Archives: Services

Prophets and Priests

Throughout the history of religious experience, there has been a tension between the prophetic and priestly functions of religion. Religion sometimes challenges the norms and practices of society and culture, and at times it reinforces the norms and practices of society and culture. What is the appropriate balance in this tension between calling for change … Continue reading Prophets and Priests

You Took My Childhood Away: Child Abuse and the Grayson County Epidemic

Child abuse comes in different forms: neglect; physical/emotional/sexual abuse; childhood experiences; shaken  baby syndrome; domestic violence; trafficking & exploitation.  On Sunday, our speaker will explain the depth of the epidemic that is currently effecting Grayson county, but it is no different in Bryan County.  What our children are facing and how we can be part … Continue reading You Took My Childhood Away: Child Abuse and the Grayson County Epidemic

Children and Art

Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George is a musical inspired by Seurat’s painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. In the second act, an elderly character, Marie, makes the observation, “There are only two worthwhile things to leave behind when you depart this world of ours: children and art.” Perhaps those valuables are … Continue reading Children and Art

From Ignorance to Astonishment: Schoolings from Our Fathers

In our culture, it always feels like Father’s Day is an afterthought of Mother’s Day.  No tents in Kroger’s parking lot filled with tools, gadgets or ties; it isn’t the busiest day for restaurants.  Yet fathers comprise 50% of our existence.  This year a morning for dads, living or not. Mark Twain once wrote, “When … Continue reading From Ignorance to Astonishment: Schoolings from Our Fathers

Education for Human and Ecological Good: Why Our World Needs the Liberal Arts

Education may not be the answer to all of our problems, but without access to good and holistic education for all persons, our problems will be exponentially more difficult to overcome. 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 … Continue reading Education for Human and Ecological Good: Why Our World Needs the Liberal Arts

On This Beautiful Morning: A (Very) Sung UU Assembly

Inspired by such diverse sources as pop, rock, country, opera, Black gospel, Broadway musicals, as well as the sung liturgies from his Catholic background, Dan Althoff presents his original music based on the usual Sunday morning format here at Red River UU Church, including our Call to Community, Candles of Community, Chalice Lighting, Spoken (and … Continue reading On This Beautiful Morning: A (Very) Sung UU Assembly

In Memoriam

Our assembly this Sunday, In Memoriam, focuses on remembering the women and men who have given their lives in service to the Republic during the 83 wars or other conflicts involving the United States.  Over one and a half million people have died.   It is easy to forget events that have happened “over there” which … Continue reading In Memoriam