The pictures with this article will give away the first piece of news about Anton, Olha, and Zlata: Olha and Anton were finally able to marry. They have long wanted to do so – but war delayed their plans. On one of the last warm days of October, one of our committee members, Ashley Allen, performed the wedding outdoors at the home of another committee member, Esther Alder. It was a lovely ceremony (with documents translated into Ukrainian).
Category: Humanism In Action
Our members are passionate about making the world a better place for all. We have a Social Action Team and sponsor a variety of community-service activities to further our humanist values.
Ukrainian Family Update: a Car, Preschool, and Job Hunts
By Christine Retkwa
The Ukrainian Refugee Assistance Project, organized by HMN members, is sponsoring a Ukrainian family that arrived in Minnesota in August. Here is the latest update.
First, some great news! Thanks to generous donors, Anton, Olha, and Zlata now have enough money to buy a car. They are trying to be patient …
HMN Team Brings Ukrainian Refugee Family to Minnesota
The Ukrainian Refugee Assistance Project organized by HumanistsMN members is sponsoring a Ukrainian family that arrived in Minnesota in August. Here is an update through August 23.
Thank you to all HumanistsMN members and allies for your interest and engagement so far in helping our new Ukrainian friends!
HumanistsMN Condemns Supreme Court Abortion Ruling
HumanistsMN condemns the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that overturned the significant degree of bodily autonomy that Roe v. Wade had granted for nearly 50 years — the right to have an abortion before a fetus would be viable outside the womb. The 6-to-3 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization is expected to lead to abortion bans or severe restrictions in about half of U.S. states.
HMN Denounces Supreme Court Rulings Eroding Separation of Religion and Government
HumanistsMN denounces the U.S. Supreme Court decision this week in favor of a high school football coach who led Christian prayers on the playing field surrounded by public high school students. We echo our parent organization, the American Humanist Association: the 6-3 decision in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District basically moots the Establishment Clause of …
National Day of Reason 2022
After a two-year pandemic-related absence, HumanistsMN returned to the State Capitol on May 5 to observe the National Day of Reason, which honors the principles of secular lawmaking and separation of religion and government. As in 2019, we joined hands with First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis, and Or Emet – the Minnesota Congregation for Humanistic Judaism to sponsor a breakfast with legislators to affirm that policy should be based on reason, science, and evidence, not on religious preference.
We Did Good in Our Community!
Humanists were out and about during HumanistsMN’s participation in the national Secular Week of Action, coordinated by Foundation Beyond Belief. Our events:
Fifteen people worked hard at The Food Group, packing boxes of meats for the program that supplies food at wholesale prices in disadvantaged neighborhoods.
Looking for Helpful Alternatives to ‘Thoughts and Prayers’?
HumanistsMN is participating in the nationwide Secular Week of Action. We are sponsoring events from April 20 to May 14 (a broader range than the national event to include more activities). Help show how humanists do good in our community! Please consider participating in one of the following activities:· Pack and sort food at The Food Group on April 20. The food will be distributed to more than 200 food shelves.
Looking for Alternatives to Thoughts and Prayers?
HumanistsMN is participating in the nationwide Secular Week of Action from April 30 to May 9. Help show how humanists do good in our community! Please consider participating in one of the following activities:
Please Support Camp Quest, a Secular Summer Camp
HumanistsMN is proud to have supported Camp Quest North, a humanist-oriented summer camp, since its inception. This overnight camp for youth ages 8 -17 provides an educational adventure shaped by fun, friends, and freethought. A summer camp experience that promotes science, wonder, and humanist values.
HMN Members Donate More Than $10,000 to Food Drive
Due to the generosity of our members, HumanistsMN in November raised $10,695 to help relieve hunger during the COVID-19 crisis. This included $5,000 from our “angel” anonymous donor. The amount was matched by the Schulze Family Foundation, resulting in a total contribution of $21,390 to the Second Harvest Heartland food bank.
HumanistsMN Statement on Systemic Racism
The HumanistsMN board has adopted the following statement:
HumanistsMN affirms that every person, regardless of race or ethnicity, has the right to thrive and flourish. Ensuring these rights can only be achieved through a sustained commitment to racial, social, and economic justice.
Voting Information and Get Out the Vote Ideas
Hello, HumanistsMN Members:
As election season draws near, the coronavirus pandemic has underlined the importance of fighting for public policy that reflects humanist values, for example science-based decision-making, affordable health care, help for people in need, and racial equality.
‘Say His Name’: A Protest Diary
By Christine Retkwa
In this time of COVID-19, I do not need to shop or get my hair cut or go to the gym. I do need to risk exposing myself to protest someone’s life being squished out of them like they were an insect while in yet another act of inhumanity.
Board Resolution on Racial Justice and Policing
HumanistsMN (HMN) is deeply distressed at the violent death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, while detained by members of the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD). As humanists, we believe in the dignity of all human beings and in racial justice, two principles that were severely violated in this case. As a result, the Board …
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