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 Friday, 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.
South Riding Church invites the community to join them Sundays in September and October, 10 a.m., at Little River Elementary School, 43464 Hyland Hills St., South Riding, as they explore ÒHow to Build Authentic Friendships-Jesus style!Ó South Riding Church Office, 13314 Pennypacker Lane
Fairfax. Visit www.church-marketing.com or www.southridingchurch.org or call 703-961-1983.
Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation will hold youth services for the youngest members, Sept. 16, at 6:30 p.m., followed by a family Shabbat service in Sterling. Call 703-391-8669.
The Family Fun Festival sponsored by Church of the Holy Spirit in Ashburn will be held on the grounds of Mill Run Elementary School Saturday Sept. 17, from 2-5 p.m. The rain date will be Saturday Sept. 24, from 2-5 p.m., at Mill Run Elementary School. This will be a time to come and enjoy fellowship with neighbors while the children engage in fun games, moon bounces, pony rides and much more. Free food and drinks will be provided. There will be an opportunity to thank the local sheriffÕs and fire departments for the work they do daily. Call 703-726-0777.
Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation Shabbat morning services/bar mitzvah, Sept. 17, 9:30 a.m. Call 703-391-8669.
Student Rabbi Gallop and Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation will offer a monthly, hour-long, high-school class to meet one Saturday evening a month. To foster a high degree of student involvement, course topics relating to teenage life will be agreed upon jointly by attendees and the rabbi. Adopting a discussion-type format to exploring current issues and discuss Jewish and modern perspectives. An optional youth group social will follow each class to be determined by the students at the Sept. 17 kickoff. For enrollment and further information, contact Lisa Kimball at bradamk@aol.com. ThereÊis a nonmember fee of $36 for the 10-session class.
Bethel UMC will hold its ham & turkey dinner, Sept. 17. Public welcome. At the Bethel Methodist Church on Stumptown Road, Lucketts, from 5-7 p.m. Free-will offering. Shine or rain. Includes Thanksgiving-time fare complete with the trimmings Ñ stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans and deviled eggs and homemade deserts, including all sorts of pies and cakes. Future dinner is Oct. 15.
Ashburn Presbyterian Church will host a two-part introduction gathering to provide general information about the church and our ministries. Part one of the introduction will be held Saturday, Sept. 17, from 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. A continental breakfast will be served. Part two will be held Sunday, Sept. 18, from 4-6:30 p.m. A light dinner will be provided. The church is located at 20962 Ashburn Road, in the heart of Old Ashburn. Child care will be provided, but register first by calling 703)-729-2012 or visiting www.ashburnpresbyterian.org.
The Sterling United Methodist Church United Methodist Women are sponsoring its annual community dinner Sunday, Sept. 18, noon-5:30 p.m., at the church, 304 E. Church Road. Menu includes turkey breast or ham dinner with traditional trimmings, salad, dessert and beverage. Proceeds benefit UMW missions including Loudoun Habitat for Humanity, Henry Fork Service Center in Franklin County, Va., and a missionary. Suggested donations adults $8, children 5-12 $5, senior citizens 60 and older $6. All members of the community are invited. Take outs will be available.
On Sunday, Sept. 18, at 10:30 a.m., the Rev. Matthew McNaught explores "The Meaning of Friendship" in his sermon at the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling. McNaught reflects on the theme of human friendship and the book "The Little Prince" by Antoine St. Exupery. The Unitarian Universalists of Sterling meet every Sunday, at 10:30 a.m., at the Sterling Oaks Commerce Center at 22135 Davis Drive near Route 28, off of Church Road near the W & OD bike path. Call 703-406-3068 or visit uusterling.org.
