<lst>Know something that should be featured in Faith Notes? Send a brief write-up and photos to 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, fax to 703-917-0991, or call Joy Allen at 703-917-6432.
First Baptist of Merrifield, Falls Church, celebrates Pastor Keith D. Kitchen's five years of service to the church beginning with a reception following the mid-week service on Thursday, Oct. 30, at 7:30 p.m. The guest preacher will be Rev. Leslie Patterson, First Baptist, Sterling. On Saturday, Nov. 1, at 2 p.m., an anniversary luncheon will feature a special tribute to the pastor's wife, Cheryl Kitchen, at the Marco Polo Restaurant, 245 Maple Ave. W., Vienna. The guest speaker will be Mrs. H. Beecher Hicks from Metropolitan Baptist, Washington, D.C. Cost of lunch is $20 per adult, $11 for children 12 and under. Call Angelia McZeek at the church office for more information: 703-560-3247.
The Jubilee Christian Center Children's Ministry hosts a "Harvest Happening," as a Halloween alternative, for children ages 3 through sixth grade and their parents. The Happening will be Friday, Oct. 31, 7-8:45 p.m., at 4650 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax. There will be prizes, video games, cake walk, moon bounce and goody bags. There is no charge; no costumes, please. Call 703-383-1170 for information.
Richard Hahnemann, sculptor of the Ten Commandments monument placed in the Alabama State Supreme Court, will be sharing his testimony at a Men's Breakfast at Jubilee Christian Center on Saturday, Nov. 1, at 8 a.m., at 4650 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax. The U. S. Supreme Court is considering a writ of certiori in the case of Judge Roy Moore and the removal of the Ten Commandments monument. Free. Call 703-383-1170 for reservations.
Sydenstricker United Methodist Church will host its annual Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Festive crafts, a Second Time Around shop, a “gifts from around the world” table, a silent auction, a bake sale and lunch will be available. All proceeds benefit mission and youth projects. Free. Sydenstricker is located at 8508 Hooes Road, Springfield. For more information, call 703-569-5744.
Adat Reyim Preschool, located at 6500 Westbury Oaks Court, in Springfield hosts its Fourth Annual Children's Consignment Sale on Sunday, Nov. 2, from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Consignors are wanted for gently used items: children and infants' toys, clothing, maternity and nursing items. No car seats please. Proceeds will be evenly divided between the seller and the preschool. For more information, call Gail at 703-455-PLAY.
A special Healing Service will take place Sunday, Nov. 2, 6:30 p.m., at Jubilee Christian Center, 4650 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax. Rev. Butch Frye, missionary evangelist to Mexico, will speak and pray for healing. All are welcome to come for prayer for themselves, or for a friend. 703-383-1170.
Rabbi Sholom Deitsch, director of Chabad Lubavitch of Northern Virginia, will give a series of lectures entitled "Kabbalah for Dummies and Everyone Else," Mondays, Nov. 3, 10, 17 and 14, 7:30 -9 p.m. The four-session course is open to the entire community and everyone is welcome to attend. No prior background or knowledge is required. The classes will take place at the Chabad Community Campus, 3939 Prince William Road in Fairfax. The cost for all four sessions is $36. Call 703-426-1980 for more information and to register.
Parents have a night off, while their children have a fun evening in a safe environment. The Little River United Church of Christ, 8410 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, continues its new First Friday season Nov. 7, with entertainment for children by Peter McCory and his One Man Band. The First Friday program serves children and parents from the congregation and the community. Parents get an evening off, while their children from 6 months through sixth grade, enjoy a variety of hands-on programs, dinner and craft projects. First Friday meets from October through April (but not in January), 6:30-9:30 p.m. The fee is $7.50 per child to a maximum of $20 per family ($8.50 and $22 for late registration). Sign up by calling the church office, 703-978-3060 or by registering online, http://lrucc.org/1stfri.htm.
“Recovering from Hurt, Loss and Crisis.” Dr. Norm Wright, a Christian counselor, will lead this seminar on Nov. 7 and 8, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., at Immanuel Bible Church, 6911 Braddock Road, Springfield. The Friday session is designed to equip helping/crisis professionals and lay people to assist others through difficult times using a structured model of what to say and do. Saturday’s session will offer practical steps to guide those who have experienced hurt, loss and crisis into fresh hope and confidence. Cost is $25 in advance, $30 at the door, with a special advance registration price of $50 for both sessions. Registration is available online at www.immanuelbible.net/register or by calling 703-813-1952.
