Northern Virginia Ethical Society

10/06/2026

Virtual Topical Trivia
Sunday, Oct 11 · 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM EDT
Let’s sit back in the comfort of our own space and play topical trivia and discuss the bigger issues behind them for our Sunday, Zoom platform led by Jim Ball. We will also take some time to collectively generate ethical discussions and maybe actions that we as a group can take in our own lives.
Zoom Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87549911509?pwd=kglHZwgA9I5zl0cQyTQysUHv2jYqNS.1

10/02/2026

"Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you; spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life." - Amy Poehler

Belonging to the right kind of community has a way of making us more curious, more courageous, and more alive.

Find yours in a humanist group near you: americanhumanist.org/groups

(Message copied from the AHA text quote of the day)

Get Involved Local Groups GET INVOLVED Find Your Local Group Every group in our network looks and operates differently, but all share our vision for building a more compassionate world. Humanist organizers have made remarkable differences in their communities – and you can too. Explore related pag...

10/02/2026

The Philosophy of Happiness
NoVES Philosophy Discussion Series

NoVES' Philosophy Discussion Series - each month we will meet to discuss a topic that is fundamental to philosophy. This discussion will look at the thinking that determines ethical actions and explore the values and assumptions underlying these decisions.

What: NoVES Philosophy Discussion

Topic: The Philosophy of Happiness

When: 7-8:30 PM Monday night, October 5, 2026

Where: Fairfax Library, Meeting Room 101A
10360 North St, Fairfax, VA 22030

What is happiness? We will use the introduction to the book
The Philosophy of Happiness by Lorraine Besser as a springboard for discussion of difference Philosophical ideas of Happiness. Please sign up if you want to receive a pdf copy of the introduction, or you can look for the book online or in your local library.
We hope you will join us for our next Philosophy Discussion group.

This discussion group is sponsored by the Northern Virginia Ethical Society. All are welcome to attend.

09/28/2026

What a Death Doula Does, Does not Do, and What We Want You to Know

“What does a death doula do?” is the question I hear most often. The simple answer is that we support you as a mortal. We talk openly about death with you and those around you. We help you plan your best dying process. We educate, we listen, we hold hands. Here are what we do not offer: medical care or advice, legal information, burial services, or religious counseling. In our death-denying and avoidant lifestyle it is common to not know much about dying or death. Death doulas wish you took some time to consider your death and how to care for others in your life. We seek to improve life by facing death long before it is imminent.

Bio: Laura Lyster-Mensh, MS, is an American writer who has been founding organizations to solve problems all her life, including three international non-profits. She is the author of four books, and has produced four podcast projects. Laura serves as Death Doula in residence at Historic Congressional Cemetery in Washington DC and is a proud member of the DC Death Collective. She enjoys being old, and doesn’t mind being mortal

This meeting will be in-person only, as our sound system is not able to support Zoom at this time.

When
Sunday, October 04, 2026
11:00 AM
Location
Green Hedges School, Vienna VA

09/19/2026

NoVES members were active today with supporting Early Voting and protesting against unethical actions in our area. We stand together for safe voting practices and ethical actions in government.

09/08/2026

We are in agreement with this statement from St. Louis. NoVES is also collecting donations this Sunday to send to a Humanist group in Nepal to help with the recovery. See our website for more details www.noves.org

Statement of Solidarity with the People of Nepal
A message from our Leader Rev Dr. Je’ Hooper

The Ethical Society of St. Louis stands in deep solidarity with the people of Nepal and the global Nepali diaspora as they navigate a profound time of grief, loss, and collective mourning. We hold members of the Global Majority with sincere care and tenderness, while actively accepting the responsibility to research, rectify, and reduce the harm of our ongoing climate crisis. We acknowledge that those living on the margins—across intersections of race, ethnicity, age, disability, and class—are consistently the most vulnerable to these dangerous, climate-driven disasters.

The weight of tragedy has once again touched the heart of the Himalayas, bringing unbearable sorrow to families who have lost their homes, their security, and, most devastatingly, their loved ones. Nepal is a land defined by its extraordinary resilience, rich heritage, and enduring community strength. Yet resilience should never be a prerequisite for survival in the face of global inaction. We call on the United States government to immediately release aid and resources to the Nepali people. Furthermore, we call upon advanced industrial nations to renew their commitment to Earth, accelerating global initiatives to combat climate change and support those enduring ecological injustice.

As a Humanist Congregation, the Ethical Society of St. Louis issues a charge of global accountability, active community, and, above all, demonstrated unity as we move through this devastation together. We mourn and advocate for every life cut short. During the challenging days and months ahead, may the spirit of community offer comfort, and may the memory of those lost serve as a guiding light toward a more just tomorrow. We, alongside the global community, watch, grieve, and stand firmly with Nepal.

In Peace and Life,

Jé Exodus Hooper, PhD
Executive Clergy Leader
Ethical Society of St. Louis

09/07/2026

It was a beautiful day for our annual NoVES Labor Weekend picnic! Over 2 dozen members and friends gathered together to catch up after a busy summer, play games, write postcards to encourage voting, and eat a delicious meal together.

We also collected funds to donate to the crisis in Nepal and will collect more again next Sunday. We missed those who couldn’t join us, but hope to see everyone on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 11 am for our first platform of the 2026-27 year!

08/28/2026

3 Northern Virginia Ethical Society members made it to the March to Defend the Vote! We stand for protecting voting rights for all!

08/26/2026

August 28, 2026 - March on Washington

Defend the Vote

NoVES Members and friends are encouraged to join the March on Washington on Friday, August 28, 2026. We will meet at 8:30 AM at the Vietnam Women's Memorial near the Lincoln Memorial, and then walk to the event together. If you want to get updates about the event, please leave a message below. You can also get more information and register independently using this link to the march directly:

https://marchonwashington2026.com/

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August 28, 2026. Washington, D.C. Register to march, find a ride, or partner with us.