When EF Talks

It All Starts Here

I spend at least some part of every week here. In the quiet of our sanctuary, praying for our church, our neighbors, all of Oak Cliff. We try to be an inclusive church that serves all our mission field…Oak Cliff…Bishop…

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ICE Air Is Leaving Dallas Love Field

Today, we in CLEAR-DFW were privileged to stand beside eight partner groups in the effort collectively known as No Love For ICE Air as we jointly announced some remarkable news:

We have credible conviction that ICE Air has ceased operations…

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Coffee on the Porch 10.13.26

Today we talked briefly about the horrific plans for a public execution and CLEAR-DFW’s sign on letter in opposition to glorifying state violence. I also talk about the benefits of journal-keeping; how it can help center us, slow us down…

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Coffee on the Porch 10.06.26

An abbreviated Coffee on the Porch this morning….but here’s the archive.

Thank you , , and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.

Get more from Eric Folkerth in… Read more

The Christian Nationalist Heart of Public Execution

In the series “Game of Thrones,” some of the more chilling scenes are rows of crucified bodies outside the fictional city of Meereen.

It happens twice. First, when “Breaker of Chains,” Daenerys Targaryen, enters the city. She’s horrified by rows…

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Coffee on the Porch 09.29.26

This week, we mainly caught up, after I had been gone for two weeks.

I talked about my recent trips, and some of the writing I’ve done during that time.

Song of the Day: “Plowshare Song,” by Spencer LaJoye…

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The Righteous Road Is the Road of Action

For forty years now, I can never think of Jesus’ “Parable of the Two Brothers” without remembering a video we made, way back in 1980. We were just starting our senior year and we produced a retelling off…

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Nobody Owns “Our Faith”

This should be obvious, but I’ll start with this today, anyway.

JD Vance does not “own” Christianity.
No denomination or church “owns” Christianity.
No political party “owns” Christianity.

Organized Christian faith is —in both America and worldwide— is in fact,…

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What Do We See When We See That Picture?

Take a good look at this picture below.
Because if you understand the symbolism behind it, you’ll get how it’s a subtle message that deftly sums up everything I want to write to you today.

It’s one person’s response to…

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WHAT Do We CHOOSE To “Never Forget?”

Friday marks twenty-five years since the horror of 911.
This week also marks a forty-ish year return of the Republican Party to my city of Dallas.

This morning, I am reflecting on how these anniversaries coalesce and intersect in how…

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Coffee on the Porch 09.08.26

This week, Eric again speaks to the controversy between the United Methodist Church and Highland Park UMC in Dallas.
He refers to this second essay, and suggests that TRUST, or lack of it, is a fundamental issue.

Then, Eric turns…

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Coffee on the Porch 09.01.26

This week, Eric shares about his renewing week in Malibu, California, and also speaks to the break controversy between HPUMC and the United Methodist Church.

This essay is much of the conversation:

Song of the Day: “Rock Me On the…

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Coffee on the Porch 08.18.26

Today, Eric talks about the scatalogical turn that Jesus takes in a specific Gospel lesson. He’s also interrupted by birds!

Song of the Day: Dan Fogelberg’s “Icarus Ascending.”
In honor of Dan Fogelberg’s birthday.

Here’s my other recorded version of…

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Coffee on the Porch 08.11.26

This week, Eric compares the message of the Odyssey (the Sirens) to the story of Peter walking on water.


Essay for the week:

Song of the Day:
Eric’s Song: “Voices”
Find it here:



Thank you , , , and many…

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It’s Always Been A Matter of Trust

Last night, I attended a birthday party for a dear church member and her son’s house. It was a lovely twilight evening, a backyard pool area, a near-Preston Hollow neighborhood, very near my former church….a great night.

And on the…

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An Open Letter To My HPUMC Friends

Beloved Members of Highland Park United Methodist Church,

For those who don’t know me, my name is Eric Folkerth, and I greet you in the name of Christ as pastor of your sister United Methodist Church, Kessler Park United Methodist…

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Coffee on the Porch 08.02.26

Thank you , , , , and many others for tuning into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.

Get more from Eric Folkerth in the Substack app Available for iOS and Android Get… Read more

'Powering Through' And the Power of God

It’s time for what my dear friend, Songwriter KC Clifford, calls “Truthbooking…”

I’m going to start today with an extended retelling of a recent hard night I had, because it so clearly leads straight into an important conversation…

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Icarus Ascending

“Don’t look down
Though your heart may be weary
Don’t look down
Though your wings are on fire
Don’t look down
Though the night may seem endless

There’s a reason you’re flying
this fast and this far
Let your faith

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Coffee on the Porch 07.28.26

This week, I play “show and tell” about my trip to Chicago, and also revisit the pictures I took of our trees in the backyard….reminding us again that “growth” takes time and patience.
We also again talk about the Haitians…

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