Send announcements to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to loudoun@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.
On Wednesday evening, Aug. 3, at 7 p.m., the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling will hold mid week vespers led by Worship Associate James Stafford. UUS meets every Sunday morning, at 10:30 a.m., at the Sterling Oaks Commerce Center at 22135 Davis Drive, off of Church Road near the W&OD Trail. Call 703-406-3068 or visit uusterling.org.
Congregation Sha'are Shalom will hold its monthly pot luck dairy dinner and family service Friday, Aug. 5. Dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by a family service at 7:30 p.m. RSVP by Aug. 4 for next month to 703-738-4816. Visit www.sha-areshalom.org.
A flea market at the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling will take place Aug. 6, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. will include interesting items, as well as hot dogs, baked goods and information about the community. The Unitarian Universalists of Sterling is located at Sterling Oaks Commerce Center 22135 Davis Drive, Suite 104, near Route 28 and Church Road in Sterling. Call 703-406-3068 or visit http://www.uusterling.org. Story telling will be available for the children.
Vendors are needed for the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling flea market and vendor sale scheduled for Aug. 6, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., at Sterling Oaks Commerce Center, 22135 Davis Drive, Suite 104 Vendors may sell their wares or provide information for the community. The fee for the table is $15 and the provision of one item for the door prize. The vendor keeps all the profits from their table. Contact Shannon Masiak at 703-450-2875, e-mail: slmasiak@hotmail.com for registration.
On Sunday, Aug. 7, at 10:30 a.m., the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling will hear from Bonnie Lepoff, Shelley Tamres, and Kim Fitzgerald for a Covenant Group Service. Come and explore the community of Covenant Groups and learn how small group ministry can enrich the spiritual lives of participants. UUS meets every Sunday morning, at 10:30 a.m., at the Sterling Oaks Commerce Center at 22135 Davis Drive, off of Church Road near the W&OD Trail. Call 703-406-3068 or visit uusterling.org.
On Aug. 10, at 7:30 p.m., Galilee United Methodist Church will be having a Blessing of the Pets service. Bring your non-poisonous pet, on leashes where applicable, to be blessed. The event is free. Water for pets will be available. Galilee UMC is located at 45425 Winding Road, Sterling. Contact the church at 703-430-2203 or visit www.galileeumc.org.
On Aug. 12 and 13, for Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation (BCRC) located in Ashburn will have its first full weekend of Shabbat services being led by Rabbi Jesse Gallop. The public is welcome. Recently Gallop joined the congregation for Friday night services and the installation of the new BCRC Board. E-mail Rabbi.Jesse.Gallop@hotmail.com.
On Aug. 13, at 7:30 p.m., Galilee United Methodist Church will be having a gifts and talents show. Members of the church will be presenting everything from music, to comedy, to poetry and even line dancing. Fine arts will also be presented in a showing of photography, needlework, painting and drawing. Following the event will be an old-fashioned ice cream social. The event is free. Child care is provided. Galilee UMC is located at 45425 Winding Road, Sterling. Contact the church at 703-430-2203 or visit www.galileeumc.org.
On Sunday, Aug. 14, at 10:30 a.m., the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling welcomes Worship Associate Gus Douoguih in the pulpit as he presents, We are Not Alone, in celebration of the common heritage of Unitarian Universalism. UUS meets every Sunday morning, at 10:30 a.m., at the Sterling Oaks Commerce Center at 22135 Davis Drive, off of Church Road near the W&OD Trail. Call 703-406-3068 or visit uusterling.org.
On Aug. 17, at 6:30 p.m., Galilee United Methodist Church will be having a nature walk and Native American display, done by Galilee member Bob Anderson. The nature walk will occur around the church environs, which includes a pond with wildlife and plants. The display will take place in the air-conditioned gymnasium, where Anderson will explore his Native American heritage and show artifacts. The event is free. Child care is provided. Galilee UMC is located at 45425 Winding Road, Sterling Contact the church at 703-430-2203 or visit www.galileeumc.org.
Ashburn Presbyterian Church (APC) is hosting three community get-togethers for people who enjoy making crafts. The APC Women's Ministry is looking for individuals who enjoy expressing themselves through pottery, wreaths, stamping, ornaments, woodworking, sewing, painting or other projects. They are encouraged to get involved by creating and donating items for sale at the church's bazaar. While working on project ideas, join the Women's Ministry for one of its monthly craft classes to produce bazaar merchandise: origami gift tags; Aug. 18, from 7-9 p.m., rubber stamped Christmas and birthday cards; Sept. 18, from 4-6 p.m., bean bag snowmen. Craft sessions will be held at Ashburn Presbyterian Church, 20962 Ashburn Road. Visit the Web site at www.ashburnpresbyterian.org or call 703-729-2012.
On Aug. 18, at 7:30 p.m., Galilee United Methodist Church will be having a Service of Prayer and Healing. The worship service is free and the community is invited to be a part of reaching wellness and wholeness. Child care is provided. Galilee UMC is located at 45425 Winding Road, Sterling. Contact the church at 703-430-2203 or visit www.galileeumc.org.
The Leesburg Presbyterian Church, 207 West Market St., has set a new summer worship schedule. Worship services will be Sunday mornings, 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m., through August. In addition, Saturday Night Outside worship services will be held on the church lawn at 5 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 20. Food will be served and everyone is welcome. Call the church office at 703-777-4163.
