The Oracle

Religiously Yours

Cheers,

"Hey, Mom, no one is around, you don’t have to stop at that stop sign!" exclaimed my overly excited and impatient son.

We were traveling from our hotel to Idlewild Park for a day of riding roller coasters, disintegrating cotton candy, and throwing balls at impossible targets.

"No, Cullen, you must stop at the sign even if you don't see any-one," I replied.

"Why?" he asked.

"Well, it’s a rule, it’s the right thing to do, honey. You must stop no matter what."

Some things in life are not negotiable, I thought. I began thinking about other non-negotiable rules in my son’s life: cleaning up his toys, sharing with his sister, talking politely to others, being gentle with our pet hamster, speaking out when someone hits. And as I thought of this list of rules I saw the relationship to the UU principles. But, then, there’s another dimension to this story.

"You must stop even if no one else is looking," I had said.

This takes the lesson a step further. I remember many lessons in my childhood Sunday School classes ending with the explanation, "because God is watching you." No. We don't follow the rules be-cause we’re afraid of being caught (by God or the policeman). We follow the rules because it is the right thing to do and makes us a more divine human.

I thought about all of this as I watched one lone security guard patrol among the countless vacationing families in the amusement park. I observed people waiting in line, taking turns, eating together, laughing, and sharing in the experiences of others. And I sensed a holiness in this place where people followed the rules because it felt right and good. Ah, yes, if only the world was more like an amusement park!

Religious Education at Church

Several months ago, I wrote about how I had found a fundamentalist Christian brochure stuffed in an elevator. Now I wish I would have stuffed a UU brochure next to it! Rehearse your elevator speech (what you’d say when you’re going from the sixth floor to the lobby and somebody asks you, "What’s a Unitarian Universalist?"). By the way, I was once asked to give my elevator speech during the delivery of my daughter when my OB asked me (right in the middle of a contraction) what a UU is? You never know when you might need to tell it!!! You can find examples of elevator speeches in the UU World and on the UUA website (www.uua.org). And review our UU principles and beliefs.

In the next few months, I challenge everyone to actively publicize our Unitarian Universalist Church and our religious education program. There are many UUs out there who don't even know they are UUs! Help them find us!

The session on August 8 will be a timely topic, the General Assembly which recently was attended by members Carlin and Gerry Almes, Alison Wohler, and Joan Mason. They are enthusiastic about the numerous workshops they attended and would like to share that information and have discussion.

On September 12, there will be a discussion of Forrest Church’s reflection, "Choose your enemies carefully", page 18, from the July/August issue of the UU World. The discussion topics are listed in the back of the magazine in the section, "What in the World?".

Youre invited to come to beautiful Chautauqua Institute on Monday, August 23 to see the musical Fiddler on the Roof. Bring a dish to share and enjoy a pot luck supper before the show at the Stupiansky Condo (9 Whitfield #1) at 6 p.m. Walk over to the play, then return to the Stupianskys for a pot luck dessert.

The cost for the play is $25, $45, or $55, depending on the seats. The price includes a gate pass into the Institute, starting at 4 p.m. Order tickets online (ciweb.org) or by calling 716-357-6250. Dont delay in ordering your tickets – they are going fast. There is a $5 hand-ling fee per ticket order, so you may want to combine your order with other folks who will be attending. Call Wynette Kommer or the Stupiansky's with your RSVP by August 1.

September 11: Welcome! Wine & Cheese

October 23: Tentative date for pledge dinner (Parish House)

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The air is miles thick, but most thick on the ground. Humans are better at having thick air.

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While the sun continues to recklessly fly through space, we blindly follow along and around it. But some day we will learn how to go on our own and then watch out.

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Space scientists call outer space that. This is as good a name as I can think for it.

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In order to know that the moon has gravity I need only look at the tides. Somehow this proves it to me conclusively.

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The sky is blue because when sunlight hits the air it bends a little, this being the right answer to one of the questions, this one I think.

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The "moon" is really a satellite. But I and a lot of other people still catch ourselves calling it "moon."

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It is often only a matter of fate as to whether a person is a genius or not. I, for example, (knowing what I do) would be one had I only been born 1000 years ago.

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Fish can drown in air. That is true. So we are even.

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The good kind of ministers are in church, and the other kind are in government.

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Our Four Freedoms are: Freedom from Want, Freedom from Fear, Freedom from the Press and Freedom from Religion.