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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

 10:30-11:00Gathering  and Greet Your neighbors
 11:00 AMOpening Words and Music   
 Welcome 
 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-1:00 PMSnacks and Social Time

Upcoming Topics

  • NoVES All Music Platform

    • Sunday, May 03, 2026
    • 11:00 AM
    • Green Hedges School


    Noves Third Annual All Music Platform. Please join us for our annual all music Sunday on May 3 at Green Hedges School.  Several NoVES Member and friends will be playing beautiful music for us on a variety of instruments.  Poetry readings are also welcome, so please bring along your favorite poem to share.  

    After the meeting, we will plan to go out to lunch together at Vienna Thai restaurant.  

    For those who cannot come in person, a zoom link will be available. 

    https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85147568797?pwd=2TQNpZPubvub435R7H9cEaKWrTWgaS.1


    Show details

  • Philosophy of the Saddle - Thoughts on life and our current world from the seat of a bicycle

    • Sunday, May 10, 2026
    • 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
    • Zoom
    Register


    NoVES member, Melissa Sinclair, a bike riding, bike packing enthusiast shares with you all a YouTuber, Jethro Jessop, who looks at our world through poetry and philosophy while on bike rides in Sweden.

    This is about nature, human nature, and the world we live in economically and politically currently through the eyes of a Brit living in Norway. It helps show how connected we all are to the earth and to each other in every way.

    Melissa will share a couple of Jethro's videos and we'll discuss his Philosopy of the saddle. If the reception is well-received, this topic can become a summer series. No bike riding experience needed to fully enjoy this platform.

    Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82894009897


    Show details

  • Ethical Culture's 150th Year - Looking Back and Forward by Randy Best

    • Sunday, May 17, 2026
    • 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
    • Green Hedges School, 415 Windover Ave NW, Vienna, VA 22180


    Felix Adler founded Ethical Culture 150 years ago as a non-theistic religion dedicated ethics and seeking to improving the human condition.  I will read excerpts from his founding address and see how they resonate in the world today and present Ethical Culture's unique ideas.

    Ethical Culture may be small but we are mighty.

    Randy Best, NoVES Leader

    This is an in-person only meeting. 


    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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