<i>Faith Notes are for announcements and events in the faith community. Send to mclean@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Friday.</i>
HAVEN of Northern Virginia offers a variety of free bereavement support groups, meeting on a weekly basis. Contact 703-941-7000 or www.havenofnova.org for schedules and registration information.
Pet Blessing at Trinity United Methodist Church, Sunday, Nov. 8, 4 p.m. All pets are welcome: dogs on leashes and cats and other critters in carriers. Help us publicize this event. Invite others: neighbors, friends, folks you see at the dog park, along the bike trail, at your veterinarian's. Questions- call 703-356-3312.
Trinity United Methodist Church, 1205 Dolley Madison Blvd., McLean.
www.umtrinity.org
Holy Comforter Episcopal Church Sponsors “Fair Trade for Justice” Expo on Sunday, Nov. 8, 9-10:30 a.m., 543 Beulah Road, NE in Vienna. Northern Virginians will have a chance to learn the simplest way to combat the modern day slavery. A September ’09 report from the US Department of Labor tells us that some of the 27 million people living in slavery in the world today are working to produce sugar, chocolate, bananas, rice, coffee and tea. Our simple choices in the grocery cart are one of the most profound ways we can make a difference. The “Fair Trade for Justice” event will help explain how fair trade certification and peoples’ support of the Fair Trade Movement can help break the chains of human trafficking and forced child labor. This event will feature fair trade goodies like chocolate samples from Divine Chocolate, tea sampling from Fair Tradewinds, and various baked goods made with products from AlterEco and Whole Foods. While sipping a cup of fair trade coffee, participants can learn how fair trade works and see examples of success stories in Fair Trade co-ops and farms around the world.
For more information, contact Bobby Monacella at 703-598-3498 or bmonacella@verizon.net. Further information can also be found at www.holycomforter.com.
SALT (Social Action Linking Together) announces its annual Fall Training Conference—Renew your commitment to Social & Economic Justice with keynote by Michael Cassidy, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Institute, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2:30 -4:30 p.m. at the Providence Presbyterian located at 9019 Little River Turnpike in Fairfax. Learn first hand what social justice issues are on the agenda for advocacy in the upcoming 2010 Virginia General Assembly, and learn how to respond. There is no charge. Bring a friend. For more information visit the SALT web site at www.S-A-L-T.org or contact SALT Coordinator, John Horejsi, jhorejsi@cox.net. For directions call Providence Presbyterian at (703) 978-3934.
The Jewish Social Services Agency (JSSA) offers a variety of support groups for those with emotional, social, and physical challenges. Contact Gary Axelrod, 301-610-8309 or gaxelrod@jssa.org, or www.jssa.org.
Vienna Baptist Church, 541 Marshall Road, Vienna, is celebrating the 400th birthday of Baptists. Sunday service is at 11 a.m.; Sunday Bible Study, 9:30 a.m. 703-281-4400 or www.vbc-va.org.
St. Francis Episcopal Church in Great Falls, 9220 Georgetown Pike in Great Falls. Services are at 7:45 a.m., 9 a.m., and 11 a.m. Sunday School classes and an adult forum series are at 10:15 a.m. 703-759-2082 or www.stfrancisgreatfalls.org. Fall events include:
* Voice recital at 7 p.m. on Sept. 20, with music from the British Isles.
· Choral Evensong for All Saints, 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 1.
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· Country Fair, Saturday, Oct. 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
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* Blessing of the Animals, Sunday, Oct. 4 at the 9 a.m. service.
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. E-mail bodyandsoul@mcleanbible.org for more information.
Vajrayogini Buddhist Center offers ongoing classes on meditation and Buddhist philosophy, Mondays at 7 p.m. at Unity of Fairfax, 2854 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton. $10 per class. 202-331-2122 or www.meditation-dc.org.
Great Falls United Methodist Church at 10100 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. 703-759-3705 offers “All Things New,” an ecumenical worship service, every Wednesday at 6 p.m. Based on the Beatitudes of Jesus, for people affected by anger, fear, stress, dealing with rejection, credit abuse, drug/alcohol abuse, physical/sexual addiction or eating disorders.
A Centering Prayer Group meets Fridays, 9:30 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. E-mail Martha Thomas at mmthomas211@hotmail.com or call the church at 703-759-3509.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and the Jewish Outreach Institute offer the Mothers/Parents Circle, an umbrella of free educational events and resources. Jewish rituals, ethics and the creation of a Jewish home, regular meetings and group Shabbats and holidays. Participants include Sha'are Shalom, Congregation Beth Emeth, Temple Rodef Shalom and the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia. ShalomDC.org.
Vienna Assembly of God has a 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 also available. 703-938-7736 or www.ViennaAG.com.
Vienna Christian Healing Rooms, every Saturday, 1-5 p.m., at 8200 Bell Lane. A team of Christians is available to anyone requesting prayer. Free and open to the public. 703-698-9779 or 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, at 8 p.m. every Friday. An opportunity to learn about the Baha’i faith. 703-556-3400.
English classes at McLean Baptist Church on Mondays, including beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. Advanced electives are Literature, U.S. Government, World Religions, and current events. Free class and registration, but students must buy their own books. 9:30 a.m. at 1367 Chain Bridge Road. 703-356-8080 or www.mcleanbaptist.org.
St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church, 1830 Kirby Road in McLean. The third Sunday service every month at 10:15 a.m. allows children to play active roles in the music and as greeters and ushers. Traditional services are every Sunday at 8:15 and 10:15 a.m. Nursery is available at the 10:15 a.m. service. 703-356-7533.