Know of something missing from our Faith Notes? Send it to The Arlington Connection, e-mail it to arlington@connectionnewspapers.com, mail to 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is 2 p.m. the Thursday before publication. Call Rebecca Halik at 703-917-6407 with any questions. Photos are welcome.
The Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, 2666 Military Road, Arlington, will be visited by Chewy the Camel in celebration of Epiphany on Sunday, Jan. 7 in the church's driveway from 10-11 a.m. Children and adults are welcome to visit this live camel. For further information, call 703-524-4115.
The Vajrayogini Buddhist Center continues to hold classes in Buddhist thought and meditation on Monday nights from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Griffin Center, 3800 Fairfax Drive in Arlington (Suite 5). Beginners to Buddhism and meditation are invited to learn how Buddhist philosophy can help people cope with today's stressful times. Cost is a $10 donation. Visit www.meditation-dc.org.
Shalem Institute will be offering a four week series, "Praying with the Mystics: Deepening the Call to Sacred Activism" on Tuesday evenings Jan. 9-30 from 7-9 p.m. at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 4250 N. Glebe Road, Arlington. Cost is $80. Each evening will include a brief meditation, silence and prayer and small group sharing. Contact 301-897-7334 or visit www.shalem.org for more.
The Arlington Metaphysical Chapel, 5618 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, offers lessons, classes and other activities for bettering life. Call 703-276-8738 or visit www.arlingtonmeta.com or e-mail info@arlingtonmeta.com for event information.
St. Ann's Youth Group hosts a Tuesday Night Drop-In Night every Tuesday form 6:30-9:30 p.m. The church hopes to make it a great space to do homework, listen to music, play on the computer, hang out, chat, watch movies, or maybe some TV shows and most importantly, just be in a communal sort of way. No need to be formal about it, just stop on in as time permits. Contact Toni at stannsyouthminister@yahoo.com with any questions.
Body & Soul Fitness offers a blend of cardio, strength training, Pilates, core strengthening, and flexibility rolled into a unique package. Set to contemporary Christian music, find a program that will work both your body and your soul. Local classes at Classes at The Falls Church on Mondays 10:30-11:45 a.m. and Wednesdays 12:30-1:45 p.m., low impact. Contact Dana Elsnick at 703-847-9814. Also at The Falls Church on Mondays and Thursdays, 6:30-8 p.m. Contact Tricia Van Ryn at trvanryn@yahoo.com.
Shabbat Services are held at the home of Rabbi and Mrs. Newman, 4301 Seminary Road, Alexandria, each Friday at 7:30 p.m. Shabbat morning services begin Saturdays at 10 a.m. Services are followed by a sit-down Kiddush. Call 703-370-2774 or visit www.chabadalexandria.org
Faith, Food and Fellowship. Clarendon United Methodist Church, 606 N. Irving St., offers a twice-monthly Thursday noon service for the Arlington community, with one half-hour of spiritual nourishment and one half-hour of physical nourishment. On the second and fourth Thursdays, a worship service is held in the sanctuary at noon, and a hot lunch is serviced at 12:30 p.m. for a donation of $4. A time of fellowship follows from 1:15-2 p.m. with programs geared mostly to senior citizens. J. Reilly Lewis, CUMC's music director and director of the National Cathedral Choral Society, arranges for guest soloists at each service. Call 703-527-8574.
The Catholic Diocese of Arlington Victim Assistance Coordinator in conjunction with Catholic Charities will offer a 10-week psychotherapy group for victims/survivors of childhood sexual abuse in Arlington and Fredericksburg. The groups are open to all victim/survivors of sexual abuse. Further information is available by calling Patricia Mudd, A.C.S.W. at 703-841-2530. Registration required.
The Victim Assistance Coordinator maintains a list of social workers and counselors, as well as local clergy available for counseling of victims. The office also facilitates counseling for any victims/survivors abused in other dioceses, but currently living in the Arlington diocese. Call Patricia Mudd, A.C.S.W. at 703-841-2530.
Jewish Council for the Aging (JCA). JCA is the full-service agency for all seniors regardless of faith, race or economic means. From active 50-year-olds to seniors in need of enhanced daytime support and everyone in between, JCA has many different programs. JCA also possesses a comprehensive database of senior resources and services (both national and regional) and certified specialists offering many resources. Visit www.jcagw.org or call 703-425-0999 or 301-255-4200.
Arlington Metaphysical Chapel, 5618 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, has a variety of events throughout the year. Visit www.arlingtonmeta.com or e-mail info@arlingtonmeta.com for a list of events. Call the church at 703-276-8738.