Sunday Platform 2002-2003 Archive
2002-2003 Platforms
Archive Index
Current Platforms
This Season's Sunday Platform theme is The Heart of Ethical Culture: Faith in All People; Eliciting the Best from Ourselves and Others.
The first three platforms of the Season will focus on these questions: "Who are we, really? What are we here to accomplish? How do we mean to accomplish it? How do we mean to reach out to the larger community?" Following the themes of community, social action, and personal journey, we will offer Members and friends opportunities to engage with the community in new ways throughout the year.
- September 22
- The Heart of Ethical Culture: Faith in All People
- Is there a faith experience for the members of the Ethical Culture movement? What if anything does that faith require of us? BSEC Leader Lisel Burns opens the Season.
- Is there a faith experience for the members of the Ethical Culture movement? What if anything does that faith require of us? BSEC Leader Lisel Burns opens the Season.
- September 29
- Ethical Culture: Uniting for a Better World
- Ethical Action Chair Charley Horwitz discusses the unique role BSEC can play as a bridge between communities, as he introduces the Ethical Action projects for the year, creating a community network for social change. With special guest Reverend Finley Shaef, followed by an Ethical Action Workshop.
- Ethical Action Chair Charley Horwitz discusses the unique role BSEC can play as a bridge between communities, as he introduces the Ethical Action projects for the year, creating a community network for social change. With special guest Reverend Finley Shaef, followed by an Ethical Action Workshop.
- October 6
- Eliciting the Best in Ourselves and Others
- What are we when we stop to rest, to honor our inner lives and feel our connection with all life? Dr. Kurt Johnson returns with several Life Reflection Group participants to launch this Season's new series of readings, retreats, and quiet conversation on matters of personal and universal importance.
- What are we when we stop to rest, to honor our inner lives and feel our connection with all life? Dr. Kurt Johnson returns with several Life Reflection Group participants to launch this Season's new series of readings, retreats, and quiet conversation on matters of personal and universal importance.
- October 13
- Heritage Platform: Social Identities, Culture, and Internalized Oppression
- What differences do our social identity experiences make in our own mental models, the perceptions and attitudes we bring to every situation? Lisel Burns invites a panel of members to explore the experience of both positive and negative elements in their own particular culture, and also the internalization of negative social conditioning we might call the "Achilles Heel" of self-destructive cultural distortions that every social identity carries.
- What differences do our social identity experiences make in our own mental models, the perceptions and attitudes we bring to every situation? Lisel Burns invites a panel of members to explore the experience of both positive and negative elements in their own particular culture, and also the internalization of negative social conditioning we might call the "Achilles Heel" of self-destructive cultural distortions that every social identity carries.
- October 20
- Ethical Culture and the U.N.: Towards a More Humane and Global Society
- The United Nations remains mankind's best hope for creating a more humane society, and Ethical Culture is by deed and principle an integral part of the process. In this era of violent global conflict, we are compelled by a commitment to our principles to remain engaged in the quest to restore civil societies to the people of the world. The speaker, Lyndon C. Wilburg, a Mental Health Counselor, was born in Guyana in 1958, moved to the U.S. in 1980, and joined the Ethical Culture Society of Queens in 1995. He has been a member of the National Service Conference since 2000 and was a delegate to the U.N. World Conference Against Racism in 2001.
- The United Nations remains mankind's best hope for creating a more humane society, and Ethical Culture is by deed and principle an integral part of the process. In this era of violent global conflict, we are compelled by a commitment to our principles to remain engaged in the quest to restore civil societies to the people of the world. The speaker, Lyndon C. Wilburg, a Mental Health Counselor, was born in Guyana in 1958, moved to the U.S. in 1980, and joined the Ethical Culture Society of Queens in 1995. He has been a member of the National Service Conference since 2000 and was a delegate to the U.N. World Conference Against Racism in 2001.
