“NC Medicaid: Issues and Options – A discussion” by Lindsey Prather and Brian Turner

Friends Meeting House 227 Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC

NC Representatives Lindsey and Brian will review the process of how NC expanded Medicaid, the impact the OBBBA Medicaid cuts will likely have on our state and the issues and options as the NC legislature seeks to balance competing objectives. We may not know the full extent of the cuts to those who rely on Medicaid, nor the impact on rural hospitals, utilization and rate increases, nor the legislative options with enough support for passage. Nevertheless, the conversation will be a valuable exploration and discussion for participants and presenters alike.

AEU 110th Assembly

Philadelphia Ethical Society 1906 South Rittenhouse Sq, Philadelphia, PA

* * July 25 to 27 * * “Creating Communities for an Ethical Future” is this year’s theme. We hope you are inspired to bring members, friends, family, and neighbors to a place where we can register our needs for ethical practices in our public and private lives. All fees include food and beverages served at the Philadelphia Ethical Society.

“The Exvangelicals” by Sarah McCammon

Zoom

The Exvangelicals is the story of a rising generation of the children of evangelicalism, including Sarah herself, who are growing up and fleeing the fold, who are thinking for themselves and deconstructing what feel like the “alternative facts” of their childhood. Part memoir, part investigative journalism, Sarah describes the post-evangelical movement: identifying its origins, telling the stories of its members, and examining its vast cultural, social, and political impact.

American Ethical Union All-Societies Platform: “Labor Power Can Beat Fascism” by Hamilton Nolan

Zoom

This Labor Day, the outlook for organized labor power in America is grim. Already, the Trump administration has decimated the federal work force, torn up union contracts, broken our system of labor law enforcement, and pushed us down the road to fascism and oligarchy. Despite all that, however, one fundamental, structural truth has not changed: Labor power is still one of the only things that can pull us back from this precipice. What would that look like? Let’s talk about it.

“The Architecture of Life: TAOLISM” by Joe Simonetta

Friends Meeting House 227 Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC

Taolism is an ethical framework rooted in science, reason, sustainability and action. It serves as a path for both personal well-being and collective sustainability, offering a practical approach to a healthier, more ethical, and environmentally responsible world.

“Housing is a Human Right” by Jessie Figueroa and Abby Nelson

Friends Meeting House 227 Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC

Housing First - Getting and keeping people housed is the first step to ending homelessness. In 2024, Permanent Supportive Housing programs from Homeward Bound had a 96.5% retention rate of individuals not returning to homelessness and taking steps to rebuild their lives as neighbors in our community. 

“Becoming Compassionate Participants in our World—deepening self-awareness” by Sandra Smith

Friends Meeting House 227 Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC

Sandra will give focus to the nuance between being “present” and being in “presence” and the role receptivity plays in the quality of our lives. Sandra will reference teachings from her recent book The Enneagram Map to Your Deeper Self: Living Beyond Your Type (2024) and invite participants to engage in some simple practices from this book.

Winter Festival

Cloisters Clubhouse 2700 St. Augustine PL., Asheville, NC

Holiday Gathering! Bring a beverage and a light bite to share!

Location is Cloisters Clubhouse 4302 Angelus Circle, Asheville (Not Friends Meeting House)

Presentation TBA

Friends Meeting House 227 Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC

Presentation TBA