Taizé Vespers Prayer, The Dominican Retreat of McLean welcomes all to this Evening Vespers service of song and Scripture on Sunday, October 16, 2005 @ 7 PM in the Retreat Chapel. Taizé prayer is a monastic prayer form based on the spirituality of the ecumentical community of Taizé in France. All are welcome regardless of their religious tradition and no prior experience of these prayers and chants are needed. RSVP not required. For more information call: 703-356-4243, or visit www.dominicanretreat.org
The Church of the Holy Comforter presents a six-part study series on the gospel of John. The parish clergy will be joined by prominent Biblical scholars to discuss and explore John’s vivid imagery, Jesus’ teaching, and how it all helps us with our lives today. The program will be at 7:40 p.m. on Thursdays in the Chapel, preceded at 7 p.m. by a brief service of Holy Eucharist. Free child care is available with one week’s notice (call 703-938-6521). Holy Comforter is located at 543 Beulah Road N.E., Vienna. Visit www.holycomforter.com. The schedule is:
* Oct. 20: "The Eucharistic Language & Theology of John’s Gospel," led by the rev. Caroline Parkinson, Grace Episcopal Church, The Plains.
* Oct. 27: "The Gospel of John and Mary Magdala," led by Dr. Deirdre Good, The General Theological Seminary.
Mass To Pray For Healing For Victims Of Sexual Abuse, Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel, 8601 Wolf Trap Road, Vienna, with Bishop Loverde to preside. Call 703-841-2530.
Congregation Beth Emeth, a conservative synagogue in Herndon, will host a Singles Sukkot Shabbat on Friday, Oct. 21 at 8 p.m., with an Oneg Shabbat immediately following Services. Jewish singles are invited to attend services, celebrate Sukkot and meet other singles from Fairfax, Loudoun and the metropolitan D.C. area. Beth Emeth is located at 12523 Lawyers Road, Herndon. For directions go to www.bethemeth.org/directions.htm or call 703-860-4515.
Christian Writers Workshops, featuring editors from The Upper Room, will be held Saturday, Nov. 12 at The Church of the Good Shepherd (United Methodist), 2351 Hunter Mill Road in Vienna. The events are open to the community, however, space is limited, and registration forms must be received no later than Oct. 31.
The morning workshop, “Alive in Words,” will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The keynote speaker will be Mary Lou Redding, managing editor of The Upper Room, which this year is celebrating its 70th anniversary. Its daily devotional guide today is published in 44 languages, reaching some 3 million people daily in more than 100 countries.
“TeenSpeak,” an afternoon workshop for teens only, will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. The workshop will feature Nicole Corlew, associate editor of Devo’Zine, the youth magazine published for teens by the Upper Room Ministries.
Visit www.GoodShepherdVA.com or call 703-281-3987.
Vienna Presbyterian Church holds the following events/services. The church is located at 124 Park St. S.E., Vienna. Call 703-938-9050 or visit www.viennapres.org.
* Cross Roads. This young adults group meets each Wednesday, from 7:30-9 p.m., at 146 Maple Ave. Contact Amy Reeves at amy.reeves@viennapres.org.
* Teacher Support Group. The group meets the third Monday of each month, from 7-8 p.m. Call Gail Allen at 703-476-3931.
* Walk for Katrina Victims. A walk on Sunday, Nov. 13, at 2 p.m. will benefit the Church World Service. Contact 703-319-0830.
* Book discussion group. The book club meets the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Contact Ronniejean Irvin at 703- 273-4113.
* Adult Bible Studies. Classes take place Tuesday or Wednesday evenings. For more on the Tuesday group, call Barbara Greig at 703-242-3511; for more on the Wednesday group, call Dave Gifford at 703-255-9366.
Congregation Beth Emeth (conservative) holds a Singles Sukkot Shabbat Friday, Oct. 21, at 8 p.m. with an Oneg Shabbat immediately following services. Jewish Singles are invited to attend services, celebrate Sukkot and meet other singles. This event is co-sponsored by the JCC of Northern Virginia, which schedules monthly Singles Shabbat services and singles social activities for all age groups. Beth Emeth is located at 12523 Lawyers Road, Herndon. Visit www.bethemeth.org or call 703-860-4515.
