Picnic in the Park--Opening Sunday, September 13

Join us for a post-platform picnic at 1:00 on September 13, at the Takoma-Piney Branch Park, 2 Darwin Avenue.  The park has a new picnic pavilion and tons of space to play or relax.  WES will provide burgers (including veggie of course), buns and drinks.  Please bring a side dish or dessert to share.  Everyone is welcome!

El Rodeo Gets its own Bibliotequita

Inspired by the Little Free Library movement, our WES Global Connections committee organized a free book depository in our sister community of El Rodeo, El Salvador.  When the WES delegation visited El Rodeo in July, it brought books to donate, purchased building materials, and hired a local carpenter to construct the little library.  Community leader Elvis Zavala, who visited WES last February, had seen the Little Free Libraries in Takoma Park and was excited to have one in El Rodeo.  Thanks to Pam Williams for first suggesting the idea and making it happen.

Come Welcome Amanda Back from Sabbatical!

This Sunday, August 2, WES Senior Leader Amanda Poppei will return from a three-month sabbatical--tanned, rested, and ready to deliver a platform on her experience.  Music will be provided by LEA, one of WES's favorite musicians.  This is a Sunday you won't want to miss!

Special Children-Led Platform Sunday, July 26

Join us for what promises to be a very fun platform, with music and program offered by our Sunday School children, with a little help from Tony Nam.  A great time to show your support and love for the WES kids, parents, and teachers.

Can Humanists Be Spiritual?

Ethical Culture Leader Hugh Taft-Morales will explore that question this Sunday, July 5.  Hugh is a long-time WES member who now leads the Ethical Societies in both Philadelphia and Baltimore. 
With music by our very own Doris Justis, this is a platform you won't want to miss.

Vaya Bien to our Delegation to El Salvador

Safe travels and good wishes to our delegation who will be traveling tomorrow to El Rodeo, our sister community in El Salvador.   A special shout-out to Justin Taft-Morales, who grew up in the WES Sunday School, went through our Coming of Age program, and is now in El Rodeo, doing the advance work for the delegation.  He's been doing an incredible job.  In addition to Justin, 10 people are going, including 3 other teens.  They will return on July 5th.  Vaya bien!

Joy, Humor and Love for Family

On this very difficult week of such loss at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, SC, we took the time this morning to honor and remember and celebrate those lost. Downstairs with the children, though small in numbers this Father's Day and first full weekend of summer, we continued to explore the theme of Joy and Humor.

The preschool class spent time exploring nature. The Kindergarten through 2nd grade class made cards for the children of El Rodeo and for their fathers or grandfathers.

The 3rd through 6th grade theme exploration class flew the mini kites they made last week in class. I held my breath to see if these homemade tiny kites would fly, but fly they did!

I asked the class if they felt joyous and had fun with this project and they said, "Yes it was a lot of fun - and sweaty!" Ah yes, sweaty it was!

And to all the fathers out there or to anyone who has taken on a parenting role in a child's life, wishing you a great day!