Washington Ethical Society

The Community Relations Committee will present a recorded interview with Daryl Davis and raise the topic of Deep Listening. What skills do we need to hear each other truly and respectfully? How do we find common ground when there are deep disagreements? How do we handle our fear as we engage across powerful dividing lines? The CRC asks us to re-imagine what is possible. From Daryl’s website: As a race relations expert, Daryl has received acclaim for his book, Klan-Destine Relationships and his documentary Accidental Courtesy from many respected sources including CNN, NBC, Good Morning America, TLC, NPR, The Washington Post, and many others. He is also the recipient of numerous awards including the Elliott-Black Award, the MLK Award and the Bridge Builder Award among many others. Filled with exciting encounters and sometimes amusing anecdotes, Daryl’s impassioned lectures leave an audience feeling empowered to confront their own prejudices and overcome their fears. –https://www.daryldavis.com/

No Human Being is Illegal on Stolen Land Lyn Cox, Interim Leader. On this weekend of Indigenous Peoples Day, we acknowledge that those of us who are not Indigenous are living on stolen land, and we look for a way forward that draws from restorative justice. In addition to reparations and honoring the treaties already made, turning away from a mindset of colonization gives us a chance to re-imagine policies such as immigration.

Vote Love Lyn Cox, Interim Leader. In these midst of global pandemic, rising authoritarianism, and uprising, lives hang in the balance and the future of democracy is on the line. In response, WES joins our Unitarian Universalist kinfolk in answering the call of ethics and values, building powerful partnerships to mobilize our communities to #VoteLove and #DefeatHate in the 2020 elections. Join the UU the Vote team and a lineup of powerful, prophetic UU voices as we explore the intersections of faith, justice, and democracy in this collective virtual experience. For the WES Platform, we will combine elements provided by the UU the Vote team with WES’s own practices of candle lighting, meditation, and community sharing.

Forgiveness & Infinite Interrelatedness Lyn Cox There is both ethical and scientific basis in understanding ourselves as inescapably related to each other, to the entire human family, to the earth, and to the universe. Yet in the course of these relationships, another inescapable fact is that we will sometimes fall short of our best intentions, and that other people will fall short in their intentions toward us. Accountability, responsibility, and possibly forgiveness can help us grow through these mistakes and cultivate a world that makes more room for everyone to thrive.

"The Definition of Riches is ‘Abundant Meaningful Work" WES Members Several lay members of WES will speak about their vocation or avocation and what makes that work meaningful to them.

Shared Improvisation Lyn Cox, Interim Leader We keep hearing about how these times are “unprecedented.” There is no definite script for working together as the world changes. Building trust, drawing out each other’s creativity, and remaining curious can help us to engage in the jazz-like process of shared improvisation. Part of this week’s Platform address will include a “Question Box,” with Interim Leader Lyn Cox responding to questions submitted by members in advance through this on-line form.

"Together in this Liminal Time" Lyn Cox, Interim Leader. In Lyn Cox’s first Platform as our Interim Leader, we’ll explore the theme of collaboration and how it shows up on this threshold of change in our world, our nation, and our congregation. Lyn will explain a little bit about the interim opportunity and how WES might grow through it, and will offer some metaphors for teamwork in times of change.

"Reclaiming Democracy" Hugh Taft-Morales Faith in democracy is being challenged today on multiple fronts: anti-democratic tendencies of our current administration; the resurgence of global authoritarianism; money corrupting politics; questions about the electoral college; and, the rampant voter repression. Racial justice protests point out that for large swaths of our population, democracy was never fully realized. In today’s political climate, what does it mean to work to “reclaim democracy”? Hugh Taft-Morales explores this question three months before a critical election.