Christian Assembly offers an opportunity for all to enter into Praise and Prayer every Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m., at 8200 Bell Lane, Vienna. Call 703-968-9777 or visit www.christianassembly.net.
Vienna Baptist Church offers numerous Christian worship, education, music and mission opportunities. Each Sunday begins with a high-energy VBPraise service at 8:45 a.m. Sunday school begins at 9:45 a.m., providing different programs to people of all ages. The traditional liturgical worship service takes place at 11 a.m. The church is located at 541 Marshall Road, Vienna. Call 703-281-4400 or visit www.vbc-va.org.
Emmanuel Lutheran Church has a full range of education, music, worship and outreach programs. Traditional worship is at 8 and 11 a.m. in the Lutheran tradition of liturgical song mixed with music of the masters, spirituals and contemporary Christian music. Contemporary worship is at 9:30 a.m. with fresh liturgical song and contemporary Christian music led by Revelation. Christian education for all ages is 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-noon.
Unity of Fairfax, located at 2854 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton, hosts the following events and services. For more information, call 703-281-1767 or visit www.unityoffairfax.org.
* A program using music, drumming, movement, song and prayer seeks to bring communities together as part of everyday life. The dances are cross-cultural using sacred phrases, chants, music and movements from many faith traditions. Efforts are to promote peace and integration within individuals and groups. There are no performers or audience and no experience is necessary. Donations are accepted. The group meets the second Saturday evening each month, September-June, 7:30-10 p.m. Contact Kathryn at 703-573-1236/ SpiralRose@aol.com. For more information on the worldwide Dance Net-work, visit www.DancesOfUniversalPeace.org.
St. Athanasius Lutheran Church sponsors the following Sunday services: Bible Class for adults and Sunday School for children begins at 9 a.m. followed by worship at 10:15 a.m. Coffee, dessert and fellowship time follows. Midweek Bible Study takes place on Wednesdays, at 7:30 p.m. preceded by an open forum titled "Ask the Pastor" at 7 p.m. Call 703-455-4003 or visit www.saint-athanasius.org. St. Athanasius is located at 114 Kingsley Road, S.W., Vienna.
Body & Soul is a high/low impact aerobic workout, kick boxing, strength training, Pilates all-in-one exercise session to the latest in contemporary Christian music. There are several area church locations from which to choose.
McLean Bible Church conducts classes on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 9:45-11:15 a.m. Call Mary Ward at 703-830-2478 for more information. Child care available. Classes are also offered on Wednesday evenings from 6:45-8:15 p.m. Contact Tricia Van Ryn at trva@yahoo.com. Emmanuel Lutheran Church offers a Fit over 50 version on Wednesday mornings from 9:15-10:30 a.m. The church is located at 2589 Chain Bridge Road. Call Lynn Mostellar at 703-698-8624.
Chabad at Tysons hosts Shabbat educational services at 1503 Lincoln Center Court, in the Club House of the Fountains of McLean, across from Freddie Mac. Saturday morning service starts at 9:30 a.m.; Torah discussion at 10:30 a.m., followed by a sit-down Kiddush. Thursday night features a Kabbalah class. Call 703-356-3451, or e-mail ChabadTysons@aol.com, for more information.
A Centering Prayer Group meets Fridays, 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Andrew Chapel United Methodist Church, 1301 Trap Road, Vienna. The hour includes a brief reading related to Centering Prayer, followed by a 20-minute prayer period. The group will also hear portions from "A Centered Life," an audio tape series by Basil Pennington. Contact Martha Thomas at mmthomas211@hotmail.com or call the church at 703-759-3509.
The New Union Baptist Church, located at 205 Pleasant St., Vienna, offers Sunday School at 9:30 a.m., Worship service at 11 a.m., and Communion each second Sunday at 11 a.m. All are invited to attend. Call 703-281-2556.
Faith Baptist Church, located at 301 Center St. S., Vienna, offers Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. for all ages, 11 a.m. worship, and Bible Study on Sundays at 6 p.m. On Wednesdays at 7 p.m., The Awana children's club for children from 4 years old through sixth-graders takes place during the school year. Nursery school is provided for all services. The preschool and kindergarten program uses the abeka curriculum and serves ages 3, 4 and 5. Visit www.FaithBaptistVienna.org or e-mail FBCoffice@cavtel.net. Call the church at 703-938-9688.