<i>Send announcements to the connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to
reston@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. Call Jean Card at 703-917-6437, with questions.
This free listing is reserved for activities and events that are open to the public at no or minimal cost. </i>
The Holy Cross Lutheran Church presents Orrin Star and the Sultan of String, June 18, at 7:30 p.m. The doors open at 6:30 p.m. and admission is $12. For information or reservations call Ellie 703-437-1883 or Bob 703-435-8377. Holy Cross is handicapped accessible and smoke free. Snack service is available. The church is located at 1090 Sterling Road in Herndon.
SinglePointe, the singles’ ministry of Christian Fellowship Church, Ashburn, will be teaching the latest line dances, for beginners as well as the more experienced starting June 21. Come fellowship and connect with one of the fastest growing communities of Christian singles in the Northern Virginia area. Classes meet Tuesdays from 7-9 p.m. in room 123. A donation of $5/class is requested. Contact Linnéa West at 571-217-8720 or West_7777@hotmail.com.
Christ Fellowship Church will host Gospelfest 2005 on June 25, at Bready Park in Herndon. The event will feature food, beverages, games and sports, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Other churches and organizations will join in music, singing and other expressions of worship throughout the day. All are invited to attend. Contact Pastor Walter Hamilton at 703-471-1457.
Saint Matthew's Episcopal Church in Sterling has gone to the dogs — and cats, birds, fish, lizards, etc. On Sunday, June 26, at 4 p.m., the public is invited to attend a worship service 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, the service will be held 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. Saint Matthew's Episcopal Church is located at 201 East Frederick Drive, Sterling.
The Great Falls United Methodist Women are sponsoring a neighborhood yard sale July 9, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m., at Great Falls United Methodist Church on 10100 Georgetown Pike in Great Falls. Tables may be rented for a fee and 5 feet by 10 feet spaces will cost $20 each. Baked goods, food and beverages will be sold. To reserve a space, call Dorothy Harsher at 703-378-1337, Jane Ferrigno at 703-759-2083, or the church office at 703-759-3705.
The Nurturing Parenting Program is being held at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church every Tuesday at 5 p.m. through June 20. St. Timothy's is located at 432 Van Buren Street, Herndon. Each session runs from 5-8 p.m. Dinner is served and childcare will be provided free of charge. These meetings will be conducted in Spanish and are designed to help families with children age 0-5 years. The program is designed for the entire family. The Nurturing Parenting Program is a series of courses providing education for families to build stronger, healthier interactions among all family members. It is designed to prevent, reduce, or reverse potentially destructive patterns of family life that result in mistreating oneself, members of one's family, and one's community. Contact Krissa Sloan at 703-324-7745 or via email at Krissa.Sloan@fairfaxcounty.gov or Vera Berrio Breton at 703-324-7737.
For 137 years St. Timothy's Episcopal Church has been serving Herndon and its surrounding communities by its many ministries. For information call the church Monday through Friday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at 703-4373790 or visit our Web site for details about all the services provided by St. Timothy's Episcopal Church at www.saint~timothys.org.
A free English class 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 Road, Fairfax. Call 703-383-1170.
A giraffe casually nibbles leaves from a lush acacia tree. A lion crouches in the tall grass, watching a herd of zebras. An elephant thunders by in a cloud of dust. And you? You’re standing on the vast savanna, gearing up for the adventure of a lifetime on a Serengeti Trek — where children are wild about God. Trekkers will enjoy Bible Point Crafts and exciting games, experience thrilling Bible stories, sample tasty snacks, and hear unforgettable music. Plus, they’ll meet lots of new friends. Centreville Community Bible Church which meets at Deer Park Elementary School, 15109 Carlbern Drive, Centreville.
Trek dates are June 26-30, from 6-8:10 p.m. Contact Gina Buckley at 703-968-6562 or visit www.ccbc-ba.com.
The Church of the Good Shepherd, a United Methodist Church, located at 2351 Hunter Mill Road in Vienna, invites all children ages 3 years to rising sixth-graders on a Serengeti Trek adventure, Aug. 8-12, 9 a.m.-noon.
