Reformation Day is a day set aside to recognize, remember, and celebrate the Protestant Reformation. In some countries, it is observed as an official holiday. It remembers Martin Luther and the central role he played in the reform movement that split the western church of Rome.

Today, United Methodists celebrate Reformation Day with a sense of moving toward unity and community. Though we are not descendants of Luther, both John and Charles Wesley were priests in the Church of England, so our roots are deep in the Anglican tradition.

Reformation Day is October 31 of every year, and is most often observed today on the Sunday prior to October 31.

💙 Help Others Find Pender — Share Your Story!

Have you found a church home at Pender? Your story could help someone else find theirs!

When people are looking for a church, they often turn to online reviews to learn what a church is really like. Take a few minutes to share what Pender United Methodist Church means to you—whether it’s the welcoming people, meaningful worship, music, fellowship, or the many ways we serve our community.

Your words may be just what someone needs to take that first step through Pender’s doors.

👉 Share your Pender story and help others find us:

visit.penderumc.org/reviews

Thank you for helping Pender welcome our neighbors! 💙

• October 22, Choir Rehearsal
• October 23, Becoming a Godly Woman
• October 24, Pender United Women in Faith General Meeting
• October 25, Focus on the Heart ABCs for Women (Small Group Study)
• October 25, Impact Youth Harvest Festival
• October 26 Fun With Music
• October 26-29, Focus on the Heart ABCs for Women (Small Group Study)
• October 26, Mary Martha Circle
• October 27, Handbell Rehearsals
• October 27, Pastor Bruce Evening Bible Study
• October 28-31, National Summit on Mass Incarceration and Social Justice
• October 28, AA Open Meeting
• October 29, Pastor Bruce Morning Bible Study
• November 1, Fall back (change your clocks back one hour)
• November 1, Church Council
• November 1, Rise Against Hunger with KUMC
• November 4, Pender Hill Preschool Spirit Night at Chick-fil-A!
• November 5, Joyful Thursday
• November 11, The Church Office will be closed for Veteran's Day
• November 15, Charge Conference
• November 15, Christmas in Philippi gift due
• November 20-21, Christmas in Philippi
• November 20-21, Handbell Festival
• November 21, Handbell Concert, 2:00 pm in Manassas
• November 26, Thanksgiving
• November 28, Celebration of Life service for Richard Taddeo at Ox Hill Baptist, 11:30 am
• November 29, Advent Begins
• December 5, Christmas Joy at Pender
• December 6, Fellowship Feast
• December 12, Christmas Concert
• December 19, JDC Christmas Party
• December 24, Christmas Eve, 7:00 pm

Weekly Events

• Sunday
• Children's Sunday School Classes. The children meet in the sanctuary until just after Children's Time. They then leave for Sunday School with their teachers. We are asking for volunteers to periodically relieve the Sunday School teachers so they may attend the full worship service.
• Seeker Adult Sunday School Class meets at 9:00 am.
• Praying Our Faith at 9:00 am.
• The Impact Youth Group at 5:00 pm
• Monday
• Fun with Music
  Mary Martha Circle, online
• Tuesday
• Handbell rehearsals
• Pastor Bruce Bible Study
• Wednesday
• Ruth Circle, Second Wednesday of the month
• AA Meetings at 6pm
• Thursday
• Pastor Bruce Bible Study
• Lectio Divina Prayer Group
• Choir Rehearsal

Check here for other meetings.

To submit an event to our calendar please fill in this form:
 https://tockify.com/tkf2/submitEvent/eb89c10e1f3b459eaf46987291312ce5.

You’ll receive an email once your event has been added to the Pender calendar. We’ll also reach out if we have any questions about your submission.

Need help? Contact our webmaster.

