March 3, Saturday, 1-3pm. Introduction to Kingian Nonviolence. Join Clergy Intern Zeb Green for an introductory workshop on the philosophy and methodology of Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement. Kingian Nonviolence balances the need for forceful action to create change with the value of seeing the humanity of your opponents. We will learn about the history of key civil rights campaigns, the principles and steps of nonviolence, and how to incorporate these teachings in our daily lives.

March 4, Sunday, 1-3pm. Chapters 1 and 2 discussion group from Anthony Pinn’s “When Colorblindness Isn’t the Answer: Humanism and the Challenge of Race (Humanism in Practice)”. Come join this facilitated discussion of the book.

March 17, Saturday, 2-5pm. Preventing Toxic Masculinity Workshop. Led by Tahir Duckett Founder and Director of ReThink – #MeToo has led to greater awareness of the depth of the sexual violence problem facing our communities. But awareness is only the first step. ReThink has developed this workshop for parents, adults who work with adolescents, and anyone else interested in building a movement to prevent sexual violence. You’ll learn to identify cultural norms that researchers have found lead to sexual violence, and to interrupt these norms and build healthier, more consensual communities in their place. Sign up with Melissa Sinclair, Director of Lifelong Learning $25 per participant. Childcare is available for an additional $10.

March 18, Sunday, 1-3pm. “Between the World and Me” by Ta Nehisi Coates, led by Katherine O’Kester with the WES Sunday Book Group.

March 25, Sunday 2-4pm. Chapters 3 and 4 discussion group from Anthony Pinn’s “When Colorblindness Isn’t the Answer: Humanism and the Challenge of Race (Humanism in Practice)”. Come join this facilitated discussion of the book.

April 8, Sunday, 1-3pm. Chapters 5 and 6 discussion group from Anthony Pinn’s “When Colorblindness Isn’t the Answer: Humanism and the Challenge of Race (Humanism in Practice)”. Come join this facilitated discussion of the book.

April 12, Thursday, 7-9pm. All about Sex and the Older Adult. Led by Melissa Sinclair – class is designed for participants 50 and older. Have you found yourself stumbling when trying to give honest, age-appropriate answers to questions asked by your children or grandchildren? Do you falter when you try to explain your values around human sexuality? Is sex spiritual? How does sexuality change as we age? Come learn with us about how to communicate about sex – one of the most taboo subjects in our culture.

April 15, Sunday 1-3pm. “A Border Passage from Cairo to America: A Woman’s Journey” by Leila Ahmed, led by Marty Brockway with the WES Sunday Book Group.

April 22, Sunday, 1-3pm. Chapters 7 and 8 discussion group from Anthony Pinn’s “When Colorblindness Isn’t the Answer: Humanism and the Challenge of Race (Humanism in Practice)”. Come join this facilitated discussion of the book.

May 6, Sunday, 1-3pm. A discussion group over the entire book from Anthony Pinn: “When Colorblindness Isn’t the Answer: Humanism and the Challenge of Race (Humanism in Practice)”. Come join this facilitated discussion of the book.

May 20, Sunday, 1-3pm. Ethical Culture Overview. Join Senior Leader, Amanda Poppei and Dir. of Lifelong Learning, Melissa Sinclair to Learn all about the Ethical Culture Movement in a fun presentation of photos, lecture, and discussion.

May 27, Sunday, 1-3pm. “Reflections on the African-American Community of Today” addressed by Sheila Waters of the WES Sunday Book Group.

June 24, Sunday, 1-3pm. “I Never Promised You A Rose Garden” by Joanne Greenberg, led by Rachel Hartig of the WES Sunday Book Group.

 

Other regular learning experiences at WES:

Every Sunday at WES, 7pm. Don’t just do something, sit there! — Meditation Practice Meeting. This is a space and time for folks who would like to gather strength in their practice by sitting with a community. For more information, contact J.T. Halbert at jthalbert@gmail.com.

1st Mondays, 7pm. Meditation Group. Join WES members and friends every 1st Monday at WES in the library for a quiet meditation practice. Contact Ann Baker at annlouisebaker@gmail.com and Patricia Weil at patricialweil@gmail.com for more information.

1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 7pm. Knitting Group. Join us at WES for a Knitting Group. 1st Wednesdays are for all ages. 3rd Wednesdays are for adults only. All ability levels encouraged to attend! Contact Laura Delaney at lauradelaney@me.com or Trang Duong at trangd@gmail.com for more information.

2nd Sundays, 1pm. Biology Reading Group. The Biology Reading group is a long-running book reading circle that focuses on recent books in the area of life-sciences. We’ve discussed books on evolution, origin of life, plants, animals, and recent advances in DNA. The books can be dense so we usually read each over two or three months. Each meeting has a discussion leader who reviews the ideas in the book. Usually the group has a lively discussion of the topic following the review. For more information, contact Paul Baker at plbaker@me.com and sign up for email announcements at: http://eepurl.com/cFxZzL

3rd Sundays, 1pm during Schmoozapalooza. Brain Theory Group. Please contact Peter Bishop at pbishop@justthisworld.com for more information.