Send notes to the Connection at south@connectionnewspapers.com or call 703-917-6459. Deadline is Friday. Dated announcements should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event.
Messiah United Methodist Church, 6215 Rolling Road, Springfield. 703-569-9862 or www.messiahumc.org.
*A Community of Contagious Joy. Sunday Worship 8:15 a.m. (with Holy Communion every Sunday), 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Holy Communion offered on the first Sunday of the month.
*Heartline, an interactive praise and worship service, Sunday evenings at 7 p.m.
* Pumpkin Patch, open daily Oct. 13-31
*Hearts and Hands Bazaar, Saturday, Oct. 18, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Silent auction, crafters and vendors, furniture, toys, collectibles, flu shots, books and CDs, food and more.
*HarvestFest, Saturday, Oct. 25, at 4 p.m. Activities and crafts, picnic supper, autumnal carols, pie eating contest, costume parade, Trunk or Treat, movie time Bubble Wrap Room, pumpkin carving and more. Register at llewis@messiahumc.org.
The Cranford United Methodist Women will host a Fall Ham and Oyster Dinner on Oct. 18, from 4-7 p.m., to benefit Women and Children Missions. Cranford United Methodist Church, 9912 Old Colchester Road, Lorton. 703-339-5382. Church hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Jewish Rock Artist Sheldon Low performs at a family concert at Temple B'nai Shalom on Saturday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. Temple B'nai Shalom is located at 7612 Old Ox Road, Fairfax Station. Contact Ellen at 703-764-2901 or membership@tbs-online.org. Visit www.sheldonlow.com.
Applefest at Silverbrook United Methodist on Saturday, Oct. 18. Barbecue chicken lunch will be served, homemade baked goods and yard sales tables. All proceeds go to local missions. Silverbrook United Methodist Church is located at 8616 Silverbrook Road Lorton. 703-690-4159
International Community Day, Sunday, Oct. 19. Worship Service begins at 10:30am followed by a picnic, the George Mason University Pep Band, sports and games for all. The church is at 12113 Vale Road in the Oakton/Fairfax area, approximately two miles from Fair Oaks Mall, off of West Ox Road. 703-264-1273.
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church Parenting Seminar for parents with children in elementary school on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. The free session will discuss helping your child be more successful in school, and at home. Childcare will be provided at no cost. St. Andrew's Episcopal is located at 6509 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. 703-455-2500.
The Rev. Daniel F. Romero will preach on Sunday, Oct. 26, at 9:30 a.m. at the Little River United Church of Christ, 8410 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, followed by a discussion on environmental justice and immigration at 11 a.m. Romero is an ordained minister in the UCC and a lawyer, specializing in immigration and international law, and the author of "Our Futures Inextricably Linked — A Vision of Pluralism." 703-978-3060 or www.lrucc.org.
Solace for victims of abuse, as well as for those left behind after domestic homicide, plus an offering of options to prevent additional tragedies, will be offered Tuesday, Oct. 28 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Truro Church,10520 Main St., Fairfax. The Prayer and Awareness Day event will feature speakers such as the Rev. Rose Robinson of First Baptist Church in Vienna and Rev. Coleman Tyler of Truro Church. Organizations sponsoring the event include NOVACO, Time to Fly and Bethany House of Northern Virginia, groups that offer shelter and/or services to help families escape domestic abuse. Visit www.novaco.org, www.timetofly.org or www.bhnv.org.
Springfield Christian Church Bazaar, on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at 5407 Backlick Road, Springfield. Bake sale, vendors, crafts, jewelry and more. Lunch will be available for purchase and a handmade quilt will be raffled. Proceeds go to support church missions. 703-354-4994.
Divorce Recovery Workshop, a nine-week program on Wednesday evenings through Nov. 12, at 7:30 p.m. The program is free; book (used) is $12. Messiah United Methodist Church, 6215 Rolling Road, Springfield. Contact Mary Stedman at 703-569-9862, ext. 213, or mstedman@messiahumc.org.
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church Christmas Bazaar is Saturday, Nov. 15, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Local crafters, a room just for children to shop in, a tea room, and a Grandma's Attic with "nearly new" gifts. St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 6509 Sydenstricker Road, Burke. 703-455-2500.
United Methodist Women’s 22nd Annual Craft Fair. Thursday, Nov. 20 from 4-8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 21 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 22 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free admission. Silent auction, juried arts and crafts, jewelry, pottery and more. Proceeds support Outreach programs. St. Matthew’s United Methodist church, 8617 Little River Turnpike, Annandale. 703-425-3376.
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.
Mother’s Circle program, for women who are not Jewish but are raising Jewish children. Free education in Jewish rituals, practices and values, while respecting the participant’s choice to retain her own religious identity. Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, 8900 Little River Turnpike in Fairfax. Contact Laurie Albert, 703-537-3064 or LaurieA@jccnv.org.
