The sermon was delivered on Sunday, August 12, 2018, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Carlton D. Pearson, Affiliate Minister. DESCRIPTION Let's begin the process of revisiting, revising or, in some cases, reversing ideas and concepts based on varying cryptic interpretations of the bible. Interpretations have been programmed into the minds of people by religious systems, statements, and statutes—including church doctrines, dogma, and some church disciplines—causing millions of...
Aug 12, 2018•37 min
The sermon was delivered on Sunday, August 12, 2018, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Dr. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. DESCRIPTION This summer, I've been inspired our Life Beyond Certainty series, the work of Charles Darwin, and the spirit of Jazz. Darwin's approach to the discovery of truth and his curiosity opened his mind to revolutionary wisdom and understanding. Jazz music requires an openness that allows for fresh and delightful innovations. Uncertainty can be...
Aug 12, 2018•27 min
The message was delivered on Sunday, August 5, 2018, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Dr. Marlin Lavanhar & Colin Bent. DESCRIPTION Beloved member Colin Bent, who served three terms on All Souls Board of Trustees and was an original member of the All Souls Intercultural Bridging Team, embodies the expression “life-long learner." As we continue our Life Beyond series, Colin and I will explore the idea that the more we discover, we realize the less we know. Colin was b...
Aug 05, 2018•34 min
The message was delivered on Sunday, July 29, 2018, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Barbara Prose & Dr. Teresa Reed. DESCRIPTION How do we transcend whatever is weighing us down or holding us back? And, when we manage to transcend, what else gets disconnected? Do we have to lose meaningful family relationships when our faith grows? We may find some answers in our faith tradition, as a major stream in the river of Unitarian Universalism is Transcendentalism. Dr. Tere...
Jul 29, 2018•40 min
The sermon was delivered on Sunday, July 22, 2018, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Carlton D. Pearson, Affiliate Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION After spending the last two decades rebuilding and rebooting my life and ministry, my new purpose is aimed to help you examine and reconsider what you believe, why you believe it, and how those beliefs add to or subtract from the quality of your life. Life’s breakdowns can be turned into breakthroughs. We all go through Hell on Earth, ...
Jul 22, 2018•27 min
The homily was delivered on Sunday, July 15, 2018, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Barbara Prose, Executive Director of Ministry. HOMILY DESCRIPTION What does it take for our beliefs to change? Sometimes, something cataclysmic. For Doug, it was attending Higher Dimensions. For me, it was moving to Oklahoma. What has allowed your thinking to evolve? Who or what has made it safe for you to grow and are you ready to offer that to others? As Doug says, “I have very deep eva...
Jul 15, 2018•13 min
The reflection was delivered on Sunday, July 15, 2018, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Doug Henderson, Congregant. REFLECTION DESCRIPTION What does it take for our beliefs to change? Sometimes, something cataclysmic. For Doug, it was attending Higher Dimensions. For me, it was moving to Oklahoma. What has allowed your thinking to evolve? Who or what has made it safe for you to grow and are you ready to offer that to others? As Doug says, “I have very deep evangelical roots. ...
Jul 15, 2018•24 min
The sermon was delivered on Sunday, July 8, 2018, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Bishop Carlton D. Pearson, Affiliate Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION The concept of hell is the most psychologically and emotionally debilitating concepts in human psychology, theology and philosophy. It has produced a kind of global psychosis and mental illness that has crippled and, all but paralyzed, the development of planetary peace and co-existence. After 50 years of believing and buying int...
Jul 08, 2018•38 min
The sermon was delivered on Sunday, July 8, 2018, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Barbara Prose, Executive Director of Ministry. SERMON DESCRIPTION After traveling throughout the European Union, meeting Unitarian Universalists from around the world, driving from Tulsa to Oregon and back, and watching our daughter marry, I am more curious than ever about the ways we learn to identify with each other--or not. What tribes do you already belong and to? What tribe do you lon...
Jul 08, 2018•25 min
The message was delivered on Sunday, July 1, 2018, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Gerald Davis & Dorothy Checotah. MESSAGE DESCRIPTION Well, it is summer time so that must mean Rev. Gerald is in the pulpit. It is important for all us to understand each day gives us an opportunity to grow deeper spiritually inside and outside. Therefore, if your sensibilities have been aroused from the news you have seen and heard coming from our southern borders, your alert system ...