Items below:

• WFCM News
• Upcoming Events including Pender United Women in Faith General Meeting, Focus on the Heart ABC's for Women, A Youth Harvest Festival, National Summit on Mass Incarceration and Social Justice, Rise Against Hunger, Pender Ringers playing in a Handbell Concert, Christmas in Philippi, Pender Hill Preschool Spirit Night at Chick-fil-A, Christmas Joy
• ,A Family Christmas Morning
• Medical Equipment
• JDC Christmas Party
• Financial News
• United Women in Faith Announces 2027 Reading Program List
• Christmas Crafts for Families

WFCM Executive Director's Update 

I am happy to share that we were awarded Emergency Food and Emergency Housing grants from Fairfax County Government. These grants will provide $10,000 per month for us to purchase food and $20,000 per month for direct rent/utility assistance for a two-year period, as well as administrative funds to operate these programs. These funds and the county partnership are a key part of ensuring we can meet the needs of community members in western Fairfax County. While we have not received the funds yet, we look forward to this multi-year partnership.

One of the requirements of the Emergency Food grant is to ask community members selecting food in our markets, receiving home delivery, or picking up immediate pre-bagged food if the food offered is healthy, if it meets their needs (including cultural/religious), and if by receiving food at WFCM, they are ablet to use income to meet other needs (such as towards rent or utility bills) while reducing food insecurity. Wanting to keep this process as easy for community members as possible while respecting their dignity and voice, we have started asking individuals selecting food if they agree with these statements (in English, Spanish, Korean, or otherwise translated as needed).

• At WFCM I can get healthy food.
• At WFCM I can get food that meets my needs (including cultural or religious special needs).
• Getting food at WFCM helps me have food I need and use income for other needs.

During our first week of surveying, 97% of community members answered yes to all three questions. Some shared stories. One man said that the need to come to WFCM for food began earlier this year when he and his wife found out she was pregnant with twins. They were expecting and prepared for one child, but carrying two meant that she had to stop working earlier than expected when she was placed on bedrest by her doctor. The cost of two babies, and care for two babies, has kept his wife home while he is working to support the three of them. He said he is proud to do this and thankful for the help that WFCM provides. By getting food and diapers at WFCM, he is able to pay other bills.

This is the difference that WFCM is making for families in our community. Your monetary and food donations enabled us to turn each $1 the county allocated for the Emergency Food grant into $13 during the month of September. Your partnership is the reason that families are able to receive hundreds of dollars worth of food each month (including toiletries and diapers) that last up to two weeks.

Your support is critical and impactful for thousands of community members!

God bless,

Harmonie Taddeo, Executive Director

School's Out/ Holiday Food

Thank you to the partners who have already signed up to provide Thanksgiving or December food boxes and or funds for fresh food. We have commitments for 960 out of the 1,100 boxes needed for Thanksgiving and 800 of the 900 we need for December. If your congregation wants to support these distributions, please complete the survey below by October 16th.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MFB5RXM

What's New in the Food Markets and Client Services



In September, we provided client choice food selection for 729 unduplicated families (212 of those families were served at our Centreville Free Food Market). We served 73 new families. We are grateful for our partnership with DoorDash that enabled us to provide deliveries of groceries to 63 households during the month.

Average weight of a bag of food is 21 lbs.

Food value of 1 lb. of food FY 2027 = $1.92

WFCM provides more than food to our neighbors – they also provide direct financial assistance for rent as well as other support programs to help families become self-sufficient. All of these activities are funding by financial donations.

How YOU can help:

1.  Place needed items into the cart at Pender for weekly delivery to WFCM

2.  Provide a monetary donation through Pender by designating WFCM on your check or on-line giving. 

3.  Order from Amazon for direct delivery to WFCM at 4511 Daly Drive, Suite H, Chantilly, VA 20151 (Amazon is best for heavy items.)

4.  Donate your time by volunteering in the Food Pantry or another of their many services.

To learn more, click here to link to the WFCM website. www.wfcmva.org​

If you have any questions, please contact Becky Bryan, the Pender coordinator with WFCM. 

Pender United Women in Faith General Meeting October 24 at 9:30 am

Please come enjoy breakfast and fellowship with sisters in Christ.