The Encampment for Citizenship, founded in 1946 by Ethical Culture Leader Algernon D. Black and Alice (“Nanny”) Pollitzer, a prominent civic leader, offered an opportunity for “young adults of many religious, racial, social and national backgrounds” to learn “the principles and techniques of citizenship… through lived experience.” Black believed that young people could be a positive force in their communities if they developed critical thinking skills, youth activism, leadership qualities, and the courage to break free from stereotypes. Eleanor Roosevelt, long-time chair of The Encampment board of sponsors, often hosted students for discussions, workshops and barbeques at her Hyde Park estate. When the program was attacked by McCarthyite forces in the early 1950s, she defended it vigorously. “The reason I think these Encampments are so important,” she wrote, “is that they are attended by citizens of different races and groups. They prepare people for thinking in terms of all people and not in terms of a selec

"These Certain Times" Rev. Megan Foley, UUA Central Region. Through the spring of 2020 everything got thrown up into the air – our health, our safety, our patience with unjust systems, WES’ clergy leadership structure…and now as we live through the summer of 2020, things are becoming more clear if not more easy. What is the path forward when we find ourselves in the middle of a time of great change? What can we see and do now that the dust is more settled? What is our next faithful step towards the Good?

All I Can Say Is Thanks Amanda Poppei, Senior Leader. Join us for Amanda’s final platform as WES’ Senior Leader, as she shares her gratitude for the community that she has been proud to serve for twelve years.

"Everything I Know About Life I Learned from Ethical Culture" Amanda Poppei, Senior Leader. The very first time Amanda offered a platform at WES, she titled it “Everything I Know About Ethical Culture I Learned from Wikipedia.” And that was true! Join Amanda to hear about her journey as an Ethical Culture learner and Leader, as she explores how the philosophy and history of our movement has shaped her understanding of the world.

Compassionate Community: If You Build It, They Will Come Amanda Poppei, Senior Leader What does it mean for WES to be a compassionate community–especially in this time? How do we balance care for our own members with the needs of the broader world? Can we infuse an ethos of compassion into not just all we do, but all the ways we are? Amanda will explore this topic, joined by special guests from the WES community.

"To Be of Use" Laura Solomon, Clergy Intern. Join Laura as she concludes her first year of internship – and her time at WES – with reflections on WES, clergy leadership, and what it means “to be of use” in community.

We Dare to Question Amanda Poppei, Senior Leader One of the hallmarks of Ethical Culture, and humanism in general, is the impulse to question. We ask questions especially at times of change, at thresholds–but our impulse toward curiosity is present at all times. Amanda invites you to participate in one of her favorite platforms by sending her your questions: about life, philosophy, social justice, and more! Please write at amandap@ethicalsociety.org. Music from the WES chorus, band, and friends.

Sunday, May 10, 9:30am "A Family System, Not a Family" Amanda Poppei, Senior Leader It’s common to refer to a congregation as a family, and even to imagine that a clergy person is like the parent…or (even more problematic!) that the relationship between a clergy person and a congregation is a kind of marriage. Amanda will explore the power behind these ideas, and the importance of being thoughtful with our metaphors. Music from singer/songwriter Lea Morris.

"This Is Not The End" Laura Solomon, Clergy Intern. In the midst of the many thresholds we are crossing and living between, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. There is power in naming exactly what we are experiencing, and also in being clear about what is NOT happening. As we enter our May theme of “thresholds,” join Laura to consider how, in spite of all the change and uncertainty, this is not the end.

Sunday, April 26, 2020. "Centering: The Great Turning toward Mother Earth" Lore Rosenthal Reflecting on the 50th anniversary of the first Earth Day, how far have we come? What are our paths for moving forward? Lore will share some quotes from climate enthusiasts as well as share some of her own thoughts. Is our civilization turning toward a partnership with mother earth? Lore Rosenthal is the Program Coordinator of the Greenbelt Climate Action Network, as well as a volunteer with the Pachamama Alliance, presenting workshops on Drawdown Solutions: Reversing Global Warming.

In times of uncertainty and change, it can be tempting to jump to “what’s next?!” And knowing some of the plans and steps is certainly helpful. But we can also remember to ask “what now?” What are we invited to experience now–even if it is grief or fear? What can we bring to this moment? Join Amanda as she explores the uncertainty of this time–at WES and in the world at large–and the wisdom of asking what now.

The Center of Community Amanda Poppei, Senior Leader What lies at the heart of the WES community? With so much changed in this moment, how do we ensure that the center holds? Together we will affirm what has animated the WES community for more than 75 years.