Speaker: The Rev. Dr. Mark Y. A. Davies

Rev. Dr. Mark Y. A. Davies is 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 an ordained elder in the Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church where he has served as Chair of the Board of Church and Society from 2015 to 2018.

In 2017, the General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church selected Dr. Davies to serve as the convener of the writing team tasked with revising “The Natural World” section of the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church. This is the first time the Social Principles have undergone a thorough revision since their adoption by the denomination in 1972.

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 teenage daughters.

The Earth Community

The Earth Community – an exploration of what life might be like if we thought of ourselves as earthlings first.   Rev. Dr. Mark Y. A. Davies is 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 … Continue reading The Earth Community

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

The World is my Parish

The World is my Parish – reflections on what we might learn from the founder of Methodism, John Wesley, in our current global context. We will also be exploring the universalist themes within Wesley’s understanding of grace. Mark Davies is the Oklahoma State Humanities Scholar for the Smithsonian Institute Museum on Main Street Water/Ways exhibit.  … Continue reading The World is my Parish

Wade in the Water

We all know that without water there is no life. Sadly, there are many water challenges that are facing our communities.  These challenges impact our region, and even the world. How can we care for this most precious part of our ecological community?  On Sunday, Dr. Davies will explore these challenges and look at what … Continue reading Wade in the Water

Becoming Great

What would it take for members of the human community to become great in relation to each other and the rest of life on our planet? What cultural, economic, social, and spiritual paths might help lead us to become one of the greatest generations for each other and the earth as a whole? The Rev. … Continue reading Becoming Great

Coexistence is Not Enough

The challenges of our time are too great for people of different faiths to simply get along. The urgency of now requires people of all faiths along with people of no particular faith to move beyond coexistence to work together in the human community for the transformation of the world towards peace, justice, and sustainability.

A Beloved Community of Resistance and Resilience

Recently the chances have increased exponentially that the United States will go down in history as the worst global offender in abdicating its moral respon-sibility to preserve a livable planet. This greatest of all moral failures will be its most well-known contri-bution in the shortened history of human civiliza-tion, unless we do all in our … Continue reading A Beloved Community of Resistance and Resilience