Recovering from Religion

## Introduction to Humanist Ceremonies **With Jessie Hayes** **Please note this talk follows the [CLH AGM](https://www.meetup.com/central-london-humanists/events/312939816/) from 6.30-7.30 PM. If you would like to attend the AGM then you are most welcome. If you prefer to just attend the celebrant talk then please wait in the venue foyer and we will admit you from 7:20 PM.** Humanist ceremonies are often one of the first ways people encounter humanism in practice. They mark life’s most meaningful moments with warmth, reflection, and joy, without religion, and always centred on the people involved. In this talk, Jessie Hayes introduces humanist ceremonies: what they are, why they are becoming increasingly popular, how they differ from religious or civil ceremonies, and who they are for. Drawing on her experience as a celebrant, Jessie will explore why ceremonies matter to us as humans, how storytelling and values shape them, and why they are such a powerful expression of humanist ideas in everyday life. The talk will be especially relevant for anyone curious about humanism, considering a humanist ceremony themselves, or simply interested in how meaning, love, and community are celebrated outside religious traditions. Whether you are new to humanism or have been involved for years, this session offers a thoughtful and accessible introduction to one of its most visible and joyful expressions. Following the talk, after a short refreshments interval, there will be a moderated Q&A, giving attendees the opportunity to ask questions, share reflections, and explore how humanist ceremonies connect people to humanist values in real and tangible ways. ### Your Speaker **Jessie Hayes** Jessie is a humanist celebrant and writer who designs and delivers deeply personal, non-religious ceremonies. She is passionate about storytelling, celebration, and helping people mark life’s key moments in ways that feel authentic and true to who they are. Jessie is a celebrant within **Humanist Ceremonies**, the network of more than 550 celebrants trained and accredited by **Humanists UK** to deliver meaningful, inclusive ceremonies for non-religious people. You can find out more about Jessie’s work at \*\*[www.jessiemaywrites.co.uk ](https://www.jessiemaywrites.co.uk/)\*\*and [Humanists UK profile](https://humanists.uk/celebrants/jessie-hayes/) **Post event social** As after all our in-person talks at the Old Diorama Arts Centre, we will move on to a local pub for a post event social. So from 8:30 PM we will be going to the [Queen's Head and Artichoke](https://maps.app.goo.gl/nXy9yvWcywRM1Hir6), 30-32 Albany St, London NW1 4EA. **Photos** Please note this event will be recorded and **we will take photos for publication on CLH media channels**. If you do not wish to be featured in video or photographs please contact the CLH team in advance or make us aware at the event. **Resources and FAQs** …for members, supporters, and participants in CLH activities See [here for our knowledge base](https://clhorganisers.notion.site/Central-London-Humanists-knowledge-base-7ff2374eee1e43c0938123e894f37e5f) packed with important, useful information about the group, the organisers, and what we offer the community. See [here for our code of conduct and complaints policy](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Reeh69cv38DHeBnexNwOAKoeRb2dwDM3k9xaJ2tM5EA/mobilebasic). **Our events are 18+ unless accompanied by a parent or guardian**. We encourage dialogue, debate, and sharing of information, but ask people to keep their comments cordial. Any individual's views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the group at large.

IS IT POSSIBLE: TO BECOME MOTIVATED ABOUT LIFE AGAIN; TO REBUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE IN YOURSELF AND GET RID OF NEGATIVE THINKING? Attend this meeting and see how you could possibly get some new knowledge to improve your life! A personal questionnaire and private discussion to help locate areas of life that you maybe could improve. A personalized programme for how you could do that! Come and meet us and others that may be like minded. Improve Your Life!!

## Details Welcome to the DevSecOps London Gathering February Event on Wednesday 19 Feb in collaboration with London DevOps! We bring you two amazing talks, as well as the usual conversations, pizza and beer! 📍 **Hosted at Autogen AI, Pentonville Road, London** 📅 **Wednesday, 19 February** 🕕 **6:00–8:00 PM** ## Talk 1 **Abstract:** Concrete CMS, a popular open-source content management system, contains a critical flaw in its file upload functionality that can be exploited in two distinct ways. This talk demonstrates how a single upload can lead to a Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF), allowing access to internal cloud resources, and a double race condition that enables Remote Code Execution (RCE) via a malicious backdoor. We’ll walk through the exploitation process, show how existing protections can be bypassed, and highlight practical steps to secure file upload mechanisms in real-world applications. ## Talk 2 **Abstract** Treat authentication as a production-critical system with its own failure modes and operational risks. In this talk, I break down real-world auth incidents involving JWKS rotation errors, refresh token storms, clock drift, and session store outages. I show how to define SLIs and SLOs that measure user impact and how to build monitoring and alerting that expose real reliability problems. I demonstrate practical guardrails such as token caching, exponential backoff with jitter, circuit breakers, and feature-flagged degraded modes. Finally, I walk through an incident runbook that helps teams diagnose, mitigate, and recover from authentication failures safely and quickly.

