<i>Faith Notes are for announcements and events in the faith community. Send to <a href=mailto:mclean@connectionnewspapers.com> mclean@connectionnewspapers.com</a> or call 703-917-6428. Deadline is Friday.</i>
Churches Connected for Community Care will be hosting the first annual Family Wellness and Spiritual Revival Forum on Saturday, July 26, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The forum will address such issues as Spiritual Wellness, Physical Wellness, Economic Wellness, Wholeness of Life Family Ministry, Spiritual Revival for the Soul, and Pillars of Christian Life. Vendors will be present to discuss and distribute literature on the topics. Oakton High School auditorium, 2900 Sutton Rd.
Vacation Bible School. Cedar Run Community Church at 13560 McLearen Road, Oak Hill, presents the Good News Games Vacation Bible School, July 28 - August 1st from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. for age 4 through fifth grade. $10 per week or $20 maximum per family. Register at www.cedarrun.net.
The monthly peer support group for survivors of clergy abuse and others affected by the abuse will meet on Wednesday, July 30 at 7 p.m in the conference room of the Tysons-Pimmit Hills Regional Library, 7684 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA. This group is co-sponsored by Voice of the Faithful-Northern Virginia affiliate and meets on the last Wednesday of every month. Free. Confidential. No registration required. For information or directions, contact Ellen Radday at 703-538-6128.
Unity of Fairfax will offer "A Journey into Divine Love." Andrew Harvey, reknowned mystical scholar, describes why Rumi's poetry and sacred knowledge of Divine Love are being experienced all over the world. Friday, August 1 from 7-9:30 p.m., and Saturday, August 2 from 9-5 p.m. Unity of Fairfax, 2854 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton. Tickets are $25 for Friday, $60 for Saturday, or $75 for both events. Call 703-281-1767 or visit www.unityoffairfax.org.
The Alliance Church Center of the Christian & Missionary Alliance will be holding their Vacation Bible School Thursday, Aug. 7 and Friday, Aug. 8 from 6:30-8:45pm, and Saturday, Aug. 10 from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. A picnic will be held for all on the church lawn Sunday, Aug. 10 at 12:30 p.m. Bible stories, crafts, games and snacks provided. On Saturday morning pony rides and farm animals will be on the premises for the children to enjoy, followed by a hot dog roast. All events free. Call 703-264-1273. Alliance Church Center, 12113 Vale Road, Oakton.
Oakton Brethren Vacation Bible School. Aug. 11- Aug. 15, 9 a.m.-12:30p.m. Call 703-281-4411 or register online at www.vacationbibleschool.com/oaktonbrethren. Oakton Church of the Brethren,10025 Courthouse Road, Vienna.
Vajrayogini Buddhist Center offers ongoing classes on meditation and Buddhist philosophy Mondays 7-8:30 p.m. at Unity of Fairfax at 2854 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton, $10 per class. Call 202-331-2122 or visit www.meditation-dc.org.
Vienna Assembly of God has ministry to children on Wednesdays, 7-8 p.m. at the corner of Center N and Ayr Hill Avenue, N.E. Children's Church on Sundays is also available. 703-938-7736 or visit www.ViennaAG.com.
Vienna Christian Healing Rooms: a place to receive healing. Every Saturday, 1-5 p.m., at 8200 Bell Lane, a team of Christians is available to pray for anyone requesting prayer. The rooms are open to the public without charge. For more information call 703-698-9779 or visit www.viennachristianhealingrooms.com.
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.
English classes. McLean Baptist Church is offering free conversational English classes on Mondays. Classes include beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. Advanced electives are Literature, U.S. Government, World Religions, and current events. There is no cost for the class or registration, however students must buy their own books. Classes are from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. New student registration begins at 9 a.m., until Oct. 30. McLean Baptist Church, 1367 Chain Bridge Road. Call 703-356-8080 or visit www.mcleanbaptist.org.
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.
