WES Holiday Platforms

Christmas, Hanukkah, the last day of Kwanzaa, and New Year's Day all fall on Sunday this year.  But WES will continue to open its doors, offering a single platform service on December 25 and on January 1, each at 10:30.

On December 25, our music director Bailey Whiteman, along with WES member Tony Nam, will lead "A Gift to Each Other: our Presence."  This multigenerationl platform will give people a chance to listen to stories, sing, share traditions, and find connection.  After platform, we'll enjoy a potluck brunch together.

On January 1, Amanda Poppei will help us launch the new year together.  What are you ready to say goodbye to from 2016? What intentions will you set for the coming year?  WES favorite Lilo Gonzalez will be our guest musician for this multigenerational platform.

Winter Fest! The Magic Returns

On Saturday December 10, WES will host its annual multigenerational Winter Fest celebration, this year with two performances, at 4:30 and 7:00.  We hope you will join us for a skit, singing, dancing, snacking, and a joyous tribute to the timeless values of the season--hope, joy, giving, peace.  A great event for friends and family.

Stone Soup Sunday-November 20

It's that time of year--pumpkin pie, gratitude, and Stone Soup Sunday.  Please join us November 20 for platform, followed by lunch at 12:45.  Our always wonderful multigenerational celebration is a great way to kick off the holiday season.
WES members please contribute according to your last name.  (Choose the first alphabetically in the family, if there are multiple last names.)
A-F: Pre-cut dessert
G-L: Pre-sliced bread or rolls
M-Q: Apple cider in jugs
R-Z: Pre-sliced cheese for the bread
The soup will be made by our Sunday School children, with a little help from their adult friends.  See you there!

Save the Date--Fall Membership Meeting and Potluck on Sunday, November 13

We hope WES members will attend our annual membership meeting on Sunday, November 13, from 1:00-2:30.  We'll have a potluck lunch and discuss our community's growth, as well as hear a finance report and other topics.  Contact Sera Morgan by November 1 if you have something for the agenda, and Melissa Sinclair by November 8 for childcare.

Don't Forget--Immigration Film Fest Oct. 20-23

The annual film fest, founded by members of WES, has grown to include 22 films from 19 countries, playing at venues around the Washington area.  You won't want to miss the gala reception and filmmaker awards celebration on Saturday, held at George Washington University.  And Sunday night, be sure to come to WES at 6:30 to catch four shorts.  See you at the movies!

Annual WES Auction Coming Up on October 15

Mark your calendars---the most fun event of WES's social season is fast approaching.  The annual auction promises laughter, wonderful food, and fabulous things to bid on--from vacation homes to dinner parties, theme baskets of goodies, nature walks, and this year a beautiful quilt donated by WES member and quilter-extraordinaire Donna Radner.  The "prom" theme gives you the chance to go all out, reimagining yourself on a prom date--or come as you are.  All are welcome. Tickets are $25.  See you there!

New This Fall--WES Talks!

You've heard of TED Talks--brief lectures  by experts on all sorts of fascinating topics that you can listen to online.  Starting in September, we're launching WES Talks--a chance to hear in-person from a range of speakers on compelling issues. This will be a chance for WES members and friends to expand their knowledge and to connect with others.  The talks will be held between our two platform services at 10:45, with the first one on September 11.  Stay tuned-- first speaker to be announced soon. (Image by Johannes Jansson)