Family First Open House. Come learn how to host meaningful family meetings to strengthen relationships, teach family values and make family decisions. Sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Fairfax, demonstrations will be given and lots of ideas shared for making family meetings fun and valuable. Saturday, Nov. 8, 7 p.m., 4911 Ox Road, Fairfax. For more information, call 703-425-9455.
Transgenderism 101 & 102. Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church in Burke is inviting the public to a discussion series about transgenderism, intended to inform and dispel common myths and misconceptions. Learn the basics and background on being transgender in this society, and gender etiquette, too. Invited guests offer different perspectives. These three sessions will offer a question-and-answer time. Meetings will be Monday, Nov. 3; Tuesday, Nov. 11; and Wednesday, Nov. 19. All are 7-10 p.m., at Accotink UU Church, 10125 Lakehaven Court, Burke. Participants may attend any discussion or all three. The $10 registration fee supports Accotink's adult education program. For information, call 703-503-4579 or visit http://accotinkuuc.uua.org.
Olivet Episcopal Church hosts a Thanksgiving Eve Eucharist Service on Wednesday, Nov. 26, at 7:30 p.m., in the Chapel at 6107 Franconia Road, Alexandria. For more information, contact Rev. David Harper at 703-971-4733 or www.olivetepiscopalchurch.org.
New World Unity Church offers a Sunday Celebration Service every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at Irving Middle School , 8100 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield. New World Unity is a Christ-centered spiritual community dedicated to building a consciousness of oneness based on unconditional love and total acceptance. Services include prayer, music, meaningful message, food and celebration. Call 703-690-7925.
Olivet Episcopal Church hosts a series of Advent Nights, which will include wreath making, caroling, dessert social and more. The events will take place on Nov. 30; Dec. 7, 14 and 21, at 6 p.m., in the Chapel at 6107 Franconia Road Alexandria. For more information, contact Rev. David Harper at 703-971-4733 or www.olivetepiscopalchurch.org.
With the voice of their own generation, the youth group of Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 5114 Twinbrook Road in Fairfax, brings a new worship service to senior and junior high-age students on the following Sundays: Nov. 9, Dec. 21, Jan. 18, Feb. 29, Mar. 21 and Apr. 18. The services will take place at 7 p.m., in the church's sanctuary. One Sunday a month, the youth band “Nothing but Faith” will sing and perform for the service while other students deliver the message, scripture readings and prayers. Communion will be celebrated. Parents and youth of all ages are encouraged to participate.
The Shalem Institute is offering free monthly prayer opportunities in Fairfax. The time together will be devoted to relaxation, the presentation of different prayer practices, silence, journal keeping and small group sharing. No experience is required, and participants may attend regularly or drop in. Donations are accepted. Meetings take place the third Monday of the month, 7:30-9 p.m., at the Providence Presbyterian Church, 9019 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. Ann Kulp, Kathy Spaar and Tad Wicker lead the meetings. To register for these events or for more information, visit www.shalem.org or call 301-897-7334.
Burke Presbyterian Church hosts a Coffeehouse Worship every Saturday evening at 5:30 p.m. Join for casual worship around tables, coffee and snacks with a wide variety of music such as jazz, bluegrass and folk presented by area artists. Stay afterwards for a short concert. Burke Presbyterian Church is located at 5690 Oak Leather Drive, Burke, 703-764-0456, www.BurkePresChurch.org.
Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church offers a weekly session of Zen meditation led by Jim McAdams on Thursday evenings, 7:30-9 p.m. The class is designed for both beginners and those more experienced meditators who have established practices. Registration fee is $10. For information call 703-503-4579 or visit http://accotinkuuc.uua.org.
"Growing Through Divorce." This eight-week workshop program discusses topics such as grieving the loss of the marriage, anger, rejection, forgiveness, loneliness and transitioning into single life. Child care is available but must be requested in advance. There is no charge for the program itself; the only cost is a $12 corresponding book. For more information, call Shari Sadowski at 703-569-9862, Ext. 213