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Hello! We hope you're having a great September. After a wonderful first Humanist Haven, welcoming new students at dinners and bazaars, and the return of many of our recurring programs, the new academic year is off to an exciting start.
Of course, it's not all excitement. With a new semester comes new challenges, and sometimes it's hard to maintain your enthusiasm as stress and obstacles arise. Which is why this Sunday we'll be exploring a question that many of us struggle with: How do you fight for a better world when you feel frustrated, disappointed, or even defeated by life's difficulties -- or by the actions of others?
This question is important for Humanists, as we often look to one another and ourselves for the the inspiration to build a better world. To quote The Avengers filmmaker Joss Whedon:
The enemy of Humanism is not faith. The enemy of Humanism is hate, is fear, is ignorance, is the darker part of man that is in every humanist, every person in the world. That is what we have to fight... Faith in God means believing absolutely in something with no proof... Faith in humanity means believing absolutely in something with a huge amount of proof to the contrary. We are the true believers.
Whether or not you agree with his take on God, faith, or humanity, perhaps you agree with his observation that putting your faith in humanity can be very difficult. If so, I hope you'll join us at Humanist Haven this weekend as guest speaker Sarah Jones leads a discussion on balancing the quest for a more just
world with cynicism.
Read on for more information about that, the return of student lunches and dinners, our exciting Carl Sagan Day event, next week's special dinner at Miya's, and more. We hope to see you very soon!
Best,
Chris Stedman, Executive Director
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The Cynic's Guide To Social Justice
Humanist Haven welcomes Sarah Jones on September 20.
It's universally acknowledged that if you fight for social justice, you're probably an optimist.
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Image via Wikimedia Commons
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But for some of us, optimism feels like a bit of a reach. How can you believe in progress after your faith in humanity has taken a hit? Activist, writer, and former fundamentalist Christian Sarah Jones will examine how hope can coexist with -- and even be shaped by -- a painful past.
Humanist Haven is YHC's community gathering where people from all across Yale and New Haven come together to ask big questions, explore what gives our lives meaning and purpose, and act to make the world a better place. Join us at The Grove -- 760 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT -- on the third Sunday of September (9/20) at 1 PM for Humanist Haven with Sarah Jones.
Humanist Haven meets on the first and third Sunday of each month; meetings are free and open to the public, with child activities offered on the first Sunday of the month. Want to join a group walking over from campus? A group of students will leave Phelps Gate at 12:45 PM to walk to The Grove.
 Sarah Jones is the Communications Associate at Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Her writing on religious fundamentalism and humanism in American politics and culture has been published in Buzzfeed, the Guardian and Religion News Service, among others. She holds a Master of Arts in Postcolonial Culture and Global Policy from Goldsmiths, University of London.
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Join us for a special dinner at Miya's next week!
Eat great food, enjoy awesome company, and help YHC.
Join YHC on September 22 at 7 PM for a night of amazing food at the world-famous Miya's Sushi -- 68 Howe St, New Haven, CT -- with proceeds going to fund our work to build Humanist community!
Having been named one of the three most sustainable restaurants in the U.S. in 2012 and one of Gourmet Magazine's Top Ten Healthiest Restaurants in the U.S., Miya's is widely acclaimed for its delicious, sustainable, and highly unusual approach to dining. Interested in supporting YHC's work and experiencing how Miya's "uses the technique of sushi as a medium to explore what it means to be human"? Sign up at http://bit.ly/YHCMIYA and then go to http://bit.ly/YHCdonate and make a donation of at least $50, or let us know during sign up that you plan to bring cash or check. Your full donation will go to support the work of YHC. With your registration and donation to YHC, you will be treated to a multi-course meal that is sure to be one of the best you've ever eaten! Space is limited, so sign up now. Please note: Drinks are not included. However, you can of course choose to purchase drinks on your own -- and we highly recommend that you do! The bonobo juice is legendary, and for those who don't drink alcohol, the pickled ginger pop is one of a kind.
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Resuming this week: Student dinners & lunches
Lunches and dinners switching days; please note changes.
Note: Our weekly lunches and dinners are switching days -- undergraduate dinners move from Thursdays to Wednesdays, and Divinity School lunches move from Wednesdays to Thursdays.
The weekly  undergraduate student dinners, hosted by our affiliated undergraduate student group, started up again yesterday. Beginning this week, these dinners moved to Wednesdays at 6 PM. Most of these dinners will take place on campus, but on the first Wednesday of each month they will happen off campus at the Happiness Lab coffee shop, which is attached to The Grove at 760 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT. Dinner will be provided. Want to join but not sure how to get there? A group of students will walk over from Phelps Gate at 5:45. To contact the student directors and join the official list serv to get updates, email them at HumanistYalies@gmail.com.
The None/Others (formerly known as the Open Party) at the Divinity School will resume regular meetings this week, too. Starting today, None/Others weekly round-table lunches are moving to Thursdays at 12:30 PM. To find out more about joining, volunteering, speaking opportunities, or for general inquiries please contact the None/Others at YDSNoneOthers@gmail.com.