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax, at 2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton, has music programs for the congregation. The chorale, a 60-voice adult choir, welcomes new members at any time and rehearses Thursdays, 7:15-9:15 p.m. The Circle of Music Makers meets the first Monday of the month and welcomes those who can share a vocal or instrumental solo; everyone who comes is expected to perform. For information about the chorale and the circle of music makers, contact Judy Harrison at jharrison@uucf.org or 703-281-4230, ext. 26. JAMS, Joint Activities in Music at Sunrise, is an intergenerational music program for preschoolers and kindergarteners, their parents and residents of Hunter Mill Sunrise Assisted Living Center. The group sings, dances and plays instruments Wednesdays, 1-1:30 p.m. Contact Marsha Giusti at 703-425-1902 or giustim@juno.com.
McLean Bible Church Fitness Class — at Body & Soul fitness, balance is key, energy is renewed, strength is gained, and friendships are formed. Mondays 9:15 a.m. and Fridays 9:45 a.m. Childcare is free for registered students. Spring discount available. E-mail bodyandsoul@mcleanbible.org for more information.
A program using music, drumming, movement, song and prayer seeks to bring communities together as part of everyday life. The dances are cross-cultural using sacred phrases, chants, music and movements from many faith traditions, to promote peace and integration within individuals and groups. There are no performers or audience, no experience is necessary. Donations accepted. Meeting the second Saturday each month, September to June, 7:30-10 p.m. Contact Kathryn at 703-573-1236 or SpiralRose@aol.com. For more information on the worldwide Dance Network, visit www.DancesOfUniversalPeace.org.
A Centering Prayer Group meets Fridays, 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Andrew Chapel United Methodist Church, 1301 Trap Road, Vienna. The hour includes a brief reading related to Centering Prayer, followed by a 20-minute prayer period. The group will also hear portions from "A Centered Life," an audio tape series by Basil Pennington. E-mail Martha Thomas at mmthomas211@hotmail.com or call the church at 703-759-3509.
The ESL and Immigrant Ministries Program, a non-profit organization, offers English-as-a Second-Language classes to area immigrants in 17 locations in Northern Virginia. The program needs volunteers to train over 2000 foreign adults per year. Training is provided in August. Day and evening classes begin in September. For more information or to submit an on-line application, visit http://eslim.org.
The Anglican District of Virginia (ADV) is continuing its commitment to mission as its parishes travel the world this summer. Among the overseas mission trips are the Ukraine, to distribute 400 wheelchairs; and Kenya, to serve alongside farmers through the Anglican Church of Kenya. Several of ADV's youth will travel to West Virginia and South Dakota to serve the elderly and the handicapped, while other members continue their commitment to New Orleans Agape Hope, offering ongoing assistance to areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina. The Anglican District of Virginia is an association of 21 congregations, whose members are in full communion with the Anglican Communion through affiliation with the Convocation of Anglicans in North America, a missionary branch of the Church of Nigeria and other Anglican archbishops. ADV is dedicated to serving in international ministries and evangelism. Call 703-683-5004 or visit www.anglicandistrictofvirginia.org.
Jewish Social Services Agency and the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia (JCCNV) offer a Support Group for Parents of Young Adults with Asperger's Syndrome and Related Disorders. Monthly group focuses on building a support network, identifying community resources and balancing one's own needs with those of adult children with special needs. Group meets on Wednesdays, 7-8:30 p.m. at JSSA, 3018 Javier Road, Fairfax. Call 703-204-9100 to register.
Jewish Social Services Agency and the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia (JCCNV) offer a Social Club for Young Adults with Asperger's Syndrome or related disorders. This club provides social opportunities in a structured environment with guidance from profession staff who work with participants on improving social skills and comfort in social situations. A variety of outings, including parties, bowling, dinners, miniature golf and museum tours, will be scheduled through December. For a schedule of events, costs and more information, call 703-204-9100.