<i>Faith Notes are for announcements and events in the faith community. Send to <a href=mailto:mclean@connectionnewspapers.com> mclean@connectionnewspapers.com</a>. Deadline is Friday.</i>
Multicultural Dialogue and Ramadan Iftar Dinner. Free. Family and Community Traditions will be the theme of the 9th McLean Community Connections community dialogue and dinner at the McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Drive, McLean on Thursday, Sept. 25. Registration at 6:15 p.m. Dinner at 6:45 pm. RSVP required 703 324 3453.
Interested in learning or reviewing the history and meaning of the Christian Faith as practiced by Methodists? Come and learn who we are. Sundays through Nov. 23, 9:45-10:30 a.m. Oakton United Methodist Church, 2951 Chain Bridge Road, Oakton, at the intersection of Rt. 123 and Hunter Mill Road. Visit www.oaktonumc.org or call 703-938-1234.
Smith Chapel concert, "Songs for Danny." Sept. 27 at 4 p.m. Free food and music. Bring chairs or blankets. Smith Chapel, 11321 Beach Mill Road, Great Falls. 703-404-1767.
Dr. Larry Hurtado, Head of the School of Divinity and Professor of New Testament Language, Literature and Theology at New College, University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Sermon series beginning Sept. 28, 8:30 a.m. and10:30 a.m. Video and discussion beginning September 29, 6:30 p.m. Trinity United Methodist Church, 1205 Dolley Madison Blvd. McLean. 703-356-3312
The Church of the Good Shepherd Christian Writers Workshop. Oct. 4, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. "Alive in Words," a Christian writers workshop featuring Mary Lou Redding, editorial director of The Upper Room. The Church of the Good Shepherd, 2351 Hunter Mill Rd., Vienna. Visit www.GoodShepherdVA.com or call 703-281-3987.
The Shepard Center of Oakton presents an Evening of Music and Comedy. Saturday, Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m. Christian Assembly, 8200 Bell Lane (off Cedar Lane near Gallows Road), Vienna. 703-281-0538
Oakton United Methodist Fall Bazaar and Craft Fair, Saturday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Many handmade items and a baked goods table. Lunch will be for sale. Free admission. Oakton United Methodist Church, 2951 Chain Bridge Road, Oakton. 703-938-1234.
St. John the Beloved Catholic Church presents a lecture by Dr. William Marshner on Islamic Jihad, Saturday, Oct. 4, from 9:30-11:00 a.m. Followed by a Medieval Festival from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Free admission. Wine tasting, art exhibition, Shakespeare play, traditional music, dancing and entertainment. Educational exhibits, food fair and local artisans. St. John the Beloved, 6420 Linway Terrace, McLean. 703-504-8733.
Intensive Centering Prayer Retreat, from Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m.-Sunday, Nov. 2 at 11 a.m. Fr. Bill Sheehan will speak on Centering Prayer and some follow-up practices that support prayer in secret, e.g. Forgiveness Practice, Welcoming Prayer, Lectio Divina and how they help awaken within the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit. Fr. Sheehan and the Sisters will be available for private conversations throughout the retreat. Introductory sessions on the practice of Centering Prayer will not be offered; it is required that you have a well-established centering prayer practice for more than 6 months, and preferably at least a year. Cost for the 6-day retreat is $425 with a $100 deposit. Call Michele Litton at 703-669-6255 or mglitton@aol.com. The Dominican Retreat House, 7103 Old Dominion Drive, McLean. 703-356-4243.
Soul Walk, sponsored by Faith At Work. Join kindred spirits to notice the sacred space all around us, watch the river flowing, leaves falling, herons and hawks hunting. Feed your soul and enjoy community on a 3 mile moderate hike near Great Falls. 3-6 p.m. Free. For directions and reservations, 703-237-3426 or co.clickandpledge.com/advanced/default.aspx.
The Jewish Social Services Agency offers a variety of programs and support groups meeting at 3018 Javier Road, Fairfax. Call 703-204-9100 for more information.
* An Anxiety Management Group for children ages 8-10. Children learn to manage anxiety through discussion, games, and role-play.
* Teen Talk: An Adolescent Adoption Series, for adoptees ages 13-18. Searching for birth parents; integrating dual identities; and coping with minimal background information.
* Understanding Your Adopted Teen. A psycho-educational four session series for parents raising adopted teens.
* Support Group for Parents of Young Adults with Asperger's Syndrome and Related Disorders.
* Social Club for Young Adults with Asperger's Syndrome
JSSA and the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia (JCCNV) present a social club for young adults diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome or related disorders.
* Get Connected: Adult Social Skills, for men and women ages 19-35 who may have Asperger's syndrome and are having difficulty transitioning into successful young adulthood.
* You and Your Aging Parents. Discussion topics include coping with illness, managing difficult emotions, identifying appropriate resources to support an aging parent and develop a care plan.
Vajrayogini Buddhist Center offers ongoing classes on meditation and Buddhist philosophy Mondays 7-8:30 p.m. at Unity of Fairfax at 2854 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton, $10 per class. Call 202-331-2122 or visit www.meditation-dc.org.
Vienna Assembly of God has ministry to children on Wednesdays, 7-8 p.m. at the corner of Center N and Ayr Hill Avenue, N.E. Children's Church on Sundays is also available. 703-938-7736 or visit www.ViennaAG.com.
Vienna Christian Healing Rooms: a place to receive healing. Every Saturday, 1-5 p.m., at 8200 Bell Lane, a team of Christians is available to pray for anyone requesting prayer. The rooms are open to the public without charge. For more information call 703-698-9779 or visit www.viennachristianhealingrooms.com.
