A Journey In and Out of Religion

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A Journey in and out of Religion
Marion Hill, speaking

Many people come to a Unitarian church after having been brought up in another denomination but then finding that their original religion didn’t “work for them” in adulthood.  Today Red River UU member Marion Hill will discuss the sometimes surprising journey of Frank Schaeffer, whose parents were missionaries to Switzerland and who, in young adulthood, became a leader of the religious right, but then rebelled against that life.  In three bestselling books—one of which is titled “Why I Am an Atheist Who Believes in God”—he details the twists and turns in his thinking that brought him to a position of both belief AND non-belief.

Comparing the evangelical/fundamentalists he knows so well to the New Atheists (Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and others), he finds both of their approaches equally unsatisfactory.

Meet Marion Moore Hill

Mystery Writer Extraordinaire here

Infinite Universe

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Oh Boy is it big. We will travel to the edge of the universe and back.

Come with us as we travel the universe looking for Klingons.

Our captain is Neil deGrasse Tyson, an American astrophysicist, author, and science communicator. Tyson studied at Harvard University, the University of Texas at Austin, and Columbia University. From 1991 to 1994, he was a postdoctoral research associate at Princeton University.

Presented by Jean Luc Picard and the crew of the USS Enterprise

Giving Hope. Making a Difference. Defeating Breast Cancer.

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Giving Hope. Making a Difference. Defeating Breast Cancer.

Jenel Marie McGrath, guest speaker

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

This year an estimated 310,720 women and 2,800 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. Chances are, you know at least one person who has been personally affected by breast cancer.  But there is hope.

When caught  in its earliest, localized stages, the 5-year relative survival rate is 99%.  Advances in early detection and treatment methods have significantly increased breast cancer survival rates in recent years, and there are currently over 4 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.

About our guest speaker:

We’ve invited Jenel Marie McGrath – president of the Board at Women Rock, a Sherman based non-profit dedicated to defeating breast cancer – to speak about their efforts in giving hope, making an impact in defeating breast cancer.  Of her discourse she writes, “I expect to be informative, low key and delighted to extend my knowledge to all.  Questions welcome.”

 

 

 

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The Heresy Trial of Borden Parker Bowne

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The Heresy Trial of Borden Parker Bowne
The Rev Dr Mark Y.A. Davies, leading

Download the morning program here later in the week, where you can also read it below without having to download it.

The Heresy Trial of Borden Parker Bowne – In 1904, the founder of the philosophical school of thought known as Boston Personalism was put on trial for heresy by the Methodist Church.  He was unanimously acquitted in what would be a major victory for academic freedom and freedom of thought within Methodism. Bowne’s philosophy and theology would go on to have a profound effect on the thought of Martin Luther King Jr. who shared Bowne’s views concerning the dignity and value of all persons.

 

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.

A Critique of the Capitalocene

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Sunday, October 6, 2024 – 11:15 am

A Critique of the Capitalocene
The Rev. Dr. Mark Y.A. Davies, leading

A Critique of the Capitalocene – some have referred to our current epoch as the Anthropocene given the vast impact of humanity on the planet, but some recent scholars make the argument that it would be more explanatory to understand the age we live in as the Capitalocene, an epoch shaped by capitalism and its extractive and exploitative systems and practices.

DOWNLOAD THE MORNING PROGRAM HERE OR READ 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.

 

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One Love: The Gospel of Marley

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Sunday, September 29, 2024 – 11:15 am
NO POTLUCK LUNCH TODAY

One Love: The Gospel of Marley
Cameron Young, leading

  • In the year of his 79thbirthday and the release of the biographical film “One Love”, we explore the life, music, and words of Bob Marley, not only as musician, but spiritual leader and… prophet?
  • DOWNLOAD the morning program HERE or read it below without having to download it.

 

We welcome Cameron Young back again. You can watch the trailer for the movie One Love here 

Read his bio:

Cameron Young (they/them) is a lifelong Texan and Unitarian Universalist who is currently serving on Congregational Life Staff for the Southern Region of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Prior to joining the UUA, Cameron served as a lifespan religious educator in Fort Worth, Texas for five years. Cameron has a Bachelor of Music from Louisiana State University and a Master of Divinity at Brite Divinity School where they are a recipient of the Sexual and Gender Justice certificate and the prestigious Walker Preaching Scholarship. A professional musician and classically trained singer, Cameron has performed in numerous operas, musicals, is a member and co-founder of DFW’s Uptown Carolers, a professional Christmas caroling company, and also recorded with Grammy award winner Leon Bridges on his debut album. In their spare time, Cameron is an avid traveler, diehard coffee drinker. 

