Send announcements to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, call Jennifer Lesinski at 703-917-6454.
This free listing is reserved for activities and events that are open to the public at no or minimal cost.
The Shenandoah Coffeehouse Series presents original acoustic music at 8 p.m. on Saturday Nov. 13, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Loudoun, 20460 Gleedsville Road, featuring the original and traditional folk sounds of singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalists Dana and Susan Robinson. Tickets are available when the doors open at 7:30 p.m., show time is 8 p.m. All concerts are smoke and alcohol free. The Shenandoah Coffeehouse Series is an environmentally-friendly event; feel free to bring your favorite coffee mug. Coffee and other refreshments are provided by the event hosts, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Loudoun. For more information, visit: http://www.shenandoahacoustics.com/scs.
The Nov. 14 service at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Sterling will be conducted by the Rev. Roberta Finkelstein. Her sermon, called "Autumn Spirituality," will offer a series of readings and commentary on aspects of autumn spirituality that include appreciating the fleeting, gathering in, and surrendering to the inevitable. The UUS choir will sing an anthem in honor of Veterans' Day. The Unitarian Universalists of Sterling meet every Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m., at the Sterling Oaks Commerce Center at 21355 Davis Drive. For more information call 703-406-3068 or visit uusterling.org.
Sunday, Nov. 14, the Rev. Roberta Finkelstein of the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling will hold one of her monthly drop-in sessions called Bible for Liberals. This session will be the first of two sessions on the Gospel of Thomas. Thomas was one of the early Christian texts that was left out of the official canon. However, when a copy of it was found in Egypt in 1945, scholars discovered an entirely new lens for looking at early Christianity and the heretical Jesus followers in the Thomas community. For more information call 703-406-3068 or visit uusterling.org.
At the Nov. 21 service at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Sterling, the Rev. Roberta Finkelstein and congregational leaders will offer perspectives on the work of Michael Durall, author of The Almost Church. The Jazz Ensemble will provide music and Guest At Your Table boxes will be distributed. The Unitarian Universalists of Sterling meet every Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m., at the Sterling Oaks Commerce Center at 21355 Davis Drive. For more information call 703-406-3068 or visit uusterling.org.
The 8th Ashburn Farm 10K, 5K and 2-Mile Fun Run, Thursday, Nov. 25, 8:15 a.m., at Crossroads United Methodist Church, corner of Crossroads Drive and Ashburn Farm Parkway in Ashburn Farm. USATF-certified course.
Cash prizes of $300, $200 and $100 will be awarded to the top three male and female 10K run finishers. The top male and female 5K finishers will receive $150, $100 and $50. Registration is $25 for the 10K if postmarked by Nov. 21 and $30 after. The 5K is $23 before Nov. 21 and $25 after. The fun run is $16 and does not increase. Online registration is available at www.active.com. All proceeds from this event benefit The Humble Place mission, an orphanage and school founded by Crossroads UMC in Mukono, Uganda. For more information, call Crossroads UMC at 703-729-5100.
The November sermons at Saint Matthew's Episcopal Church, 201 E. Frederick Drive in Sterling, will be "The Apprentice: Preparing for the Ultimate Boardroom," at 8 a.m., 9:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. This series will look at how we develop the life and character that will not only enhance the quality of our life now, but prepare us for the day when we see the One who is much bigger than Donald Trump and hear Him say, "Well done," rather than "You're fired." For more information visit the church's Web site at www.stmatthewssterling.org or phone 703-430-2121.
There will be an intergenerational Family Thanksgiving Service at the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling Sunday, Nov. 28. Intern minister Amy DeBeck and the Rev. Roberta Finkelstein will lead a participatory service, modeled on a Seder that illuminates the meaning of Thanksgiving for religious liberals. The Unitarian Universalists of Sterling meet every Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m., at the Sterling Oaks Commerce Center at 21355 Davis Drive. For more information call 703-406-3068 or visit uusterling.org.
Monday evenings Nov. 22, 29, Dec. 6,13 and 20, the Rev. Roberta Finkelstein of the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling will offer a workshop series that will deal with places for religious liberals to find hope. Participants will be able to deepen their own spiritual experience of hope, as well as learn more about the UU faith with an in-depth look at Unitarian Universalist sources of authority. The workshops will go from 7:30-9:30 p.m.. For more information call 703-406-3068 or visit uusterling.org
A "Bible for Liberals" class will be held as a monthly drop-in discussion at the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling on the second Sunday of each month. At each session there will be an in-depth discussion of a biblical text. Participants will be given background on the historical context in which the text was written, the literary features, and the way it has been interpreted. There will be opportunities to talk about personal response to the text and how biblical studies might influence one's own personal spiritual journey. The discussions will be held after the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service held at the Sterling Oaks Commerce Center at 21355 Davis Drive near Route 28 and Church Road. For more information call 703-406-3068 or visit uusterling.org.
The Loudoun Church Alliance is a formal association of churches of many denominations, founded two years ago. It works in the areas of youth development, international missions, evangelism outreach, and is now working to develop relationships with government and business. For further information, contact founder and missionary Jack Stagman at jackstagman@adelphia.net.
The Unitarian Universalists of Sterling meet on Sunday mornings, at 10:30 a.m., at the Sterling Oaks Commerce Center at 21355 Davis Drive near Rt. 28 and Church Road. For more information call 703-406-3068 or visit uusterling.org.
"How Do I Deal With My Parents," New Life Christian Church's Teen Care Ministry, is offering a 13-week program for sixth-12th graders on how to deal with what happens when families split. Join other teens struggling with the same issues. Contact Lucy Martinez at lucy@community-impact.org or 703-220-5022 or Ron Furgerson, community care minister, at 703-266-0118.