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 Friday, 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.
Congregation Sha'are Shalom, Loudoun County's only conservative synagogue, announces the following events for the month of February:
* Rabbi Neil Tow will conduct a Tot Shabbat at 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 3. All children 2-5 and their families are welcome to attend. Family services will follow.
* Saturday, Feb. 4, at 7:30 p.m., Rabbi Neil Tow will discuss end of life issues in Judaism at the synagogue. This will include an overview of mourning practices including shivah, sheloshim, burial and other customs among others. Everyone is invited to attend and complete the evening with dessert and socializing.
* Annual Tu B'shevat Seder at 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 10. This holiday, which is like a Jewish Arbor Day to celebrate trees, will followed by a short Kabbalat Shabbat service and dessert. We will celebrate by eating fruit, drinking wine, saying the appropriate blessings and talking learning about the symbolism involved in these acts. The program will appeal to all ages, and all are welcome to attend. Contact Janet Zucker at 304-728-0509.
Congregation Sha'are Shalom is located at 19357 Evergreen Mill Road, Leesburg, directly across the road from Heritage High School. Visit the Web site www.sha-areshalom.org or by calling 703-737-6500.
Riverside Presbyterian Church is offering children's programs for fourth- and fifth-graders, at the Ashburn Ice House Friday, Feb. 3, for an evening of skating. Cost is $10. Visit www.riversidechurch.com or call Holly, 703-444-3528 or e-mail Holly@riversidechurch.com.
Bethel Church invites fathers and daughters or grandfathers/granddaughters of all ages to attend the Father-Daughter Valentine's Dance Saturday, Feb. 4, 7-10 p.m. at Bethel Church, 19856 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg. Family-friendly disc jockey and refreshments provided. Tickets are $10 per person and girls will receive a
corsage. Advance tickets required, e-mail make-a-note@att.net or call 703-777-4221.
On Sunday, Feb. 5, at the 10:30 a.m. service, at the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling, the Rev. Matthew McNaught will preach a sermon titled "The Good Samaritan." UUS meets every Sunday, at 10:30 a.m., at the Sterling Oaks Commerce Center at 22135 Davis Drive. Call 703-406-3068 or visit uusterling.org.
Riverside Presbyterian Church middle- and high-schoolers are heading to Blue Knob Ski Resort in Pennsylvania, Feb. 10-12. Skiing, indoor pool, lots of games, hanging out, having fun and study God's Word. To sign up visit www.riversidechurch.com or call Daniel or Barb, 703-444-3528.
On Sunday, Feb. 12, at the 10:30 a.m. service, at the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling, guest minister the Rev. Melora Lynn Crooker will deliver a sermon titled "The 7 Deadly Sins." UUS meets every Sunday, at 10:30 a.m., at the Sterling Oaks Commerce Center at 22135 Davis Drive. Call 703-406-3068 or visit uusterling.org.
New Life Christian Church is offering support groups for teenagers whose parents are divorced or separated called "How do I deal the Parents' Divorce?," beginning Feb. 12, at Westfields High School, at 9:30 a.m.. It is a 13-week program for middle and high school on how to deal with all that happens when families split. Contact Lucy Martinez at lucy@community-impact.org or 703-220-5022.
On Sunday, Feb. 19, at the 10:30 a.m. service, at the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling, the Rev. Matthew McNaught will deliver his "Sermon on the (A)mount" to kick off the annual Stewardship Drive. UUS meets every Sunday, at 10:30 a.m., at the Sterling Oaks Commerce Center at 22135 Davis Drive. Call 703-406-3068 or visit uusterling.org.
On Sunday, Feb. 26, at the 10:30 a.m. service, at the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling, guest minister the Rev. Terry Allen will present "The Universe Story," a sermon on the nature of the universe today and who we are as human beings. UUS meets every Sunday, at 10:30 a.m., at the Sterling Oaks Commerce Center at 22135 Davis Drive. Call 703-406-3068 or visit uusterling.org.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 605 W. Market St., Leesburg, is holding a community music event Feb. 26, 8:30 a.m., at Holy Trinity and 11 a.m., at St. James Episcopal, combined choirs, in worship setting: "Deutsche Messe" by Franz Schubert.
A prayer service for healing for victims/survivors of sexual abuse will be held March 11, 10 a.m., at Christ the Redeemer Church, 46833 Harry Byrd Highway, Sterling. The Rev. Mark S. Mealey will preside.
St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church begins Workshop Christian Education for children in grades kindergarten through sixth grade. Students rotate to different workshops during each six-week period to foster relational skills and personal reflection. Children with special needs are welcome.
Classes begin after the 10 a.m. worship services, at Belmont Ridge Middle School, 19045 Upper Belmont Place, Lansdowne. Visit www.saintgabriels.net or call 703-779-3616.
Cathedral Church of the Transfiguration follows regular services Sundays, at 10 a.m., at the Loudoun County Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Call the church office 571-434-0888 or contact Father Mike Evans by e-mail dean@ccott.com.
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.
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 Route 28 and Church Road. Call 703-406-3068 or visit uusterling.org.
Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation 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.