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Written by: Michelle Richards Director of Religious Education UU Fellowship of Elkart, IN (Setting: In front of congregation, a half-circle of Contestants, i.e. RE Committee members and/or current RE teachers sit ready to answer the eliminating question. In the center of the halfcircle of contestants are two chairs and music stands facing one another. A small table sits between the music stands with two glasses of water. The Host enters and the Contestants clap enthusiastically.) (Start opening music, fade down at seating,) Host: Good morning and welcome to a very special edition of Who Wants to be an RE teacher? I'm your host, Regis Philbin. We're going to start right off today with our Fastest Fingers question, so contestants --get ready! (Fade up music,) (Contestants get ready to push pretend buttons as if there was a console in front of them,) Host: Put the following RE Committee chairs in chronological order, starting with the oldest.
(Host looks around expectantly while the contestants think and push pretend buttons.) Host: Time's up! The answer is: Linda Arbogast; Cara Lawson-Ball, Jim Victor, and Liz Rinehart. Let's see who got it right in the shortest amount of time! (Host pretends to check times and then announces the winner. Contestant #3 jumps up excitedly and comes to the "winner's circle", where two chairs are set up facing each other. Host and Contestant #3 both take seats.) Host: Congratulations, and welcome to the Winners Circle. We're going to be playing today for the chance to become an RE teacher. Are you ready? Contestant #3: I think so. Although, I admit I'm a little surprised to be here. I never thought I'd get this far. After all, I don't really even know that much about Unitarian Universalism. I'm still pretty confused myself. Host: You're doing great. And don't forget – you have your lifelines to help you out. You can phone a friend, poll the audience or go for 50/50, in which we take away two of the wrong answers, leaving only the right answer and one wrong answer. Contestant #3: (Looks confident, nods head) All right, Regis, I'm ready. Host: (looks at audience) Okay. Let's play Who Wants to Be an RE Teacher? (Looks down at cards) Your first question. What does the abbreviation RE stand for?
Contestant #3: (Smiles) I believe that would be A.) Religious Education. Host: You are right! Next question: What IS Religious Education? A.) A place where the kids go while the adults are in service B.) A place where kids are required to memorize Bible verses C.) A place where information about our religion is indoctrinated in the next generation, or D.) A place where caring adults can share what they know and learn along with our young people as they explore their ideas about the world. Contestant #3: (looks confused) Hmm, I'm not sure. I know that it takes place on Sunday mornings; that the kids do go there while the adults are in service – but I think it's more than just that, so it can't be A. (Looks thoughtful.) When I was a child, Sunday school meant memorizing Bible verses, but I don't think they do that in this congregation. Come to think of it, I don't really know WHAT they do in those religious education classes. I'd better use one of my lifelines. I'd like to ask a friend. Host: And that friend would be? Contestant #3: Martin DeAgostino. Host: And who is Martin? Contestant #3: The current chair of the RE Committee. Host: Okay, our friend Jim Victor will get Martin on the line. (Phone rings,) Martin: Hello? Host: Hello, this is Regis Philbin from Who Wants to Be an RE Teacher? Martin: Hello, Regis. Host: I'm here with your friend Les Black and he needs your help. You heard the question and the answers. What do you think? Martin: I believe the answer is D. Contestant #3: Are you sure? Martin: Yes. Far drilling information drilled into the students' heads, or requiring them to memorize Bible verses – we don't indoctrinate them with what they SHOULD believe. Instead, we believe that they should be encouraged to respect and value themselves and others as capable, whole individuals. In short, we strive to create a place where caring adults can share what they know and learn along with our young people as they explore their ideas about the world. Contestant #3: I can't argue with that. I'll go with D, Regis. Host: Is that your final answer? Contestant #3: Yes, it is. Host: And you are right! (Contestant #3:looks pleased,) Host: Now, for the next question. (pauses momentarily for suspense) What topic will all of the religious education classes be focusing their attention upon next year?
