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Ethical Society of St. Louis

4.7•227 ratings

Saint Louis, MO, US

1,933 members · Public group

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What we’re about

The Ethical Society of St. Louis is a Humanist congregation, a place where people come together to explore the biggest questions of life without reference to scripture, religion, or God. We meet on Sunday mornings at 11am for Platform (our equivalent of a church service), and have many other programs throughout the week. We welcome Humanists, agnostics and atheists, as well as people from various religious backgrounds. We come together to celebrate our journey through life and affirm our ability to live ethical lives without traditional religious beliefs.

For more information, visit https://linktr.ee/ethicalstl.

Upcoming events

63

Sat, Oct 4 · 8:30 AM CDT
First Annual ESSL Greenwood Cemetery Day
Greenwood Cemetery, 6571 St Louis Avenue, St Louis, MO, US
The Good Deeds Team invites you to take part in our inaugural Greenwood Cemetery Day on Saturday, October 4. We hope to make this a yearly tradition of honoring history and giving back through service.

Schedule

8:30 a.m. – Meet at ESSL for carpooling

9:00 a.m. – Arrive at Greenwood Cemetery (6571 Saint Louis Ave, Hillsdale, MO 63121)

9:10–9:30 a.m. – History of Greenwood discussion

9:30–11:30 a.m. – Service project (weeding, trimming, raking—whatever is needed)

11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. – Bring-your-own picnic lunch

What to Bring/Wear

Open heart and mind

Water bottle

Long pants & long-sleeve shirt

Work gloves (if you have them)

Your own lunch

Lawn chair (if you prefer not to sit in the grass)

If more than 20 volunteers join, we may ask a few folks to bring their own tools. Stay tuned for updates!

Directions

170 North → Exit 5 (St. Charles Rock Road)

Right on St. Charles Rock Road for 2.9 miles

Left on Lucas-Hunt Road for 0.5 miles

Right on St. Louis Ave for 0.3 miles

Left into Cemetery just before a church

Contact Clark Hotaling at (314) 346-5060 or clarkhotaling61@gmail.com with questions or to RSVP. A headcount helps us prepare!

About Greenwood Cemetery
Founded in 1874, Greenwood was the first commercial burial ground for African Americans in St. Louis, reflecting the postwar trend of segregation even in death. Over 50,000 individuals, spanning from 1761–1993, rest on its 32 acres.

Today, Greenwood is recognized as a site of National Importance:

National Register of Historic Places (2004)

St. Louis County Historic Landmark (2016)

National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom (2023)

After years of neglect following its closure in 1993, The Friends of Greenwood and later the Greenwood Cemetery Preservation Association (501c3) have worked tirelessly to restore, preserve, and honor its history. Volunteers like you keep this vital legacy alive.
4 attendees
Sun, Oct 5 · 9:45 AM CDT
Just Human: The Power of Stories During an Anti-Transgender Era
Ethical Society of St. Louis, 9001 Clayton Rd, St. Louis, MO, US
In just a few years, anti-trans hostility has grown beyond state legislatures to the highest levels of our national government. And increasingly, oppressive laws and court decisions are being accompanied by threats of arrest, incarceration, and even violence against the trans community and their allies. How can a small group of people come together for positive change? One way is to use theatre and individual stories of joy and challenge to counter the dehumanizing effects of scapegoating.

Jamie Linsin is a clinical psychologist with a private practice office in Creve Coeur. He wrote the play “Just Human” based on over 30 interviews with transgender persons, their parents, healthcare providers, and other supporters.
1 attendee
Sun, Oct 5 · 11:00 AM CDT
History is tired of repeating itself.
Ethical Society of St. Louis, 9001 Clayton Rd, St. Louis, MO, US
Marx quipped that history repeats first as tragedy, then as farce. Nietzsche imagined the hypothetical eternal recurrence. But maybe history is simply… tired. What if Humanism is our invitation to stop the reruns and invent the sequel?

Stream on YouTube.

Louise Jett (she/her) is an Ethical Humanist, educator, and storyteller who strives to bring curiosity and compassion to everything she does. An American Ethical Union certified Leader, she finds inspiration in people who dedicate themselves to empowering and caring for others. She loves connecting with people and having fun. So, please be sure to say hello at coffee hour.

Michael Engelhardt is a songwriter, composer, producer, and vocal director on a mission to make a positive impact on people’s lives. His work has been featured on ABC, NBC, PBS, and NPR broadcasts, the Carnegie Hall stage, and national conferences. We are thrilled to welcome Mike as the new music director of the Ethical Society of St. Louis! 🎶 Mike’s choral works are published internationally, and he has collaborated with artists like O.A.R., Ben Folds, Take 6, Kansas, Patti Austin, and Michael McDonald. He also teaches songwriting and directs the Jazz Singers at Webster University. Mike, his wife Meg, and their two kids are excited to be part of our community. We can best support Mike’s onboarding experience by giving him the space to connect with our people and programs, allowing him to design music experiences that reflect our values and advance our mission. Please join us in giving him and his family a warm welcome!
3 attendees
Sun, Oct 5 · 12:00 PM CDT
First Sunday Lunch
Ethical Society of St. Louis, 9001 Clayton Rd, St. Louis, MO, US
The Navigators will be hosting First Sunday Lunch on Sunday October 5 immediately after Platform. Lunch will be pasta with a gluten-free option topped with your choice of red sauce, homemade cream sauce, or clarified butter. Protein choice will be mushrooms sauteed in olive oil, ground beef, or chicken. Finally we will have salad and bread on the side and several drink options. Price is $7 for adults and $3 for youth.

Already have lunch plans? We've got you covered for dessert with a bake sale before and during lunch.

Navigators is a national secular inclusive scouting organization and proceeds help offset costs for programs like sending our families to the National Jamboree in New York City this last Summer among many other great activities.

Additional information can be found on our Facebook event.
1 attendee

Past events

1035

Organizers

Members

1,933

Related topics

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