Discussing Atheism Skepticism & Secularism

You are invited to this joint event of Association of Black Humanists and Unruly Beauty. **Overview** Can a life without traditional religious meaning still feel sacred or whole? Grief is often associated with the loss of a person, but many of us carry quieter, less recognised forms of grief. This workshop creates space to explore the grief that can arise after losing a community, a shared purpose, or a spiritual framework, especially in the aftermath of leaving a religious tradition or belief system. Together, we will gently examine what it means to grieve not only *what was*, but also *what was promised*: belonging, certainty, identity, and a sense of divine connection. Participants are invited to reflect on how loss of faith or religious community can affect meaning-making, relationships, and one’s inner life, often in ways that are invisible or misunderstood by others. You do not need to identify as spiritual or religious to attend. This space honours doubt, curiosity, longing, anger, relief, and hope, (without pushing answers or beliefs). This is not about fixing grief, it is about witnessing loss, honouring transition, and making room for new forms of connection, within yourself and with others. Whether you are newly navigating life after religion or years into rebuilding your sense of self, you are welcome here. All Unruly Beauty events are open to ALL BODIES and ALL IDENTITIES! We affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person, and are committed to cultivating a space that is inclusive, affirming, and psychologically safe for all. Please get your ticket at: [A Conversation on Grief : Belonging, Identity, and Loss After Religion Tickets, Sunday, Apr 19 from 2 pm to 6 pm | Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-conversation-on-grief-belonging-identity-and-loss-after-religion-tickets-1983653963403?aff=ebdsshsms&utm_share_source=listing_android&sg=41dc7852e3c2c15abff109e6d60c35ae41b4d315c9aaf13ae99fadc159dd4742c404b715e2e5b679ea51461ecf7d9b293310945233892b469142c37487084052265edc7df3f422ec4d0ab644db) **(If the cost of a ticket feels like an obstacle, please send us a message. We welcome you and want you to be part of this space.)** ### Location ### The Advocacy Academy 2 Beehive Place London SW9 7QR

Meet up fee £7 to be paid at the beginning of the meet up. Card or cash payments. Meeting at Mikis Paradise Cafe. Please bring your favourite Tarot deck.

'Active Hope' Part 4 - The final session of the book club 'Cherishing the Earth' led by Alison Bybee and David Carter. Join us for insightful discussions over tea and cake, as we explore a book that celebrates and reflects on our planet, searching for a spiritual response to the ecological crisis that confronts us all. We will meet on the 3rd Sunday of every month for four months. The book, *Cherishing the Earth – Nourishing the Spirit*, edited by Maria Curtis, presents a range of Unitarian responses to the global environmental crisis. Contributors include ministers, lay people, and children, writing from diverse theological and ethical perspectives, exploring what it might mean to live in right relationship with the Earth. Their insights range from the prophetic and political to the practical and intensely personal, but all share a sense of gratitude for the sacred gift of life. Maria Curtis asks what changes we need to make in ourselves and in our society if we are to work towards healing the Earth and restoring balance to the global ecosystem: *“We need to re-imagine what a healthy relationship between humanity and the natural world might look like, one conducive to the flourishing of all beings onEarth.”* Rev. Dr Maria Curtis is a Unitarian minister with a background in education and psychology. Our four book club sessions: **18th January: Prophetic Voices** **15th February: Honouring the Earth** **15th March: Changing Hearts and Minds** **19th April: Active Hope and Young Voices** Each session will be standalone so that you can attend all, several or just one..

**BOOK HERE**: https://sportas.co.uk/games/47222 **Game Description:** Join us in East London, John Orwell Centre in Wapping. Full-court, 3 teams, 5v5. A team stays on twice in a row regardless of win or lose (Apart from the first game of the session when the winning team stays on). A good game level. Quite inclusive. A mix of regulars and guests. **How to get there:** Come in either from Wapping Overground station (5’ away from the venue). Or via bus 100 or D3 and stop at Wapping Health Centre. Via DLR from either Shadwell or Towergate stations. Closest underground station is Tower Hill (15’ walk). Whatsapp Valentin on 07879011856 for more details. **Rules** 11 points or 8 minutes game: 2 points each shot inside the circle 3 points from outside No free throws No advantages, as in whichever team reaches 11 points first wins. But each team must rotate after being on twice in a row.

Acoustic music, poetry and storytelling. Soul Fuel Sunday is a monthly gathering of poets, storytellers and songwriters held at Rosslyn Hill Unitarian Chapel. These intimate, unique evenings are not to be missed, offering audiences the rare opportunity to hear spoken word artists and songwriters perform completely unplugged, supported only by the natural acoustics of our gorgeous neo-Gothic Chapel walls. Each month, experience performances from musical artists interspersed with spoken word, storytelling, poetry and meditations, with singer-songwriter Russell Swallow.