From now on, each Wednesday, we will begin to dive into the great life and works of Adi Shankaracharya. We will begin this series by showing a documentary about His life and works. followed by tea and time to share thoughts. The you tube documentary is in English and some parts are subtitled in English.

We hold two pub evenings a month on the first and third Wednesdays, with all the other Wednesdays being Zoom pub evenings. We also normally have a monthly quiz on the last Wednesday of the month, during the Zoom evening, at about 9pm, where a different member of our group prepares the questions to be used each month. This means that tonight is an actual pub evening. We are meeting at the Moon and Stars in Penge High Street, near the Sainsbury supermarket. The pub is a Wetherspoon establishment so we all know what to expect! We usually try to sit towards the back of the pub, possibly in one of the booths on the right hand side. Look for the IVC name on one of the tables. If you cannot find us, phone (but not text) Roland on 07761 265 390.

**This is a ticketed event and purchases can be made via [eventbrite here.](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-role-of-religion-esoteric-philosophy-and-spirituality-in-history-tickets-1982069225409?aff=oddtdtcreator&_gl=1%2A1pqcc35%2A_up%2AMQ..%2A_ga%2AOTQxMTAzNjU3LjE3Njk3ODM4NTk.%2A_ga_TQVES5V6SH%2AczE3Njk4NTkyNTAkbzMkZzEkdDE3Njk4NTkyNTkkajUxJGwwJGgw)** This seminar will consider the spiritual influences in history from religion to esoteric philosophy and look at their impact on society. What are the driving forces of history? The common view is that history is a product of economic forces, struggles for power or simple egomania. However, without denying the above factors, the thesis for this seminar is that there are also spiritual influences at work, such as religion and esoteric philosophy, whose impact has been generally underestimated. It cannot be denied that religion often has a divisive effect, but it is also interesting to consider its benefits for humanity. Even more so is this the case with esoteric philosophy, whose adherents may have been numerically few but whose ideals and practical schemes for the betterment of humanity have influenced whole societies and epochs. The seminar is based on research into the works of the cultural historian Christopher Dawson, a specialist on the role of religion on history, and Dr. Frances Yates, a lecturer at the Warburg Institute, who illustrated in her many erudite works the important influence of esoteric philosophical thought on the Renaissance in Europe.

## ## About the Event Our usual Music and Meditation evening gathering we’re joined by guest contributors Mark Hutchinson and Josh Johnston. MindTravels is a creative collaboration between Irish pianist Josh and English poet Mark Hutchinson. Since 2019, they have been creating guided reflections using Mark’s words and Josh’s improvised piano playing. Straddling the areas around and between mindfulness and mental health awareness, the combination of the music, the words and the creativity in action leads to a unique experience – invigorating and calm, inviting the listener to take stock and also to take decisions. Suggested donation: £10.00 for those who can afford to make a contribution. We are a registered charity - please give what you can. *Photo by Neom for Unsplash*

Roughly once a year, we welcome a speaker from a faith background, in this case, Progressive Judaism. Judaism as we know it today is the result of a long evolution, with some key moments that changed the course of Jewish history. In this talk, Rabbi René Pfertzel will explore some of the underlying trends, compressing several thousand years into a fascinating talk. René was born in France and has a PhD in Biblical Studies. After a career in education there, he decided to become a rabbi. He was ordained in London in 2014. Until 2024 he was rabbi at Kingston Liberal Synagogue, and is now at Maidenhead Synagogue. He lives near Kingston. £5 entry to help cover costs (concessions available)

In this live and in-person seminar you will have an opportunity to explore how you could possibly improve YOUR self-confidence. How does a lack of confidence affect you? Is it in personal relationships? In the professional arena? In meeting new people in social groups? Or just within yourself and having your own confidence to do what you would really like? This seminar is geared toward you. Come and discover what could be a real boost for you! Personal interviews are offered and personal recommendations can be made to assist you in life. The seminar is presented to you by an experienced life improvement consultant from the Church of Scientology London. All references are taken from the works of L Ron Hubbard.

