What we’re about
This group is sponsored by HumanistsMN, which brings together people who, without supernatural beliefs, aspire to lead lives of personal fulfillment and contribute to the greater good of humanity and the planet through reason, science, compassion, and creativity.
If you believe in those principles or are interested in learning about them or want to help others learn about humanism join us for our meetings, events, and social times.
We usually have a regular Humanist Community Gathering on the 3rd Saturday of the month but will send out a reminder to members when the topic/speaker is set (or check the calendar!).
In addition, there are many other smaller meetups during the month.
Meetings are open to anyone who is interested in humanism and wants to meet other humanists. But please considering joining HumanistsMN to help support us financially and build the power of humanism in our society. Join here!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Book Discussion: "The Anxious Generation" by Jonathan Haidt (in three sessions)First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN
This summer, the Mental Health Team (co-sponsored by First Unitarian Society and HumanistsMN) will be leading a series of discussions about the book, The Anxious Generation, by social psychologist Jonathan Haidt.
We invite anyone 16 and older to participate, and we especially encourage parents of younger kids to attend! Childcare will be available.
ALL participants are asked to register for this series by providing your name and email address. Registration allows us to plan for enough seating and to send reminders and other information related to the book. For those under 18, please have a parent register you.
Wednesdays from 7:00 – 8:30pm
June 18 – discussion focuses on the Introduction and Part 1 (45 pages)
July 16 – discussion focuses on Parts 2 & 3 (170 pages)
August 20 – discussion focuses on Part 4 (75 pages)In this landmark work, Haidt:
- documents the rise in depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicide among young people which started between 2010-2015
- outlines the societal factors that contributed to this decline in mental health, including smartphone and social media use by pubescent youth
- proposes solutions that government, tech companies, schools, and parents can implement
- emphasizes the need for collective action to protect our youth.
We know how busy summer can be! Come to as many sessions as you can and read as much of the book as you can. If you can’t keep up, we’ve got you covered. We will start each session with a 10-minute synopsis of the part(s) of the book being covered so we can all participate in meaningful discussion of these important issues.
Your facilitators are Mental Health Team members, Karen Hatlestad, Karen Rowehl, and Richard Seurer. We look forward to diving into this enlightening book with you!
This event is sponsored by HumanistsMN. If you are not yet a dues-paying member, please consider joining to help us cover our costs and build the humanist movement. Not yet ready to join? Donations are gratefully accepted. Donate or join us at humanistsmn.org.
- Humanists Unforgettable Bike Ride Into Stillwater (HUBRIS XII)Gateway Trail/Brown's Creek Trail, Oakdale, MN
It's a "threefer:" You get outdoors, you get exercise, and you get social, all in one enjoyable package. The first of two rides this year, HUBRIS XII will again have humanists and their friends travel the Gateway and Brown's Creek bike trails from the St. Paul suburbs to the Stillwater riverside. These are dedicated bike trails, well maintained, with no hazards or serious climbs, perfect for modestly skilled and even somewhat out-of-shape bikers. So spend time biking with friends during what we hope will be a beautiful Saturday in Minnesota. A map of the Gateway State Trail can be found here:
https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_trails/gateway.pdf
The Brown's Creek Trail breaks off at the Duluth Junction and goes 5.8 miles down to the St. Croix waterfront in Stillwater.
While the attached Google map may be helpful, please use the following directions to get to our meeting place: We start from the 55th Street Lot. This is located just off Highway 36 shortly before it passes under I-694. You have to take the Hadley Street exit, which leads to roundabouts at both ends. The southern roundabout has an exit to 55th Street, which will get you to the lot. This access point for the Gateway Trail provides a substantial parking lot and on-street parking for the many bikers who access the trail here. We'll congregate at the eastern end of the access area at about 10:30 AM, biking 11 miles into Stillwater. Participants can vary their paces and companions as we follow the trail. There's an opportunity to recongregate at the Duluth Junction rest stop before we start the final, mostly downhill, 5.8 miles of the Brown's Creek Trail that takes us into Stillwater.
Once there things get pretty flexible. We'll eat lunch at P. D. Pappy's, a moderately priced, American-bar-food-type restaurant that is on the waterfront just past the trailhead. Or you can venture into downtown Stillwater and check out other eateries, on the waterfront or off. Those of us who are up for more biking can do "The Loop" (approximately five miles), using the Stillwater lift bridge and the new high bridge a couple miles downstream to get over the river into Wisconsin and back. Those who wish to pass on this foray into the land of Cheeseheads can start back on the return trip, when they want and with whom they want, the first several miles of which are a moderate uphill grade. It will probably take an hour or slightly more to get back to the 55th Street lot.
If the weather looks really nasty on the scheduled date, we'll reschedule the event for a later Saturday. Otherwise, come join us for several hours of easy riding on these scenic, tree-shaded bike trails!
This event is sponsored by HumanistsMN. If you are not yet a member, please consider joining to help cover our costs and build the humanist movement. Not ready to join? Donations are gratefully accepted! Donate or join on our website.
- SMART Recovery Support GroupFirst Unitarian Society of Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN
Looking to beat an addiction? SMART Recovery is a stigma-free and self-empowering secular program serving those with an addictive behavior. This post is for promotional purposes only and no rsvp is required to respect the confidentiality of attendees.
Anyone seeking a secular recovery program is invited to attend our weekly support group sessions -- whether to tackle a particular substance or an activity/process addiction. Participants design and implement their own recovery plan to create a more balanced, purposeful, fulfilling, and meaningful life.
Sessions are led by Kim T., a trained volunteer SMART facilitator, who draws on evidence-based motivational and cognitive behavioral theories. Within a mutually supportive group environment, SMART participants are empowered to develop their ability to:
- Build and maintain motivation
- Cope with urges and cravings
- Manage thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
- Live a balanced life
Whether you are seeking a course of recovery for yourself or have been mandated to attend a recovery program, SMART Recovery provides a path to life beyond addiction.
These sessions are sponsored by HumanistsMN -- a local community of humanists, agnostics, atheists, and freethinkers. If you are not yet a dues paying member, please consider joining to help us cover our costs and build the humanist movement. Not yet ready to join? Donations are gratefully accepted! Donate or join us at humanistsmn.org.
