Send announcements to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is two weeks before publication. Photos/artwork encouraged. Questions? Call Michael O'Connell at 703-917-6449.
Movement of Praying Youth of the Ashburn United Methodist Church
will participate in the 13th Annual Pole Set on Sept. 18. Students throughout the U.S. will gather around their school's flagpoles at 7 a.m. During the past 12 years, millions of young people have lifted voices, bended knees and joined hands to pray for their schools as part of "See You at the Pole - National Day of Student Prayer," asking God to bring moral and spiritual awakening to their campuses and their countries. Ashburn United Methodist Church in Ashburn will be hosting a community-wide "Pole Vault Party" at 7 p.m. to reflect on the morning's gathering at SYATP. They will watch videos taken from local area middle and high schools, share testimonies, poems and to enjoy fellowship together along with free pizza sponsored by Dominos. All teens throughout the community are welcomed to attend.
Moms In Touch International is a group where mothers gather to pray for students, teachers and schools As students all over the nation begin the fall term, more than 150,000 mothers, will be heading back to Moms In Touch groups to pray for their children, teachers and schools. In Virginia, there are 700 MITI prayer groups meeting in every region and rapidly growing in the Northern Virginia region. To obtain a listing of MITI nearby groups praying for schools visit the ministry's Web site at www.MomsInTouch.org. The Web site also offers instructional materials, as well as videos and leadership resources to help mothers start MITI groups for schools that don't already have one. For more information, contact the ministry at 1-800-949-MOMS or info@MomsInTouch.org or in Virginia call 1-757-482-5882 or miti4va@erols.com.
Ashburn United Methodist Church is hosting a traditional fall festival with international flair. The International Harvest Festival is set for Saturday, Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The festival will showcase a gift fair featuring the traditional crafts of Asia, Africa and Latin America. The gift fair is presented by SERVV International (www.serrv.org ), a non-profit alternative trade organization which promotes social and economic progress for artisans in developing regions of the world. AUMC hopes to promote awareness of fair trade in the local community by teaching good stewardship as well as sharing in the rich diversity of the area. Games and activities for all ages include a Gyro Machine, Velcro Wall, Moon Bounce, Play Land and a petting zoo; as well as lots of games and activities for all ages. International entertainment, and a wide variety of tempting foods, including ethnic favorites, round out the event. General admission is free. Prices for games and activities vary and advance tickets will go on sale Sept. 1 at the church. Ashburn United Methodist Church is located at 43454 Crossroads Drive, in the community of Ashburn Farm, at the corner of Ashburn Farm Parkway and Crossroads Drive. All proceeds benefit church outreach missions. For more information, contact Christine ViPond at 703-729-5100, Ext. 11, e-mail christine-vipond@AshburnUMC.org or visit www.AshburnUMC.org.
Locally-based marketing and advertising partnership Kristof Creative has started a working relationship with the Ashburn-based Faith Foundation. The faith foundation was created by Redskins player Eddie Mason and his wife, and is a charitable organization serving the youth and families of Northern Virginia. The faith foundation's first annual fund-raising event, "Raising Hope for Children and Families," is scheduled for Oct. l at 6 p.m., at the Sheraton Premiere in Tyson's Corner. Funds from the upcoming event will help launch the Faith Foundation's "Discovering destiny and Purpose' programs for local youths and adults. For more information call Michael Kristof at 703-989-9133 or visit www.faithfoundation.us.
Christian Fellowships Church's SinglePoint will be celebrating a new SinglePoint Summer. Stop by "The Net" Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and enjoy coffeehouse atmosphere with bands, guest artists, drama and plenty of new ways to connect. For more information, call Cathy Dickson at CFC 703-729-3900 or visit us on-line at www.SinglePointe.org.
After Sept. 11, the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling and the All Dulles Area Muslim Society decided to work together to provide food and other resources to economically disadvantaged people. As a result, UUS and ADAMS formed the non-profit FoodSource Foundation. In partnership with FACETS (Fairfax Area Christian Emergency & Transitional Services), the Foundation now delivers full meals to over 130 families every month with food supplied by the Loudoun Interfaith Relief food bank. The Foundation distributes the meals in Fairfax but is working with Interfaith Relief to soon create a food kitchen in Loudoun County. In addition to food, the group has collected stuffed animals and personal care products for the families. For more information, contact the UUS at 703-406-3068.