April 5
NEWS & NOTES
A weekly newsletter to keep you informed.
 
What's in this week's news?
themeSeeking Candidates for the AEU Board Positions
The Board Development Committee of the American Ethical Union is seeking candidates to run for election to positions on the Board of Directors and/or as officers at the next AEU Assembly in June. Participation by the broadest range of member organizations in the AEU will help assure the vitality of the Ethical Movement and the effectiveness of its democratic institutions.
The Board of Directors is the principal governing body of the American Ethical Union outside of the annual Assembly of organization delegates. Directorship is a responsible position bearing fiduciary duties and requiring fidelity, confidentiality, non-conflict of interest and prudence under both the by-laws and the laws of the State of New York, under which the AEU is organized. The Board of Directors is composed of nine elected members who each serve for a three-year term.
For more information, we invite you see the full story at:   http://ethicalsociety.org/seeking-candidates-aeu-board-positions/
daywithoutwomenSave the Date: 2017 AEU Assembly June 8-11
Hugh Taft-Morales serves as an Ethical Culture leader and is a WES member. Hear from him about  Bmorethical 2017, the annual AEU Assembly which will take place in Baltimore in June. He shares with us the work that has been happening behind the scenes with the Assembly Committee in a recent article. You can see the whole article at  http://ethicalsociety.org/together-can-bmorethical-2017/.

The annual AEU Assembly is a wonderful chance to learn about the movement, chat with folks from other societies, and share in an experience with fellow Ethical Cullturist. A s Hugh puts it, "I am inspired by seeing how other Ethical Culturists share our unique philosophical worldview and work to contribute to the larger society. So no wonder I am excited to prepare for  Bmorethical 2017 , our national Assembly. I hope you will join me there and deepen your connection to Ethical Culture."


article2April's Theme: Transformation
For the month of April, we will be exploring the theme of Transformation. Below is Carol Clayton's statement and photo. Carol is serving as the 2016-2017 Theme Artist for WES.

Transformation happens everywhere to everything all the time.  Even if we can't see it - mountains, for instance, or the path of a river -- they are constantly, minutely transforming.  Iron rusts. People age. Food decays.  These are all transformations, all natural. They are also all physical changes, part of the universe we can touch and see. There is an unseen world that is more difficult to quantify, however. That is the world of the mind, some would say the spirit. Here transformation also happens. Hearts can open.  Hatred can be transformed to acceptance. Minds can learn. We evolve, as individuals and as a species, though it often seems we are moving backwards. Transformation works in all directions.
My favorite quote around transformation is this one from the Rev. Martin Luther King: "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice."

For the monthly theme packet, platform topics and more, we invite you to read the full post on the WES website at  http://ethicalsociety.org/aprils-theme-transformation/.
thissunday
This Sunday's Platform
9:30 & 11:30am. 
"Can You Believe in Good?," Don Montagna, President, International Partners. If you don't want to be carried along by circumstances, never able to set a course toward a life and society you really want, and you don't believe in God, you need another understanding of how the world works.  Felix Adler founded the Ethical Society on a concept of the Spiritual Ideal, with practical principles for achieving it, that is grounded in reason rather than the supernatural.  Changing your worldview and having faith enough to use it in moments of uncertainty is the most difficult transformation a person can make.
This Sunday at WES

WEStalks, 11am, Social Hall, "World Religions Mini-Class." Join Amanda for a mini-version of her class on World Religions. She will give an introduction to the work of scholar Karen Armstrong, who sees the world's great religions as ushering in key transformational concepts in human history. This class will offer a peek into different religious traditions, using a sociological lens -- and ask what concept humanism may be offering to the world now. Book: The Great Transformation, Karen Armstrong's Theory of Religion.


 

Biology Reading Group, 1pm, Library. The Biology Reading Group will be discussing the Introduction and Part 1 of. The Vital Question by Nick Lane. The Biology Reading Group meets the second Sunday of every month in the Library. For more information, contact Barbara Searle ( [email protected] ).

News Members Nuts & Bolts, 1pm, Adler Study.


Pledge Party, 1pm, Social Hall. Unable to make the scheduled pledge parties? There is one last chance to meet with Amanda and the Stewardship Team. Please RSVP to Amanda ([email protected]) so that we will know how much food to prepare.

upcomingweeksThe Upcoming Weeks at WES
Wednesday, April 5
  • WES Chorus rehearsal, 7:15 to 9pm, Social or Main Hall. WES Chorus meets weekly to rehearse, under the direction of Bailey Whiteman, Music Director. All music abilities welcome!
Thursday, April 6
  • World Religions Class, Library, 7pm. Join Amanda for an introduction to the work of scholar Karen Armstrong, who sees the world's great religions as ushering in key transformational concepts in human history. This class will offer a peek into different religious traditions, using a sociological lens--and ask what concept humanism may be offering to the world now. Book: The Great Transformation: Karen Armstrong's Theory of Religion.
Saturday, April 8
  • Second Saturdays Are for Service at Wider Circle, 12-2pm, A Wider Circle. All are welcome! Noon to 2pm. Join your WES friends as we help sort, clean, and move items for a good cause. Wider Circle: 9159 Brookville Rd # C, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Tuesday, April 11
  • Jam Session, 6pm, Library. At the WES Jam Sessions, interested musicians gather to practice music (possibly with the intention of playing during platform or other events) or just to develop musical skills in a group context. Attendees bring the music they want to play, and play what is brought. All instruments, musical genres, and skill levels welcome! For more information contact Tom Bishop ([email protected]).
  • Adult Education Council Meeting, 7-9pm, Adler Study. This group meets monthly on the second Tuesday of the month for people interested in creating classes, trips, events for our adult community at WES. If you would like attend, please do. You can also contact Melissa Sinclair for more information.
Wednesday, April 12
  • WES Chorus rehearsal, 7:15 to 9pm, Social or Main Hall. WES Chorus meets weekly to rehearse, under the direction of Bailey Whiteman, Music Director. All music abilities welcome!
Thursday April 13
  • Board of Trustees Meeting, 7pm, Library. All are welcome to attend meetings of the Board of Trustees! Agenda and materials are available in the Members' Access section of our website.
Saturday, April 15
  • An analytic framework and concrete skills for effectively developing relationships across differences
  • Focus on change in a congregational context
  • Participation is open to everyone regardless of previous experience with this kind of work.

