Humanist Society of Gainesville

Members and Friends,

     Our regular monthly meeting at the facilities of the UU Fellowship, 4225 NW 34th Street, will be Wednesday, October 17, at 7p.m. One of our members, Jim Nail, will be presenting a program on the First Amendment of our Constitution. This amendment which gives us freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion is particularly important to us as secular humanists. As usual, there will be plenty of opportunity for discussion.

     Don’t forget that, as usual at our monthly meetings, we will be collecting food, cash, and checks to continue our support of the Food4Kids Backpack Program. This program, operating in many schools in Alachua County, sends food home in backpacks on the weekend for needy families. We started out contributing non-perishable food items only. However, when a representative from that group came and spoke to us she told us that their group also purchases food items at wholesale prices for use in the program. This should mean that there would be more “bang for the buck” if we contribute the money we would otherwise spend buying food at retail prices and donating that food. Contributing money may be the most efficient way to go. So do what suits you best, everything is appreciated and will be put to good use.

Jim Sullivan, President Humanist Society of Gainesville

Members and Friends of Humanist Society of Gainesville,

Please note the information below concerning our sponsorship of a dinner and a movie at the Civic Media Center Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at 7:00. This will be in addition to our regular meeting Wednesday October 17 at the UU Fellowship.

Jim Sullivan, President, Humanist Society of Gainesville

The Humanist Society of Gainesville Hosts a Potluck and a screening of “Agora”
WHEN: Tuesday, October 9th at 7:00pm
WHERE: Civic Media Center, 433 S. Main St.
COST: $3-5 suggested donation to the CMC for use of their facilities

     The Humanist Society of Gainesville Hosts a Potluck and a screening of “Agora” on Tuesday, October 9th at 7:00pm at the CMC Winner of 7 Goya Awards (Spain’s equivalent of the Oscar), “Agora” is a breathtaking, English language historical drama directed and co-written by Academy Award-winner Alejandro Amenábar (The Sea Inside). The film is set in ancient Egypt under Roman rule, where violent religious upheaval in the streets of Alexandria spills over into the city’s famous Library. Trapped inside its walls, the brilliant and beautiful astronomer Hypatia (Rachel Weisz, The Constant Gardener) and her disciples fight to save the wisdom of the Ancient World. Among these disciples are two men competing for her heart: the witty, privileged Orestes (Oscar Isaac) and Davus (Max Minghella), Hypatia’s young slave, who is torn between his secret love for her and the freedom he knows can be his if he chooses to join the unstoppable surge of the Christians. (www.landmarktheatres.com/letters/agora.htm)

Runtime- 127 minutes Attendees are strongly encouraged to bring a dish or drink to share for the potluck.