E-mail announcements to gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Thursday at noon for the following week’s paper. Photos and artwork encouraged. Call Rebecca Halik at 703-917-6407 with questions.
St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church will hold a variety of holiday events during Christmas. They are holding a Christmas Eve service at 5:30 p.m.; a children’s pageant and Eucharist at 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve; and a Christmas Day service at 10:30 a.m. Located at 8531 Riverside Drive.
Messiah Lutheran Church (ELCA), 6510 Ft. Hunt Road, is holding Advent Evening Services at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 5,12 and 19. There will also be Christmas Eve services on Dec. 24 at 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. 703-765-5003 or visit www.messiahelca.org.
Every 3rd Saturday (Dec. 15) from 7-10 a.m., the United Methodist Men at Del Ray United Methodist Church holds an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast. Adults $5, Children $3. For more information, contact the church office at 703-549-2088, or office@delrayumc.org
Every 2nd Saturday (Dec. 8) from 5-7 p.m., Del Ray United Methodist Church holds a Spaghetti Dinner, complete with salad and desert. Adults $7, Children $5. For more information, contact the church office at 703-549-2088, or office@delrayumc.org
Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church has worship at informal service on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall, or, come to a traditional worship service at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary. Sunday school classes for all ages, start at 9:45 a.m. On Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m. in the Church Library, located in the Fellowship Hall, a group gathers together for a time of fellowship and prayer and a light meal is provided. Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church is located at 2001 Sherwood Hall Lane. 703-765-6118 or visit www.mvpconline.org for more.
Good Shepherd Catholic Church on Mount Vernon Highway in Alexandria is offering a "Coming Home" process at 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month to ask questions, get an update on the church, and to help decide if it's time to reconnect with parish life. Contact Rob Doerschner at 703-822-0523.
The Urban Passage Inc., a faith-based non-profit organization, seeks adult volunteers, 50 years and older, to mentor high-risk youth at the Northern Virginia Juvenile detention Home in Alexandria. Volunteers are also needed to serve as youth advisory council leaders and community service project leaders for a program that serves terminally and seriously ill children at Inova Fairfax Hospital. Call 703-924-9840.
The Christian Women In The Marketplace meets to study God's word at the Royal Restaurant in Old Town Alexandria. The CBWC meets every Wednesday at 7 a.m. for breakfast. Additional information contact Pamela Nilsen at 703-660-6759.
Meditation. Every weekday noon-1 p.m., Roberts Memorial Methodist Church, 606 South Washington St., is open to the public for meditation. Organ music is played during this time. 703-836-7332.
AWANA is an international, non-denominational, Bible centered youth organization providing weekly clubs and programs for ages three-year-old through high school. Engleside Baptist Church's, 8428 Highland Lane, AWANA club consists of three parts, Handbook Time, Council Time, and Game Time. Club meetings are held every Wednesday night during the school year from 7-8:30 p.m. Call 703-780-5410.
Up Where We Belong Family Ministry will hold its Northern Virginia's Super Church event, the third Sunday of every month starting at 10:40 a.m., at Mount Vernon High School's main auditorium. Bring the family and participate in their worship celebration and eligible families will receive free groceries. Pre-registration is necessary. Contact Bishop Robert Lewis Taylor at 703-878-2247.
Christ the Saviour Anglican Church will worship at a new location starting Aug. 5. The services will be held at Washington Mill Elementary School, 9100 Cherry Tree Drive, Mount Vernon. A Christian Education Hour for adults and youth starts at 9:15 a.m., followed by the worship service at 10 a.m. For more details, visit www.christthesaviouranglican.org/.
Rising Hope United Methodist Mission Church, 8220 Russell Road, Alexandria, holds a weekly Sunday celebration service starting at 11 a.m. For more information on Rising Hope's programs call, 703-360-1976. All programs are free.
*"Kingdom of Living" Bible Study held each Monday evening from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The study is led by three members of Rising Hope and focused on understanding specific Bible chapters. Child care is available during each session.
*"Building a People of Power" Empowerment Series held each Tuesday from 6:45-8:30 p.m. A study led by Rev. Keary on Robert Linthicum's book on the Biblical foundation for advocacy and empowerment of people who may feel unable to affect change in systems.
* Celebrate Recovery-- a Christ-centered recovery program with groups for men and women follows the model developed by Saddleback Church, California. This is held each Friday with worship at 6:45 p.m., recovery groups at 7:30 p.m. and fellowship from 8:30-9 p.m. Child care is available, if requested in advance.
* Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study held from 9:30-10:45 a.m. each Sunday. Led by members of Rising Hope with various study guides used. Held at the same time as Rising Hope's Children's Sunday School.
Convergence: A Creative Community of Faith at 1801 N. Quaker Lane, gathers each Sunday at 5 p.m. for a worship gathering. All are welcome. Visit www.convergenceccf.net, or call 703-998-6260.
First Church of Christ, Scientist, 1509 Collingwood Road, Mount Vernon, is now holding Wednesday evening meetings at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome. For more information call 703-768-2494.
The Vajrayogini Buddhist Center offers classes in Buddhist Meditation at the Meade Memorial Episcopal Church, 322 North Alfred St. in Alexandria. Classes are held on Tuesday evenings from 7-8:30 p.m. Buddhist Nun Kelsang Varahi will be teaching. $10/class. For more information visit www.meditation-dc.org or call 202-331-2122.
Beth El Hebrew Congregation holds services at 8:15 p.m. on Fridays and 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays. Religious school is on Wednesdays evening and Sunday mornings. Adult learning opportunities take place throughout the year. Tot Shabbat on first and third Saturdays. Kolot Shabbat (musical service) the first Friday of every month at 7:30 p.m. Beth El is located at 3830 Seminary Road in Alexandria. For more information, call 703-370-9400 or visit www.bethelhebrew.org.