Sarah Ricke explored the comfort and the discomfort, some of the history, and the call to action that inspired the tradition. And flowers were shared in communion.

In honor of Women’s history month, Ryan Conly explored the hidden messages within the Book of Esther and how, even within the Bible, we can find hope in dealing with today’s challenges.

Ian Grey returned to our pulpit with "Soil and Stars: A Stardust Communion -- Born of fire, rooted in Earth, ever turning in the great dance of creation and renewal."

Kathy Grey shares readings and a special message setting up our "Service Sunday" project of revitalizing our Sankofa Garden in collaboration with the wonderful folks from the Oak Cliff Veggie Project.

Keiani Smith asked us "why the practice of love is needed now more than ever." She also addressed the question of exactly what Winnie the Pooh and the landmark case, Loving v. Virginia, have in common.

Sarah Ricke shared a candle affirmation of resilience.

We do not need the permission of our rulers, oppressors, and abusers to build a better world. We are ALL called to find our place in building the beloved community, where we all have what we need to thrive.
Renée Brill looked at how to start today and how to keep going from the perspective of a disabled parent.

Ryan Conly revisited Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Ware Lecture (Don't Sleep During the Revolution) presented to the UUA on May 18, 1966.

Sarah Ricke asked if old lessons are still relevant today?

Rev. Tyler Coles joined us on Sunday, January 5th and asked us to make a place for love as a holy thing within our Unitarian Universalist faith.
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As people gather in religious community, we are tasked with co-creating a space to engage the Holy. While defined in a variety of ways, Love has often been described as the most significant value among us as a faithful people. For it is, indeed, both the pathway to, and is of itself, the most holy thing. But how do we come to know Love among us, and how do we come to fully embody it when things are most challenging?
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Rev. Tyler Coles (they/he) serves the Southern Region as Congregational Life Staff. Inspired by the good news of Unitarian Universalism, Tyler believes the best of our collective ministry strives towards conjuring "the Beloved Kin-dom on earth as it is in heaven." They engage this mandate through the work of multi-religious organizing, supporting young adults, and movement chaplaincy.

Tyler has served the greater faith as the Young Adult Community Leader of SPARK, Intern Minister of Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, and respectively as a steering committee member of Diverse & Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries (DRUUMM) and the Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism's (BLUU) Steering Committee for youth ministry.

As the new year approaches Renée Brill prepared us for change and making room for hope.

"Don't throw Jesus out with the Bathwater" - With Leah Pittmon
In 2016, Rev. Kate McKenna (Bury Unitarian Church, Lancashire, England), penned a brief piece on how Unitarians (and UUs) relate to Christmas. Leah Pittmon took the opportunity before our annual church Holiday party, Potluck, and Grinch Gift exchange to touch on how we all relate to Christmas.

We celebrated Yule with Sarah Ricke as she prepared us for our upcoming Winter Solstice Celebration on December 19th.

Ryan Conly examined our Transcendentalist Roots and how they may help guide us through the near future.

Bobbye Eachus served in the Gulf War as an activated Citizen Soldier in 1990-91. Finding a faith that worked has been a journey.This journey includes searching cultures and finding a personal faith that works for her. Her journey includes 12-step Recovery and it includes current work with the VA on complex PTSD issues and the pursuit of mental health. Solutions that require tolerance and admission.

Sarah Ricke took a deeper look at a dark holiday.

"Blessing of the Animals" returned to UUCOC.
On October 6th, we celebrated the animal companions and neighbors that bless us with their presence. A number of well-behaved and well-managed pets joined us for church. Pictures and mementos were also welcomed for the Altar.

Sarah Ricke asked how we can be welcoming and hospitable?

Without a neighborhood supermarket, our ancestors had to plan and prepare to survive the winter. With Mavis Belisle.

Local labor activist Gene Lantz shared a very special presentation in recognition of Labor Day 2024.

Leah Pittmon presented a family-style, religious exploration service including a special Blessing of the Backpacks! We sought inspiration from Hosea Ballou whose childhood curiosity blossomed into an influential Universalist ministry. Everyone came prepared for crafts that were only a little bit messy!

on Sunday, August 4th, Sarah Ricke presented our bread communion in celebration of Lammas, the first harvest of the wheel of the year, and the idea of reaping the benefits while planning for more.

On Sunday, July 28th, we welcomed special guests, community activists Gene Lantz, Olinka Green, Linda Coleman, and James Kille, who presented a short play entitled "The Ballad of Jane Elkins." Jane was the first woman officially executed in Texas -- she was an African-American slave hanged in Dallas for the murder of her owner.

The organization Olinka Green mentioned at the end of the performance is Chebe. It is an organization led by black women that helps women who have been sexually assaulted and who are survivors of domestic violence. "Chebe" means to protect the Woman in the Igbo language. If you would like to help support their efforts, Olinka has a Cash App site at $Pelink69

All donations go toward research, art supplies, costume making, and exhibit materials.