Sunday, April 16
  • Platform Service, 9:30 & 11:30am. "Transforming Holidays" Amanda Poppei, Senior Leader. Throughout human history, holidays and holy days have offered a way to tell the story of transformation, to bring hope in difficult times. This weekend marks both the Jewish celebration of Passover and the Christian celebration of Easter. But what about us? Amanda will reflect on the meaning of these and other holidays for humanists, and invite us to imagine how transformation acts in our own lives. Music from the WES Chorus, led by Music Director Bailey Whiteman.
  • Tai Chi, 11am, Social Hall. We invite you to join us for a 30-minute session of Tai Chi. No experience necessary and perfect for all ages and abilities.
  • Camping Trip Info Meeting, 11am, Classroom 1A/1B. Learn all about the camping trip for Memorial weekend! It's fun! It's great community building and this year we are opening it up to the other ethical societies for all age groups! this is a 15-minute info session.
  • Schmoozapalooza Lunch, 12:45pm, Social Hall. WES continues our lunch on every third Sunday for all who want to hang out after platform and gab with friends. Gather around tables in the Social Hall and keep on talking. Nosh on a great lunch, with vegetarian options always available. Requested donation $5. Schmoozing with your friends and licking your fingers--what better way to keep on talking, parse the platform, and catch up! (If you plan to attend the 9:30 platform, why not help out the Schmooze team and then join in the good food? Contact Julie Grimes at [email protected] to get involved).
  • Sunday Book Club, after lunch, downstairs classroom.  We will discuss "Paul's Case" by Willa Cather. This is a short story that reads very well and very quickly. For more information, contact Rachel Hartig, [email protected] .  
Monday, April 17
  • Jam Session, 6pm, Senior Leader. At the WES Jam Sessions, interested musicians gather to practice music (possibly with the intention of playing during platform or other events) or just to develop musical skills in a group context. Attendees bring the music they want to play, and play what is brought. All instruments, musical genres, and skill levels welcome! For more information contact Tom Bishop ([email protected]).
  • Federal Employees Gathering: Support, Solidarity, and Strategy, 7pm, Library. Join with other federal employees to support each other and share strategies. Friends are very welcome as long as they are introduced by a WES member.
For a more detailed and long-range calendar, we invite you to check out the calendar on our website: http://ethicalsociety.org/blog/events/.
 
seek 
SEEK Spotlight
We had a great Sunday in SEEK classes this Sunday. Some classes planted seeds to germinate, some classes weeded our garden, some made waffles, a few teens played with babies meaning our babies got played with, and one class went to visit a Hindu Temple.
annoucementsAnnouncements
The WES Building Team Installs LED Lamps Everywhere
Well, just everywhere at WES. The project will save us about $1,000 per year in utility costs with a 28-month payback. It also reduces WES's impact on the environment, lowers future maintenance costs, and improves lighting quality. Building team members changed over 200 lamps of various types.  We invite you to join the building team to address many other opportunities for improvement.

The team also notes that LED lamps are an excellent investment for your home.

Updated Membership Directory
The membership directory has been updated and is now available on the website. Simply go to www.ethicalsociety.org --> Connection --> Member Access --> Enter the member password (You can email Robyn ([email protected]) if you need the password. A digital copy of the directory can be found in one of the links at the top of the member page. 

Deepening Circle Openings
One of the Thursday night Deepening Circles has a few openings. If you're interested in joining, please contact Amanda ( [email protected]). It is a commitment to meet monthly for at least the remainder of this year. However, if you are interested in a Deepening Circle at another time, feel free to contact Amanda so that she can support the creation of a new circle. 

Camping Trip Sign-ups
Grab your sleeping bag and meet us at the lake! The annual WES Camping Trip sign-ups are now online. For all of the details, be sure to check out the Camping Trip page on our website.   Don't forget! The Camping Trip is open to everyone. Grab your Young@WES friends, Still Thirsty cohort, or reading group and join us this upcoming Memorial Day weekend.  Online sign-ups are preferred.


Art Showing
Last year's theme artist Barry Galef will be hosting a showing of some of his work to include his theme art!  He will be exhibiting about 35 paintings at the Yellow Barn Studio & Gallery at Glen Echo . The core of the show will be the 10 paintings  he did for WES on the monthly themes (Creativity, Simplicity, Desire, and so forth) from 2015 into 2016.  The paintings have to be for sale, but collecting money is not the central purpose, and all of the net proceeds will go to charity, including WES, and further including most of money from the theme  paintings . The show will be up only for the weekend of April 15 and 16 -- Saturday from noon to eight, and Sunday from noon until five -- so be sure you don't let this event slip through the cracks!

The Yellow Barn is at 7300 MacArthur Boulevard in Glen Echo (along the Potomac, inside the Beltway). Contact Barry Galef at [email protected] if you have questions.
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