Home | Find An Ethical Society | Become A Member | Contact | Donate
facebook
twitter
youtube



  • Who We Are
    • Mission & Vision
    • Ethical Humanism
    • History
    • Member Societies
    • Meet Our Leaders
    • Staff, Board & Committees
  • What We Do
    • Connections Forum & Calendar
    • Sunday Platform Talks
    • Ethical Action
      • Ethical Action News
    • Ethical Education
    • Conferences
      • AEU 105th Assembly on Zoom
    • Awards
  • Ceremonies
    • Seasonal Festivals
    • Weddings
    • Baby Namings
    • Coming of Age
    • Memorials
  • Our Community
    • Become an Individual Member of the AEU
    • Find an Ethical Society
    • Ethical Community
    • Children’s Programming
    • Youth of Ethical Societies (YES)
    • Future of Ethical Societies (FES)
    • National Ethical Service
    • Allied Organizations
  • Events & News
    • Events
    • News
    • Bart’s Blog
    • In the Media – AEU
    • In the Media – Societies
    • Press Kit
    • Ethical Action News
  • Resources
    • Articles
    • Books
    • Ethical Action Reports
    • Ethical Culture Journal
    • Archived Newsletters
    • Platform Talks
    • Resolutions
    • Statements
  • Contact
    • Support the AEU

Bart's Blog

off

Week of 5/4/2020

05 May 2020
Emily
Bart's Blog

One of the pleasures of being the executive director for the American Ethical Union is that I can visit the member Societies on a pretty regular basis. And ironically, during the coronavirus outbreak, I’ve actually had more visits to more Societies then I typically get to have. It’s been interesting to me to see how the different Societies make use of videoconferencing for their Sunday platforms.

A few weeks ago I visited the Ethical Society of St. Louis, our largest Society. The host was James Croft, one of the Society’s Leaders, and he brought his youthful exuberance to his role as host: there was a colorful slideshow, music you can dance to, and many warm greetings to participants as they joined the Zoom session. The lively and convivial mood continued throughout the morning and was enhanced by prerecorded music videos by local musicians, use of Breakout Rooms for small group chats, and a lively open (and unmuted) gathering before the meeting ended.

Sunday, I had the privilege to speak to two different Ethical Societies on the same day! First was the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, which meets in the morning. Hosted by “Food Rebel” Vandra Thorburn, the meeting did have a rebellious quality about it. Zoom may not be friendly to multiple sound sources playing at once but that was no deterrent for Society members who joined in, unmuted, for a number a statements read in unison. And a good number of personal statements by participants urged social justice activism.

Meanwhile, back at the Ethical Culture Society of Westchester, participants were experimenting with using Zoom’s Breakout Rooms for small group discussions they call “Community Circles.” Rather than have a presenter, the program entailed assigning participants groups. Each group had a facilitator and a technical support assistant who shared materials on the theme of “Resilience.”

As they meet in the afternoon, I was able to visit the Susquehanna Valley Ethical Society that same day. The host, Pattie Arduini, eased the way with a well-organized program accompanied by gorgeous Powerpoint slides. A retired schoolteacher, Pattie’s skill in planning and instruction were put to good use and the she and her co-host, Joe, helped participants work their various devices so they could see, hear, and share with the group.

The gatherings were small, medium, and large and differed in style and format but all of these sessions had something central and essential in common. Each drew the participants into community and into a shared experience of ethical humanism. Each brought to life the core ideals of unique worth and mutual appreciation, of compassion and understanding, of support and encouragement. That is something I truly love about visiting Ethical Societies – every time I visit one, whether in-person or virtually, I am inspired the spark of humanity that glows in each gathering and by the coming together of like-hearted people to build, and rebuild, an ethical community.

It is a privilege to be invited to visit our Ethical Societies – and it’s a privilege you can share! More and more Societies are welcoming visits to their Platform meetings via Zoom so you can enjoy the experience yourself! Check the Connections Calendar on the AEU’s website for upcoming Platform meetings and other events that are open to the public.

Another way you can join the larger Ethical community is by participating with the AEU’s #GivingTuesdayNow campaign! You won’t be the first (as of this writing we’ve collected $2000 for the campaign) but you can make an important difference in the lives of the people who will be the recipients of the funds we raise as we are sending 100% of what is received to the three funds we have chosen: Coronavirus Care Fund, No Kid Hungry, and National Revolving Bail Fund.