Ashburn Presbyterian Church is hosting three community get-togethers for people who enjoy making crafts. The APC Women's Ministry is looking for individuals who enjoy expressing themselves through pottery, wreaths, stamping, ornaments, woodworking, sewing, painting or other projects. They are encouraged to get involved by creating and donating items for sale at the church's bazaar. While working on project ideas, join the Women's Ministry for one of its monthly craft classes to produce bazaar merchandise Sept. 18, from 4-6 p.m., bean bag snowmen. Craft sessions will be held at Ashburn Presbyterian Church, 20962 Ashburn Road. Visit www.ashburnpresbyterian.org or call 703-729-2012.
Congregation ShaÕare Shalom, Loudoun CountyÕs only Conservative congregation, will hold two open houses for those interested in membership, programming, religious schools, and/or touring the synagogue before the Jewish High Holidays, which begin Monday Oct. 3.
The open houses are Tuesday, Sept. 20, from 7-8:30 p.m., or Thursday, Sept. 29, from 6-8 p.m. Refreshments will be provided. Congregation Sha'are Shalom is located across from Heritage High School at 19357 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg. Call 703-737-6500 or visit www.sha-areshalom.org.
Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation will hold a meet and greet, Sept. 25, in Ashburn at 9 a.m. Prospective and new members come join the BCRC family for coffee and a nosh and visit the Sunday school Call 703-391-8669.
Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation will offer adult education with student Rabbi Jesse Gallop. The class will meet once a month during the academic year Ñ September-June, 10 sessions in all Ñ at the Boyd School in Ashburn. The course will be Sundays during religious school, 9:30-11 a.m.; and is intended as an introduction to Jewish customs, traditions, concepts and philosophies. All are welcome to participate. Tuition is free for BCRC members, $36 for nonmembers. To enroll, contact Karlah Louis at 703-421-0884 or by e-mail at karlah.louis@earthlink.net.
Required texts: Dosick, Wayne. "Living Judaism." HarperCollins: New York, N.Y., 1995; "Introduction to Judaism: A Sourcebook." The URJ Press: New York, N.Y., 1998; Perelson, Ruth. "An Invitation to Shabbat." The URJ Press: New York, N.Y., 1997; Sonsino and Syme. "Finding God." The URJ Press: New York, N.Y., 2002; Telushkin, Joseph. "Jewish Literacy." William Morrow (Publisher): New York,
N.Y., 2001; "Tanakh: The Holy Scripture." Jewish Publication Society (JPS), 1985, recommended, not required.
Sterling United Methodist, 304 East Church Road, Sterling, is engaging in a month-long celebration of 130 years of ministry as a congregation in the Sterling community. Sunday, Sept. 25, the church will have an old-fashioned birthday party celebrating its anniversary and the birthdays of anyone in attendance, beginning at noon. Then Sunday, Oct. 2, will be the Heritage Sunday Worship Celebration, with two services Ñ 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Ñ and fellowship time in between. Includes special music, Holy Communion and participation by former pastors. All members of the community are invited.
On Sunday, Sept. 25, at the 10:30 a.m. service, at the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling, member Mike Masiak reflects on "Gifts of Belonging." Masiak will share his views on the gifts of belonging to a faith community, gifts both given and received. The Unitarian Universalists of Sterling meet every Sunday, at 10:30 a.m., at the Sterling Oaks Commerce Center at 22135 Davis Drive near Route 28, off of Church Road near the W & OD bike path. Call 703-406-3068 or visit uusterling.org.
On Sunday, Sept. 25, St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church will celebrate St. Gabriel's Day with a community party including brunch and a moon bounce while people visit the ministry fair. Visit www.saintgabriels.net or call 703-779-3616.
On St. Francis Day, Oct. 2, St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church plans to return to the Holiday Inn on Route 7 to hold its St. Francis Day Blessing of the Animals. All humans and pets are welcome to participate in this one-hour event that focuses stewardship of the animal kingdom and recognizes the huge role they play in people's lives. Visit www.saintgabriels.net or call 703-779-3616.
Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation High Holiday Services:
Oct. 3, Erev Rosh Hashanah 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4, Rosh Hashanah 9:30 a.m.
