What? World Religions: Buddhism:  a basic introduction to the beliefs and practices of Buddhism and Buddhists, part of a series for adults aimed at understanding those who may hold quite different beliefs than we do, in our increasingly-diverse communities and world

When? Fridays 6:45 - 8:45 p.m October 28, November 4, 11. 19

Where?  Meeting at Green Hedges School, Vienna, Virginia. 

We'll briefly explore the history of the religion (and even the question of whether it's a religion) and its varieties, and focus more on the ethical aspects -- what does the religion teach? what sort of lives does this religion encourage?  

What?  Compassionate and Honest Communication: Introductory Workshop Series: a four-session evening workshop introducing the basic process of communicating fully: both speaking with deep honesty and listening to understand deeply..

When? Mondays 6:30 - 8:45 p.m. October 10, 17, 24, 31 .

Where?  Meeting at Green Hedges School, Vienna, Virginia. 

Rooted in Nonviolent Communication/NVC as developed by Dr. Marshall Rosenberg, this workshop aims to help transform our communications with family, friends, and others through conscious shifts in how we speak to and hear each other -- to contribute to more peaceful and meaningful relationships and a more peaceful world. The workshop introduces a process of empathically listening to and understanding the needs and feelings of another person, understanding our own needs and feelings and sharing them honestly and compassionately with others, and finding creative strategies that meet the needs of ourselves and others and are aligned with our values.

Come for just the first session for an overview, or to all the sessions for more understanding and practice.  The public is welcome.  Please register online. 

What? Choices for Well-Being:  self-connection and staying "in choice" around eating, weight, and related issues where we have habits that aren't serving our health and well-being.

When? Wednesdays 6:45 - 8:45 p.m October 26, November 9, November 30, December 14.

Where?  Meeting at Green Hedges School, Vienna, Virginia. 

What? NoVES is offering a two session discussion group that explores the role of women in the historical context of the birth of new science, sweeping social and economic change, and early colonization of America.

When? October 13 and 20, 2011, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Where? at a member's home in Centreville, Virginia

Purpose: regular practice of connection-building communication.

We have a couple of openings in our group that meets in Alexandria two Sundays a month, 2:15 - 4:15 p.m. Open to members of NoVES and others who've attended meetings at the Society.

We've used the book Nonviolent Communication Workbook available on Sundays at the book table or at http://www.noves.org/nvc/ -- some of the books at that link may be helpful as background for basic ideas, though we don't follow any book "religiously."

Please use the registration form below to indicate interest if you'd like to join this group, or talk to our Leader, Jone Johnson Lewis, if you have questions.

• Register for NoVES Class

What?  NoVES is sponsoring a book reading/discussion group (plus some exercises to practice what the book covers).  The book, “Mindsight” by Dan Siegel, is a fascinating look at social and emotional intelligence, grounded in the latest science. We can literally change the wiring and architecture of our brains!

When? 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays, October 27, November 3 and 17, December 1 and 15.

Where? at the home of a member in the Bailey’s Crossroads area

Ethical Culture Leader Lisle Burns will lead a workshop on September 19 following platform. The workshop will be held at Blueberry Hill, home of member Helene Shore. The space is limited. Please see Marianne Moerman for details.

NoVES provides officiants for weddings, commitment ceremonies, and other life passage ceremonies. This session is for NoVES members -- with a few invited guests from other Societies -- to explore and learn about the process and commitment of being an Ethical Culture Officiant.

Contact Jone Lewis, Leader, if you have questions, are interested in attending, or are planning to attend.

Cancelled due to low registration. Watch this space for announcements of programs in Fall, 2008.

In families and friendships, one of the most emotionally-charged situations is when someone tries to "triangle in" someone -- tries to get another person emotionally involved in the relationship between that person and a third party. In this session, we'll look at practical ways to recognize and handle "emotional triangles" using systems thinking and ideas from Dr. Marshall Rosenberg's Nonviolent Communication.

Place: Green Hedges Arts Building

Date: April 12

Time: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (we will break for an hour for lunch -- bring your lunch or find something at the many places nearby)

Bring: a notebook and one or two situations that are on your mind

4 sessions (attend one, several, or all)

Early Christianity’s history, as scholars today describe it, is quite a bit different than what you might have learned in Sunday School or from earlier histories, skeptical or orthodox. The early history is rich with a variety of perspectives, most forgotten today. How the battles for what would become orthodoxy turned out has affected world history profoundly.

NoVES Leader, Jone Lewis, has long had an interest in religions and how they developed, and she’ll bring some of what she’s learned from that study, aided by some videotapes and book excerpts from today’s scholars on the subject.

Included: what The Da Vinci Code got wrong, way wrong, about Christian history.

Place: Green Hedges, Arts Building

Time: 7-9 p.m.

Dates: April 2, 23, 30, May 7

Suggested donation: $20/course (covers all 4 sessions)