Anthropomorphism

* **Would you like to look deeper into the source of life?** * **Do you want to find your own answers to everyday questions?** * **Singing HU can bring you Love, Happiness, and Stability** **You’re warmly invited to join us at our Friday HU Chant at 7:00 pm** **You will be welcome to chant out loud or simply listen, whatever is right for you. The chant lasts about 20 minutes, followed by brief contemplative time and conversation with others of like heart.** **Attend In-Person at:** **The Maryland Eckankar Center** **1738 Elton Rd., Suite 104** **Silver Spring, MD 20903** **(Doors open at 6:30 pm)** **For more information:** **Call or text: (301)439-2120** **MEC@eckankarmaryland.org** d of the HU!

Sara Su Jones, a professional violinist and native Esperanto speaker from Chicago, will present a free 45-minute concert with Tatyana Stepanova, pianist. She has invited us to meet with her immediately after the concert so we can all chat together in Esperanto! Washington Esperanto Meetup members who wish to extend the meetup will walk to a nearby restaurant for lunch. Sara Su Jones, profesia violonisto kaj denaska parolanto de Esperanto el Ĉikago, prezentos senpagan 45-minutan koncerton kun Tatyana Stepanova, pianisto. Ŝi invitas nin renkonti ŝin tuj post la koncerto por babili kune en Esperanto! Poste, tiuj membroj de Washington Esperanto Meetup kiuj deziras daŭrigi la renkontiĝon piediros al proksima restoracio por tagmanĝi kune. Additional details: Violinist Sara Su Jones and pianist Tatyana Stepanova present a free lunchtime recital (at 12:15 PM Eastern) in the heart of DC as part of the Music at Midday concert series at the beautiful, historic National City Christian Church. Free admission; freewill offering. Free parking at the church ([https://nationalcitycc.org/directions-parking/](https://nationalcitycc.org/directions-parking/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExRDhPOEdJcnhIT0NXaWxDbnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6M-u_x2tNkMbmPw31Ta0Ktq2_mM8uqmdWC3cxHL4afqAVf-lEz4oRb1S7-og_aem_iUjer5mw9thm3rVyA-LkzA)). Livestream: [https://youtube.com/@friendsofnationalcitychristian...](https://youtube.com/@friendsofnationalcitychristian?si=qnUXMPk1B1K7Q8Jt&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExRDhPOEdJcnhIT0NXaWxDbnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6M-u_x2tNkMbmPw31Ta0Ktq2_mM8uqmdWC3cxHL4afqAVf-lEz4oRb1S7-og_aem_iUjer5mw9thm3rVyA-LkzA) Program: Clara Schumann (1819–1896): Romances, op. 22 (1853) I. Andante molto III. Leidenschaftlich schnell Elena Kats-Chernin (b. 1957): Butterflying (2003), Slicked Back Tango (1995) Marguerite Canal (1890–1978): Lied (Song) (1913) Florence Price (1887–1953): Elfentanz (Elves’ Dance) (undated) Lili Boulanger (1893–1918): Nocturne (1911) Clarice Assad (b. 1978): Emotiva (2020) Cecile Chaminade (1857–1944): Capriccio, op. 18 (1890) Artist Bios: As duo partners for nearly two decades, Chicago-based violinist Sara Su Jones and Ukrainian-American pianist Tatyana Stepanova have given recitals at the Harvard Club of New York as well as in Reykjavik, Iceland; Washington, DC; and Andover, Massachusetts. Their Chicago-area appearances include the Driehaus Museum's Third Wednesday Concert Series, the Noonday Concert Series at Fourth Presbyterian Church, and the Charles Gates Dawes House, as well as sold-out concerts at Glessner House, the Cliff Dwellers Club, and Newberry Library. The duo has appeared multiple times on “Live from WFMT,” the flagship recital-and-conversation series of Chicago’s classical-music radio station. Their eclectic, creative programming often highlights striking but little-known works, and Sara Su’s insightful commentary and storytelling enliven the duo’s performances. Hailed as a “violinist of enviable gifts” by a Chicago Sun-Times music critic, **Sara Su Jones** was the 2022 winner of the American Prize (instrumental soloist) and has been a featured soloist on WFMT, WBEZ, and BBC Radio. A top prizewinner in competitions in both the US and UK, including that of the Harvard Musical Association, Sara Su has given numerous recitals abroad, including with her partner, longtime WFMT host and pianist Dennis Moore, in London, Lisbon, and Reykjavik. She earned an A.B. (Economics) and J.D., both with honors from Harvard, where she served for three years as concertmaster of the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra. Sara Su worked as a consultant at McKinsey and as a lawyer at Ropes & Gray before founding her educational-coaching business. She performs on a violin made for her in 2017 by the Icelandic luthier Hans Johannsson. **Tatyana Stepanova** is a noted performer and teacher, praised as a “fine” and “persuasive” pianist (Chicago Tribune). A Kyiv native and graduate of the Tchaikovsky (Kyiv) and Rimsky-Korsakov (St. Petersburg) State Conservatories, she has performed with members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the orchestra of the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Tatyana teaches at Midwest Young Artists and has also served as a faculty accompanist at Northwestern. She is a sought-after teacher and chamber-music coach; her piano students and chamber groups have won prizes in the CSO Young Artists and Walgreens National Concerto Competitions, as well as in the Fischoff, Discover, Barnett, and M-Prize national chamber music competitions. [https://nationalcitycc.org/friday-music-at-mid-day/](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fnationalcitycc.org%2Ffriday-music-at-mid-day%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExRDhPOEdJcnhIT0NXaWxDbnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6M-u_x2tNkMbmPw31Ta0Ktq2_mM8uqmdWC3cxHL4afqAVf-lEz4oRb1S7-og_aem_iUjer5mw9thm3rVyA-LkzA&h=AT6lZ59rj6taqeWG13-QBP6-pQM9LOqSOvvoWbEYlpIc0uso96jskbZzC33PN0rU31v__VzOOx5yTUN28Uo_BNfljYWrE-7dsaFmBfwknJ3cqpgqGBSQuEfT4isiaubCzgzhEkFkMhEpdQADA6o&__tn__=q&c%5B0%5D=AT72X25ERQ1XgWWqa-VbCb3ceoXBk8qKQJGiPKo8M0U257nUWr3EpPN5QnQsWkBnlBEJwgBA9drX9C6dI4JYtPIt1tNDRo54bg9YKtVbemmy_X16t-9GU0qXSrAW-VhG)

