Plans are underway to add an additional Sunday morning program at the New York Society. The reasons for this are many. Generally a second gathering allows us to present the Ethical Culture message through new formats and practices that might be attractive to potentially new members who are seeking something different than a traditional Platform. It is not intended to take away from Platform, nor the other programs offered at NYSEC. Rather, in conjunction with Platform this new program will broaden our outreach and further our ethical mission. Clearly then, the style of the second service will be markedly different than Platform. It will utilize drama, more contemporary music, and will have opportunities for all participants to engage in some form of ethical action organized by the group each Sunday.
The themes of the second service, called “Earth Rise” to distinguish it from “Platform,” will revolve around Felix Adler’s notion that “spirituality is awareness of our infinite interrelatedness.” The program will emphasize our connection to nature and to each other, that through conscience choices to affirm both we make our ethics come alive. It will seek to honor that relational way of being by asking participants to live their lives in such a way as to promote all of Life. Our ethical actions will focus on “habitat restoration,” both for humans and for other forms of Life. Most of my day is spent working with communities and government entities on this kind of work. Thus, using my contacts, we hope to create meaningful opportunities for participants to get involved. Programs might include habitat restoration of wetlands, creating green spaces for people in urban neighborhoods, educating ourselves and others on green living, removal of invasive species from area parks to allow native flora and fauna to flourish, and fostering economic justice by partnering with disadvantaged families to create healthier places to live. It is our belief that by engaging to bring forth the Life-affirming qualities within others that ours emerges as well.
The second service will arise organically (no pun intended). Meaning, that we will create Earth Rise not by simply gathering some Sunday and hoping to bring it to life, rather I will be working with groups of people who will each play unique roles in creating a healthy habitat for Earth Rise to flourish. For example, musicians and singers will be brought together who will begin to explore the themes of Earth Rise through contemporary music. But as importantly, this group will mirror our ideal for ethical living by building camaraderie amongst its members. This group will gather not simply to provide music, but to develop into a team that allows the best of each to shine. In a similar fashion all of the various “teams” will constitute the core of Earth Rise’s spirit. As our goal is also to reach out to potential new members, each team will have a mandate to include newcomers reflecting the diversity of our greater community.
