Reflections on the Seven Principles: 1st Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person.

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Reflections on the Eight Principles: 1st Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person

The Rev. Dr. Mark Y.A. Davies, leading

In what do we ground the affirmation that all persons have inherent worth and dignity and what might our communities look like if we live more fully into this affirmation?

DOWNLOAD THE MORNING PROGRAM HERE

About our visiting minister:

Mark’s Ph.D. is from Boston University in the area of Social Ethics, and he has served Boston University School of Theology (BUSTH) as a member of its Dean’s Advisory Board and as the alumnus representative on BUSTH’s Green Team as part of the Green Seminary Initiative.Mark has led and implemented a number of initiatives in coordination with the Division of Higher Education of the United Methodist Church including a Methodist Higher Education Global Ethics Initiative from 2008 to 2012, a United Methodist Higher Education Interfaith Initiative from 2015 to present, and a Global Methodist Higher Education Social and Ecological Responsibility Initiative from December 2016 to the present. Mark has published in the areas of Boston personalism, process philosophy and ethics, and ecological ethics.In 2017, the General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church selected Dr. Davies to serve as the convener of the writing team tasked with revising “The Natural World” section of the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church. This is the first time the Social Principles have undergone a thorough revision since their adoption by the denomination in 1972.
Mark is one of the inaugural members of the New Room Books Editorial Board. New Room Books is a reviewed academic monograph series that offers scholars from the Methodist tradition and their students a way to share their work. Since 2015, Mark has served 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.”
Mark 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 daughters who attend Oklahoma City University.

A Rousing Peace Experience –

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A Rousing Peace Experience

THE WORSHIP TEAM, leading

Most of us remember the old songs like Blowin’ in the Wind, Where Have All The Flowers Gone, and lots of others.  Join us this Sunday for some live music, some recorded music, and all songs will include lyrics and congregational singing
Download the morning program HERE   or read it below without having to download it.

Found ‘Framily’

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Sunday, November 19, 2023 – 11:15 am

Found ‘Framily’

Jack Bolerjack & Adrian Hinman, co-leading

Download the morning program here later in the week, or read it below without having to download it.

Join us to honor the lives of those who have lost their lives to anti-trans violence in 2023, and learn about the importance and value in building community, making connections, and finding family. When we only have each other, we must strive to build each other up, honor our memory when we’re gone, and celebrate life while we’re here.

Reflections on “Our Fragile Moment”

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 Reflections on “Our Fragile Moment” 

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

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

Of his morning discourse, Mark writes:

What can climate past teach us about this fragile moment, and how can it prepare us for our possible future climate? 

About our visiting minister:

Mark’s Ph.D. is from Boston University in the area of Social Ethics, and he has served Boston University School of Theology (BUSTH) as a member of its Dean’s Advisory Board and as the alumnus representative on BUSTH’s Green Team as part of the Green Seminary Initiative.Mark has led and implemented a number of initiatives in coordination with the Division of Higher Education of the United Methodist Church including a Methodist Higher Education Global Ethics Initiative from 2008 to 2012, a United Methodist Higher Education Interfaith Initiative from 2015 to present, and a Global Methodist Higher Education Social and Ecological Responsibility Initiative from December 2016 to the present. Mark has published in the areas of Boston personalism, process philosophy and ethics, and ecological ethics.In 2017, the General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church selected Dr. Davies to serve as the convener of the writing team tasked with revising “The Natural World” section of the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church. This is the first time the Social Principles have undergone a thorough revision since their adoption by the denomination in 1972.
Mark is one of the inaugural members of the New Room Books Editorial Board. New Room Books is a reviewed academic monograph series that offers scholars from the Methodist tradition and their students a way to share their work. Since 2015, Mark has served 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.”
Mark 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 daughters who attend Oklahoma City University.
TMP - Nov 12 - v.1

Swords into Plowshares

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Swords into Plowshares

The Rev. Dr. Mark Y.A. Davies, leading

Of his discourse, Mark asks: “How can we work for peace in times of war without losing sight of the importance of establishing justice?”

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

About our visiting minister:

Mark’s Ph.D. is from Boston University in the area of Social Ethics, and he has served Boston University School of Theology (BUSTH) as a member of its Dean’s Advisory Board and as the alumnus representative on BUSTH’s Green Team as part of the Green Seminary Initiative.Mark has led and implemented a number of initiatives in coordination with the Division of Higher Education of the United Methodist Church including a Methodist Higher Education Global Ethics Initiative from 2008 to 2012, a United Methodist Higher Education Interfaith Initiative from 2015 to present, and a Global Methodist Higher Education Social and Ecological Responsibility Initiative from December 2016 to the present. Mark has published in the areas of Boston personalism, process philosophy and ethics, and ecological ethics.In 2017, the General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church selected Dr. Davies to serve as the convener of the writing team tasked with revising “The Natural World” section of the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church. This is the first time the Social Principles have undergone a thorough revision since their adoption by the denomination in 1972.
Mark is one of the inaugural members of the New Room Books Editorial Board. New Room Books is a reviewed academic monograph series that offers scholars from the Methodist tradition and their students a way to share their work. Since 2015, Mark has served 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.”
Mark 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.H
He and his wife Kristin live in Edmond, OK in the United States, and they have two daughters who attend Oklahoma City University.
TMP -Nov 5 - v.1

 

“Peace Sunday #10 – More Leaders Caring for the Planet”

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Peace Sunday #10 – More Leaders Caring for the Planet

Download The Morning Program HERE or read it below without having to download it.

