Ethical Humanist Society of Chicago

Newsletter of the Ethical Humanist Society of Chicago

February 2008

Welcome to Our Sunday Morning Programs in February

• HAKI MADHUBUTI, renowned poet, publisher, and professor of English at Chicago State University, speaks on Sunday, February 3rd. His topic is "The Spirit in Most of Us: Religion as Culture." Madhubuti says that an ethical code is absolutely necessary for peace and harmony among people. It is based, he will point out, on "a spiritual core that comes through loud and clear in the poetry, fiction, music, dance, visual art, and life-giving actions and artistic creations of most people."

• "THE BIRTH OF THE ETHICAL MOVEMENT: FELIX ADLER'S CALL TO ACTION" is the theme of a special program on Sunday, February 10th, in a continuing celebration of our Society's 125th anniversary. Susan and Joe Burck, Vicki Elberfeld, and Ken Novak will present selected readings from Felix Adler's founding address at the Society for Ethical Culture of Chicago in 1883.

• ART SHAY, acclaimed as "Chicago's Top Photojournalist," speaks on Sunday, February 17th. Shay will discuss his long career in photographing celebrities such as John F. Kennedy, Frank Sinatra, Ernest Hemingway, Saul Bellow, and Nelson Algren. He will show and describe some of his 25,000 images and more than 1000 magazine, book, and annual report covers.

• The GIVING TREE BAND presents a musical program, "Acoustic Folk Music for the Earth and Humanity," on Sunday, February 24th. This all-acoustic group of folk musicians--Bob Salihar, Pat Burke, Todd Fink, and Eric Fink--uses song writing and performing to promote healthy, simple living and to inspire a culture of sustainability and peace. They performed at the 2007 Chicago Green Festival and have just issued a new album, Unified Folk Theory.

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Coming Activities and Events

• Our SUNDAY MORNING COLLOQUIES are from 9:20 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., in the library. Led by Ken Novak, we meet in a small, nonjudgmental group to share and examine how we live our lives. This month's topics are Spirit on Feb. 3, Uniqueness on Feb. 10, Skill on Feb. 17, and Music on Feb. 24.

• xOur ETHICAL HUMANITIES non-fiction group meets on Sunday, February 3rd, at 12:15 p.m., in a session called "Paine and Jane on Politics." Based on their writings--and just two days before the Illinois primary election--we'll discuss what Tom Paine and our Society's "own" Jane Addams would have said about politics and government in 2008. E-mail KenNovak@gmail.com for copies of the readings.

• Our SECOND SATURDAY COFFEE HOUSE is on Saturday, February 9th, at 8 p.m. It will feature acclaimed maritime folk singers Tom and Chris Kastle in a concert of shanties, ballads, and original works. Because they will perform an extra set in place of the usual open mike, there is a special $7 minimum charge at the door, which will include both the concert and refreshments.

• There are two DOCFILM NITES this month. The first is on Friday, February 1st, at 7:15 p.m. We'll see the second half of Adam Curtis's Century of the Self. (The first half was seen on January 18th.) The film examines the untold, sometimes controversial, story of the growth of mass-consumer society. We'll start the evening with the light-hearted animated short The Story of Stuff.

The second is on Friday, February 22nd, at 7:30 p.m. We'll see two little-known films about the barrier-breaking World War II African American pilots, the Tuskegee Airmen. As usual, for both film nights, a children's film will be shown concurrently; childcare will be provided. A discussion and treats will follow. For further details see Marne Glaser, Paul Ozarowski, or David Wokosin.

• Our ETHNIC DINNER OUT is on Saturday, February 16th, at Czerwone Jabluszko (Red Apple), 6474 N. Milwaukee Ave, in Chicago. The great Polish buffet is always popular on a cold winter night. There is free parking in their lot and on the street. We'll order at 5:30 p.m. Contact Richard Curren at richard_curren@yahoo.com for more information, or to say you're coming..

