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- Humanism in Action: Pack Food at the Food GroupFood Group Warehouse, New Hope, MN
Join fellow humanists and freethinkers to help sort and pack food at the Food Group Warehouse. The food we sort and pack will eventually be distributed to the nearly 200 food shelves/Fare-for-All Centers that the Food Group services. The Food Group is a secular, NON-faith based non-profit organization whose mission is to "serve the hunger needs of our changing communities".
Warehouse Volunteers assist with projects including:
· Bulk repacking of items such as oatmeal, rice, beans, or pasta
· Assembling boxes for food distribution
· Sorting donated goods
· Cleaning and sanitation of the workspaceMinimum volunteer age is 12, and all minors must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
The following is from the The Food Group:
Thank you for signing up to volunteer at The Food Group! All new participants MUST fill out a volunteer waiver at sign-in or can do so on-line here: Click here to sign a copy of waiver 1
We will begin promptly at the scheduled shift time- please try to arrive 5-10 minutes early to wash hands and get settled so we can begin right at 1:00!
Please wear comfortable work clothes and note that closed-toed shoes and pants are required. For safety in the warehouse, please wear tops that cover the torso to the waistline. You are welcome to bring snacks (keep in mind that snacks may only be enjoyed in the volunteer orientation room). (P.S. Some snacks are usually provided by the Food Group.)
If for any reason you are uncomfortable or unable to do a certain duty, please let the staff know when you arrive.
We look forward to hosting you as we complete this important work for our community!
*And remember we have a new drinking fountain, so bring your reusable water bottles!*
Hope to see you there!P.S.: Please remember to keep your RSVP up to date, so that people on the wait-list can sign up and we can show up with a full crew!
This event is sponsored by HumanistsMN. If you are not yet a member, please consider joining to help us cover our costs and build the humanist movement. Not ready to join? Donations are gratefully accepted! Join or donate on our website.
- 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.
