Liberating Strife: Independence Day 2020

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The Morning Program is below.

The little-known third verse of “America the Beautiful” contains these words:

“Oh beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife who more than self their country loved and mercy more than life!”

Emerging from the liberating strife of the American Revolution, our country has faced strife many times before in its quest to form a more perfect union. Join the Worship Team this Sunday as we honor American independence as a liberating strife with prose, poetry, and music — even as we pass through our own historic moment of strife that must ultimately be liberating.  We will share a homily by the Rev. Forrest Church he called “What Would Jefferson and Adams Do” reflecting on what two Unitarian U.S. presidents would think of contemporary religious politics.

TMP - 07-05 -DMS-study

Grace That Must Be Believed To Be Seen

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The Morning Program is below.

Quick quiz: When you look at a Jackson Pollock painting, do you see: a) random paint splatter; ii) fine art; or 3) a crime scene? Ask the same question about the whole universe and before you know it, you’re doing theology. Each of us assembles a mental image, a collage, out of the infinite array of moments, things, and thoughts that we encounter, and that’s our reality. But no two are ever alike; how could they be? Where someone sees no work of art, why would they see an Artist? Ponder these and other gentle questions with the Rev. Dr. Christine Tata on June 28, 2020.

TMP - 06-28 -DMS-study

Food Justice in a Global Pandemic

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THE MORNING PROGRAM IS BELOW

Food Justice in a Global Pandemic is an exploration of issues of food insecurity and food access during the global pandemic and what local communities can do to help the most vulnerable.

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 22 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.

He and his wife Kristin live in Edmond, OK in the United States, and they have two teenage daughters.

TMP - 06-21 -DMS-study

 

I Can’t Breathe!

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Watch this morning assembly here

In this time of significant danger and real possibility, a moral fusion movement is necessary to revive and advance our most precious Constitutional and moral values. Join us to learn more about the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival’s efforts and the digital Mass Meeting Assembly on June 20, 2020.

 

The Rev. Janamanchi has served as Senior Minister of Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church in Bethesda, MD since 2013.

 

The Morning Program

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Thirty-years of being an Open & Affirming Church

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The United Church of Christ called their “Welcoming Congregation” process “Open & Affirming” congregations.  The Douglas, MI United Church of Christ has been an open and affirming congregation for thirty years.  On Sunday we will watch their minister’s inspiring message in celebration of Gay Pride month.

Reverend Salvatore Sapienza is the pastor of Douglas UCC.  Pastor Sal is a graduate of New York University (NYU) and All Faiths Seminary in New York City. He is a former Catholic monk and an ordained interfaith minister with Privilege of Call in the United Church of Christ.
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Pastor Sal is the author of the books, Seventy Times Seven, Gay is a Gift, and Mychal’s Prayer. He has facilitated workshops and retreats around the country. He and his husband, Gregg, have lived in the Saugatuck/Douglas area for over ten years and are actively involved in the community.

THE MORNING PROGRAM

TMP - 06-07 DMS-study

“The Erosion of Forbearance and Mutual Toleration”

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WATCH NOW HERE:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiVA9cGMXrU

THE MORNING PROGRAM is below

We live in perilous times. Between now and November We, The People, will become even more fractures and distrustful of one another.  Two leading scholars of democracy, Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt explain our democracy is in danger by the weakening of the judiciary, the press and long-standing political norms that are leading us down the road to authoritarianism.

The Rev. Doug Strong, a sixth generation Unitarian and Universalist was raised in Madison WI, the youngest of 5 siblings.  After graduating from the University of Wisconsin with a dual majors in Spanish and Clinical Psychology, Doug spent the next ten years working for the American National Red Cross, as a Field Director serving on military installations in IL, OH, NY, MO, and VA along with foreign posts in Viet Nam, Korea and Spain.  He left Red Cross in 1976 and started graduate studies in theology at Starr King School in Berkeley, CA, receiving his Masters of Divinity degree in 1979.  The next 40 years Doug ministered to UU congregations in ME, VA, MA, CA, AZ, WI, and TX, both as a settled parish minister and an Accredited Interim Minister.  He served the UUA as an elected member of the General Assembly Planning Committee for 16 years.  After the death of his husband in 2011, Doug moved to Texoma and is a lay-member of Red River Unitarian Universalists, the congregation he co-founded in 1997.  

TMP - 05-31 DMS-study

“Contextual Ethics: What is the fitting to do?”

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Join us at 11:15 am on our YouTube channel (redriveruu) all one word

THE MORNING PROGRAM IS BELOW

Sometimes thinking in terms of moral absolutes overlooks the complex and often conflicting choices, values, obligations, and principles that we face in the process of moral decision making. What are some effective ways to determine the most fitting thing to do in a complex and/or ambiguous moral situation?

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 22 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.

He and his wife Kristin live in Edmond, OK in the United States, and they have two teenage daughters.

 

“Comfort Me: Finding Comfort in A Time of Pandemic”

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Join us at 11:15 am on our YouTube channel ‘redriveruu’ (all one word)

All congregations are gathering on line.  This Sunday our morning assembly is a video from one congregation who has developed an unusual, yet meaningful way to be together while sheltering in place.    Of their gathering, their minister writes:

Gather with us on Sunday for our on-line worship service, as prove that physical doesn’t mean spiritual isolation as we ask – what is comfort, what is it to you, what does it mean in this unprecedented time and how do we find it?”

Rev. Amy Carol Webb, is the minister of River of Grass UU Congregation in Davie, FL

We appreciate the River of Grass UU Congregation for making their April 26, 2020 video available for us.

“The Wisdom of Grandmothers”

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There is an indigenous teaching that states, “There won’t be peace on earth until the voices of the grandmothers are heard.” On this Mother’s Day weekend, we will turn toward the grandmothers – those who affected social change by their words and deeds and those here in our own community whose lives affect each of us. What can we learn from the grandmothers?

Rev. Crocker is the Minister of Congregational Life at the First Unitarian Society in Madison, WI.  Her sermon was preached on May 10, 2018.  Our appreciation to First Unitarian Society in Madison for sharing their sermon with us.

THE MORNING PROGRAM:

“Living With Gratitude”

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Join us at 11:15 am on our YouTube channel ‘redriveruu’ (all one word)

Scientific expert on gratitude, Robert Emmon’s research demonstrates that practicing gratitude has significant physical and mental health benefits. People who practice gratitude have fewer health complaints, more energy and determination, greater satisfaction with life, and more optimism and resilience. He knows this as a scientific reality, I know it as a sacred principle. Practicing gratitude can enhance your life in many unexpected ways. Join me as we explore ways to bring gratefulness into our everyday lives.

Dr. Lavanhar is the senior minister at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa.

This is a video message that Dr. Lavanhar delivered in late 2018.  Our appreciation to All Souls for making this video sermon available on their website.

THE MORNING PROGRAM: