Carl Sagan on Mystery
A post-platform discussion Sunday (December 9, 2018) included the question: What would Carl Sagan say about “mystery”? Here are a few quotes from Sagan on the topic: From Cosmos: Every aspect of Nature reveals a deep mystery and touches our sense of wonder...Responding to Attacks on Inclusion and Democracy
Our hearts are heavy after last week’s three major hate attacks: the shooting of two African American elders in Kentucky, after the shooter had first attempted to enter a black church he found locked; the pipe bombs sent to major political figures in perhaps...Quick Guide to Forgiveness
In this fall season, with Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah on many minds, the topic of forgiveness often comes up. What does forgiveness mean in Ethical Culture? What is our responsibility to forgive? Felix Adler, founder of Ethical Culture, addressed forgiveness in An...Worth and Dignity of Abusers
(from a short piece I wrote in 2003) I am often asked how I can have faith in the inherent worth and dignity of every human being. If someone abuses you or others repeatedly, seriously, are they still persons of worth? Here’s my quick summary of conclusions...Sunday Meetings
Nov
24
Sun
11:00 am Stone Salad: A Family Sunday 2019 
Stone Salad: A Family Sunday 2019
Nov 24 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
You’ve heard of the story of Stone Soup? If not, you’ll hear it this week. Our modernized version is called Stone Salad. We’ll celebrate generosity together through a family-friendly pot luck and festival. Bring some food to[...]
Dec
1
Sun
11:00 am No Sunday Platform Meeting Decem... 
No Sunday Platform Meeting Decem...
Dec 1 @ 11:00 am
No platform meeting at RYSEC December 1, 2019. The office will be closed, and staff is on vacation. Consider spending time with friends or family instead, doing some volunteer work, reading a book, or some[...]
Dec
8
Sun
11:00 am Reverence and Awe: Ethical Practice 
Reverence and Awe: Ethical Practice
Dec 8 @ 11:00 am
From the ancient Greeks we get the concept of reverence — deep honor and respect — as a key ethical concept. Religions had ceremonies and observances, which at their worst become merely repetition by rote.[...]
Dec
15
Sun
11:00 am Sunday Platform 
Sunday Platform
Dec 15 @ 11:00 am
Speaker and topic to be announced. Watch this space! 11 a.m. is gathering time, to meet and greet one another. We start the formal program at 11:15 and usually end about 12:30. After that, we[...]
Learning & Community
Nov
21
Thu
7:00 pm Ethics on Tap 
Ethics on Tap
Nov 21 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Free-ranging casual discussion of ethical issues that are alive for you, and an opportunity to meet and interact with others interested in ethical issues. Join us and, if you like, have something to drink and/or[...]
Dec
5
Thu
7:00 pm Anti-Racism Book Discussion Group 
Anti-Racism Book Discussion Group
Dec 5 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
How to Be an Antiracist Author: Ibram X. Kendi https://amzn.to/2OpuavH Whether or not you’ve read Kendi’s previous book, Stamped From the Beginning, you’ll find this book helpful in understanding racism in America and what we[...]
Dec
8
Sun
3:00 pm Riverdale Choral Society Decembe... 
Riverdale Choral Society Decembe...
Dec 8 @ 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Under the direction of John Lettieri, the Riverdale Choral Society will perform Aaron Copland: In the Beginning and Ralph Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on Christmas Carols. The Vaughan Williams work will be sung with cello and[...]
Dec
19
Thu
7:00 pm Ethics on Tap
Ethics on Tap
Dec 19 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Free-ranging casual discussion of ethical issues that are alive for you, and an opportunity to meet and interact with others interested in ethical issues. Join us and, if you like, have something to drink and/or[...]
Issues & Service
Dec
5
Thu
7:00 pm Anti-Racism Book Discussion Group
Anti-Racism Book Discussion Group
Dec 5 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
How to Be an Antiracist Author: Ibram X. Kendi https://amzn.to/2OpuavH Whether or not you’ve read Kendi’s previous book, Stamped From the Beginning, you’ll find this book helpful in understanding racism in America and what we[...]