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THE VOICE OF HUMANIST CANADA
NEWSLETTER - JANUARY 2025
Wishing You a Meaningful New Year!
Dear Members,
As we embrace the possibilities of a new year, we celebrate the enduring power of reason, compassion, and community to bring us together. In a time of transition—nationally, globally, and within our organization—we remain committed to championing humanist values, fostering understanding, and positively impacting the world.
Speaking of transitions, we want to share that our Executive Director has decided to pursue new opportunities.
On behalf of the Board of Directors and the entire membership, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Bettianne for their two years of dedicated service. Their leadership has been instrumental in advancing our mission and spearheading key initiatives, such as the poetry contest and the podcast, and helping to steward the officiant program as the Governing Official. We are deeply grateful for their contributions and wish them every success in their future endeavours.
As we move forward, the Board is committed to ensuring a smooth transition. In the coming months, we will launch a search for a new Executive Director. In the interim, Lee Burton, our Vice President, has stepped away from her Board role to assume the responsibilities of Interim Executive Director. We are confident that Lee’s deep commitment to our mission and extensive experience will provide steady leadership during this time.
Thank you for your continued support of Humanist Canada. If you have questions about the transition or wish to share your thoughts, please email members@humanistcanada.ca.
Here's to a hopeful and inspiring year ahead! 🎉
Sincerely,
Your Board of Directors
📣 Event Alert 📣
Dynamics of (Non) Religious Modernity:
Dispatches from Baby-Boomers in Quebec"
with Géraldine Mossièr
The Institute for Religion, Culture and Societal Futures (IRCSF) will host a virtual talk titled "Dynamics of (Non) Religious Modernity: Dispatches from Baby-Boomers in Quebec" with Géraldine Mossière from the Université de Montréal. Géraldine will discuss findings on (non)religion and spirituality among Boomers in Quebec from her latest book with the Presses de l'Université Laval.
This event will take place from 2:30-3:30pm EST on Thursday January 23rd, 2025. Virtual attendance will be on Zoom.
Join Megan Sheldon, co-founder of Be Ceremonial, for this unique opportunity to consider the role of ritual and ceremony at the end of life. Megan is a cultural mythologist, humanist celebrant and end-of-life doula who has curated hundreds of ceremonies across the lifecycle.
During this 3-hour interactive workshop, Megan will introduce you to the essential elements of ceremony and ritual design. She will also explore the visible and invisible moments surrounding the end of life, and the many opportunities to weave ceremony into those moments.
Together you will learn how to craft and convene an end-of-life ceremony, while also considering your own relationship with grief and loss rituals. Some of the ceremonies you'll explore include:
Terminal Diagnosis
Living Funerals
MAiD Ceremonies
Funerals, Memorials & Celebrations of Life
Ash Scattering & Remembrance Ceremonies
Death Anniversaries & Silent Thresholds
When: Saturday, February 1st 2025
Time: 9am - 12pm PST / 12pm - 3pm EST
Cost: $90
Where: A Zoom link will be sent to all registrants
Who: Officiants, chaplains, members, really anyone interested in wishing to perform or gain a deeper understanding of end-of-life ceremonies
*This workshop will be recorded and sent to all registrants the following day if you can't join live.
Click the button below to explore the latest news releases and get all the details on our recent activities. Discover what’s new and exciting at Humanist Canada!
Please note that our popular Members Connect Zoom open chat has moved to Thursdays beginning in January 2025. The new format will run from 6pm to 7pm—drop in as you can, as long as you can! Please look to your member portal for the link.
All members are welcome!
Are you interested in becoming a Humanist Officiant in Ontario?
If you are interested in becoming a Humanist Canada Officiant please visit this link to access the application and to learn more about the process.
Intake is now taking place for Fall 2025 training sessions. Please note that you need to be a member for at least one year before applying.
Ready to dive into inspiring reads and thought-provoking discussions? Our popular book club is open to everyone! Whether you’re a seasoned member or new to the group, we’d love to have you join the conversation.
📖 Upcoming Books: ✨ Feb 4: The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt's New World by Andrea Wulf ✨ Mar 4: At a Loss for Words: Conversation in an Age of Rage by Carol Off ✨ Apr 1: Atrocity on the Atlantic: Attack on a Hospital Ship During the Great War by Nate Hendley ✨ May 6: Queer by William S. Burroughs ✨ Jun 3: Altered Boy by Jim McDonald
💡 How to Join: Simply read the book of the month and log in through your portal at 7:00 PM EST on any of the dates above.
Not ready to join just yet? Check out one of these fantastic recommendations from our members. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and grow together!
Plan a dinner at a public restaurant, art gallery tour, pub night, any event which interests you.
Tell us. We will share your plan with others in your area.
Our local member gatherings are informal meetings of humanists - a simple idea with big results. Community!
🎙️ On-Demand Programming: Anytime, Anywhere! 🎧
📢 New Podcasts Dropping Every Few Weeks! Catch up on inspiring conversations and thought-provoking content whenever it suits you.
🌟 Missed Something? No problem! Watch our recorded programs on our YouTube channel or tune into our podcasts—ready and waiting for you!
📈 Help Us Grow! Your support makes all the difference. Boost our reach by clicking:
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