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.

The "What If" Fear Is the Only Mistake We Can Make

November 14, 2011.Reading time 1 minute.

I really like the way yesterday’s sermon came out. I love the “Parable of the Talents.” It’s one of my personal favorite scriptures. So, it’s always easy to preach on, especially with this rattling through my brain too. I’m not gonna post the text, because this one was better heard than read. But enjoy the […]

The Parable of the Talents Explained

November 13, 2011.Reading time 1 minute.

Below is some graffiti I recently saw on a bike ride around White Rock. I loved it so much, I stopped and took this picture. It’s at the top of the White Rock Lake dam, looking East, back out over the waters. I know that some will likely be offended by it’s crudeness…or perhaps shocked […]

Digital Archaeology

November 6, 2011.Reading time 8 minutes.

Strangely, since my last blog, lamenting the lack of progress on my CD, I’ve actually made quite a lot of progress. Today, it dawned on me that what I’ve been doing is “digital archaeology.” If and when this CD is finally finished, it’s doubtful the average listener will ever fully appreciate just how much went […]

Past the Bitterness, The Bitterness Passes

October 29, 2011.Reading time 18 minutes.

Before you read any further, you should probably remind yourselves that the title of all my sports-related-blogs is “HSO’s from a Bitter P-1.”(See #1 Below…) I got that nickname from the folks on the “Bob and Dan” radio program, at the conclusion of the 2006 NBA Finals, when the Mavs lost to the Heat. I […]

Occupy Dallas: Thanks for Your Witness

October 27, 2011.Reading time 12 minutes.

“‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” Just a short blog today to publicly thank the folks at Occupy Dallas for organizing a march in support of the Dallas Police, and […]

Buck and McCarver "Blow the Call"

October 24, 2011.Reading time 9 minutes.

It’s World Series time. What better time to bring out my inner “Bitter P1?” (One of the many voices in my head…) Today’s topic: How Joe Buck and Tim McCarver blew their “call” of Ron Kulpa’s blown call. The original blown call involved Umpire Ron Kulpa blowing a call in Saturday night’s game. He missed […]

Redemption

October 19, 2011.Reading time 6 minutes.

Game One of the 2011 World Series starts in about three hours from now, and I still can’t believe it. The other day on The Ticket, I heard long-time Ranger fan, Mike Rhyner say, “I still can’t believe these are the RANGERS we’re talking about.” I know what he means. I’ve talked about what it’s […]

Spiritual Reflections on "Occupy Wall Street"

October 9, 2011.Reading time 19 minutes.

Thursday morning, I chose to join more than five hundred people who gathered here in Dallas for “Occupy Dallas.” This is the local incarnation of the “Occupy Wall Street” movement that has been much in the news the past few weeks. More than 500 people gathered in Pike Park, and marched through downtown. I want […]

"A Little At A Time"

October 7, 2011.Reading time 12 minutes.

This morning, I stopped long enough to do something that I know I need to do more. I lit candles and incense, here at my writing desk, and wrote in my journal. It dawns on me much of what I wrote was probably worth saying publicly. So here goes… Fridays are supposed to be sacred […]

Why I Will Attend "Occupy Dallas"

October 5, 2011.Reading time 3 minutes.

Friends: Tomorrow morning, I plan to join those gathering in downtown Dallas for the “Occupy Dallas” event. This is a Dallas-version of the on-going protests in New York City. I recognize that these protests are not popular with everyone. I also realize that some believe protesting Wall Street is either counter-productive, or shows an ignorance to […]