<i>Faith Notes are for announcements and events in the faith community. Send to mclean@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Friday.</i>
Pumpkin Fest at The Vine Church, 2501 Gallows Road, Dunn Loring. Saturdays and Sundays in October; Saturdays 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sundays 1 – 7 p.m. Moon bounce, popcorn, face painting, story telling for kids. Pumpkins for sale (small pumpkin free to children under 12, while they last). The public is invited.
Aging and Wellness Conference and Expo 2009 at McLean Bible Church, 8925 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. With resources including community resources, housing, finance, health and wellness, and county government services for caregivers and their families, and a Speaker’s Forum where professionals in their fields will speak on issues such as handling medication, dementia, and end-of-life issues. Free; refreshments provided. wayne.thompson@mcleanbible.org or contact the church at 703-639-2000.
St. Thomas Episcopal Church Pumpkin Sale. Through Halloween at the church, near the corner of Rt. 7 and Lewinsville Road, McLean. All proceeds benefit local charities.
HAVEN of Northern Virginia offers a variety of free bereavement support groups, meeting on a weekly basis. Contact 703-941-7000 or www.havenofnova.org for schedules and registration information.
Pet Blessing at Trinity United Methodist Church, Sunday, Nov. 8, 4 p.m. All pets are welcome: dogs on leashes and cats and other critters in carriers. Help us publicize this event. Invite others: neighbors, friends, folks you see at the dog park, along the bike trail, at your veterinarian's. Questions- call 703-356-3312.
Trinity United Methodist Church, 1205 Dolley Madison Blvd., McLean.
www.umtrinity.org
The Jewish Social Services Agency (JSSA) offers a variety of support groups for those with emotional, social, and physical challenges. Contact Gary Axelrod, 301-610-8309 or gaxelrod@jssa.org, or www.jssa.org.
Vienna Baptist Church, 541 Marshall Road, Vienna, is celebrating the 400th birthday of Baptists. Sunday service is at 11 a.m.; Sunday Bible Study, 9:30 a.m. 703-281-4400 or www.vbc-va.org.
St. Francis Episcopal Church in Great Falls, 9220 Georgetown Pike in Great Falls. Services are at 7:45 a.m., 9 a.m., and 11 a.m. Sunday School classes and an adult forum series are at 10:15 a.m. 703-759-2082 or www.stfrancisgreatfalls.org. Fall events include:
* Voice recital at 7 p.m. on Sept. 20, with music from the British Isles.
· Choral Evensong for All Saints, 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 1.
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· Country Fair, Saturday, Oct. 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
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* Blessing of the Animals, Sunday, Oct. 4 at the 9 a.m. service.
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. E-mail bodyandsoul@mcleanbible.org for more information.
Vajrayogini Buddhist Center offers ongoing classes on meditation and Buddhist philosophy, Mondays at 7 p.m. at Unity of Fairfax, 2854 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton. $10 per class. 202-331-2122 or www.meditation-dc.org.
Great Falls United Methodist Church at 10100 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. 703-759-3705 offers “All Things New,” an ecumenical worship service, every Wednesday at 6 p.m. Based on the Beatitudes of Jesus, for people affected by anger, fear, stress, dealing with rejection, credit abuse, drug/alcohol abuse, physical/sexual addiction or eating disorders.
A Centering Prayer Group meets Fridays, 9:30 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. E-mail Martha Thomas at mmthomas211@hotmail.com or call the church at 703-759-3509.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and the Jewish Outreach Institute offer the Mothers/Parents Circle, an umbrella of free educational events and resources. Jewish rituals, ethics and the creation of a Jewish home, regular meetings and group Shabbats and holidays. Participants include Sha'are Shalom, Congregation Beth Emeth, Temple Rodef Shalom and the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia. ShalomDC.org.
Vienna Assembly of God has a 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 also available. 703-938-7736 or www.ViennaAG.com.
Vienna Christian Healing Rooms, every Saturday, 1-5 p.m., at 8200 Bell Lane. A team of Christians is available to anyone requesting prayer. Free and open to the public. 703-698-9779 or 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, at 8 p.m. every Friday. An opportunity to learn about the Baha’i faith. 703-556-3400.
English classes at McLean Baptist Church on Mondays, including beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. Advanced electives are Literature, U.S. Government, World Religions, and current events. Free class and registration, but students must buy their own books. 9:30 a.m. at 1367 Chain Bridge Road. 703-356-8080 or www.mcleanbaptist.org.
St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, 1830 Kirby Road in McLean. The third Sunday service every month at 10:15 a.m. allows children to play active roles in the music and as greeters and ushers. Traditional services are every Sunday at 8:15 and 10:15 a.m. Nursery is available at the 10:15 a.m. service. 703-356-7533.