Neighborhood news: Family Christmas Craft Night coming to Nokesville Church of the Brethren

Mark your calendars and enjoy the holiday activities at the Nokesville Church of the Brethren starting Sunday, when the church will hold its Family Christmas Craft Night and Chrismon Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Crafting ornaments will begin at 5 p.m., with the Chrismon Tree Lighting Ceremony following at 7 p.m. Participants are asked to bring a snack to share.

Next, don't miss the children's Christmas program to be held Dec. 6 at 11 a.m.

Then, Dec. 12 at 4 p.m., enjoy the Community Tree Lighting Ceremony at the corner of Nokesville Road and Fitzwater Drive.

Santa will visit with children in the fellowship hall from 5 to 5:45 p.m. and will be collecting canned food for the needy. At 5:15 p.m., chili and other food will be served.

Also from 5 to 7 p.m., enjoy free carriage rides. From 6 to 6:30 p.m., visit the live Nativity.

A worship service also will be held Dec. 20 at 11 a.m.

Finally, don't miss the Christmas Eve Candle Lighting and Communion Service on Dec. 24 at 7 p.m.

Nokesville Church of the Brethren is located at 13002 Fitzwater Drive. For more information, visit nokesvillecob.org.

High school sponsoring children with cancer

Brentsville High School is sponsoring 17 families whose children are undergoing cancer treatment.

Fifty-four children and family members will receive gifts, but the school still needs contributions. Students can contact their club or sport sponsor, Mrs. O'Neill, Mrs. Martin or Mrs. Witt to find out how to help. Call the school at 703-594-2161 for more information.

Cub Scouts SERVE up food donatio

How many families could you feed with 3,600 pounds of food? Many, many thanks to the Cub Scouts of Pack 1384.

On Nov. 7, the scouts kicked off their annual Scouting for Food service event by distributing plastic grocery bags to homeowners in Bristow. The following Saturday, they returned to retrieve the food donations.

Collecting these donations required a little more work than planned, as local homeowners gave far more food than the expected one bag per household.

By the end of the day, Pack 1384 had donated the whopping 3,600 pounds to Securing Emergency Resources Through Volunteer Efforts Inc., which helps local families in times of need.

SERVE's Food Distribution Center offers a supplemental food program to families each month and seasonal programs.

Katherine Gotthardt reports your neighborhood news from the Nokesville, Bristow and Brentsville areas every Friday in the News & Messenger. If you have news about birthdays, your family, your club or your HOA activities, please send it to Katherine at .