Newsletter

Newsletter of the Ethical Humanist Society of Chicago

July 2008

Welcome to Our Sunday Morning Programs in July

• A special FICTION CIRCLE, on Arthur Miller’s classic play Death of a Salesman, is our regular morning program for Sunday, July 6th. Led by Adult Education co-chair Ken Novak, we will discuss whether this tragic, chewy drama is an archetype of the American commercial class. The script, as well as audio and DVD performances, are widely available at local libraries.

• SVETLANA BEKMAN and CAROLYN WELCH, members of the Society, present “Top 5 Reasons Everyone Needs an Estate Plan” on Sunday, July 13th. Practicing attorneys, they will describe how we can meet our goals while minimizing the burden on our families. They will discuss aspects of estate planning such as probate, taxes, guardians, wills, living trusts, charitable giving, and powers of attorney.

• NINA WEISS, Society member and noted landscape artist, presents “An Artist’s Travels and Spiritual Journey” on Sunday, July 20th. Using slides, Nina will chronicle her travels “in search of the perfect landscape.” Included will be her drawings and paintings of Thailand, New Zealand, Maine, Nova Scotia, and other inspirational locations.

• Society members YOLANDA ADLER, JOE BURCK, SUSAN BURCK, and KEN NOVAK present “Oscar Wilde: Wit, Wisdom, and Woe” on Sunday, July 27th. They will read fragments of Wilde’s work that show him as more than an amusing wit but also a social critic and thinker.

back to the top

Coming Activities and Events

• Our SECOND SATURDAY COFFEE HOUSE, hosted by Vicki Elberfeld, is on Saturday, July 12th, at 8 p.m. The featured performer is folksinger Tom Neilson, known locally as the Bard Insurgent for his many years of militant political activism and his belief in the power of music to effect social change. Open-mike sign-up (all acoustic, all genres) begins at 7:30. There is a $5 minimum charge and moderately priced refreshments will be available.

• Our next ETHNIC DINNER OUT is on Saturday, July 19th, at the fine Italian restaurant Trattoria Trullo, at 4767 N. Lincoln Ave., in Lincoln Square, Chicago. There is metered street parking and two city parking lots a block away. We’ll order at 5:30 p.m. Please let us know you’re coming by contacting Richard Curren at richard_curren@yahoo.com.

• Our FILM DISCUSSION GROUP, led by John Ungashick, meets on Monday, July 21st, at 7:15 p.m. We’ll discuss two current films. When Did You Last See Your Father? examines the conflict between a son and the materialism and indiscretions of his aging father. Directed by Anand Tucker, it stars Jim Broadbent and Colin Firth. Mongol is an epic tale about conqueror Genghis Khan’s early years. It was directed by Sergei Bodrov, with actors Tadanobu Asano, Honglei Sun, and Khulan Culuum. Chosen as a backup film is Bigger, Stronger, Faster, a documentary about the use of steroids in sports.

• Our CREATIVE WRITERS GROUP, led by Milt Zerkin, meets on Sunday, July 27th, at 12:15 p.m. Newcomers are welcome to share their short original works with us.

• A special ETHICAL HUMANITIES discussion is our regular morning program for Sunday, August 3rd. Led by Ken Novak, we’ll discuss In Defense of Food, by Michael Pollan, New York Times Magazine writer and University of California journalism professor. The book and audio versions of it are available at local libraries. The vision-impaired can contact Ken for an audio copy.

NOTE: Our Readers Theatre Group is taking the rest of the summer off. They plan to resume in September.

back to the top

Recent Sunday Programs

• An ETHICAL HUMANITIES discussion, on “Stewardship in an Organization,” was our summer-opening program on June 8th. It was led by Ken Novak.

Ken summarized the ideas in the book Stewardship, by management consultant Peter Block, which stress the need “to create organizations that work” and rap the “hierarchical class system control model.” Ken pointed instead to individual empowerment, development of partnerships, and placing service over self-interest. An underlying principle in the book, he noted, is the encouragement of individuals to develop their own personal understanding of ethical ideals.

In the discussion we noted the strengths and weaknesses of the Society, as we try to build our organization and meet both the intellectual and pastoral needs of our members. We discussed our models of leadership, decision-making, and committee work, and how well we mesh the individual with the collective. Ken concluded by noting our unique “twist” of the Golden Rule: to affirm the value of each individual and to act so as to bring out the best in others.

• “SEPARATING CHURCH AND STATE: Update on the Illinois Student Prayer Act” was the topic of a special program on June 15th. Dawn Sherman, teenage plaintiff in a lawsuit against a state-mandated “moment of silence” in her Buffalo Grove high school, was the featured speaker.

Dawn declared that the law “was obviously about prayer.” She brushed off “religious taunts” from some fellow students and confidently said, “I don’t need to fear a supreme being to be a good person.” She introduced her father, outspoken atheist Rob Sherman, who detailed the background of the law. He hailed the temporary judicial injunction against it, but he warned that a higher court might lift the injunction before a politically skittish legislature can amend the law by replacing the mandatory ”shall” with the permissive “may.”

A 10-member panel of our Youth of Ethical Societies (YES) group fielded questions about their own schools. They were asked how the law was enforced, about religious groups, and how their teachers treated them. Concerning religion in the schools as a political issue, one of our youngsters argued, “Our legislators should be more concerned about important stuff.”

