EXPERTS & AFICIONADOS
FROM AROUND THE CORNER AND ACROSS THE GLOBE
Dr. Gary McKiddy
|
NOVEMBER 22, 2020 | DR. GARY McKIDDY | MISSOURI'S BICENTENIAL; PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
Dr. Gary McKiddy, discussed plans for Missouri's 2021 Bicentennial; especially how groups and individuals can become involved in programs to preserve Missouri's past and present for future generations. Dr. McKiddy is a semi-retired educator. He taught for more than 20 years in the St. Charles Schools and at St. Charles Community College in addition to teaching in Louisiana, Missouri; Alexandria Egypt and at two schools in Saudi Arabia. Dr. McKiddy is a past president of the St. Charles Historical Society as well as past president of the Missouri Council for History Education. He is currently the MOCHE liaison with the Missouri Bicentennial Alliance. |
Alex Vitale, Professor At Brooklyn College
|
NOVEMBER 15, 2020 | ALEX VITALE | THE END OF POLICING
We enjoyed the first all American Ethical Union (AEU) Platform, sponsored by the Riverdale/Yonkers Society for Ethical Culture. Our speaker was Alex Vitale, a sociology professor at Brooklyn College, who discussed his book, The End of Policing. Please attend this virtual presentation with other Ethical Society members from all around the country. |
|
Christian Hayden,
AEU Leader-in-Training |
NOVEMBER 8, 2020 | CHRISTIAN HAYDEN, AEU LEADER IN TRAINING | LOSING I, FINDING WE
American Ethical Union (AEU) Leader-in-Training, Christian Hayden, who is doing his year-long internship at the Ethical Society of St. Louis, will be our guest speaker. His talk, entitled, “Losing I, Finding We: An Exploration of Attachment Through the Prism of Ethical Culture,” is described this way: Ethical Culture does not have explicit tenets or commandments, but it does ask of its members/followers to commit to building ethical relationships, because we as a community feel they are imperative to social justice and realizing a better world. At the same time, many of us struggle to invite intimacy in our personal, romantic, and communal lives- why is that? And what ideas might lead us to better meeting our charge in the future? |
Dwight Panozzo, PhD, LCSW
|
NOVEMBER 1, 2020 | DWIGHT PANOZZO, PhD, LCSW | HACK THE SENATE
Guest speaker Dwight Panozzo shared his “Hack the Senate” presentation. A problem solver by nature, Dwight recognized that nothing was being achieved at the federal level to stem gun violence and, in particular, the US Senate was the stumbling block. This led him to conceptualize the New State Formation and Amalgamation Process which lies at the heart of the Hack the Senate movement. Learn more about the process at hackthesenate.org Dwight is an adjunct assistant professor of social work at New York University and a clinician in private practice. His social justice work began with gun violence prevention protesting after the Sandy Hook massacre. It included work with the Brady campaign and Gays Against Guns. |
|
OCTOBER 4, 2020 | KATE LOVELADY | UGANDA HUMANIST SCHOOLS
Kate Lovelady, Leader Emeritus, Ethical Society of St. Louis shared the Inspiring Story of the Uganda Humanist Schools. Ugandan humanists--in partnership with humanists all over the world, including the St. Louis area--are transforming the lives of young women and men and their communities. Humanists in Uganda face extraordinary challenges, but they have made remarkable progress in a short time; the success of the Uganda Humanist Schools broadens understanding of humanism as a worldwide movement. For anyone wishing to support the Humanist schools in Uganda visit the Uganda Humanist Schools site to donate directly or, to pool donations together and save processing costs, make a donation to The Ethical Society of St Louis. Be sure to designate that your Donation is for The Ugandan Schools if you donate this way. |
Paul Halpern, Author
|
SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 | PAUL HELPERN | SYNCHRONICITY
In Synchronicity: The Epic Quest to Understand the Quantum Nature of Cause and Effect Paul Halpern tells the little-known story of the unlikely friendship between Nobel-prize-winning physicist Wolfgang Pauli and the great psychologist Carl Jung. Their long collaboration has been essential to some of the most important physics of the last 100 years. Along the way, Halpern explores the difference between scientific and pseudoscientific connections throughout history, showing how we must be careful to subject any purported link to scientific analysis. With quantum physics, it can be tricky, but possible. |
