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.
As part of the KidsÕ Konnection, ÒBack to School Rally,Ó Ashburn Presbyterian Church (APC) is hosting the KidsÕ Konnection Choir Sunday, July 24, at the contemporary worship service, at 9:45 a.m., and the traditional worship service, at 11:15 a.m.
Kids' Konnection is a nonprofit organization that combines many aspects of ministry to reach children in housing projects in Washington, D.C. They have a number of traditions that the kids look forward to each year, one of those traditions is collecting and distributing much needed school supplies each fall.
Each year KidsÕ Konnection has a ÒBack to School RallyÓ and provides a book bag with supplies for each child. APC will be collecting these supplies during the month of July. Each child needs the following supplies: backpack, an eraser and ruler, 200 sheets of filler paper, box of 16 crayons, pencils and a pen, and bubble gum.
To make a donation, each backpack costs $15. Make check payable to KidsÕ Konnection with ÒSchool SuppliesÓ written on the check. School supplies and donations may be dropped off at the Welcome Center at Ashburn Presbyterian Church at 20962 Ashburn Road. Call 703-729-2012 or visit the Web site at www.ashburnpresbyterian.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., Saturdays, July 23 and Aug. 20. Food will be served and everyone is welcome. Call the church office at 703-777-4163.
On Sunday, July 24, at 10:30 a.m., the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling will have a service entitled "Parenting and Children with disAbilities." How are children included and welcomed in the community? What is it like to parent a child with a disability? Worship Associate Deb Rose will lead a service exploring the challenges. Join Rose and Worship Associate Kim Fitzgerald. UUS meets at 22135 Davis Drive near Route 28 and Church Road every Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. Call 703-406-3068 or visit uusterling.org.
On Sunday, July 24, at 4 p.m., the public is invited to attend a worship service at Saint Matthew's Episcopal Church in Sterling designed for people and the pets who love them. Father Rob Merola will be officiating this reverent but joyful celebration, making use of traditional service structures including Holy Communion for the people and blessings for the animals. Join fellow animal lovers in the Sanctuary in the Woods, in case of rain, meet in the Sanctuary inside the church. This service is held on the fourth Sunday of each month. Visit the Web site at www.stmatthewssterling.org or call the church at 703-430-2121. 201 East Frederick
Drive, Sterling.
Ashburn Presbyterian Church is hosting its sixth annual Christian comedic musical dinner theater. The theme of the show is, "America's Idols, Cast Your Vote for God!" The performance will be presented by The Musical Theatre Camp Performers of Ashburn Presbyterian Church.
The dinner theater will be held at Ashburn Presbyterian Church, Friday, July 29, beginning at 7 p.m. Advance tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children under 12. Tickets at the door are $14 for adults and $8 for children under 12. Ashburn Presbyterian Church, 20962 Ashburn Road. Child care is available, but advance registration required. Call 703-729-2012.
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: July 31, from 4-6 p.m., 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 Sunday, July 31, at 10:30 a.m., the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling will hear Kevin DeBeck, spouse of Intern minister Amy DeBeck, deliver a service with the title "On Being the Minister's Husband." Join DeBeck for a service exploring the other half of the Ministerial team. UUS meets at 22135 Davis Drive near Route 28 and Church Road every Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. Call 703-406-3068 or visit uusterling.org.
The Unitarian Universalists of Sterling welcome Matthew McNaught as its new interim minister Aug. 1. Born in Scotland, McNaught served in the British Army, attended Keble College, Oxford, graduating with honors in theology and moral philosophy. He also graduated from Wells Theological College with double distinctions in Christian doctrine and ecclesiastical history. McNaught served as minister at the first Unitarian Church of Austin; the Towson Unitarian Universalist Church in Maryland; Kings Chapel in Boston; and the Unitarian Society of Germantown in Philadelphia. He has been active in social causes like conducting informal religious discussion groups and serving as the president of the Maryland Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. He will serve as a half-time interim minister for two years during which he will help the congregation search for a permanent, settled minister. The Unitarian Universalists of Sterling meet every Sunday morning, at 10:30 a.m., at the Sterling Oaks Commerce Center at 22135 Davis Drive. Visit uusterling.org or call 703-406-3068.
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.
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.
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.