Ethical Humanist Society of Asheville

Colloquy
2026-03-01 14:30 - 16:00, 2026-06-07 14:30 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC
Colloquy in person is back! We will meet from 2:30 to 4:00 PM at the Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Road, Asheville.
Colloquy is an opportunity to explore and reflect on a particular aspect of life in a structured and facilitated small-group setting in a nonjudgmental, confidential atmosphere.
Colloquy was created more than 25 years ago by Arthur Dobrin (now Leader Emeritus of the Ethical Society of Long Island) and brought to Asheville by Joy McConnell, Consulting Leader for the Ethical Humanist Society of Asheville. Colloquy inspires participants to raise awareness of their own views, emotions and values. Guided by a facilitator, participants sit in a circle, listen to a topic read by the leader, and take turns sharing responses – speaking from personal experiences, thoughts and feelings.
Examples of recent topics include: resistance, honesty, friendship, generosity, anger, forgiveness, deep listening, living with intention, perfection, pluralism, renewal, uniqueness, possibility . . .
Visitors are welcome. Come join us!

"Hope, Mindfulness, and Success in the Midst of Political Chaos and Upheaval - A Former FBI Agent’s Perspective" by Ken Wheatley
2026-03-15 14:30 - 16:00 | Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC
“Hope, Mindfulness, and Success in the Midst of Political Chaos and Upheaval – A Former FBI Agent’s Perspective” will be presented by Ken Wheatley at the Sunday, March 15, 2026, meeting of the Ethical Humanist Society of Asheville, 2:30 – 4:00 pm at 227 Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC. Ken will be with us in-person for his presentation and Q&A. There will also be a hybrid Zoom option. All are welcome to attend.
Ken will discuss the ground truth of law enforcement operations, checks and balances, resistance versus protest, and the tools, techniques, and action items for the path forward, drawing on lessons from his time in the military, Federal law enforcement, and international corporate leadership.
Ken Wheatley is a security management consultant and forensic expert witness. Ken’s varied experience includes a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force, FBI Special Agent, Senior Vice President / Chief Security Officer (CSO) with Sony Electronics’ global operations, a social impact CEO, entrepreneur, political volunteer, guest lecturer and interviewed on several radio and TV stations. He currently serves as one of the 14 members of the Senior Advisory Group with the FBI’s Domestic Security Alliance Council (DSAC) and as an Advisor to the FBI’s Threat Resilience Information Sharing Committee (TRISC). Ken lives with his wife Lorraine Kerz in Fairview, Buncombe County, NC.

"How to be Foolproof in Today’s News Environment: Bias, Misinformation, AI – what can you trust?" by Eric Schurenberg
2026-03-29 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
Sunday, March 29 – 11:00 AM ET – All Society Program – Sponsored by the American Ethical Union

“How to be Foolproof in Today’s News Environment: Bias, Misinformation, AI – what can you trust?” will be presented by Eric Schurenberg on Sunday, March 29, 2026 – by Zoom only at 11:00 AM. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link.
Register Here Link to American Ethical Union Announcement
The founder of The Alliance For Trust in Media, veteran journalist and media executive Eric Schurenberg will take you through a crash course in navigating today’s chaotic news environment to uncover information you can trust. He’ll explain the economic reasons that news gets delivered the way it does, the effects of the growing seepage of AI into the information ecosystem, and some quick, non-partisan rules that you can deploy to avoid being misled online.
Eric is the former editor in chief of the publications Inc., Money, CBS MoneyWatch and BNET and the former CEO of Inc. and Fast Company. He’s now a distinguished instructor of journalism at University of Chicago and the host of the podcast In Reality.

"Asheville’s Housing Crisis: Stories, Systems, and Solutions" by Jen Hampton
2026-04-19 14:30 - 16:00 | Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC
“Asheville’s Housing Crisis: Stories, Systems, and Solutions” will be presented by Jen Hampton at the Sunday, April 19, 2026, meeting of the Ethical Humanist Society of Asheville, 2:30 – 4:00 pm at 227 Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC. Jen will be with us in-person for her presentation and Q&A. There will also be a hybrid Zoom option. All are welcome to attend.
Jen’s presentation will explore the lived realities behind Asheville’s housing crisis, and the practical solutions communities can pursue together. Further talk summary in development.
Jen Hampton is a housing and labor organizer in Asheville for the Asheville Area Tenants Union. She is also a co-founder and leader of Asheville Food and Beverage United, advocating for fair wages, safe working conditions, and collective power for service industry workers.
Through organizing, advocacy, and coalition-building, she works to ensure that working people and tenants have a meaningful voice in the systems that shape their lives. She was recognized as one of USA TODAY’s Women of the Year for her community leadership and impact.

