Send announcements or events, which are open to the public at no or minimal cost, to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102 or e-mail <a href="mailto:loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com">loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com</a>. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged.
Each 10:30 a.m. Sunday service at Unitarian Universalists of Sterling, 22135 Davis Drive, Sterling, has a different topic. The Feb. 8 service is "Your One Wild and Precious Life." The Feb. 15 service is "Ambiguity-The Challenge and the Responsibility." The Feb. 22 service is "Agape, on the Rocks." Call 703-406-3068.
The Washington D.C. Area branch of the Sant Nirankari Mission held a blood drive Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Cascades Library with the help of the American Red Cross. About 30 mission members signed in for the blood donation and 21 units of blood were collected. The mission is expecting to hold another blood drive in April 2009.
The Jewish "Lunch and Learn" schedule for 2009 has been announced. The program consists of lunch-time studies, featuring five rabbis from western Fairfax and Loudoun counties. The sessions will be held at noon on Wednesdays, Feb. 11-June 17. All sessions are "brown bag" lunches and will be held in Sterling. Free. E-mail to JewishStudies.Teacher@gmail.com to sign up.
Sterling United Methodist Church, 304 East Church Road,
Sterling, is collecting items for the Marshall Islands. Donated items must be in new or gently used condition. Monetary donations are also welcome to help purchase items and offset general mission costs. Contributions may be dropped off at the church between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekdays or on Sunday mornings from 8 a.m.- noon. Contact Phil Mohr, youth director, by calling 703-430-6455 or by e-mailing youth@sterlingumc.org. A complete list of suggested items can be found on the Web site at www.sterlingumc.org.
Sterling United Methodist Church, 304 E. Church Road, Sterling, is holding two special Ash Wednesday events Feb. 25. At 6 p.m., a family supper will be held in the church’s fellowship hall. Following the supper, an Ash Wednesday service of prayer and mediations will begin at 7:15 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Call 703-430-6455 or visit www.sterlingumc.org.
Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation and Congregation Sha'are Shalom invite the women and girls of Loudoun County to a Miriam's Seder Sunday, March 22, 2-4 p.m., at 21740 Beaumeade Circle, Suite 100, Ashburn. This special Seder, led by Rabbi Randi Nagel, will use a Hagaddah that expands the Passover theme of liberation. Bring a tambourine or other small instrument and a canned good item for Interfaith Relief. Send an $8 per person check payable to Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation Sisterhood to Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation Sisterhood, 21740 Beaumeade Circle, Suite 100 Ashburn, VA. E-mail Sisterhood@bcrcva.org by March 15.