texas. Prior to that he practiced law with Sullivan and Holston. Since the 1980’s Bill has provided pro bono legal representation for political and religious asylum applicants. Over the years he had clients from 21 countries in Immigration Court or before the Houston Asylum office.
In 2012 Bill left his law practice to become the Executive Director of HRI. Bill was a member of the Pro Bono College of the State Bar of Texas. He is also a member of a the Dallas Bar Association’s Pro Bono Activities Commit-tee. Since 2008, he has been an avid mentor to young lawyers in the Dallas Bar Association’s Transition to Law Committee.
Bill is a member of the North Texas Chapter of Master Naturalists, guides hikes in the Great Trinity Forest and is an Eagle Scout. He is a commentator for KERA, and writes a column for D Magazine’s Front Burner, Law Man Walking.
Bill is married to his best friend Jill, a Dyslexia Specialist for RISD, and they have two grown sons. They attend Greenland Hills United Methodist Church.

World on Fire

A 16-year-old named Greta Thunberg just spent two weeks crossing the Atlantic in a sailboat to keep from contributing to CO2 emissions by flying to New York. In the meantime, the U.S. is lowering fuel standards and removing limits on methane emissions by oil and gas companies. The Amazon is burning and Brazil refuses help to put the fires out. Elena Westbrook will talk about what we can do to convince more Americans that we must take action now, before the future of humanity goes up in smoke.

Meliorism: Living Between Optimism and Pessimism

On Sunday an exploration of what realistic hope might look like. In the midst of our current chal- lenges and how we might find joy together as we work together to heal our communities and trans- form the world.

Labors of Love – The All-Church Work Sunday (really!)

A different way to be together. We do this every three or four years! The All Church Work Sunday: No Adult Forum, No Morning Assembly, No Conversations & Calories (but snacks for those who stay)

Labor Day week-end seems, to the worship team, the perfect time for us to shift gears and give a gift to our building and grounds. Starting at 10, while it will still be cooler, come and roll up your sleeves, look over the list of things that need doing, make a choice and go to work. There are windows to wash, oak paneling to polish, chairs to be spot cleaned, the basement to be attacked. The contents of the F. Church Library and the Susan Anthony room need to be swapped (The Anthony room will become the church nursery). Books to move, cribs too. Closets to organize, carpets to vacuum. You get the idea. Spring Cleaning in August! Something for everyone. Do come. Work parties are fun and a fine way to meet people. We conclude with some lunch!