|
|
SEPTEMBER 13, 2020 | DAVE WARNOCK | APPROACHING DEATH AS AN ATHEIST & LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE
Dave Warnock is a former conservative evangelical pastor and church leader of 40 years. 10 years ago he began to question, examine and investigate the faith claims of evangelical christianity. He came to the conclusion that those beliefs came up short and it took him several years to work through how to live without belief. He realized that this was his one life and there was nothing after. His motto became “Carpe the Fucking Diem” and he began living his best life. In 2019, Dave was diagnosed with ALS, a neurodegenerative fatal disease. He now spends the time he has left traveling and speaking about seizing the moments in our lives, approaching death as an atheist, and navigating death with no fear of hell or promise of heaven. Follow Dave's journey on his website and facebook. To help in the fight against ALS, Dave strongly encourages donations to I AM ALS. |
Ryan Staples
|
JULY 19, 2020 | RYAN STAPLES | YOUNG, BLACK AND AMERICAN—THE DEADLY COMBINATION
18 year old Ryan Staples from O’Fallon Missouri recently became well-known after organizing a highly successful Black Lives Matter protest in St. Charles county spoke about his experiences as a young, black American. Ryan shared what it’s like to be a black youth in this country, where the target on your back gets wider and wider as you grow older. Those who survive are stained, while those who perish are mourned. |
Sarah Tielemans, AEU Leader-in-Training
|
JULY 12, 2020 | SARAH TIELEMANS, AEU LEADER IN TRAINING | CREATING ALTERNATIVE FUTURES THROUGH AN ABUNDANCE MINDSET
Practicing an abundance mindset can be transformative for individuals and communities. Our sense of scarcity has complex roots, yet when we realize that we are already whole and interconnected we open space for new possibilities for getting everyone’s needs met–physically and philosophically. Sarah Tielemans is a Leader in Training in the Ethical Culture Movement and a member of the New York Society. Throughout her wanderings in life she has nurtured her curiosity about alternative ways to perceive our shared experience. She believes that Joy is our birthright and Love is the perfect realization of our interconnectedness. |
Bart Worden, Executive Director Of The Aeu
|
JUNE 28, 2020 | BART WORDEN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE AEU | STRUCTURAL RACISM
Structural racism is a powerful force spread across multiple systems and institutions and is extremely pernicious and resilient. White people are the source and the sustainers of structural racism and recreate it every day when they are silent about police “protection,” pick neighborhoods to live in, seek out “good” schools, allow monetized healthcare, "integrate" neighborhoods through the displacement of gentrification… Structural racism incorporates a broad and deep structure of attitudes and institutions. It's a system based on inequity, fueled by avarice, protected by violence - and people don’t have to overtly endorse it in order to support it. White people's lives have been lifted up while the lives of black and brown people have been pushed down for centuries. Responses to the killing of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor have been powerful and widespread, prompting a tremendous number of protesters and statements of solidarity with the Movement for Black Lives from many quarters. It has been hundreds of years of damage - are we at a tipping point that will lead to real and lasting change? Will ethical humanists join efforts to repair the damage of structural racism and help usher in a more equitable and compassionate society? |
|
JUNE 14, 2020 | CAROL VENEZIANO | CANNABIS LAWS IN THE US
ESMR member Carol Veneziano, PhD, discussed the legal status of state laws regarding cannabis use, and the social science research that has been conducted as various states have passed legislation. Carol explored the statistical effects on accidents, crime rates, and societal change. |
|
MAY 10, 2020 | KATE LOVELADY | SPRINGTIME IN THE MISSOURI (MOSTLY) NATIVE GARDEN
Take a break from the news and get out into nature. Join Kate Lovelady, native-plant-nut and Leader of the Ethical Society of St. Louis, for a virtual tour of her garden and a discussion on what native plants can do for the environment and for you! |