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Discussion Groups: Two Returning, Two New
New "Unsacred Sacred Texts" group begins this Monday.
Our discussion groups were among our most popular -- and most thought-provoking -- offerings last year. So we've listened to your feedback and we're bringing our discussion groups back, and adding two more!
These groups will meet the first, second, third, and fourth Mondays of each month at 7:30 PM in the Happiness Lab coffee shop, which is attached to The Grove at 760 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT. Our new discussion groups are called Needs of New Haven and Unsacred Sacred Texts, while WTF (Who to Follow?) and Practical Humanism are returning. Visit the Discussion Groups page on our website to learn more about each group and how you can get involved.
Unsacred Sacred Texts launches this upcoming Monday, 9/21. Join us for the first meeting of this discussion group inspired by one of our most popular Humanist Haven events of last year, where Vanessa Zoltan shared what she learned from treating Jane Eyre like a sacred text, and help us shape the future direction of this group! Snacks will be provided.
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Volunteer with our new STEAMMM program!
Note: Because of funding issues, Clemente Leadership Academy is starting school later than planned. As a result our first STEAMMM activity will be Monday, November 2.
This fall, YHC is partnering with Clemente Leadership Academy to provide a monthly after school STEAMMM (science, technology, engineering, art, math, and medicine mentoring) activity for their middle school-aged students. The program is designed to foster an interest in STEAMM fields and an understanding of how important and useful STEAMM is for society in these young students.
The most unique aspect about this program is that volunteers are encouraged to design and present their own "lesson" or "project" for the students, if desired. It is a great opportunity for aspiring teachers and those who just love to have fun with kids.
YHC volunteers have an opportunity to share their unique expertise in a STEAMM field with local at-risk students and provide a valuable service for the larger New Haven Community. The activities will take place from 3-5 PM on the first Monday of every month beginning in November. For those who would like to travel to the service site together from campus, a group will be meeting at Phelps Gate at 2:30 PM to take the Red shuttle route. Sign up here to volunteer; you are still welcome to serve if you don't sign up in advance, but you will be serving in an assistant capacity. For more information please contact yalehumanists@gmail.com and include "STEAMMM volunteering" in the subject line.
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Celebrating Carl Sagan with his son Nick
Save the date for our special event on November 9.
Though he died in 1996, astronomer Carl Sagan's work continues to have a tremendous impact. He influenced a generation of scientists and thinkers, taught millions about the wonders of science, and inspired the world to ask big questions. His work enriched and entertained, from his books like Contact, Pale Blue Dot, and The Demon-Haunted World to his television series "Cosmos" (recently rebooted with new host Neil deGrasse Tyson).
He inspired us to look up to the stars, but also to look inward. He helped us better understand the world around us -- and by encouraging us to be curious, courageous, and compassionate, he also helped us better understand ourselves and one another. Carl Sagan was an unparalleled scientist, storyteller, and communicator, and his contributions will be felt for years to come.
This Carl Sagan Day (November 9), YHC is honored and thrilled to welcome a special guest: Nick Sagan, son of Carl Sagan. In a moderated discussion with YHC Executive Director Chris Stedman, Nick will talk about his father's impact, the connection between his father's work and Humanism, and his memories of growing up with Carl Sagan -- including what it was like to record a greeting for potential extraterrestrials at six years old for the Voyager Golden Record.
We invite you to save the date and join us on November 9 for a conversation with Nick Sagan, and a celebration of the life and legacy of his father Carl Sagan.
Nick Sagan is an author of novels, screenplays, teleplays, comic books, animation episodes and computer games. A prolific filmmaker and writer, his credits include episodes of "Star Trek" and the book You Call This the Future?,
which Publisher's Weekly called a "delightful 'expedition in search of the future', providing clear explanations of today's cutting edge technologies." He is also the author of the acclaimed Idlewild Series and creator of the Shrapnel graphic n
ovel series for Radical Publishing. The son of astronomer Carl Sagan and Pioneer plaque artist Linda Salzman, Nick was 6 years old when his greeting, "Hello from the children of planet Earth," was placed aboard the Voyager Golden Record as a representation of the English language for potential extraterrestrials to one day discover.
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Support YHC: Become one of our 20 for 50!
As you can see from our schedule of recurring events, YHC makes a meaningful contribution to Yale and the Greater New Haven community, and especially to those who participate in our many activities and programs.
Most of these events take place at The Grove. The 20 for 50 campaign will ensure that YHC can continue its work. We are seeking twenty individuals who will pledge to donate $50 per month and help us cover the most basic cost of our space -- the rent.
Will you be one of the 20 for 50?
As a 501(c)(3), YHC relies entirely on your donations -- with no financial support from Yale University. Your donation is fully deductible. Click here to make a one time gift or set up a recurring donation.