• Our FILM DISCUSSION GROUP, led by Mike Rush and John Ungashick, meets on Monday, February 18th, at 7:15 p.m. We'll again discuss two currently playing movies. There Will Be Blood stars Daniel Day-Lewis. Based on Upton Sinclair's Oil, it is a striking epic about oil exploration in early 20th century California. Sweeney Todd stars Johnny Depp. It is based on the play about revenge, squalor, and cannibalism in Victorian England.

• Our CREATIVE WRITERS GROUP, led by Milt Zerkin, meets as usual on the fourth Sunday of the month, February 24th, at 12:15 p.m. It's a chance to share your short original works with us. Newcomers are welcome.

• Our next FICTION CIRCLE is on Sunday, March 2nd, at 12:15 p.m. We'll celebrate the centenary of E. M. Forster's novel A Room with a View with a discussion of Edwardian-era tensions between The Modern and The Medieval, propriety and sexuality, religion and free thought, class and love. If you're vision-impaired, call Ken Novak at the office to borrow an unabridged 7-hour CD recording. .

• A FAMILY FUN NIGHT is planned for Saturday, March 15th. There will be areas for short videos, conversations, games, and a sock hop--plus sandwiches and beverages. Prices will be $5 per adult, $10 per family (with a dessert or munchies), $8 per adult, $15 per family (without a dish). Kids under 18 are free. Advance reservations will be taken beginning March 1st. For information--or to help - contact Sue Walton.

Recent Sunday Programs

• DAVID BUMBAUGH, Professor of Ministry at Meadville Lombard Theological School, opened our Living Ethics series on January 6th. He spoke on "Blue Birds Over the White Cliffs of Dover? The Promises of World War II."

The meeting was moderated by Scott Walton. Bumbaugh reflected on how deeply he was affected as a child during the years of World War II. "What has happened to the war's promise of peace and hope?" he asked. "What about the dreams of equity and justice?" He pointed to the dashed hopes of the Cold War and condemned the current War on Terror as "a formless, shapeless, and phony war" that is restructuring our culture in "a profoundly dangerous way." Recalling World War II, he noted that sacrifice in the present is seen as acceptable if it means the future will be better. Sixty years later, he added, our nation is in turmoil and "the welcome mat seems to have been withdrawn." Nevertheless, he said he refuses to believe that our nation belongs to the "mean spirited." He optimistically concluded with words from the heartening World War II song, "There will be joy and laughter and peace ever after...just you wait and see."

• JOEL BLEIFUSS, editor and publisher of In These Times, continued our Living Ethics series on January 13th. He spoke on "The Mess in Iraq: Is the Mainstream Media to Blame?" The meeting was moderated by Alan Kimmel.

Bleifuss condemned the Iraq war but avoided placing full blame on the corporate media despite the large part they played in misinforming the public. He praised the role of the independent media such as In These Times, which instead of relying on misinformation fed to it by the Bush administration, drew instead from the Progressive tradition of the early 20th century and such mass circulation papers as the socialist Appeal to Reason. Declaring "we need to question everything the administration says," he went on to chide Presidential candidates for being pressured into early support of the war.

Despite its small circulation, In These Times survives, Bleifuss said, through "public support and the unwillingness of our staff to give up." It has a particular viewpoint but is "committed to civic journalism." He was fearful, however, of steeply rising discriminatory postal rates on the independent media.

• PHILIP HOCKBERGER, professor of physiology at Northwestern University's Institute of Neuroscience, continued our Living Ethics series on January 20th. He spoke on "The Nature of Consciousness." The meeting was moderated by David Wokosin.

Hockberger began by saying he had spent the first years of his life in a Catholic environment, the next years learning to be a scientist, and the last ones trying to reconcile the two. Relating this experience to today's topic, he said that evidence of human consciousness includes the concept of "the mind's eye," communication with others, brain imaging studies, and states of self-awareness in the subconscious, where memories are formed but not retrieved under willful control.

Hockberger said there is evidence that other creatures, especially primates, or even individual cells, possess consciousness. He also noted studies of the possibility that machines, especially computers, and, as the Gaia theory posits, the entire planet may have a form of consciousness.