Long-Time WES Members Honored by American Ethical Union

Lynne and Todd Waymon received the Anna Garlin Spencer Award at the recent American Ethical Union annual assembly, an honor given to lay members of Ethical Societies who make significant volunteer contributions.  Lynne joined WES in 1968, and Todd became a member eight years later.  Together they led the adult education program, including developing a relationship-building course that was immensely popular and drew on Lynne's expertise in networking. 
Their legendary warmth and friendliness attracted many new members. "On my very first day at WES, what I remember most is Todd Waymon giving me a hug hello," recalled one member.  "Lynne taught me how to talk to people, and that changed my life," said another. Not surprisingly, given these qualities, Lynne served on the Welcome Team and Todd was Head Usher, among many other contributions. 
Perhaps most significant was their founding of our well-respected Coming of Age Program (COA-MATT).  They created the program as a lasting, positive testament to their beloved son Matthew, who was killed in a car accident, caused by a teenage friend who was driving recklessly.
As Amanda Poppei noted in her nomination of the Waymons for this award, they "have supported WES's vitality and growth in so many ways...they embody the spirit of Ethical Culture."
The Waymons now live in a Quaker retirement community in Pennsylvania--but they remain an integral part of our community.

Film + Platform Series this Summer

We're trying something new this summer.  WES members will host  films, linked to the theme of an upcoming platform.  This is a fun way to see a movie you may have missed--or return to a favorite--to reflect more deeply on the ideas they explore.
Show times:
Lars and the Real Girl
July 24, 3:00 - home of Tom and Saundra Bishop
Shawshank Redemption
August 12, 6:00 - with pizza at the Kaufmans' (adults only)
August 13, 4:00 - with picnic at Kravitz home
Groundhog Day
August 21, 5:00 - potluck at Kaufman home
August 27, 5:00 - potluck at Shelby French and David Pehlke
Contact hosts for more details and to RSVP.  Hope to see you there!

Real Talk for Parents (Parenting Discussion and Kids’ Playdate)

WES is trying out a new event called "Real Talk for Parents." Join Melissa Sinclair, WES's Director of Lifelong Learning, for a discussion on talking to our children about sex and sexuality in a healthy, positive way. Bring your questions and conundrums. Melissa will share resources and a brief provide an overview of the Our Whole Lives sexuality education program offered at WES.
  
Children of all ages are welcome to join the playdate starting at 4pm in the Social Hall. Babysitters will be on hand so parents can join the discussion that will take place in the Library starting at 4:30.

Please RSVP (preferably by June 15) here.

Wanted--Eyeglasses & Frisbees!

Global Connections is collecting reading and sun glasses as well as glasses cases to take to El Rodeo, our sister community in El Salvador. Look for the collection box in the foyer. We will also be collecting frisbees -- feel free to decorate and send a message to the kids of El Rodeo.  Please bring to WES no later than Sunday, June 19th. If you have questions, please contact Lola Skolnik at L.skolnik@verizon.net.

June 12 Membership Meeting--New Time!

This spring, we're trying something new--a post-platform membership meeting.  (Platform will be at 10:30 a.m. this summer, so we'll begin around noon.)
Bring a potluck dish for lunch, your own dishes, and your thoughts, ideas and reflections to share.  Among the agenda items:  electing new Board members and hearing from WES leadership; discussing our growth; winning prizes (!); and enjoying each other's company. If you will need child care during the meeting, please contact Melissa Sinclair (melissas@ethicalsociety.org or 202/882-6650) to sign up.

Did You Ever Miss a Platform?

At the excellent Mother's Day platform, a visitor stood during the response time and said that whenever he came to WES, he thought of people he wished were there, to hear the platform address.  Maybe you've had the same thought. Or maybe you had to miss a Sunday and you really wanted to hear the talk.  Well, you can! The handy link on the right of this page will lead you to the Sunday podcast.  This is a great way to introduce new folks to WES or to share with family and friends who live out of town.  Happy listening!

Film Showing: Merchants of Doubt on May 15

The WES Earth Ethics team is hosting a showing of Merchants of Doubt on Sunday, May 15 at 7:00 in the library. Inspired by the acclaimed book by Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway, this documentary takes audiences on a funny and illuminating ride into the heart of conjuring American spin.  Filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the curtain on a secretive group of highly charismatic, silver-tongued pundits-for-hire who present themselves in the media as scientific authorities -- with the aim of spreading maximum confusion about well-studied public threats, ranging from toxic chemicals to pharmaceuticals to climate change.

