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 write an e-mail to maweber@connectionnewspapers.com
Kabbalah for Dummies, a crash course on the Torah portions, is offered by Chabad at Tysons. Noah and the Ark and Abraham, the father of religions, will be discussed Nov. 6 and 13. R.S.V.P., 703-356-3451. Shabbat Education Services are offered at The Embassy Suites Hotel at Tysons Corner, Route 7. Morning services start at 9:30 a.m., Torah discussion, 10:30 a.m.
Join the Bahai's of Greater Vienna for an interfaith devotional program Saturday, Nov. 8, at 1 p.m., in the meeting room of the Patrick Henry Library, located at 101 Maple Ave. E., Vienna. Light refreshments will be served.
A full-day workshop, "Angels and Prayer," will be presented by Sophy Burman, award-winning author of 12 books including "A Book of Angels" and "The Path of Prayer," on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at Unity of Fairfax, 2854 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton. The program will include a presentation of Burman’s experiences with the divine and offer insights into common spiritual questions.
Seating is limited. Tickets can be ordered online at www.unityoffairfax.org on the Events/Calendar page, or by calling 703-281-1767.
Charles Wesley United Methodist Church, 6817 Dean Drive, McLean, invites everyone to its annual Ham-Turkey Dinner and Mini Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 8, 4:30-7 p.m. The complete home-cooked, family-style dinner costs $15 for adults and $5 for children 6-12. Handmade gift items will be available in the church lobby. Call the office at 703-356-6336 for reservations by Wednesday, Nov. 5.
The Wilsons, Gospel recording artists, will perform Saturday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m., at the Church of the Brethren, located across from North Point Fire Station on Reston Avenue, just below the 193 Georgetown Pike intersection in Herndon.
"The World Is My Parish," a one-act drama of the life and times of John Wesley, will be performed on Saturday, Nov. 8, 7 p.m., at the Great Falls United Methodist Church, 10100, Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. This drama, written and acted by R. Rex Stephenson and Mike Trochim of Ferrum College, brings to life the great evangelist and religious activist of the 18th century. A family night potluck will precede the show at 6 p.m. For further information, call 703-759-3705.
St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Falls Church will host a Harvest Dinner and Silent Auction on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 4-7 p.m. The dinner features turkey, ham and all the trimmings for $12 ($5 for 12 and under). At the separate silent auction, bid on items including a weekend getaway; a skiing lesson; gift baskets for children, pets and chocolate lovers; a Mary Kay cosmetics collection; and a handmade deck chair. St. Luke's United Methodist Church is at 7628 Leesburg Pike, one mile from Tysons Corner Mall and across Route 7 from Marshall High School. For more information, call 703-893-9220.
On Nov. 16, at 11 a.m. the Northern Virginia Ethical Society will host Carol Bullard-Bates, who will speak about "Transforming our Lives in Relationship to the Poor" Bullard-Bates, a clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist, is president and founder of Bethany Inc., which provides affordable transitional housing and comprehensive support services for families recovering from homelessness and addiction. 225 Nutley St. N.W., Vienna. For more information about NoVES, visit the Web site, www.noves.org, or call 703 437 3161
The Oakton Church of the Brethren presents a Christmas Craft Sale, Thursday, Nov. 20, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 21, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; and Saturday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at the church, located on Route 123 and Courthouse Road in Oakton. The craft sale features homemade crafts from local crafters, as well as the SERRV Shop with a large selection of worldwide handcrafted items. Lunch and other food items will be available. Proceeds from the craft sale will benefit the church program. Admission is free. For further information, call the church office 703-281-4411.
U.S. Rep. Frank Wolfe (R-10th) will present a human rights update on Sunday, Nov. 23, at 12:30 p.m., in the Fellowship Hall of the Vienna Presbyterian Church, located at 124 Park St. N.E. in Vienna. All are invited.
St. John Catholic Church, located at 6422 Linway Terrace in McLean, is hosting a lecture series titled "Catholic Directors at the Movies." Deal Hudson, publisher and editor of Crisis Magazine, will lecture on classic movie directors. A free screening of the selected movie will be shown the Sunday evening before the lecture in St. John Parish Hall at 7 p.m. Hudson’s lecture will take place on Monday evenings, 7-9 p.m., in the Adult Education Room. In November, John’s Ford’s 1948 film "Three Godfathers" will be shown Nov. 23, and the lecture will take place Nov. 24. For more information, contact Laura Pennefather, 703-356-5275.
Christmas Bazaar. Epiphany United Methodist Church, 1014 Country Club Drive, Vienna, will host a Christmas bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. There will be a silent auction, crafts, door wreath and centerpiece greenery, children's activities, See's Candy, baked goods and a lunch of barbecue, soup, hot dogs and home-made pies. For more information, call 703-938-3494.