Join startup founders, tech entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals in business, finance and tech for an **evening of business networking in the elegant Sycamore Bar at the 5-star Middle Eight Hotel, Covent Garden.** **💼 Note re Contactless Cards** 
Free RSVP gives entry only - the contactless business card is not included.
To receive a contactless networking card, please book a paid ticket when available. **This informal yet refined business mixer** is the perfect opportunity to exchange ideas, spark collaborations, and build meaningful business connections that go beyond LinkedIn. **👔 Dress Code**
 As this is a 5-star hotel, smart or business attire is required. Please avoid casual wear, hoodies, or sportswear. **What to Expect** ✅ Relaxed, premium networking environment - no stage or speeches, just natural conversations with inspiring professionals.
 ✅ Mix of industries - startups, tech, finance and business. ✅ Guest list of max 40 attendees to encourage genuine connections as opposed to impersonal crowded conferences.
 **Why Attend** • Expand your network with startup founders, tech entrepreneurs, business owners and senior professionals in business, finance and tech from London and beyond.
 • Share insights and opportunities in tech, business growth, and digital innovation.
 • Experience luxury yet relaxed networking in one of Covent Garden’s most sophisticated venues. **Venue** Sycamore Bar, Middle Eight Hotel
A refined, design-led bar inside the 5-star Middle Eight Hotel.
Located in the heart of Covent Garden, within walking distance of Holborn, Covent Garden, and Tottenham Court Road stations. **Important Info** • Ages: 18+ (ID required for bar purchases)
 • Photography Notice: The event may be filmed or photographed for promotional use by [CineEye (audiovisual production company in London)
](www.cineeye.co.uk) • Dress Code: Smart/business attire only (see above). • Contactless Cards: Free RSVP does not include contactless business card (see above). **Join Us** Step into an evening where business meets elegance - designed for founders, innovators, and professionals who value meaningful business conversations. **Limited to 40 spots - reserve yours today!**

**Battersea Park – plus Power and Pumps** This walk is presented by Central London Humanists and led by Robert Hall. Humanists believe we have just one life to be lived rationally and well, with compassion for others. This event is a guided walk of +/- 2.25 hours pointing out places of interest. We will be walking 4 Km / 2.4 miles. As befits a walk in winter it will be walked at a moderate pace. Whilst the grand power station still dominates the landscape it has competition from the new-build flats which have transformed the appearance of the area. However the walk is primarily based on Battersea park which was one of the main locations for the Festival of Britain in 1951 and still has features from that event. The large pagoda is a major surprise as are the many sculptures including one that is deliberately away from the main paths. Plus the Victorians certainly knew how to design elegant pumphouses! **Date:** Saturday 21st February 2026 **Time:** 2 pm with a prompt departure at 2.15 pm **Place:** Meet at exit of Battersea Power Station **underground station** at the top level. (**NOT** at Battersea Power Station building.) **Turn left after the ticket barriers.** It is strongly suggested you find us using: [https://what3words.com/cure.bench.junior](https://what3words.com/cure.bench.junior) \- or the What3Words app\. The nearest toilets are in the Duchess Belle, 101 Battersea Park Road SW8 4DS (across the main road) or in the Battersea Power Station building. There will be a very brief toilet stop on the walk. **Finishes:** About 4.30 pm at Battersea Power Station underground station or join us for refreshments at the Duchess Belle, 101 Battersea Park Road SW8 4DS. The walk is led by Robert – 07981963681. He can be contacted for further information but please note he won’t be able to respond to messages or calls after the walk has started. **The formal bit:** These walks are not suitable for dogs, sorry. CLH events are 18+ unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. If you have signed up but find you can't attend, please change your RSVP on Meetup (it’s very easy to do) as soon as possible so that an accurate numbers of attenders can be estimated. You are responsible for your own actions and safety; there is no liability on the walk leader or CLH for anything that may happen on the walk. You must be able to keep up with the walk leader at 4 Km/h (2.5 mph) for 5 Km (3 miles). It is participants' responsibility to safely cross roads. Where appropriate, pedestrian controlled lights will be used and obeyed unless it is obvious that the whole group can cross safely. When the group stops at a point of interest, please be mindful not to block pavements so members of the public can pass by safely. Don’t forget this is the UK and it may rain at any time! The walk will go ahead whatever the weather unless conditions are dangerous so please bring clothing for all seasons. **A donation of £3 to Central London Humanists would be appreciated.** The majority of Central London Humanists events are free, but we welcome a £3 contribution per head. This helps towards the running and organising of events, as well as various admin expenses. If you can't attend and would still like to contribute, or would prefer to pay online, please **[click here](https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML71XMH66FX5E/checkout/ALWCDLQ3S7AVPLFZ62PZGXLU)**. We encourage dialogue, debate, and sharing of information, but ask people to keep their comments cordial. Any individual's views expressed (most definitely including the walk leader!) do not necessarily reflect the views of the group at large.

