Eric Folkerth

Kessler Park Friends:

It’s been some time since I’ve updated you on the ongoing “split” in the United Methodist Church. I’ve been trying very hard not to “over-share” the play-by-play of almost daily developments, because it seems to me this…

It’s time to reclaim January 6th. It’s time to remember that, for 2,000 years, this date had a meaning not at all connected with Donald Trump and the insurrectionist takeover of our nation’s Capitol.

I am not suggesting we “forget”…

We human creatures are deeply frail and fragile beings, and behind every tough exterior lives a frightened little child.

It doesn’t matter whether we are “battle hardened soldiers,” or “bleeding heart artists.”

It doesn’t matter if we are “brawny men,”…

This week, as I reread the first verses of Luke’s Christmas story, I thought about Rey (from Star Wars), and about my own governor, Greg Abbott.

Director JJ Abrams masterfully introduces the character of Rey to us in “The Force…

It’s Christmas Day, and so it’s the perfect day to talk about shit.

I’ve probably already lost some of you, because you don’t think preachers are supposed to use such words. But for those who aren’t already writing my Bishop…

“Now…remind me again….which of the Beatles are still alive?”

“Paul and Ringo, Mom.”

It is Thanksgiving Day, one year ago tomorrow. We are at our family’s Lakehouse, and we are watching Peter Jackson’s “Get Back” documentary which has just dropped…

“All the tax collectors and sinners were gathering around Jesus to listen to him. The Pharisees and legal experts were grumbling, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.””
Luke 15: 1-2

“Everyone who saw this grumbled, saying, “He…

Today would be my Mom’s 88th Birthday, and we miss her alot. Anniversaries are hard.

But, I’ve been thinking alot about her 60th birthday this month, since I just had mine. That day –right about this time of morning, on…

This morning, the world is on-fire with conversation regarding “student debt forgiveness.”

I am listening to this debate, as I also meditate on Sunday’s scripture from the Gospel of Luke (Chapter 14), and other Bible stories that speak to us…

Stopping for a moment to read these words.

This old, yellowed quote from Frederick Buechner has been on the wall of every office study I’ve had for 30+ years.

What’s YOUR favorite Buechner quote? (Copy/paste it in the comments…)

I…

“AND…WHO AM I?”

This is the unspoken question the religious lawyer quizzing Jesus never asks.

I really wish he had. Because I need the answer to this question, and so do you.

I’m talking about the Parable of the Good…