Tysons faith communities launch new website with resources for virtual services, volunteer opportunities

A collection of local religious groups called Tysons Interfaith has created a new website to provide information about places to worship in the Tysons area, community service opportunities, and other resources.

Tysons Interfaith President Bill Larson announced the website’s launch yesterday (Tuesday), calling the new platform at tysonsinterfaith.org “a community service for people who live and work in the Tysons area.”

“Since there is currently no physical space available for worship or spiritual practice in Tysons, Tysons Interfaith is creating a virtual space where people can learn of public services available, plug in to their personal faith tradition, or explore options for their own spiritual growth or public service,” Larson said in a news release.

Formed in 2013, Tysons Interfaith describes itself as a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing “the principles of diversity, mutual respect, compassion, and ethical engagement” by providing a network of resources, advocating for equity, and serving as a platform for dialogue between groups from different religions.

Participating houses of worship include the St. Thomas Episcopal Church of McLean, the McLean Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Temple Rodef Shalom, the McLean Islamic Center, McLean Bahai, and the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, among others.

According to its new website, Tysons Interfaith came into being because local faith communities realized that there are no houses of worship located directly within the boundaries of Tysons.

“While we recognize the challenge of fitting houses of worship into a plan for a contemporary city, we are also convinced that those within Tysons would be well-served and their quality of life enhanced by the presence of and ministries provided by a variety of faith communities,” the organization says.

Tysons Interfaith initially focused on implementing service projects and providing volunteer support for local philanthropic events, but its mission evolved last year to also include social justice advocacy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and last summer’s racial justice protests.

The new website features a map of faith communities in the area surrounding Tysons, a guide to communities offering virtual worship services, and a calendar of upcoming events. There is also information on local volunteer opportunities, nonprofits, and Fairfax County social support services.

“By working together, we have learned that people of different faith practices and spiritual traditions share many values and enjoy working together to better our community,” Larson said. “We invite congregations, groups, and individuals to join in this unique opportunity to build a vibrant Tysons community that is welcoming for all.”

Photo courtesy Tysons Partnership