<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.
The Little River United Church of Christ, 8410 Little River Turnpike, Annandale starts its new First Friday season on Friday, Oct. 3 with a spotlight on international dance — everything from salsa to polka to Indian dances. The First Friday program serves children and parents from the congregation and the community alike. 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 with a maximum of $20 per family. The price rises to $8.50 with a maximum of $22 for late registration. Sign up by calling the church office, 703-978-3060, or by registering online, http://lrucc.org/1stfri.htm.
Children's Consignment Sale. Saturday, Oct. 4, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. This sale, with over 175 consignors, includes children's clothes, shoes, toys, games, books, infant items, maternity items and more. At the Christ United Methodist Church, 8285 Glen Eagles Lane, Fairfax Station. Contact Laura Cranston at 703-690-2559 or lcranston@advancepharmacy.org with questions. Visit www.christchurchva.org.
Breast Cancer Awareness Service. On behalf of breast cancer survivors and in memory of those who have died of the illness, Lord of Life Lutheran Church extends an open invitation for all to join in a Saturday evening worship service on Oct. 4, at 5:30 p.m. Lord of Life is located at 5114 Twinbrook Road, Fairfax. Joining in a spirit of comfort and praise, the special program will include a liturgy of healing, communion and a video presentation of one woman’s desperate fight with breast cancer and despair. Contact the Lord of Life Lutheran Church Office at 703-323-9500 for more information.
Blessing of the Animals — Bring Your Pet. Sunday, Oct. 5, at 4 p.m., at Olivet Episcopal Church 6107 Franconia Road, Alexandria. For more information, contact Rev. David Harper at 703-971-4733 or visit www.olivetepiscopalchurch.org.
Come join in the fun at Nativity's Fall Festival, Oct. 5, 3-7 p.m., on the church grounds at 6400 Nativity Lane in Burke. There will be entertainment for the whole family including, music, carnival games, amusements and good old fashioned fun. Space is available for crafters and vendors to participate in this popular fall festival. The fee is $40 for an 8 x 10 space. In addition, each vendor will also donate an item to be included in a raffle basket. All proceeds of the raffle sale will be used to help support the fall festival. For inquiries, call Shelly Colandene at 703-866-2303.
St. Andrew’s Information Fair. On Sunday, Oct. 5, 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m., St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Burke will host its annual ministry fair showcasing the 55 programs in which they participate. The fair takes place outdoors with music, snacks and information for all ages. St. Andrew’s is located at 6509 Sydenstricker Road across from Pohick Library.
Revs. David and Margaret Hiller visit Unity of Fairfax on Sunday, Oct. 5, 1-4 p.m., for a hands-on healing workshop. The Hillers’ work was featured in a CBS documentary, “Beyond Reality.” They will be signing their recently published book, “Dare to Dream.” On Monday, Oct. 6, individuals can make appointments for hour-long counseling and healing sessions with either David or Margaret for $60 an hour. Call the church at 703-281-1767.
Celebrate the anniversary of John Edwards’ birth on Sunday, Oct. 5, at 6 p.m., in the sanctuary of the Community Covenant Church, 7018 Sydenstricker Road, Springfield. John Edwards, one of America’s greatest theologians and a major figure in the Great Awakening in Colonial New England, was born 300 years ago in East Windsor, Conn. Community Covenant will celebrate his contribution with Rev. John Benson’s reading of Edwards’ 1741 sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” and a worship service opportunity for conversation. The public is invited. For more information, call 703-451-7018 or 703-451-6624. The church is located at 7018 Sydenstricker Road, Burke.
Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church hosts its next series of Circle Dance beginning Oct. 11. The class is appropriate for teens and adults; no previous experience or dancing skills are necessary. Dancers may come singly or bring a friend. All dates are open to new dancers. Fall dates are Saturdays, Oct. 11 and 25, Nov. 8 and 22, and Dec. 13, 8-10 p.m. Fee is $10 per person per class. Accotink is located at 10125 Lakehaven Court in Burke, 703-503-4579.
Harvest Church invites to public to its Grand Opening Weekend celebration on Saturday, Oct. 11 and Sunday, Oct. 12. On Oct. 11, the church will have a community harvest festival featuring live entertainment, children’s games, a moon bounce, face painting, a clown and more, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Oct. 11, at 10:30 a.m., the church will convene for the Grand Opening Celebration Service with Pastor Tim Cerce speaking. These events are free to the public. Harvest Church is located at 7401 Beulah St., Alexandria. For more information, call 703-971-7070.
Inquirers and Confirmation Classes. Youths and adults invited. Saturday, Oct. 18, at 10 a.m.-12 p.m., in the Simpson room at Olivet Episcopal Church 6107 Franconia Road, Alexandria. For more information, contact Rev. David Harper at 703-971-4733 or visit www.olivetepiscopalchurch.org.
Woman at the Well hosts its annual Prayer Breakfast with guest speaker Vi Walker, the founder of Woman at the Well, on Saturday, Oct. 18, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., at Fairfax Presbyterian Church, 10723 Main St., Fairfax. 9 a.m. registration; $7 fee payable at door. Call Chris at 703-503-8519 for more information.
Silent Auction. Sunday, Oct. 19, at 5 p.m., in the Fellowship hall at Olivet Episcopal Church 6107 Franconia Road, Alexandria. For more information, contact Rev. David Harper at 703-971-4733 or visit www.olivetepiscopalchurch.org.
Jubilee Campaign USA, a non-profit Christian human rights organization, hosts its First Annual Celebrate Freedom Banquet on Friday, Oct. 24, at 7:30 p.m., at Springfield Hilton, 6550 Loisdale Road, Springfield. The keynote speaker is Lord David Alton, a member of the British House of Lords and advocate for the persecuted church. Other speakers include Ayub Masih from Pakistan and Mina Nevisa from Iran, who will share personal stories of religious persecution. $15. Call 703-503-0791 or visit www.jubileecampiagn.org for more information.
Scarecrow Making. Saturday, Oct. 25, 2 p.m., in the lawn at Olivet Episcopal Church 6107 Franconia Road, Alexandria. For more information, contact Rev. David Harper at 703-971-4733 or visit www.olivetepiscopalchurch.org.
Trunk and Treat. On Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m., members of the Central Christian Church will pass out candy in the church parking lot from the trunks of their cars. This is a safe environment for children to dress up in their favorite costumes and receive candy. Fun for children of all ages accompanied by a parent or guardian. The church is located at 6427 Franconia Road, Springfield. For more information, call Jacynda Lynch, the children's minister, at 703-971-0277.
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.
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.
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.
Career Net meets every Monday, from 7-9 p.m., at Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church in Burke. The free weekly event allows job seekers to network with each other, receive employment-related news and literature, ask for specific help from others and the volunteers. Meetings are headed by Jane Tresvaskis, a professional career counselor. For more information, call Subhash Gupta at 703-323-5676 or Robert Westin at 703-978-6229. Career Net takes place in Room 124 of the church, 10125 Lakehaven Court, in Burke. Call the church office at 703-503-4579 or check the Web site, accotinkuuc.uua.org.