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Congregation Beth Emeth, located in Herndon, announces its 2005-06 <b>Adult Enrichment program</b> of classes, speakers and special events. The schedule kicks off with "The Elul Project: An Asset Workshop," three sessions in which participants will take stock of themselves in preparation for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Classes will be held Wednesdays, Aug. 31, Sept. 7 and Sept. 21, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Classes offered include Basic Judaism, Introductory Hebrew, Israeli Dancing, Shalom Yoga TM, Jewish Meditation and Torah Trop. Rabbi Steven Glazer, D.H.L., will teach two classes, Exploring Classic Jewish Texts and Jew vs. Jew.
Special programs include "V'shinantam L'vanecha," informal Sunday morning sessions, once a month, exploring key Jewish values, led by Bonny Grosz; "In Synagogue," an intellectual/spiritual approach to High Holiday and Shabbat worship services; and hands-on workshops on Sukkot, Pesach and Shavuot, prior to each.
A discussion group meets every Shabbat at noon to discuss the Torah Portion of the week and a group meets for Talmud study every Sunday morning, 9:30-10:30 a.m.
An affiliate of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, Beth Emeth is found at 12523 Lawyers Rd., Herndon. Call 703-860-4515, Ext. 127 or e-mail dawn@bethemeth.org.
This 57th Annual <b>Convention (Jalsa Salana) Sept. 2-4,</b> will attract thousands of Ahmadi Muslims from our 60 organized chapters located all over the USA. They will live in the area for three days, dine together and listen to speeches focused on contemporary issues facing our society and Islam's response to them. Like the past few years, several high ranking officials, members of the house and Senate, ambassadors, educators, civic and religious leaders of different religions; some, along with their congregations will be in attendance. The Convention will be held at the Dulles Expo Center, 4368 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly.
Sunday, <b>Sept. 11, Holy Cross Lutheran Church</b> will "kick off" the start of a new church year, and the beginning of fall programs, with a day of remembrance, fellowship, family and fun. The community is cordially invited to enjoy this special day. The day starts with a Sept. 11, 2001 Memorial Service at 8:30 a.m., a Ministry Fair at 9:15 a.m., an outside family worship service at 11 a.m. followed by a big old-fashioned picnic. There will be a moon bounce, dunk tank, obstacle course, plus a music talent showcase and open jam sessions as well as volleyball for all. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, musical instruments and let the fun begin. Call the church office at 703-437-1883. Holy Cross is located at 1090 Sterling Rd. (about a block off Elden Street) in Herndon.
<b>Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation </b>will host youth services for the youngest members at 6:30 p.m., Sept. 16, followed by a family Shabbat service in Sterling. Sept. 17, Shabbat morning services and a bar mitzvah will be held 9:30 a.m. Hebrew High kickoff will be held at 7 p.m., with student Rabbi Jesse Gallop. Teens from the WFEL community are invited to join discussions pertaining to teens with a social following. On Sept. 25, there will be a BCRC Meet & Greet in Ashburn, at 9 a.m. Prospective and new members are invited to join the BCRC for coffee and a nosh and visit the Sunday school.
<b>Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation's Judaism 101</b> with Student Rabbi Jesse Gallop will offer a monthly, hour-long, high-school class to meet one Saturday evening a month. To foster a high degree of student involvement, course topics relating to teenage life will be agreed upon jointly by attendees and the rabbi. Adopting a discussion-type format to exploring current issues and discuss Jewish and modern perspectives. An optional youth group social will follow each class to be determined by the students at the Sept. 17 kickoff. Classes begin Sept. 18, at 9:15 a.m., in Ashburn. Members and nonmembers are welcome to this 10-part course on "what we forgot and what we never knew about Judaism." The course has a book list for participants and a $36 fee for nonmembers. Call 703-391-8669 or contact Lisa Kimball at bradamk@aol.com.
The Women's Ministries of Jubilee Christian Center is having an 8-week <b>Fall Women's Bible Study</b> using the book, "Believing God," by Beth Moore. The study is Mondays, 7:30-9 p.m., starting Sept. 19, and also Tuesdays, 9:45 a.m.-noon, beginning Sept. 20. The church is located at 4650 Shirley Gate Rd., Fairfax. The cost is $20, which includes the book; if you have the book, the cost is $5. Call 703-383-1170 to register. Free child care will be provided upon request only.
