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.
Galilee United Methodist Church will hold a prayer and healing service, Thursday, Feb. 16, 7:30 p.m. A prayer and healing service supports God's hands in healing our bodies, minds and souls. Galilee United Methodist Church, 45425 Winding Road, Sterling. A nursery will be provided. Call 703-430-2203 or visit the Web site www.Galileeumc.org, e-mail Galileeumc@Galileeumc.net.
High-school coffee house, Sunday, Feb. 19, 7-9 p.m., at the Riverside Presbyterian Church office, 20 Pigeon Hill Drive, Suite 109, Countryside Shopping Plaza. Relax, play some games, hang out, eat a few snacks and hear a short message from GodÕs word. Visit www.riversidechurch.com or call Daniel or Barb, 703-444-3528.
St. GabrielÕs Episcopal Church of Lansdowne is extending an invitation to families that have children with autism spectrum, ADHD, bipolar disorder and similar conditions. St. Gabriel's has developed several programs to reach out to the community.
The ÒChrysalisÓ Room is a safe space for children with autism spectrum, ADHD, bipolar disorder and similar conditions. Includes a trained professional staff that provides appropriate activities and lessons. It is available every Sunday during the regular 10 a.m. worship and for special events.
Special Needs Worship Service, Sunday, Feb. 19, at 12:30 p.m., oriented toward families with children with special needs. This informal service seeks to engage all typical and special-needs children in the worship and the Word. Sign language interpretation and nursery care will be available.
Parents will have the opportunity to tour the Chrysalis Room.
Spiritual Support Group for families with special needs, on the first and third Thursdays of each month, from 7-8:30 p.m., beginning Feb. 16. This group is completely Òdrop-in.Ó
All programs held Belmont Ridge Middle School, 19045 Upper Belmont Place in Lansdowne. Visit www.saintgabriels.net or call 703-779-3616.
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.
Pastor Arlie Whitlow of The Community Church announces the Steeple-Raising Ceremony at the churchÕs new location just off Route 7 in Ashburn. The steeple-raising, set for Thursday, Feb. 23, at 10:30 a.m., marks a milestone in the construction of the new church and school building.
The new church building has been under construction since October 2004. The church and the associated school, Virginia Academy, have outgrown the facilities currently located on Shepherd Drive in Sterling where they have been operating since 1983.
Missions Revival conference, Feb. 23-26, 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday; 6 p.m. on Saturday; 10 a.m. on Sunday, at the Community Baptist Church in Chantilly. Free. Contact Pastor Mike Aylestock at 703-968-8871.
"Our Heartbeat is Missions!" is the theme of the conference and includes missionaries to Russia, Canada, Brazil, and the Philippines. The missionaries will preach throughout the conference and they will present information pertaining to their various fields.
A nursery will be provided for small children. Young children ages 3-sixth grade will have a nightly Kidzone, providing the opportunity for the children to interact one-on-one with the missionaries.
On Sunday, Feb. 26, Schubert's "Deutsche Messe," German Mass, will be sung in Leesburg, by the combined choirs of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and St. James' Episcopal Church, during morning worship, at 8:30 a.m., at Holy Trinity,
605 W. Market St., S.W. and at 11:15 a.m., at St. James', 14 W. Cornwall St., N.W.
Composed in 1827, Franz Schubert set the mass in German, rather than the customary Latin, with the intent of making the liturgy more accessible. Accordingly, the choirs will sing in English. A woodwind quartet will accompany the music, as originally scored. Call 703-777-4912.
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.
On Friday, March 3, members of Loudoun County Jewish community will gather at Congregation ShaÕare Shalom in a display of Jewish revitalization and Jewish unity.
Conceived and organized by the National Jewish Outreach Program (NJOP) since 1996, ÒShabbat Across America/CanadaÓ represents a united effort by the entire Jewish community to renew interest in the fourth of the Ten Commandments Ñ observing a weekly day of rest Ñ Shabbat
in Hebrew.
Congregation ShaÕare Shalom, 19357 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg, will be one of approximately 700 synagogues across the continent that will simultaneously open its doors to practicing and nonpracticing Jews alike, so they may join together to experience and rejoice in a traditional Shabbat service and festive meal. Attendees will experience an interactive Friday night beginnersÕ service and a traditional Shabbat dinner with all the rituals explained. The event will
take place from 6-8 p.m. Visit www.sha-areshalom.org.
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.