It may be said with a degree of assurance that not everything that meets the eye is as it appears. — Rod Serling

I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning. — Joseph Priestley, chemist, minister, Unitarian

IN TODAY’S SESSION… we explored the compatibility in Unitarian Universalism of faith, reason, religion, and science. Eighteenth-century Unitarian minister and chemist, Joseph Priestley, who is known for serendipitous scientific discoveries, believed it was deeply religious to search out the truth, both natural and spiritual. Unitarian Universalism embraces critical questioning as a religious experience and encourages us to search for personal truths, and come to our own conclusions.

EXPLORE THE TOPIC TOGETHER: Talk about…

Is it hard for a person to be both religious and scientific? Why, or why not?

What are some serendipitous things that have happened to you or your family? Did they all have good outcomes? Do you believe they happened for a reason? Can that reason be scientifically explained?

EXTEND THE TOPIC TOGETHER: Try… being more aware of the coincidences that happen around you, and the outcome of the experience. Share with family members when something seemingly serendipitous happens to you, and try to identify the impact of the event.

Family Discovery. Do you keep carbonated water or soda in the house? What happens if a bottle of it stays open, or gets opened a number of times? Find out together why soda goes flat.