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is for people interested in becoming Catholic or learning about the Catholic Church. A group meets Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, 3704 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax. Sessions are in the Old Parish Hall. All are welcome. For more information call Martha Malloy at 703-273-5369.
The Jewish Social Services Agency offers a variety of programs and support groups meeting at 3018 Javier Road, Fairfax. Call 703-204-9100 for more information.
* An Anxiety Management Group for children ages 8-10. Children learn to manage anxiety through discussion, games, and role-play.
* Teen Talk: An Adolescent Adoption Series, for adoptees ages 13-18. Searching for birth parents; integrating dual identities; and coping with minimal background information.
* Understanding Your Adopted Teen. A psycho-educational four session series for parents raising adopted teens.
* Support Group for Parents of Young Adults with Asperger's Syndrome and Related Disorders.
* Social Club for Young Adults with Asperger's Syndrome
JSSA and the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia (JCCNV) present a social club for young adults diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome or related disorders.
* Get Connected: Adult Social Skills, for men and women ages 19-35 who may have Asperger's syndrome and are having difficulty transitioning into successful young adulthood.
* You and Your Aging Parents. Discussion topics include coping with illness, managing difficult emotions, identifying appropriate resources to support an aging parent and develop a care plan.
Metropolitan Community Church of Northern Virginia, located on 10383 Democracy Lane, Fairfax, presents worship services on Sundays at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. and choir practice (open to all) on Tuesdays at 7:15 p.m. Visit www.mccnova.com or call 703-691-0930.
Church of the Nativity offers a free general bereavement support group open to all adults on the first and third Thursday of each month 7:30-9 p.m. The church is located at 6400 Nativity Lane, Burke. Call 703-455-2400, ext. 17.
The Catholic Diocese of Arlington offers the USDA Special Milk Program to eligible children at St. Leo the Great School in Fairfax and St. Bernadette School in Springfield.
Arabic Bible Baptist Church is located at 5424 Ox Road in Fairfax Station. Pastor: Tony Ghareeb. Call 703-273-5599 or e-mail to Tghareeb@wmconnect.com.
The Fairfax Church of Christ sponsors a 16-week Divorce Recovery support group every Monday at 7 p.m. at the church. Call 703-631-2100 or visit www.fxcc.org. The Fairfax Church of Christ is located at 3901Rubgy Road, Fairfax.
A casual worship service with a praise band is at 9:45 a.m. at Sydenstricker United Methodist Church, 8508 Hooes Road in Springfield. Visit www.sumcdisciples.org or call 703-451-8223.
St. Matthew's United Methodist Church offers Crossroads, a new 'come as you are' worship service each Saturday evening at 5 p.m. at 8617 Little River Turnpike, Annandale. Visit www.stmatthewsumc.org or call 703-978-3500.
Truro Church MOPS would like to invite all mothers of preschool-aged children to join MOPS for relevant speakers, small group time with other moms and food. The group meets the second Thursday of every month, at Truro Church, located at 10520 Main St., Fairfax, in the church fellowship hall on the lower level. Call Amanda Qreitem at 703-222-2332 or e-mail amandazubi@hotmail.com.
All are welcome to join the Fresh Fire congregation every Sunday for a service at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Sackey and his congregation invite all to participate in preaching and teaching, praise and worship, in a Christ-centered ministry. Fresh Fire International Center meets at the Chinese Martial Arts Building, 8426-B Lee Highway, Fairfax, opposite the BMW Fairfax; entrance is in the back. Call 703-815-8950.
Faith Communities in Action meets the first Wednesday of every other month from 2-4 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center, Conference Rooms 2 and 3, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax.
The Baha'i of Fairfax County Southwest offers "Interfaith Devotions: World Peace and Unity" for the general public on Saturdays. These free devotional gatherings meet at the Pohick Regional Library, Room #1, located at 6450 Sydenstricker Road, Burke, 22015.
International Calvary Church is a Christ, Bible and Spirit- centered church. Sunday services are as follows: English services at 9:45 a.m., Korean services at 11:30 a.m. and youth services at 11:30 a.m. Sunday School is as follows: English classes at 11:30 a.m. and children's classes at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday Bible study and Youth Meeting are at 8 p.m. and Friday Prayer and Youth Meeting take place at 8:30 p.m. For more information, call 703-569-1918. The International Calvary Church is located at 5700 Hanover Ave., Springfield.
Jubilee Christian Center is offering free English classes as a second language during its Sunday School time, 10:10-10:50 a.m. on Sundays at 4650 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax. 703-383-1170.
St. Leo the Great in Fairfax hosts "Night of Praise" the first Saturday of each month, featuring praise music and Eucharist adoration at 7 p.m. Located at 3704 Old Lee Highway in Fairfax.
The Immanuel Bible Church MOPS group meets every Monday 7-9 p.m., at Immanuel Bible Church, 6911 Braddock Road, Springfield. MOPS is a group for pregnant or parenting mothers of children from infancy to kindergarten. For more, call Michelle Wright at 703-922-4295 or visit www.MOPS.org.
