<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.
Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church hosts a series of Circle Dance. 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. 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.
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.
Searching for direction? Want to grow in faith and understand what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? Then spend all or part of the weekend of Oct. 24, 25 and 26, with Pender United Methodist Church, 12401 Alder Woods Drive, Fairfax. The weekend begins Friday night with a meal provided by the church and activities for the whole family. For more information, call the church at 703-278-8023 or visit www.penderumc.org.
Fall Festival. New Hope Church returned to Hayfield High School after having moved to a temporary location in Alexandria last year due to school construction renovations. To celebrate its return, New Hope will host its annual Fall Fun Festival on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2-6 p.m., rain or shine. The festival is a free, family-friendly festival that features a petting zoo, live music, rides, free food, games and more. The festival takes place at Hayfield High School.
The Community Youth Choir, for all children in grades 2-6 who love to sing contemporary Jewish music, starts its fourth season on Sunday, Oct. 26, under the direction of song leader/songwriter Carol Boyd Leon. The choir rehearses Sundays at 5 p.m., at Congregation Olam Tikvah, 3800 Glenbrook Road, Fairfax (except on holiday weekends) and will perform at Jewish choral festivals and community events including the Jewish Folk Arts Festival and Washington Area Jewish Youth Choir Festival. For more information, contact Carol at CBLeon@hotmail.com or phone her at 703-250-0554.
St. Augustine Gospel Choir will perform on Oct. 26, at 4 p.m., at the Church of the Nativity on Old Keene Mill Road in Burke. The St. Augustine Gospel Choir has performed for Pope John Paul II and President Clinton, and has appeared on ABC Nightline as well as international televised specials and documentaries. Admission is free. Sponsored by Women of Nativity.
First Baptist of Merrifield, Falls Church, celebrates Pastor Keith D. Kitchen's five years of service to the church beginning with a reception following the mid-week service on Thursday, Oct. 30, at 7:30 p.m. The guest preacher will be Rev. Leslie Patterson, First Baptist, Sterling. On Saturday, Nov. 1, at 2 p.m., an anniversary luncheon will feature a special tribute to the pastor's wife, Cheryl Kitchen, at the Marco Polo Restaurant, 245 Maple Ave. W., Vienna. The guest speaker will be Mrs. H. Beecher Hicks from Metropolitan Baptist, Washington, D.C. Cost of lunch is $20 per adult, $11 for children 12 and under. Call Angelia McZeek at the church office for more information: 703-560-3247.
The Jubilee Christian Center Children's Ministry hosts a "Harvest Happening," as a Halloween alternative, for children ages 3 through sixth grade and their parents. The Happening will be Friday, Oct. 31, 7-8:45 p.m., at 4650 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax. There will be prizes, video games, cake walk, moon bounce and goody bags. There is no charge; no costumes, please. Call 703-383-1170 for information.
Richard Hahnemann, sculptor of the Ten Commandments monument placed in the Alabama State Supreme Court, will be sharing his testimony at a Men's Breakfast at Jubilee Christian Center on Saturday, Nov. 1, at 8 a.m., at 4650 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax. The U. S. Supreme Court is considering a writ of certiori in the case of Judge Roy Moore and the removal of the Ten Commandments monument. Free. Call 703-383-1170 for reservations.
Sydenstricker United Methodist Church will host its annual Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Festive crafts, a Second Time Around shop, a “gifts from around the world” table, a silent auction, a bake sale and lunch will be available. All proceeds benefit mission and youth projects. Free. Sydenstricker is located at 8508 Hooes Road, Springfield. For more information, call 703-569-5744.
A special Healing Service will take place Sunday, Nov. 2, 6:30 p.m., at Jubilee Christian Center, 4650 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax. Rev. Butch Frye, missionary evangelist to Mexico, will speak and pray for healing. All are welcome to come for prayer for themselves, or for a friend. 703-383-1170.
Rabbi Sholom Deitsch, director of Chabad Lubavitch of Northern Virginia, will give a series of lectures entitled "Kabbalah for Dummies and Everyone Else," Mondays, Nov. 3, 10, 17 and 14, 7:30 -9 p.m. The four-session course is open to the entire community and everyone is welcome to attend. No prior background or knowledge is required. The classes will take place at the Chabad Community Campus, 3939 Prince William Road in Fairfax. The cost for all four sessions is $36. Call 703-426-1980 for more information and to register.
Olivet Episcopal Church hosts a Thanksgiving Eve Eucharist Service on Wednesday, Nov. 26, at 7:30 p.m., in the Chapel at 6107 Franconia Road, Alexandria. For more information, contact Rev. David Harper at 703-971-4733 or www.olivetepiscopalchurch.org.