In this live and in-person seminar you will have an opportunity to explore how you could possibly improve YOUR self-confidence. How does a lack of confidence affect you? Is it in personal relationships? In the professional arena? In meeting new people in social groups? Or just within yourself and having your own confidence to do what you would really like? This seminar is geared toward you. Come and discover what could be a real boost for you! Personal interviews are offered and personal recommendations can be made to assist you in life. The seminar is presented to you by an experienced life improvement consultant from the Church of Scientology London. All references are taken from the works of L Ron Hubbard.

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!

In this local meeting, you will discover knowledge that you can use to get over the past. The key to improving your personal motivation, self-confidence, and happiness is to get over your painful memories. When you become free of your past, you will be free from stress, anger, anxiety and depression. Studies show that negative emotions can affect your health. By being free of negative emotions, believe it or not, you will most likely even look younger, feel more energetic, and become healthier! Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to this local event. We look forward to seeing you there. This group is brought to you by the Dianetics and Scientology life improvement center.

Always an overachiever, David Bayer didn't settle for being Number Two in just about anything. Whether a runaway entrepreneurial success as a teenager, the leading online director for Ducati with over $70 million in sales, or as an early mid-life crisis overachiever with at least three wildly self-destructive behavioral addictions, whatever David did, he did it wholeheartedly. Not surprisingly then, when it came to facing his failures and determining his next course of action, David sought health and healing with the same full-strength effort he had previously used to bring about his own ruination. Seeking to learn from the best of the best, David's pursuit of tangible, practical, actual change from the mind and emotions, outward, brought a new passion--that of encouraging others to learn from his mistakes and to be able to strive after and achieve healing and success in their own lives. We are reading *A Changed Mind*, by David Bayer, and can't wait to enjoy the group discussion on **Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 6:30 pm**, at **True Food Kitchen, Easton Town Center**. Come join us! Get your tickets on [EventBrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-changed-mind-columbus-ohio-tickets-1978437853879)! Check us out on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/events/1390625182655746)!

How do we recover from having had a toxic or narcissistic ex? How do we move on from the past, especially something as traumatic as a divorce or breakup? How do we avoid anxiety and depression? How do we have more self esteem? In this meeting, you will learn the mental health secrets to help you quickly get over the past and heal your mind. Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to this local event. We look forward to seeing you there. This group is created by the Dianetics & Scientology life improvement center.

Meeting Room 2b, Main Library Join us for a welcoming evening of reflection, gentle music, and meaningful conversation. We’ll begin with a short grounding moment, followed by a brief reading from spiritual or philosophical traditions, and an open reflection circle where participants can share (or simply listen). Libera Animae is an interfaith community focused on inner growth, creativity, and authentic connection. We desire to cultivate a space where all questions are welcome and each person is treated with compassion and respect.

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.

Why are we unhappy? Where does emotional pain come from? Studies show that people who suffer from long-term emotional pain have painful experiences in their lives that were never fully resolved in their mind. In other words, there were issues in the past that were not completely dealt with. This can include abuse in childhood, breakups, divorce, death of a loved one, to name a few. How do you know whether you have gotten over something painful? Here is an easy test: Do you still have attention on what had happened to you? For instance, do you still find yourself thinking about something painful that you went through? If you are, then you are not over it. In fact, in severe cases, people find themselves playing a "tape" in their mind over and over again. So how do you heal from your past? How do you stop the "tape" playing in your mind? In this meeting, you will learn a technique to help you with that. Come join us! Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to this local event. We look forward to seeing you there. This group is created by the Dianetics and Scientology life improvement center.