We'll plan for Christmas activities and get ideas for our Spring Retreat and fundraisers. We value your input.

All women welcome!

Focus on the Heart ABC's for Women small group study with Rev Christine Hanak. (5 day study program)

Sunday, October 25 from 3-6pm

Monday to Thursday 9:45AM-12:45PM

$30 registration & materials fee

Please contact Becky or Maya for more information.

🍂🎃 Youth Harvest Festival at Pender! 🎃🍂

Get ready for an evening of food, fun, and fall festivities! 🍁

Our Harvest Festival will be hosted during our regular Impact Youth time, but all youth are welcome and encouraged to join us! Bring a friend and come ready to have some fun! 👍

📅 Sunday, October 25

⏰ 5:30–7:30 PM

🍽️ Yummy dinner + dessert

🎉 Fun, age-appropriate activities

👫 Friends, fellowship & lots of laughs!

We’re still planning the details, but one thing is certain: it’s going to be a fun night! 🍂

Impact Youth — and all youth — are invited!

The United Women in Faith and the Virginia United Methodist Church Conference will host the National Summit on Mass Incarceration and Social Justice in Atlanta, Georgia this faith-based gathering is for pastors, justice-impact leaders, prison ministry teams, advocates, and change-makers providing innovative strategies, tools, and best practices to create lasting transformation in their communities and advance systemic reform.

Pre-summit Intensive United Women in Faith Workshop: Oct. 28;

National Summit workshops, small groups, town halls: Oct. 29-31

Pender has worked with Rise Against Hunger for several years. This year, KUMC is hosting this meal-packing event on November 1 at 3:30 pm in our shared Gathering Place and Pender people are welcome to help out.

Join Rise Against Hunger, KUMC and Pender members for a family-friendly service opportunity bringing people together to make a difference in the fight against hunger. 

Together, volunteers will package meals that will support nutrition, education and health for families facing hunger around the world. The event is an opportunity to celebrate what unites us and demonstrate what is possible when we work together.

Free Handbell Concert!

Come experience the joy and beauty of handbell music on Saturday, November 21, at 2:30 p.m. in the Grace UMC Fellowship Hall in Manassas!

We’re especially excited that Pender’s Joy Ringers and Carillon will be among the 10 handbell choirs coming together for this special concert, directed by renowned composer and conductor Jason Krug.

Bring a friend and enjoy an afternoon of beautiful music, ringing bells, and joyful fellowship. Admission is free, and you won’t want to miss it! 🔔🎶

• Grace UMC Fellowship Hall
• 9750 Wellington Rd, Manassas, VA 20110

Join us for Pender Hill Preschool Spirit Night on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, from 4:00–8:00 p.m. at Chick-fil-A in Fair Lakes!

Enjoy some food and fun while supporting Pender Hill Preschool. A portion of the evening’s sales will be donated to the preschool.

When ordering:

• Mention Spirit Night when ordering in person.
• For online orders, enter the code PENDER.

Bring your family and friends, enjoy a meal, and help support our preschool community. Thank you for participating!

Location: Chick-fil-A, Fair Lakes 4516 Fair Knoll Drive, Fairfax, VA 22033

Create • Celebrate • Share

A Family Christmas Morning at Pender UMC, December 5, 10:30 am

🍪 Decorate Christmas Cookies

✨ Celebrate Jesus, the Light of the World

🎄 Make Chrismons & Christmas Ornaments

👼 Create Angels

🎶 Sing Christmas Carols Together

Plus: Homemade treats for sale, prayer shawls for those in need, Christmas music, and a special outdoor Nativity!

Free Medical Equipment

Pender has accumulated gently used medical equipment that is free to anyone who needs it.  It is presently stored in the “Go” room (the old library). 

If you know someone who might benefit from this, feel free to direct them to the office and we’ll make sure they can see what is available.

Please join us at the Fairfax Juvenile Detention Center located at 10650 Page Avenue, Fairfax, VA. 22030, on December 19 from 11:30 to 1:00 PM, for our annual Christmas Party with the JDC staff and students.