David Attenborough turns 100 years old on May 8th! Celebrate his legacy with a birthday hike in Arlington. Meet at Arlington Mill Community Center in the courtyard plaza. We will hike along the creek and Four Mile Run. Donations accepted for the meetup fee (optional)

Venez apprécier l'ambiance chaleureuse d'une conversation en français autour d'un verre de vin et d'apéritifs. C'est ouvert à tous quelque soit votre niveau, que vous soyez intermédiaire/avancé ou bien que le Français soit votre langue maternelle. ***GRAB A DRINK AND YOU WILL BE ALL SET TO FLEX YOUR LANGUAGE CAPACITY. YOU NEED TO GET AT LEAST A DRINK OR FOOD :) To get the event going and show support. We know that you like our events. P.S. : We have non-alcoholic drinks as well.*** We have a tiny venue and we hit capacity often and early arrival is suggested. We have the discretion to decide entry. It is irresistible, to enjoy French convo with a glass of wine, appetizers and drinks. The Event is open to all levels of French language, from intermediate to native fluency. This is mainly a social for Intermediate/Advanced/Native Speakers. It is not as such to learn a language. Beginners, if you want to learn a language, reach out to us ([info@merevents.com](http://info@merevents.com/)). We have a school and will arrange you a class. ***AFTER THE HAPPY HOUR, WE HIT THE DANCE FLOOR! BRING YOUR DANCING SHOES, WE WILL DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY!***

