Unitarian Universalist Church West

We live in a culture that is said to value excellence, a culture that pushes all of us to excel. In the first weeks of President Obama’s administration, much was made in the press about the brilliant, high achievers he was nominating for many cabinet posts – people with excellent educations, peerless skills, and admirable resumes. These days, even grade school kids are pushed into the culture of excellence, urged by well meaning parents to compete to get into the best private schools, elite sports teams and “preferred activities.” In this world, what does it mean to be average? Are all Unitarian Universalists, like the children of Lake Wobegone, “above average?” What might our Unitarian Universalist values say about “average” people?