"During my time as a Master of Divinity student, I often found myself feeling quite isolated from the other students because I identify as agnostic and Humanist. Yale Humanist Community provided a space where I could be myself without being judged. I was shown love, kindness, and, most importantly, that being nonreligious in no way diminishes one's ability to do good for others." -Mesha Arant, 2015 Yale Divinity School graduate
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Stay Connected
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See below for our lineup of recurring programs and visit yalehumanists.com to learn more!
Sundays
1 PM: Humanist Haven
First and third Sundays of each month
Location: The Grove
Who: Open to the public
6 PM: Grad Students, Professionals, and Young Adults Board Game Night
Second Sunday of each month
Location: Email for details
Who: Open to the public
Mondays
3-5 PM: STEAMMM (science, technology, engineering, art, math, and medicine mentoring) service program First Monday of each month (beginning in November) Location: Clemente Middle School
Who: Email for details 7:30 PM: Discussion Groups -Needs of New Haven (first Monday of each month starting in October) -Practical Humanism (second Monday of each month) -Unsacred Sacred Texts (third Monday of each month) -WTF (fourth Monday of each month) Location: The Grove
Who: Open to the public Tuesdays Existential counseling office hours (also available other days by appointment) Location: YHC Office at The Grove or Davenport College Who: Open to the public 2-3 PM: Chat with Maytal (from the Yale Chaplain's Office) and Chris Location: Breathing Space (Old Campus) Who: Undergraduate and graduate students only Wednesdays
6 PM: Undergraduate Atheists, Humanists, and Agnostics dinner
Location: First Wednesday of the month at The Grove, all other Wednesdays on campus
Who: Undergraduate students only
7 PM: SMART Recovery Location: The Grove Who: Open to the public Thursdays Existential counseling office hours (also available other days by appointment) Location: YHC Office at The Grove or Davenport College Who: Open to the public 12:30 PM: None/Others lunch
Location: Yale Divinity School
Who: Yale Divinity School students only
Fridays 8 PM: Grad Students, Professionals, and Young Adults Pub Night Fourth Friday of each month Location: Firehouse 12 (unless otherwise stated) Who: Open to the public
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Get YHC Gear!
Want to wear your Humanism on your sleeve? (Or your laptop, or your...?) Check out our YHC tees, buttons, and stickers -- and let us know if you want to learn more about how to get your own by donating to YHC!
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Drink YHC coffee!
Have you enjoyed the coffee at Humanist Haven? Want to make it at home?
Get your caffeine fix with our locally-roasted, small batch, ethical coffee. Proceeds support YHC!
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Monthly young adult pub night & board game night
The first is a board game night, every second Sunday of the month at 6 PM. The other is a pub night, every fourth Friday of the month at 8 PM at Firehouse 12. For location details, email yalehumanists@gmail.com.
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Volunteers needed for
Humanist Haven
From the thoughtful reflections offered at every Humanist Haven, to the dedicated set up and clean up support we rely on in order to make the space comfortable and welcoming, our Humanist Haven gatherings are driven by the generous service of our volunteers. This year, we're doubling the number of Humanist Havens, which means we'll need your help more than ever.
Have you enjoyed a Moment of Reflection, or participated in a Moment of Connection, and thought: "I could do that!" Do you want to help us with our new children's story time initiative? Well now's your chance to get involved. Click here to submit your interest and availability to volunteer.
P.S. We're looking for books -- especially ones with Humanist themes -- to use for our children's programs. If you'd like to lend us one, or donate one to our library, please let us know!
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Visit us at PRIDE New Haven on 9/26
On Saturday, September 26, we'll be tabling at PRIDE New Haven's block party beginning at 4 PM. Come say 'hi' and grab some free YHC gear, including stickers, buttons, and more.
Click here to learn more about PRIDE New Haven. We hope to see you there!
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Struggling with addiction? Join us for SMART Recovery
Are you struggling with addictive behaviors? After taking a hiatus in August, our weekly SMART Recovery support group meetings meet every Wednesday at 7 PM in the Happiness Lab coffee shop, which is attached to The Grove at 760 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT.
The goal of SMART, which stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training, is to provide quality, science-based educational tools and community for individuals struggling with addictive behaviors-and a nontheistic alternative to twelve-step programs, which rely heavily on God and Christian theology. People of all faiths and beliefs are welcome to attend. Please click here for updates regarding weather-related or other cancellations of our meetings.
Want to learn more about SMART? We're hosting Founding President Dr. Joe Gerstein for a talk at Humanist Haven this fall. Visit our website to learn more!
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News from our partners
Free Common Ground conference at Rutgers
Common Ground 2015 is an all-day conference, FREE and open to the general public, that aims to bring together religious believers, secular humanists, and nonbelievers in conversation in order to gain perspective on each other's ways of seeing the world, while embracing commonalities in our human experience that
 bring us together for social change.
Through four panel sessions, workshops, and breakout sessions ( click here for details), attendees will hear academics and leaders from national and local organizations discuss views on finding meaning in life, ethics and values, and how to collaborate for social action. This conference is s ponsored by the American Humanist Association, Xaverian Missionaries, and Rutgers University.
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