DEED

"Deed above Creed" 

This is a favorite adage of Ethical Culture, pointing toward our engagement in social justice action on Earth, rather than involving ourselves in belief systems or dogma. DEED emerges as word of great value for Ethicalists, and for good reason. Much history of human progress has come from the good deeds of human beings, no doubt. Not all good intentions have had positive impacts, however we humble ourselves to learn. Mitigating this awareness of harm done historically in the name of good deeds, we may see the need for grounding deed-life in humility, deep listening, awareness practices and evaluative wonder -- sometimes even stillness.  Since the Covid 19 Pandemic, and with the wise council of Dr. Nori Rost and Coming of Age coach Sarah Tielemans, we have deepened our Youth programming to prioritize what we embrace as THE DEED OF BEING & BECOMING. 

The DEED of BEING refers to a rooting process for participants to gain strong somatic and cognitive grounding skills and insights, from which they may more mindfully put their actions into the world. 

The DEED of BECOMING refers to the process of self care.  It is supported through the offering of a sense of meta-cognition that can help youth understand their body and brain developmentally, as well as helping them guide theirselves and others through life's questions, changes, mysteries and wonders.  The bridge toward metabolizing an overwhelming world is built here, and with reflection and depth of grounding, can lead to... the DEED of DOING.

In the DEED of DOING, youth may identify a passion project to which they would like to contribute their energy and effort. They may identify a concern in the world that arouses their heart and mind, dive deep into understanding the issue through inquiry and research,  and begin to think in solution-oriented ways about it. They may team up with others in their group and their community to gain collaborative strength. Ultimately they can share their path, as an inquiry-guided quest, through presentation. 

 

Forming An Ethical COA Cohort

INVITATION: this is a call for participation in Ethical Coming Of Age processes.  To inquire about Ethical Culture's NYC Coming of Age Programs, contact program director Audrey Kindred at Akindred@NYSEC.org

Ask your Ethical Education Director when a new Coming of Age cohort is forming. 

Program is responsive to community need.

If you are interested, please contact akindred@NYSEC.org

Ethical Coming of Age

Ethical Culture offers a meaningful Coming-of-Age program "beyond belief" -- open to youth -- in recognition of how crucial it is to support, empower, appreciate and nurture the explorations of young people in creating a humane society.

Families of youth and young teens are encouraged and welcomed 

into this community grounded in Ethical Learning.

            Newcomers are welcome. 

                       Explorers are welcome.

                                    Curious families are welcome.

                                           

This program takes place with project-based engagement and culminates in an individual's FINAL PROJECT & a community CELEBRATION.

WHO?    
This program is designed to include diverse young people within their exploratory tween and teen years. We welcome those who seek inner and worldly inquiry, recognizing that the age range may be as wide as 12-16 years

We recognize the deep maturity of some on the younger end of this spectrum, and we also recognize the hopes of some on the older end of this spectrum who may not have had opportunities like this so far in life. That is why the stated range of age is relatively wide.  Determining when your child is ready for this process is not simply based solely on age qualification, but on maturity, desire, and personal need. 

            In recognition of the diversity of NYC families' experiences, we open our group to each family with youth who are seeking support for these transitional years of growth.  Families of all perspectives are welcome, with full respect for home traditions and cultures.

WHAT?
The guiding goal is to provide a safe creative grounding for each individual to blossom within ethical community. With a non-theist anchor of goodness, we will journey as deeply into ourselves as we do, out into the world of ideas and values.  

This program aims to be enjoyable and creative and can include:
    field trips, 
        group workshops,
              leadership development, 

                  journaling workbook
                       DEEDS: doing ethical experiential actions of contribution 
                         

WHERE?

Some Ethical Culture societies around the country have Coming of Age programs. The program at the New York Society For Ethical Culture (NYSEC) is part of a larger historical movement of putting ethics at life's center, represented by American Ethical Union (AEU).  While holding space for diverse belief and non-belief visions that inspire people toward their goodness, we come together to explore and hold as the highest imperative: ethical relationship. In this sense, Ethical Culture is a religion of humanism, of ethical-centeredness, of what we all may strive to grow in one another and thereby ourselves:  GOODNESS on EARTH.

WHY?
In many traditions, the space between childhood and teenage life is marked with a profound learning period and celebrated with a rite of passage. At Ethical Culture, people embrace an ethical path rich with diverse visions and rooted in humane values, we collaboratively create this excursion with young people, mentors, and family members.  

             This is a kind of "hero's journey," (reference to cultural teacher, Joseph Campbell), wherein one's development is intended to transform them, challenging understandings of the world, and strengthening offerings toward the world. 

            We will be using a three-pillar model throughout: Self, Community, World. This can translate to: Feelings, Actions, Vision.

WHEN?
            Our group schedule takes place on weekends, primarily Saturday or Sunday afternoons -- once or twice monthly.  Meetings with mentors are supported, and meeting space can be provided to support mentorships at the meeting house as necessary or requested.  The schedule will be modified with those participating to accommodate the group's commitment to working together.