Eric Folkerth is a minister, musician, author and blogger.
He is Senior Pastor of Kessler Park UMC United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas. Previously, he was pastor at Northaven UMC in Dallas for seventeen years.
Eric loves to write on topics of spirituality, social justice, music/art and politics. The entries on this blog reflect that diversity of interests.
His passion for social justice goes beyond mere words. Eric was arrested at the White House, defending immigrants and “The Dreamers;” and he’s officiated at same sex weddings.
Eric was the 2017 recipient of the prestigeous Kuchling Humanitarian Award from Dallas’ Black Tie Dinner. (Human Rights Campaign)
Eric has led or co-led hundreds of persons on mission trips to build houses and bring medical care around the globe, to places such as Mexico, Haiti, Russia, Guatemala, and Nepal. He is proud of have shephereded Highland Park UMC's construction of ten Habitat for Humanity homes, (and one Community Center) and helped forge an alliance with Habitat that led to the construction of 100 homes in Dallas, housing thousands of people.
His wife, Justice Dennise Garcia, has 20 years experience as a state district judge and appelate justice in North Texas.
First elected in 2004, she was the first Latina ever elected to a Dallas County state district bench, and she she left that position whe was the longest currently serving district judge.
In 2020 Dennise Garcia was a elected as a Justice of the 5th District Court of Appeals for Texas. She is currently running to be Chief of the 5th District Court of Appeals in the 2024 cycle.
They have the world’s best daughter, Maria, who is a practicing professional counselor in Dallas.
Find links to Eric’s music-related websites, at the top of this site’s navigation menu.
So, this just happened… Dennise just posted this to Instagram. It’s quite a “moment in time,” what just happened. Maria can barely remember a time in her life when she hasn’t been campaigning for her Mom. As you can see in the top pic, that yard sign she’s holding was almost bigger than her, the […]
We’re still tabulating expenses and computing exactly how many folks came to Friday night’s big show (We think: 500-600) in Allen. And we’re still figuring out just how much we raised for our beneficiaries. But one thing we do know: the heart and generosity of James Taylor helped us tremendously. In case you missed the […]
A bit earlier today, as I was checking out at Central Market, the cashier made a snarky comment that stuck in my craw. I was buying Valentine’s flowers, cards, and dinner for Dennise and me. As I swiped my card to the beep of the register, the cashier said, “Aw….just short-stem roses?” She said it […]
As many of you know, Connections started with Dan Fogelberg. At the “core” of what drove us to ever get our crazy band together ten years ago was a chance to play Dan’s music, and to do in a BIG way…with a big band that could recreate some of the lush instrumentation that you’re used […]
Donald Trump holds up various mirrors to American society. If you don’t understand this, you’ve probably misunderstood why he’s so popular. Trump’s outrageous political statements are a kind of Political Mirror for many Americans. Personally? I believe Trump does not share the core values of many of those who see their reflection in his Political […]
I continue to remember my Dad in all sorts of ways. One way is by pulling out, and finally finishing, this song I started years ago after a visit back to the place my Dad grew up (In Kentucky, just across the river from Cincy) So, here’s a demo. I really really like how it’s […]
Been away from home all day and now that I’m home, I’m feeling the full weight of Glenn Frey’s passing. Unreal. So strange to come home, open up the computer, and see that the Wikipedia entry already says “Glenn Frey was an American singer, songwriter…” Wait. Was?! Jeez… Can’t they give us a few days […]
I’ve always known grief is a process. As such, I’ve blogged and spoken of my Dad. It was almost certain I’d eventually write a song. So, here’s a demo…called “Lay it Down.” One thing’s for sure: It’s a lot easier to capture a range of emotion in a nine-page blog, than in a four minute […]
In keeping with my last blog on Star Wars and friendship, I dusted off, and reworked, an old song of mine with a Star Wars theme. I wrote it for Stu Roberts. It’s sappy and sentimental. But some songs are like that. Hope you like it https://vimeo.com/149767721 Han and Luke Long, long ago…in a […]
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