 

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Reflections on Liberating Planet, People, and Religion

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Reflections on Liberating Planet, People, and Religion
The Rev Dr Mark Y.A. Davies, leading

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

Joerg Rieger and Terra Schwerin Rowe have recently edited and published a series of essays looking at new ways of expressing the intersection of religion, economics, and ecology.

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.

 

 

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God Is Not A Christian: Confronting Nationalism

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Christian Nationalism
James Talarico, guest speaker (video message)

Texas State Representative James Talarico

You can download the morning program here of read it below without having to download it.

Texas State Representative, former middle school teacher, proud progressive, and eighth generation Texan, James Talarico delivered a sermon on October 22nd, 2023, at his home church about the dangers of Christian Nationalism.  It has been viewed 686,100 times.  The Worship Team thought we might find it interesting to say the least and his office gave their permission for us to use it as our discourse next week.

About our guest speaker:

Talarico was born at Round Rock Hospital in Williamson County, Texas, to Tamara Causey and was later adopted by Mark Talarico. He has a younger sister. He attended Round Rock ISD schools and graduated from McNeil High School in Williamson County.

Talarico earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in government from the University of Texas at Austin, where he organized students for tuition relief. Talarico was a member of the Friar Society, the Univers ity of Texas’s oldest honor society.He later earned a Master of Arts degree in education policy from Harvard University.

In August 2022, while a member of the Texas House of Representatives, Talarico began pursuing a Master of Divinity at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, which he is set to complete in 2025.

At 28, Talarico won both the special and general elections against Republican Cynthia Flores in 2018.  Talarico was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes during a five-day stint in the ICU after a 2018 campaign event where he walked 25 miles. In response, he passed a bill which caps prices at $25 for each insulin prescription per month. At the end of the legislative session, he was named one of the Best Legislators by Texas Monthly magazine.

After his district was made significantly more Republican during the 2020 redistricting process, Talarico announced that he would run in the neighboring House District 50, a safe Democratic seat being vacated by Rep. Celia Israel.

He won the primary election with 78.5 percent of the vote and won the general election with 76.8 percent of the vote.

READ MORE about James Talarico in this 06/16/2023 issue of Politico Magazine

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The Problem of Patriarchy

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The Problem of Patriarchy
The Rev Dr Mark Y.A. Davies, leading

The Problem of Patriarchy –  to be a truly flourishing society with equal opportunity for all persons requires moving past the patriarchy to which so many still seem to be clinging.

Download the morning program here

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.

 

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Water Celebration – Don Mathis, guest speaker

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WATER CEREMONY
Don Mathis, guest speaker

Join us for our fall ingathering and rather than our annual water ‘communion’, we’re having a water celebration.  Don Mathis, our non-resident poet, is coming from San Antonio to lead this special morning assembly.  Dan Althoff, our non-resident keyboardist, will also be with us to provide live music.  A time to visit old friends, make new acquaintances, and enjoy a special morning.  Don’t forget to bring some water to share, whether you gather it from away or your kitchen sink.

About our guest speaker (a member of RedRiverUU prior to relocating to Austin):

Don’s life revolves around the many poetry circles in San Antonio. His poems have been published in a hundred anthologies and periodicals and broadcasted on local TV and national radio. His way with words has won awards and recognition from such diverse organizations as Sierra Vieja Tequila, VIA Metropolitan Transit, and the Irish Cultural Society of San Antonio. In addition to poetry, he has also written policy and procedures for industry, case histories for psychological firms, and news and reviews for various media. This prolific writer has a regular article on the arts in Street Talk, prose and poetry in Voices de la Luna and La Voz de Esperanza, and human-interest stories in other periodicals. His work can also be found in the literary journals from Trinity University, Our Lady of the Lake University, and St. Philip’s College. Historical essays have also been published in a variety of media. His political correspondence has prompted personal replies from George W. Bush and Barack Obama, as well as numerous state and national lawmakers. His love of literature manifests in many ways. Don has conducted a fictional interview with with Samuel Clemens as well as a telephone interview with Hal Holbrook, the man behind “Mark Twain Tonight.” And to celebrate the 200th birthday of one of America’s foremost poets, Don scripted a one-act play and assumed the character of Walt Whitman. Find his work in the San Antonio Report and the Good Men Project.