Submissions Sought: Humanist Elevator Speeches

We humanists love to talk and explain (and then sum up, before adding footnotes!) …but brevity can sometimes be better. The Journal of Religious Humanism challenges you to be creatively brief. If you were asked, upon entering an elevator: “Hey, what is Humanism, anyway?” And you had to reply before exiting, what would you say?

In one floor? A dozen words or fewer? Example: “Wonder, imagination, fulfillment, creativity, meaning: available to everyone – religious or not.” Marilyn Westfall

In four floors? No more than 50 words? Example: “Humanism tells me human life is … worthy of respect and care. Environmentalism tells me: to be human is to be part of an interdependent circle of all life. Environmental Humanism compels me to … reduce human practices that threaten the survival of life on earth.” Carol Hepokoski

In twelve floors? 100 words, tops?

Secular Humanism. Religious Humanism. Plain ole’ humanism. Whatever you call it – tell us and our members/subscribers what it means to you. Pick one of the elevator-ride durations, and submit your positive description by April 30, along with your name, phone number, connection to Humanism and/or UUism, other relevant biographical information, and brief details of what inspires your vision.

We’ll publish as many entries as we can, but reserve the right to edit, with your permission. We’re not looking for perfect definitions of Humanism – just your unique take on what makes your humanism work for you. Perfection is rare and takes too long. We would love to include your positive description in our next issue.

We accept diamonds in the rough. Think fast, write just a little slower, revise sparingly, and send it in. Who knows? You could make us proud and we might make you famous (within a limited Freethinking universe).

Submissions and Questions to: Roger Brewin at Rabrewin@aol.com or 773-551-8540.

 

Roger Brewin, UUHA Journal Editor

 

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An Update from the UUHA Board President

President of the UUHA...believe it or not, that title opens a lot of doors! I wanted to share a little bit of what it means to serve as President of our organization, and especially to share some of the conversations I get to be part of in this role.

Although we are relatively small, the UUHA is *the* UU group dedicated to humanism, which means we are often invited to represent UU humanism in different settings. The Secular Coalition for America includes the UUHA as one of their member organizations, and I try to make as many member meetings and lobby events as possible (and if YOU want to be involved, please let me know!).

I also serve on the Steering Committee of the Humanist Special Collection at Meadville Lombard--not precisely because I am UUHA President, but I think the role didn't hurt! The Humanist Special Collection "houses archival materials that document the growth and impact of humanism within both Unitarian Universalism and the larger world," and the Steering Committee helps to set direction for the Collection and to work for funding so that the Collection can grow and continue to serve the movement.

I co-founded the Humanist Collaboratory before coming into the role of UUHA President, but you can bet that any future president will be invited to that gathering, which brings together leaders from UUism, Ethical Culture, humanistic Judaism, and secular humanism.

And in early February I'll be traveling down to Florida, speaking at the Suncoast Humanists' annual Darwin Day event--an invite I'm sure I wouldn't have received without this title!

We may be small, but we are mighty. And it's not just me as President...every member of the UUHA has a role in representing our organization, whether in your local congregation, humanist group, or elsewhere. If you want to take on a bigger role, be sure to check out our UUHA Ambassador program. However you represent the UUHA, and humanism in general: thank you.

The Rev. Amanda Poppei

President, UU Humanist Association

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Happy Humanist New Year!

Happy humanist new year!

What's a humanist new year, you ask? Any year where you are part of connecting the human family and honoring human worth, of course. We are grateful for the end of year gifts we have received from many of you, investing in the work we share and in the future of humanism within the UUA and beyond it.

If you haven't made a gift and you'd like to, please click below or send a check. And you can give us an additional gift, by sharing with a friend why you support the UUHA and inviting them to become a member.

 

Help Us Here!

 

Thank you for all you do to support the UUHA!

The Rev. Amanda Poppei

President, UU Humanist Association

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A Letter from UUHA President Amanda Poppei

Dear UUHA members,

Happy humanist holidays!

I love the holiday season—even with all the potential challenge for a humanist in sorting through family religious obligations, one’s own relationship to the Christmas story, or how to schedule both a HumanLight celebration and a solstice party on the same day. At the congregation that I serve, the Washington Ethical Society, we start the holiday season with a Stone Soup service and then have a totally over-the-top, elaborate, cookie-and-music-filled Winter Festival the second or third weekend in December. And when all that wraps up, I turn my attention to my family’s holiday plans!

Your own holiday season may be busy or calm, at home or away...but I hope that whatever it is, it gives you time to reflect on what is most important to you. And I hope that supporting UU humanists and spreading humanism far and wide are among those values!

