Know something that should be featured in Faith Notes? Classes? Services? Special events? Send a brief write-up and photos to 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, fax to 703-917-0991, or call Mary Anne Weber at 703-917-6436.
On Sunday, Dec. 1, at 12:30 p.m., the Vienna Presbyterian Church will present a talk by Rateb Rabie, president, The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation. There is no charge, and the public is invited. The talk will be given in the church's fellowship hall at 124 Park St. N.E., Vienna. Child care by reservation 48 hours in advance (no charge) by calling 703-938-9050, Ext. 151. Light snacks will be served.
Dr. Ryan LaHurd, president of the Near-East Foundation, will speak on international development as a tool in fighting for freedom and dignity in Middle Eastern affairs, on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m., at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer at 1545 Chain Bridge Road in McLean. This is the second of two programs on Islam and the Middle East, sponsored in partnership with the Luther Institute and the Lutheran Center for Theology and Public Life at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg. The program is open to the public. For more information, call 703-356-3346.
St. Paul's Lutheran Church , 7426 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, presents “3 1/2 Stories of Christmas,” Thursday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. Christian actor Frank Runyeon presents a show appealing to all. Tickets are $5, children under 6, free; maximum for family is $20. Reception follows. For more information, 703-573-0295 or http://www.his.com/~stpaul/ . Car pools encouraged.
Dunn Loring United Methodist Church will host a program on disaster preparedness presented by Paula Graling of Inova Fairfax Hospital on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 6:30 p.m., in the Dunn Loring United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. Graling has been an operating room nurse at Inova Fairfax Hospital for over 20 years and is on the National Board of directors for AORN, a nursing association dedicated to specialty practice in surgery. Before the program, join a potluck dinner beginning at 5:30 p.m. and share your favorite dish. For information, call 703-573-5836. The church is located at 2501 Gallows Road in Dunn Loring.
Epiphany United Methodist Church, 1014 Country Club Drive in Vienna, will hold its annual Christmas Bazaar Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.. There will be a silent auction, crafts, greenery, door wreaths and centerpieces, poinsettias, a fun room for children, baked goods and lunch. Call 703-938-3494.
Arlington-Fairfax Jewish Congregation, 2920 Arlington Blvd., invites you to join us at our next "Tot Shabbat" Chanukah Celebration, Dec. 7, 11 a.m. to Noon. "Tot Shabbat" is a free monthly program planned to engage Preschool through Kindergarten children and their parents in an age appropriate Shabbat service. Playtime, games and a snack are also part of the fun. Membership is not required for attendance at Tot Shabbat. Please call 703-979-4466, or email school@arfax.net for more info.
Redeemer Lutheran Church in McLean will celebrate the Festival of St. Lucia at the conclusion of the 11 a.m. service on Sunday, Dec. 8. In the St. Lucia Festival, a young woman, dressed in a white gown with a red sash and wearing a crown of lingonberry twigs and candles, brings sweet buns and coffee to the other houses in the village. She symbolizes the light after the darkness of winter. St. Lucia's feast day, Dec. 13, was the date of the winter solstice on the Julian calendar. The evening service at 6:30 p.m. will feature scripture reading and singing led by Donald McCullough, director of the Master Chorale of Washington. The public is invited to attend.
Jim Wallis, editor of Sojourners Magazine, will speak about the "Call to Renewal," an ecumenical effort to eradicate poverty and revitalize politics, as part of the Advent series at the Church of the Holy Comforter, 543 Beulah Road N.E. in Vienna, Sunday, Dec. 15, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Emmanuel Lutheran Church has a full range of education, music, worship and outreach programs. Traditional Worship is at 8:15 and 11 a.m., in the rich Lutheran tradition of liturgical song mixed with music of the masters, spirituals and contemporary Christian music. Contemporary Worship is at 9:45 a.m., with fresh liturgical song and contemporary Christian music led by Revelation. Christian Education for all ages is 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-noon. Christian Education is available for everyone from preschool through adult. Classes are always open to newcomers. The church is located at 2589 Chain Bridge Road, Vienna, on the Oakton side of Vienna near McDonald’s. Call 703-938-2119.
St. John Catholic Church, 6420 Linway Terrace, McLean, has new fall hours for the thrift shop. The shop will be open Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Donations of clean clothing for women, men and children are accepted during store hours. Call 703-356-7420.
The Baha’i community of McLean holds a weekly fireside, a meeting of discussion, devotion and fellowship, at 7500 Box Elder Court in McLean, beginning at 8 p.m. every Friday. The fireside is an opportunity to learn about the Baha’i faith and why Baha’is find hope in a seemingly hopeless world. Call 703-556-3400.
The International Chabad-Lubavitch organization is establishing a new Jewish institution, Chabad at Tysons, which will serve Vienna, McLean and Great Falls. Chabad welcomes all Jews regardless of background or affiliation. Activities will include holiday awareness programs, adult education, Shabbat and High Holiday services, and special children’s events. Call 703-356-3451 or 703-622-2953.
Charles Wesley United Methodist Church, located at 6817 Dean Drive in McLean, holds Sunday Services at 10 a.m. and Communion and healing services Wednesdays at noon. Its motto is "A Place to Be — Belong, Become, Believe." Visit www.gbgm-umc.org/cwumc.
The Vienna Presbyterian Church (VPC) announces the opening of CenterPoint, the adult Christian education center. CenterPoint invites adults in the community to spiritual growth experiences through education. Five academic tracks on the Bible, Church History and Theology, Ethics and Christian Living, Spirituality and the Arts, and Church and Mission will be offered during the four five-week terms. Classes will be offered through April 2003 on Sunday and Tuesday evenings. VPC staff, university, seminary, business and nonprofit organizations professionals will teach the classes. Registration is required, and there is a $25 fee per course ($35 fee at the door on a space-available basis.) Call 703-938-9050, e-mail to centerpoint@viennapres.org, or visit www.viennapres.org.
St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church in McLean has revamped the Sunday school curriculum to provide a stimulating, experiential learning opportunity for youth. The youngest children, up to third grade, will be introduced to the concept of stewardship, using their behavior and talents as gifts in the offertory part of the weekly service. They will learn the Lord's Prayer in sign language and will have other activities geared to different learning styles. For more information, call 703-356-7553. The church is located at 1830 Kirby Road in McLean.