<i>Faith Notes are for announcements and events in the faith community. Send to <a href=mailto:mclean@connectionnewspapers.com> mclean@connectionnewspapers.com</a>. Deadline is Friday.</i>
Chili Cook-off and Community Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Pumpkin carving and decorating competition, old-fashioned midway games, music, crafts and more. If you plan to enter the chili cook-off or want to rent a vendor table, contact the church by Oct. 15. The United Methodist Church of the Good Shepherd, 2351 Hunter Mill Road. www.GoodShepherdVA.com or 703-281-3987.
Church Seminar: Understanding the Building and Development Process. Saturday, Oct. 18, from 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. For church building committee members and churches considering expansion. Ministry needs assessment, programming, master planning, site development, municipal permits and approvals, architectural services, budgeting, fund-raising and financing, contracting and construction. At Vienna Presbyterian Church, Vienna. Presented by Scott Long Construction, LeMay Erickson Willcox Architects. Jackie Ryan, 703-802-7633 or jryan@scottlong.com.
Providence Baptist Church Family Fall Festival, at the corner of Route 7 and Lewinsville Road in McLean. Sunday, Oct. 19, from 1-4 p.m. Carnival games, food, moon bounce, children's crafts, face painting, and vendors.
Vienna Presbyterian Church Pipe Organ Concert. Five organists celebrate the International Year of the Organ on Sunday, Oct.19, at 3 p.m. Vienna Presbyterian Church, 124 Park St. NE, Vienna. Eileen Guenther, Lon Schreiber, Charles Miller, Carol Feather Martin, Terry Sisk. Free, but donation appreciated. 703-938-9050.
Dr. Max L. Stackhouse will speak on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 9:30 a.m. about "Civil Society and Public Theology in a Global Era" Dr. Stackhouse is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and a theological ethicist with wide ranging interests that include economic ethics, public theology, global missions and the encounter of world religions. Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 1125 Savile Lane, McLean.
Contact Dan Thomas at 703-356-3042 or dthomas@ipcmclean.org.
Annual SALT Fall Conference at St. Thomas a'Becket Catholic Parish. Highlights include Delegate Vincent Callahan speaking about "The Legislative Process at Its Best; The Legislative Process at Its Worst," and Jeff Caruso, Director of the Virginia Catholic Conference, on the "Art of Advocacy." 9-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 in the Parish Findlay Hall Activities Center,1421 Wiehle Ave., Reston.
Robyn Muncy, U.S. historian from the University of Maryland, will analyze the Progressive Party of 1912 in relation to today's politics. In that first modern presidential election, Teddy Roosevelt and Progressives called for an activist government to "humanize" capitalism: to defend the interest of workers and consumers against the power of corporations. Child labor laws, working conditions for waged workers, and growing inequalities of wealth and power were on a national party platform for the first time. The Progressive Party energized reformers, who came out in droves to support Roosevelt's presidential bid. What lessons do yesterday's Progressives have for us today? Admission is free. Sunday, Oct. 26, at 11 a.m., at the Northern
Virginia Ethical Society, 225 Nutley St. N.W., Vienna. www.esnv.org or 703 437 3161.
Intensive Centering Prayer Retreat, from Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m.-Sunday, Nov. 2 at 11 a.m. Fr. Bill Sheehan will speak on Centering Prayer and some follow-up practices that support prayer in secret, e.g. Forgiveness Practice, Welcoming Prayer, Lectio Divina and how they help awaken within the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit. Fr. Sheehan and the Sisters will be available for private conversations throughout the retreat. Introductory sessions on the practice of Centering Prayer will not be offered; it is required that you have a well-established centering prayer practice for more than 6 months, and preferably at least a year. Cost for the 6-day retreat is $425 with a $100 deposit. Call Michele Litton at 703-669-6255 or mglitton@aol.com. The Dominican Retreat House, 7103 Old Dominion Drive, McLean. 703-356-4243.
