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Northern Virginia Ethical Society


"Act so as to bring out the best in others, and thereby in yourself"
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Welcome to NoVES!

We are a humanist congregation that practices Ethical Culture, a movement begun in 1876 by Felix Adler.

The mission of the Northern Virginia Ethical Society is to bring out the best in others and thereby in ourselves, strengthen our relationships with one another, and build a more humane world by offering a program that promotes ethical growth and learning, builds and sustains community and implements ethical action beyond our Society.

We invite you to visit us on a Sunday morning.  You might find the kind of caring, welcoming community you didn't even know was out there - just waiting for you to become part of it!

  The American Ethical Union (AEU)

NoVES affiliates with the AEU along with more than 20 other Societies across the country from New York to Silicone Valley. 

Each of these Societies share the culture of Ethical Humanism and work to implement Humanist values in their communities.  

The AEU is administered by a Board of Directors, and has an office in New York City, with one staff Administrator.

More information at AEU.org 

A Board of Directors represent all the member societies, and members are elected for two year terms at the Annual Assembly held each summer.  

The 2025 AEU Assembly will be in Philadelphia July 25 - July 27, meeting at the Philadelphia Ethical Society. More information will follow about this important gathering. 

The AEU has recently created a roadmap for reorganizing and refocusing it's work. 

The roadmap project is explained in this video

https://youtu.be/EO1zkqFsEG4 




     Ethical Action Site  

We are not powerless in this moment, even if it feels that way. We are not alone. We have community and that community has power.  We can keep fighting and building knowing we're doing it as part of a committed network of people who will not comply in advance, who will not normalize this violence, who will band together to resist when the times seem bleak.

“Action is the antidote to despair.” — Joan Baez

  • Fiscal Boycotts:  Are you still buying from Amazon or Target? Stop!!

  • 2025 Secular Week of Action  Friday, April 25 to Sunday, May 4

    For ten days each year—encompassing the National Day of Prayer on the first Thursday of May (May 1, 2025) and the National Day of Reason on May 4th—SWoA rallies the secular movement and our allies together to respond to social problems and promote the welfare of humankind. Major partners include American Humanist Association, American Atheists, Secular Student Alliance, The Freethought Society, and Secular Coalition for America.

    Empathy connects us all—across political parties, religious traditions, genders, sexual orientations, races, economic status, abilities, and other lines of difference. Empathy drives compassionate action and empowers us to solve societal issues together. For Secular Week of Action (SWoA) 2025, running Friday, April 25 to Sunday, May 4, we’re calling on communities across the country to help us spread empathy and support those most impacted by the government’s drastic budget cuts and hateful orders.

Actions you can take individually to spread empathy: 
  1. Make a donation to a local food pantry or clothing drive
  2. Plant a tree  or clean up a park area.
  3. Donate blood
  4. Volunteer to drive someone from Assisted Living out for shopping. 
  5. Hold conversations with friends about current events. Try to listen with empathy. 

Postcards:  Are you writing to your elected officials at least once a week?  Tell them how you feel about what is going on in congress. Or make a weekly phone call.  NoVES will have a postcard table this Sunday.  Donations for stamps welcome. 

Town Halls and County meetings:  Sign up for the newsletter from your elected representatives.  If they have a town hall - attend it and ask questions.  Find out when the School Board meets and attend that meeting. Ask about LGBTQ policies.

Town Hall:  Former Delegate Mark Levine, representing Va's 45th District holds a monthly Town Hall for all interested (you do NOT have to be his constituent to attend).  It's always on the last Sunday of the month.







 

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Announcements 

New Bylaws Adopted Oct 18, 2020

At our General Membership Meeting on Oct 18, the members present approved changes to the Bylaws that reflect our more gender inclusive attitude. You can view this updated version of our Bylaws in the Members only section.  

Volunteers Needed

  • Do you enjoy weddings? Consider being a NoVES officiant. Contact Randy Best if interested.
  • Do you have time to spare to deliver a meal, provide a ride, or just be a companion to a fellow member in need? If so, contact Iris Woodard with the Caring Committee.
  • Want to learn more about our website? Do you have a passion for mass emails? Please follow up with the Communications Committee to join our web team! 

Directions to Sunday Platform

Green Hedges School

415 Windover Avenue NW

Vienna, VA

Driving Directions: Take the Nutley Street North exit from Route I-66.  At the fourth light, cross Maple Avenue (Route 123) and start watching your odometer.  At 0.2 miles, you will see a driveway with “Watch for Turning Vehicles” and “Green Hedges” signs.  There will also be an Ethical Society sign next to the driveway.  Turn right into the driveway, park in the lot, and take the nearest entrance into the building. Do not turn onto Windover.

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