Christian Hayden, AEU Leader in Training
|
APRIL 26, 2020 | CHRISTIAN HAYDEN, AEU LEADER IN TRAINING | THE TENSIONS OF FELIX ADLER
Who was the person who started Ethical Humanism? What drove him to establish a community that functioned like a religion but is nontheistic? How did he go from radical to outdated in a few short years? What lasting tensions remain and continue to shape Ethical Humanism? Christian Hayden, views Felix Adler who founded Ethical Culture in 1876 from a 21st century perspective. The most important thing to know about Christian, is that he is an Ethical Culture leader in training, which means you are stuck with hearing from him for a while. The second most important thing is that he fell in love with photography recently so you might hear about that too. Christian is a full-time facilitator, very part=time poet, and striving to be a 24/7 humanist. He also spent a year in Ghana with the Humanist Service Corps and was awarded the Mossler Fellowship in 2016! |
|
MARCH 8, 2020 | ETHICAL NON-MONOGOMY
Non-monogamy is a relationship that involves more than two people. Ethical non-monogamy implies that all parties are being treated respectfully, and that enthusiastic consent to the arrangement has been given by everyone involved. |
Tom Abeln, Veterans for Peace
|
MARCH 1, 2020 | TOM ABELN | VETERANS FOR PEACE
Guest speaker Tom Abeln shared information about the efforts of Veterans for Peace, an international organization made up of military veterans, military family members, and allies, dedicated to building a culture of peace, exposing the true costs of war, and healing the wounds of war. |
Dorris Keeven-Franke
|
FEBRUARY 23, 2020 | DORRIS KEEVEN-FRANKE | FREE AT LAST–ARCHER ALEXANDER
Archer Alexander was born a slave in Virginia, but died a hero and freed man in St. Louis. While still a slave to Confederate secessionist sympathizers, Archer Alexander’s courage and tenacity helped turn the tide of the Civil War when he shared consequential Military Intelligence with the Union Army stationed at the Guard House for the Peruque Creek Bridge, a vital supply route for the Union Troops. This Intel was responsible for a huge victory for the Union Army. Dorris' passion is sharing history. She enjoys helping people connect with their ancestors, their culture, and heritage of the places where they live. She is currently writing a book titled, Archey – An American Hero, the story of Archer Alexander. Follow Dorris' blog to learn more. |
|
FEBRUARY 9, 2020 | A DARWIN DAY CELEBRATION FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
We proudly became part of the mission of International Darwin Day: To inspire people throughout the globe to reflect and act on the principles of intellectual bravery, perpetual curiosity, scientific thinking, and hunger for truth as embodied in Charles Darwin. Learn more about International Darwin Day |
Robert Allen
|
FEBRUARY 2, 2020 | ROBERT ALLEN | LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
Guest speaker Robert Allen from the League of Women Voters of Missouri (LWV), discussed the National Popular Vote: what it is, how it works, and the status of the current national effort to enact it. Learn more about the LWV education and advocacy efforts around the National Popular Vote. |
Betsy Reznicek
|
JANUARY 26, 2020 | BETSY REZNICEK | HOME SWEET HOME
Guest speaker Betsy Reznicek shared information about Home Sweet Home, a 501(c)(3) organization connecting non-profit partners in the St. Louis region with donated furniture and household items. Home Sweet Home helps clients from partner organizations transition to their new living situations with much-needed furnishings and basics, providing a sense of ownership and a source of stability at this crucial time. The mission of Home Sweet Home is to give families a sense of pride and to improve the quality of their lives by providing basic household furnishings. |
Julie Smith, Webster University
|
JANUARY 4, 2020 | JULIE SMITH | 26 THINGS ADULTS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA
Guest speaker Julie Smith presented "26 Things Adults Need to Know About Social Media.” A balanced, informative, fast and fun exploration of the digital world in which we are attempting to navigate. Julie Smith is on the faculty at Webster University and is the author of "Master the Media: How Teaching Media Literacy Can Save Our Plugged-In World". She travels extensively helping students, teachers and parents understand the media and their effects |
|