All Souls Day Concert on Sunday, Nov. 2, at 4 p.m. Saint Luke Festival Choir, Paul Skevington, artistic director, and Cheryl Branham, conductor, perform the Rutter Requiem and Barber's Adagio for Strings. The program features choir, organ, cello, oboe, flute, and harp. Adults $15, seniors and students $15. Saint Luke Catholic Church, 7001 Georgetown Pike, McLean. 703-356-0670 or www.musicinmclean.org.
Lewinsville Presbyterian Church's annual Salzman Lecture will be on Sunday, Nov. 2, at 4:30 p.m. Dr. Elizabeth Caldwell will be speak on "Making a Home for Faith." 1724 Chain Bridge Road, McLean. 703-356-7200.
St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 8991 Brook Road, McLean, will hold a Pumpkin Sale from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, October 12-31. Proceeds benefit the church's Outreach Program. 703-442-0330.
The Jewish Social Services Agency, 3018 Javier Road, Fairfax, offers a variety of family programs. Call 703-204-9100 to register.
*Just Chill: An Anxiety Management Group, for ages 8-10. Learn tools to manage anxiety through group discussion, games, education, and role-play. Wednesdays, Oct. 29-Feb. 18, from 6-6:50 p.m.
*Teen Talk: An Adolescent Adoption Series, for ages 13-18. Topics will include searching for birth parents, integrating dual identities, intimacy and attachment. Tuesdays, Oct. 28-Dec. 23, from 7-8:15 p.m. Pre-registration required.
*Understanding Your Adopted Teen, for parents raising adopted teens. Develop a better understanding of the issues which can impact their teen’s emotional development and progress. Wednesdays, Oct. 29-Nov. 19, from 7-8:15 p.m. Pre-registration required, call 703-204-9592.
*Support Group for Parents of Young Adults with Asperger's Syndrome and Related Disorders, focusing on building a support network, identifying resources and balancing a parent’s and adult child’s needs. Wednesdays, Nov. 26, Dec. 17, and Jan. 28, from 7-8:30 p.m.
*Social Club for Young Adults with Asperger's Syndrome, a structured and supportive environment with professionally trained staff, who work with participants on improving social skills and overall comfort in social situations and outings. Events include parties, bowling, dinners, miniature golf and museum tours. Call for a schedule of events and costs.
*Starting Over: A Widow and Widower Support Group, to provide support through the grieving process. Includes discussions to help understand and accept grief, and meaningful ways to move forward. Meets on the third Monday of every month, 1-2:30 p.m.
*You and Your Aging Parents, a support group for adult children of aging parents. Discussion topics can include coping with illness, balancing multiple demands, managing emotions, identifying resources and developing a care plan. Meets on the third Wednesday of every month, from 6-7:30 p.m.
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries is looking for volunteers to provide food baskets at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Western Fairfax Ministries will provide information about a family in need, and the volunteer will deliver the basket(s) directly to the sponsored family. Contact Pam Ryan at 703-988-9656 or volunteer@wfcmva.org.
Interested in learning or reviewing the history and meaning of the Christian Faith as practiced by Methodists? Come and learn who we are. Sundays through Nov. 23, 9:45-10:30 a.m. Oakton United Methodist Church, 2951 Chain Bridge Road, Oakton, at the intersection of Rt. 123 and Hunter Mill Road. Visit or call 703-938-1234.
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 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.
St. John’s Episcopal Church supports over twenty outreach ministries, including SHARE, Habitat for Humanity, Martha’s Table, and the Gen. Colin L. Powell Leadership Club at Macfarland Middle School in Washington D.C. Services at 7:45 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:15 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. St. John’s Episcopal Church, 6715 Georgetown Pike, McLean. Call 703-356-4902 or visit www.stjohnsmclean.org.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington is partnering with the Jewish Outreach Institute (JOI) to launch the Mothers/Parents Circle, an umbrella of free educational events and resources for parents raising Jewish children within the context of intermarriage or a committed
relationship. The program focuses on Jewish rituals, ethics and the creation of a Jewish home, and includes regular meetings and group Shabbats and holidays. Participants include Sha'are Shalom in Leesburg, Congregation Beth Emeth in Herndon, Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church and the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia in Fairfax. The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington (ShalomDC.org) is a community-building organization that cares for those in need, deepens engagement in Jewish life, and connects Jews to each other.