As children we learn early to say “thank you”; however, as adults the practice of saying “thank you” is often pushed out by brimming schedules and the expectations of multi-tasking. In a culture, where we are inundated daily with that which is tragic and negative and our silent time is filled with a plethora of words and sounds, it is vital we create a spiritual practice of acknowledging the gifts of life.
Victor Hugo, in his brilliant novel, Les Misérables, 1862, wrote, “Certain thoughts are prayers. There are moments when, whatever be the attitude of the body, the soul is on its knees.” Oremus! (Let us pray) – Rev. Mark Walz preached the sermon. (RunTime 18:50)
Mark offers this opening thought: “The word prayer can be problematic to many of us in the Unitarian Universalist faith. Some of us don’t put much stock in prayer and honestly believe that we don’t in fact pray. ”
Mark also poses some very thought-provoking questions: “What if prayer is the concentration of our personal concern and capabilities, our intensified energy focused on some shared goal, or purpose? What if it is the summoning of all our internal strength, beyond the capacity that we know for certain that we have? What if it is that which in supreme need calls uncritically upon all the resources, of not only our own person, but also the resources beyond ourselves?”
Here’s the description from the Turtle Creek Chorale’s website:
Our Partners In Harmony program began seven years ago. Its mission is to appeal to religious organizations that affirm our belief that every human being is created equal. Today, Partners in Harmony comprises over 40 religious institutions. This concert features the Turtle Creek Chorale, the SMU Meadows Chorale, the Dallas Wind Symphony, the Lay Family Organ and over 300 singers comprising a Partners In Harmony massed choir performing peace anthems by Bach, Mendelssohn and Moses Hogan. Also on the program is John Rutter’s electrifying GLORIA for brass, percussion, organ and chorus.
A call to action:
Recently we have seen a lot about gay teen suicides.
Students who are bullied by their peers but no one
stood up for. Come stand up for the kids, teens and young adults.
Join the Dallas Gay and Lesbian Alliance along with other
GLBT groups and many straight allies in a rally to bring
more attention to these tragic and senseless losses.
Oct. 15th, 2010
Lake Cliff Park, Dallas
(201 E. Colorado Blvd. 75203)
6:30pm – 7:30pm
Wear purple if possible!
We live in a world where a significant amount of communication takes place electronically, often in bursts of 140 characters or less. Each one of us has probably experienced some kind of error, omission or worse because of a misplaced comma, misread tone, or any number of email etiquette blunders. Each one of us is probably even responsible for several.
To help us all refine our own communications style, Paul Williams will be presenting a communications seminar before the Board Meeting on Tuesday, October 26. The subject matter being covered is Recognizing The 4 Styles Of Communication and Effective E-Mail Communication.
All members of the congregation are welcome to attend and we would love to have as many lay leaders as possible attend. The seminar will begin at 7:00PM and end at 8:00PM to allow Board members to reassemble for the 8:15PM Board Meeting.
It was a wonderful wedding ceremony for two amazing people. Our first outdoor wedding in the new Gazebo. The weather cooperated and we even had butterflies dancing in the plants next to the memorial and meditation garden. That’s a good sign, isn’t it! Congratulations, Bill & Mike!
Our friends at Uncle Calvin’s put it well: “With their considerable talents as both songwriters and vocalists, they combine for a spirited and soulful explosion of distinctively original music. Whether tapping your toes one minute, or getting swept up by the heart-wrenching ballads the next, there’s no denying that you’ll be entertained.”
The Flyin’ A’s duo is among the rising stars in Texas Music. With one listen you can tell they were both raised in the fertile land of Texas Songwriting. Their powerful mix of original Americana, Country, Southern Blues, and “Texifide” Jazz that is sure to leave audiences wanting more.
Delia DeVer expresses her creative energies in a number of ways.
Happily for us, music is one of them!
Delia’s music and visual art is inspired by both ordinary and extraordinary sites, by feelings and thoughts from daily life, and by her extensive travels. She expresses energy, beauty, concern and joy through her vibrant artistic language.
Welcome to UUCOC Conversations, the blog for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Oak Cliff. Here, you'll find green tips, links to the podcasts of our regular Sunday services, news about upcoming events, and personal observations from many of our members. Don't be shy! Join the conversation by leaving a comment, or contributing a post of your own.
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Gratitude as Theology - UUCOC Sunday Service - Rev. Marcia Shannon [ 18:00 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (42)
