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.
Friday, March 31, from 6-8 p.m., Kids Under Construction Preschool, located inside Sterling United Methodist Church at 304 E. Church Road, Sterling, will be holding its annual art show. Many art projects that the children have finished during the past school year will be displayed in the classrooms and in the halls. Current and past students and their families are invited to attend this special event. Call 703-430-0088.
Celebrate Shabbat with Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation, March 31 and join them for services and an interfaith discussion April 1. Call 703-391-8669 or visit www.bethchaverim.org or e-mail chaverim18@aol.com.
Congregation Sha'are Shalom will hold a "Tot Shabbat" for children 2-5, Friday, March 31, 7 p.m., at the synagogue, 19357 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg. Rabbi Neil Tow will direct the shabbat. Parents are welcome to join in.
Rabbi Tow of Congregation Sha'are Shalom will conduct a Passover workshop April 1, at 7 p.m., at the synagogue. "Seder Savy or Haggadah Happenings" will present new ideas for your Passover Seder. Baby sitting is available, but contact the synagogue office if needed. 703-737-6500. Everyone is welcome. Dessert to follow.
St. DavidÕs Episcopal PreschoolÕs Third Annual Silent and Live Auction, Saturday, April 1, 7:30 p.m.-midnight, at West Belmont Place at the National Conference Center, Lansdowne.
Advance tickets are $30, at the door $40. Featuring the dance music of ÒRendezvousÓ provided by Olivera Music Entertainment. This yearÕs theme is ÒRhinestone Roundup.Ó All proceeds benefit the preschool. Call 703-723-0286.
On Sunday, April 2, at the 10:30 a.m. service, at the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling, the Rev. Matthew McNaught will preach a sermon titled "The Color-Coded Words of Jesus." UUS meets every Sunday at the Sterling Oaks Commerce Center at 22135 Davis Drive near Route 28 and Church Road in Sterling. Visit uusterling.org or call 703-406-3068.
Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation has partnered with the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia to offer a new preschool school program and child care at BCRCÕs new Ashburn location this fall. An information meeting with Bev Wolov, assistant director of the JCCNV, is scheduled for Sunday, April 2. Call 703-391-8669 or visit www.bethchaverim.org or e-mail chaverim18@aol.com.
Easter eggstravaganza, Saturday, April 8, at Briar Patch Park, 1400 N. Sterling Blvd., Sterling. Join St. Matthew's Day at the park with an Easter egg hunt, crafts, music and a photo opportunity with the Easter bunny. Activities from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. This event is free. Visit the Web site
www.stmatthewssterling.org or call Jodie Leach, 703-430-2121.
Galilee United Methodist Church, 45425 Winding Road, Sterling, will hold a Resurrection celebration, April 8, from 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Includes games, crafts, story telling, fire truck, Easter egg hunt for children ages toddler-fifth grade inside the building. Call Kim Byrum at 703-430-2203.
Sterling United Methodist Church, 304 E. Church Road, invites the community to its special Holy Week services featuring a cantata, "Who Is this King?" by the Aldersgate Choir Sunday, April 9, at 2:30 p.m., in the sanctuary; Good Friday/Tenebrae service Friday, April 14, 7 p.m., in the sanctuary; a sunrise service Easter Sunday, April 16, held outside weather permitting; and worship services 8:15 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m., in the sanctuary. Breakfast will be served after the sunrise service, a donation will be accepted for breakfast. Lenten Bible studies will be held Wednesdays, 12:30 p.m., and Sundays, 11 a.m. Call 703-430-6455.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of Ashburn presents a musical drama for Easter called Savior of the World, April 6-8 and April 13-15. Evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday matinees at 2 p.m. Visit www.ashburnVA.blogspot.com for free tickets.
The Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia is sponsoring a program for active retirees at Congregation Sha'are Shalom, 19357 Evergreen Mills Road, Leesburg, Monday, April 17, 11 a.m. Join Eric Rozenman, Washington, D.C., director, Commission for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America for "News Media Malpractice: Coverage of the Arab Conflict with Israel." Bring a dairy lunch. Coffee and dessert will be provided. Cost: $2 members/$3 nonmembers.
Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation invites the community to join it for Shabbat services, religious school, BÕnai Mitzvah program, youth activities, interfaith discussions, adult education and social activities. Student Rabbi Jesse Gallop presides over biweekly Shabbat services. Children attend Sunday school every Sunday and midweek Hebrew classes on Wednesday evening. The congregation eagerly anticipates moving into its own building in the fall. Call 703-391-8669 or visit the Web site www.bethchaverim.org or e-mail chaverim18@aol.com.
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.
St. GabrielÕs Episcopal Church of Lansdowne is extending an invitation to families that have children with autism spectrum, ADHD, bipolar disorder and similar conditions. St. Gabriel's has developed several programs to reach out to the community.
* The ÒChrysalisÓ Room is a safe space for children with autism spectrum, ADHD, bipolar disorder and similar conditions. Includes a trained professional staff that provides appropriate activities and lessons. It is available every Sunday during the regular 10 a.m. worship and for special events.
* Spiritual Support Group for families with special needs, on the first and third Thursdays of each month, from 7-8:30 p.m. This group is completely Òdrop-in.Ó
All programs held Belmont Ridge Middle School, 19045 Upper Belmont Place in Lansdowne. Visit www.saintgabriels.net or call 703-779-3616.
Cathedral Church of the Transfiguration follows regular services Sundays, at 10 a.m., at the Loudoun County Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Call the church office 571-434-0888 or contact Father Mike Evans by e-mail dean@ccott.com.
Sterling United Methodist Church, 304 East Church Road, Sterling, will be holding a weekly Saturday night services n the Taize style of worship at 7:30 p.m. The services will include scriptural readings, song and reflective silent moments. Free. Call 703-430-6455.
Riverside Presbyterian ChurchÕs new Kenya CafŽ will be open, from 9:15-10:30 a.m., Sundays, at Potomac Falls High School. It offers a friendly, comfortable spot to grab a cup of coffee, chat with others or just relax and read the paper while the children are in small group. The cafŽ is also designed to raise awareness of RiversideÕs partnerships in Kenya and other parts of the world.
Feel free to join the church for worship at 10:35 a.m. Contact 703-444-3528 or www.riversidechurch.com.