Sunday Morning Programs

Our Sunday morning programs alternate weekly between a guest speaker and one of our Community Days, which are designed to foster community engagement and social action. We’ll welcome a live audience in our auditorium, and also continue livestreaming our guest speakers to our YouTube channel. The Community Days will be in-person only.

Sunday, February 23, 10:30am

Community Day: Creating and Supporting Community

What communities are we each part of and how do we support them? We will think about the various communities we are each part of as individuals, families, employees, etc., and consider what it means to be part of that community. How do we support these different communities in ways beyond our time and dollars? Essentially, we will be exploring what “good citizenship” looks like in different contexts and reflect on whether and how we are “good citizens” in our various communities. EHS member Katie Merrell will lead the discussion.

Our Community Days are programs designed to bring us together to learn, grow, and volunteer. They are open to the public, in-person only, and will not be livestreamed.

Sunday, March 2, 10:30am

Sara Shacter

Children’s book author

“The Magic of Writing for Children”

On her website, Sara Shacter shares that “there is nothing more joyful than writing for kids. Children’s literature is steeped in kindness, insight, silliness, empathy, wonder, and hope. It is a great gift – and profound responsibility – to write for the best audience ever.” In her presentation, Shacter will talk about her career as a children’s book author, the collaboration between an author and an illustrator, the research required for kids’ nonfiction, and many other aspects of children’s publishing. Our Humanist Kids will join us for the beginning of the program, when Sara will read a story and share some of her behind-the-scenes secrets of storytelling with the kids and adults alike. She will have copies of her books on hand for our perusal and purchase.

Sunday, March 9, 10:30am

Community Day: Lightning Talks

For this Community Day program we’re excited to present another in our Lightning Talks series. A few members of our community will share short, prepared talks on a common theme. The focus will be “Secrets of the City.” If you are interested in contributing, reach out to Ray Berg for the topic and to provide information on your talk idea.

Our Community Days are programs designed to bring us together to learn, grow, and volunteer. They are open to the public, in-person only, and will not be livestreamed.

Sunday, March 16, 10:30am

Josh Noel

Food and Beverage Journalist and Author

“Malört: The Redemption of a Revered and Reviled Spirit”

Known primarily for its intense bitterness, Malört, the infamous Chicago liqueur, has been compared to “a forest fire, if the forest was made of earwax.” Josh Noel, author of Malört: The Redemption of a Revered and Reviled Spirit, will discuss the history of this Swedish spirit that some consider the unofficial liqueur of Chicago. As a beer expert and former food writer for the Chicago Tribune, he will bring us his unique perspective regarding this unconventional beverage. Josh will tell us how Malört came to be seen as Chicago’s signature drink almost a hundred years after a Swedish immigrant first introduced it.
While we welcome an open and respectful discussion about all topics of interest to Humanists and beyond,
the views of our speakers do not necessarily represent those of the Ethical Humanist Society of Chicago.
 
 

   Covid Policy for Attendees

For our in-person audience, we will be adhering to the following policy:

  • ALL attendees must be FULLY VACCINATED.
  • A face mask completely covering the nose and mouth is required for all audience members during the program whenever the CDC rates Cook County at High Risk for Covid transmission. 
  • A mask-optional social hour will follow the program.

Have you missed some of our recent programs? You’re in luck! 

Recordings of many of our programs from the last several years reside on our YouTube channel.  Click this button to see a list of our broadcasts from the past year with links to the videos. 

FAQ

Here are answers to some common questions, but feel free to contact us if you have any others!

We welcome you to join us for any Sunday morning program! No RSVP necessary–just drop in. There will be greeters at the door to direct you to our auditorium and answer any questions you may have. 

If you can’t make it in person, we livestream most of our Speaker Series programs so you can watch live from home! Just hit the “Join the Livestream” button under any of the programs listed above at the appointed time, or go directly to our YouTube channel.

All our Sunday programs are free and open to the public. No reservations are needed.

Although attendance is free, we do offer an opportunity during the program for freewill donations. We suggest  $5, or whatever you’re comfortable with. 

Yes! Our Humanist Kids program runs concurrently with the adult program. Your children, from infants to 8th grade, can enjoy stories, discussions, crafts, and social action projects designed to encourage living life ethically and joyfully. 

For more information see our Humanist Kids page, or contact the Humanist Kids Program Director.  

Yes! See our Activities page  for other ways that we get together, or our Social Action page (Coming Soon), for upcoming projects that you can help with. 

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