DC Secular Solstice

Hi everyone,

You’re invited to our Secular Solstice on Saturday, December 17, 2022 from 3:30pm-6pm.

Doors open at 3:30pm for socializing; the ritual will begin at 4pm.

The Solstice will be at the Langley Hill Quaker Meetinghouse, 6410 Old Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA, 22101.

Due to restrictions from our venue, COVID19 vaccination (full series PLUS one booster) is required for this event for all adult attendees. Do not come if you are not vaccinated. The venue also asks that you not come if you are feeling sick, or if you have tested positive for COVID in the past 10 days.

What is Secular Solstice?

Secular Solstice is a celebration of human progress in a cold universe. During the program, we sing together, read speeches, and light candles against the darkness. Celebrating Solstice helps us affirm our shared beliefs—that the universe doesn’t care about us—and our shared values—that truth matters, that it’s worth working to make tomorrow brighter. And if you disagree with some or all of that, great: honoring disagreement is important to us, too. Come to meet new people, to motivate yourself to a personal quest, to build community, or just to listen to some great aspiring-rationalist folk music.

Transport

The Solstice venue is not transit-accessible, so we’ve made a carpool spreadsheet to help coordinate: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1u_Uum0grIGhEZO-jxVjjNBrxtr_1sEmiZFlCSRz8tXE/edit?usp=sharing

Please add yourself to the spreadsheet if you need a ride or can provide rides to others.

Kids

Kids are welcome and encouraged to come to Solstice! We will have a separate space for childcare. Kids who are 1) mature enough for the more serious material in Solstice and 2) able to sit through the ritual without disturbing others may stay for the entire time if they would like. Other kids are welcome to stay for the beginning and ending portion; we ask that they go to the separate childcare space during the serious part. We plan to have paid childcare available for attendees. Please email me, Maia (mwerbos@gmail.com) by 11/20 if you plan to bring kids so that we can make sure to have enough coverage.

Afterparty

There will be an afterparty with dinner and socializing at a separate location. It will be held in the party room of 1600 N Oak St, Arlington, VA. Please contact Rivka (bookinchwrm@gmail.com) or Jason (jasongreenlowe@gmail.com) if you need more details ahead of time.

Participation

We’re still looking for a few people to help read speeches and do a few other small tasks like greeting people, stepping out to let the kid room know we’re ready for them, etc. Let us know if you’re up for helping with any of those.

Email Maia (mwerbos@gmail.com) or Rivka (bookinchwrm@gmail.com) if you have any questions.

We’re looking forward to seeing you there!

Maia and Rivka