- October 27
- Doorways to Middle East Peace: Introduction to the Dialogue Project
- Hear the remarkable story of the Dialogue Project from its founder, Marcia Kannry, who moved from youth leadership in Israeli Zionist land development organizations to become a leader in New York City of dialogues among Palestinian, Israeli Jewish, and other people, toward lasting peace in the Middle East.
- Hear the remarkable story of the Dialogue Project from its founder, Marcia Kannry, who moved from youth leadership in Israeli Zionist land development organizations to become a leader in New York City of dialogues among Palestinian, Israeli Jewish, and other people, toward lasting peace in the Middle East.
- November 3
- Election Sunday: Special Candidates Forum
- Green? Democratic? Independent? Republican? Other? Democracy asks citizens to make their votes count. What do our ethics require in the voting booth? At the request of Warren Miner, former President of BSEC and a long-time leader in the local Independent Democratic Club, the BSEC Ethical Action Committee has invited representatives of the four main candidates for New York State governor to join our Election Sunday platform. Bring your questions relating to the ethical dilemmas posed by the elections this November.
- Green? Democratic? Independent? Republican? Other? Democracy asks citizens to make their votes count. What do our ethics require in the voting booth? At the request of Warren Miner, former President of BSEC and a long-time leader in the local Independent Democratic Club, the BSEC Ethical Action Committee has invited representatives of the four main candidates for New York State governor to join our Election Sunday platform. Bring your questions relating to the ethical dilemmas posed by the elections this November.
- November 10
- Restorative Justice: Healing One Another
- A discussion of alternatives to our present system of punitive and retributive prison sentencing, and the negative impact of the Rockefeller Drug Laws and the death penalty. Guest speakers from our neighbor in Park Slope, the Church of Gethsemene, an "intentional community of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and those who are in solidarity with the imprisoned and the poor." Led by Rev. Elizabeth Alexander and Chibueze Okorie, with readings from Breaking The Silence, a book of poetry written by women in prison.
- A discussion of alternatives to our present system of punitive and retributive prison sentencing, and the negative impact of the Rockefeller Drug Laws and the death penalty. Guest speakers from our neighbor in Park Slope, the Church of Gethsemene, an "intentional community of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and those who are in solidarity with the imprisoned and the poor." Led by Rev. Elizabeth Alexander and Chibueze Okorie, with readings from Breaking The Silence, a book of poetry written by women in prison.
- November 17
- Wampanoag Festival
- An annual intergeneration celebration of abundance and gratitude.
- An annual intergeneration celebration of abundance and gratitude.
- November 24
- Thanksgiving Colloquy
- A more meditative Ethical Culture ceremony, with sharing, music, and reflections.
- A more meditative Ethical Culture ceremony, with sharing, music, and reflections.
- December 1
- Setting Standards for Ethical Decision-Making
- When we choose to attribute worth to all humanity, what does that require of us when it comes to ethical decision-making? What preparation do we need to clarify our own values with such an aim? BSEC Leader Lisel Burns will bring ideas from the Institute For Global Ethics in Camden, Maine to the Ethical Culture table.
- When we choose to attribute worth to all humanity, what does that require of us when it comes to ethical decision-making? What preparation do we need to clarify our own values with such an aim? BSEC Leader Lisel Burns will bring ideas from the Institute For Global Ethics in Camden, Maine to the Ethical Culture table.
- December 8
- Family Values, Ethical Culture Style
- We will consider a pro-family society that we would support whole-heartedly. What would local and other policies look like if we rejected the ethos of selfishness and greed and rewarded families that raised children to be caring and responsible people? This open mike program will take all comers as long as they have ideas to share that could actually be implemented -- whether in families, schools, workplaces, local communities, or national policy.
- We will consider a pro-family society that we would support whole-heartedly. What would local and other policies look like if we rejected the ethos of selfishness and greed and rewarded families that raised children to be caring and responsible people? This open mike program will take all comers as long as they have ideas to share that could actually be implemented -- whether in families, schools, workplaces, local communities, or national policy.
