<i>Faith Notes are for announcements and events in the faith community. Send to vienna@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Friday.</i>
Antioch Christian Church, 1860 Beulah Road in Vienna, is participating in Compassion Sunday at the 11 a.m. worship service on April 18, with guest preacher and Sunday School Bible study leader Dr. Randall Terrill. This national event helps in understanding of God’s very special love for the poor, and provides an opportunity to intervene in the life of at least one child in poverty. After the service, those attending may visit the Compassion table and view packets showing children who need sponsors now. Visit www.compassionsunday.com.
The Women’s Apirit Circle Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax at 2709 Hunter Mill Rd. in Oakton presents Feminine Spiritual Heritages of Crete, Greece and the Aegean, a visual presentation by Max Dashu, the west coast artist, writer, and teacher who founded the Suppressed Histories Archives in 1970 to research women's history internationally. Wednesday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m. Dashu has built a collection of over 14,000 slides and 100 shows on global women's history, archaeology, Goddess traditions, priestesses and shamans. Visit www.suppressedhistories.net to see her slideshow catalog, articles, and excerpts from The Secret History of the Witches, a forthcoming sourcebook on European folk religion, women's culture, and the witch hunts.
Faith and Public Policy Breakfast at the Lewinsville Presbyterian Church, 1724 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 24. U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11) will share his perspectives on the interface between faith and the issues that he deals with in the House of Representatives. Everyone is invited for this free continental breakfast. Contact the church at 703-356-7200, or Ray Martin at 703-556-0123 or martinrs@aol.com.
Epiphany United Methodist Preschool, 1014 Country Club Drive, N.E. in Vienna, is now enrolling 3-4-year-old students for the 2010/2011 school year. Contact 703-938-2391 or www.epiphanypreschool.com.
Great Falls United Methodist Church, 10100 Georgetown Pike in Great Falls, will re-launch its ministry called “All Things New” beginning Sunday, April 18 at 5 p.m. The service will be a 45-minute contemporary-style service that includes praise music, prayer, and biblically-based messages supported by related multi-media programs. The service is geared to help the church fulfill its role as Christ’s healing agent, and help people re-order their lives by putting Christ first. 703-759-3705 or www.greatfallsumc.org.
Chesterbrook United Methodist Church is at 1711 Kirby Road, McLean. Worship service is at 11 a.m. Sunday school is at 9:30 a.m. for adults and children. Rev. Kathleene Card, Pastor. 703-356-7100 or www.ChesterbrookUMC.org.
The Jewish Social Services Agency (JSSA) offers a wide 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.
Charles Wesley and Chesterbrook United Methodist Churches invite the community to a 20-minute weekly service of prayer and Holy Communion in the Charles Wesley sanctuary, 6817 Dean Drive in McLean, at 12 p.m. Thursdays. At the conclusion of the service, there is a time of individual blessing, anointing and healing prayer. 703-356-6336.
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.
McLean Presbyterian Church, 1020 Balls Hill Road, McLean, worship services are at 9:15 a.m. and 11a.m. The church also offers a variety of adult education classes, as well as children’s ministry program, student ministries gatherings, and the informal Saturday Night Service in the Fellowship Hall at 5:30 p.m. The message is the same as Sunday morning but with more interaction with the pastor. Childcare and children’s programs are provided for infants through 2nd grade. www.mcleanpres.org or 703-821-0800.
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.
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.