Father Thomas Keating, one of the world's leading contemporary teachers and authors on Christian mystical spirituality, is a Trappist monk and the founder in 1984 of Contemplative Outreach International, based in Butler, N.J. Contemplative Outreach of Metro Washington is hosting a public event on Sunday, May 22 from 2:30-5:30 p.m. at The Falls Church, 115 E. Fairfax St., Falls Church. There is no admission fee, but guests will be asked to consider making a contribution. For more information and to make reservations, visit http://comw.home.mindspring.com. or call 301-540-3858.
Lag Ba'Omer: Into Our Woods. Students of Gesher Jewish Day School of Northern Virginia will celebrate the Jewish holiday of Lag Ba'Omer on Friday, May 27. Following the Israeli tradition of celebrating Lag Ba'Omer with outdoor, nature-based activities, Gesher students are participating in a special "Yom Teva" (nature day). The program is being held in the woods at the location where the new Gesher school building is to be built, a 47-acre site on Shirley Gate Road, located at the western edge of George Mason University. 8:45a.m.-2:30p.m. All community members are welcome to attend free of charge. Call Michelle Malet in the Gesher office at 703-978-9789.
McLean Baptist Church's annual Bible Day Camp for children will run July 18-22, featuring a safari theme with various crafts, food and games to take children on a “journey through the Lord’s Prayer.” This year the church has added an afternoon session and scheduled activities based on the ages of the attendees. The morning session, which runs from 9 a.m.-noon, is for children 3 years old through fifth grade. Children who have completed kindergarten to fifth grade may attend camp for just the morning session, all day or just the special afternoon session. Those attending all day or the afternoon session must be picked up at 4:30 p.m. At each afternoon session, children will go on a different virtual adventure such as the zoo, the aquarium and other destinations. Each child is asked to bring a sack lunch. Drinks will be provided. Costs are $30 per child for the morning session, $45 per child for the afternoon session and $75 per child for the all-day sessions, but families with multiple children attending will pay no more than $80 total. Parents can register their children and pay the camp fee at www.mcleanbaptist.org. The deadline to register is June 1. Children are encouraged to attend regardless of their religious affiliation or church membership status.
Arlington Diocese Refugee Services, the largest refugee agency in Northern Virginia, will celebrate 30 years of service in Northern Virginia on Wednesday, June 22. In 30 years the Office has assisted over 16,000 refugees and asylees. Refugee Services invites the community of Northern Virginia to its 30th Anniversary Fundraising Dinner at Hilton McLean, Tysons Corner, 7920 Jones Branch Drive, McLean. Tickets are $75 each, or a table of 10 for $700. Reservations required. Funds raised will assist refugees on the road to self-sufficiency. Call 703-524-2154 or e-mail development@arlingtonrefugeeservices.com.
Faith and Life Forums are held every Sunday in May at 9:45 a.m. at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 1545 Chain Bridge Road. On May 22, Dr. Frank Peterson and Linda Hedlund share an "Update on Partner in Health." Partner in Health is a project to bring surgical care to the impoverished people of rural Guatemala. On May 29, Dr. Tom Imhoof discusses "The Church and Secularization." Call 703-356-3346 or visit www.redeemer-mclean.org.
Organist Julie Vidrick Evans performs at Saint Luke Catholic Church, 7001 Georgetown Pike, McLean, on Wednesday, May 18 at 1 p.m. Free. Evans serves as conductor in residence at American University and is now in her ninth year as Director of Music at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church in Bethesda. She is a prize-winning organist and active recitalist. Call 703-356-0670.
Aim for Success, the nation's largest provider of sexual abstinence education programs, presents a three-hour parent/teen workshop Friday, May 20 at 7 p.m. at McLean Bible Church, 8925 Leesburg Pike. The workshop is for teens 7th grade and older who are accompanied by an adult. Aim for Success founder and president, Marilyn Morris, is the featured speaker. Cost is $10 per individual or $20 per family. Register at www.mcleanbible.org or call 703-770-1025.
St. Athanasius Lutheran Church, 114 Kingsley Road in Vienna, member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, offers traditional worship in accordance with the historic liturgy of the church. The current Sunday schedule includes Bible study and Sunday school for all ages at 9 a.m. and worship at 10:15 a.m. A Lutheran book club is also offered twice a month. A midweek Bible study meets Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., preceded by "Ask the Pastor" time at 7 p.m. Call 703-455-4003 for more information or visit www.saint-athanasius.org.
Emmanuel Lutheran Church has a full range of education, music, worship and outreach programs. Traditional worship is at 8 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 9:30 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.
Charles Wesley United Methodist Church, located at 6817 Dean Drive in McLean, holds Sunday School for all ages at 9 a.m., Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. and Communion and healing services Wednesdays at noon. Its motto is "A Place to Be and Believe, to Belong and Become." Call the office at 703-356-6336. Visit www.charleswesleyumc.org
Vienna Baptist Church offers numerous Christian worship, education, music and mission opportunities. Each Sunday begins with a high-energy VBPraise service at 8:45 a.m. Sunday school begins at 9:45 a.m., providing different programs to people of all ages. The traditional liturgical worship service takes place at 11 a.m. The church is located at 541 Marshall Road, Vienna. For more information, call 703-281-4400 or visit www.vbc-va.org.
Faith Baptist Church, located at 301 Center St. S., Vienna, offers Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. for all ages, 11 a.m. worship, and Bible Study on Sunday at 6 p.m. On Wednesday at 7 p.m., The Awana children's club for fourth- through sixth-graders takes place during the school year. Nursery school is provided for all services. The preschool and kindergarten program uses the abeka curriculum and serves ages 3, 4 and 5. Visit the Web site at www.FaithBaptistVienna.org or e-mail Faith@tidalwave.net. Call the church at 703-938-9688.
The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer celebrates a contemporary service at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday, supplementing its traditional worship services at 8:30 and 11 a.m. Modern praise music is sung, accompanied by a band of nine musicians on electric keyboard, bass and acoustic guitars, trumpet and drums.
Concurrently at 9:45, adult Bible study and Sunday School for children age 3 through high school. Nursery is available at all services.
The church is located at 1545 Chain Bridge Road in McLean. For more information, visit www.redeemer-mclean.org or call the office at 703-356-3346.
Chabad at Tysons is holding a Shabbat educational service at the Embassy suites Hotel on Route 7 (next door to the Toys R Us, across from the Container store). Saturday morning service starts at 9:30 a.m., Torah discussion at 10:30 a.m., followed by a sit-down Kiddush. Call 703-356-3451, or e-mail ChabadTysons@aol.com.
The Great Falls United Methodist Church offers two services with different worship styles. The 8:30 a.m. service is traditional, and the 11 a.m. service is a blend of contemporary and traditional styles. The church is located at 10100 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls.
St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, located at 1830 Kirby Road in McLean, invites all to come for the Third Sunday Service every month at 10:15 a.m. This service allows the children to play active roles during the service, particularly in the music and as greeters and ushers. In addition to the Third Sunday Service, traditional services take place every Sunday at 8:15 and 10:15 a.m. Nursery is available at the 10:15 a.m. service. Call the church office at 703-356-7533 with questions.