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 ShaÕare Shalom in Leesburg invites the community to its open house of faith, Thursday, March 16, from 6-8 p.m. The public is invited to tour the synagogue and learn a bit about the congregational family. The synagogue is located at 19357 Evergreen Mill Road, Leesburg.
Open houses of faith is an educational forum for enhancing public awareness about different faiths in the Washington-metropolitan area. Each participating religious group independently hosts its own open house for conveying basic information about its beliefs and practices.
Visit www.openhousesoffaith.org for event dates and locations, hints on how to prepare for a visit, a patch program and information on how to host an open house of faith.
For more information about the Congregation ShaÕare Shalom event, contact Sheri Brown at brown47578@verizon.net.
Celebrate Shabbat March 17 and join the second grade as it leads Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation's Children's Service, at 6:30 p.m. The sixth-grade class will lead the Family Service beginning, at 7:30 p.m. Call 703-391-8669 or visit www.bethchaverim.org or e-mail chaverim18@aol.com.
As part of its ongoing support of Loudoun and Northern Virginia Habitat for Humanity Ashburn Presbyterian Church is holding a fund-raising dinner and pie auction Saturday, March 18; the dinner will be served at 6 p.m. and the pie auction will begin at 7:30 p.m.
All proceeds will be given to Habitat for Humanity as part of its Hurricane Katrina relief efforts for the purchase of supplies to rebuild homes in Biloxi, Miss., devastated by Hurricane Katrina. APC is also sending a group of church members to Biloxi to help rebuild homes.
Advance tickets are $20 for adults and $8 for children. Tickets will be sold at the door based on seating availability; $25 for adults and $10 for children. Call the church office at 703-729-2012 or visit the Web site at www.ashburnpresbyterian.org.
Julius E. Coles, president of Africare, will speak at the Northern Virginia Ethical Society, March 19, about Africa in the new millennium. He will discuss the numerous obstacles facing African development including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, inadequate crop production, overpopulation and political instability. He will also explain how Africare is attacking these problems. 11 a.m., 225 Nutley St., N.W., Vienna. Free. Visit the Web site, www.noves.org or call 703-437-3161.
On Sunday, March 19, at the 10:30 a.m. service, at the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling, the Rev. Matthew McNaught will present a service called: Work, Spirituality and Celebration. UUS meets every Sunday, at 10:30 a.m., at the Sterling Oaks Commerce Center at 22135 Davis Drive near Route 28 and Church Road in Sterling. Call 703-406-3068 or visit uusterling.org.
The Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia is sponsoring a program for active retirees at Congregation Sha'are Shalom, 19357 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg, Monday, March 20, 11 a.m. Learn about "Orthodox Judaism and Contemporary Issues," with Rabbi Levi Deitsch. Bring a dairy lunch. Coffee and dessert will be provided. Cost: $2 members/$3 nonmembers.
The All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) invites the community to a mosque open house. Mingle with Muslim neighbors, tour a mosque, decorate your hands with henna, see your name in Arabic calligraphy, taste ethnic refreshments and more. There will be a short talk about Islam and the ADAMS Center, Interfaith speakers and some Islamic cultural songs. Feel free to ask any questions about Islam or Muslims that you may have. Tuesday, March 21, 7-9 p.m., 46903 Sugarland Road, Sterling. Contact rullah@gmail.com; 703-433-1325, Ext. 0; http://www.adamscenter.org or http://openhousesoffaith.org/events.htm.
The Acoustic Bergoo will be performing at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Loudoun (UUCL) for a coffeehouse concert, Saturday, March 25. The groupÕs members, all students at Loudoun Valley High School, are inspired by a variety of folk artists, including legends like Lead Belly, Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie. This group of young musicians will play a mixture of traditional, modern and original tunes. UUCL chapel is located at 20460 Gleedsville Road, Leesburg. Admission is based upon a suggested donation of $10 per person or $5 for students under 18. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the performance begins at 8 p.m. Visit www.uuloudoun.org or call the church at 703-737-7644.