* **Would you like to look deeper into the source of life?** * **Do you want to find your own answers to everyday questions?** * **Singing HU can bring you Love, Happiness, and Stability** **You’re warmly invited to join us at our** **Friday HU Chant at 7:00 pm** **You will be welcome to chant out loud or simply listen, whatever is right for you. The chant lasts about 20 minutes, followed by brief contemplative time and conversation with others of like heart.** **Attend In-Person at:** **The Maryland Eckankar Center** **1738 Elton Rd., Suite 104** **Silver Spring, MD 20903** **(Doors open at 6:30 pm)** **For more information:** **Call or text: (301)439-2120** **MEC@eckankarmaryland.org** **Presented by the DC & Maryland Satsang Societies, Inc. Chartered Affiliates of ECKANKAR.** **Copyright © 2025 ECKANKAR. The terms ECKANKAR, ECK, EK, MAHANTA, SOUL TRAVEL, and VAIRAGI, among others, are trademarks of ECKANKAR, PO Box 2000, Chanhassen, MN 55317-2000 U.S.A.**

Advanced Tarot. You need to know how to play. No open hands. Always happy to talk strategy, but these are not teaching sessions. See Tuesday French Tarot for beginners. Beginners will be invited to join as they improve. Goal is maximum 2 tables of 5 players, we can play in multiples of 3,4, or 5. I'll prepare the main, and post here by Monday with a list of what would work with. Please indicate in comments what you will bring. I will be happy to provide address as we get closer. Housekeeping notes: 1. We have just learned that if you are on the wait list and a spot opens up you do not get notified. I will try to notify when I see this happening but will not always catch it...check back. 2. If you cancel after RSVP window, those on wait list will not get a notification, the wait list goes away, nor do I get notification. So if you are canceling after 7pm Thursday night prior to event, reach out to me as well so I can notify a possible wait list player.

What does it look like when ideas come to life? Join NOVA Scribes and MAFN for a full-day, in-person open house where the public is invited to step inside the world of facilitation. This is a come-and-go experience designed for curiosity, exploration, and conversation. Whether you are new to facilitation groups, you are welcome. The space will be set up as a "theater in the round," (see the image) with facilitators working live around the room. Throughout the day, you will see different techniques, styles, and modalities demonstrated in real time, from visual templates, facilitation tools, and decision-support methods. You can observe, ask questions, and engage directly with the practitioners as the work unfolds. **What you can expect** * Live demonstrations of facilitation techniques * Multiple practitioners working simultaneously, each with their own approach and style * Short, informal demos and tiny teaches that explain how and why specific techniques are used * Opportunities to talk one-on-one with experienced facilitators * A chance to see how facilitation can support sensemaking, alignment, and group dialogue **What you might explore** * Methods and templates for planning, strategy, and reflection * Facilitation methods that support participation and decision making * Tools, materials, and setup considerations for live work This open house is designed to be accessible, hands-on, and inspiring. You do not need to stay all day. Come for 20 minutes or stay for hours. Watch ideas take shape. Notice how facilitation can change the energy in the room. Ask the questions you have always wanted to ask. If you have ever been curious about how facilitation works and supports groups, this is your chance to experience it up close. **Open to the general public. No prior experience required.** We’re not charging for this workshop, but we will be asking for donations!

No one truly understands AI, not even experts, says Helen Toner, an AI policy researcher and former board member of OpenAI. But that doesn't mean we can't govern it. She shows how we can make smart policies to regulate this technology even as we struggle to predict where it's headed — and why the right actions, right now, can shape the future we want. ​​​​Here is how it works: * ​​​​​​​Prior to the event: **Please watch this YouTube video:** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUn8IjZKBPg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUn8IjZKBPg) * ​During the event: We will discuss the following questions: 1. Because AI is changing so fast, it is hard to predict what new things it will be able to do next month. What steps can we take to stay open-minded and adaptable as these tools change how we learn and create? 2. There is a big debate about whether using AI helps us learn faster or makes us skip the hard work of thinking. How can we find a healthy balance between using these new tools and keeping our own minds sharp and active? 3. History shows that the people who use a technology should have a say in how it is shaped for the future. How can we ensure that our local communities have a voice in how AI is developed and used? \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- To provide an enjoyable experience for fellow participants, here are three ground rules during discussion events: 1. Step up and step back. (If you feel that you’ve been talking too much, step back to listen more. If you feel that you’ve been relatively quiet, step up to share your perspective or ask a question) 2. Listen to understand, not to respond. 3. Be open-minded and value differences.

