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Rabbi Sholom Deitsch, director of Chabad Lubavitch of Northern Virginia, will give a series of lectures entitled "Kabbalah for Dummies and Everyone Else," Mondays, Nov. 10, 17 and 14, 7:30 -9 p.m. The four-session course is open to the entire community and everyone is welcome to attend. No prior background or knowledge is required. The classes will take place at the Chabad Community Campus, 3939 Prince William Road in Fairfax. The cost for all four sessions is $36. Call 703-426-1980 for more information and to register.
Parents have a night off, while their children have a fun evening in a safe environment. The Little River United Church of Christ, 8410 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, continues its new First Friday season Nov. 7, with entertainment for children by Peter McCory and his One Man Band. The First Friday program serves children and parents from the congregation and the community. Parents get an evening off, while their children from 6 months through sixth grade, enjoy a variety of hands-on programs, dinner and craft projects. First Friday meets from October through April (but not in January), 6:30-9:30 p.m. The fee is $7.50 per child to a maximum of $20 per family ($8.50 and $22 for late registration). Sign up by calling the church office, 703-978-3060 or by registering online, http://lrucc.org/1stfri.htm.
“Recovering from Hurt, Loss and Crisis.” Dr. Norm Wright, a Christian counselor, will lead this seminar on Nov. 7 and 8, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., at Immanuel Bible Church, 6911 Braddock Road, Springfield. The Friday session is designed to equip helping/crisis professionals and lay people to assist others through difficult times using a structured model of what to say and do. Saturday’s session will offer practical steps to guide those who have experienced hurt, loss and crisis into fresh hope and confidence. Cost is $25 in advance, $30 at the door, with a special advance registration price of $50 for both sessions. Registration is available online at www.immanuelbible.net/register or by calling 703-813-1952.
Family First Open House. Come learn how to host meaningful family meetings to strengthen relationships, teach family values and make family decisions. Sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Fairfax, demonstrations will be given and lots of ideas shared for making family meetings fun and valuable. Saturday, Nov. 8, 7 p.m., 4911 Ox Road, Fairfax. For more information, call 703-425-9455.
Transgenderism 101 & 102. Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church in Burke is inviting the public to a discussion series about transgenderism, intended to inform and dispel common myths and misconceptions. Learn the basics and background on being transgender in this society, and gender etiquette, too. Invited guests offer different perspectives. These three sessions will offer a question-and-answer time. Meetings will be Tuesday, Nov. 11; and Wednesday, Nov. 19. All are 7-10 p.m., at Accotink UU Church, 10125 Lakehaven Court, Burke. Participants may attend any discussion or all three. The $10 registration fee supports Accotink's adult education program. For information, call 703-503-4579 or visit http://accotinkuuc.uua.org.
St. Stephen's United Methodist Church hosts its 14th annual Thanksgiving celebration of faith and sharing for those in the area who are in need, alone or who, for whatever reason, would not otherwise be able to enjoy the Thanksgiving spirit. On Saturday, Nov. 15, the celebration begins with a worship service at 11 a.m., followed by a free dinner served from 12-3 p.m. St. Stephen's is located at 9203 Braddock Road in Burke. The meal will be prepared and served by church members and is open to all in the community who would like to join together in Thanksgiving. Transportation will be available as needed. For more information or to request transportation, call Sarah VanAntwerp, 703-978-8724, Ext. 106 or Janie Norman-Edu at 703-644-4562.
Judah Praise Fellowship Christian Church and Reverend Doctor Janice Jenkins, pastor, invites the public to its opening service on Sunday, Nov. 16, at 3 p.m., at Hilton Garden Inn, 3950 Fair Ridge Drive, Fairfax. For more information, call 703-758-1456 or e-mail judahpraisemin@aol.com.
Jubilee Christian Center hosts its Annual Missions Convention on Sunday, Nov. 16, during the 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. services. Missionary J. R. Gould of Kenya will speak at 10:30 a.m., and Philadelphia Messianic Rabbi Jeff Friedman will speak at 6:30 p.m. Both will participate in a question and answer period at the free International Dinner following the morning service. Jubilee Christian Center is located at 4650 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax. Call 703-383-1170 for information.
Free Nembutsu Meditation Seminar. On Saturday, Nov. 22, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., at Ekoji Buddhist Temple, 6500 Lake Haven Lane, Fairfax Station, the featured speaker will be Rev. Koshin Ogui, 18th generation Buddhist priest and author of "Zen Shin Talks," from the Midwest Buddhist Temple in Chicago. Ogui founded the Zen Shin Sangha in 1978 to introduce Buddhist teachings to Americans. The subject will be the six paramitas as expressions of gratitude and instruction on nembutsu meditation. The public is welcome. For more information, visit www.ekoji.org.