May the 4th be with you! Wishing you well as you navigate the week ahead!
Bart Worden

Sign up for emails from AEU

Select list(s) to subscribe to


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: American Ethical Union, 2 West 64th Street, New York, NY, 10023, https://www.aeu.org. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

Recent Posts

  • Seeking Program and Communications Coordinator
  • Week of 9/14/2020
  • Week of 8/17/2020

Upcoming Events

All Ethical Societies Platform “Replacing Magical Thinking with Rational Discourse: How can freethinkers help restore democracy?”

31 Jan 2021 | 11:00 am

Youth of Ethical Societies 2021 Conference

05 Mar 2021 | 07:00 pm

Facebook Feed

American Ethical Union
American Ethical Union
The American Ethical Union calls for nontheist participation in National Inaugural Interfaith Service.On Thursday January 21st, the Washington National Cathedral will host a virtual presidential inaugural interfaith service to mark the inauguration of Joe Biden as president. While presented as an opportunity to bring the whole nation together, and while part of the “America United” inaugural activities, one large community will not be represented at all: atheists, agnostics, humanists, and the nonreligious. Millions of Americans today make meaning and express their personal and civic values without reference to a god or traditional religious beliefs. These Americans deserve a voice, and should be included in formal interfaith programming like the Inaugural Service. Read our full statement here: aeu.org/resource/aeu-calls-for-nontheist-participation-in-national-inaugural-interfaith-service/ ... See MoreSee Less

4  ·  

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

American Ethical Union
American Ethical Union
Today, as the nation continues to recover from an attempted white supremacist insurrection at our capitol, we are reflecting upon this quote from the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. #MLK #MLKDay #MLK2021 #king #martinlutherkingjr #today #EthicalCulture #ethics #2021 ... See MoreSee Less

6  ·  

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

American Ethical Union
American Ethical Union
AEU Statement Regarding the Events of January 6thYesterday, we watched in shock and horror as a violent mob attacked the US Capitol, forcing their way inside and occupying areas of the building for hours in an attempt to disrupt the certification of electoral votes submitted by the states. By the end of the day, 4 people were dead, 52 members of the seditious mob were arrested, and 14 police officers were injured. It took the assistance of many additional federal law enforcement personnel and the National Guard to remove the attackers from the Capitol and clear the way for the Joint Congress to resume its work.Fortunately, the Joint Congress was resolute and refused to let the interruption derail our democracy, working through the night to certify the electoral vote counts for all of the states. However, this episode was an attack on democracy itself, instigated by a sitting president whose actions have severely undermined respect for and trust in the very system that put him in office. Mr. Trump has shown only contempt for the democratic process and is a danger to our country. People who are in a position to remove Mr. Trump from office ought to proceed in haste as this president has repeatedly shown readiness to incite violence and mayhem, and also continues to demonstrate an obsession with the electoral results to the seeming exclusion of other national concerns. Our democratic system of government must be protected from his influence.As Ethical Humanists, we are called upon to repudiate the anti-democratic tendencies that have gained an unwelcome foothold in public life. Our country will need us to elicit the best from one another and ourselves in the months and years to come.#Jan6 #ethicalhumanism ow.ly/uxes50D2Gzn ... See MoreSee Less

2  ·  

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

American Ethical Union
American Ethical Union
Share your voice! The AEU is seeking volunteers to contribute to our World Human Rights Day Project. Learn more here: ow.ly/YGDC50CYYPL ... See MoreSee Less

3  ·  

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Twitter Feed

Tweets by @EthicalUnion

Instagram Feed

ethicalunion

The American Ethical Union calls for nontheist par The American Ethical Union calls for nontheist participation in National Inaugural Interfaith Service.

On Thursday January 21st, the Washington National Cathedral will host a virtual presidential inaugural interfaith service to mark the inauguration of Joe Biden as president. While presented as an opportunity to bring the whole nation together, and while part of the “America United” inaugural activities, one large community will not be represented at all: atheists, agnostics, humanists, and the nonreligious. 

Millions of Americans today make meaning and express their personal and civic values without reference to a god or traditional religious beliefs. These Americans deserve a voice, and should be included in formal interfaith programming like the Inaugural Service.
Today, as the nation continues to recover from an Today, as the nation continues to recover from an attempted white supremacist insurrection at our capitol, we are reflecting upon this quote from the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. 

#MLK #MLKDay #MLK2021 #King #MartinLutherKingJr #Today #EthicalCulture #Ethics #2021
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Sign up for emails from AEU

Select list(s) to subscribe to


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: American Ethical Union, 2 West 64th Street, New York, NY, 10023, https://www.aeu.org. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

BtnDonate

American Ethical Union | 2 West 64th Street, New York, NY 10023 | Phone: (212) 873-6500 | office@aeu.org