<bt>Send announcements to The Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to herndon@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703- 917-0991. Deadline is Friday before publication. Photos/artwork encouraged.
<mh>Grief Support Groups
<bt>The Hospices of the National Capital Region have two support groups for grieving people at the United Christian Parish, 2222 Colts Neck Road, Reston. A grief education group meets the fourth Tuesday of each month, 7-8:30 p.m. A drop-in grief support group meets the first, second, third and fourth Tuesday of each month, 7-8:30 p.m. Call 703-383-9222.
<mh>Religious School
<bt>Shoreshim, a cooperative Jewish community serving western Fairfax County, is accepting registration for its religious school in grades kindergarten-seventh. Weekly classes in Judaics and Hebrew take place on Mondays from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Lake Anne Community Center. New students are welcome when families become members. Call 703-435-1923.
<mh>United Christian Parish Lenten Programs
<bt>The United Christian Parish of Reston is offering two special program series during the Lenten season, one series held on Sunday evenings and another at lunch time on Wednesdays.
Beginning Sunday, Feb. 17, the UCP lay-led Sunday worship service will incorporate some of the Scriptures and texts used in the Easter portion of Handel's "Messiah" into the worship service. Services will begin at 8 p.m. and conclude by 9:15 p.m. This is an informal service and all are welcome.
Starting on Wednesday, Feb. 20 and continuing every Wednesday through March 27, UCP will host a series of noontime Lenten Lunches. A spiritual program on the theme of "Moving Stories: Coping with Loss and Change on the Way to New Life" will be presented from 12:10 to 12:30. Participants should bring a bag lunch. Beverages and dessert will be provided.
Both programs will be at the Hunters Woods building, 2222 Colts Neck Drive., Reston. For more information, visit www.unitedchristianparish.org or call the church office: 703-620-3065.
<mh>Free Bible Discussion
<bt>Study open to all on Tuesdays Feb. 19, at 7:30-9 p.m. at the Washington Plaza Baptist Church Community Room, 1615 Washington Plaza, On Lake Anne. Resource books $17; scholarships available.
To reserve a book call 703-471-5225 or e-mail Pastor@WashingtonPlazaChurch.com.
<mh>Indian Reservation Trip
<bt>An informational meeting for those interested in joining the summer mission team to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation will take place on Sunday, Feb. 24, 3-5 p.m at The Church of the Good Shepherd, 2351 Hunter Mill Rd., Vienna. The trip is scheduled for July 7-15. For more information call 703-620-2283.
<mh>Bahai to Host
'Dinner and Discussion
<bt>On Friday March 1, Bahai of Fairfax NW will be hosting an evening of "Dinner and Discussion" at McNair Farms Community Center located at 2491 McNair Farms Drive in Herndon. This is another public service event in a series of educational gatherings hosted by the Bahai of Fairfax NW. The evening activities start at 7:30 p.m. with dinner and is followed by an informal talk and exchange of ideas. Speaker for this event is Michael Winger-Bearskin who will be leading a discussion on the subject of "The Glorious Destiny of America". For more information about the Bahai faith visit www.us.bahai.org.
<mh>Lenten Services
<bt>The Great Falls United Methodist Church will hold a series of special Lenten Services every Tuesday night beginning February 19 (through March 26) from 8 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. in the sanctuary. The public is also invited to our regular Tuesday night (7:00 p.m.) Prayer Meeting in the parlor, which is led by Dick and Betty Bruss, and will be followed by the Lenten Service. Great Falls United Methodist Church is on Georgetown Pike, just west of Walker Road and the fire station. For more information, call (703) 759-3705.