We are thinking about that spreading part especially, even imagining (dare we say it?!) what humanist evangelism might look like. Keep an eye out for our next journal, which will feature “elevator pitches” about UU humanism and humanism in general.

And we hope that you’ll be part of spreading humanism, and supporting the UU Humanist Association, again this year. We invite you to consider an end of year gift of $25, $50, or $100 to support our work. Really, to support YOUR work: you, the on-the-ground humanists who are living and sharing and creating the humanism of the future.

 

Help Us Match our Pledge Here!

 

Thank you for being part of this movement with us, and may 2020 bring all kinds of wonderful things to you and yours.

The Rev. Amanda Poppei

President, UU Humanist Association

 

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Join the UUHA at This Year’s UUA General Assembly!

Not even a month remains until General Assembly 2019, the annual meeting of the Unitarian Universalist Association, convenes in Spokane Washington. GA continually ranks among the year’s most vital gatherings of members within the UU religious community.

And the UU Humanist Association cannot wait to be there.

The UUHA plans to offer attendees a series of exciting programs and exhibitions, each of them demonstrating the value of Humanism within the UU tradition. If you plan to be in Spokane between June 19 and June 23, we would love to meet you! Here’s where you can find us:

 

PANEL: “Whose Humanism Anyway? Answers from the Humanist Collaboratory”

When: Thursday, June 20; 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Where: Davenport Grand — Ballroom A


What happens when UU ministers, Ethical Culture clergy, humanist rabbis, and “renegade” humanist organizers -- often creating community among humanists of color -- get together? They discuss what humanism means, right now, to people of many identities. Join Humanist Collaboratory organizers to hear their take on humanism in an intentionally multiracial, intersectional context.

Though officially hosted by the Humanist Collaboratory, this panel is co-sponsored by the UUHA and was created by two of our serving Board members: Leika Lewis-Cornwell, our newest Board member; and Rev. Amanda Poppei, President of the UUHA. UU minister Rev. Dr. Patrice Curtis will join Leika in presenting the workshop.

The UUHA Annual Meeting

When: Friday, June 21; 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Where: Davenport Grand — Meeting Room 1

Join us for the UUHA’s most important formal event of the year, where all standing UUHA members are encouraged to attend and have your say in the direction the UUHA might take in the next year. We have an awfully tight agenda to work through in a small amount of time, but here’s what we’ve got planned:

 

The UUHA Person of the Year Award

Earlier this week the UUHA proudly announced the 2019 recipient of our annual award to individuals whose work affirms, promotes, and advances the ideals of Humanism within the Unitarian Universalist Association or in society at large. That recipient is Vanessa Gomez Brake, Associate Dean of Religious Life at the University of Southern California. Vanessa will be present to receive her award, and we encourage you to read more about her work before meeting her in person.

 

UUHA Board Elections

Our most important business at GA is the election of our Board and Officers for the following two years. Every current member of the UUHA attending this meeting is welcome to vote and, in the next month, is encouraged to bring their names forward for consideration for any open position. Look for more details on who will be on the 2019 ballot—and for the possibility of online voting—in the coming weeks.

 

Exhibit Booth

When: Wednesday June 19 - Sunday June 23, Exhibit Hall hours of operation
Where: Booth # 211 at the Exhibit Hall in the Convention Center

Each year the UUHA relishes the opportunity to connect in-person both with our members attending GA, and for any attendees curious to learn more about Humanism within Unitarian Universalism. Our booth in the Exhibit Hall is a great chance to meet and get to know us better.

What delights await in booth 211 of the Exhibit Hall at the Spokane General Assembly?  

  • A display of nearly 200 different pins, bumper stickers and fridge-magnets (bite-sized nuggets of Humanist, UU, and Social Justice wisdom and humor)

  • Two new books: Grandmother Fish - A Child's Introduction to Evolution by Jonathan Tweet (perfect for families and RE programs) and Religious Humanism: the Good Life Lived in Community (a UUHA publication) by Andy Reese and Peter Kandis

  • The latest issue of the UUHA Journal (Humanist Resistance - Some Resources)

  • Recycled fabric art from the studio of Rev. Jim McConnell (stoles for ministers and choir members, bags and banners and aprons, decorated with UU and humanist symbols)   

Our booth is a chance to chat with UUHA volunteers and Board members, meet author Jonathan Tweet (have him autograph his beautifully illustrated book), renew your membership and donate to one of our social justice projects.

We will continue to post updates about the UUHA’s presence at GA over the next few weeks, both here and on our Facebook page. As always, feel free to contact us with any specific questions.

See you at GA!

 
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