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.
Brian Williams has not survived the kerfuffle over his helicopter ride in Iraq. And, personally, I think that is a shame. As has been said many times the past few days: The only person ever held accountable for lies related to the Iraq War. Yes, what he did was terrible. And I’ll absolutely admit that […]
Yesterday was “Muslim Day” at the State Capital. Hundreds of Muslims gathered peacefully and exercised their constitutional right of speech and assembly. But, right in the middle of their peaceful gathering, this happened: A question, a comment, and a request… First, a question: Why was this woman not arrested?!! Second, a comment: If you want […]
As I left yesterday’s interfaith gathering at Northaven, I was filled with joy, peace, and hope. Everything about it exceeded our expectations. There were double the number of folks that we assumed would come (around 420). There were wonderful surprises that even I didn’t know would happen (“This Land Is Your Land,” played on Middle […]
The following was the interfaith statement read at yesterday’s gathering. Dozens of clergy from all traditions stood with us, as this statement was read. An Interfaith Statement We have gathered here today out of our mutual concern over vitriolic language and protests last weekend in our community. We were deeply disturbed by images and video […]
Friends, Northaven is honored to be hosting an event, Sunday afternoon, supporting our Muslim brothers and sisters, in the wake of vitriolic protests last weekend in Garland. It will be at 4 pm Sunday in our sanctuary. I know this is last minute. But our Muslims friends were eager for a quick response, so we […]
In the midst of a long ride on this absolutely gorgeous MLK day. Temperatures almost near 70°. Lots of people out here enjoying the day. Almost no wind and I’m just flying around. My companion on my past few rides has been Karen Armstrong’s new book “Fields of Blood.” I’m “reading” a great audiobook version, […]
First ride of the year today. Lots of families out here. Lots of kids riding what appeared to be brand-new Christmas bikes. A couple of strange pictures for you today. Strange, until I explain them. First, a picture off the back of Winfrey Point. I’ve shared dozens of pictures with you of the western view; […]
I burst into tears on the way home from my bike ride tonight. They were unexpected tears, to be sure. And they had nothing at all to do with the ride. In fact, the ride had been great. For the fifth time this December, I took a ride in some seriously cold weather. Twenty seven […]
Right now, in the garage of Fire Station #6 in Livermore, California, there’s a small, pear-shaped light bulb illuminating this Christmas Eve. That’s not really a spectacular, I suppose. There’s probably a light bulb burning in every fire station the country, this Christmas Eve. Until I tell you one more thing: That same lightbulb has […]
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