**Join us for Soul Coffee, an informal gathering where we can connect a bit deeper, check in on each other, and share some real soul conversation together - as always, across beliefs and traditions.** Soul Coffee is a gathering by BreadBreakers, a community for people of all stripes to build meaningful relationships and have curious conversations. **Our mission in BreadBreakers is to be a place of compassion and belonging in a time of division and isolation; to rebuild the town square, one table at a time.** Usually we do this by breaking bread and having facilitated conversations over dinner, but sometimes it's good to just meet over coffee and spend some unstructured time talking about the deep stuff. At each Soul Coffee, we'll keep it simple and talk about three questions: - How's your soul doing? - How have you experienced wonder lately? - What do you need right now? No matter your religion, or if you even are religious; no matter where you are spiritually; no matter if you even think souls exist - come to be seen and known, to just be humans together in a crazy world, to talk about those things of the spirit that are so central to the human experience but rarely get discussed. **Join us, invite a friend, and be a part of the movement to mend our fractured society and normalize a better way of being in community with one another.** BreadBreakers, an initiative by[ Restoration United Methodist Churc](https://restorationreston.org/breadbreakers)h in Reston, VA, is a religiously inclusive community, a collaboration between the church and those of all different beliefs. All faiths and all stripes are welcomed. Our leadership, volunteer team, and community include people who attend Restoration and people who don't.

Just grab coffee and we can talk and walk around. Nothing special. I’m just bored really.

Join DC Polyam at our monthly weekend social. Come by yourself, invite your friends, your partner(s), and even your entire polycule! Come join us from DC proper, Maryland, or Virginia; we welcome all people from all aspects of life and relationship dynamics. Metrobar has non-alcoholic options for those that don't want/don't drink alongside usual food trucks for eating options. Follow us on Instagram and join our Discord @DCPolyam We always enforce a set of house rules in order to maintain a safe space: * **Respectful Behavior** towards hosts and other guests is required; anyone who violates these rules may be asked to leave the event. * **Expectations:** Check your expectations at the door. Being at this event does not signal sexual availability or indicate any aspect of sexual orientation. Our events are about developing friendships and connections within the community. This is a no cruising event, in order to maintain a comfortable atmosphere for our guests. * **Safe Spaces:** We strive to create a safe space for people of ALL identities, including those who do not identify as polyamorous. * **No photography, video, or recording** of any kind is allowed **without prior verbal consent** of all parties involved. * **Verbal Consent:** Please be sure to ask and wait for a yes before hugging or initiating any physical contact, and encourage each other to speak openly about consent and personal boundaries. This helps foster a culture where personal boundaries are supported and attendees are empowered to speak confidently of their limits. (i.e. “Can I give you a hug?” “No thank you, but I would love a handshake.”) If you have any questions please feel free to reach out!