"Strategic Nonviolence Action" by Daniel Snyder
2026-05-17 14:30 - 16:00 | Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC
“Strategic Nonviolence Action” will be presented by Daniel O. Snyder at the Sunday, May 17, 2026, meeting of the Ethical Humanist Society of Asheville, 2:30 – 4:00 pm at 227 Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC. Dan will join us in-person for his presentation and Q&A. A hybrid Zoom option will also be available. All are welcome to attend.
At a time of deep political polarization and democratic strain, this talk explores civil resistance as a practical and effective tool for protecting democracy. Dan will examine how power works, why violence often fails, the research behind the “3–4% tipping point” for successful movements and case studies.
Dan Snyder, PhD, is a teacher, spiritual director, and longtime practitioner of strategic nonviolence. Trained in clinical psychology and religion, he holds degrees from Pacifica Graduate Institute, Boston University School of Theology, Earlham School of Religion, and Guilford College. Over four decades, Dan has worked as a pastoral counselor, educator, and peace studies teacher, including faculty service at Pendle Hill, the Quaker center for study and contemplation.
His work integrates theology, depth psychology, and the nonviolent traditions of Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Gene Sharp to help communities cultivate both inner resilience and effective democratic action.

Annual Meeting
2026-06-21 14:30 - 16:00 | Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC
The Annual Meeting of the Ethical Humanist Society of Asheville will take place on Sunday, June 21, 2026, 2:30 – 4:00 PM at 227 Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC. A potluck meal will follow the meeting. All are welcome to attend (only members may vote).
An agenda will be available in advance of the meeting.
Board members will be elected. If you wish to serve as a member of the EHSAsheville Board, please let any current board member know.

"A Glimpse into the National Ethical Service and Our Ethical Imperative to Stand Up for Children’s Rights” by Audrey Kindred
2026-07-05 11:00 - 12:15 | Zoom
In lieu of Colloquy, we will join the New York Society for Ethical Culture for a program on “A Glimpse into the National Ethical Service and Our Ethical Imperative to Stand Up for Children’s Rights” presented online only by Audrey Kindred. Sunday July 5 | 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM. All are welcome.
RSVP to Join on Zoom
Audrey Kindred introduces us to the work of the National Ethical Service, the AEU’s mission to the United Nations, and its work on children’s rights.
Audrey Kindred is a well-known intergenerational educator, lifelong artist, and activist.

Ethical Culture: Kindred has been an educator for the Ethical Culture movement for over 20 years. She serves as the Youth and Family Programs Coordinator / Director of Ethics for Children for the New York Society for Ethical Culture.
Mindful Movement & Wellness: Holding a master’s degree in Educational Curriculum and Instruction, she has integrated dance, movement, and yoga into public schools and alternative education environments like the Brooklyn Waldorf School.
Climate Justice Education: She developed an embodied eco-arts curriculum called “Humanitree,” which uses metaphoric, scientific, and artistic engagement with nature to grow climate-conscious citizens.
Publications & Ceremonies: She co-authored a course called “Humanist Family Life Ceremonies” with Ethical Leader Emeritus Dr. Anne Klaeysen, published by the American Humanist Association’s Center for Education.

“Levers of Change: Humanist Policy, Politics, and Advocacy in the Time of Christian Nationalism” by Rachel Deitch
2026-07-19 14:30 - 16:00 | Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC
“Levers of Change: Humanist Policy, Politics, and Advocacy in the Time of Christian Nationalism” will be presented by Rachel Deitch at the Sunday, July 19, 2026, meeting of the Ethical Humanist Society of Asheville. The program will take place from 2:30–4:00 pm at 227 Edgewood Road, Asheville, NC. Rachel will join live via Zoom from Washington, DC, and will be featured on a large screen. Attendees are invited to gather in person at our regular meeting location. All are welcome.

Active engagement in the political landscape is essential for individuals and organizations committed to strengthening their communities. As an organization dedicated to creating a more just and humane world, the Ethical Humanist Society of Asheville recognizes both the importance—and the responsibility—of civic participation.
In this program, Rachel will lead a discussion on how humanists can effectively engage in the political and electoral process. While nonprofits operate within certain legal limitations, there remains a wide range of permissible activities—including advocacy, education, and public engagement—that can meaningfully influence issues of shared concern.
Rachel will also introduce the work of the Center for Freethought Equality, including its mission, how it collaborates with local organizations, and ways individuals and groups can become more informed and engaged. The program will offer attendees an opportunity to better understand how national and local efforts can align to advance shared values.
Rachel Deitch is the Policy and Political Director at the Center for Freethought Equality (CFE) and the American Humanist Association (AHA). She oversees the organizations’ work to create a more humanist world through public policy, as well as CFE’s political program to increase humanist representation and influence at all levels of government.
Rachel is a seasoned strategist, advocate, policy wonk, and coalition builder. Most recently, she served as Director of Federal Policy at the National Coalition of STD Directors, where she founded and co-chaired a coalition of 65 national public health, sexual health, and LGBTQ organizations during the mpox public health emergency, bridging the gap between advocates and the White House. And prior to that, she worked at the AHA and CFE as Director of Policy and Social Justice.
Rachel holds a Master of Theological Studies in Religion, Politics, and Ethics from Harvard Divinity School and a BA in Religious Studies from Occidental College. She resides in Washington, DC., serves on the board of her local Planned Parenthood, and enjoys being an active Humanist celebrant.