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.
Olivet Episcopal Church hosts a series of Advent Nights, which will include wreath making, caroling, dessert social and more. The events will take place on Nov. 30; Dec. 7, 14 and 21, at 6 p.m., in the Chapel at 6107 Franconia Road Alexandria. For more information, contact Rev. David Harper at 703-971-4733 or www.olivetepiscopalchurch.org.
With the voice of their own generation, the youth group of Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 5114 Twinbrook Road in Fairfax, brings a new worship service to senior and junior high-age students on the following Sundays: Nov. 9, Dec. 21, Jan. 18, Feb. 29, Mar. 21 and Apr. 18. The services will take place at 7 p.m., in the church's sanctuary. One Sunday a month, the youth band “Nothing but Faith” will sing and perform for the service while other students deliver the message, scripture readings and prayers. Communion will be celebrated. Parents and youth of all ages are encouraged to participate.
The Shalem Institute is offering free monthly prayer opportunities in Fairfax. The time together will be devoted to relaxation, the presentation of different prayer practices, silence, journal keeping and small group sharing. No experience is required, and participants may attend regularly or drop in. Donations are accepted. Meetings take place the third Monday of the month, 7:30-9 p.m., at the Providence Presbyterian Church, 9019 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. Ann Kulp, Kathy Spaar and Tad Wicker lead the meetings. To register for these events or for more information, visit www.shalem.org or call 301-897-7334.
Burke Presbyterian Church hosts a Coffeehouse Worship every Saturday evening at 5:30 p.m. Join for casual worship around tables, coffee and snacks with a wide variety of music such as jazz, bluegrass and folk presented by area artists. Stay afterwards for a short concert. Burke Presbyterian Church is located at 5690 Oak Leather Drive, Burke, 703-764-0456, www.BurkePresChurch.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.
Kirkwood Presbyterian Church, located at 8336 Carrleigh Parkway in Springfield, supports a Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) program on the first Wednesday of each month. Meetings are 9:30-11 a.m., at the church. All mothers and children are welcome. The program provides mothers an opportunity to get to know other mothers through discussions and craft activities. The children will be cared for my adults in the MOPPET program. Cost is $3 per session. Register by stopping by the church, calling 703-451-5320.
"The Dragon Doesn’t Live Here Anymore." A study of the book by Alan Cohen. The class will meet Wednesdays, 7:30-9:30 p.m., at 8044 Galla Knoll Circle, Springfield. The class is sponsored by New World Unity Church. Meditation will be incorporated each week. For more information, call 703-690-7925.
Burke Community Church offers a weekly group for men called Men’s Fraternity to help discover authentic manhood as directed through the Word of God. Tuesdays, 6 a.m., at 9900 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield.
New World Unity Church hosts a healing prayer service at 7 p.m. every Wednesday at the New World Unity Activity Center, 9331 Braymore Circle in Fairfax Station. Call 703-690-7925.
Divorce Care is a weekly Bible Study care group that helps those who are transitioning through a divorce. The group meets every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., in the church parlor at First Baptist Church of Springfield, 7300 Gary St., Springfield. Child care and children's activities are provided. 703-451-1500.
The Ekoji Buddhist Temple of the greater Washington, D.C., area supports the practice of Shin Buddhists. Various programs and activities help each participant walk the path of a Buddhist, including adult services Sundays at 11 a.m., children's services and Dharma School for children and adults, and meditation classes. For more information visit www.Ekoji.org.
Fresh Fire International Center hosts a dress-down "Love Feast" on the second Sunday of every month at 10:30 a.m. at the Chinese Martial Arts Building, 8426-B Lee Highway, Fairfax, opposite the BMW Fairfax; entrance is in the back. Come meet new people, play games, enjoy a meal and hear the word. Call 703-815-8950.
Arabic Bible Baptist Church is located at 5424 Ox Road in Fairfax Station. Pastor: Tony Ghareeb. Call 703-273-5599 or e-mail to Tghareeb@wmconnect.com.
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is for people interested in becoming Catholic or learning about the Catholic Church. A group meets on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., at St. Leo the Great Church in Fairfax City. All are welcome. Call Martha Malloy at 703-273-5369.
All are welcome to join the Fresh Fire congregation every Sunday for a service at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Sackey and his congregation invite all to participate in preaching and teaching, praise and worship, in a Christ-centered ministry. Fresh Fire International Center meets at the Chinese Martial Arts Building, 8426-B Lee Highway, Fairfax, opposite the BMW Fairfax; entrance is in the back. Call 703-815-8950.