• A REPORT FROM THE AEU ASSEMBLY in Austin, Texas, last April by delegates Scott Walton, Sue Walton, Tom Hoeppner, Jo-Ann Hoeppner, and Peter Less was the special program on June 22nd. Peter chaired the meeting. Tom opened by explaining the American Ethical Union as a federation of local Ethical Societies that cultivates pastoral leadership and aims at membership development and our children’s education. He said the AEU helps organize new Societies and stimulate actions for social justice. He suggested we help people find us by “casting a wider net.” Sue discussed Assembly workshops on membership growth and the nature of Ethical Culture. She reported on a debate on whether an Ethical Society may affiliate with the Unitarian church. Scott described workshop discussions on building “congregations of generous people” that attract and keep newcomers by providing “a pleasant experience.” Comparing us with other Societies, he referred to such criteria as Sunday attendance and collections, Sunday School enrollment, and pledge income. Jo-Ann described a workshop on ceremonies and one on communication skills that stressed the need for “empathetic listening.” Much of the audience comments and questions were on greater integration of Ethical Action projects with Sunday platforms.

back to the top

Our People

• Dick Carney, who suffered a stroke on May 22nd, was scheduled to move from Evanston Hospital at the end of June for further rehab. He has greatly appreciated the many warm, encouraging cards and emails.

• Rudy Hoskot and wife Angela are grandparents for the second time. Their daughter Julie, who lives in Germany with husband Jerome Auman, a U.S. Air force musician, gave birth to a baby boy, Maddox, on May 12th. Congratulations!

• Shirlee Rubenstein’s daughter-in-law, Martha Senn Rubenstein, died on June 11th. Our warmest condolences to Shirlee and her son Mark on their loss.

back to the top

Sunday School Scoop

I hope everyone is enjoying summer. Although the Golden Rule Sunday School is on break, the YES group is providing childcare for Sunday morning programs until we start back up in September. Thank you to all our wonderful teens! This month, two of our Sunday School moms, who are also practicing attorneys, are presenting a program on estate planning, a great time to invite your friends and neighbors who might enjoy this topic of universal interest.

We need to get rid of the ping-pong table that has been living in the community room. It’s not in a usable state but with a little “TLC” could be a nice addition to someone’s basement. If you’re interested in taking it (free for the hauling) please contact me at 847-677-3334.

We hope to organize a summer family outing—watch this space or your emails for more info. We’ll continue packing lunches for the Lincoln Park Community Shelter and could use some help with the ingredients. If you can donate something (meat, cheese, drink, fruit, chips, or dessert for 30), please let me know or use our bulletin board signup sheet.

—Sharon Appelquist, Director

back to the top

From the President

Dear Society members,

Wow—I’m truly honored to serve as your newly elected president. I thank the Board and its nominating committee for entrusting me with a responsibility that I take very seriously. I sincerely hope that I may be as successful a president as were my hard working, dedicated predecessors.

The decision my wife Marilee and I made to join the Society eight years ago was truly one of the best choices of our lives. We treasure being part of this bright, thinking, caring, and giving congregation.

As president I hope to see the Society continue to gain active and involved new members, fiscally strengthen, better define our mission, and improve our organizational structure. As you are all well aware, this is a lay-led and lay-driven Society. I therefore invite each of you to become more involved by joining a committee or two or three, asking questions, making gentle suggestions, even occasionally attending our open Board meetings, and of course washing your coffee mug. The strength of our Society depends upon the skills and efforts of all of us.

—Matt Cole , President

back to the top

Notices and Announcements

• New Society officers were elected by our Board of Trustees on Wednesday, June 11th. Matt Cole was elected president of the Society, replacing Scott Walton. Yolanda Adler was elected vice president, replacing Matt. John Ungashick was reelected treasurer and Paul Ozarowski was reelected secretary.

• Our Ethical Action group, led by Marne Glaser and Brian Barnes, has donated $200 from the Sunday collections to the Humanist Charities of the American Humanist Association. The money was earmarked for hurricane victims in Myanmar.

• Our Library, organized by Fred Malkinson, has two new acquisitions: The Reluctant Mr. Darwin, by David Quammen, is an intimate portrait of the maker of the theory of evolution. Woman of Valor, by Ellen Chesler, is a biography of Margaret Sanger, crusader for reproductive freedom. They’re available for checkout.

• Our Tribute Fund is a way we honor each other—with congratulations on a birthday or anniversary, condolences on the loss of a loved one, wishes for recovery from an illness, or hailing a personal achievement. Tribute forms are on the literature tables.

• Membership in the Society is open to those who share our ethical outlook and wish to join our caring community. To discuss membership, please contact Membership Chair Tom Hoeppner. The next Membership Orientation is on Sunday, July 20th, 12:15 p.m.

• Our Weekly Program Reminder 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@ethical human.org or call the office.

• Our Summer Coffee Hour is do-it-yourself. With Sue Walton and Judy Carney on well-deserved breaks, Sheila and Richard Curren will provide oversight. There will be hot water, but food items must be cut, ready to eat, and on disposable plates. Mugs must be washed, leftovers taken home. Let’s leave everything as clean as we found it. Thanks!

back to the top

Volunteers Corner

Your Society is run by volunteers. They are needed this summer for important ongoing tasks such as:
• Driving members and friends to meetings and activities
• Helping change the outdoor sign
• Caring for the indoor plants
• Picking up trash on the grounds
• Cleaning the auditorium and replacing chairs after meetings
Can you help? Contact Sheila Curren at
volunteercoordinator@ethicalhuman.org. Thanks!

back to the top

Tribute Fund

• In memory of Keke Kimmel
—from the Diaz-Popuch family, Jan Kuhn and Jeff Kramer, and Renee and Jane Sullivan

• Many thanks for the hard work, creativity, and hospitality of the Memorial Day Weekend organizers
—from the Bekman-Dupuis and Welch-Jani Families

About Us

The Ethical Humanist Society of Greater 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 N. 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.

back to the top

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

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
Newsletter Editor: Alan Kimmel
Ethical Officiants: Marne Glaser, Jo-Ann Hoeppner, Tom Hoeppner, Ken Novak
AEU Representative: Tom Hoeppner