What to Expect on Sundays

We welcome visitors to any and all of our Sunday programs. While programs start as early as 8:00 a.m., our main program, Platform, starts at 11:00 a.m. and ends at noon.

Attire

You will see people of all ages and manner of attire from blue jeans and sweat pants to coats and ties. In the summer, there are even a few people who come in shorts. We want you to be comfortable.

Greeters & Ushers

At 10:30 a.m. greeters and ushers will be available upstairs in the foyer. Greeters are also typically available at the doors downstairs on the back of the building. If you require assistance or have any questions, please let these volunteers know.

In the foyer, a greeter will be seated behind the greeters' table to welcome you. There is a visitors' register, which we hope you will sign, and visitor packets to take home, if you choose. Additionally, while you are not obligated to wear a name tag, we encourage you to fill one out. (Most members will be wearing name tags.) Again, we want you to be comfortable.

Platform (Main Service)

Since we are a society of free religious thought, the beliefs of our members are varied and include atheism, agnosticism, deism, theism, and I-don’t-care-ism. Occasionally a member or a visiting speaker or musician may share their personal thoughts about God, but in general we are a non-theistic, Humanist organization that talks and sings about human life and nature. We do not have organized prayer times in our services.

Since your comfort is important to us, we do not wish to force anyone outside their comfort zone. At our smaller pre- and post-Platform activities you may be invited to introduce yourself by the facilitator, but please feel free to decline to speak if you would rather not. At Platform, we invite people to shake hands with their neighbor, but we do not ask newcomers to stand or otherwise identify themselves. We strive to be a welcoming place for introverts and extroverts alike.

A person is welcome to apply for membership in the Ethical Society at any time. We do suggest that you visit us several times before applying to ensure that we are a good fit for you. We hope that repeat visitors will decide to become members so that our community can thrive and grow, but you can come as a visitor as long as you like.

Visitors' Open House & Coffee

After Platform, you are welcome to attend our half-hour Visitors' Open House, where you can meet others and ask questions about the Society. You may also join us downstairs in the Assembly Hall for coffee and socializing. If you want members to welcome you, please take a yellow mug. If you prefer to remain more anonymous, feel free to take a white mug, which members use.

Please Come & Visit

We invite you to experience a welcoming community of Humanists at Ethical Society of St. Louis. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us.

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