A discussion will follow.  Requested donation is $5, and refreshments will be available.  For more information and to RSVP, contact Rich Reis at rich.reis1@gmail.com or call 301-325-8001.

Saturday, March 12--Community Dinner

WES members and spouses are warmly invited to our annual Community Stewardship Dinner, where we recommit ourselves to supporting our Ethical Society's future.  Come at 5:30 for schmoozing, followed by a catered dinner at 6:00.  Please RSVP to Julie Campbell (juliecampbell@aol.com, 202-244-0206) and mention any dietary restrictions.  To reserve childcare, contact Melissa Sinclair, melissas@ethicalsociety.org.

Calling all Parents--Teens Offer You a Night Out

Do you have young children and find it hard to get a night out?  On March 4, WES teens will give your kids a fun evening--and give you the opportunity to have a grown-up evening.  The children will play games, make crafts and eat pizza at WES, from 6:00 to 10:00.  Cost: $30 (+ $10 for siblings).  Contact Robyn Kravitz (RobynK@ethicalsociety.org).

February 28--Passion for Work...or Not

To conclude our monthly theme of desire, Amanda Poppei will look at passion through the lens of our work. We often long not just for a job, but for a vocation or a calling.  But that is not always possible. Does it matter? Is your work your passion?  Or do you find your passion elsewhere?  Music by the WES Chorus.

February 28-Neighborhood Potlucks

Join your friends and neighbors for yummy food and great conversation at a WES neighborhood potluck.  Held four times a year, the potlucks give members a chance to know each other in a smaller, homier setting.  The next one will be held on Sunday, February 28 at 5:00.  To learn more, contact Lindsay Lucke.

A Platform Named Desire

In February, WES will explore the intriguing theme of desire. On February 7, Amanda Poppei begins the month with her platform on  "Eve, the Buddha, and a Piece of Fruit: Desire in World Religions." How do different religious traditions approach the idea of what we want, what we long for, and what happens when we get it? How do we synthesize what we may have learned in childhood and what we have discovered in adulthood to create an understanding of desire now? Music will be provided by  the WES Chorus.  The children in our Sunday School will also explore the theme, as depicted in these images. 

Resistance! January 31 Platform on Courageous Acts in El Salvador

We hope you can join us this Sunday, January 31, when we complete our monthly theme of resistance.  Peggy Goetz, Ross Wells, and Lola Skolnik will share stories of heroes of resistance (such as Maricella Ramos, shown here) they have met through their work in El Rodeo, our sister community.  Special musical guest will be Jean Rohe, singer-songwriter and member of the Brooklyn Ethical Society.  Jean will also have a house concert that evening at Susan Runner's house.  To reserve your seat, contact Lola Skolnik.  Hope to see you Sunday!

January 17 -- A Very Special Platform

Bernardine (Dine) Watson, an award-winning poet, began writing plays and poems when she was 12 years old. A native Philadelphian, Dine has performed her poetry in numerous venues in Philadelphia (including the Philadelphia Ethical Society) and Washington. Recently she was accepted into the DC Commission on the Arts and Sciences’ Poets in Progress program.  She also continues to write on key social issues and has been published in the Washington Post’s “She the People” blog and Health and Science section.  Dine is a member of the DC African American Women’s Giving Circle, DC Women Writers of Color and serves on the board of the DC Rape Crisis Center. 

Joining Dine will be Beth Palubinsky, a red-diaper baby who grew up singing “Union Maid” and “Bread and Roses.” Formerly a practicing attorney and development professional, she became a Life-Cycle Celebrant in 2005, creating and performing personalized milestone ceremonies. She sings as a solo artist and with roots rock bands, has recorded with local and national artists, and continues to believe, as she learned at her parents’ knees, that music can sustain us in the struggle for justice, equality and beauty in this muddled world.

You won’t want to miss this very special platform.