<b>Holiday Services. </b>Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation will be hosting High Holiday services for Erev Rosh Hashanah Oct. 3, at 7:30 p.m., Rosh Hashanah Oct. 4, at 9:30 a.m., Kol Nidre Oct. 12, at 7:30 p.m., and Yom Kippur Oct. 13, at 10 a.m. All services will be held in Ashburn; call 703-391-8669.
Washington Plaza Baptist Church offers <b>Kerygma Bible study, Discovering the Bible</b>, a basic, yet comprehensive introduction to the Bible as a whole. Learn about the peoples, places and events as well as see beyond to new understandings of faith and life. The study, comprised of 30 lessons started Feb. 1 and continues Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. until mid-November. Free. Workbook provided with option to purchase. Call the Rev. Sandi John at 703-471-5225 or visit www.washingtonplazachurch.com.
The <b>Reston Bible Church</b> is a non-denominational church, which celebrated its 30th Anniversary in 2005, and serves a congregation of more than 2000 at 11979 North Shore Drive, in Reston. Pastor Mike Minter has served as the church’s pastor since he and his wife, Kay Minter, founded the church 1974. RBC is a Bible believing and preaching church with a passion for impacting the lives of those living in the community. Call 703-478-9730 or visit www.restonbible.org.
A <b>free English class</b> for speakers of other languages is offered at Jubilee Christian Center as a special Sunday school class at 9:30 a.m. 4650 Shirley Gate Rd., Fairfax. Call 703-383-1170.
Every Wednesday at noon, <b>St. Timothy's Episcopal Church</b>, 432 Van Buren St. in Herndon, offers a lunch-time Prayer and Healing Service. This 30-minute nondenominational service is offered to all local residents and people working in businesses in Herndon and surrounding areas; and allows people an opportunity to worship during the work week when they may be away from their regular church. All are welcome. Call the church Mondays-Fridays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at 703-437-3790 or visit www.saint-timothys.org.
<b>Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation </b>will hold Sunday School every Sunday, from 9 a.m.-noon, at the Boyd Montessori School in Ashburn. In addition to Sunday School, a second day of Hebrew School will be offered Tuesday evenings, from 7-8 p.m., at Sanders Corner Elementary School. Attendance is limited to fourth- through seventh-graders and adults interested in learning Hebrew. Contact Lisa Kimball at bradamk@aol.com or call 703-858-1999.
<b>The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington</b> has organized trips to Israel this summer for groups, families and individuals who wish to explore the unique experience of life in the Jewish homeland. Jews visit Israel for many reasons — religious, cultural, recreational and to visit family, among others. Contact Beryl Meyer at 301-230-7264 or e-mail beryl.meyer@shalomdc.org for more information.
Remaining trips to Israel scheduled through federation include:
* Health Professionals Affinity, October, 2005.
* Jewish Residents of Leisure World, November, 2005.
* Hanukkah trip to Israel, December 2005-January 2006.
Since the beginning of 2005, the <b>Reston Bible Church's Food Bank,</b> has reached 240 families or 1,200 people in the local area plus countless others in five remote locations in the Virginia/Washington, D.C., locations. As many as 200 crates of food per week, provided by Giant Food, are distributed to low-income families and the homeless. The food is distributed to neighborhood walk-ins at RBC each week plus the needy at the Cherokee Nation in Warrenton, Central Union Mission in D.C., Great Day Child Care Families, William Ramsey Elementary School and just recently, the Reston/Herndon Hispanic community. In addition to food distribution, the RBC Food Bank has served as a center for meeting other types of needs as well, including a computer for home-schooled child, and linens, pots, pans and furniture for the truly needy. Food Bank volunteers have helped the unemployed find jobs, find legal help and transportation to doctor appointments.
Meditate to become free from stress and discover a wealth of inner peace. <b>Vajrayogini Buddhist Center </b>offers classes in Buddhist meditation that are open to all.
Tuesdays, from 7:30-9 p.m., in the 'Cry' room, next to chapel. Come to St. Anne's Episcopal Church 1700 Wainwright Drive in Reston. Visit www.meditation-dc.org or call 202-331-2122.