Special Events Schedule 2008

Health Care in the United States

Sunday Night Series 6 – 8 p.m. (Sept. 28th and Oct. 12th)

Church of the Good Shepherd UMC in the Sanctuary

Sept. 28: Sick Around the World

PBS Frontline Video: How five other capitalist democracies -- the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, Taiwan and Switzerland -- deliver health care, and what the United States might learn from their successes and their failures.

Oct. 12: What does our Church Say about Health Care?

Guest Speaker: Rev. Cynthia Abrams, United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society

Discussion of the UMC’s Social Principles on health care, and how to apply them to our own public policy choices.

Featuring Upper Room Editorial Director Mary Lou Redding

Saturday, October 4, 2008
8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

"Alive in Words," a Christian writers workshop featuring a top editor from The Upper Room, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 4 2008 at The Church of the Good Shepherd. The events are open to the community. Space is limited, and registration forms are requested by Sept. 24. Please complete and mail the registration form below to participate.

The daylong workshop will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 3:30 p.m. The featured guest is Mary Lou Redding, editorial director of The Upper Room, which publishes a devotional guide today in 44 languages, reaching some 3 million people daily in more than 100 countries.

• View the EVENT FLIER [5.5 MB, pdf]
• Alive in Words Christian Writers Workshop - REGISTRATION FORM [73 KB, pdf]

Sunday October 12, 2008 – NOON.

Our next potluck (the second Sunday of the month) is scheduled for Sunday, October 12 immediately following the 11 a.m. service. Please make a note of this date and plan on participating in the food and fellowship. Families are asked to bring a main dish and either a side dish or a dessert to feed 8 people.

Make a note of our schedule for the year

October 12
November 9
(No potluck in December)
January 11
February 8
March 8
(No potluck in April because of Easter)
(No potluck in May because of Mother’s Day)
The annual church picnic will be on Sunday, June 14.

October 18, 2008 – 11a.m - 2 p.m.

Mark your calendars today!!!

A chili cook-off, pumpkin carving and decorating competition, old-fashioned midway games, music and an array of crafts and other goodies -- fun for the whole family! Make plans now to come to the Chili Cook-off and Community Fall Festival Oct. 18 at The Church of the Good Shepherd in Vienna. All are welcome.

Events get underway at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist church located at 2351 Hunter Mill Road in Vienna. Bring a pot of chili if you want to enter the contest -- everyone can enjoy a great meal tasting and voting for a 1st-, 2nd- and 3rd -place prize winner. The crowd also will vote on favorite pumpkins carved and decorated during the day (bring your own pumpkin). The festivities conclude at 2 p.m.

If you plan to enter the chili cook-off or want to rent a vendor table to display your homemade crafts, products or other talents, please contact the church by Oct. 15.

"We're looking forward to hosting this event for our community," said new Good Shepherd pastor, The Rev. Mark Burgess. "It's a great way for us to get to know the people who live right here near us and give them a chance to get to know us too."

View the Event Flier [PDF, 1.4MB]

Interested participants please view the event information sheet [MSWord, 27KB] for details and call the church 703-281-3987 to sign up.

Race - The Power of an Illusion

Sunday Night Series 6 – 8 p.m.

Church of the Good Shepherd UMC in the Sanctuary

Just because race doesn't exist in biology doesn't mean it isn't very real, helping shape life chances and opportunities.

Oct. 19: The Difference Between Us

This video examines contemporary science - including genetics - that challenges our assumptions.

Oct.26: The Story We Tell

The episode is an eye-opening tale of how race served to rationalize, even justify, American social inequalities as "natural."

Nov. 2 The House We Live In

This episode uncovers how race resides not in nature but in politics, economics and culture.