Archives

Swim Down Together: Breaking the Net of American Fascism

Reflections on wisdom from Finding Nemo on the importance of collaboration as we swim together to break the net of fascism and make our way to the open waters of freedom and beloved community.

What Do We Do Now?

We welcome again to our Free Pulpit the Rev. Dr. Don Fielding who for many years serves both the Denton Unitarian Fellowship and the Oak Cliff Unitarian Church.  He sends this “teaser” about his discourse: Why religion might be declining, and what we should do about it if it is.

Skills for Stressful Times

April 27, 2025 – 11:15 am

Skills for Stressful Times
Marla Loturco, leading

Download the morning program here or read it below without having to download it.

Is your to-do list overwhelming? Do the demands of family or work stress you out? Or maybe it's politics, climate change, or global conflict that are making you feel anxious.

It's impossible to eliminate all your stress, but science shows you can learn to manage it better. This morning, we will explore some techniques to help us de-stress our lives and keep hope alive.

Easter Sunday: Essence of Spring

Easter Sunday
April 20, 2025 – 11:15 am

Essence of Spring – including our annual FLOWER COMMUNION RITUAL

Download the morning program here or read it below without having to download it.

The Worship Team, leading

Easter for Unitarian Universalists has, from time immemorial, replaced the focus from the birth of a Savior to the rebirth of Spring. Flowers are peeking through the ground, trees are bursting forth scads of green leaves, and the length of our days is slowly increasing.  It brings for us ways to explore the renewal of our energy and enthusiasm for life.  Join us on Easter for our Spring Extravaganza with  our annual Flower Communion, planting of seeds ritual, and other fun spring topics.

EASTER SUNDAY: Essence of Spring + Flower Communion

Easter Sunday

April 20, 2025 – 11:15 am

Essence of Spring + Flower Communion

The Worship Team, leading

Easter for Unitarian Universalists has, from time immemorial, replaced the focus from the birth of a Savior to the rebirth of Spring. Flowers are peeking through the ground, trees are bursting forth scads of green leaves, and the length of our days is slowly increasing.  It brings for us ways to explore the renewal of our energy and enthusiasm for life.  Join us on Easter for our Spring Extravaganza with our annual Flower Communion, planting of seeds ritual, and other fun spring topics.

Download the morning program here later in the week.

The University and Human Flourishing.

The protection of academic freedom and the free pursuit of truth and knowledge are critical to fostering excellence in our colleges and universities, and the critical and creative thinking cultivated in higher education are key contributors to a vibrant participatory democracy.

Download the Morning Program here later in the week or open it below without having to download it.

About Mark:

Mark Davies is the Wimberly Professor of Social and Ecological Ethics and Director of the World House Institute for Social and Ecological Responsibility at Oklahoma City University. He is the Executive Director of the Leadership, Education, and Development (LEaD) Hub North America of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church and an Oklahoma Humanities State Scholar. Mark has published in the areas of Boston personalism, process philosophy and ethics, and ecological ethics. Dr. Davies serves on the United Methodist University Senate, which is “an elected body of professionals in higher education created by the General Conference to determine which schools, colleges, universities, and theological schools meet the criteria for listing as institutions affiliated with The United Methodist Church.” He and his wife Kristin live in Edmond, OK in the United States, and they have two daughters. The views expressed by the author in this blog do not necessarily represent the views of Oklahoma City University or the United Methodist Church.

“I Dissent”

April 6 – “I Dissent” – The ability to express ourselves freely in ways that do no harm to others and to peacefully assemble in protest of injustices are critical to the well-being and flourishing of the human community.

Download the Morning Program here later in the week.

About Mark:

Mark Davies is the Wimberly Professor of Social and Ecological Ethics and Director of the World House Institute for Social and Ecological Responsibility at Oklahoma City University. He is the Executive Director of the Leadership, Education, and Development (LEaD) Hub North America of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church and an Oklahoma Humanities State Scholar. Mark has published in the areas of Boston personalism, process philosophy and ethics, and ecological ethics. Dr. Davies serves on the United Methodist University Senate, which is “an elected body of professionals in higher education created by the General Conference to determine which schools, colleges, universities, and theological schools meet the criteria for listing as institutions affiliated with The United Methodist Church.” He and his wife Kristin live in Edmond, OK in the United States, and they have two daughters. The views expressed by the author in this blog do not necessarily represent the views of Oklahoma City University or the United Methodist Church.

Trans Day of Visibility

March  30, 2025 – 11:15 am

Trans Day of Visibility

Adrian Hinman, speaking

DOWNLOAD THE MORNING PROGRAM HERE

OR READ IT BELOW WITHOUT HAVING TO DOWNLOAD IT.

The story of transgender people is often told in statistics and numbers – 40% of us have attempted suicide, 1 in 5 of us have experienced homelessness, we have nearly double the rate of unemployment compared to our cisgender peers, and since November 2024, over 75 anti-LGTBQIA bills have been filed in Texas alone, a majority of which target transgender people specifically.

But, for today, I want to focus on trans happiness. I want to focus on trans love. I want the trans story to be written by trans people, not just statistics and lawmakers. Half of the fight for trans rights involves knowing who we are as people – and I hope you join me this Sunday to experience our joy.

Solidarity

Solidarity

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

Download the morning program here later in the week.

Reflections on how we can express solidarity with the most vulnerable persons and communities in the most pro-active and effective ways.

About Mark:

Mark Davies is the Wimberly Professor of Social and Ecological Ethics and Director of the World House Institute for Social and Ecological Responsibility at Oklahoma City University. He is the Executive Director of the Leadership, Education, and Development (LEaD) Hub North America of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church and an Oklahoma Humanities State Scholar. Mark has published in the areas of Boston personalism, process philosophy and ethics, and ecological ethics. Dr. Davies serves on the United Methodist University Senate, which is “an elected body of professionals in higher education created by the General Conference to determine which schools, colleges, universities, and theological schools meet the criteria for listing as institutions affiliated with The United Methodist Church.” He and his wife Kristin live in Edmond, OK in the United States, and they have two daughters. The views expressed by the author in this blog do not necessarily represent the views of Oklahoma City University or the United Methodist Church.

 

 

 

Choctaw Gift to the Irish

Choctaw Gift to the Irish

Adam Salazar, guest speaker

In 1847, the Choctaw people donated money to the Irish people who suffering from a potato famine. Even though they were on different sides of the Atlantic Ocean, separated by thousands of miles, the Choctaws and Irish people endured similar struggles and misfortunes. It’s because of the donation that a friendship/bond was formed.