When judging morality, should we prioritize **intentions/duty** or **outcomes/results**? It introduces two influential philosophers as representatives of these approaches. * **Immanuel Kant (deontology):** An action is moral when it is done from **duty** and follows rational, universal principles (the **categorical imperative**). Certain acts—like lying—are wrong regardless of the consequences; you can’t do a wrong thing for a right reason. * **John Stuart Mill (utilitarian consequentialism):** The morality of an action is determined by its **effects**, specifically how much **happiness/well-being** it produces. Mill argues that some pleasures are “higher” than others, and that good intentions don’t redeem harmful outcomes. ## Discussion Questions 1. **The lying dilemma:** A murderer comes to your door and asks if your friend is hiding inside. Kant would say you must not lie. 2. **Can good intentions rescue a bad outcome?** 3. **The organ harvest problem:** A surgeon has five patients dying of organ failure and one healthy patient in for a checkup. Killing the one to harvest organs would save five lives, and the math works out for the utilitarian. Why does this feel so deeply wrong? Is that feeling a point in Kant's favor, or just a bias we should overcome? 4. **Do rules need exceptions?** Kant insists moral rules must be universal, with no exceptions. But most of us can imagine extreme scenarios where any rule seems like it should bend. Does the need for exceptions fatally undermine deontology, or is the strength of the system precisely that it refuses to bend? 5. **Who gets to calculate the consequences?** Utilitarianism asks us to maximize good outcomes, but we're notoriously bad at predicting consequences. If we can't reliably know the results of our actions, is it practical to base our entire moral system on outcomes? Does this uncertainty push us back toward rules and principles? 6. **Everyday morality:** Think about a real moral decision you've made recently, even a small one. Did you reason more like a Kantian (what's the right thing to do in principle?) or more like a utilitarian (what will produce the best result?)? Do most people naturally lean one way? 7. **Justice vs. the greater good:** A town can prevent a deadly plague by sacrificing one innocent person. The greater good is clearly served. But is it just? Can an action be morally right and deeply unjust at the same time? 8. **The big synthesis question:** Are these two systems actually opposed, or do they often arrive at the same answers by different paths? Is it possible that we need both: rules to guide us in the moment and consequences to evaluate systems and policies over time?

We'll meet at the flagpole in the **Ridgeview Middle School** parking lot (4241 Rudy Rd). Parking there is fine on Sundays. From the school, we cross OH-315 and the Olentangy River via the **Olentangy Trail Pedestrian Bridge**, then walk past **Whetstone Pond** and through **Columbus Park of Roses**, turning back at the **Whetstone Branch of Columbus Metropolitan Library**. About 4 miles round trip, roughly 1.5 hours. Click [this Google Maps link](https://maps.app.goo.gl/jPCyEUyA2st8uWks5?g_st=i) to view the route. All paces welcome. See you there.

Sleep in on Sundays. When you've had your fill of pajama-time, roll out and have some tasty brunch with your fellow Humanists!

This month we’ll be reading Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett. Feel free to come and chat even if you don’t finish the book!

Private Group. Closed to the Public Knowing ourselves and understanding our abilities is the first step toward wielding our gifts with control and accuracy. In subsequent classes we will verify and hone our talents with activities and discussion. These are hands-on workshops and participation is expected. The goal of our series will be to develop expertise in areas of particular interest such as mediumship, channeling, divination, healing and, etc.. Our ultimate directions will be determined by class members as we evolve. I look forward to sharing and discovering with you. - Cynthia

Join us as we kick off Summer Movie Season with a Happy Hour & a movie event to see the sci-fi action-adventure, THE MANDOLARIAN AND GROGU! The sci-fi action-adventure follows a lone bounty hunter and his apprentice Grogu (Baby Yoda) embark on an exciting new Star Wars adventure. Here are details, a trailer and our plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: In the film, Djarin and his apprentice Grogu are enlisted by the New Republic during a period where remaining Imperial warlords threaten the galaxy. The film is written/directed by Jon Favreau (the mastermind behind the early MCU films) and stars Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver and Jeremy Allen White. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwild1rw7Aw HAPPY HOUR PLAN: For Happy Hour food and drinks before the show we’ll meet in the bar area at nearby Bravo at 5:15pm! We’ll have a section reserved for the group, so keep an eye out for us and we’ll keep one out for you! CMG Pro Tip: If you can, bring cash as it helps make for a quicker exit from the restaurant. MOVIE PLAN: Please purchase your ticket for the 6:45pm showing and meet in the lobby area at 6:30pm! Tickets on sale now and advance purchase as soon as possible is advised! Once you have yours, please list you seat number in the Comments section of this event. Happy Summer and See You Soon, Dan