The Baha’i community of McLean holds a weekly fireside, a meeting of discussion, devotion and fellowship, at 7500 Box Elder Court in McLean, beginning at 8 p.m. every Friday. The fireside is an opportunity to learn about the Baha’i faith and why Baha’is find hope in a seemingly hopeless world. Call 703-556-3400.
English classes. McLean Baptist Church is offering free conversational English classes on Mondays. Classes include beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. Advanced electives are Literature, U.S. Government, World Religions, and current events. There is no cost for the class or registration, however students must buy their own books. Classes are from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. New student registration begins at 9 a.m., until Oct. 30. McLean Baptist Church, 1367 Chain Bridge Road. Call 703-356-8080 or visit www.mcleanbaptist.org.
St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, located at 1830 Kirby Road in McLean, invites all to come for the Third Sunday Service every month at 10:15 a.m. This service allows the children to play active roles during the service, particularly in the music and as greeters and ushers. In addition to the Third Sunday Service, traditional services take place every Sunday at 8:15 and 10:15 a.m. Nursery is available at the 10:15 a.m. service. Call the church office at 703-356-7533 with questions.
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax, at 2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton, has music programs for the congregation. The chorale, a 60-voice adult choir, welcomes new members at any time and rehearses Thursdays, 7:15-9:15 p.m. The Circle of Music Makers meets the first Monday of the month and welcomes those who can share a vocal or instrumental solo; everyone who comes is expected to perform. For information about the chorale and the circle of music makers, contact Judy Harrison at jharrison@uucf.org or 703-281-4230, ext. 26. JAMS, Joint Activities in Music at Sunrise, is an intergenerational music program for preschoolers and kindergarteners, their parents and residents of Hunter Mill Sunrise Assisted Living Center. The group sings, dances and plays instruments Wednesdays, 1-1:30 p.m. Contact Marsha Giusti at 703-425-1902 or giustim@juno.com.
McLean Bible Church Fitness Class at Body & Soul fitness, balance is key, energy is renewed, strength is gained, and friendships are formed. Mondays 9:15 a.m. and Fridays 9:45 a.m. Childcare is free for registered students. Spring discount available. E-mail bodyandsoul@mcleanbible.org for more information.
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, to promote peace and integration within individuals and groups. There are no performers or audience, no experience is necessary. Donations accepted. Meeting the second Saturday each month, September to June, 7:30-10 p.m. Contact Kathryn at 703-573-1236 or SpiralRose@aol.com. For more information on the worldwide Dance Network, visit www.DancesOfUniversalPeace.org.
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. E-mail Martha Thomas at mmthomas211@hotmail.com or call the church at 703-759-3509.
The ESL and Immigrant Ministries Program, a non-profit organization, offers English-as-a Second-Language classes to area immigrants in 17 locations in Northern Virginia. The program needs volunteers to train 2,000 foreign adults per year. Training is provided in August. Day and evening classes begin in September. For more information or to submit an on-line application, visit http://eslim.org.
The Anglican District of Virginia (ADV) is continuing its commitment to mission as its parishes travel the world this summer. Among the overseas mission trips are the Ukraine, to distribute 400 wheelchairs; and Kenya, to serve alongside farmers through the Anglican Church of Kenya. Several of ADV's youth will travel to West Virginia and South Dakota to serve the elderly and the handicapped, while other members continue their commitment to New Orleans Agape Hope, offering ongoing assistance to areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina. The Anglican District of Virginia is an association of 21 congregations, whose members are in full communion with the Anglican Communion through affiliation with the Convocation of Anglicans in North America, a missionary branch of the Church of Nigeria and other Anglican archbishops. ADV is dedicated to serving in international ministries and evangelism. Call 703-683-5004 or visit www.anglicandistrictofvirginia.org.
Jewish Social Services Agency and the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia (JCCNV) offer a Support Group for Parents of Young Adults with Asperger's Syndrome and Related Disorders. Monthly group focuses on building a support network, identifying community resources and balancing one's own needs with those of adult children with special needs. Group meets on Wednesdays, 7-8:30 p.m. at JSSA, 3018 Javier Road, Fairfax. Call 703-204-9100 to register.
Jewish Social Services Agency and the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia (JCCNV) offer a Social Club for Young Adults with Asperger's Syndrome or related disorders. This club provides social opportunities in a structured environment with guidance from profession staff who work with participants on improving social skills and comfort in social situations. A variety of outings, including parties, bowling, dinners, miniature golf and museum tours, will be scheduled through December. For a schedule of events, costs and more information, call 703-204-9100.
St. John’s Episcopal Church supports over twenty outreach ministries, including SHARE, Habitat for Humanity, Martha’s Table, and the Gen. Colin L. Powell Leadership Club at Macfarland Middle School in Washington D.C. Services at 7:45 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:15 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. St. John’s Episcopal Church, 6715 Georgetown Pike, McLean. Call 703-356-4902 or visit www.stjohnsmclean.org.
Adult students may register for ESL classes at St. Mark Catholic Church, 9970 Vale Road, Vienna, on Sept. 11 and Sept. 16. Seven class levels, from beginner to advanced. $15 plus the textbook. Free child care is available, and an optional basic computer skills class is offered to intermediate and advanced students. Classes are Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m. Call 703-424-1046 or 703-216-4488 or email esl_express@yahoo.com.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington is partnering with the Jewish Outreach Institute (JOI) to launch the Mothers/Parents Circle, an umbrella of free educational events and resources for parents raising Jewish children within the context of intermarriage or a committed
relationship. The program focuses on Jewish rituals, ethics and the creation of a Jewish home, and includes regular meetings and group Shabbats and holidays. Participants include Sha'are Shalom in Leesburg, Congregation Beth Emeth in Herndon, Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church and the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia in Fairfax. The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington (ShalomDC.org) is a community-building organization that cares for those in need, deepens engagement in Jewish life, and connects Jews to each other.