<lst>Know something that should be featured in Faith Notes? Classes? Services? Special events? Send a brief write-up and photos to 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, fax to 703-917-0991, or e-mail maweber@connectionnewspapers.com
"Health in God's Garden, Hope in God's Children." The Alliance of Baptists will explore matters of faith and ecology at the annual convocation, April 24-26, at the Vienna Baptist Church, 541 Marshall Road S.W., Vienna. The convocation includes a keynote address by Jay McDaniel, author of books of Christianity and ecology, workshops on ecology as it relates to the Bible, consumerism, justice and peace. Free and open to the public. Child care will be provided for preschoolers on Thursday and Friday evenings and during the worship time on Saturday morning at 11 a.m. For the full schedule of events and other information, visit www.allianceofbaptists.org.
Union Baptist will be celebrating its 100th anniversary at the Tysons Westpark Hotel, 8401 Westpark Drive, McLean, Shenandoah Ballroom, 6-11 p.m. $40 adult per person, $26 children 12 and under. Guest speaker for the evening is the Rev. Dr. Kenny Smith, First Baptist Church of Vienna. For ticket information or donations, contact Phyllis Blackwell at 703-281-2556 or Deacon LeRoy Belford at 703-281-5920. The cut-off date for ticket sales is April 25.
Rev. Christopher Chenoweth, founding minister of the nondenominational Internet prayer ministry, www.PositiveChristianity.com, will offer his prosperity seminar for one day, April 27, at 1:30-5 p.m. at Unity of Fairfax, 2854 Hunter Mill Road, Fairfax. A program of turning the power of thought toward achievement of prosperity, the seminar is open to the public. Chenoweth will also speak at the 9 and 11 a.m. services. A free-will offering will be received. For more information, call 703-281-1767.
Father John Langan, SJ, of the Kennedy Institute at Georgetown University, will speak on "The Moral Criticism of War," April 27, at 6:15 p.m., at Vienna Presbyterian Church, 124 Park St. N.E., Vienna, in the Fellowship Hall. Call 703-938-9050, Ext. 151, for child care.
St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, located at 1830 Kirby Road in McLean, will debut a new contemporary worship service on April 27, at 10:15 am. This worship service will feature uplifting contemporary music and an informal environment. Easily understood Bible readings and an interactive sermon are planned. This new approach to worship is a direct result of yearlong, congregation-wide analysis called ReVisions. The St. Dunstan's congregation decided to explore more updated styles of worship, while not relinquishing their traditional Sunday services. All are welcome to join the St. Dunstan's community in this modern, uplifting worship. For more information, call the church at 703-356-7533.
The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer and the Luther Institute will co-sponsor a presentation, "Patriotism and Virtue in the Age of Globalization," presented by Dr. Thomas D. Kennedy of Valparaiso University, on Wednesday, April 30. A reception at 6:30 will take place in the fellowship hall, followed by the 7:30 p.m. program in the church nave. A donation of $15 for the Luther Institute is suggested. Reservations should be made by April 28 by calling 202-547-5504. The church is located at 1545 Chain Bridge Road, McLean. Visit www.redeemer-mclean.org or call 703-356-3346.
St. John's Episcopal Church will hold its third annual Attic Sale on Saturday, May 3, 8 a.m.-noon. The sale will include household items, furniture, books, toys, sporting equipment and other non-clothing items. The sale is sponsored by St. John's Circle, a fellowship group for younger adults. Proceeds will support the church's relationship with students at Macfarland Middle School in Washington, D.C.
St. John's Episcopal Church is located at 6715 Georgetown Pike, McLean.
Choral Evensong, the musical version of evening prayer in the Anglican tradition, will be offered at Church of the Holy Comforter, 543 Beulah Road N.E. in Vienna, on Sunday, May 4, at 5 p.m.
Congregation Etz Hayim, formerly Arlington-Fairfax Jewish Congregation, will host a Religious School Open House on May 4, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at 2920 Arlington Blvd. Children and parents can observe preschool through seventh-grade classes already in progress as well as meet the education director. Membership is not required for enrollment in preschool through grade one. Call 703-979-4466 or e-mail school@etzhayim for more information.
AARP Virginia presents a free conference and expo for those caring for family members with chronic illnesses on Friday, May 9, 9:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m., at McLean Bible Church. Legal issues of caregiving, taking care of caretakers, managing the care team of health professionals and attorneys, patient care skills training, and coping with relationship and financial strain are the main topics of discussion. Sponsors include AARP Virginia, Fairfax Agency on Aging, Goodwin House Inc., Kaiser Permanente, Family Caregivers Association, SOLACE, Sunrise Senior Living and the Hospices of the National Capital Region. McLean Bible Church is located at 8925 Leesburg Pike, Vienna. Call 1-877-926-8300 to register.
The Vienna Presbyterian Church (VPC) announces the opening of CenterPoint, the adult Christian education center. CenterPoint invites adults in the community to spiritual growth experiences through education. Five academic tracks on the Bible, Church History and Theology, Ethics and Christian Living, Spirituality and the Arts, and Church and Mission will be offered during the four 5-week terms. Classes will be offered through April 2003 on Sunday and Tuesday evenings. VPC staff, university, seminary, business and nonprofit organizations professionals will teach the classes. Registration is required, and there is a $25 fee per course ($35 fee at the door on a space-available basis.) Call 703-938-9050, e-mail to centerpoint@viennapres.org, or visit www.viennapres.org.
Emmaus United Church of Christ offers an Hour of Quiet. Spiritual renewal as the focus for a weekly ecumenical group that meets at Emmaus United Church of Christ every Wednesday from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Led by JoAn Post, participants are gently guided through a time of centering, meditation and prayer. It is open to people of all faiths and requires no previous experience, only sincere desire. Emmaus is located at 900 Maple Ave. E. in Vienna. Call 703-281-9309 for more information
Emmanuel Lutheran Church has a full range of education, music, worship and outreach programs. Traditional worship is at 8:15 and 11 a.m., in the rich Lutheran tradition of liturgical song mixed with music of the masters, spirituals and contemporary Christian music. Contemporary worship is at 9:45 a.m., with fresh liturgical song and contemporary Christian music led by Revelation. Christian education for all ages is 9:30-10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-noon. Christian education is available for everyone from preschoolers through adults. Classes are always open to newcomers. The church is located at 2589 Chain Bridge Road, Vienna, on the Oakton side of Vienna near McDonald’s. Call 703-938-2119.
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.
The International Chabad-Lubavitch organization is establishing a new Jewish institution, Chabad at Tysons, which will serve Vienna, McLean and Great Falls. Chabad welcomes all Jews regardless of background or affiliation. Activities will include holiday awareness programs, adult education, Shabbat and High Holiday services, and special children’s events. Call 703-356-3451 or 703-622-2953.
Charles Wesley United Methodist Church, located at 6817 Dean Drive in McLean, holds Sunday Services at 10 a.m. and Communion and healing services Wednesdays at noon. Its motto is "A Place to Be — Belong, Become, Believe." Visit www.gbgm-umc.org/cwumc.
Epiphany United Methodist Church, 1014 Country Club Drive, Vienna, will host its annual summer Vacation Bible School July 14-18, 9:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m., for children age 3 through grade 4. Call the church during morning hours to register children or stop by to pick up a registration form. For more information, call 703-938-3494.