Ethical Society of St. Louis

06/09/2026

👇👇👇

June 7, 2026
“It’s hard to overstate the impact of “60 Minutes” on journalism. It’s the most-watched television-news program in America. Since its debut on CBS in 1968, it’s been the home of some of the most-storied broadcast journalists, from Mike Wallace and Ed Bradley to Lesley Stahl, Anderson Cooper and, until this past week, Scott Pelley.

Pelley, who was at the network for 37 years, including as White House correspondent, anchor of the “CBS Evening News” and “60 Minutes” correspondent, was fired after an explosive series of events and much turmoil over the past few years at CBS. These events include a controversial financial settlement with President Trump over a “60 Minutes” segment; the sale of the network to David Ellison; and the appointment of Bari Weiss, a former New York Times Opinion staffer and founder of The Free Press with no television-news experience, to lead CBS News.

Pelley’s firing came after Weiss dismissed several of his colleagues and hired a new “60 Minutes” boss, Nick Bilton, whom Pelley then clashed with in a staff meeting. Pelley, along with a number of other “60 Minutes” correspondents who were fired, have now accused Weiss of editorial interference and bias, charges that CBS News and Weiss deny.”

06/07/2026

06/07/2026

"Ain't gonna let nobody turn me around."

Leader candidate Rev. Dr. Jé Exodus Hooper, Ph.D. joined clergy and community members in a public witness for human dignity and solidarity with detainees hunger striking over unconscionable conditions at Delaney Hall.

Jé often speaks about courage, curiosity, growth, and joyful resistance. This clip offers a glimpse of those values in action.

We look forward to continuing to learn, listen, and engage with them as part of the Ethical Society of St. Louis Leader hiring process. 👏

06/05/2026

The strength of a diverse society is not measured by how well it serves the majority. It is measured by whether every person can find recognition, support, and belonging.

Recent reports indicate that the Department of Defense has reduced its list of recognized faith and belief categories from more than 200 to 31, removing Humanists, Unitarian Universalists, Pagans, Atheists, and many other minority traditions from the coding system used to identify service members’ religious and philosophical affiliations.

Ethical Humanism teaches that every person has worth and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

A society committed to human dignity makes room for people of many beliefs, people of no religious belief, and those whose convictions do not fit neatly into the majority.

Every person deserves to be seen and supported.

06/02/2026

The Leader Search Task Force and the Board of Trustees are extraordinarily pleased to announce the Ethical Society of St. Louis Leader candidate: Rev. Jé Exodus Hooper, PhD (them/they). 👏👏👏

Dr. Hooper is an Ethical Culture clergy Leader, arts and cultural community curator, and public theologian who serves the Ethical Culture Movement, Unitarian Universalists, and other congregational Humanist spaces. Their Leadership spans across the country ranging from Riverdale Yonkers Society for Ethical Culture to First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis amidst the tenure of Rev. Dr. David Breeden.

Dr. Hooper refers to their practice of Humanism as ‘neo-mannerism,’ saying, “aesthetic and ethics are one.” Their posture of joyful resistance does not shy away from discomfort, dysfunction, and disorder, and they dare their audience to, in the words of James Baldwin, “take off the mask” and to live with courage, curiosity, and growth so that others may find a home in their humanity. Their portfolio is concentrated on subject matters such as polyamory, trans and non-binary q***r identities and possibilities, race, art, and organizational development.

When time and distance permit, Dr. Hooper enjoys spending quality time with their life companion, Maij Vu Mai (they/them), a MFA candidate for Creative Writing and Publishing Art at University of Baltimore. The two of them care for their fur babies, Xerxes and Lorde. In addition, Dr. Hooper carries the love and support of their mother (Mama Hooper) and late father into this venture.

The membership will have several opportunities to connect with Dr. Hooper, and more details will be shared once they are finalized.

For now, please mark your calendar for Sunday, June 28:
• A Platform presentation with Dr. Hooper
• Followed immediately by a Special Membership Meeting

At this Special Membership meeting, members will vote on whether to hire Rev. Jé Exodus Hooper, PhD, as the next Leader of the Ethical Society. All members are highly encouraged to attend.

Also, save the date for the June 21 9:45 Forum. The Board and the Leader Search Task Force will share 2026-2027 Board goals, recap the Leader search process, answer questions from membership, and discuss the Leader visit itinerary for June 24-29.

06/02/2026

Happy Pride from the Ethical Society of St. Louis! 🌈

Pride is a celebration of joy, courage, identity, and community. It is also a reminder that every person deserves dignity, safety, belonging, and the freedom to live openly as themselves.

We affirm the worth of LGBTQIA+ people in all their beautiful diversity. We believe in building communities where love is expansive, justice is shared, and being human together means making room for everyone to flourish.

We’re glad you’re here. ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

05/31/2026

Comfortable silence has never changed the world. Moral clarity asks us to pay attention, speak honestly, and stand on the side of human dignity.

05/28/2026

Accurate s*x education is a human right. 👏👏👏

Young people deserve honest, age-appropriate information that helps them understand their bodies, respect boundaries, build healthy relationships, and make informed choices. Shame and silence don’t keep anyone safe. Education does.

Most parents are in favor of kids getting s*x ed in school. But politicians, who want to force their personal beliefs on everyone, are deciding what kids learn — and don't learn — about their bodies, health, and relationships.

Young people deserve the high quality, s*x education they need to live long, healthy lives, and make informed decisions.