If you're having trouble viewing this email, you cansee it online.
THE VOICE OF HUMANIST CANADA
YOUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Winter Gathering & Human Light Celebration
📅 Sunday, December 21st 🕖 1:00 – 3:00 PM EDT
Light up your winter with warmth, reflection, and creativity at Humanist Canada’s Winter Gathering and Human Light Celebration on Sunday, December 21st at 6 PM EST.
Hosted by Chaplain Ian McMillan and Be Ceremonial Co-founder Megan Sheldon, this joyful gathering celebrates our shared humanity through reason, compassion, and hope.
✨ What to Expect:
Guided reflection on the transition into spring
Poetry, music, and storytelling from community members
Simple, interactive rituals to mark the season
Open mic sharing for your own reflections and creative offerings
⛄ What to Bring:
A candle or small light source (real or symbolic)
An object that connects you to the winter season
❄️ We’re calling for contributions!
Share your song, poem, or creative expression that captures the spirit of Human Light and helps make the celebration shine even brighter. We’d love to hear from you—reach out and tell us what you’d like to share!
On December 25, we highlight Isaac Newton’s birthday as a moment to celebrate curiosity, evidence, and the scientific spirit that reshaped how we understand the universe. Newton’s work on gravity, motion, and light laid foundations for modern science and technology, influencing everything from engineering to space exploration.
This Day of Reflection invites anyone—regardless of beliefs—to pause and honour the human capacity to ask questions, test ideas, and revise views in light of new evidence. You might mark it by learning something new, revisiting a favourite science book or podcast, or simply reflecting on how reason and critical thinking have improved life for people everywhere
📚 Book Club
Valley of the Bird Tail by Andrew Stobo Sniderman & Douglas Sanderson
🗓 January 6th | 🕖 7 PM to 9 PM ET
Don’t miss our exceptional January Book Club! We'll be discussingauthorsAndrew Stobo Sniderman & Douglas Sanderson's Valley of the Bird Tail
The book is the tale of two families, one Indigenous and the other non-Indigenous from the Waywayseecappo Indian reserve and the neighboring town of Rossburn, respectively
This story is the tale of Canada, a tale of colonization, national identity and reconciliation
It is also the tale of systemic inequality, as Indigenous Peoples continue to live below the national poverty line and rank lower in education levels
Valley of the Bird Tail is a National bestseller and a multiple award-winning book.
Visit the Member Portal for more details and registration.
Everything Humanist Canada does—hosting bold conversations on ethics and science, building welcoming communities, and creating spaces to learn and question—is powered by our community. Every gift helps Humanist values shine more brightly across Canada.
Your support fuels this work:
Hosting conversations that cut through misinformation and promote critical thinking.
Advocating for evidence-based policies that protect equality and human rights.
Amplifying Humanist voices when reason and compassion are urgently needed.
This moment calls for Humanism that is visible, confident, and connected—a movement ready to meet fear and division with curiosity, care, and courage. When resources fall short, too many stories go unheard, too many minds go unreached, and too many chances to put Humanism into action are lost.
Help carry this work forward by donating today and sharing your own “Why Humanism Now” story to inspire others to join you. Together, we can turn this momentum into a fully funded campaign—and a stronger Humanist future for everyone.
📚 Humanism: Canadian Perspectives Humanisme: Perspectives canadiennes
Humanism: Canadian Perspectives | Humanisme : Perspectives canadiennes is a chorus of Humanist voices from across Canada, showing how dignity, science, compassion, and critical thinking come alive in real communities. It’s a thoughtful companion for anyone who wants to help build a fair and equal society.
The paperback is already available in Canada, and the e-book is coming next week—keep an eye on our updates so you can be among the first to get it.
Get your book on the Humanist Canada website and dive in!
Secure your spot at the 2026 World Humanist Congress in Ottawa, 7–9 August 2026, co-hosted by Humanists International and Humanist Canada. Early-bird tickets are available until 28 February 2026, so now is a great time to register and save.
If you’re joining us, we also encourage you to book your room at The Westin Ottawa using the congress rate—the block is filling up quickly, and once it’s gone, prices will increase. You can still cancel up to 48 hours before arrival, so you can reserve your stay with confidence.
New to Humanist Canada? Join our monthly online orientation to meet other members, discover what we’re working on, and find simple ways to get involved.
Next session: January 28th, 6:00–7:00 PM ET
Where: Online via Zoom
If you’ve joined in the past year, we’d love to see you there!
%20(1100%20%C3%97%20500%20px)%20(1100%20%C3%97%20500%20px).jpg)
.jpg)
(1).jpg)
