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Author Archives: MaryO

About MaryO

Cushing's and kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma) patient, founder, owner and webmaster of Cushing's Help and Support, web designer, piano teacher and mom. I am a Cushing's patient who has dealt with Cushing's symptoms since 1983 (or earlier) and the aftereffects of pituitary surgery since 1987. Because I had very little support for my symptoms, diagnosis and surgery, I decided to try to make things a little better for other patients and started a support site called Cushing's Help and Support in 2000. The site has grown to astronomical numbers. This disease isn't as rare as doctors have told us! In 2006, I was also diagnosed with kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma). My left kidney and adrenal gland were removed. Having an adrenal gland removed complicates my post-Cushing's symptoms. I am not planning to have any more rare and unusual diseases. My entire bio to date can be found here: http://www.cushings-help.com/maryos_story.htm But, enough of that - it's not always about Cushing's, or even Cancer. This one is about Life!

Stuff the Bus – Today

13 Sep

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has proclaimed September Hunger Action Month. Hunger Action Month is a national campaign to raise awareness and inspire people to take action for those facing food insecurity. NCS and our food access partners will present a one-day Stuff the Bus food drive on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.

Fastran buses, along with Fairfax County Fire Department trucks, will be at several sites from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. for this Hunger Action Month event to combat hunger. Please consider donating non-perishable food items and gift cards at the below locations:

Lidl, 9001 White Spruce Way, Lorton, VA 22079
Giant, 2425 Centreville Road, Herndon, VA 20171
Walmart Supercenter, 11181 US-29, Fairfax VA 22030
Giant, 1454 Chain Bridge Rd, McLean, VA 22101
Giant, 1450 North Point Village Center, Reston, VA 20194
Giant, 7137 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003
Walmart, 4368 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly, VA 20151 – benefits WFCM
Giant, 7501 Huntsman Blvd., Springfield, VA 22153

Since launching in 2011, Stuff the Bus has collected more than 240 tons of food to feed people experiencing food insecurity in Fairfax County. Statistics show the need for food is great, and demand is increasing. In Fairfax County 27% of people are food insecure, meaning that they have limited or uncertain availability to the food needed to live their fullest lives.

For more details and a list of most-requested items, visit Stuff the Bus.

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Posted by MaryO on September 13, 2025 in Get Involved!, Local News

Tags: food insecurity, gift cards, Hunger Action Month, non-perishable food items, serve, Stuff the Bus, WFCM

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Remember 9/11

11 Sep

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Posted by MaryO on September 11, 2025 in 911, Posts of Interest

Tags: 9/11

Charles Wesley

05 Sep

Charles Wesley was an English leader of the Methodist movement, most widely known for writing more than 6,000 hymns. Wesley was born in Epworth, Lincolnshire, the son of Anglican cleric and poet Samuel Wesley and his wife Susanna.

In the course of his career, Charles Wesley published the words of over six thousand hymns, many of which are still popular. These include:

“Arise my soul arise”
“And Can It Be That I Should Gain?”
“Christ the Lord Is Risen Today”

“Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies”
“Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown”
“Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”
“Depth of Mercy, Can it Be”
“Father, I Stretch My Hands to Thee”
“Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise”
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
“Jesus, Lover of My Soul”

“Jesus, The Name High Over All”
“Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending”
“Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”

“O for a Heart to Praise My God”
“O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing”

“Rejoice, the Lord is King”
“Soldiers of Christ, Arise”
“Thou Hidden Source of Calm Repose”
“Ye Servants of God”

Some 150 of his hymns are in the Methodist hymn book Hymns and Psalms, including “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing, and “The Church Hymn Book” (In New York and Chicago, US, 1872) where “Jesus, Lover of My Soul” is published. Many of his hymns are translated into other languages and form the foundation for Methodist hymnals, as well as the Swedish Metodist-Episkopal-Kyrkans Psalmbok printed in Stockholm in 1892.

Born: December 18, 1707, Epworth, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom

Died: March 29, 1788, London, United Kingdom

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Posted by MaryO on September 5, 2025 in Posts of Interest

Tags: Charles Wesley

Korean Soloist Ensemble Peace Concert

01 Sep

The Washington Soloist Ensemble (WSE) members consist of professional singers, conductors, pianists as well as amateur singers who pass the audition process.

The group has performed at the Kennedy Center, George Mason , University of Maryland and other local community centers and institutions. Established in 1993, the WSE has been an integral part of the Korean diaspora that has represented Korean culture in the United States through music.

The group has performed in numerous key events over the years including the Centennial of Korean Immigration to the United States. By harmonizing the choral artistry of Korea and the United States, the group’s music resonates with the heart and leaves a lasting impression. Over the years we have performed over 75 concerts in total.

This concert will feature an orchestra as well as the singers. It will celebrate 80 years of Korean independence from Japanese colonial rule, a process culminating on August 15, 1945, with the end of World War II.

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Posted by MaryO on September 1, 2025 in Pender UMC, Posts of Interest

Tags: concert, Washington Korean Ensemble Concert, Washington Soloist Ensemble

Pender Handbells

30 Aug

Handbells are not just for children and teens! We have adult handbell groups for beginner to advanced ringers. The difficulty level of handbell music is rated from Level 1 (easy) to Level 6 (most difficult). Each of the groups rings monthly in worship between September and June and participates in the annual Christmas handbell concert.

The groups also like to participate in the various festivals that are held by the regional handbell guild (Handbell Musicians of America – Area 3). Our rehearsals are full of laughing and ringing (sometimes more laughing than ringing!) You do not have to know how to read music to learn how to ring handbells!

Carillon Ringers group is for ringers who ring Level 2 and Level 3 music.

Carillon Ringers rehearse at 6:45 Tuesday. The handbells will play during worship about once every month. Brian will make out the usual schedule at the beginning of rehearsals starting on September 9th.

Joy Ringers group is for advanced ringers who ring Level 4 and Level 5 music

Joy Ringers rehearse at 7:30 Tuesday. The handbells will play during worship about once every month. Brian will make out the usual schedule at the beginning of rehearsals starting on September 9th.

On Pentecost Sunday, June 8, 2025, Pender’s combined handbell groups rang out a joyful and unforgettable rendition of “Hail, Holy Queen”, arranged by Marc Shaiman and adapted for handbells by Kevin McChesney—all under the spirited direction of Brian Stevenson.

🎶 Remember the movie Sister Act with Whoopi Goldberg? Well, hold onto your wimple—this rollicking handbell version of the classic SALVE REGINA hymn is sure to lift your spirits and put a smile on your face!
🔥 Joyful
🔥 Energetic
🔥 Pure Pentecost fun!

Let this electrifying performance fill your heart with the Spirit’s joy!