Later in the program, Kermit and Robin left the party to take a walk. They happened upon a large hole in the base of a tree that turned out to be an entrance into the land of the Fraggles, Fraggle Rock. After falling down the steep hole, like Alice, they fell into a cave-like place inhabited by people who called themselves the Fraggles. They appeared to be friendly, so Kermit and Robin stayed to share stories with them. Now, the Fraggles didn't know anything about Christmas but when Kermit explained the holiday to them, they all agreed that the Fraggles had a similar festival, at which time they gave as a gift, a beautiful round, shiny, orange rock. They proceeded to sing a song about how that rock had been passed on from one Fraggle to another no less than 37 times!

Each of the Fraggles remarked about the joy they felt when they were chosen as the recipient of the Fraggle gift rock. It was thought of as very special to be able to be the giver as well as the receiver. (I guess you can tell where we are going with this.) The very best part was that everyone in Fraggle Rock got their chance to be giver and receiver.

This story reminds me of the many cultures that pass on gifts from generation to generation. With each "passing on" the gift is seen as being endowed with added worth by the giver. The act of passing on the gift is the significant gesture in these cultures. The act of receiving is part of the acculturation.

The early American settlers completely misread this tradition among the Native American communities and called it, "Indian giving" - meaning "giving to take back." The Indians, in turn, were disdainful of 'white man's hoarding.' It is simply that for the Indians, as well as the Fraggles in Fraggle Rock, the movement of wealth was interwoven in the social fabric of the society. It was a tradition expressed by showing generosity to one another, and on the other hand, a tradition that would have been forsaken by faithlessness.

The Fraggles show us that, to be a good steward is to be a caretaker, a mover and a creator of wealth, a sustained developer of meaning. For true stewardship involves the receiving of gifts, keeping them only long enough to add to their value, and then, giving them away to another.

It does, of course, require us to embrace a larger vision, one that moves into the future, that requires us "to pass on the tradition" and make possible the attainment of the so-called, "impossible dream."

Thinking about the "impossible dream" leads me to another holiday and the pumpkin patch. The star of this story is a fellow by the name of Linus. Linus is the ultimate optimist. He trusts that, this time, the great pumpkin will appear and make all his wishes come true. He has never told us what those wishes are, but he trusts that they will be realized someday, bestowed upon him by the Great Pumpkin.

His sister Lucy, however, is the great skeptic. I rather think she sees herself as a 'realist'. She puts Linus down for harboring such unrealistic beliefs. Still, she covers him when he is frozen half-to-death waiting for the Great Pumpkin to appear, which, of course, he never does. Poor Linus! He is a child whose trust is challenged yearly, if not more often.

How fortunate for our children, that they have us Great Pumpkins to depend on! We won't let their innocent beliefs die, will we? We will teach them our traditions of passing on the principles and purposes we hold dear, won't we? Or what have the Fraggles of Fraggle Rock learned that we have not? Could it be that they have learned what the true notion of stewardship is? You know, putting something considered of great value into the hands of another. Certainly, not abdicating our responsibility to one another, to nix the tradition!

Our great convenant states, "To seek the truth in love and to help one another." We say this every Sunday; and the children say it with us! So, how shall we help them? How shall we give them space and thoughts to ponder to enrich their lives and the lives of each of us? A lot of questions, but you know our old bumper sticker; "To question is the answer."

But, I suggest that we already know the answer. The Fraggles have shown us what it takes for us to be true stewards of the future and Linus has presented us with the challenge!

As we look to supporting our fellowship, we must always remember to look beyond the horizon of monetary goals and budgets to that of enhancing and passing on our traditions and our dreams into the hands of our heirs.

We are partners in this endeavor. Our heartfelt generosity will ensure that the children and even we Great Pumpkins, can make our dreams come true. We join together to ensure that our children, our community and ourselves reap the benefit of our collective altruism.

It is up to you, me and of course, us!

Responsive Reading

We honor those who have worked to make our religious education programs strong, relevant, and fun.
We have been blessed
We honor those who have supported the free and responsible search for truth and meaning in our program, in the fellowship, and in our lives.
We have been blessed
We honor those who believed in the growth of the spirit and who encouraged others of all ages to find their own spiritual strength.
We have been blessed
We honor those who have shown us that the divine is to be found in our relationships with each other no matter what our age.
We have been blessed
We honor those who volunteer their talents, energy, and gifts for the benefit of the Religious Education program.
We have been blessed
We honor those who nurtured the bonds of family that kept us returning to our religious home.
We have been blessed
We honor the commitment of those early religious educators, who carry on our dreams for ourselves and our children and who also dream new dreams.
We have been blessed
Never doubt that a group of intelligent, thoughtful, energetic, and caring people can create a religious education program of substance and worth. Indeed they have.
We have been blessed

Adaptation by Rev. Beth Graham and Eva Ceskava from a service on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the congregation of the UU Fellowship of Huntington, NY. Used with their permission.