Congregations ShaÕare Shalom, Loudoun CountyÕs conservative synagogue, and Beth Chaverim, the countyÕs reform synagogue, will co-sponsor a MiriamÕs Seder Sunday, March 26, from 1-3 p.m., for women and girls, 11 and older, of the congregations and community.
The Hagaddah for this special Seder expands the Passover theme of liberation to encompass womenÕs experience in Egypt and the Exodus. Tea and goodies will be served after the Seder. A nominal $5 fee will be charged per attendee.
Bring nonperishable food for interfaith relief and a favorite Passover dessert, and recipe, to share. Members of the community are welcome.
The MiriamÕs Seder will be held at Congregation ShaÕare Shalom, 19357 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg. RSVP to Lorraine Davis at ldavis4762@aol.com or Claudia Raffman at claudiaraffman@earthlink.net by March 22. Send checks to Congregation ShaÕare Shalom, 19357 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg, VA, 20175.
Congregation ShaÕare ShalomÕs Web site is www.sha-areshalom.org. Beth ChaverimÕs Web site is www.bethchaverim.org.
On Sunday, March 26, the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling will enjoy the music of Divertimento, a group that plays Baroque music and other classical pieces. UUS meets every Sunday, at 10:30 a.m., at the Sterling Oaks Commerce Center at 22135 Davis Drive near Route 28 and Church Road in Sterling. Call 703-406-3068.
Celebrate Shabbat with Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation March 31 and join them for services and an interfaith discussion April 1. Call 703-391-8669 or visit www.bethchaverim.org or e-mail chaverim18@aol.com.
St. DavidÕs Episcopal PreschoolÕs Third Annual Silent and Live Auction, Saturday, April 1, 7:30 p.m.-midnight, at West Belmont Place at the National Conference Center, Lansdowne.
Advance tickets are $30, at the door $40. Featuring the dance music of ÒRendezvousÓ provided by Olivera Music Entertainment. This yearÕs theme is ÒRhinestone Roundup.Ó All proceeds benefit the preschool. Call 703-723-0286.
Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation has partnered with the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia to offer a new preschool school program and child care at BCRCÕs new Ashburn location this fall. An information meeting with Bev Wolov, assistant director of the JCCNV, is scheduled for Sunday, April 2. Call 703-391-8669 or visit www.bethchaverim.org or e-mail chaverim18@aol.com.
The Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia is sponsoring a program for active retirees at Congregation Sha'are Shalom, 19357 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg, Monday, April 17, 11 a.m. Join Eric Rozenman, Washington, D.C., director, Commission for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America for "News Media Malpractice: Coverage of the Arab Conflict with Israel." Bring a dairy lunch. Coffee and dessert will be provided. Cost: $2 members/$3 nonmembers.
Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation invites the community to join it for Shabbat services, religious school, BÕnai Mitzvah program, youth activities, interfaith discussions, adult education and social activities. Student Rabbi Jesse Gallop presides over biweekly Shabbat services. Children attend Sunday school every Sunday and midweek Hebrew classes on Wednesday evening. The congregation eagerly anticipates moving into its own building in the fall. Call 703-391-8669 or visit the Web site www.bethchaverim.org or e-mail chaverim18@aol.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.
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.
* Spiritual Support Group for families with special needs, on the first and third Thursdays of each month, from 7-8:30 p.m. 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.
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.
Sterling United Methodist Church, 304 East Church Road, Sterling, will be holding a weekly Saturday night services n the Taize style of worship at 7:30 p.m. The services will include scriptural readings, song and reflective silent moments. Free. Call 703-430-6455.
Riverside Presbyterian ChurchÕs new Kenya CafŽ will be open, from 9:15-10:30 a.m., Sundays, at Potomac Falls High School. It offers a friendly, comfortable spot to grab a cup of coffee, chat with others or just relax and read the paper while the children are in small group. The cafŽ is also designed to raise awareness of RiversideÕs partnerships in Kenya and other parts of the world.
Feel free to join the church for worship at 10:35 a.m. Contact 703-444-3528 or www.riversidechurch.com.