Photographer: NASA/Brandon Hancock
🌒 After 50 Years, Humanity Heads Moonward Again
More than half a century has passed since humans last travelled beyond low-Earth orbit. Since Apollo 17 left the Moon in 1972, generations have grown up knowing lunar missions as history, not lived experience. That long pause makes NASA’s Artemis II launch feel different. This isn’t just another rocket on a pad — it’s the first crewed journey back to the Moon in over 50 years, and a clear signal that deep-space exploration is no longer a memory, but a renewed commitment.
This mission also reflects how much the world has changed. Artemis II’s crew is more diverse than any lunar mission before it, and for us Canadians, there’s a special reason to pay attention: a Canadian astronaut will be on board. Canada isn’t just along for the ride. From the Canadarm that helped build the International Space Station to Canadarm3, which will play a critical role in the Lunar Gateway, Canadian science and engineering have been shaping space exploration for decades. As Artemis lifts off, it carries not only astronauts, but a reminder that curiosity, cooperation, and shared effort still push humanity forward — together.
Written with the help of ChatGPT
Life Without Religion – Online
Thursday, February 5
First Thursday of every month at 7:00 pm MST
Live Without Religion (LWR) is a peer support group for people whose lives have been negatively impacted by religion. Nearly anyone who has left a fundamentalist or high-control religion can tell you that it leaves not only scars but sometimes open wounds. Nothing helps with the healing better than sharing your experience and discussing how to heal with others who have had a similar experience. That mutual support is what we find in LWR meetings. If you want to learn more about LWR, contact Lois at loislwr@gmail.com.
Coffee Chat Online
Monday, February 9
Second Monday of every month at 1:00 pm MST
Our Coffee Chat is an enjoyable, unstructured afternoon conversation. Anyone can introduce an idea or ask a question, and the group will jump in and discuss it. You never know where the conversation will go, but it is always interesting and sometimes even educational. Join us and add your two cents’ worth.
Go to our Meetup page to register and get the Zoom link.
Thriving Without Religion:
A Public Gathering
Thursday, February 9
Second Monday of every month at 7:00 pm MST
We are proud to present Thriving Without Religion, an in-person gathering designed to help you navigate life after faith and build a meaningful, joyful existence rooted in reason and community.
This month’s topic is Humanism.
Congress Coffee Company, 215 36 Ave NE, 1A · Calgary, AB
The coffee shop is closed to the public, it will only be us in the room!
Please note – we will not be screening attendees, so use caution if you are not “out” as a non-believer.
You can register on our Meetup Page to get updates.
Book Club
Thursday, February 12
Second Thursday of every month at 7:00 pm MST
This month, the Book Club will be discussing the book The Certainty Illusion: What You Don’t Know and Why It Matters by Timothy Caulfield.
Head over to our Meetup page to register and get the Zoom link.
Life Without Religion – Online
Tuesday, February 17
Third Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm MST
Live Without Religion (LWR) is a peer support group for people whose lives have been negatively impacted by religion. Nearly anyone who has left a fundamentalist or high-control religion can tell you that it leaves not only scars but sometimes open wounds. Nothing helps with the healing better than sharing your experience and discussing how to heal with others who have had a similar experience. That mutual support is what we find in LWR meetings. If you want to learn more about LWR, contact Lois at loislwr@gmail.com.
Skeptics in the Pub
Friday, February 20
Third Friday of the month at 7:00 pm MST
Come to the pub, meet like-minded people and have thought-provoking discussions, along with a drink and some food.
This month’s topic is Secular and cross-cultural understandings of death.
NEW LOCATION: Limericks Traditional Public House, 7304 Macleod Trail SE · Calgary, AB
Look for the RMA banner or ask the host where we are sitting!
You can register on our Meetup Page to get updates.
Movie Night
Monday, February 23
Fourth Monday of every month at 7:00 pm MDT
Join us for a movie and a discussion to follow.
This month, there will be an assortment of clips of the Australian comedian Jim Jefferies as he gives his opinions on the American culture of gun control, freedom, assisted suicide and other topics.
Head over to our Meetup Page to register, get updates and the Zoom link.
WeCanReason Webinar
Wednesday, February 25
Fourth Wednesday of every month at 7:00 pm MST
Humanism in Science Fiction: Ethics Without Divine Authority with Alan Koslow
This webinar examines how science fiction literature explores moral choice, responsibility, and meaning in worlds where traditional religious frameworks are absent or insufficient. Through examples ranging from classic works to modern narratives, the talk considers how humanist values—empathy, reason, and ethical agency—emerge as central organizing principles in speculative storytelling. Rather than arguing against religion, the presentation focuses on how science fiction uses imagined settings to ask enduring questions about how societies and individuals decide what is right when guidance must come from human judgment rather than external authority.
Head over to our Meetup Page to register and get the Zoom link.
Monthly Board Meeting
Thursday, February 26
Fourth Thursday of the month at 5:30 pm MST
The Board of RMA meets on the 4th Thursday of each month. Meetings are open to all, but only Board members can vote.
Check out our Meetup page for the link and other details.
All details of our events can be found on our Meetup Page at https://www.meetup.com/rockymountainatheists/events/.