This is a wonderful opportunity to share the love and joy of the Christmas season with at-risk youth.

We serve pizza, soda, and home made cookies, sing Christmas carols with a live Christian band.

Questions please reach out to Arlet Williams.

Established in 1993, Washington Soloist Ensemble 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.

Concert Day: Saturday, October 17, 2026 from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Stewardship is about more than weekly donations. It is a demonstration of your trust, gratitude, and commitment to the Lord Almighty. 

Take some quiet time through bible study and heartfelt prayer to discern God’s will in your life. 

During this time, we appreciate your continued generosity in providing your weekly tithes and offerings.

As of September 30, 2026:



MTD actual revenue was $36,261;  YTD actual revenue was $396,164;

MTD actual expenses was $45,320; YTD actual expenses was $449,643;

MTD net loss was ($9,059);      YTD net loss was ($53,478).

Each Thursday from now until December 24, there will be a new Faith-Based Christmas Craft you can make with your family.

Here's the first one:

Looking for simple Christmas crafts that keep the focus on Jesus? Some of the most meaningful moments of the season happen in small, ordinary activities at home.

Here are 10 easy, low-prep crafts your family can make together this Christmas, each one paired with a Bible verse to help keep the true meaning of the season front and center. They work for a range of ages, so siblings can craft side by side, and most use simple supplies you probably already have at home.

1. Nativity Scene Ornaments

Verse: Luke 2:11

Build a simple stable out of popsicle sticks and decorate it with paper cutouts of baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. It is an easy way to retell the Christmas story with your hands while you talk through it together.

Supplies:

Popsicle sticks (5 to 6 per child)

Brown construction paper or cardstock

Glue sticks or white glue

Child safe scissors

Crayons or markers

Small paper or foam cutouts of baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph

Straw, raffia, or yellow paper strips for hay

Ribbon or yarn for hanging

Optional: star stickers or glitter



Instructions:

1. Glue 4 popsicle sticks into a triangle shape for the stable roof and sides.

2. Glue 1 to 2 more sticks horizontally across the bottom for the base.

3. Attach the stable frame to a piece of brown paper or cardstock.

4. Add the paper cutouts of baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph inside the stable.

5. Glue straw or yellow paper under baby Jesus for the manger.

6. Decorate with a star sticker at the top and any extra details.

7. Punch a hole or tape a ribbon loop to the back for hanging.

United Women in Faith Announces 2027 Reading Program List

We are delighted to announce the release of the 2027 Reading Program! It is available at uwfaith.org/read for free download.

This year's Reading Program features a carefully-selected collection of contemporary books on spiritual growth, social action, leadership development, nurturing for community, and education for mission for readers of all ages. Selections include books in English, Spanish, and Korean.

Borrow the 2027 Reading Program books from your local library or purchase them from the bookseller of your choice, as you prefer. If you're looking for a centralized spot to buy most Reading Program books while earning 10% cash back for United Women in Faith, visit bookshop.org/shop/uwfaith.

If you would like to receive invitations to author talks, book discussions, and volunteer opportunities throughout the year, click here to join our Reading Program email list.

Finally, thank you to the wonderful group of 175+ volunteer evaluators and eight Reading Program Committee members who do the behind-the-scenes work to make the 2027 Reading Program possible. Extra special appreciation goes to Reading Program Committee Chair Kelly G. Loeb and Administrative Assistant Robin Johnson.

Here's to another year of reading and growing together!

Pender is an open and welcoming church. We accept and embrace all persons, period. All people are blessed children of God. Pender is a caring and praying church community; we believe as Christians that we are called to follow and practice the ways of Jesus Christ, who is our ever present and living God.

Our mission is to practice and embrace, providing unconditional love and acceptance of all of God's children as He loves and accepts all of us.

We do not discriminate based on age, mental, physical, or intellectual ability, culture, gender, race, religious belief or unbelief, or sexual orientation.