Contestant #3: (looks pleased) Well, I know it can't be A – because there's no such thing as a UU creed and we have no dogma! And the Universalist part of our heritage rejects the notion of anything other than universal salvation, so it can't be B . I don't think anyone should be talking about sex, let alone teaching responsibility about it in RE class – so I'll go with D again, Regis. Host: Well, you're right about the topic next year – it is God Images and the Beliefs of Religions Around the World. But I'm sorry, my friend. Sex is something that should be discussed and what better place to do it than in the context of a loving, caring religious community? However, that'll be a part of the following RE year's focus on Social Concerns and Responsibility. Contestant #3: (looks surprised.) Host: And now, for the final question – and the chance to BE AN RE TEACHER Contestant #3: (looks nervous) Host: Who is the real God? A.) The Great Mother Goddess, worshipped since ancient times and revered for her power of birth, rebirth and creation . . . . Contestant #3: (looks shocked) What? Host: (continues as if unaware of Contestant's shock) B.) The Loving but Angry Father Who Commands His Obedient Children to Do as He Expects Them to and Punishes Those Who Do Not . . . . Contestant #3: (looks horrified) You can't be serious! Who is God? The real God? Host: (continues as if unaware of Contestant's shock) C.) Jesus Christ, the only son of God who took on human form and walked on the earth to redeem all of humankind from the sins and evil in the world ... Contestant #3: (looks horrified) I can't answer that question. Host: (continues as if unaware of Contestant's shock): or D.) The God of Unity and Wholeness Who shows his followers how the earth and all the natural objects are interconnected and worthy of respect and protection. Contestant #3: (looks horrified) No one can answer that question! Host: (calmly): You still have two lifelines left. Contestant #3: Alright, Regis, I'd like to poll the audience. Host: Alright, audience, it's your turn to answer the question. Who is God, the Real God? A.) . . . . Contestant #3: (stands to interrupt him) Now wait a minute. You can't ask them to choose one of those answers. That's only four choices. There are hundreds of ideas about God, and each one of us can have our own personal idea about just who God is. You can't expect them to answer that question – and you shouldn't have to be able to answer it to teach RE, either. Host: Is that your final answer? Contestant #3: (angrily) No, it is NOT my final answer. As a Unitarian Universalist, my thoughts about God and religion are frequently changing. There was a time in my life when I felt God was like a Father to me – and that he would punish me severely if I disobeyed. Then I felt God was more like a Mother, a Creator, a Nurturer, and I believed in her love. Then there were times when I was convinced there was no God at all – or at least no God that I could worship if He or She allowed the terrible things to go on in this world and not intervene. There are times I see and feel God in nature – when I am alone in a forest with the birds and the trees and the clouds in the sky – I feel almost as if I am in the presence of the divine. There are times I feel that God is in all of humanity – that together, working collectively, we can accomplish the most wonderful things. But many times I just don't know. Host: How can you expect to be an RE teacher if you don't know the answers to those questions yourself? How can you teach anything to the children and youth who will look to you for those answers? Contestant #3: (confident now) I can share with them the many ideas and images people have had about God, in this time, and in times past. I can tell them that as UUs they can form their own ideas about God – and that their ideas about God may change throughout their lifetimes. That is what growing – and learning – is all about. Host: (shakes his head in wonder) Wonderful. Simply wonderful. I can't argue with that. Congratulations. You've just won the chance to be an RE teacher! Contestant #3: (looks pleased) I have? Host: (stands and holds his arms out wide toward the audience.) And you won't be alone. You'll be a part of a teaching team that will rotate responsibilities from week to week and you'll even have some time off (for good behavior) during the year so you won't have to miss the services. You'll have the opportunity to work closely with not only some great kids in our congregation but also two other adults whom you'll get to know better. You'll also have the support of the RE director, the minister, and the Religious Education Committee. That's a lot of people who will be with you in this venture. What do you say? Contestant #3: That's great! How do I get started? Host: All you need to do is talk to Michelle Richards, Martin DeAgostino, or any other member of the RE committee. (Hands him a purple paper.) Or you can sign up here – volunteering as an RE teacher, classroom Assistant, or mentor for one of our youth as a part of next year's Affirmation and Coming of Age program. Contestant #3: Alright. I need a pencil. Host: (turns toward audience as RE Committee members bring out baskets of volunteer signup sheets and pencils.) And you, too. Do what you can. Volunteer to be a part of the Religious Education program next year in what ever way you feel the most comfortable – or maybe in a new way you'd like to try. We still need lots of teachers in the classrooms and our kids need a chance to build relationships with caring adults in our religious community. Won't you sign up to do your part? Contestant #3: (finds pencil, sits down, and begins to fill it out.) Host: (waits until many or most of people have filled out the sheets and begun to turn them in) Thank you. And join us next time for Who Wants to Be on the RE Committee? (Speaks as if in conspiratorial whisper) There's still some slots open there, too. THE END |
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