Time is precious. Here we value non-boring valuable chats and interactions that are fully engaging, soulfully enriching, inspiring, and leave you a bit wiser than when you arrived. In that spirit, today’s hosted laid back social coffee chat will offer a perfect haven for the inquisitive & curious to share views on the following intriguing observation. Growing up in the west - before the 2020s - Friday and Saturday nights meant going out with your mates for highly sociable enjoyable fun things like music, dancing/clubbing, drinking, eating, comedy, singing, being silly random conversations and banter with strangers you'd meet out and about 100% organically. Taking drugs even. Tuesdays and Thursdays was about doing the same stuff but with work collegues hence the workplace was a place to make new lifelong friends. Weekend daytimes were for doing healthier but socially fun stuff like playing sports, pub lunches, visting galleries/museums, theatre and watching movies together at the Cinema or around a mate's house. Fast‑forward 2026 - it feels like everything changed: Despite public transport running all night (it wasn't when I was in my teens/early 20s yet my peer group stayed out proper late most weekends) - on a Sat night "young" people head home at 10.30pm, skip the dance floor for board games, avoid bar banter, jokes and rarely engage in organic spontaneous chats with strangers. Whatsmore the stats are wild — data show virginity rates among men hitting record highs by age 30, social anxiety and social skills off-the charts. So what's happened? We’ll explore questions like: * Is this just nostalgia talking, or has something genuinely shifted? * Why has typical multi generational fun pastimes (1950s to 2010s) lost its spark for the 20‑somethings? * How much does health, economics, mobile phones, social media and gaming explain the trend? * Are certain professions (like tech/IT) changing the social landscape, or just attracting already‑very introverted people? * Why are some stats so **contradictory**? Think higher reported male virginity rates by 30 alongside rising STI rates in young people. Despite tanking alcohol sales - UK alcohol related death rates per capita are still rising. What's going on? * Target audience demographics for mainstrream commericial pop music radio stations (Capital, Kiss etc) is still 18 to 24 suggesting young people still consume music and other popular culture but are not going out to enjoy it. Why? * Is it harder for younger people to make genuine friends today and if so why? * Dancing is natural to all of us - every kid moves instinctively to music. So beyond a less joyous social life what happens when these innate behaviours get suppressed as adults? What has this healthy exercise and creative expression been replaced with? * AI is predicted to take over technical job and tasks - the most future‑proof skills will be things like interpersonal skills & emotional intelligence built through real‑world socialising. Employers already complain that young people lack these skills. How will they get non-AI jobs? * Levels of emotional intelligence and self-awareness - particularly amongst men - are at an all time low. Wiill social anxiety worsen further as the introversion trend accelerates? * What does all this mean for dating, relationships, and starting families? Expect lively debate, sharp humour, and a host (a former news journalist) that isn’t afraid to ask awkward questions. Bring your curiosity, your stories, and your caffeine tolerance — we’ll stir the coffee pot on whether the young have really become more boring or have they’re just discovered new fun activities - if so what are they? And if you are in your 20s - I would love to hear your views! Oh BTW - Lucy Pearson - the blondie whose friends have become boring - she's a British journalist Lucas - The alcoholic 3am Eternal singing break-dancing geriatrics

Join me for..... A Very Twisted Tour of Hidden Bloomsbury & Holborn 🌷 We'll gather 11.30am to 11.45ish, outside Coram's Fields (tube; Russell Square) We will explore the hidden history of the back streets of the area, including lovely architecture, artwork, where historical figures lived, lost & converted places, strange & unusual tales, & more.... Just £5 or whatever you can afford; See you soon 😊🌷👣

Join me for..... A Very Twisted Tour of Hidden Bloomsbury & Holborn 🌷 We'll gather 11.30am to 11.45ish, outside Coram's Fields (tube; Russell Square) We will explore the hidden history of the back streets of the area, including lovely architecture, artwork, where historical figures lived, lost & converted places, strange & unusual tales, & more.... We'll picnic, or lunch at a vegan friendly place along the way, and later we may go to a pub for drinks/dinner. Just £5 or whatever you can afford; See you soon 😊🌷👣