- December 15
- Winter Festival
- Join the students of the Children's Sunday Assembly for an annual BSEC tradition. An intergenerational, festive, and thoughtful celebration of the December holiday season, as we share our diverse traditions, stories, creativity, and other gifts.
- Join the students of the Children's Sunday Assembly for an annual BSEC tradition. An intergenerational, festive, and thoughtful celebration of the December holiday season, as we share our diverse traditions, stories, creativity, and other gifts.
- December 22
- Holiday Colloquy
- A more meditative Ethical Culture ceremony, with sharing, music, and reflections.
- A more meditative Ethical Culture ceremony, with sharing, music, and reflections.
- December 29
- No Platform
- Happy New Year!
- Happy New Year!
- January 5
- Finding an Ethically Responsible Place in a Post Modern World
- Being ethically responsible is no small task in today's community. Global corporatization, the decline of participatory democracy in our own country, and a public relations war on truth leave life's basic questions answered by a muddle of advertising slogans and paid-for messages. At the same time, we try to find purposeful living locally in the face of gigantic forces operating worldwide. In so doing, we join a global movement, directed towards meaningful, humane living, for ourselves and families everywhere. With BSEC Leader Lisel Burns.
- Being ethically responsible is no small task in today's community. Global corporatization, the decline of participatory democracy in our own country, and a public relations war on truth leave life's basic questions answered by a muddle of advertising slogans and paid-for messages. At the same time, we try to find purposeful living locally in the face of gigantic forces operating worldwide. In so doing, we join a global movement, directed towards meaningful, humane living, for ourselves and families everywhere. With BSEC Leader Lisel Burns.
- January 12
- Winter Colloquy
- A more meditative Ethical Culture ceremony, with sharing, music, and reflections.
- A more meditative Ethical Culture ceremony, with sharing, music, and reflections.
- January 19
- Martin Luther King Legacy
- Hear Dr. King's words on war, poverty, and American culture. BSEC Members and Friends will join together in this annual celebration of the legacy of the great civil rights leader, featuring readings from his speeches and writings, plus music and reflection.
- Followed at 1:15pm by the workshop Building the Beloved Community led by Gwendolyn Braxton, Coordinator of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom's NY Metro Area Race and Freedom Project. This free workshop will include discussion about systemic racism, racial justice, and a vision of building local beloved communities.
- Hear Dr. King's words on war, poverty, and American culture. BSEC Members and Friends will join together in this annual celebration of the legacy of the great civil rights leader, featuring readings from his speeches and writings, plus music and reflection.
- January 26
- Tikkun - To Mend, Repair, and Trasform the World
- Tikkun is the nation's largest progressive Jewish magazine and social change organization. It aspires to be an alternative voice for Jews and non-Jews on moral and ethical issues confronting our country. It seeks to organize Tikkun-based communities across the country around peace and justice, environmental, economic reform, personal and spiritual development issues. The San Francisco-based organization reaches out to all people of good will, including Jews, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, and non-believers. About half of its membership is non-Jewish. With Michael Dinh-Cohen, an attorney and New York City area organizer for Tikkun.
- Tikkun is the nation's largest progressive Jewish magazine and social change organization. It aspires to be an alternative voice for Jews and non-Jews on moral and ethical issues confronting our country. It seeks to organize Tikkun-based communities across the country around peace and justice, environmental, economic reform, personal and spiritual development issues. The San Francisco-based organization reaches out to all people of good will, including Jews, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, and non-believers. About half of its membership is non-Jewish. With Michael Dinh-Cohen, an attorney and New York City area organizer for Tikkun.
- February 2
- Core Values for a Lifetime: What Do We Really Stand For?
- When the chips are down, what set of values and bottom line principles best serve us? If we are not already clear on our core values and their implications for everyday decisionmaking, then what are we waiting for? Intergenerational differences, both in our values and in our approaches to living them, will be introduced by special guests from Generations X and Y. BSEC Leader Lisel Burns will preside.