Crop Walk to raise awareness of world hunger. On Sunday, Nov. 23, walk along Burke Centre Parkway to raise awareness and funds to combat world hunger. This year, 25 percent of funds raised will stay in Fairfax County to help local efforts and 75 percent will go to foreign nations for seeds, tools, wells, water systems, Moringa trees and more. Raising donations is optional; all are encouraged to walk. Meet at Living Savior Lutheran Church, 5500 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, before 2 p.m., and walk approximately four miles to Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, 6304 Lee Chapel Road, Burke. The walk is over at about 3:45 p.m. Refreshments will be available. For more information, call Janet Smith, 703-455-9025, or Lisa Wakeley, 703-455-2500.
Olivet Episcopal Church hosts a Thanksgiving Eve Eucharist Service on Wednesday, Nov. 26, at 7:30 p.m., in the Chapel at 6107 Franconia Road, Alexandria. For more information, contact Rev. David Harper at 703-971-4733 or www.olivetepiscopalchurch.org.
Olivet Episcopal Church hosts a series of Advent Nights, which will include wreath making, caroling, dessert social and more. The events will take place on Nov. 30; Dec. 7, 14 and 21, at 6 p.m., in the Chapel at 6107 Franconia Road Alexandria. For more information, contact Rev. David Harper at 703-971-4733 or www.olivetepiscopalchurch.org.
New World Unity Church offers a Sunday Celebration Service every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at Irving Middle School , 8100 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield. New World Unity is a Christ-centered spiritual community dedicated to building a consciousness of oneness based on unconditional love and total acceptance. Services include prayer, music, meaningful message, food and celebration. Call 703-690-7925.
With the voice of their own generation, the youth group of Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 5114 Twinbrook Road in Fairfax, brings a new worship service to senior and junior high-age students on the following Sundays: Nov. 9, Dec. 21, Jan. 18, Feb. 29, Mar. 21 and Apr. 18. The services will take place at 7 p.m., in the church's sanctuary. One Sunday a month, the youth band “Nothing but Faith” will sing and perform for the service while other students deliver the message, scripture readings and prayers. Communion will be celebrated. Parents and youth of all ages are encouraged to participate.
The Shalem Institute is offering free monthly prayer opportunities in Fairfax. The time together will be devoted to relaxation, the presentation of different prayer practices, silence, journal keeping and small group sharing. No experience is required, and participants may attend regularly or drop in. Donations are accepted. Meetings take place the third Monday of the month, 7:30-9 p.m., at the Providence Presbyterian Church, 9019 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. Ann Kulp, Kathy Spaar and Tad Wicker lead the meetings. To register for these events or for more information, visit www.shalem.org or call 301-897-7334.
Burke Presbyterian Church hosts a Coffeehouse Worship every Saturday evening at 5:30 p.m. Join for casual worship around tables, coffee and snacks with a wide variety of music such as jazz, bluegrass and folk presented by area artists. Stay afterwards for a short concert. Burke Presbyterian Church is located at 5690 Oak Leather Drive, Burke, 703-764-0456, www.BurkePresChurch.org.
Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church offers a weekly session of Zen meditation led by Jim McAdams on Thursday evenings, 7:30-9 p.m. The class is designed for both beginners and those more experienced meditators who have established practices. Registration fee is $10. For information call 703-503-4579 or visit http://accotinkuuc.uua.org.
"Growing Through Divorce." This eight-week workshop program discusses topics such as grieving the loss of the marriage, anger, rejection, forgiveness, loneliness and transitioning into single life. Child care is available but must be requested in advance. There is no charge for the program itself; the only cost is a $12 corresponding book. For more information, call Shari Sadowski at 703-569-9862, Ext. 213.
Career Net meets every Monday, from 7-9 p.m., at Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church in Burke. The free weekly event allows job seekers to network with each other, receive employment-related news and literature, ask for specific help from others and the volunteers. Meetings are headed by Jane Tresvaskis, a professional career counselor. For more information, call Subhash Gupta at 703-323-5676 or Robert Westin at 703-978-6229. Career Net takes place in Room 124 of the church, 10125 Lakehaven Court, in Burke. Call the church office at 703-503-4579 or check the Web site, accotinkuuc.uua.org.
Kirkwood Presbyterian Church, located at 8336 Carrleigh Parkway in Springfield, supports a Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) program on the first Wednesday of each month. Meetings are 9:30-11 a.m., at the church. All mothers and children are welcome. The program provides mothers an opportunity to get to know other mothers through discussions and craft activities. The children will be cared for my adults in the MOPPET program. Cost is $3 per session. Register by stopping by the church, calling 703-451-5320.
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