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Northern Virginia Ethical Society (NoVES)

Sunday Platforms

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The platform of an Ethical Society is itself the altar; the address must be the fire that burns thereon.

Felix Adler, Founder of Ethical Culture




What to Expect

Our platform meetings typically feature a thought-provoking talk on a topic of ethical interest, along with responses, music, a story for children of all ages, and more. We meet from mid-September through mid-June (see topic listings below).

Our Sunday School is devoted to teaching children how to make ethical choices, with a thoughtful, age-specific curriculum and a friendly, supportive environment.

All are welcome to attend a Sunday meeting and to bring children along for Sunday School. Casual, comfortable dress is the norm, we want you to feel at home.

We follow the more formal part of our meetings with a coffee and conversation time hosted by our members -- a chance to continue the conversation about the topic, to get to know each other, to learn from each other, and to find others with shared values and concerns.

A few times each year, we have inter-generational festival celebrations instead of talks at the Sunday platform meeting. In these events, we celebrate the natural flow of the seasons, honor the universal human concerns behind holidays, and enjoy a shared meal together.

Each Sunday, we pass the basket, giving members and friends an opportunity to help support the Society and its values. Half of all undesignated donations are given to a charitable or service organization or project; the Ethical Action committee selects and announces each week's recipient organization or project.

Sample Sunday Program

 10:45-11:00Gathering           
 11:00 AMOpening Words and Music   
 Welcome and Greet Your neighbors
 11:10 AMStory Time (kids gather up front)  
 11:15 AMKids go to Sunday School
 Music
 11:20 AMPlatform Speaker Introduction
 11:20 AM-11:50 AMPlatform Address  
 Music  
 Response Period and Sharing of Responsibility (collections)
 Announcements 
 12:00 PMClosing Words  
 12:15Conclusion of Sunday School  
 12:00 PM-1:30 PMSnacks and Social Time

Upcoming Topics

  • Random Acts of Giving- No Platform meeting

    • Sunday, December 22, 2024

    Sunday, Dec. 22- there is no platform meeting for the society, but members are encouraged to commit random acts of giving, including giving the gift of their time, talents and contributions to other organizations and people in need. 


    Show details

  • All Society Platform - Gathering Light in Our Times

    • Sunday, December 29, 2024
    • 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
    • zoom only

    Join Ethical Culturists from around the country as we acknowledge the dark and bring out the light. Let's bring out the best of others and thus ourselves through this heart-centered winter solstice program of many voices.


    Hosted by Hugh Taft-Morales, Ethical Culture Leader

    Register here:

    https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEkf-2vqzgjGdIEmPWGty7Khr_QFgiUBWq7#/registration 


    Call for Submissions:

    How have you navigated this season and times like this?


    We are seeking twelve Ethical Culturists to share their short story (up to 90 seconds) in response to any of these prompts:


    • What gifts have darkness and light brought to your life?
    • How has darkness nourished you toward a moment of light?
    • Tell us about an incident, person, or moment in your life that recently brought you hope or joy?


    We are seeking experiences from your life that you are willing to share with our national movement — a brief, evocative description or illustration rather than an intellectual explanation. Hugh is happy to work with all those offering a story if they wish advice or coaching and a rehearsal.


    Email Hugh with your story or for submission support →


    Show details

  • Winter Festival

    • Sunday, January 05, 2025
    • 11:00 AM
    • Green Hedges School, Vienna, VA


    Welcome to the New Year!

    Come join your friends and visitors as NoVES celebrates it's Winter Festival and the New Year!

    This year we are asking you to bring a short reading you might want to share about winter, feeling cozy, or the like. 

    We will do a New Year activity as well as have the opportunity for any young people to make a winter craft. 

    Bring a favorite dish or dessert to share for a potluck - think comfort and coziness!  A sign up will be sent out. This is an in person event only.

    Show details

  • Platform - Showing Up For Racial Justice

    • Sunday, January 19, 2025
    • 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM


    SURJ No VA is a chapter of a national network of groups and individuals organizing white people for racial justice. They sponsor community organizing, mobilizing, and education as part of a multiracial movement for justice with passion and accountability. 

    We will hear from leaders of the Centerville Chapter about actions we can take in our own neighborhood. 

    This in-person meeting can also be attended on Zoom.  The Zoom link is below.

    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88010148102?pwd=N2E3b25YdkNhaCtROUt6OG0rRUJZZz09

    Show details

  • Platform - Money Out Of Politics

    • Sunday, February 16, 2025
    • 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
    • Green Hedges Scchool

    Speaker:  Nancy Morgan, Coordinator

    BigMoneyOutVA  is a non-partisan group which champions good governance and transparency in Virginia, while promoting increased public discourse between citizens of the Commonwealth and their legislators. We are dedicated to getting big money out of politics through campaign finance reform so as to increase the legitimacy and integrity of government and to enable our elected officials to better reflect the interests and will of all citizens of the Commonwealth. 

    This in-person meeting can also be attended on Zoom.  The Zoom link is below.

    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88010148102?pwd=N2E3b25YdkNhaCtROUt6OG0rRUJZZz09


    Show details

Directions to Sunday Platform

Green Hedges School

415 Windover Avenue NW

Vienna, VA 22180


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.

Questions or platform topic recommendations? Contact the Platform Committee


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