evolution weekend

Religion and Science have much to offer each other--that is the premise of "Evolution Weekend." Promoted by Butler University, this is the fourth year of their initiative. Seeing as how February 12, 2009 will be the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth (and 2009 is the 150th anniversary of the publishing of On the Origin of Species, it seems like a good thing to do.

At UUCGT, we'll draw on the work of Connie Barlow and Michael Dowd. Their Great Story website has many resources to use, to demonstrate the power and awe of our naturally-evolving universe. My sermon title is taken from Michael's book, Thank God for Evolution.

The official Evolution Weekend is February 13-15, but we're celebrating a week early. Here is one thing we'll do (to the tune of "12 Days of Christmas"):
On the first wave of the universe, Life evolved this way: a burst of energy...
On the second wave of the universe, Life evolved this way:
very many stars, from a burst of energy...
...3rd...planets 'round...
...4th...protein chains on...
...5th...some living cells...
...6th...multi-celled creatures...
...7th...many fish a-eating...
...8th...amphibians breathing...
...9th...mammals a-birthing...
...10th...apes using tools...
...11th...then humans talking...
...12th...more humans caring...

(yes, I will note the fact that many other species use tools, and many other creatures communicate, whether whether via speech or other means)