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Our People

• Raam Jani and Carolyn Welch have joined the Society. They live in Glenview, are both lawyers, and have two small children, Ellie and Jaden, in the Sunday School. They like us as a community "without baggage" and that is concerned about current events and issues beyond those of ordinary life.

A warm welcome to the whole family!

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Sunday School Scoop

In January we explored a few lessons from the Ethical Humanism curriculum "How Do I Know What to Believe?" It takes the kids through issues about beliefs about the nature of people, humans' need for a god, and life and death. We discussed the concept of "original sin," whether violence is in our genes, and how we balance our rights against others.' The lessons help students sort out their ideas rather than adopt someone else's conclusions.

We'll continue to pack lunches for the Lincoln Park Shelter every third Sunday. If you'd like to help supply ingredients, see the sign-up sheet on the Sunday School bulletin board. We'll also continue to accept donations of non-perishable food items for the Niles Food Pantry. And we're planning an ice cream social fundraiser at the end of the month during coffee hour, so bring your spoon!

—Sharon Appelquist, Director

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Notices and Announcements

• Our Annual Pledge Drive is making great headway. As of mid-January we had received pledges of $45,374, or almost 80 percent of our goal of $57,000. The pledges are from 88 members, of whom 40 are Sustaining Members--those whose "fair share" pledges are either at least $600 or more than 20 percent above last year. We appreciate this generosity and commitment to the growth of the Society. If you haven't yet pledged, please let us hear from you. Thanks!

• Sharon Appelquist has been appointed the Society's interim Office Administrator. She replaces Alison Martin, who has resigned. Thanks to Alison for her past work and welcome to Sharon. Our Personnel Committee is searching for a permanent replacement. Members are welcome to make suggestions or to ask about the job description. Contact John Ungashick at jungasick@aol.com before February 15th.

• The Our Ethical Action group is donating $100 each to the Community Renewal Society, Wings, the Rice Child and Family Center, and In These Times. The money is from the 10 percent share of our Sunday collection that is earmarked for charity. Planned EA activities include a soup kitchen in Evanston next June, an appreciation luncheon for teachers at Rice late this winter, and organizing a performance troupe to being cheer to folks at senior facilities and hospitals.

We're also joining the Illinois Coalition for Peace and Justice. Nomination suggestions are being solicited for the American Ethical Union's annual Elliott-Black Award. Questions about Ethical Action can be directed to Marne Glaser and Brian Barnes.

• Our Environmental Footprint Committee is working to phase out the use of styrofoam and paper cups at our Sunday coffee hour. We're being encouraged to bring our own mugs or to use the ones provided. We'll also soon be selling cloth bags imprinted with our Ethical Humanist logo. They're meant not only as a fundraiser but to spread environmental awareness and to publicize the Society. The next committee meeting is Sunday, February 10th, at 12:15 p.m. For information on the committee, you can contact Lisa Crowe or David Wokosin or email environmental@ethicalhuman.org.

• The 125th anniversary of the Society is being commemorated in a series of historical inserts in this year's newsletters. Researched and written by member Dorothy Lockhart, they chronicle the long, inspiring history of the Society, highlighting the notable footprints we have left on the pages of the city of Chicago. Reprints of the inserts are available in the office. At the end of the year, they will be compiled into a special booklet.

• The Friday Night Movie Series is skipping February and March. It will resume on April 4th with a stunning, award-winning film allegory from Brazil.

• Our library's newest acquisition is Alexis DeToqueville: Democracy's Guide, by Joseph Epstein. It is a short, elegantly written volume on DeToqueville's thoughts and prophecies for America's fledgling 19th century democracy. Come in and browse--and check out one of our other fine books.

• Want to be on the Board of Trustees? Our Nominating Committee is looking for candidates for election to the two Board seats becoming vacant at the Society's Annual meeting next June. If you're interested in serving--or in just learning more first--contact Oliver Pergams at pergams@uic.edu. The next Board meeting is on Wednesday, February 13th, at 7:15 p.m. All members are welcome.

