Author: ericfolkerth

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.

My Predictions

November 6, 2012.Reading time 1 minute.

In ten minutes, it will be election day here. They’ve already voted in Dixville Knox, and soon will be elsewhere. As somebody who loves to watch politics the way that others obsessed over football/baseball stats, I thought I’d put forth how I think things will go tomorrow. Using the map at the great 270towin.com site, […]

Grace Finds Beauty In Everything

October 18, 2012.Reading time 1 minute.

It’s a sad day for us around here. Early this afternoon, we said our final goodbyes to our dog, Grace. I won’t go into the long story. Sufficed to say, we’ve known this was coming for a long time. She was 14 or 15 in human years. Which is something like 100 for a dog. […]

It’s Still a Purpleland

October 1, 2012.Reading time 2 minutes.

I wrote the song below after the 2004 election.Partisan tensions run high this time of the election cycle, so it’s probably a decent time to pull it off the shelf. Whoever wins, and whoever loses, the chorus is still true. “Purpleland” by Eric Folkerth Well, I called my friend up at NYUAnd she said, “Me […]

How I Spent My 50th Birthday

September 21, 2012.Reading time 9 minutes.

Man, I always love Facebook on my birthday. So far today, a ridiculous 400* posts on my page, not counting the private messages and comments. It’s so awesome to just allow that to wash over me. Thank you, everyone. Personal friends from all along the road…The good and wonderful folks at Northaven…Minister friends…Musicians friends…Justice-seekers…Political friends… […]

Thoughts on Fifty

September 21, 2012.Reading time 3 minutes.

“50 years: here’s a time when you have to separate yourself from what other people expect of you, and do what you love. Because if you find yourself 50 years old and you aren’t doing what you love, then what’s the point?”— Jim Carrey “Every so often I read a book about age, and whoever’s […]

Slipping Through My Fists

September 18, 2012.Reading time 2 minutes.

In just a few days, I’ll turn fifty. I could pretend to tell you all sorts of things about it, but frankly all I can say is that so far it sucks. I’m not handling “fifty” well. (btw, my Mom says she and Dad aren’t either…) I know, I know. It’s definitely “better than the […]

We Believe in the Separation of Church and Hate

August 12, 2012.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Very proud that this is a trademarked slogan of Northaven Church. Just posting it as a reminder.

Yes. Don’t Shoot People, People.

August 7, 2012.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Many thanks to “Sick of the Slant” for this. (As always, if you like this post, then “share it” or “like” it on Facebook by clicking the box below, so others can see too…) Please visit Eric’s original blog here: http://www.wheneftalks2.blogspot.com/

Dixie Chick-Fil-Ayed

August 2, 2012.Reading time 17 minutes.

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37) All I could do today, when I saw pictures of the crowds surrounding […]

This is My Song

July 4, 2012.Reading time 1 minute.

This is my song, Oh God of all the nations,A song of peace for lands afar and mine.This is my home, the country where my heart is;Here are my hopes, my dreams, my sacred shrine.But other hearts in other lands are beating,With hopes and dreams as true and high as mine. My country’s skies are […]