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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 was held in Philadelphia July 25 - July 27 at the Philadelphia Ethical Society. More information will follow about this important gathering. Check the AEU.org website for updates. 

The AEU has recently created a roadmap for reorganizing and refocusing its work. The roadmap project is explained in this video

https://youtu.be/EO1zkqFsEG4


   Be the Change    Take Action Today!

 THINK GLOBALLY ACT LOCALLY.  All action begins close to home.

Join thousands of activists on Labor Day, Sept 1, 2025 to stand in solidarity with working people. We will be in the streets, outside the offices and businesses of corporations who put billionaires above workers.

Indivisible non-violent protest, Frontier Drive (Between Best Buy and Springfield Mall) 10 - 12 am, Mon Sept 1, 2025. Bring signs, banners and your enthusiasm. Let Iris Woodard know  if you would like to meet and stand together.  (1349iwood@gmail.com)

More information at  https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/828857/?rname=IRIS&share_context=event_details&share_medium=copy_link

    “A good person will resist an evil system with his whole soul.

Disobedience of the laws of an evil state is therefore a duty.”   Gandhi              

School Board, 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. Watch for actions from the Board of Supervisors, and visit their office to discuss your opinion. 

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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. 
  6. Join a postcard writing group to work on getting out the vote this fall. 

SAVE THE DATE- Sunday, August 31, 2025   

NOVES LABOR DAY WEEKEND PICNIC! Check the calendar for more information about this and other upcoming events.

Weekly Platforms

  • Sunday, September 07, 2025 11:00 AM
    Green Hedges School and Zoom

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Announcements 

New Bylaws Adopted June 8, 2025

At our General Membership Meeting on June 8, 2025, the members present approved changes to the Bylaws that end Board term limits. 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.
  • Sunday Sound System Setup team, BookkeeperPlatform CommitteeFestival Planning, and Publicity committees- contact Chris Van Dyke or any board member if you are interested and can help out. 

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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