Discover upcoming events and opportunities to connect, learn, and engage.
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Humanist Happenings Keeping You Connected to Humanist Events
May 2025
With summer just around the corner and longer days upon us, it’s the perfect time to explore new ways to connect and engage. This edition is full of opportunities — from engaging webinars and seasonal gatherings, to the launch of our new podcast Choice Chat.
We’re also highlighting meaningful ways to get involved — whether by joining a discussion, contributing to national research, or exploring how humanist values can guide parenting and everyday life.
No matter where you are on your path, we’re glad you’re part of the journey.
Et pour nos membres francophones, les occasions de s’impliquer ne manquent pas ! Que vous souhaitiez échanger autour de lectures inspirantes dans le cadre de notre club de lecture en français, ou participer à des discussions hebdomadaires entre membres, vous trouverez des espaces chaleureux pour réfléchir, dialoguer et bâtir des liens humains, en français.
Nous continuons d’élargir notre programmation pour mieux refléter la diversité linguistique et culturelle de notre communauté.
– The Humanist Canada Team
An Invitation to a Compassionate Conversation: MAiD in Canada with Dr. Jackie Nemni
📅 Sunday, June 8, 2025 🕖 3:00 – 4:00 PM EDT
Join us for an informative and mindful presentation with Dr. Jackie Nemni, a Guelph-based physician and Humanist Officiant, who will guide us through the changing landscape of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) in Canada — a topic that resonates with many of us on a personal level, yet remains misunderstood or shrouded in silence. Highlights include:
History of MAiD legislation in Canada
Overview of the assessment process: ethics, eligibility, informed consent
Compassionate look at the provision of MAiD
Upcoming changes to end-of-life laws and their impact
A welcoming environment for open dialogue
As a respiratory physician and advocate for human dignity, autonomy, and ethical care, Dr. Nemni brings clarity and compassion to this important issue. Her medical expertise and role as a Humanist Officiant offer a unique lens on both the medical and moral dimensions of end-of-life choices.
🔗 Zoom details available through the member portal.
🎙️ Choice Chat Podcast Launches June 10!
Our new podcast, Choice Chat, is almost here! Starting June 10, members will have access to the first episode. Choice Chat is a podcast from the Morgentaler Committee of Humanist Canada—created to explore the personal, political, and powerful realities of abortion, human reproduction, sexual health and the rights and justice associated with these realities in Canada.
🔓 Don’t miss it — log in to your member portal on launch day to tune in!
Fostering Healthy Masculinity in Our Kids
📅 Tuesday, June 10, 2025 🕖 7:00 – 8:15 PM EDT
As parents, we all want our children to grow into kind, confident, and emotionally healthy adults. But outdated ideas of masculinity — like “boys don’t cry” or “real men don’t show weakness” — can hold them back. It’s time to shift the narrative.
In an event organized by the American Humanist Association, join Dr. Jed Diamond, LCSW, and Humanist dad Alastair Lichten for an engaging and practical conversation on how to raise boys who are emotionally intelligent, self-aware, and compassionate. Whether you're parenting toddlers or teens, this discussion offers valuable insights on nurturing healthy masculinity at every stage of development — and helping your child thrive.
Join us as we mark the natural rhythms of the year with four seasonal gatherings, celebrating the transitions of the seasons in a meaningful, secular way.
Through poetry, music, reflection, and shared rituals, we will come together as a community to honour the beauty of the changing seasons. Rooted in Humanist values, these gatherings provide space to connect with ourselves, with one another, and with the cycles that shape our world. Whether welcoming the returning light of spring, the warmth of summer, the harvest of autumn, or the quiet of winter, these gatherings offer a thoughtful and inclusive way to celebrate the passage of time.
🔗 Zoom details available through the member portal.
📢 Connection Humaniste
Rencontres hebdomadaires en français
📅 Chaque mardi | 🕖 19h00 - 20h00 HNE
Nous sommes heureux d’annoncer le lancement de « Connection humaniste - Rencontres hebdomadaires » !
🌐 Rejoignez-nous en ligne pour : ✔ Connecter en français avec d’autres humanistes ✔ Rester au courant des dernières nouvelles ✔ Partager vos préoccupations et vos accomplissements ✔ Ou simplement nous dire à quoi vous pensez ces temps-ci
📍 Nos discussions ont lieu chaque mardi, de 19h00 à 20h00 HNE.
📌 Cet événement s'adresse aux membres d'Humanist Canada seulement.
Share Your Perspective: Participate in a Research Study on Canadian Identity
What does it mean to be Canadian — and what does living in Canada mean to you?
Dr. Anne F. MacLennan and her research team at York University are currently recruiting participants for a national study as part of their SSHRC-funded project, “Interrogating Canadian Identities.” The research explores how Canadians define their identity, values, and lived experiences in this country.
If you’re interested in reflecting on and sharing your experiences in a focus group discussion, this is a great opportunity to contribute to meaningful academic research on contemporary Canadian life.
🧠 Topics include:
Your personal views on Canadian identity
How your background and beliefs shape your experience
Let your voice be part of the national conversation.
English Speaking Members Connect Group
Connect, Reflect, Belong: Weekly Conversations for English-Speaking Members
📅 Every Thursdays 🕖 6:00–7:00 PM ET | 3:00–4:00 PM PT
Looking for a space to connect with fellow Humanist Canada members? Join our weekly virtual Members Connect Group, where members from across the country gather to share experiences, spark ideas, and engage in meaningful conversations.
Led by members, for members, these relaxed sessions offer a chance to explore questions that matter—whether you're curious about the role of Humanism in daily life or just want to meet like-minded people in a supportive environment.
🗣️ Topics we may explore together:
What place do ritual and ceremony have in a humanist worldview?
How can we amplify diverse perspectives within our community?
What brought you to identify with Humanism?
Whether you're just discovering Humanism or have been walking this path for years, your voice and presence are welcome. Let’s shape the future of Humanist Canada—one conversation at a time.
Humanism from the Heart by Steve Ghikadis is a heartfelt collection of personal anecdotes, humorous reflections, and insightful essays that highlight the author’s journey from cultural Christianity to embracing humanism—a worldview grounded in compassion, empathy, and reason.
With raw vulnerability, Steve shares his struggles navigating religious misunderstandings in his marriage, rebuilding trust, and learning to rebuild the bridges he burned along the way.
The book features a foreword by Anthony Magnabosco, a prominent advocate of Street Epistemology—a conversational method that the author credits with transforming his interpersonal relationships and refining how he engages in discussions about belief.
Ultimately, Humanism from the Heart invites readers to reflect on their shared humanity, celebrate diversity in beliefs, and seek common ground across divides.
Do You Want to Host a Local Gathering?
Plan a dinner at a public restaurant, art gallery tour, pub night, any event which interests you.
Local member gatherings are informal meetings of humanists - a simple idea with big results.
Liking What You See?
Let’s make it official.
For just $50 a year, you can become a Humanist Canada member and unlock all the events, perks, and warm fuzzy feelings of supporting humanist values across the country.
Keep track of all our upcoming events and meeting times in one convenient place. There’s always something exciting happening—be sure to stay in the loop!
We value your membership, volunteer efforts, and financial support. Together, we’re fostering a vibrant community, advancing Humanist values, and creating meaningful change.
If you’d like to make an impact, consider making a donation today. Your support helps us sustain our programs, expand our reach, and grow our shared vision for a better future.
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