UUCOC Conversations

What shall we wonder at?

Jay-Mari_Vega — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 19:09:19 +0000

Closing Word, as found and recited by member Ed Stofko.

“But we are born of risen apes, not fallen angels, and the apes were armed killers besides. And so what shall we wonder at? Our murders and massacres and missiles, and our irreconcilable regiments? Or our treaties whatever they may be worth; our symphonies however seldom they may be played; our peaceful acres, however frequently they may be converted into battlefields; our dreams however rarely they may be accomplished. The miracle of man is not how far he has sunk but how magnificently he has risen. We are known among the stars by our poems, not our corpses.” Robert Ardrey (author, playwright and screenwriter)

This can hold true whether you believe evolution exists or not. Just ask yourself, which accomplishment of humanity do you share taking pride in more? The awesomely destructive or the constructive and creative? While both are inherent parts of the universe, I like this quote because it takes a long look at humanity and shows that we humans are steadily moving toward a holistic view of things: the unity of all people everywhere, the interconnected web of life, and the value of arts and culture. How very UU!

-Mari Vega

Listen to Our Services, March 25th, 2012: Developing Balance Between Logic and Love

Scott Grey — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 01:22:58 +0000

"What can we as a congregation of 102 be capable of? With our revolve and our hope and our optimism. How can reason modified by compassion be manifested in our own church community?"

Listen to Our Services, April 22nd, 2012: What did you come here to do?

Scott Grey — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:14:22 +0000

What did you come here to do?
Somehow we have all managed to arrive in this Human Sanctuary called Earth. We are in families and relationships, communities and a church. But we are here for a very short period of time. Rev. Mark Walz asks the questions: What did we come here to do? How’s it coming? (RT 20:18)

UUCOC_2012-04-22.mp3

Listen to Our Services – April 15th, 2012: Expiration Dates

Scott Grey — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:02:59 +0000

Rev. Mark Walz preaches that according to the New Testament stories, when Jesus approached and entered Jerusalem in his 33rd year, he knew he had two weeks to live. How did he prepare for the end? How did he prepare himself, his disciples, and his family? How would you? (RT 20:34)

Listen to Our Services – April 1st, 2012: The Stones Will Cry Out to be Made Into Walls

Scott Grey — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 10:19:31 +0000

The Stones Will Cry Out to be Made Into Walls
When our congregation is moving organically toward building a church foundation that speaks to the needs of the larger Oak Cliff community and resonates with the passions of the people now present, then our church family will blossom and remain resilient even in the face of financial struggles. Rev. Marcia Shannon preached the sermon. (RT 27:13)

Listen to Our Services: April 8th, 2012: Easter Sunday – We Have Risen!

Scott Grey — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 06:57:01 +0000

The parables that we recreate on Easter Sunday are there to tell us the deeper story. Easter bunnies DO make the world a better place. The idea that the Earth comes alive again at this time, bearing all of its fruits and resources to sustain us again for the work of another year is an amazing story and worth being celebrated. But the story of a young man, a Rabbi, willing to hold to his values and his principles...

Listen to Our Services: March 4th, 2012: Spring Cleaning for the Soul

Scott Grey — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 05:10:24 +0000

“Spring Cleaning for the Soul”

There is something instinctive about the connection between the time-honored tradition of opening the windows to clear away the dust of winter, new seedlings shaking off the soil as they push towards the sun and clearing out the past in our lives to create a space for new growth. Rev. Marcia Shannon discussed “spring cleaning” around the world and explored the purposes of this phenomenon that move beyond simply removing dirt. Rev. Shannon received her MDiv from Duke University, and is currently UUCOC’s Director of Lifespan Religious Education and coach of the Lay Pastoral Care Team.