On August 31, 2025, Rev. Randy Lewis delivered this sermon at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, addressing the new IRS stance that allows churches to endorse political candidates without consequence. Drawing on history—from the church’s bargain with Constantine to its complicity in slavery and segregation—Rev. Lewis warns of the dangers when pulpits become campaign platforms rather than sanctuaries of conscience. He insists that ministry must remain prophetic, rooted in love, truth, and integrity, rather than co-opted by partisan power. The sermon is both a moral alarm and a call to courage: to protect the pulpit, guard sacred trust, and embody faith that is not for sale.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/apzR4RMxL4I

Celebrating the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance, we extend our warmest Diwali wishes to you. At this historic juncture in human history, may Diwali illuminate our lives with joy, prosperity, and peace. May the shifts we undertake, individually and collectively, guide us toward ancient, wise values, like love for one another, collaboration, kindness, and grace.

Yet, facing new challenges the ancients couldn’t have imagined, may we move forward with the curiosity that has propelled our species, the responsible and ethical use of knowledge, and a fearless determination to collaborate with one another. May we become wiser and kinder. May these virtues continue to light our world.

Happy Diwali!

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Rev. Thandeka's "Cerberus"

From the pen of the Rev. Dr. Thandeka comes a new imaginative, autobiographical blog series that tells an emotional and fascinating story of a life-long, perilous quest to recover what was once lost. The series also includes extended appendices that outline Thandeka’s thoughts on the modern anti-racism movement, touch upon the recent UUA GA controversy, provide theoretical background and practical principles related to Contemporary Affect Theology, and lay the foundations of a new approach to the work we are called to do.

https://revthandeka.org/cerberus

WATCH THE MESSAGE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/7yQ_4pJBQa0

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The message was delivered on Sunday, December 2, 2018, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Dr. Willie Parker, Guest Speaker.

DESCRIPTION:

Dr. Willie Parker, reproductive justice advocate and friend of All Souls, became a household name when the headline, "Christian Provides Abortions" hit the mainstream.

ABOUT:

Dr. Willie J. Parker, MD, MPH, MSC is an outspoken, Christian abortion provider. His work includes a focus on violence against women, sexual assault prevention, and reproductive health rights through advocacy, provision of contraceptive and abortion services, and men's reproductive health. Author of 'Life’s Work', Dr. Parker is the chair of the board of Physicians for Reproductive Health, and a board member of The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice and URGE. He was recently honored by the United Nations Office of Human Rights as one of twelve Women’s Human Rights Defenders.

Learn more about Dr. Parker on his website: https://www.drwillieparker.com/.

The sermon was delivered on Sunday, October 14, 2018, at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by Rev. Dr. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister.

DESCRIPTION:

At the heart of American democracy is... (wait for it...) “heart!” One of America’s foremost 21st century liberal theologians, Dr. Rev. Thandeka, teaches that when liberal religion displaces emotion from the moral equation, a contradiction of moral reasoning diminishes the impact of the liberal voice in American public life. Mainstream churches and liberal politicians will continue to lose ground unless this contradiction is reconciled. The most well-reasoned, documented and articulated facts, figures and solutions will continue to fail to move people to change. Thandeka says, “Liberal moral reasoning does not parse the American heart.” At All Souls, reconciliation is at the heart of our work. Join me to explore solutions we strive to achieve in our liberal religious faith.

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YouTube link: https://youtu.be/zr00_voJtF8

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