Send announcements to the connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to
herndon@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, call Jennifer Lesinski at 703-917-6454.
This free listing is reserved for activities and events that are open to the public at no or minimal cost.
Sunday, Oct. 17, at 11 a.m., Dyana Mason, executive director of Equality Virginia, a statewide, nonpartisan, lobbying, education and support network for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and straight allied (GLBT) communities in Virginia, will be speaking to the Northern Virginia Ethical Society on the current status of efforts to provide full and equal rights to Virginians. The event is free and will take place at 225 Nutley St., N.W., Vienna. For more information visit www.noves.org or call 703-437-3161.
An Interfaith Trialogue will be held from 7-9 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 17, at St. Thomas a Becket Catholic Church, 1421 Wiehle Ave, Reston. Speakers, Father Thomas P. Ferguson and Rabbi Robert A. Nosanchuk, who became leaders of their respective religious communities this past summer, will join Robert J. Marrro, representing the All Dulles Area Muslim Society.
The public is welcome and urged to attend. The presentations will address such topics as: religious views in the forefront of public issue discussions; public support for faith based organizations; the role of religion and religious commitment of the Presidential candidates, and other relevant subjects. The main presentations will be followed by a question and answer period. Refreshments will be served.
For additional information and/or directions, please call Nancy Dickson at 703-860-8843 or the St. Thomas a Becket parish office at 703-437-4113 or consult the parish Web site www.stthomasabecketparish.org.
First Baptist Church, 681 Elden St., Herndon, is holding a fall flea market/craft sale Oct. 23, in the parking lot behind the church, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Crafters and others interested in selling wares are welcome. Call the church office at 703-437-3620 for more details.
The Washington Plaza Baptist Church in holding an Outdoor Community Worship celebration Sunday, Oct. 17, at 11 a.m. Includes music, liturgical dance, drams and open sharing. The theme pertains to the children's Sabbath, "Say That I'm a Child of God." Visit www.WashingtonPlazaChurch.com or call 703-471-5225 for more information. The church is located at 1615 Washington Plaza, Reston.
Four members of the United Christian Parish of Reston have received God and Service Awards, given for distinguished service by adults in ministry to young people through the church and the Boy Scouts. They are Robert Gehring of Reston, Christopher Gohrband of Herndon, B.J. Silvey of Reston and James Vollmer of Herndon.
Gehring has worked with Boy Scouts in La Paz, Bolivia, and Montevideo, Uruguay, as well as the National Capital Area. He is currently chair of the Troop Committee of Troop 1313, sponsored by the Sunrise Valley Elementary School PTA. Gohrband, currently chair of the Troop Committee of Troop 1802, sponsored by the Lions Club, has been a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader in Michigan and in Reston. Silvey has been active as an adult leader in the Boy Scouts in Reston for 27 years and is now an Assistant District Commissioner covering eight scout units in Reston. Vollmer is Scoutmaster of Troop 1580 of the Vecinos Unidos (Neighbors United) organization in Herndon; Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 1530, sponsored by Pender United Methodist Church; and he has served as a Unit Commissioner Ñ the liaison between the Boy Scouts of America and individual
units Ñ for three years.
Candidates for the 8th Congressional District, incumbent James Moran (D), Lisa Marie Cheney (R) and Jim Hurysz (I) will take part in a Meet the Candidates Forum, Sunday, Oct. 17, at 7 p.m. at Congregation Beth Emeth in Herndon. The forum is open to the public and free of charge. Steven David Stone, an attorney in Fairfax, will serve as moderation. The Congregation is located at 12523 Lawyers Road, Herndon. For more information contact Roz Engels at 703-323-0880 ext. 11 or at roze@jccnv.org. The Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, Congregation Beth Emeth, Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation, Shoreshim, Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation, Temple Beth Torah, Yad Shalom, and Congregation Sha'are Shalom sponsor the event.
Word of Grace Christian Center is hosting its Harvest Carnival, a Halloween alternative, Sunday, Oct. 31, from 6-8 p.m. Free admission including candy, inflatables, motorcycle rides, carnival games, puppet show. Concession stand will sell hot dogs, etc. and drinks. Located at 13832 Redskin Drive, Herndon. Call 703-796-9673 or visit http://www.wogf.org for more information.
Vale United Methodist Church, 11528 Vale Road, Oakton, is holding a health fair and chili cook-off Saturday, Oct. 23, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Awards will be given for the best homemade chili. Screenings available: glucose, blood pressure, derma view, bone density, cholesterol and hearing, fee for service, flu and pneumonia vaccines available, fee for service. For more information call 703-620-2594 or visit www.valechurch.com.
Saturday, Oct. 23, the bluegrass band Blue Daze, a five-piece band from central Maryland that derives its sound from a mix of traditional and contemporary bluegrass as well as from numerous original songs, will be appearing at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. The concert will be held in the Fellowship Hall at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1090 Sterling Road, Herndon, at 7:30 p.m., doors open at 6:30 p.m. Admission $10. For information/reservations call 703-437-1883 or 703-435-8377. Payment on concert night. Snack service available. Holy Cross is handicapped accessible.
The Jewish Learning Institute, now at Chabad of Northern Virginia, presents "Finding Yourself in Genesis," a revolutionary concept in Jewish adult education. The program will be held eight consecutive Monday evenings beginning Nov. 1 at Chabad Community Campus, 3939 Prince William Drive, Fairfax. Visit myjli.com or call 703-426-1980 for dates and information on future programs.
The Herndon Ecumenical Discussion Group meets on the fourth Saturday of each month, 9 a.m.-noon, to study the unity and diversity of Christian heritage. Meetings are in room 213 at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church, 750 Peachtree St., Herndon. All are welcome. For more information, call Betty at 703-437-1196.