Gear up for an adventure on the vast savanna. Serengeti Trek is an exciting way for kids to learn more about God’s love. Children will take part in a hands-on mission project that will reach needy children in Africa. Each day the children will sing cool songs, play teamwork-building games, snack at the watering hole, take on a daily challenge, experience thrilling Bible expeditions, collect animal buddies to remind them of God’s Word, create crafts to take home, and make new friends, Each day concludes at the Mane Event — a celebration that gets everyone involved in living what they’ve learned. Call the church office at 703-281-3987 or visit www.goodshepherdva.com. Deadline for registration is July 10. The cost is $20 per child.
Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and its national umbrella organization, United Jewish Communities (UJC), are hosting the first-ever National LGBT Pride in Israel Mission, Aug. 14-21. The trip will address specific interests of the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgender (LGBT) community as they relate to Israeli society, gain insight on Middle East current events and explore Israel’s historic sites, among other programming. Subsidies for this trip are available, including $500 from The Jewish Federation and $500 from UJC. Contact Beryl Meyer at 301-230-7264 or e-mail beryl.meyer@shalomdc.org.
Every Wednesday at noon, St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, 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 the Web site www.saint-timothys.org. St. Timothy's Episcopal Church has been serving Herndon and its surrounding communities by its many ministries for more than 136 years.
Washington Plaza Baptist Church offers Kerygma Bible study, Discovering the Bible. It is designed as 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.
This summer, church youth groups with willing hands and open hearts are coming to the community of Reston to offer free help to children, elderly, disabled and others in need. The program is called "Week of Hope" and is sponsored by the Group Workcamps Foundation, an interdenominational Christian missions company.
At a Week of Hope, 65 to 99 youth and their adult leaders come to serve others for one week during the summer. There will be seven consecutive Week of Hope camps, with new campers and volunteers arriving and departing each week. Campers work with local social service agencies and community service organizations such as homeless shelters, church Vacation Bible School programs, food banks, nursing homes, and many others.
The Group Workcamps Foundation needs energetic and enthusiastic adults, 21 or older, interested in participating as adult volunteers for one week during the summer. Opportunities include assisting with service projects, helping in the office and working in the kitchen to prepare meals for students and leaders. This is a great chance to change lives right in your own backyard and help make a difference for your neighbors in your community.
Contact Sharon Moore at 1-800-635-0404, Ext. 4477 or smoore@group.com.
Audition appointments are being scheduled for a concert series program created at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Herndon. No phone calls will be accepted for appointments, only e-mails. All e-mails should include contact name, daytime telephone and a description of talent. Note in subject line "Concert Series Audition Request." E-mail all request for auditions to St.Tims.Music@hotmail.com.
Each year more than a thousand people volunteer at Reston Interfaith's food pantry, child-care center, homeless shelter and housing programs — making life better for every person in this community. Reston Interfaith honored these volunteers on Monday, June 1, at an open house reception at the Embry Rucker Shelter and the Laurel Learning Center. The receptions highlighted the impact of volunteers on Reston Interfaith's programs and featured remarks from Kerrie Wilson, CEO and invited public officials.
Reston Bible Church (RBC) announced Monday, May 23, college scholarship grants to three local high-school seniors totaling $6,000. Yvonne Kabia of South Lakes High School, Davita Washington of Oakton High School, and Nafessa Sultana of Herndon High School, were each awarded $2,000.
The scholarship funds were raised through RBC’s first annual Northern Virginia "2nd Chance" Youth Scholarships Golf Tournament, held in June 2004 at Bull Run Country Club. The scholarship fund was formed to support local area high-school seniors who have college ambitions but are short on financial resources. Reston Bible Church worked with each high-school administration to select the winners based on merit and need. These students will be recognized at the senior awards ceremony at their respective schools later this spring.
Local companies and organizations sponsoring the tournament, included Actuate, Johnston McLamb, Long and Foster — Matt Elliot, Fairfax Residency Golf Tournament, Nations Home Funding and Reston Bible Church. In addition, many other organizations made donations for silent auction included Long and Foster — Matt Elliot, the Washington Redskins and DC United.
This year’s golf tournament will be held Oct. 5, at Bull Run Country Club. Contact Jim Kline, tournament director, at jkline@johnstonmclamb.com.