“Niconda Forever” – Inspiration from Her Forthcoming Book - by Niconda Garcia
2026-08-16 14:30 - 16:00 | Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC
“Niconda Forever” – Inspiration from Her Forthcoming Book. Author, community advocate, and leadership consultant, Niconda Garcia will present “Niconda Forever” – Inspiration from Her Forthcoming Book at the Sunday, August 16, 2026, meeting of the Ethical Humanist Society of Asheville. The program will take place from 2:30–4:00 pm at 227 Edgewood Road, Asheville, NC. Niconda will present in person. We hope you will attend in person, although a Zoom option will also be available. All are welcome.
Asheville native, Niconda Garcia, brings her story to the pages of Niconda Forever, which follows one woman’s journey to embrace her authentic self and inspire others to do the same. Through reflections on her personal life – like growing up in public housing in the Mountain South and a literal trial of teen love – Niconda shares an intimate portrait of her survival as a young Black woman in Asheville. This collection of stories from a lifetime of building community, practicing radical self-love, advocating for her children, and speaking truth to power in the boardrooms of area institutions and nonprofits does more than simply reflect – it charts a path for others to follow in fighting oppression, confronting injustice and creating meaningful change.
With more than 20 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit, government, and healthcare sectors, Niconda Garcia helps individuals and organizations reimagine leadership, challenge systemic barriers, and build stronger, more equitable communities. Her work is grounded in the lived experience of growing up in under-resourced neighborhoods, advocating for children, working within the criminal justice and nonprofit systems, and helping others find their own voices for positive change.

AEU All-Societies Platform with Kai Bird: 'American Scoundrel: Roy Cohn’s Dark Journey from Joe McCarthy to Donald Trump'
2026-08-30 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom
Kai Bird, the Pulitzer Prize–winning coauthor of American Prometheus, inspiration for the Oscar-winning sensation Oppenheimer, will tell about his new book, American Scoundrel, a biography of Roy Cohn— the mastermind behind the current arc of American political life, including the ascent of Donald Trump. The AEU All-Societies Platform is free to attend or stream. All virtual participants must register to receive the Zoom link.

“2026 Buncombe County Bond Referendum” – Panel Discussion in formation
2026-09-20 14:30 - 16:00 | Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC
In November 2026, voters in Buncombe County will have the opportunity to decide on two bonds: open space and housing. Should voters approve, the two bonds will support conservation purposes, including the protection of natural resources, preservation of farms and scenic landscapes, and the repair and development of parks, greenways, trails, and other outdoor recreational opportunities and increase the number of housing units in Buncombe County for people of low to moderate income.
Open Space Bond – $30 million
If approved, the average annual cost to the current median homeowner in Buncombe County would be $18.
Conservation Easements Vision
Develop a connected, resilient, and open space system that protects the region’s natural resources, supports working lands, enhances community well-being, and provides access to nature where compatible with conservation.
Public Open Space Vision
Provide a high-quality, inclusive, and resilient parks and recreation system that delivers safe, accessible, and well-maintained facilities, diverse programming, and meaningful experiences that enhance community health, connection, and quality of life for all residents.
Greenways and Trails Vision
Develop a resilient and interconnected greenway and trail system that links people to communities, nature, and recreation while enhancing accessibility, protecting natural resources, and supporting long-term health, sustainability and quality of life for all.
Housing Bond – $40 million
If approved, the average annual cost to the current median homeowner in Buncombe County would be $25.
Vision
Encourage a diversity of housing as a foundation for affordable, healthy, and thriving communities, particularly for the most vulnerable residents.

Presentation TBA
2026-10-18 14:30 - 16:00 | Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC

"How to Live a Life of Great Value" by Jim Stokely & Lynn Brailsford
2026-11-15 14:30 - 16:00 | Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC
“How to Live a Life of Great Value” will be presented by Jim Stokely and Lynn Brailsford at the Sunday, November 15, 2026, meeting of the Ethical Humanist Society of Asheville, 2:30 – 4:00 pm at 227 Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC. Jim and Lynn will join us in-person for his presentation and Q&A. A hybrid Zoom option will also be available. All are welcome to attend.