- When the chips are down, what set of values and bottom line principles best serve us? If we are not already clear on our core values and their implications for everyday decisionmaking, then what are we waiting for? Intergenerational differences, both in our values and in our approaches to living them, will be introduced by special guests from Generations X and Y. BSEC Leader Lisel Burns will preside.
- February 9
- Race & Social Justice In the United States: How Far have We Come Since the Sixties?
- A discussion of how social justice struggles launched in the sixties have become stagnant and why we need a new wave of activism to reduce economic disparities and bring workers and people of color into the mainstream of American life. With Mark D. Naison, Professor of African-American Studies & History and Director of Urban Studies at Fordham University. A long time Park Slope resident, Dr. Naison is the author of Communists in Harlem During the Depression and the recently published White Boy: A Memoir.
- A discussion of how social justice struggles launched in the sixties have become stagnant and why we need a new wave of activism to reduce economic disparities and bring workers and people of color into the mainstream of American life. With Mark D. Naison, Professor of African-American Studies & History and Director of Urban Studies at Fordham University. A long time Park Slope resident, Dr. Naison is the author of Communists in Harlem During the Depression and the recently published White Boy: A Memoir.
- February 16
- Opera Reflections on the Theme of Love
- A celebration of Valentine's Day. Many kinds of love as they are depicted in opera will be discussed and demonstrated. Hosted by BSEC President and singer Constance Pigozzi.
- A celebration of Valentine's Day. Many kinds of love as they are depicted in opera will be discussed and demonstrated. Hosted by BSEC President and singer Constance Pigozzi.
- February 23 12
- Colloquy
- A more meditative Ethical Culture ceremony, with sharing, music, and reflections.
- A more meditative Ethical Culture ceremony, with sharing, music, and reflections.
- March 2
- When You Strike a Woman, You Have Struck a Rock
- Woman, not as victim, but as familymaker, farmer/food producer, mother, nationbuilder, healer -- a mighty force in the reconstruction and healing of torn society -- is the "foundational" perspective of the African women's movement. What are some critical differences between "Western" and "Southern" feminism, and the "rock" of grassroots women and their organizations around the world? BSEC Leader Lisel Burns will preside, with guests such as Achola Pala-Okeyo of GROOTS International, Kali Ndoye of the Fifth Avenue Committee, and Jan Peterson of the UN Huairou Commission, sharing their perspectives.
- Woman, not as victim, but as familymaker, farmer/food producer, mother, nationbuilder, healer -- a mighty force in the reconstruction and healing of torn society -- is the "foundational" perspective of the African women's movement. What are some critical differences between "Western" and "Southern" feminism, and the "rock" of grassroots women and their organizations around the world? BSEC Leader Lisel Burns will preside, with guests such as Achola Pala-Okeyo of GROOTS International, Kali Ndoye of the Fifth Avenue Committee, and Jan Peterson of the UN Huairou Commission, sharing their perspectives.
- March 9
- Intergenerational Storytelling
- Join the students of the Children's Sunday Assembly and CSA Director Tracey Jindyeh as they explore traditional stories and how they relate to the lives of children and grownups.
Alternatively: Join the BSEC delegation to the New York Society for Ethical Culture at 11:30am, where The Ethical Humanist Award will be presented to Senator Jim Jeffords, for having the moral courage to do his part in affecting the balance of power in Washington. - Join the students of the Children's Sunday Assembly and CSA Director Tracey Jindyeh as they explore traditional stories and how they relate to the lives of children and grownups.
- March 16
- Housewives & Activists: The National Women's Conference in the 1930s and 1940s
- Based on letters and clippings preserved in the BSEC archives, we will look at the organization that offered Ethical Culture's version of what other groups often called Women's Auxiliaries or Ladies' Aid Societies. Women from individual Ethical Societies formed Women's Conferences and met annually, when possible, in the National Women's Conference. They offered considered opinion and elbow grease work for causes ranging from world peace initiatives to a residence club for elderly members. This organization played an important role in the shaping of Ethical Culture and continues today under the name National Service Conference. With BSEC Member and historian Martha Hoffman.
