“One Thing at Once”

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“One Thing at Once”   The Rev. Dr. Christine Tata, speaking

The blessing of contemplating the vastness of our world is that it keeps us from taking ourselves too seriously. But when we see this hurting world in all its complexity, it’s easy to despair—what difference can we make? How can our tiny presence possibly make a difference? But somehow, it does; somehow, the smallest of actions done with love and purpose and thanksgiving can shine a light in the darkness. Join the Rev Dr Christine on November 22 for a program of gratitude and grace.

Sneak Peek:

THE MORNING PROGRAM: TMP - 11- 22 FINAL

“The Land Ethic and the Importance of Soil”

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the Rev. Dr. Mark Y.A. Davies, speaking

Soil degradation is not on too many people’s radar screen, much less high on their list of most pressing ecological problems facing our world today, but that being said, soil degradation is still one of the most significant ecological challenges of the 21st Century whether we recognize it or not. The good news is that there are practical, fun, and healthy ways we can all work together to regenerate our soil for the sake of all life.

Sneak Peek about Sunday’s Discourse:

Join us online Sunday @ 11:15 on our YouTube channel or our Facebook Page

Online Coffee Hour:  Join is via Zoom, starting immediately following the Morning Assembly here

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 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 24 years.  He is a United Methodist minister and holds a Ph.D. in Social Ethics, from Boston University.

Mark is a regular contributor to various online publications, including “The Oklahoma Observer”, “The United Methodist Insight“, and “One World House” and he 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.

THE MORNING PROGRAM:  TMP - 11-15

“What Do You Love About Your Life?”

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“What Do You Love About Your Life?”

MarySue Forster, speaking

What Do You Love About Your Life? No matter what, we’re still living with us. Every day. What gives you a taste of goodness, truth, and beauty every day?

MarySue has enjoyed many years of living. She has been a non-profit executive, a small business owner, a teacher, trainer, and author. At 64, she sold most of her worldly possessions and moved to Berkeley, CA to attend Starr King School for the Ministry, where she graduated with a Master of Arts in Religious Leadership for Social Change. She’s a collage artist, plays the piano medium well, and spends her weekdays with two of her grandchildren in Plano, TX.

Sneak Peek: 

 

 

THE MORNING PROGRAM: TMP - 11-08 -DMS-study

“All Souls, All Saints: The Congregation of the Real World”

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Sneak Peek:  https://youtu.be/Zq7FvaEolfQ

The Morning Program:  TMP - 11-01 REVISED-DMS-study

Join the Rev Dr Christine in a look at how all seekers, from any tradition, can be part of the Congregation of the Real World – the virtual congregation that has come into being in this year of pandemic. In the Congregation of the Real World, traditional categories are challenged, erased, or transformed: souls become seekers, sinners become saints, people become prophets. Who will you become?

 

 

“Climate Justice: We’re all in this together”

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“Climate Justice: We’re all in this together”

Bruce Knotts, Director, UUA Office at the United Nations, speaking

Here’s a Sneak Peek about next Sunday:

THE MORNING PROGRAM:  TMP - 10-25-DMS-study

I will speak about the long road of advocacy for action on climate change which resulted in nothing of substance being done to prevent it.  Now it is here and it’s bad and going to get worse.  There appear to be two courses of action that nations are taking: 1. Protect our own, 2. We’re all in this together.  I will argue that the second option is the best for us all and that the first won’t work and will succeed in only making things worse.  The Paris Climate Accords are a good start to the work we have to do.  I will also talk about the unique and important role indigenous communities play in their long fight for sustainable living on our planet.  We need to protect forests and change our diets, eating a mostly plant-based diet with far less meat.

Bruce Knotts was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ethiopia, worked for Raytheon in Saudi Arabia (1976-80) and on a World Bank contract in Somalia (1982-4), before he joined the Department of State as a U.S. diplomat in 1984.  Bruce had diplomatic assignments in Greece, Zambia, India, Pakistan, Kenya, Sudan, Cote d’Ivoire and The Gambia, where he served as Deputy Chief of Mission.  While in Cote d’Ivoire, Bruce served as the U.S. Government’s Regional Refugee Coordinator for West Africa.  Bruce worked closely with several United Nations Special Representatives and observed UN peacekeeping operations in Sierra Leone from 2000-2003.  Bruce retired from the Foreign Service in 2007 and began directing the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office (UU-UNO) in 2008.  Bruce founded faith-based advocacy for sexual orientation/gender identity human rights at the United Nations and continues to advocate for the rights of women, indigenous peoples and for sustainable development in moral terms of faith and values.  Bruce is frequently invited to speak on various topics at venues around the world including recently in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Republic of Korea, Ghana, The Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam.  Bruce is co-chair of the NGO Committee on Human Rights at the United Nations, the chair of the NGO Committee on Disarmament, Peace and Security, a member of the NGO UN Security Council Working Group, serves on the Board of the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development and he chaired the NGO/DPI Executive Committee (2015-19) which represents 1,400 DPI affiliated NGOs at the United Nations.  Bruce is a trustee of the Parliament of the World’s Religions and a Commissioner for the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation.  In 2006, Bruce and Isaac Humphrie were wed in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.  Isaac works internationally as a venue manager for New York Fashion Week, event environmentalist, photographer and social media consultant.

