Rev. Phil Dieke was joined by Bee Morehead, Executive Director; Josh Houston, Advocacy Director; and Scott Atnip, Engagement Director of Texas Impact. Texas Impact exists to put faith into action by equipping faith leaders and their congregations with information, opportunities, and outreach tools to educate their communities and engage with lawmakers on pressing public policy issues.   This conversation gives an update on the Texas Legislature, which recently the third special called session came to a close. Much of the focus was on voting, specifically the legislation that is making voting more difficult and the why behind the need to mobilize voters in our communities.    Texas Impact will be partnering with the North Texas Board of Church and Society to host a "Voter Mobilization Training" on November 13, 2021. Stay tuned for more details and registration. And find out more about Texas Impact at www.texasimpact.org.

White Rock UMC

Church & Society - The Importance of Voting with the Staff of Texas Impact

In week two of our series "The Good Life: Living into Generosity," Rev. Mitchell Boone addressed generosity through the lens of freedom. Specifically, how "freedom doesn't come from having more, freedom comes from needing less." Mitchell preached from the story of the rich man and his possessions in Mark 10:17-31.    Generosity is an impart part of our work as the church, and specifically here in East Dallas at White Rock UMC. At the beginning of the sermon Mitchell highlights this by sharing the numerous things that will take place in our building this week.    Let us know what generosity means to you. How have you found freedom through generosity?   Thanks to Kelly Drake for his introductory comments on stewardship and generosity! You can watch this week's sermon on our YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/h2OJVPSfYgg

Sermon - The Good Life: Beyond Minimalism

This week Rebecca and Phil reflect on the story of the rich man and his possessions in Mark 10. They spend time focusing on the music that accompanied the scripture and sermon, and the why behind the songs that Rebecca chose for this week. They also discuss Phil's children's time message and follow up on Mitchell's obscure reference to Modest Mouse.  If you missed yesterday's worship, you can go back and worship in full on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q45d7Eky8rE&list=PLBQbmfyoOJWdTS9InrFQnyhq-YHD0m18h

The Day After Sunday - The Good Life: Beyond Minimalism

We kicked off our new worship series "The Good Life: Living into Generosity," by hearing Barbara Canter share how compassion plays a role in her generosity at White Rock UMC, and beyond. Mitchell built off Barbara's words using the story of Acts 2:43-47 as an example of generosity being a lifestyle, and something the early church committed to as a community.   Mitchell offers both a thought experiment, and an opportunity to both receive and offer generosity.  If you are in a tough spot and need help, or if you are in the position to offer help to somebody. Email pastor@wrumc.org. Your email will remain confidential with Mitchell, and only Mitchell. Check out the video of this week's sermon here: https://youtu.be/-djgNhLvXRc

Sermon - The Good Life: Cultivating Compassion

In this week's episode Rebecca Garrett Pace is joined by Kyle Oberkrom. They discuss generosity and do a deep look into worship planning.

The Day After Sunday - The Good Life: Cultivating Compassion

Rev. Mitchell Boone wrapped up our series "Grounded: Recognizing Everyday Holiness," talking about Communion, and specifically World Communion Sunday. Mitchell encouraged us to expect more as we come to the table, for it is at this table, Christ's table, that we are truly grounded. In taking Communion we are called to remember and to remember is to pull the past of God's faithfulness into the present and believe God will remain faithful into the future.    We hope this series provided you an opportunity to find your grounding in the holiness that constantly surrounds you. You can watch this sermon on our YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/VH0Kd__Oj3s

Sermon - Grounded: World Communion Sunday

We're back! That is The Day After Sunday is back. After a four month break we are back with a bit of a new format, new intro and outro, new material and yet the same loving personalities. :) This week we dive into the history of World Communion Sunday and the benefits and complexities of the world getting smaller. We spent much of our time talking about the music, specifically the blurred line between sacred and secular, what constitutes a hymn, and when it is ok to change song lyrics. Turns out, this is done fairly regularly... who knew?  We are excited to be back and as always we'd love to hear from you. If you have thought about our Sunday worship and/or questions about the why behind the worship, we'd love to hear from you. Email us at office@wrumc.org

The Day After Sunday - World Communion Sunday 2021

In week three of our series "Grounded: Recognizing Everyday Holiness," Rev. Phil Dieke took us through the story of Elijah, found in 1 Kings 19:1-18. As a warning, this sermon speaks about sensitive topics of mental health, specifically depression and suicidal ideations experienced by Elijah and what that communicates to us today. If you are not ok, that's ok. You are not in this alone.   At the conclusion of the sermon, Phil offers various mental health resources. You can find those resources at www.wrumc.org/recovery.   You can watch this week's sermon on our YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/VK08HJH7WHA

Sermon - Grounded: You Are Not Alone

In week two of our series, "Grounded: Recognizing Everyday Holiness," Rev. Mitchell Boone looked at the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:21-29, specifically identifying what it means to build on a foundation of rock, rather than on sand (on sand... not in sand, as he alludes to in the sermon). This text, and Mitchell's sermon, is an invitation for self-reflection and examination. What does it mean for us to not only hear the words of Jesus, but also act on them.  To help with this reflection, Mitchell offered four questions to ask yourself: 1. Did I love well today? 2. Did I appreciate God's love today? 3. Did I find an opportunity to share it? 4. Did I find space to cling to it?  May these be questions that help you analyze and solidify your foundation. You can watch this week's sermon on our YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/jToorrXbpyI

