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Reading an account of a dialog between a pagan clergyman and a pastor from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (‘We’re all interconnected’: Pagan, Christian clergy urge interfaith understanding (religionnews.com)) reminded me of some reflections on “Pentecostal Theology,” particularly as it applies to churches like the Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, one of the […]

On a recent October Sunday, the Reverend Fran Gardner-Smith and people of St. Thomas Episcopal celebrated the Feast Day of Saint Francis of Assisi with an outdoor service attended by about 50 people and 11 dogs! Following this service, Rev Gardner-Smith shared the following communication with her congregation: “Francis is known for his love of […]

In terms of population, the “hundred pound gorilla” in the Tysons area is the McLean Census District, home to 50,000 people according to the latest numbers, about twice that of the next largest district, Tysons. Like Vienna, Wolf Trap, and Great Falls, McLean is older and “whiter” than most of the area, three out of […]

My wife and I recently drove west, toward the Shenandoah mountains, to enjoy the beautiful early Autumn weather and the scenery. On our return, we stopped at the parking lot of Trinity Episcopal Church in Upperville to stretch our legs and admire the architecture. Tacked on a wall near the church entrance was the following […]

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly declaration “International Day of Peace.”  The purpose of the International Day of Peace was and still remains, to strengthen the ideals of peace around the world.  In 2001, September 21st was set as the annual day of commemoration – not only as a time to discuss how to promote and […]

Did you know that 1 in 5 US adults and 17% of US youth (ages 6-17) experience mental illness, more so since Covid?   In recognition of this growing problem, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors designated September 2021 as Suicide Awareness Month.  Fairfax County resources for suicide prevention can be found here:   https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/community-services-board/prevent-suicide. Immanuel Presbyterian, a […]

When I first moved to the area, I was told that Tysons Corner Shopping Center was one of a handful in the country that is “recession-proof.” During the crash of 2008, for example, Tysons continued to thrive. That recession and the latest pandemic-caused downturn proved more difficult for Tysons II, but my sense is that […]

The Jewish High Holidays begin with the celebration of Rosh Hashanah the evening of Monday, September 6th and end with Yom Kippur at sundown Thursday, September 16th.  The High Holidays are a time when many Jews make their strongest identification with Judaism, with their congregation, and with the Jewish people. These ten days between Rosh Hashanah […]

This is the first in a series of posts based on the latest 2020 census figures from the districts in the Tysons area, starting with Pimmit Hills, perhaps the “poorest” but in my experience the most rapidly changing neighborhood in our area. It also has a very interesting and long history, having once been a […]

With the desperate situations in Afghanistan and Haiti, many are asking how they can help people in Afghanistan and Afghan refugees, as well as the people of Haiti struggling to recover from the recent devastating earthquake. The following list of resources has been compiled from suggestions offered by Tysons Interfaith contributors: FOR AFGHANISTAN LUTHERAN SOCIAL […]