On Aug. 20, at 7:30 p.m., Galilee United Methodist Church in Sterling, will be having a "PRaise the Roof" concert, featuring the Full Circle Band from Floris United Methodist Church. Following the event will be an old-fashioned ice cream social. The event is free. Child care is provided. Galilee UMC is located at 45425 Winding Road, Sterling. Contact the church at 703-430-2203 or visit www.galileeumc.org.
From 8 a.m.- noon, Aug. 20, Galilee United Methodist Church will be having yard sale to benefit local, national and international mission causes. The yard sale will take place in the air-conditioned gym. Galilee UMC is located at 45425 Winding Road, Sterling. Contact the church at 703-430-2203 or visit www.galileeumc.org.
On Sunday, Aug. 21, at 10:30 a.m., the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling will hear Worship Associate James Stafford, a communications engineer, as he explores communication theory in a religious and spiritual context. UUS meets every Sunday morning, at 10:30 a.m., at the Sterling Oaks Commerce Center at 22135 Davis Drive, off of Church Road near the W&OD Trail. Call 703-406-3068 or visit uusterling.org.
Galilee United Methodist Church has designated Sunday, Aug. 28 "Blessing of the Backpacks Sunday." All children in the church and community are invited to bring their backpacks all ready for the new school year to church that day for a special blessing. The congregation will also be recognizing area school teachers and administrators. Worship times are 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Galilee UMC is located at 45425 Winding Road, in Sterling. Call 703-430- 2203 or e-mail the church office, Galileeumc@Galileeumc.net or go to visit www.Galileeumc.org.
On Sunday, Aug. 28, at the 10:30 a.m. service, the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling will welcome the new interim minister, the Rev. Matthew McNaught, into the pulpit for the first time. McNaught will serve as interim minister for a two-year period as he assists the congregation in finding a settled minister. An all-congregation picnic will follow. UUS meets every Sunday morning, at 10:30 a.m., at the Sterling Oaks Commerce Center at 22135 Davis Drive, off of Church Road near the W&OD Trail. Call 703-406-3068 or visit uusterling.org.
Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation (BCRC) will offer adult education with student Rabbi Jesse Gallop. The class will meet once a month during the academic year Ñ September-June, 10 sessions in all Ñ at the Boyd School in Ashburn. The course will be Sundays during religious school, 9:30-11 a.m.; and is intended as an introduction to Jewish customs, traditions, concepts and philosophies. All are welcome to participate. Tuition is free for BCRC members, $36 for nonmembers. To enroll, contact Karlah Louis at 703-421-0884 or by e-mail at karlah.louis@earthlink.net.
Required texts: Dosick, Wayne. "Living Judaism." HarperCollins: New York, N.Y., 1995; "Introduction to Judaism: A Sourcebook." The URJ Press: New York, N.Y., 1998; Perelson, Ruth. "An Invitation to Shabbat." The URJ Press: New York, N.Y., 1997; Sonsino and Syme. "Finding God." The URJ Press: New York, N.Y., 2002; Telushkin, Joseph. "Jewish Literacy." William Morrow (Publisher): New York,
N.Y., 2001; "Tanakh: The Holy Scripture." Jewish Publication Society (JPS), 1985, recommended, not required.
At a congregational meeting the Unitarian Universalist Church of Loudoun (UUCL) voted overwhelmingly to become recognized by the Unitarian Universalist Association as a "Welcoming Congregation."
As a Welcoming Congregation, the UUCL has taken a vow to provide a welcoming place of worship to all people, regardless of sexual orientation. The congregation is dedicated to continued education on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues, and advocacy for the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered persons.
Summer services are held at 10 a.m., every Sunday from through Sept. 4. Visit the UUCL Web site at www.uuloudoun.org or call the church at 703-737-7644.
"How do I deal with My ParentsÕ Divorce?" is being offered by the New Life Christian Church as a 13-week divorce care program for middle-school students and elementary-level, ages 5-11. Groups will take place from 9:30-11 a.m., at Westfield's High School campus on Sunday mornings in Centreville. Groups start Sept. 11. Contact Lucy Martinez for sign up information at 703-220-5022.
Potomac Falls Episcopal Church meets for Sunday services at 10 a.m., at Horizon Elementary School, 46665 Broadmore Drive, Sterling. Sunday school for children and nursery care for infants is provided each week.
St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church, in conjunction with the Chaplaincy Department of Loudoun Hospital Center, provides a healing service on the second Sunday of each month, from 2:30-3:30 p.m., in the chapel of Inova Loudoun Hospital Center, located on Riverside Parkway in Lansdowne. Patients, family, friends and staff, as well as the wider community are welcome. The service is conducted with "stations" so that people can drop in any time during the hour to receive healing prayer, holy communion, and request prayers for others. Contact the church office at 703-779-3616 or visit www.saintgabriels.net.
The Loudoun Church Alliance is a formal association of churches of many denominations, founded two years ago. It works in the areas of youth development, international missions, evangelism outreach, and is now working to develop relationships with government and business. Contact founder and missionary Jack Stagman at jackstagman@adelphia.net.
The Unitarian Universalists of Sterling meet on Sunday mornings, at 10:30 a.m., at the Sterling Oaks Commerce Center at 21355 Davis Drive near Rt. 28 and Church Road. Call 703-406-3068 or visit uusterling.org.