Submitted by: Kay McCurdy, Director Religious Education

The human species has inhabited this planet for only 250,000 years or so….roughly .0015 percent of the history of life, the last inch of the cosmic mile. The world fared perfectly well without us for all but the last moment of earthly time–and this fact makes our appearance look more like an accidental afterthought than the culmination of a prefigured plan.

Moreover, the pathways that have led to our evolution are quirky, improbable, unrepeatable and utterly unpredictable. Human evolution is not random; it makes sense and can be explained after the fact. But wind back life’s tape to the dawn of time and let it play again–and you will never get humans a second time.

We are here because one odd group of fishes had a peculiar fin anatomy that could transform into legs for terrestrial creatures; because the earth never froze entirely during an ice age; because a small and tenuous species, arising in Africa a quarter of a million years ago, has managed, so far, to survive by hook and by crook. We may yearn for a ‘higher’ answer — but none exists. This explanation, though superficially troubling, if not terrifying, is ultimately liberating and exhilarating.

We cannot read the meaning of life passively in the facts of nature. We must construct these answers ourselves — from our own wisdom and ethical sense.

There is no other way.

~ Stephen Jay Gould

 

Thank you, Mr. Gould. As I near the end of my time here at the UUCC, your words ring out in my head. Our Religious Education program is a place where the free and responsible search for truth and meaning not only exists, it thrives. Speaking of thriving, March in RE means…Youth Cons! Held at The Mountain in Highlands, North Carolina…

“A Youth CONference is a gathering of Unitarian Universalist youth and advisors from congregations all over the southeast (and sometimes beyond!) for a weekend program filled with a variety of workshops, activities, good food, a safe environment and warm, cozy cabins. Youth participate in all the activities, share with new friends in small get-to-know-you groups, bond during free time, contribute to times of fun and reflection and grow spiritually through worship.”

Each year, our generous congregation sponsors half scholarships for UUCC children and youth to attend Cons: Elementary (3rd-5th), Intermediate (6th-8th) and High School (9th-12th). In addition, awesome RE volunteers from our congregation served as Youth Advisors for each of the three Cons: Gale Audier, Jessica Bowman, Steve Hollingsworth, Wendy Sapp, Beth Terry, and Eric Tittsworth. Be sure to high five these folks when you see them on Sunday!

    

 

    

Speaking of amazing RE volunteers, I wanted to share this note of gratitude from Elementary Con Youth Advisor (and beloved UUCC member) Jessica Bowman:

I am so grateful for your generous gift of this weekend! Please give my most sincere, heartfelt thanks to the folks at UUCC who sponsored my trip and for the opportunity to go on this journey as a representative of UUCC. It was an honor to serve our youth as an advisor.

In gratitude,

Jessica

 

So what do Youth Cons have to do with the value of curiosity? (Warning: Stewardship promo ahead.)

When you fill out your pledge card this spring, try and think of it less as a dutiful obligation, and more as a world-changing act. You’re investing in curiosity! You’re investing in humanity! You’re not just talking the talk, you’re walking the walk. Doesn’t that feel great?  Never doubt that your pledge makes a bold statement: there is value in a liberal religious community where all voices are heard and all identities are embraced.