The Church of the Nativity in Burke offers a Grief Support Group for all who have suffered the death of a loved one and are in need of the comfort that sharing can bring. Meetings are at 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Thursday of each month, in the school building, 6400 Nativity Lane, Burke, and are open to all adults at no charge. For more, call Carol Mack at 703 533-2951.
The Shalem Institute is offering free monthly prayer opportunities in Fairfax. The time together will be devoted to relaxation, the presentation of different prayer practices, silence, journal keeping and small group sharing. No experience is required and participants may attend regularly or drop in. Donations are accepted. Meetings take place the third Monday of the month from 7:30-9 p.m. at the Providence Presbyterian Church, 9019 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. Ann Kulp, Kathy Spaar and Tad Wicker lead the meetings. To register for these events or for more information, visit www.shalem.org or call 301-897-7334.
The following is a list of various events taking place at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 4325 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax:
* Bible study and Prayer Service every Tuesday starting at 7 p.m.
* Sunday School at 9:30-10:45 a.m., except for the fourth Sunday of the month, when Sunday School is offered 9-10 a.m.
* Sunday morning service at 11 a.m.
* Commonwealth Care Center ministry every first and third Thursday night. Call 703-273-1455.
Congregation Adat Reyim offers services Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 9:30 a.m. and Wednesday at 7:40 p.m. Hebrew school is available on Sunday at 9 a.m. and Sunday and Mondays at 5:30 p.m. Preschool is Monday-Friday at 9:30 a.m. Located at 6500 Westerbury Oaks Court in Springfield. Call 703-569-7577 or visit www.adatreyim.org.
* Mom's Group. Tuesdays 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Ages 0-18 months.
Beth El Hebrew Congregation has services on Fridays, 8:15 p.m. and on Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. The temple is located at 3830 Seminary Road, Alexandria. Religious school is on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings. Adult learning opportunities take place throughout the year. Tot Shabbat is on the first and third Saturdays. Kolot Shabbat, a musical service, is the first Friday of every month at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 703-370-9400 or visit www.bethelhebrew.org.
First Baptist Church of Springfield has Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m., Sunday school at 9:15 a.m., Hispanic worship service at 9 a.m., Korean worship service at 2 p.m., and an Ethiopian service at 12:15 p.m. The pastor is Jim Weaver. Church is located at 7300 Gary St., Springfield. 703-451-1500. For more, visit www.fbcspringfield.org.
Fairfax Christian Church, located at 10185 Main St., Fairfax, presents a class that explores traditional Christian spiritual practices of meditation and healing on Sundays from 5:30-7 p.m. To register, call 703-385-3520 or e-mail fairfaxchristian1@verizon.net.
Clifton Presbyterian Church, located at 12748 Richards Lane, Clifton, offers Sunday worship services at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Call 703-830-3175.
St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church, located at 6720 Union Mill Road, Clifton, conducts Sunday masses at 7:30 a.m., 8:45 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. It also offers a Saturday vigil at 5:30 p.m. and a Wednesday Latin mass at 7 p.m. Call 703-817-1770 or visit www.st-andrew.org.
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 8304 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, offers casual worship services on Saturday evenings at 5:30 p.m. featuring contemporary music. More traditional services take place on Sunday mornings at 8:15 and 11 a.m. Sunday School is at 9:45-10:45 a.m. for children. The church also offers discussion groups for adults. Call 703-451-5855.
Kirkwood Presbyterian Church, located at 8336 Carrleigh Parkway in Springfield, supports a Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) program on the first Wednesday of each month. Meetings are 9:30-11 a.m. at the church. All mothers and children are welcome. The program provides mothers an opportunity to get to know other mothers through discussions and craft activities. Adults in the MOPPET program will care for the children. Cost is $3 per session. Register by stopping by the church or calling 703-451-5320.
Beth El Hebrew Congregation conducts services Fridays, at 8:15 p.m. and Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. Religious school is Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings. Adult learning opportunities take place throughout the year, Tot Shabbat on first and third Saturdays and Kolot Shabbat (musical service) the first Friday of every month at 7:30 p.m. Beth El is located at 3830 Seminary Road, Alexandria. Call 703-370-9400 or visit www.bethelhebrew.org.
Messiah United Methodist Church is located at 6215 Rolling Road, Springfield. Call 703-569-9862 or visit www.messiahumc.org.
* A Community of Contagious Joy. Sunday worship: 8:15 a.m. (with Holy Communion every Sunday), 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. (Holy Communion on the first Sunday of the month)
* Heartline: An interactive praise and worship service, Sunday evenings at 7 p.m.
* CSI: Christian Singles Inspirit is a singles group generally composed of babies of the 1950s and 1960s, but all singles are welcome. Meeting every Sunday at 11 a.m. beginning September 21.