Sermon - Grounded: Surveying Our Foundation

We kicked off a new series on Sunday, "Grounded: Recognizing Everyday Holiness." Rev. Mitchell Boone kicked off this series by preaching on Exodus 3:1-6, the story of Moses and the burning bush. Mitchell acknowledges the struggles we find ourselves in given the ongoing of this pandemic. In the midst of those struggles he invites us to "look up" and be aware of the holiness in front of us. You can watch all our sermons on our YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/rUaK7aioVOo

Sermon - Grounded: Look Up

Rev. Josh Esparza wrapped up "Evidence: A Series on Faith that Bears Fruit," looking at James 2:14-26. Even if you don't have this text memorized you have surely heard it, and the debate that has emerged from it. Are we justified by our faith or by our works? Josh enters this debate, playing on James reference to Rahab (see Joshua 2) and a look at individual agency - a question that has risen to the top of conversation in the state of Texas given the passing of SB8.    Toward the end of his sermon, Josh references the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church. You can find all the Social Principles, including what the church says about abortion, here. You can watch this sermon on our YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/kv2yRlDGEUQ

Sermon - Evidence: Faith Without Works is Dead

Rev. Phil Dieke continued our series "Evidence: A Series on Faith that Bears Fruit," preaching on Matthew 25:31-46, often referred to as the Sheep and the Goats, or the Judgment of the Nations. Phil invited us to not only consider this passage as a parable, but how it plays a parabolic role in the overall story of Matthew's Gospel. Jesus call to mercy, and judgment based on mercy, is a critical turning point in the Gospel (and the debate between faith vs. works), but it is not the end of the story. Instead, it points us to the culmination of the story.  Let us know your thoughts on this week's text.   The parable he tells at the beginning is from Peter Rollin's book "The Orthodox Heretic." You can watch this week's sermon on our YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/uiEncZ4CJOk

Sermon - Evidence: Enough to Convict?

Rev. Mitchell Boone kicked off "Evidence: A Series on Faith that Bears Fruit," by looking at the Fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5. Mitchell invites us to look at the fruit of our relationships, to examine how we behave and the implications that has on our relationships.   The Fruits of the Spirit may be all too familiar, something that is even trigging because you were forced to remember these as a kid.  How do you find value in the Fruits of the Spirit? What do they have to offer you today? You can watch this sermon on our YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/4sJxG1TOMeM

Sermon - Evidence: Fruits of the Spirit

Katilin Roberson, the Dallas & Fort Worth Development Associate for Refugee Services of Texas (RST), joined us to discuss the work of RST. She gives a bit of the history of their work, shares what is happening with the Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) for those in Afghanistan, and how we can get involved in the work of RST.  RST is hosting trainings for new volunteers. If you are interested in joining their work you can create a volunteer profile on their webpage and sign up for a training. You can also make donations or buy supplies off their Amazon wish list. Find more details here: https://www.rstx.org/locations/dallas.html And if your curious what the UMC says about refugees, this is the statement from the Social Principles: Migrants, Immigrants and Refugees We affirm the dignity, worth and rights of migrants, immigrants and refugees, including displaced and stateless people. In so doing, we acknowledge that the world today is facing an unprecedented crisis related to the displacement of vast numbers of people due to such factors as ongoing wars and other hostilities, foreign interventions, widespread famine and hunger, global warming and climate change, and the failure of nation-states to adequately protect and care for their people. We recognize that displaced people are particularly vulnerable as their inbetween status often provides them with few protections and benefits, leaving them open to exploitation, violence and abuse. We urge United Methodists to welcome migrants, refugees, and immigrants into their congregations and to commit themselves to providing concrete support, including help with navigating restrictive and often lengthy immigration policies, and assistance with securing food, housing, education, employment and other kinds of support. We oppose all laws and policies that attempt to criminalize, dehumanize or punish displaced individuals and families based on their status as migrants, immigrants or refugees. Additionally, we decry attempts to detain displaced people and hold them in inhumane and unsanitary conditions. We challenge policies that call for the separation of families, especially parents and minor children, and we oppose the existence of for-profit detention centers for such purposes. 

Church and Society - Kaitlin Roberson - Refugee Services of Texas

Back to School... no matter if you're a student, the parent of a student, a teacher, or have no affiliation with school anymore, there is something about back to school that says Fall is here. As we move into another school year, it may not be the school year we were hoping for. Maybe not the school year we were expecting. As we enter this now third school year affected by Covid-19, this school year may bring with it a sense of disappointment. Rev. Mitchell Boone invites us to consider our disappointment in light of all taking place world-wide, in our communities, our homes, and our own bodies. As he states, "Disappointment is what it means to be in community," because "I will let you down."  Mitchell used the Walk to Emmaus text in Luke 24:13-35 to discuss this idea of disappointment. Disappointment, it turns out, may have something to offer us, indeed it may be part of our Long Walk Home.  Let us know where you are disappointed. And as you work through your disappointment, where you are finding hope. Email us at office@wrumc.org. If you'd like to watch this week's sermon you can find it here: https://youtu.be/kUHWUrL_evk

Sermon - Back to School: The Long Walk Home

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