Oct. 12, Kol Nidre at 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 13, Yom Kippur at 10 a.m.
With services throughout the day all the High Holiday Services will be held in Ashburn. Call 703-391-8669.
The High Holy Days mark the beginning of the Jewish New Year (5766). They begin with Rosh Hashanah at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 3. Congregation ShaÕare Shalom will hold services the first and second days of the holiday Tuesday, Oct. 4, with Tashlich, at 1 p.m. and Wednesday, Oct. 5. Services each day begin at 9 a.m. Yom Kippur (Kol Nidre) services begin at 6:15 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 12 and at 9 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 13. A break-the-fast will be held after the conclusion of Yom Kippur services around 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13.
All services and events are held at Congregation ShaÕare Shalom, 19357 Evergreen Mill Road, Leesburg. Rabbinic intern, Neil Tow, will lead Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services.
Child care will be provided with a cooperative baby sitting effort by those in attendance. Nonmembers can reserve tickets by calling the synagogue at 703-437-6500. Visit the Web site www.sha-areshalom.org.
Help St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church and the Ashburn Youth Football League feed the hungry in Loudoun County.
On Oct. 8, the church will be joining with the AYFL to help collect food for Interfaith Relief. The church will assign collection stations around town and encourage its neighbors to help the many local families that depend on Interfaith Relief for food. Visit www.saintgabriels.net or call 703-779-3616.
Ashburn Presbyterian Church invites women to join in the annual, nationally acclaimed THRiVE simulcast. This year's theme is "Leading a Life of Significance."
A lineup of nationally known speakers and authors will connect with tens of thousands of women across North America. Speakers include Ruth Graham, Elizabeth George, Michelle McKinney Hammond, Shaunti Feldhahn, Valorie Burton, Florence Littauer, Carol Kent, Liz Curtis Higgs, and Les and Leslie Parrott.
The simulcast will be held at Ashburn Presbyterian Church, in the heart of Old Ashburn, Saturday, Nov. 12, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Lunch will be included. Tickets will be available in early September. Call 703-729-2012.
Unitarian Universalists of Sterling, has planned a new program for the children and youth of the congregation. For all age levels the Sunday topics will be based on the six sources from which UU faith is drawn: a shared sense of awe, the prophets from all faiths who guide the way, the world's wisdom, Christian and Jewish truths, reason and science, and nature's cycles.
The Explorers group goes from babies to children age 4. Every Sunday they will play and do an activity relating to the day's theme.
The kindergarten to seventh-grade group is called "Caring Community," which each week will explore a topic from one of the six sources. They will explore the day's theme by choosing from four or five activities.
The YRUU (Young Religious Unitarian Universalists) are youth from grades eighth to 12th. They will integrate five components including worship, leadership, learning, social action and fun. Some of the activities include donut discussions after the worship service, participating in covenant groups, service to the church and community, the fellowship of fun and games and attendance at Family Fun Nights, which take place the third Friday evening of each month, from 7-9 p.m., and will include board games, movies, music and snacks.
The Unitarian Universalists of Sterling is located at the Sterling Oaks Commerce Center at 22135 Davis Drive. Call 703-406-3068 or visit uusterling.org.
Potomac Falls Episcopal Church meets for Sunday services at 10 a.m., at Horizon Elementary School, 46665 Broadmore Drive, Sterling. Sunday school for children and nursery care for infants is provided each week.
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. 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 Route 28 and Church Road. Call 703-406-3068 or visit uusterling.org.
Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation will hold Sunday School every Sunday, from 9 a.m.-noon, at the Boyd Montessori School in Ashburn. In addition to Sunday School, a second day of Hebrew School will be offered Tuesday evenings, from 7-8 p.m., at Sanders Corner Elementary School. Attendance is limited to fourth- through seventh-graders and adults interested in learning Hebrew. Contact Lisa Kimball at bradamk@aol.com or call 703-858-1999.