• Our Tribute Fund is a convenient, caring way to publicly honor each other--with congratulations on a birthday, anniversary, or graduation, condolences on the loss of a loved one, wishes for recovery from an illness, or hailing a good deed. Get a Tribute form on a literature table.

• Membership in the Society is open to all who share our ethical outlook and wish to join our caring community. The next Membership Orientation is on Sunday, February 24th, at 12:15 p.m. To discuss membership, contact Membership Chair Tom Hoeppner.

• Try Public transportation to our Sunday meetings. The #290 PACE bus leaves the Howard L station at 9:30 a.m. and goes to Touhy Ave. and Cicero Ave. (Skokie Blvd.). It's then a short walk to our building. A return #290 bus to the Howard station leaves Touhy and Cicero at 1:20 p.m.

• The electronic edition of our newsletter gets to you sooner and saves us postage. Email a request to the office, noting pdfnewsletter as the subject and your name and address. If you're not a member, a contributing friend, or new on our mailing list, a subscription to the mailed newsletter is $20 per year.

• Our Weekly Program Update is emailed to anyone who wants to be regularly informed of the coming week's meetings and activities. To be on the list, send an email to: programinfo@ethicalhuman.org or call the office.

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Tribute Fund

• “To Joani Orr Taylor:"Thanks for your increasing role in the Society through your ongoing help with the newsletter."
--from AN ETHICAL FAN

• To Marilee Cole: "Thanks for your work in creating the wonderful new tradition of opening sing-alongs. Hope to see you back soon."
--from ANIL KASHYAP and KATIE MERRELL

• To Keke Kimmel: "Get well wishes. We miss you."
--from ANIL KASHYAP and KATIE MERRELL

About Us

The Ethical Humanist Society of Chicago is a democratic fellowship and spiritual home for those who seek a rational, compassionate philosophy of life without regard to belief or nonbelief in a supreme being. We value the importance of living an ethical, responsible, and joyful life. We promote intellectual, philosophical, and artistic freedom, avoiding dogma and rigid creed. We nurture a sense of wonder about life, nature, and the universe, and are inspired by models of human achievement. Shaped by the forces of humanism, democracy, science, and religious reform, we cherish human diversity and focus on what we have in common, not on what keeps us apart.

While respectful of the faiths and traditions we may have been born to, we serve as a new religion or as an alternative to religion.

We care for and support each other, sharing our joys and sorrows. Like traditional religious communities, we celebrate births, conduct wedding ceremonies, host memorial services, and provide for the caring, ethical education of our children.

We believe in deed beyond creed and in working for a better world. We recognize the worth and dignity of every person, and strive to act so as to bring out the best in others and thereby in ourselves.

Meetings of the Ethical Humanist Society are at our home in the Greiner Center, 7574 North Lincoln Ave. Skokie IL 60077. Sunday meetings start at 10:30 A.M. Refreshments and a social hour follow the program. Child care is available. Everyone is welcome. If you need transportation, please call the Society office by 1 p.m. Friday. We will try to get a ride for you. The Ethical Humanist Society of Greater Chicago was founded in 1882. The Society is a member of the American Ethical Union.

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The Ethical Humanist Society of Chicago, founded in 1882, is a member of the American Ethical Union & the American Humanist Association.

Officers and Trustees: Scott Walton, President; Matt Cole &
Dick Carney, Vice Presidents; Paul Ozarowski, Secretary; John Ungashick, Treasurer; Yolanda Adler, Joe Burck, Lisa Crowe, Sheila Caplan Curren, David Hardesty, Oliver Pergams, Renee Sullivan

Sunday School Director: Sharon Appelquist
Interim Office Administrator: Sharon Appelquist
Newsletter Editor: Alan Kimmel
Ethical Officiants: Marne Glaser, Jo-Ann Hoeppner, Tom Hoeppner, Ken Novak
AEU Representative: Tom Hoeppner