Below is the WhatsApp group for this event. You need to join it to find out where we are meeting. [https://chat.whatsapp.com/KrkGkyWNz4J3vkbKGk7YYP?mode=gi_t](https://chat.whatsapp.com/KrkGkyWNz4J3vkbKGk7YYP?mode=gi_t) **Solve the Mystery: The Riddle of the Sphinx** Are you ready to look at history through a different lens? Join us for an immersive exploration of the world’s most famous enigma: **The Riddle of the Sphinx.** This isn't just a dusty history lesson. We’re heading into the heart of the **British Museum** to decode ancient artefacts and uncover the hidden layers of meaning that most visitors walk right past. **Why this matters to your path** In the Cochranian and Regency traditions of Wicca—inspired by the teachings of Robert Cochrane—the Sphinx isn’t just a statue; it’s a key. We will explore: * **The Sphinx's Secrets:** How the riddle informs modern Wiccan practice. * **The Cochranian Tradition:** Bridging the gap between ancient myth and living magic. *** **Is this for me ?** Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or just curious about the Craft, you're welcome! * **No Prerequisites:** This "knot" (lesson) is part of our introductory series, but it stands perfectly well on its own. * **New Members Welcome:** You don't need to have attended previous sessions to dive into this one. Because we are hosting this within the British Museum, **spaces are strictly limited.** To ensure a high-quality experience for everyone, we have to stick to a firm capacity. **How to Secure Your Spot:** 1. **Register via the App:** All our "knots" and curriculum materials are managed there. 2. **Join the WhatsApp Group:** This is our primary hub for logistics. If the first session fills up, we will coordinate a second date exclusively through this group. 3. **The Link:** Keep an eye on this space—the joining link will be posted here before the event.

**Geekstraveganza** is a fun, friendly gathering for good company, tasty vegan food, and board/card games! We’ll have plenty to play, but feel free to bring your own. 🎟️ **Free entry**, just RSVP! 🗓 **Sunday** 19 April 2026 🕐 13:00 – 19:00 📍 **[Karamel N22](https://www.musicglue.com/karamel/ "https://www.musicglue.com/karamel/")** 🗺️ [4 Coburg Rd, N22 6UJ](https://maps.app.goo.gl/zpTxkxzajZkGmKaq9 "https://maps.app.goo.gl/zpTxkxzajZkGmKaq9") *💬 [Group chat](https://londonvegannetwork.netlify.app/Geekstraveganza) in the London Vegan Network community on WhatsApp* 🤓 Everyone’s welcome — regulars are happy to teach, and hosts can introduce you or suggest games. **Drop in anytime**; new games start as people arrive. 🤤 The venue hosts us for free, so please grab some food or drinks from the **100% vegan kitchen and bar** to support them. Don’t miss **Kath & Roger’s legendary Sunday roast** with all the trimmings! 🚉 Closest stations: **Wood Green** and **Alexandra Palace**. ➡️ Find us in the **room behind the bar** (and sometimes also in the main area). ♿️ **Step-free access** and a **wheelchair-accessible toilet** are available. 🐶 **Dog-friendly venue**, so furry friends are welcome too!

Join me for..... A Very Twisted Tour of Hidden Bloomsbury & Holborn 🌷 We'll gather 11.30am to 11.45ish, outside Coram's Fields (tube; Russell Square) We will explore the hidden history of the back streets of the area, including lovely architecture, artwork, where historical figures lived, lost & converted places, strange & unusual tales, & more.... We'll picnic, or lunch at a vegan friendly place along the way, and later we may go to a pub for drinks/dinner. Just £5 or whatever you can afford; See you soon 😊🌷👣

We may pick a specific topic and post in advance or may discuss current events and various ad hoc topics . We would love to spend time hanging out and getting to know one another. Atheist, agnostics, other non-theists, and atheist-friendly people are welcome to join us. Note: COUNT operates a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/COUNT.discussions (http://www.facebook.com/groups/COUNT.discussions/) to promote discussions among members and visitors.

Come assist Van Buren Shelter (https://ymcacolumbus.org/locations/vanburen) staff in serving dinners and cleaning up on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Dinner for the women is 5-6 pm and for the families is 6:15-7:15 pm. There is ample free parking available in the shelter's lot. The recommended area to park is in green in the image above. There will be a new entrance for the time being. We are asking all volunteers to enter through the Donation Dock door, the orange mark on the image above. This door is located between the Single Adults and Family Shelter. You will see 2 large garage doors with a large green trash compactor in the center. Please head to the closest garage door to the building wall, with a ramp leading up. There, you will see a door with a sign stating instructions on how to enter the building. Please ring the doorbell, and a staff member will come and escort you into the building. If a staff member takes longer than 5 minutes, please call the front desk at 614-689-2020. This is a new process for us, and we do not want to keep you waiting! We appreciate your patience as we navigate this temporary change. The shelter needs a volunteer count the day before the event so sign-up ends Monday at 4:50 PM. Afterwards some of us go to the Omnipresent Atheists Weekly Meetup in progress to have a bit to eat or drink (http://www.meetup.com/omnipresentatheists/). Volunteers must be 14 or older. Since we will be working around families, the YMCA does not permit volunteering by individuals with convictions for violent or sexual crimes. The YMCA reserves the right to run background checks on volunteers. For questions, comment on this page or contact: Andrew, awhit12@yahoo.com, (614)937-5802 (cell). Please let Andrew know if you volunteer anytime other than our COUNT events so that he can count your hours toward our service record.

