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.
Darren Beachley and The Maryland Line, a regional bluegrass/gospel band, will be performing Saturday, Sept. 11, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1090 Sterling Road, Herndon, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $10. Reservations by phone: Mondays-Fridays until 3:30 p.m., 703-437-1883, Ellie; other times, 703-435-8377, Bob. Payment at "will call" table on concert night. Snack service available. Holy Cross is handicapped accessible.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington has announced that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is designating September, as Jewish Heritage Month in Fairfax County, marking the 350th anniversary of Jews in America. Jewish community leaders will receive a special proclamation Sept. 13, at 9:30 a.m., in the board auditorium of the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax. Marcia Kerchner, a Northern Virginia resident and Federation board member, and Warren Cohen, president, Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, will receive the proclamation on behalf of the Northern Virginia Jewish community. Kershner also serves as chair of FederationÕs Jewish in Northern Virginia Affinity Network. Individuals are welcome to attend the presentation. The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington is on the Internet at www.ShalomDC.org.
Free ESL (English as a Second Language) classes are being offered at Dranesville United Methodist Church. Various levels of instruction are available for beginning to advanced students. Open registration will be held Thursday, Sept. 16, from 9:30-11:30 a.m., at the church. Classes begin on Thursday, Sept. 23, and are held every following Thursday morning from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Free child care is also provided during class time for children 2 years and older. Dranesville United Methodist Church is located at 1089 Liberty Meeting Court, Herndon. For more information call the church office at 703-430-3137 during the day or Sharon Harroun at 703-860-9417 in the evenings.
The next meeting of the YAWeH (You Are Welcome Here) discussion group is Sunday, Sept. 5, at the Washington Plaza Baptist Church, 1615 Washington Plaza, Reston. The group meets the first Sunday of each month, at 6:30 p.m., in the church sanctuary, to hold a Christian discussion group, especially for those disenfranchised by the church. It is an informal time of worship, teaching and fellowship. For more information, e-mail Pastor@WashingtonPlazaChurch.com or visit www.WashingtonPlazaChurch.com.
Jubilee Christian Center is hosting a "Friendship Day" and free lunch Sunday, Sept. 12. The buffet luncheon follows the 9:30 a.m. Sunday school for all ages and the 10:30 a.m. worship service at noon. Jubilee Christian Center is located at 4650 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax. Call 703-383-1170 for lunch reservations. See also the church Web site www.jccag.org for more informationm.
Passages, a 10-session program for people experiencing separation and divorce will be held Tuesday evenings, from 7-9 p.m., beginning Sept. 28, at the Vienna Presbyterian Church, 124 Park St. N.E., Vienna. Cost is $25. For more information call the church at 703-938-9050.
The United Christian Parish of Reston is sponsoring a fall picnic Saturday, Sept. 11, from 5-7 p.m. at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston, in Areas C and D. Features food, fellowship and five-minute presentations by church committees on education, worship, Christian life, finance, witness and missions. For more information, visit www.unitedchristianparish.org or call the church office at 703-620-3065.
Free conversational English classes for all levels, beginning to advanced, will be held at Washington Plaza Baptist Church, 1615 Washington Plaza West in Reston. Two classes will be offered, Wednesday, Sept. 22, from 1:30-3 p.m. and Thursday, Sept. 23, from 7-8:30 p.m. For more information, visit the Web site, www.WashingtonPlazaChurch.com; e-mail Administrator@WashingtonPlazaChurch.com; or call 703-471-5225.
Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation will be holding its Annual Picnic Sunday, Sept. 5, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. In addition to food, the picnic will feature activities including a moon bounce, arts and crafts, raffles and games for whole family. There is no charge for prospective members. The price for BCRC members is $6 per person and children under 4 are free.Ê The maximum price per family is $24. Contact Alicia Balser at 703-771-4694 by Aug. 29 for more information and reservations.Ê
Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation is a memberÊof Union for Reform Judaism and serves Loudoun and western Fairfax County. For more information about BCRC, its services and programs visit www.bethchaverim.org or by calling 703-391-8669.
The Washington Plaza Baptist Church in Reston will be holding an end-of-the-summer Celebration of God's Goodness Sunday, Sept. 5 at 11 a.m. The event will include music, liturgical dance, drama and open sharing. For more information visit the Web site www.WashingtonPlazaChurch.com or call 703-471-5225. The church is located at 1615 Washington Plaza.
The fall Bible study, "Interpretation: A Guide to Understanding the Bible Today," begins Tuesday, Sept. 14, 7:30-9 p.m., at the Washington Plaza Baptist Church, 1615 Washington Plaza, Reston. The 14-lesson course teaches how to explore historical settings, discover the literary context and audience, analyze the structure, and investigate words and phrases of the Scriptures. To register, call 703-471-5225 or e-mail Administrator@WashingtonPlazaChurch.com.
Tickets for the non member High Holiday are now available for purchase at Congregation Etz Hayim in Arlington, through Sept. 24. Tot, family and adult services are offered. For more information, call 703-979-4466, e-mail highholidays@etzhayim.net, or visit www.etzhayim.net.
Join the Dranesville Church of the Brethren every Friday evening, at 7 p.m., during August. The church is located at 11500 Leesburg Pike, Herndon. Contact the church office by calling 703-430-787 or 703-437-4852 for more information.
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.