A humanist religious organization dedicated to improving the ethical quality of relationships in personal lives and in the world. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Upcoming January Platforms ______________________________________
Multicultural Modeling: Growing Anti-Racist Activism in Ethical Culture With Hugh Taft-Morales Sunday, January 4, 11am
In 1922, Langston Hughes wrote that, “Tomorrow, I'll be at the table, when company comes nobody'll dare say to me, ‘Eat in the kitchen,’ then. ~Besides, they'll see how beautiful I am and be ashamed.” Eighty-five years later, even with an African American President-elect, there are still too few African Americans at the table. Hugh Taft-Morales, an Ethical Culture leader-in-training at the Northern Virginia Society will share his insights about his own process of moving beyond paralysis and fear in facing racism towards a more empowering multicultural perspective that honors the inherent worth of every one and strengthens our humanism.
1pm Workshop: "Bringing out the Best in a Diverse World: Multicultural Fluency in Ethical Culture" This hour mini-class will share the lessons of Ethical Culture for embracing social diversity of a range of types. If, as Felix Adler has taught, by bringing out the best in others you bring out the best in yourself, what happens if you bring out the best in a wide and diverse group of others? You might bring out a wider and more diverse best in yourself. (By Invitation Only)
Storytelling and Community: the Charley Horwitz Memorial Platform with Lee-Ellen Marvin Sunday, January 11, 11am
Does storytelling build communities? Can it make our activism stronger? Do you need powerful stories to create a powerful movement? Lee-Ellen Marvin has been a professional storyteller for 21 years, and an activist in the peace and justice movement for even longer. Most recently, she has been encouraging both storytellers and activists to develop their talents so they can tell effective stories about the most important news of our times. (Marvin's latest story project is "Standing Up: Women in Peace and Social Action, " about women in history and the present, "standing up, speaking out, and making noise.")
Colloquy Sunday, January 18, 11am
We will explore themes based on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's notion of "Beloved Community". Participants are invited to share their own experiences and insights into what a beloved community might look like for each of us.
The core value of the quest for Dr. King’s Beloved Community was agape love.
'Agape does not begin by discriminating between worthy and unworthy people…It begins by loving others for their sakes” and “makes no distinction between a friend and enemy; it is directed toward both…Agape is love seeking to preserve and create community.”
Civil Rights Festival With the Children’s Sunday Assembly Sunday January 25, 11am
Brooklyn Ethical’s annual celebration with the Children’s Assembly.
Sunday Platforms are a long-standing tradition within Ethical Culture to bring light and heat to matters of ethical concern in a formal setting. Every Sunday, platforms examine major ethical issues and explore the personal and social aspects of living an ethical life.
CHILDREN'S SUNDAY ASSEMBLY (CSA)
Audrey Kindred, CSA Director
December 21: CSA #12: Intergenerational Winter Festival: Families share their Ethical Actions and build teams for good works.
Holiday Season (Keep an eye open for special events planned at BSEC over the holidays!)
Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture's Fair Trade Coffee Club ---------------------------------------- The following items are now available: Breakfast Blend ground Decaf Coffee Ground Decaf Whole Bean Green Tea Hazelnut Hot Chocolate Irish Breakfast Black Tea Love Buzz Roibus Herbal Tea Whole Bean Ethiopian
For more information and to make your request, feel free to send a message to: mediaocker@vei.net ___________________________________________________________
APPRECIATION >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> "If one could only learn to appreciate the little things . . . A song that takes you away, for there are those who cannot hear. The beauty of a sunset, for there are those who cannot see. The warmth and safety of your home, for there are those who are homeless. Time spent with good friends for there are those who are lonely. A walk along the beach for there are those who cannot walk. The little things are what life is all about. Search your soul and learn to appreciate." Shadi Souferian
THE EIGHT ETHICAL COMMITMENTS >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 1. Ethics is central. 2. Ethics begins with choice. 3. We choose to treat each other as ends, not merely as means. 4. We seek to act with integrity. 5. We are committed to educate ourselves. 6. Self-reflection and our social nature require us to shape a more humane world. 7. Democratic process is essential. 8. Life itself requires "religious response.
Check out the "ETHICS PROJECT"
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