Revisiting Patrick Henry’s Second Choice

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Revisiting Patrick Henry’s Second Choice

Rev. Doug Strong, leading

Fifty odd years ago, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross gave us five stages of grief her seminal book On Death and Dying and I wrote a sermon I cleverly called “Speaking of Patrick Henry’s Second Choice.”  Her book was immensely popular and preaching about death and dying was cutting edge stuff.

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month and there have been seismic changes in how we, as a nation, deal with death and dying.   I think it is time to revisit Mr. Henry’s second choice by exploring what options people now have regarding End of Life starting with a look at Advance Directives.

The Morning Program (you can download it here if the copy below is too small on your device to read.)

TMP 11-14

Why Does the World Need Unitarian Universalism?

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I was asked this question in a workshop and knew I had much to say.  I’ll share some of my answer.

Here’s the morning program:  (if it is too hard to read, download the morning program here)

TMP 11-07Why Does the World Need Unitarian Universalism?  

 

Daniel Polk is originally from Iowa, but has lived Texas for a few decades and has learned the drawl, sort of.  He is the Executive Director of our group of congregations, North Texas Unitarian Universalist Churches (NTUUC), and in his spare time enjoys word play and coloring wood for art projects.  He tries to use his privilege for the benefit of society.

“The Walking Dead: Ways in Which the Dead Are Among the Living”

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The Rev Dr Mark Y A Davies, leading

An exploration of the ongoing relationship of memory, influence, and love that those of us who are living have with those who have died.

The Morning Program:  TMP 10-31 

Mark 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 for the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry at Oklahoma City University, where he has worked in both teaching and administration for 25 years. He is an ordained elder in the Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church, where he served as Chair of the Board of Church and Society from 2015 to 2018.

“Hide and Seek” Ashley Newlin, UU Seminary Student, leading

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Hide and Seek

Ashley Newlin, leading

What does a children game teach us about living a life of joy and our relationship with the divine? And don’t worry, you don’t need to get out of your chair for this one.

Ashley Newlin is entering her third year as a mDiv student at Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, TX  where she also serves as Moderator of the Brite Student Association and as a Resident Assistant at Leibrock Village, which is a housing unit for Graduate Students and Families at Brite and TCU. Her passions include playing Rugby and finding new and creative ways to tell the story of the divine. Ashley is excited to be returning home to her friends at Red River UU.

 

 

The 2021 Credo Sunday

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The 2021 Credo Sunday

This year’s presenters are Cass Brigham, Carolyn Cameron, Jan Fletcher, Megan Hutchison, Carol Powell, and Don Rogers

The Worship Team invited six among us to give their Credo statements this Sunday.  Credo Sundays have happened annually for several years and are always one of the most appreciated morning assemblies we have.  If you’ve been skipping church for a while or are out of the habit of spending Sunday mornings at 515 North Burnett Ave, this is a perfect time to make a change.

In his book Building the Beloved Community, the Rev. Tom Owen-Towle offers some thoughts about Credos:

One’s credo is a personal witness to the core of one’s spiritual journey.  It means more than “I believe, I assert, I contend.”  It’s not equivalent to a philosophical discourse or a social rant.” 

Unitarian Universalists testify with minds on fire.  As Emerson put it in his Harvard Divinity School Address in 1838, “The true preacher can be known by this, that he [or she] deals out to the people their life – life passed through the fire of thought.”

Credo literally means, “I give my heart and loyalty to…”  Astute credos marry the gifts of both intellect and spirit.  The sharing of credos – 5-7 minutes (roughly four pages, double-spaced) statement of one’s current faith – can be the highlight of weekly worship.  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. 

 We 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.

On this Credo Sunday, six among us will offer their credo.

 

“Emotional Intelligence: Principles for Improving Relationships, Families, and Faith”

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“Emotional Intelligence: Principles for Improving Relationships, Families, and Faith”

The morning program appears here on Saturday afternoon/evening

ABOUT THIS MORNING ASSEMBLY:

Research from the past 30 years has shown that Emotional Intelligence may be more important than Rational Intelligence in fostering a healthy lives, stable relationships, and a the flourishing of the human spirit. This talk will focus on the value of emotional intelligence in everyday life, how to nurture it, and how modern understanding of our emotions has been influenced by major figures in philosophical and religious history.

ABOUT OUR GUEST SPEAKER:

Michael J. Davis, J.D., Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice in the Department of Behavioral Sciences at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Having recently completed a dissertation analyzing emotional intelligence among law enforcement officers in small police agencies, Davis is a specialist in translating research on the value of emotional control and utility to practical settings such as the workplace, family relationships, and the criminal justice system. Also licensed as an attorney, Davis has spent his career investigating civil rights complaints, and developing institutional inclusion and diversity policies to improve the quality of life at colleges and universities across the State of Oklahoma.

Moral Decision-Making – Is it in Our Genes?

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Moral Decision-Making – Is It on Our Genes?

DOWNLOAD:   THE MORNING PROGRAM

TMP 10-03

Cognitive scientist Steven Pinker asked if there is an evolutionary basis for morality. If there is, what does that mean for how we understand differences in moral codes and how we make our own moral choices?

Elena Westbrook was formerly the worship chair for Community UU Church of Plano, where she has been a regular guest speaker. Now semi-retired, she has also been a marketing writer, a proposal manager, a medical copyeditor, an environmental consultant, and a radio DJ. She lives in Fairview with her husband, Paul.

Look for the Helpers

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THE MORNING PROGRAM

Look for the Helpers

The Rev Dr Mark Y.A. Davies, leading

The morning program (appears here on Saturday)

As we experience these daunting times, what wisdom might we gain from Mr. Roger’s mother’s advice that we should “look for the helpers.” How can we be the helpers in these scary times and how can we create community with other helpers to support one another?

TMP 9-26

The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly.  Immigration so far in the Biden Administration.

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The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly.  Immigration so far in the Biden Administration.

Bill Holston, speaking

The morning program (appears here on Saturday)

It’s a mixed bag so far and even some of the progress has been limited by Federal Court Appointments.” writes Bill Holston.  On Sunday he brings the latest information about the work being done in the name of human rights in North Texas.

About our guest speaker:
An Alabama native, Bill began practicing business law with Sullivan and Holston law firm. Also an avid human rights advocate, Bill joined HRI’s team as a pro bono volunteer attorney, where he litigated multiple asylum trials in immigration court. In 2005 Bill was awarded the Angel of Freedom Award by the Human Rights Initiative of North Texas. Bill’s favorite hobbies are hiking, especially in Big Bend National Park, and reading. His most influential book is Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s ‘Cost of Discipleship’, while his overall favorite is ‘Brothers Karamazov’.

P.S. Did you catch HRI’s July update about what’s going on with immigration? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYx2QsVOWbs&pp=sAQA (don’t forget to click subscribe!).

“Making Dreams Real”

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Making Dreams Real”

Arthur Horn, speaking

Download The Morning Program here

TMP 09-12

In 2015, a serious void was recognized by Jeannie and Arthur Horn.  Grayson County was in dire need of a mental health residential recovery behavior modification program.  At that time, when individuals were released from jail or a behavioral health center after a mental health crisis, there was NOT a single residential care option in the county where they could turn for help.  Join us on Sunday as we listen to Mr. Horn’s story of starting the Making Dreams Real Organization