Why worry about the planet?  It certainly seems a relevant topic to me right now with all of the extreme weather experiences, loss of pollinators and other natural struggles.  Our last two peace leaders from the book “Great Peacemakers: True Stories from Around the World” by Ken Beller and Heather Chase are Nader Khalili, an advocate for “Sustainable Community”, and Wangari Maathai, who through planting seeds sees it as “Planting Seeds of Peace”.

About Sunday’s Worship Leader:

Marla Loturco is a lay leader of our congregation who first visited us in April 2008.  Although she hadn’t set foot inside a church for forty years, she surprised herself by realizing this was a faith community that spoke to her heart.  Marla has not taken her membership lightly as she has served on the bylaw revision committee, is the church (and the Texoma Earth Day Festival) webmaster, the church database guru, and our representative to North Texas UU Congregations (NTUUC). She joins in church social events and has been elected to the Committee on Ministry and President of the Board of Trustees.  She is the recipient of NTUUC Marty Robinson Award for volunteerism as well as Red River Unitarian Universalists’ Bruce Cameron Distinguished Service Award. She currently is part of the AV team and a longtime member of the Worship Team where she creates meaningful and insightful worship experiences.

Beyond the church Marla is a Certified Laughter Leader, a Database Consultant, Quilter, creator of stained-glass art and devoted dulcimer player. 

TMP - 10-29 - v.1

“Unitarian Universalist Spirituality”

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“Unitarian Universalist Spirituality”

Download the Morning Program HERE

The Rev. Dr. Don Fielding, Guest minister

“Don Fielding, who used to be a rather common fixture in our pulpit, will return on Sunday, October 22nd, with a Reflection about Spirituality: what it is, and how it might be useful in our lives.”

About our guest minister:

We welcome back to the free pulpit the Rev. Dr. Don Fielding.  Don changed career paths after 25+ years as a geologist and chose to study for the ministry.  He graduated from Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago – a UU seminary – in 1990, was ordained and served BOTH the Denton UU Fellowship and the UU Church of Oak Cliff from 1990 until his retirement in 2003.  He says one thing he learned by serving two congregations at the same time is that a sermon that flies at one spot may fall fat at the other location since each congregation has its own way of being together.  Don enjoys writing sermons which he calls a reflection, and we call a discourse and presents worship in his own style which will be abundantly clear on Sunday.  It is good to have him back again.

TMP - Oct 22 - v. 1

“Socially Engaged Mysticism”

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“Socially Engaged Mysticism” – The inward journey is often seen as an escape from external reality, but perhaps it offers one of the most effective ways to engage the challenges our world faces today.

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

 

About our visiting minister:

Mark’s Ph.D. is from Boston University in the area of Social Ethics, and he has served Boston University School of Theology (BUSTH) as a member of its Dean’s Advisory Board and as the alumnus representative on BUSTH’s Green Team as part of the Green Seminary Initiative.Mark has led and implemented a number of initiatives in coordination with the Division of Higher Education of the United Methodist Church including a Methodist Higher Education Global Ethics Initiative from 2008 to 2012, a United Methodist Higher Education Interfaith Initiative from 2015 to present, and a Global Methodist Higher Education Social and Ecological Responsibility Initiative from December 2016 to the present. Mark has published in the areas of Boston personalism, process philosophy and ethics, and ecological ethics.In 2017, the General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church selected Dr. Davies to serve as the convener of the writing team tasked with revising “The Natural World” section of the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church. This is the first time the Social Principles have undergone a thorough revision since their adoption by the denomination in 1972.
Mark is one of the inaugural members of the New Room Books Editorial Board. New Room Books is a reviewed academic monograph series that offers scholars from the Methodist tradition and their students a way to share their work. Since 2015, Mark has served 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.”
Mark 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.H
He and his wife Kristin live in Edmond, OK in the United States, and they have two daughters who attend Oklahoma City University.

TMP - Oct 15 - v. 1

“The Principles and Article II”

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The Principles and Article II
The Worship Teaam, leading

As a community, we Unitarian Universalists do not necessarily agree on belief issues like, is there a God?  What is God like? How should God be worshiped?  What we do agree on is our seven UUA principles, and now for our church the eighth principle. Ours is a constantly growing, learning, and deepening faith. Join us in learning about the new proposed Article II and its possibilities.

“The Power of Love for Justice”

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]“The Power of Love for Justice” – Love, power, and justice are inextricably intertwined, but the greatest of these is love. Unless we find ways to love one another and love the community of all life, we will likely never gain the power to cultivate justice for all.

DOWNLOAD the morning program here or read it below without downloading

About our visiting minister:

Mark’s Ph.D. is from Boston University in the area of Social Ethics, and he has served Boston University School of Theology (BUSTH) as a member of its Dean’s Advisory Board and as the alumnus representative on BUSTH’s Green Team as part of the Green Seminary Initiative.Mark has led and implemented a number of initiatives in coordination with the Division of Higher Education of the United Methodist Church including a Methodist Higher Education Global Ethics Initiative from 2008 to 2012, a United Methodist Higher Education Interfaith Initiative from 2015 to present, and a Global Methodist Higher Education Social and Ecological Responsibility Initiative from December 2016 to the present. Mark has published in the areas of Boston personalism, process philosophy and ethics, and ecological ethics.In 2017, the General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church selected Dr. Davies to serve as the convener of the writing team tasked with revising “The Natural World” section of the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church. This is the first time the Social Principles have undergone a thorough revision since their adoption by the denomination in 1972.
Mark is one of the inaugural members of the New Room Books Editorial Board. New Room Books is a reviewed academic monograph series that offers scholars from the Methodist tradition and their students a way to share their work. Since 2015, Mark has served 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.”
Mark 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.H
He and his wife Kristin live in Edmond, OK in the United States, and they have two daughters who attend Oklahoma City University.
TMP - Oct 1 - v.2