- Based on letters and clippings preserved in the BSEC archives, we will look at the organization that offered Ethical Culture's version of what other groups often called Women's Auxiliaries or Ladies' Aid Societies. Women from individual Ethical Societies formed Women's Conferences and met annually, when possible, in the National Women's Conference. They offered considered opinion and elbow grease work for causes ranging from world peace initiatives to a residence club for elderly members. This organization played an important role in the shaping of Ethical Culture and continues today under the name National Service Conference. With BSEC Member and historian Martha Hoffman.
- March 23
- How Much Is Good Enough?
- Some faith traditions root their authenticity, and base their practices, on authoritative texts, regardless of their historical accuracy. Ethical Culture faith rests on a combined study of philosophy, ethics and science. From whence come our religious authenticity and authority? On what basis do we form our traditions and practices? Early Leaders held a faith in moral progress and human perfectibility: The "idea of the perfect" guided all human efforts. What guides us today? Anne Klaeysen, Leader of the Long Island Ethical Humanist Society, returns to BSEC as she examines the shift from an ideal of perfectibility in a rational world to a concept of health and wholeness in a "good enough" environment and asks the question: "How much is 'good enough'?"
- Some faith traditions root their authenticity, and base their practices, on authoritative texts, regardless of their historical accuracy. Ethical Culture faith rests on a combined study of philosophy, ethics and science. From whence come our religious authenticity and authority? On what basis do we form our traditions and practices? Early Leaders held a faith in moral progress and human perfectibility: The "idea of the perfect" guided all human efforts. What guides us today? Anne Klaeysen, Leader of the Long Island Ethical Humanist Society, returns to BSEC as she examines the shift from an ideal of perfectibility in a rational world to a concept of health and wholeness in a "good enough" environment and asks the question: "How much is 'good enough'?"
- March 30
- Personal, Favorite, and International Poetry
- BSEC devotes a platform each year to the expressive power of language, as Members share their own poetry, or poems that hold great meaning in their lives. The offering is sure to include at least a few international selections. To read your own selection, contact Constance Pigozzi (331-1137), Platform Committee Chair, who will preside.
- BSEC devotes a platform each year to the expressive power of language, as Members share their own poetry, or poems that hold great meaning in their lives. The offering is sure to include at least a few international selections. To read your own selection, contact Constance Pigozzi (331-1137), Platform Committee Chair, who will preside.
- April 6
- Ethics On the Edge: Communities, Moral Boundaries, and Doing Good
- Embedded in any value system are limitations to those values, where the ideals of a perfect morality come up against the realities of the material world. How do we define these moral boundaries in our own lives? Does it bother us to think that our ideals might have limits? How do we match our personal core values and moral boundaries with those of groups and communities we choose to affiliate ourselves with (or create one if none exist), and agree to hold ourselves accountable to? Join BSEC Leader Lisel Burns for a rich discussion.
- Embedded in any value system are limitations to those values, where the ideals of a perfect morality come up against the realities of the material world. How do we define these moral boundaries in our own lives? Does it bother us to think that our ideals might have limits? How do we match our personal core values and moral boundaries with those of groups and communities we choose to affiliate ourselves with (or create one if none exist), and agree to hold ourselves accountable to? Join BSEC Leader Lisel Burns for a rich discussion.
- April 13
- Spring Festival
- Join the students of the Children's Sunday Assembly, CSA Director Tracey Jindyeh, and special guest Ellen Raider for this year's Spring Festival, with the theme of Conflict Resolution. Children and grownups alike can take part in stories, activities, and exercises to help all of us hone our skills in resolving conflicts peacefully.
