December 2016 Year-end Thoughts

from Barbara Turk

I’m hoping everyone is familiar with Gilbert & Sullivan’s 1879 (remember that?!?) comic opera, “The Pirates of Penzance”, specifically the song, “I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General”, and thus I offer this:

 ”The Very Model of a Modern Unitarian” *

(with apologies to Gilbert & Sullivan)

I am the very model of a modern Unitarian,           
   Far broader than a Cath’lic, Hindu, Jew, or Presbyterian
I know the world’s religions and can trace their roots historical,
   From Moses up to channeling, in order categorical.
On existential question I am always wholly logical,
   But to explain the cosmos I use stories mythological.
About most any problem I am teeming with a lot of views,
   I’m full of fine ideas that should fill our church’s empty pews.
I quote from Freud and Jung and all the experts psychological.
   I’m anti-nuke, I don’t pollute, I’m chastely ecological.
In  short, in matters spiri-tu-al, ethical, material,
   I am the very model of today’s religious liberal!
I use the latest language; god is never “Father”, or “The Lord”,
   But “Ground of Being”, “Source of Light”, or almost any other word.
I never pray, I meditate.  I’m leery about worshipping.
   I serve on ten committees, none of which accomplish anything!
I give to worthy causes, and I drive a gas conserving car.
   I have good UU principles (although I’m not sure what they are).
I’m open to opinions of profound or broad variety——
   Unless they’re too conservative, or smack of righteous piety.
I formulate agendas and discuss ‘em with best of ‘em;
   But don’t ask me to implement—-I leave it to the rest of ‘em.
In short, in matters spiri-tu-al, ethical, material,
   I am the very model of today’s religious liberal!
 

C H E E R S  FOR YOUR HOLIDAYS!!
*The Fellowship Newsletter, UU Fellowship of San Dieguito, Solana Beach, CA, Nov. 1990.