Speaker: Lyn Cox

Replacing Magical Thinking with Rational Discourse: How can freethinkers help restore democracy?

, , , , , ,

The platform will be shared by representatives from all twenty-five national Ethical Societies and will feature music from the Washington Ethical Society Chorus, Jaque DuPree and Barry Kornhauser, with presiders Vandra Thorburn, Elaine Durbach and Lyn Cox. As we face this historical moment, when cult thinking and fake news have fueled an attempted insurrection, yet … Continue reading Replacing Magical Thinking with Rational Discourse: How can freethinkers help restore democracy?

Stardust

The origins of the universe, at least to the best of our knowledge. show that we are related to all life, and that we are connected atomically to all matter. Science leads to awe and wonder while maintaining rationality.

Dreamers

Working toward a better world, a world of racial justice and an end to interlocking oppressions, requires imagination. On this weekend when we remember the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., let’s also consider both the history of civil rights and the unbounded creativity of speculative fiction by writers of color as sources of inspiration.

Democracy Is Not a State

This week has been filled with emotion as we see the will of the people expressed in the electoral process, and an attempt to thwart that process with violent insurrection. The late Rep. John Lewis reminded us that democracy is an ongoing practice, not a binary condition, and that our sustained and collaborative work is … Continue reading Democracy Is Not a State

Resolution

How shall we re-imagine the year ahead? Bring your intentions for letting go and your intentions for fresh beginnings as we kindle a flame for the new year.

Winter Festival

People of all ages are invited to help bring winter-themed poetry to life in this virtual adaptation of one of WES’s favorite celebrations. We’ll lift up peace, hope, love, joy, and giving in creative and collaborative ways.

Blue

Between the dwindling hours of sunlight and difficult memories associated with the time of year, many people struggle with the winter holiday season. Let’s look out for one another, and let’s give comfort and solace to our own troubled hearts.

Responding

Some of us may be anticipating stressful situations, and are looking for skills in de-escalation. The first step is to de-escalate our own minds and hearts. How can we respond rather than react when our earliest instincts tell us to fight or flee?

Origin Stories

The stories we tell about our past affect the way we view the present and orient toward the future. This is true about the myth of Thanksgiving, stories we tell about WES’s and Ethical Culture’s past, stories we tell about our individual journeys, and more. When we recognize the impact of origin stories, we can … Continue reading Origin Stories

Stone Soup

Stone Soup: Your Advance Participation NeededThis year, WES celebrates Stone Soup by Zoom on November 22. We’re adapting Stone Soup in three ways: 1. We’ll prepare a way to tell the story by video, featuring readers and artists from the Middle School SEEK group and their friends and family. If you are a middle school family … Continue reading Stone Soup