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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

  • Standing Up To Book Banning

    • Sunday, September 15, 2024
    • 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
    • Green Hedges School
    Register

    This will be a regular platform meeting, but we will listen to a recording of the AEU All Society platform presented in June 2024 which we will follow up with a discussion. If you want, bring a banned book to pass around and share/swap with others.

    About the talk: Attempts to ban books from all types of libraries continue to rise at an unprecedented level across the country. The American Library Association reported attempts to censor 4,249 unique titles of library books and resources in 2023. This is the highest number of attempted book bans since ALA began compiling data about censorship in libraries more than 20 years ago and a 65% increase over 2022.

    Standing Up to Book Banning explores how concerned people can support the Freedom to Read in solidarity with the many partners of the Unite Against Book Bans campaign led by the ALA.

    About Dr. Christopher Harris Dr. Christopher Harris is the Director of a School Library System in Western New York and a Senior Policy Fellow with the American Library Association. He was a participant in the first American Library Association Emerging Leaders program in 2007 and was honored as a Library Journal Mover and Shaker in 2008. His policy work with the ALA has included equity of access to ebooks, coding for youth, and most recently the Unite Against Book Bans campaign. Dr. Harris is an author, speaker, gamer, and member of his local public library board of trustees.

    Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86981620938 

    Show details

  • AEU All-Society Platform - Building an Intergenerational Movement for Climate Change

    • Sunday, September 29, 2024
    • 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Online Zoom


    September 29 AEU All-Societies Platform:
    Building an Intergenerational Movement
    for Climate Justice

    with Third Act and Fridays For Future

    Sunday, September 29
    11:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET

    You MUST register for this event through the AEU website. 

     Here is your link: LINK TO EVENT ON AEU WEBSITE TO REGISTER! 

    More details about the event and the speakers are listed on the AEU web site. The link will take you to the AEU website to register.

    Follow the AEU link on Sunday, September 29th to participate in the event. You cannot register for this event through NoVES.

    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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