Several faith communities in Reston and Herndon will join together on Sunday, Aug. 17 for "Works Sunday," their annual community service event. While many faith communities work individually all year round to serve people, it is the Works Sunday event that brings all the organizations together as one to serve their neighbors.
"There has to be something common in our beliefs that can bring us together every year," said Thelma Calbert, one of the chair persons of the luncheon planned at Lake Anne Fellowship House.
Now in its eighth year, the 15 participating faith communities continue to find a way to work together. Works Sunday unites members of diverse religious faiths — Catholic, Jewish, Muslim and Protestant — in a joint effort to flood the community with a surge of helpful services.
According to Calbert, Works Sunday helps its members to not only learn more about Reston and Herndon, but about each others' religious communities as well. "The goal is to see what good we can do and spread the good word," said Calbert. "The spirit of the group has really increased over the years."
This year's projects include trail cleaning, spreading mulch at a playground, doing maintenance projects at two residences for working adults with mental retardation, and collecting food and donations for the Reston Interfaith pantry. Several other projects include collecting needed items for the Embry Rucker homeless shelter and the Fairfax County Abused Women's Shelter.
New suggestions for service opportunities from the community are always welcome. Volunteers are needed to participate on Aug. 17. Contact an individual faith member or chairperson.