Some trained COUNT volunteers work together once a month at RMH (http://www.rmhc-centralohio.org/volunteer.php) as Housewarmers (usually on the 1st Sunday from 1 – 5 PM). Some schedule other shifts at their convenience. You may try this out with less fuss by following a "Fast track" or go through the normal process. Fast track • Arrange a time to shadow a COUNT volunteer. Call Dave Nohle at 614-268-9558 (cell). • Show up and try it out. • Complete application, etc. later. Normal process • Complete an online application (http://rmhc-centralohio.org/volunteer/). • Attend orientation in advance. • At orientation you will complete forms agreeing to keep family/patient info private and allowing a background check and tour the facility. • Complete one training shift. Daily shifts are: morning 9 AM - 1 PM, afternoon 1 - 5 PM and evening 5 - 9 PM. • Schedule shifts online using the on the RMH scheduling system (http://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/?FROM=32895). The Ronald McDonald House (RMH) provides housing and meals for families with sick children. The Columbus RMH is the largest in the world with 137 rooms. COUNT has been volunteering there since May 2014. Housewarmers work with RMH guests to provide a home-like environment - greet, assist with family needs, answer phones, give tours, assist with checkin/checkout, prepare guest rooms after checkout, clean facility, laundry, restock supplies and staff the front desk. RMH Housewarmers volunteer at least one four-hour shift a month. All Housewarmers must complete an application and agree to a background check before they can be full fledged volunteers.

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

ASH is Atheists, Skeptics and Humanists of First Unitarian Universalists of Columbus Ohio TBD Snacks are usually available, and you are welcome to bringing something to share!

Jimmy V's Grill & Pub in Grandview Heights. You are responsible for your own meal/drinks. We usually don't have any agenda other than eat, drink and talk. :) If the weather is nice we will be on the back patio, otherwise we are in the cigar room. This group has been meeting every Tuesday evening for over a decade. Many attendees do not RSVP on meetup. Please don't let the small number here discourage you. Anyone/everyone is welcome to come. We'd love to have you join us. COTA bus #5 comes to W. 5th and Wyandotte Rd. And it's a minute walk to the restaurant.

Jimmy V's Grill & Pub in Grandview Heights. We meet in the bar in the room on the right (the cigar shop). You are responsible for your own meal/drinks. We usually don't have any agenda other than eat, drink and talk. :) If the weather is nice we will be on the back patio, otherwise we are in the cigar room. This group has been meeting every Tuesday evening for over a decade. Many attendees do not RSVP on meetup. Please don't let the small number here discourage you. Anyone/everyone is welcome to come. We'd love to have you join us. COTA bus #5 comes to W. 5th and Wyandotte Rd. And it's a minute walk to the restaurant. *** Did you know that there are atheists everywhere?!?! You may not know it, but we are! We're in your schools, diners, police force, military, government, and some are even still in your churches! So come and join us and meet other local atheists, along with agnostics, heathens, humanists, skeptics, and anyone else who's 'hell bound'! Vision: a Central Ohio that accepts atheism as a viable alternative in all areas of public and private life. Mission: grow, support, and provide community for atheists in Central Ohio. Social meetings held most Tuesdays at a local pub/restaurant at 7:00 PM (and often into the wee hours). Attendees call themselves agnostics, skeptics, humanists, non-theists, deists or even theists. All attendees are welcome but should support our vision. Atheists of Columbus (AoC) is part of Omnipresent Atheists (OA). AoC members are invited to join this OA meetup and/or OA Facebook group ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/omnipresentatheists/ ) but are free to continue conversations on the AoC Facebook group ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/columbusatheists/ ). AoC was founded in 2012 as a networking, social group for Central Ohio area humanists, skeptics, atheists, agnostics, nonbelievers, freethinkers, and the curious. It was a member of Columbus CoR and held weekly meetings, mostly on Fridays, for several years but then operated as an online only group for some time. In November 2018, Omnipresent Atheists (OA), a group that routinely meets on Tuesdays, invited AoC to merge. Omnipresent Atheists is a member of the Columbus Coalition of Reason (ColumbusCoR.org). Omnipresent Atheists is a member of the Columbus Coalition of Reason ( http://www.ColumbusCoR.org ). Omnipresent Atheists endorses the mission of the Secular Coalition for America ( http://secular.org ).