Jul 01, 2018•45 min
The sermon was delivered on Sunday, June 24, 2018, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Carmen White Janak, Guest Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Throughout our lifetime we will encounter hellish experiences, some will impact us greatly and some will be debilitating. On average, we meet 80,000 people throughout our lifetime. I promise, with some of those you meet, you will experience some fresh hell. We can't always control what occurs, but we can command how we respond. Rev. C...
Jun 24, 2018•32 min
The sermon was delivered on Sunday, June 24, 2018, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Doug Inhofe, Sabbatical Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION More than we imagine, aspects of our lives are arranged as games. We participate in games with rules. We opt to play or not with others. In the games of life, there are time limits, areas of responsibilities, and, ultimately, there’s a winner. This predictability, this certainty, we imagine, can salve our anxiety about our futures. But ...
Jun 24, 2018•31 min
The sermon was delivered on Sunday, June 17, 2018, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Bishop Carlton D. Pearson, Affiliate Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION The majority of conservative evangelical thinkers still believe in an orthodox hell as do most of the billion Roman Catholics in the world. This includes eternal damnation and torture in a lake of fire and brimstone. It all sounds frighteningly obscure, absurd and obscene. And for the most part, they all wish it were not true, o...
Jun 17, 2018•42 min
The sermon was delivered on Sunday, June 17, 2018, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Dr. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Talk about uncertainty, children don’t come with instruction manuals. There is no application process or credentialing necessary to become a father biologically. Yet, parenting and fatherhood are typically the most important role that a lot of people will ever have. The path of parenthood is a worthwhile metaphor and framework for a...
Jun 17, 2018•23 min
The message was delivered on Sunday, June 10, 2018, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Dr. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. DESCRIPTION In recognition of Pride month, I'll share stories of how being a welcoming and affirming church with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender members and staff has provided a foundation for All Souls to become a growing multicultural community with a strong Humanist complement. SUBSCRIBE TO AUDIO PODCAST: WATCH THIS MESSAGE ON YOUTUBE: SUBS...
Jun 10, 2018•15 min
The reflection was delivered on Sunday, June 10, 2018, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Dr. Marlin Lavanhar and Nicole Ogundare. DESCRIPTION Ten years ago, I met Nicole Ogundare when Carlton Pearson and members from Higher Dimensions Church came to share our building. None of us knew then what would transpire among, between, and around us over the following decade. Nicole will join me in both services. She will share insight from her personal and spiritual journey -- fro...
Jun 10, 2018•31 min
The sermon was delivered on Sunday, June 3, 2018, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Bishop Carlton D. Pearson, Affiliate Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Rev. Carlton D. Pearson and All Souls ministers will preach in our Life Beyond Hell services. Former members of Higher Dimensions Church will share personal stories of their religious journeys since coming to All Souls in 2008. Since the film Come Sunday was released on Netflix, many of our members have been asked questions like,...
Jun 03, 2018•41 min
The sermon was delivered on Sunday, June 3, 2018, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Dr. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. DESCRIPTION Life Beyond Certainty will lean heavily toward our Humanist approach which is the basis of our Humanist Hour (The Point) service. This service will be held in the Sanctuary and include some Traditional service elements. Our speakers and ministers will share relevant messages and Rick Fortner will lead the music along with special musical gu...
Jun 03, 2018•23 min
The message was delivered on Sunday, May 27, 2018, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Michael Dowd, Guest Speaker. MESSAGE DESCRIPTION A deep-time big picture is vital for staying sane and sober in confusing and contracting times. Such an evidence-based “sacred realism” can help us accept what is inevitable, avoid what is futile, and be a blessing to friends, family, and neighbors in a difficult and uncertain world. This sermon by renowned eco-theologian and TEDx speaker, ...
May 27, 2018•22 min
The message was delivered on Sunday, May 20, 2018, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Dr. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister, at the Humanist Service. MESSAGE DESCRIPTION Join All Souls to honor all who are graduating this May. Each year, celebrities and valedictorians deliver commencement addresses across the nation to graduates, their families and friends. They often share encouraging words about success and what gives life meaning. Join me on Graduation Sunday to hear my ...
