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As the 2016 election continues to dominate news headlines, you might find yourself asking: Why are nonreligious people so underrepresented among voters, candidates, and elected officials?
It seems to be, at least in part, because of community. In American Grace, Robert Putnam and David Campbell point out that religious Americans are more civically engaged than the nonreligious -- but they also reveal that a nonbelieving spouse who participates in their partner's religious community is just as civically engaged as the believing partner. Why? Moral communities enable people to come together to reflect on their values, and then act on them.
Are you looking for a nonreligious community where you can do that? We invite you to join us this Sunday for a discussion with political scientist Juhem Navarro-Rivera about how nonreligious people might become more politically engaged. We hope you'll come listen, learn, ask questions, and get involved!
Read on for more information about Sunday's event and our other upcoming programs. We hope to see you soon.
Best,
Chris Stedman, Executive Director
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The Nonreligious in American Politics
Humanist Haven welcomes Juhem Navarro-Rivera on 10/4.
Nonreligious Americans are underrepresented in the American political  system as politicians, candidates, and voters -- despite accounting for nearly one-quarter of the adult population. Political scientist Juhem Navarro-Rivera will discuss the challenges nonreligious Americans face today and how they can shape the American political landscape in 2016 and beyond.
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 first Sunday of October (10/4) at 1 PM for Humanist Haven with Juhem Navarro-Rivera.
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.
Weather note: The current weather forecast for Sunday looks okay, so as of now we have no reason to believe we'll need to reschedule this event -- but if there's ever a weather issue that causes us to cancel, we will be sure to send out notice ahead of time. Please watch our Facebook, Twitter, and mailing list.
 Juhem Navarro-Rivera is a political scientist based in Washington, DC. His research on secularism, race, and politics has been featured in the New York Times, The Washington Post, and international press such as The Times (London) and Reforma (Mexico City). He sits on the editorial board of Secularism and Nonreligion, the first international journal of secular studies, and is an advisory board member of the Yale Humanist Community. Juhem holds a Ph.D in Political Science from the University of Connecticut.
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First Needs of New Haven meeting this Monday
Join the conversation with Pastor Ariel Martinez on 10/5.
Needs of New Haven, a new YHC monthly discussion series, launches this  Monday, October 5 at 7:30 PM. For this series, which meets every first Monday of the month at the Happiness Lab coffee shop, we'll be inviting local non-profit leaders and activists to talk about issues that they are passionate about, what social needs they've identified and work around, and what we can do to get involved.
Our first guest is Pastor Ariel Martinez of La Puerta Community Development Coalition, a bridge-building organization which serves New Haven's Latina/o community and focuses on combating systemic poverty. We hope you'll join us for an enriching discussion on October 5 at 7:30 PM at the Happiness Lab coffee shop next to the Grove, which is at 760 Chapel Street in New Haven, CT.
Needs of New Haven is just one of our discussion groups, which meet on the first, second, third, and fourth Mondays of each month. Visit the Discussion Groups page on our website to learn more about each group and how you can get involved.
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Special event with Yale groups on 10/26
This month, our WTF? (Who to Follow?) discussion group will host a special meeting in partnership with a number of Yale groups. Join YHC, W{holy} Queer, the Yale Hindu Students Council, the Yale Chaplain's Office, and the Office of LGBTQ Resources at Yale for a conversation with Yagnaram Ramanuja Dasan about community, solidarity, and how we can look to others for support, guidance, inspiration, or resources.
This conversation will happen on Monday, October 26 at 7 PM at the Office of LGBTQ Resources at Yale -- 40a Ashmun Street, New Haven, CT. Dinner will be provided. We hope to see you there!
Yagnaram Ramanuja Dasan is a queer, Latino Hindu blogger. In 2013  he founded LGBT Hindu Satsang, a welcoming, online space for LGBT-identified Hindus. He is currently the president of the organization's chapter in Philadelphia. He also serves as a priest in his community. Yagna has given talks on Hinduism and LGBT identity at the Philadelphia Trans* Health Conference and the Philly chapter of PFLAG. He writes on Hindu theology, spiritual practice, and social justice on his blog, Jñana-dipena.
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Weekly student dinners and lunches continue
First undergrad student dinner at The Grove is next week!
 Weekly undergraduate student dinners, hosted by our affiliated
undergraduate student group, occur Wednesdays at 6 PM. Most of these dinners take place on campus, but on the first Wednesday of each month they happen off campus at the Happiness Lab coffee shop, which is attached to The Grove at 760 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT. At these off campus dinners, which begin next week, 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 PM. 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 host round-table lunches on 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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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.
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.
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. Pre-planned activities are also available. It's a great opportunity for aspiring teachers and those who just love working with youth.
For Yale students 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. Others can meet at Roberto Clemente School or email yalehumanists@gmail.com to coordinate ride sharing and other info. 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. 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 novel 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's work can continue. We're seeking 20 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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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
 happening next week that aims to bring together religious believers and nonbelievers in order to gain perspective on each other's ways of seeing the world, while embracing commonalities that bring us together for social change. |
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