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Common Ground
A Newsletter for the Interfaith Community
Special Edition November 2025
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FCIA NETWORK MEETING!!
Tuesday, November 18th, 2025
ONLINE EVENT - 7:00pm-8:30pm
Get ready to learn how you can support your community this season from the below partners:
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Office to Prevent and End Homelessness (OPEH): An OPEH Program Manager will share how Houses of Worship can support this winter's hypothermia shelter efforts.
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Coordinated Services Planning (CSP): CSP's Program Manager will discuss available county services and present the "do's and don'ts" for effective community support.
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Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD): A Crime Prevention Specialist with FCPD will provide guidance on maintaining safety and preparedness while serving those in need.
Online event - please Register to receive meeting link.
Please send any requests for language interpretation services to Lyndzey Elliott @ lyndzey.elliott@fairfaxcounty.gov by 11/07/25.
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Safety and Security
A message from the Public Affairs and Life Safety Education Section
HOW TO SURVIVE ANOTHER HOLIDAY IN THE KITCHEN
Cooking a holiday dinner at home? You must be extra careful. The sheer scope of the holiday feast can put unusual strains on the chef and the kitchen alike. And, in the final hours you will have to contend with all the helpful -assistant cooks - your family can produce; and you'll have to keep them safe as well.
Here are a few ground rules for a fire safe holiday.
- Declare the kitchen off limits to young children, and even adults who aren't preparing food. Fewer people mean fewer chances for spills and burns.
- Always cook with pot handles turned inward, and with appliance cords safely out of the way. Protruding handles and dangling cords are too easily pulled or jostled, spilling scalding liquids on people and furniture.
- If you're dressing up for dinner, plan to run upstairs and change just before you serve. Frilly blouses and drooping sleeves have no place in a working kitchen; they invite clothing fires. Roll up your sleeves and don an apron for added safety.
- Take extra care to use potholders when carrying hot vessels. Never run across the kitchen with hot items.
- Don't risk burning your fingers or spilling hot foods.
- Use your potholders. In a kitchen full of relatives, be extra cautious. If you should be bumped or tripped, it could ruin the holiday.
- If a pan should catch fire on the stove, put a lid on it. You can also use a cutting board to cover the pan. This takes the air away from the fire and puts it out.
- With some baking soda, you can make a soda shaker from a coffee can with holes punched in it. You have just made a low cost, low-pressure fire extinguisher just perfect for the kitchen. All you have to do is shake the baking soda over the fire and blanket it, smothering the fire.
- Remember: Do not use water on a grease fire!
By using your common sense and a few precautions, you can prevent a tragedy in your home.
Public Affairs and Life Safety Education Section
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department
12099 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22030
703-246-3801 or TTY 711
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Community Resources
  Shark Tank Technology Challenge – Applications Now Being Accepted
Fairfax County’s Department of Neighborhood and Community Services is now accepting entries in the Fairfax Area High School Student Shark Tank Technology Challenge. Initial proposals are due Dec. 19, 2025. Open to all students in Fairfax County, Fairfax City and the City of Falls Church, the 2025-26 challenge invites youth to develop an innovative device or app that will have a positive impact in the lives of older adults, adults with disabilities, caregivers or wounded warriors. The winning students will be recognized with cash awards provided by sponsor IntegrityOne Partners. Winners will also be recognized by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at a spring 2026 reception. Please visit the Shark Tank Technology Challenge website for more details, including a detailed application packet. For additional assistance, email NCSTechChallenge@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Charge Up Fairfax
Charge Up Fairfax: Charge Up Fairfax offers guidance, technical assistance, and funding opportunities to help organizations, including community-interest communities and non-profits, install Level 2 electric vehicle chargers (funding starting at $8,000).
The Energy Conservation Assistance Program
Energy Conservation Assistance Program (ECAP): The Energy Conservation Assistance Program is a cost-share reimbursement program that provides financial assistance and expert guidance to eligible organizations (HOAs/COAs, nonprofits, and places of worship) implementing energy efficiency updates, installing renewable energy solutions or enhancing the resilience of structures and property.
Hybla Valley Mobile Markets
 
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Community Bulletin Board
The following public announcements are for interfaith meetings and activities sponsored by organizations within the community and are not specifically endorsed or sponsored by Fairfax County. These announcements are provided as a public service in the interest of expanding interfaith dialogue and goodwill. If you have an announcement you would like to share, please contact NCSinterfaith@fairfaxcounty.gov
Lorton Community Action Center (LCAC) Coat Drive
LCAC is collecting new or gently used clean coats for women, men, and children. In addition, they'll accept new warm hats, gloves, scarves, and socks.
Drop off is on Sunday, November 9th, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Lorton Community Center, 9520 Richmond Hwy. Unable to drop off on November 9th? Contact Rob Rutland-Brown, Rob@LortonAction.org, to schedule earlier delivery
Fairfax Prism "Week of Action"
Only YOU can save our trees! Fairfax PRISM invites you to participate in a “Week of Action,” November 8-16, when people across Fairfax County will come together to rescue trees from invasive vines as part of a community-wide initiative to save our trees and natural areas from the invasive plants that are killing them. The many events are listed on the Fairfax PRISM website (https://www.fairfaxprism.org/upcoming-events), where you can also learn about other ways to help or to get help with this work.
Tyson's Interfaith Coffeehouse
 CORNERSTONES FAITH COUNCIL & ADVISORY FORUM
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If you are interested in submitting something for the newsletter, please review our guidelines:
- Submissions should be sent to NCSInterfaith@fairfaxcounty.gov
- Submissions should be timely and occurring in the upcoming month. For ongoing needs or services, we reserve the right to hold for future issues.
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All submissions should have no more than a 3-line description of the event and include a link for more information or to register.
- The event must be open to the entire community.
- Proselytizing events/activities will not be posted.
- Events must be apolitical. Legislative lobbying efforts will not be posted.
- Fundraisers or events soliciting financial contributions will not be posted.
- Events must be geared to promoting understanding, goodwill, community service or fulfilling a defined need in helping strengthen Fairfax County residents and communities.
If you have any questions, please email NCSInterfaith@fairfaxcounty.gov.
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