May 20, 2018•24 min
The sermon was delivered on Sunday, May 20, 2018, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Bishop Carlton D. Pearson, Affiliate Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION "I'm for truth, no matter who tells it. I'm for justice, no matter who it's for or against." —Malcolm X Justice is the legal, moral or philosophical theory by which fairness is administered. The concept of justice often differs somewhat in every culture. Justice can be more mental than moral, or the other way around. Consciousnes...
May 20, 2018•38 min
The sermon was delivered on Sunday, May 20, 2018, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Dr. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Join All Souls to honor all who are graduating this May. Each year, celebrities and valedictorians deliver commencement addresses across the nation to graduates, their families and friends. They often share encouraging words about success and what gives life meaning. Join me on Graduation Sunday to hear my commencement address to all...
May 20, 2018•25 min
The message was delivered on Sunday, May 13, 2018, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Nancy McDonald, Guest Speaker, at the Humanist Service. MESSAGE DESCRIPTION Nancy McDonald sees “mothering” as a verb, as a way all of us can engage the world. As a mother of biological children, an adopted child, and as a “second mother” to many, Nancy is the embodiment of a mothering spirit. She will share her personal reflections and stories about how All Souls members and our partners in j...
May 13, 2018•25 min
The sermon was delivered on Sunday, May 13, 2018, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Dr. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Rev. Marlin Lavanhar shares his Mother's Day message about motherhood, love, and connectedness. SUBSCRIBE TO AUDIO PODCAST: WATCH THIS SERMON ON YOUTUBE: SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: GIVE A DONATION TO HELP US SPREAD THIS LOVE BEYOND BELIEF: or text LOVEBB to 73256 LET'S CONNECT: Facebook: Twitter: All Souls Church Website:...
May 13, 2018•21 min
The sermon was delivered on Sunday, May 6, 2018, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Bishop Carlton D. Pearson, Affiliate Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION “Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.” —Martin Luther King, Jr. Life is neither equal of fair, so we must learn to find justice in the life and psyche of our world that tends to be terrible and impossible at times....
May 06, 2018•36 min
The message was delivered on Sunday, May 6, 2018, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Dr. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister, at the Humanist Service. MESSAGE DESCRIPTION If my neighbor believes I’m going to hell, I don’t really care as long as they respect my property, treat me and my family nicely and let me borrow a cup a sugar or a power tool when needed. The good news for me is that whatever they believe—the fact is, they don’t control the universe, the afterlife, nor do...
May 06, 2018•21 min
The sermon was delivered on Sunday, May 6, 2018, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Dr. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION If my neighbor believes I’m going to hell, I don’t really care as long as they respect my property, treat me and my family nicely and let me borrow a cup a sugar or a power tool when needed. The good news for me is that whatever they believe—the fact is, they don’t control the universe, the afterlife, nor do they, or anyone, really kn...
May 06, 2018•19 min
The message was delivered on Sunday, April 29, 2018, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Steven L. Williams, Pastoral Care Chaplain, at the Humanist Service. MESSAGE DESCRIPTION Adults do not play nearly enough. We forget that fun, joy, creativity, and silliness bring us closer to our essential nature. Children know this intuitively. They use play for everything. Play not only helps them figure out their world, but who they are and where they fit in that world. If you look at yo...
Apr 29, 2018•28 min
The sermon was delivered on Sunday, April 29, 2018, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Bishop Carlton D. Pearson, Affiliate Minister. SERMON DESCRIPTION Transcendence is a constant natural and nurtured discipline of the soul, self and mind. It means, from its etymological origin, to climb across or climb over. It is a reference to existence or experience beyond the normal or physical level. Our American culture, including religion, is transcending to a new and more progressive ...
Apr 29, 2018•35 min
The sermon was delivered on Sunday, April 15, 2018, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Kate Braestrup, Guest Minister and New York Times Best-Selling Author. SERMON DESCRIPTION Kate shares her heartfelt message, with a side of humor. Kate is a community minister, law enforcement chaplain, storyteller, and the author of the New York Times best-selling memoirs, 'Here If You Need Me', 'Marriage and Other Acts of Charity' and 'Beginner’s Grace: Bringing Prayer to Life'. SUBSCRIBE T...
Apr 15, 2018•24 min
