“Infinite Rainbows”

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Infinite Rainbows

the Rev. Dr. Christine Tata, leading (video message)

DOWNLOAD THE MORNING PROGRAM HERE or read it below without having to download it

The image of the rainbow has been rising in our consciousness these days, replacing, and healing harmful binaries in our ideas about gender, neuroscience, and religious experience. Let’s consider together the nearly infinite rainbow models we encounter in our human experience—from the ancient promise of the rainbow seen in the heavens, to the rainbow lore found throughout our religious and cultural history, to the expansion of the visible rainbow as a model for our actual interactions with the world. actual interactions with the world. actual interactions with the world. actual interactions with the world.

The Morning Program

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Reflections on The False White Gospel –

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Reflections on The False White Gospel

The Rev Dr Mark Y.A. Davies, leading

Download The Morning Program here later this week.

In this discourse, I will reflect on Jim Wallis’ most recent book, The False White Gospel, and discuss his perspectives on the historical and current expressions of white Christian nationalism in the United States and what must be done to preserve a multicultural and multiracial participatory democracy.

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.

“The Worth of Dignity , Human or Otherwise”

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The Worth of Dignity, Human or Otherwise.

Byron Allison Miller, leading

Have you ever said, you’re worth it! or I’m worth it! or you better believe it!?  While such affirmations come with a past and a present, their deeper reality is that they are most significantly something else. They are a Prelude. It is their future that carries the most weight. What did Captain Jean Luc Picard always say?  “Make it so!”

You can download the morning program here 

Speaking Up When It Isn’t Easy

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Sunday, May 26, 2024 – 11:15 am

Speaking Up When It Isn’t Easy.

The Rev Dr Mark Y.A. Davies, leading

We are living through a time of great divisions, war, and strife. It is sometimes difficult and even risky to speak up for our understanding of justice in times like these. How can we speak for justice while also cultivating beloved community?

You can 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.

Gratitude for the UUs from a UMC Minister

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Scroll to the bottom of this announcement to read the Morning Program (two pages).

Of his discourse, Mark writes:

The Unitarian Universalist Association has been a witness to diversity, equity, and inclusion for many decades, and it has provided a model for how other religious communities can draw the circle of beloved community wider still. I am happy to report that the United Methodist Church made some very important strides over this past month at its General Conference that I want to share with my UU siblings.

The Spring Congregational Meeting Is Today

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.

 

HERE IS THE MORNING PROGRAM:

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A Transgender Students gets a Lead Role. The District Shouts No!

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A Transgender Students gets a Lead Role. The District Shouts No!

Phillip and Amy Hightower, guest speakers

DOWNLOAD THE MORNING PROGRAM HERE or read it below without having to download it.

Phillip and Amy Hightower along with their 17-year-old son Max were catapulted into the news last winter after their trans son was offered a main role in his high school’s production of “Oklahoma!” playing Ali Hakim, a peddler who is a love interest opposite one of the musical’s female leads. The Sherman school district yanked the role from Max, announcing a “new policy” (!) that actors could only appear in roles that matched their biological gender. The enraged–and hurt–family was dumbstruck when not only the citizens of Sherman but of the nation and the world stood behind them demanding that the school restore the roles to the students who earned them.
Phillip and Amy Hightower join us on Mother’s Day to talk about unconditional love for their children and about standing tall amid hate.
Max and his parents
(image by Azul Sordo for The Texas Tribune)

 

Max Hightower
(Image from The Guardian, courtesy of Amy Highwater)

Scene for Oklahoma 

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Max Hightower
(from The Washington Post, courtesy of Amy Hightower)

 

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“Music, MS, and Me”

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Music, MS, and Me!
Bill Nash, guest speaker

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

Bill Nash has been a musician all his life, starting as a boy soprano and has an all-consuming passion of wanting to make music for the rest of his life.  In 1988, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.  Don’t miss this special Sunday as we hear of Bill’s determination to adjust a life plan to compensate for the physical obstacles of a changing body.  Listen as Nash explains his creative multi-capo method of guitar playing.  And be prepared to enjoy a fine singer/ songwriter sharing his heart and his music.  A great preview for the Kerrville Folk Festival where he is a regular.

About our guest leader,

BILL NASH – A MASTER MUSICIAN AND MORE

Bill Nash has been a musician all his life, starting as a 5-year-old boy soprano and has an all-consuming passion of wanting to make music for the rest of his life. He is a graduate of Bradley University’s School of Music, majoring in composition and began writing music and lyrics in his early teens.  Bill has also been a music teacher since he started teaching in the music store where he took his first lessons, and for the last 49 years, he has been a music educator.

Bill’s roots are firmly embedded in what is now known as the singer/songwriter acoustic music genre. He has performed styles as diverse as rock ‘n roll, fusion, country, polka, folk, and even old-time western music, ala the Sons of the Pioneers.

In 1988, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.  The last few years have been the worst, with increasing numbness in his left hand taking away some of his guitar ability. But after playing the guitar for 4+ decades, Bill’s fingers still know where to go.  So, he is still playing, and of course still singing and writing! Actually, one of the more creative/fun things Bill does lately is to change some of the old songs to other tunings to make them 1 and 2 finger chords instead of 3 and 4 finger.  That allowed him to play several songs he thought he might not be able to play again! Bill is a charter member of the National MS Society and enjoys leading support groups monthly.

Nash has fulfilled his childhood dream as a musician and has graced numerous contests, festivals and concert venues through the decades.  He is a fixture at the Kerrville Folk Festival, helped host Uncle Calvin’s Coffeehouse, has appeared at Harmony House in Bonham, The Balcony Club – atop the Lakewood Theater, Dallas, TX, Camp NashBill, Quiet Valley Ranch, TX, Cottonwood Art Festival – Richardson, TX, Wildflower Art and Music Festival in Richardson, TX, Poor David’s Pub – Deep Ellum, TX, |  Rocky Mountain Folks Festival Main Stage – Lyons, CO and many more.

 

TMP - May 5 - v.2

 

“Power Sunday”

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Power Sunday
The Worship Team, leading

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

The premise of this morning assembly is that democracy is being threatened, but we are not powerless; we all have meaningful ways to save our democratic system. One way is to commit to being an active part of civil society, which means committing to our institutions, starting here at RedRiverUU and by joining the UU  UUSJ, which is the only national UU organization lobbying for our values on the Hill. We hope people will leave worship on Sunday feeling empowered, connected, and hopeful about what’s next for our collective work and our nation.


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Flower Communion and Compassion

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 Sunday, April 21, 2024 – 11:15 am

Flower Communion and Compassion
Jack B., speaking

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

This Sunday is our annual Flower Communion ritual.  Please bring a flower or two with you.

Of her discourse, Jack writes, “Compassion has to be the overwhelming force behind all that we do to apply all our 8 principles in our lives and to build the Beloved Community. Let’s talk about how to create the world we want to live in.”

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Power Sunday

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Sunday, April 28, 2024 – 11:15 am

Power Sunday
The Worship Team, leading

The premise of this morning assembly is that democracy is being threatened, but we are not powerless; we all have meaningful ways to save our democratic system. One way is to commit to being an active part of civil society, which means committing to our institutions, starting here at RedRiverUU and by joining the UU  UUSJ, which is the only national UU organization lobbying for our values on the Hill. We hope people will leave worship on Sunday feeling empowered, connected, and hopeful about what’s next for our collective work and our nation.