Sunday Assembly Chicago

The former head of Sunday Assembly in Chicago started a new podcast, "Beltway Science"! It features PhD scientists who work in the federal government talking about public policy. Check them out!

https://itunes.apple.com/is/podcast/beltway-science/id1443701756?mt=2
https://facebook.com/BeltwayScience
https://twitter.com/BeltwayScience

Beltway Science by Scientists talking policy on Apple Podcasts Download past episodes or subscribe to future episodes of Beltway Science by Scientists talking policy for free.

One of our members works with the Ethical Humanist Society, and has welcomed us to a great event. Use the coupon code ASSEMBLY2.O for a special deal...

http://ethicalhumanistsociety.org/lagunitas/

With the code, tickets are $15 for food and the entertainment. Beers are $5 and proceeds go to the Ethical Humanist Society.

Ethical Drinking

Don't know what to do for Darwin Day. The Ethical Humanist Society and the Unitarian Church of Dupage is having a performance on evolution in Naperville, IL at 7:30 pm

DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church
1828 Old Naperville Rd, Naperville IL

Remember Darwin Day is next week. Feb 13!

Darkmatter 2525 is the best.

Teach the Controversy I believe that the human race is currently going through growing pains. The bible was written by a bygone culture, and we are having trouble letting go of it...

Stephen explains how Star Wars is actually just a scifi version of the Nativity

The Vatican Isn't Feeling The Force - Video Dailymotion The Vatican newspaper's review of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" is going to drag its Tomatometer rating way down.

Fermilab has an interesting Lecture Series topic this Friday called "The Brain Scoop: Communicating Science through museums and Youtube." A youtube series that was started by Emily Graslie and Hank Green.

The event will cost about seven dollars to get in and will start around 8 pm.

Should be fun but it's all the way in Batavia, IL

If you would like to know about the lecture series in question, just go to their website.

The Dark Universe and 5 things I wish were true about global climate change coming up in 3 to 4 months look really interesting.


http://www.fnal.gov/culture/NewArts/Lectures/15-16/lecture.shtml

Fermilab Cultural Events in Chicago's Far West Side Fermilab offers a public lecture series on a wide range of topics presented by experts in their respective fields. Lectures cost $7 and are usually on Friday evenings beginning at 8 p.m. in Ramsey Auditorium. Lectures are general admission seating, and frequently sell out. Be sure to get updates on…

We've been getting a lot of messages about our status, so here's an overview:

1. Is Sunday Assembly Chicago still a thing?

Not right now, but it could be again. Sunday Assembly Chicago ran monthly assemblies and occasional other events from December 2013 to April 2015. We had a great time. However, people are busy, and running such an organization as a volunteer with little money is taxing. We relied on 2-3 dedicated producers to run the group for over a year, but predictably, they got burned out because life and unreliable volunteers, and there was no one to take their place.

2. What would it take to get Sunday Assembly Chicago up and running again?

Elbow grease and/or money. We need 2-5 dedicated people willing to put in a few hours a week and one whole day per month to managing volunteers, the venue, social media, finances, programming, equipment, etc. They need to work as a team.

We (Ben and Jenn Zalisko) were the last executive producers of the group, and we can set you up with the sound equipment, a little left over money, email list, social media passwords, and accumulated wisdom you’ll need to run the group. Convince them that you’ve got the people and dedication to restart Sunday Assembly Chicago, and we’ll help you get it done. We may even be able to get the old house band back together.

We also need a venue. Previously, we have met at the Murphy Elementary School auditorium and the Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center. Venues aren’t cheap, and the cheapest ones are often unreliable. If you can find someone willing to donate their space, it would make your life so much easier.

Speaking of which, if you’re interested in being a benefactor of Sunday Assembly Chicago, providing a venue or some jingle to cover one, you might be able to coax Ben and Jenn out of retirement. ;)

3. Well that sucks. Are there any alternatives to Sunday Assembly Chicago?

Sure! If you’re looking for a secular community, you can check out the following organizations:

1. Ethical Humanist Society
2. Chicago Skeptics
3. Secular Student Alliance chapters (If you’re a student)
4. Kol Hadash (Jewish Humanism)
5. Black Nonbelievers of Chicago
6. Chicago Latino Atheists
7. Chicago Coalition of Reason
8. Freedom from Religion Foundation, Chicago chapter

Unitarianism isn’t for everyone in the Sunday Assembly crowd, but there is a bit of overlap. Chicago features a number of Unitarian congregations, and you may feel at home in one of those churches.

In the meantime…
- Join our facebook group
- Like our page
- Email us at [email protected] to get on the email list
- Add Ben Zalisko on facebook
… and we’ll make sure you’re informed if Sunday Assembly Chicago, or something like it, gets back up and running again.

An interesting article by Lawrence Krauss. You may know him from such works as: "The Physics of Star Trek" and "A Universe from nothing"

All Scientist should be militant atheist. Besides the 'No-True Scotsman fallacy' statement. It's an interesting article.

http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/all-scientists-should-be-militant-atheists

All Scientists Should Be Militant Atheists - The New Yorker Scientists are often reluctant to disagree with religious ideas. The Kim Davis controversy shows why they shouldn't be.

Wizard World starts today. Anybody going?

New Board members for Sunday Assembly!

Mo Ferdman
Yvonne Beckham
Jeremy Harrison

They take over from the old board members in the fall. Hope to see you all in the Fall.

The Chicago Science Fest starts tonight, so get your tickets ASAP!

Tonight (Thursday, May 28) features some amazing speakers, including Bill Foster, the only scientist in Congress. It begins at 6:30pm at the Chase Auditorium, 10 S. Dearborn St.

Executive Director Monica Metzler has invited Sunday Assembly Chicago members to use her promo code: MonicaMetzler2600

Flier: http://www.illinoisscience.org/event/chicago-science-festival/
Tickets: http://www.illinoisscience.org/event/chicago-science-festival/
Illinois Science Council: https://www.facebook.com/illinoissciencecouncil

Illinois Science Council - Chicago Science Fest In 585 B.C., the Greek philosopher Thales of Miletus correctly predicted a solar eclipse. (Stay with us here.) His rigorous thinking and advocacy that phenomena are due to natural causes, rather than angry gods, made Thales incredibly influential and dubbed the “father of science.” The day of the ec…

Didn't get enough of our "Not a Church Band" at today's assembly? Check them out at Reggie's Monday night! They'll be the second of four bands, playing at about 7:30pm.

https://www.facebook.com/events/820209814710962/