- Join the students of the Children's Sunday Assembly, CSA Director Tracey Jindyeh, and special guest Ellen Raider for this year's Spring Festival, with the theme of Conflict Resolution. Children and grownups alike can take part in stories, activities, and exercises to help all of us hone our skills in resolving conflicts peacefully.
- April 20
- Spring Colloquy
- A more meditative Ethical Culture ceremony, with sharing, music, and reflections.
- A more meditative Ethical Culture ceremony, with sharing, music, and reflections.
- April 27
- Peace Site Award
- Every year BSEC gives a Peace Site Award to an individual or group who has made great contributions to the cause of peace in the world, and invites them to speak at our Sunday Platform. This year's award is being presented jointly to Brooklyn Parents for Peace and Brooklyn Heights Peace Action. See our news article for more information.
- Every year BSEC gives a Peace Site Award to an individual or group who has made great contributions to the cause of peace in the world, and invites them to speak at our Sunday Platform. This year's award is being presented jointly to Brooklyn Parents for Peace and Brooklyn Heights Peace Action. See our news article for more information.
- May 4
- An America "Which Never Has Been, and Yet Must Be"
- With Langston Hughes' haunting image of the America "not yet" we feel the prophetic power of culture to tell hard truths in heart language. With a national government acting as if we are not only "already" the "best" nation we can be, but also proclaiming our ideals as morally superior to those of the rest of the world, perhaps our patriotism is best spent in a search for a language that speaks to a national "wisdom of insecurity" (in the words of Allan Watts), facing up to both subcultural and overall national shadows. With BSEC Leader Lisel Burns and Les Lopes, local poet.
- With Langston Hughes' haunting image of the America "not yet" we feel the prophetic power of culture to tell hard truths in heart language. With a national government acting as if we are not only "already" the "best" nation we can be, but also proclaiming our ideals as morally superior to those of the rest of the world, perhaps our patriotism is best spent in a search for a language that speaks to a national "wisdom of insecurity" (in the words of Allan Watts), facing up to both subcultural and overall national shadows. With BSEC Leader Lisel Burns and Les Lopes, local poet.
- May 11
- Mother's Day Colloquy
- A more meditative Ethical Culture ceremony, with sharing, music, and reflections.
- A more meditative Ethical Culture ceremony, with sharing, music, and reflections.
- May 18
- Recognition Day
- Join the students of the Children's Sunday Assembly and CSA Director Tracey Jindyeh as we recognize this year's graduates: Alejandro Kolleeny, Jason Leibowitz and Victoria Wagnerman. Congratulations to all of you!
- Join the students of the Children's Sunday Assembly and CSA Director Tracey Jindyeh as we recognize this year's graduates: Alejandro Kolleeny, Jason Leibowitz and Victoria Wagnerman. Congratulations to all of you!
- May 25
- No Platform
- June 1
- Updating Ethical Culture: What Will It Take?
- Movements that do not periodically review and re-understand their interface with ideas, ideals and history, usually lose their ability to speak with and for their members, and lose the ability to attract new participants. Ethical Culture founder Felix Adler's hope was to "reconsecrate" a modern sense of spirituality, rooted in respect for democracy and diversity. Has Ethical Culture movement got the ideas, will and discipline to become a fresh force of thought, word and deed in this next millennium? With BSEC Leader Lisel Burns.
- Movements that do not periodically review and re-understand their interface with ideas, ideals and history, usually lose their ability to speak with and for their members, and lose the ability to attract new participants. Ethical Culture founder Felix Adler's hope was to "reconsecrate" a modern sense of spirituality, rooted in respect for democracy and diversity. Has Ethical Culture movement got the ideas, will and discipline to become a fresh force of thought, word and deed in this next millennium? With BSEC Leader Lisel Burns.
- June 8
- Membership Sunday & Closing Platform
August 3 - Sunday Colloquy - "Reason"
August 10 - Sunday Colloquy - "Forethought"
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this page last revision: 5/13/07