Remembering Those Killed by Police

Join WES social justice advocates on Thursdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m., for Roadside Remembrance.  We will gather in front of WES, holding signs of people who have been killed by the police.  This action builds on last fall's Sidewalk Solidarity Actions.  Each week, an individual victim will be highlighted and remembered.

Spring Festival 2015

This past Sunday was our annual Spring Festival. Weather leading up to it was definitely un-springlike with a few of our more northern members seeing snowflakes on Saturday, April 25th. However, the weather on Sunday was sunny and definitely spring like.

We had a near full house for platform which included friends of our two families having the baby naming ceremony. The festival play was centered around the theme of the month, Imperfection. The story was acted out by children and narrated by Senior Leader, Amanda Poppei and Officiant Tony Nam. This was a story of a flower named Rowan who wanted to grow - despite the cold, long winter, despite not knowing what kind of flower it would turn out to be, despite weeds and wind. This was a story of the imperfect path of a seed growing into its own flowerhood. It had some curly leaves and twisted petals by the end, yet it was still beautiful and glorious.

After the play and after a couple stories from members who had imperfect dreams come true, we got to the touching double baby naming ceremony of Jack and Walter. Not many dry eyes in the room as we all promised to watch over them and care for them as a community.

See this all unfold in the slideshow seen above.

Following platform, there was the salad and dessert potluck which was abundant and scrumptious. The weather cooperated so nicely that it was pleasant enough to eat outside. And the children were happily entertained with a beanbag toss and sidewalk chalk.

Special thanks goes out to Molly Beiting for making the gorgeous (definitely not imperfect!) headpieces for the play, to Susan Runner, Becky Klabunde Tomer, and Tony Nam for decorating the stage, to Becky and Jonathan Klabunde Tomer for fixing the flower arch and making the flower display, to Trang Duong and Robyn Kravitz for sharing great photos for this album and video, and to the Sunday School actors, the WES chorus, and to staff for stepping up to create a wonderful and beautiful Spring Festival.

If you want to see more photos, click here.

May's Quotation from Felix Adler

The quotation for May comes from a list compiled by Tony Hileman, who is a former Senior Leader of the New York Society for Ethical Culture, a former Executive Director of the American Humanist Association, a former member of WES and always engaging humanistic religious speaker. Read all about it at:  http://felixadlerandfriends.blogspot.com 

Come Celebrate Affordable Housing Victory!

On April 22 at 11:00, there will be a groundbreaking ceremony at Concord Apartments, 5807 14^th Street, NW, to recognize the successful effort to develop affordable housing at three apartment buildings—the Concord, Valencia and Vizcaya (shown here).  Our very own Amanda Poppei will be the M.C., along with Rev. Joseph Daniels of Emory United Methodist Church who will give a blessing of the ground, and Mayor Muriel Bowser, among other dignitaries.

The property had been under contract with a market-rate buyer with no affordability restrictions in place.  The Tenants Association organized and successfully exercised their rights to acquire the property. 

As the Washington Interfaith Network (WIN) explains, rehabilitation is underway on 130 existing apartments.  There will also be 10 new apartments and rooms for community gatherings, a computer center, and exercise. The Latin American Youth Center and the Latino Economic Development Center will provide on-site supportive services, including after school tutoring, financial literacy courses, and health and wellness training.

March 14 Community Dinner

Celebrate our Differences and the Difference We Make!

Saturday, March 14—5:30 for hors d’oeuvres, 6:00 catered dinner

Join other WES members for our annual gathering.  Together we’ll enjoy a night of fun, music, food, and camaraderie, while renewing our financial commitment to WES.  Non-member partners are welcome!

RSVP immediately to juliecampbell@aol.com or 202-244-0206.  Let her know of you have particular dietary needs, or if you need childcare.

Don Montagna to Give Platform March 8

Long time Senior Leader Don Montagna will give his first platform at WES since retiring in 2006.  Don is currently the Director of Project Development and the President of the Board of International Partners. He writes, "Since departing WES leadership 9 years ago, my experiences working in El Salvador with people who live in extreme poverty have validated humanistic spirituality as a guide for creating a more satisfying life and a better world."

WES Hosts Free Civil Rights Film Series

Fifty people, from young teens to elders, watched the gripping documentary Freedom Riders at WES on January 25, the first of a five-part film series on the civil rights movement. A special feature of the series is the opportunity to hear from guests who helped make history--the first was Dr. Rip Patton who told the audience about his own participation in the Freedom Rides. Long-time WES member June Fair was instrumental in organizing the series, which was supported through the Bridging Cultures project of the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Other partners in the film series include the Washington Interfaith Network, Northminster Presbyterian Church, Neighbors Inc., Family and Friends of Incarcerated People and the Shepherd Park Community Association. The series continues on Sundays throughout February at WES at 7:00.  Next up:  Slavery By Another Name, which tells the story of how forced labor continued after Reconstruction, well into the 20th Century, to show on February 8 at 7:00. The guest speaker will be Eugene Puryeear, local justice activist and author of Shackled and Chained, The Re-Enslavement of Black Americns from the Civil War to World War II.