Body & Soul offers a high/low impact aerobic workout, kick boxing, strength training, Pilates all in one exercise session to the latest in contemporary Christian music. There are several church locations to choose from. All are welcome.
McLean Bible Church holds classes on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 9:45-11:15 a.m. Call Mary Ward at 703-830-2478 for more information. Child care is offered. Classes are also offered on Wednesday evenings from 6:45-8:15 p.m. Call Tricia Van Ryn at 703-876-0558.
Emmanuel Lutheran Church offers a Fit over 50 version on Wednesday mornings from 9:15-10:30 a.m. Call Lynn Mostellar at 703-698-8624.
Emmaus United Church of Christ offers an hour of quiet spiritual renewal as the focus for a weekly ecumenical group that meets at Emmaus United Church of Christ every Wednesday from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Led by JoAn Post, participants are gently guided through a time of centering, meditation and prayer. It is open to people of all faiths and requires no previous experience, only sincere desire. Emmaus is located at 900 Maple Ave. E. in Vienna. Call 703-281-9309 for more information
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 preschoolers through adults. 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.
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.
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.charleswesleyumc.org
Vienna Baptist Church offers numerous Christian worship, education, music and mission opportunities. Each Sunday begins with a high-energy VBPraise service at 8:45 a.m. Sunday school begins at 9:45 a.m., providing different programs to people of all ages. The traditional liturgical worship service takes place at 11 a.m. The church is located at 541 Marshall Road, Vienna. For more information, call 703-281-4400 or visit www.vbc-va.org.
St. Athanasius Lutheran Church at 114 Kingsley Road in Vienna, a new mission congregation of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, offering traditional, conservative worship in accordance with the historic liturgy of the church. The current Sunday schedule includes Bible study and Sunday school for all ages at 4 p.m. and worship at 5 p.m. A Lutheran book club is also offered twice a month. A midweek Bible study meets twice a month. Call 703-455-4003 for more information.
Faith Baptist Church, located at 301 Center St. S., Vienna, offers Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. for all ages, 11 a.m. worship, and Bible Study on Sunday at 6 p.m. On Wednesday at 7 p.m., The Awana children's club for fourth- through sixth-graders takes place during the school year. Nursery school is provided for all services. The preschool and kindergarten program uses the abeka curriculum and serves ages 3, 4 and 5. Visit the Web site at www.FaithBaptistVienna.org or e-mail Faith@tidalwave.net. Call the church at 703-938-9688.
From the beginning of time music, drumming, movement, song and prayer have brought communities together at times of celebration, and as part of everyday life. The dances are a profound, cross-cultural way to touch the spiritual essence within ourselves and others. They use sacred phrases, chants, music and movements from the many faith traditions of Earth to promote peace and integration within individuals and groups. There are no performers or audience. No experience necessary. Donations accepted. Second Saturday evening each month, September-June. 7:30-10 p.m., Unity of Fairfax (original sanctuary), 2854 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton.
For more information, contact Kathryn at 703-573-1236/ SpiralRose@aol.com. For further information on the worldwide Dance Network, visit www.DancesOfUniversalPeace.org .
The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer has added a contemporary service at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday, supplementing its traditional worship services at 8:30 and 11 a.m. Modern praise music is sung, accompanied by a band of nine musicians on electric keyboard, bass and acoustic guitars, trumpet and drums.
Concurrently at 9:45, the church holds a Faith and Life forum on subjects to strengthen one’s Christian faith, adult Bible study and Sunday School for children age 3 through high school. Nursery is available at all services.
The church is located at 1545 Chain Bridge Road in McLean. For more information, visit www.redeemer-mclean.org or call the office at 703-356-3346.
St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, located at 1830 Kirby Road in McLean, invites all to come for contemporary worship the first Sunday of every month at noon. This new service will incorporate uplifting music; a warm, friendly, casual atmosphere; and interesting sermons. In addition to this service, traditional services will be held every Sunday at 8:15 and 10:15 a.m. Call the church office at 703-356-7533 with questions.
Chabad at Tysons is holding a Shabbat educational service at the Embassy suites Hotel on Route 7 (next door to the Toys R Us, across from the Container store). Saturday morning service starts at 9:30 a.m., Torah discussion at 10:30 a.m., followed by a sit-down Kiddush. Call 703-356-3451, or e-mail ChabadTysons@aol.com.
The Great Falls United Methodist Church will be offering two services with different worship styles. The 8:30 a.m. service will be traditional and the 11 a.m. service will be a blend of contemporary and traditional styles. The church is located at 10100 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls.