President's Full Message 

Hello, Humanists!

Well, the weather has certainly made it clear that summer is over, and autumn is here. I’ve enjoyed the change, and all the rain. I hope you have all kept safe and dry.

Paul Babb and I kicked off September with a trip to Alamogordo to participate in a Suicide Prevention Awareness walk organized by members of our sister group, Otero Humanist Community, in particular Spencer Bond and Nani Lawrence (president of the Otero Humanists). The event included many people whose lives have been affected by suicide. Alamogordo Mayor Sharon McDonald read a proclamation commemorating the event. It was heartening for me to see so many people expressing the empathy and compassion that is core to our humanist values.

Thanks to everyone who welcomed both outside speakers in September, and thanks for your flexibility as we tried some new things. Bob Jensen provided some food for thought as he discussed his new book This I Don’t Believe, and shared some of his life as an author and journalist. I am looking forward to reading the book. Candace Gorham’s presentation about religion in the Black Community was enlightening and encouraging. I am taking to heart Candace’s point that we as humanists need to consider how we can offer people who are leaving their religious roots the kind of supportive communities they once found in their churches.

One of the things I took away from both our speakers this month is that the real basis for positive change is community. People everywhere are facing truly unprecedented challenges as the old ways of doing things fail to meet the needs of the world we live in today. I am convinced that the only way we’ll be able to get through these times to a better world is to ground our choices and policies on the well-being of all people, rather than the continued enrichment of a few. I don’t think this kind of change is possible unless it comes out of real communities of people who care more about making everyone’s lives better than accumulating power and wealth for themselves.

I believe that, as Fish Stark pointed out to us last year, there are a lot of people in Albuquerque, and across New Mexico who are humanists, and don’t know it. We’re looking for ways to reach out to them, to include them in our community. JayDe Donelly, chair of the Outreach Committee, has identified an opportunity for us to do just that on Sunday, October 18! The City of Albuquerque is hosting an “open streets” fair, and we’ll have a booth there to let people know who we are. I’ll be there, and I hope to see you there too.

And don’t forget that the Annual Members’ Meeting is Saturday, October 17. As you can see below, the Nominating Committee found an excellent slate of candidates to serve for the next two years (at least!). Please plan to attend.

As always, feel free to reach out with any questions, concerns, comments, etc. And remember to check the website - HumanistsNM.org - to keep up with what we’re doing.

See you all soon!

Pete Dickinson, President