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Quick Facts
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Philosophy:
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The Ethical Society of St. Louis is an ethics-centered religious community committed to creating a world in which all people choose to live ethically. Members join together to assist each other in developing ethical ideas and ideals, celebrate life's joys and support each other in life's crises, and promote ethics in their communities.
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Founded:
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1886, 10 years after the first Society for Ethical Culture was established in New York City. The Ethical Society of St. Louis is incorporated in the state of Missouri as a charitable, religious, and educational corporation.
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Affiliations:
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Member society of the American Ethical Union (http://www.aeu.org), which comprises 25 Ethical Culture societies and fellowships across the United States. The AEU is a member of the International Humanist and Ethical Union (http://www.iheu.org/), which has groups in 30 nations.
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Membership:
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Over 400 adult members, making the Ethical Society of St. Louis the largest Ethical Culture society in the United States.
Over 80 children ages 2-18 enrolled in the Sunday School, making it one of the largest Ethical Society Sunday Schools in the United States.
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Programs:
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The Society offers a variety of Sunday morning activities emphasizing discussion, education, and community development. Fifty committees work to assist the Board of Trustees, support regular Society programs, and build relationships among members. Personal ceremonies to mark important passages in life, such as wedding and commitment ceremonies, baby-naming ceremonies, and memorial services, are led by the Ethical Society leader and adjunct leaders.
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Education:
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The Ethical Society Sunday School offers a weekly curriculum that fosters ethical values in children ages 2-18 through the study of comparative religion and humanistic traditions. The Society also supports a nursery school for 3-6 year olds from all religious and racial backgrounds. For adults, an ongoing, multigenerational adult education program of courses in four broad areas (Ethical Culture, Living Arts, Personal Development, and Social Action) encourages life-long learning.
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Community Service:
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One of the most active and largest committees at the Society, the Ethical Action Committee (EAC) reflects the wide range of social and political concerns of Society members. Currently 20 subcommittees function under the EAC's umbrella, working with local and national entities such as the Interfaith Alliance (http://www.tialliance.org), the Room at the Inn homeless shelter, the Sierra Club (http://www.sierraclub.org/chapters/mo/), and the Hemlock Society (http://www.hemlock.org).
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Leader:
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Kate Lovelady, since December, 2005.
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Media Contact:
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Cathy Spalding (314/991-0955, ext. 242;
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