Our Purple Home in E-flat Major”

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Our Purple Home in E-flat Major”

the Rev. Dr. Christine Tata, speaking

In this pandemic year of isolation, protest, and division, Americans have had to reevaluate America, as one crisis after another has revealed deficiencies we thought had been overcome. When we go to the polls this November, we will vote for people we hope will care for—and repair—the country we want the United States to be. Join the Rev. Dr. Christine on October 18 to prepare for that historic vote by spending some time in positive reflection:  What color is home? What song does it sing? And can we ever live there again?

Christine Tata has enjoyed visiting Red River from time to time through the years to preach, lead workshops, and appreciate the growth and sincerity of this fellowship. She brings a lifelong interest in religion and spirituality, a variety of academic and professional credentials, and pastoral experience as ordained minister for several progressive congregations. Christine now writes on Medium.com as Rev Dr Sparky, continuing in her mission to inspire courage in the face of absurdity.

THE MORNING PROGRAM:

https://test.redriveruu.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/TMP-10-18-DMS-study.pdf

“The UU Get Out the Vote National Worship Assembly”

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“The UU Get Out the Vote National Worship Assembly” 

THE MORNING PROGRAM: TMP - 10-11-DMS-study

the Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick-Grey, UUA President and other UU leaders, speaking

In this midst of global pandemic, rising authoritarianism, and uprising, lives hang in the balance and the future of democracy is on the line. In response, Unitarian Universalists are answering the call of our faith, building powerful partnerships to mobilize our communities to #VoteLove and #DefeatHate in the 2020 elections. Join UUA President Susan Frederick-Gray, the UU the Vote team, and a lineup of powerful, prophetic UU voices as we explore the intersections of faith, justice, and democracy in this collective virtual service.

Sneak Peak:

About UU Get Out The Vote:

Faith. Love. Action. Together.  #VoteLove  #DefeatHAte

UU the Vote is a non-partisan faith initiative, in partnership with broader justice movements, to engage our neighbors, educate our communities, mobilize voters, and rally around key ballot initiatives.  You can HELP US reach 1 million by Election Day.  Thousands of UUs have joined the effort to UU the Vote – with more than 450 congregational teams across the country – showing up to phone banks, joining our organizing school, and using electoral strategies to hold our elewcted leaders accountable.  Check out the current issue of Red River Ramblings for details how you, regardless of your faith tradition, can join phone banks during October.

 

“Do Not Go Gentle”

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“Do Not Go Gentle”

the Rev. Dr. Christine Tata, speaking

In anxious times, Unitarian Universalists draw upon many sources of religious wisdom, including Jewish and Christian teachings that counsel us to be pure and meek and gentle. In really anxious times, when shadows seem to loom, we need some really powerful words–like the poetry of the precocious, troubled, modernist Welshman, Dylan Thomas: “Do not go gentle into that good night.” Join us as we commit ourselves to keeping the flame alive.

Christine Tata has enjoyed visiting Red River from time to time through the years to preach, lead workshops, and appreciate the growth and sincerity of this fellowship. She brings a lifelong interest in religion and spirituality, a variety of academic and professional credentials, and pastoral experience as ordained minister for several progressive congregations. Christine now writes on Medium.com as Rev Dr Sparky, continuing in her mission to inspire courage in the face of absurdity.

THE MORNING PROGRAM:

TMP - 10-04 DMS-study

“Deck Chairs, Lifeboats, Icebergs? Time for A Better Story”

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The meme machines are working full time to register every crisis we face as one of Titanic proportions—and us people are just helpless, hopeless fools, doomed to rearranging the deck chairs on a ship that’s destined to sink. But nobody actually rearranged any deck chairs on the Titanic. And that doesn’t have to be our story. Join The Rev Dr Sparky on September 27 to talk about what comes next in our real story.

The Morning Program appears here on Saturday afternoon.

TMP - 09-27 DMS-study

Join us @ 11:15 on our YouTube Channel or our Facebook page

Online Coffee Hour:  Join is via Zoom, starting immediately following the Morning Assembly here

The Rev. Dr. M. Christine Tata

We welcome back to our pulpit the Rev. Dr. Christine Tata who has enjoyed visiting Red River from time to time through the years to preach, lead workshops, and appreciate the growth and sincerity of this congregation. She brings a lifelong interest in religion and spirituality, a variety of academic and professional credentials, and pastoral experience as ordained minister for several progressive congregations. Christine now writes on Medium.com as Rev Dr Sparky, continuing in her mission to inspire courage in the face of absurdity.

“Water Communion with a Twist”

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Our Annual Water Communion will be Sunday, September 20th and you are encouraged to participate.  How?  By making a short (30 seconds or less) video with you doing something that involves water.  Be creative.  Have fun.  Be serious. Be thoughtful. Be yourself!  Since we cannot gather water as a community sitting in the chapel, we will gather water videos or images – if making a video seems overwhelming – and visually / virtually celebrate this uniquely UU annual ritual. 

THE MORNING PROGRAM:

https://test.redriveruu.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/TMP-09-20-DMS-study.pdf