Dear Church Family:

This Sunday some churches will celebrate Scouting Sunday. I was not much of a Boy Scout, but one memory stands out vividly, a 3-day hike through the Olympic National Forest in Western Washington state. Our trek included long days of climbing mountains and descending into valleys, damp cold nights in tents, and foggy mornings around campfires, and exquisite beauty throughout the trip. All of this took place under the watchful eyes of experienced scout masters, who knew the perils of hiking, the rewards of making the journey, and the need to prepare in advance. Before the trip began, they had given us explicit instructions about what we would need to take in our backpacks, and what we should leave behind. But it was only when we were in the cars headed home that I realized how important it had been that we prepared well with mosquito spray, a pocketknife, wool clothing, heavy boots, a flashlight, and much more. Had it not been for the preparation, a difficult journey would have become impossible, and the joy of the trip would have been missed.      

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, the start of the 40-day (plus Sundays) Lenten journey of faith that millions of Christians take each year in preparation for the joy of Easter Sunday. Along the way, we are guided together by the gifts of the Church through mountains and valleys of faith on our way to the cross and empty tomb of Jesus.  It is a beautiful and life-changing journey for those who prepare themselves spiritually to make passage. Inspired by Jesus’ own instruction, Christian pilgrims making the journey over centuries have benefited by including in their spiritual backpacks a host of items suitable for our journey of faith. On Ash Wednesday, we are reminded that those spiritual aids include prayer, fasting, serving the poor, and Bible study, among others. Most important, we seek to know and please our Lord with hearts turned to God in loving devotion. In every age, church leaders equip the saints for the Lenten journey in familiar and sometimes new ways.

As the disciples of Pender UMC begin Lent this year, your church is helping you to pack for a successful Lenten journey in several ways. As you enter worship for the First Sunday of Lent this week, you will find devotional literature for adults and families for your use. Each passing Sunday you will also find a new Poem for Lent by Saundra Sandrock on a table in the narthex for you to take. Each Wednesday evening of Lent, beginning March 19, you may spend a few moments or an hour in the sanctuary for mid-week Time with God. This silent devotion includes provided material with Scripture and devotional readings, along with prayer suggestions, after which you may receive Holy Communion provided by Pastor Bruce. Beginning Sunday, March 16, I will be preaching on themes related to Christian practice—prayer and fasting, the Bible in Christian life, our fellowship of love in Christ, along with worship and the sacraments. In Wesleyan language, these practices are gifts of Christ to his Church, means of grace by which we make our journey of faith throughout the entire course of our lives. Additionally, your church is planning special events in Holy Week (April13-April 20), including a Holy Thursday Seder Meal, Good Friday drama, and Easter Sunrise service with our Koinonia friends. You will find a calendar of events on the Pender website and printed in this week’s bulletin. Make plans now to attend and to invite a friend.

The journey of Christian life is marvelous for those who are prepared. And our gracious God has given us everything necessary to make the journey and experience the beauty. I am ever grateful for the ways the Holy Spirit leads us in the way of Christ, and for the grace that prepares us for the essential journey of discipleship. It is good to be a fellow traveler with you at Pender UMC.           

Pastor Bruce

• March 6, Lent continues
• March 8, First Aid Training
• March 8, Boy Scout Troop 1530 Mulch Delivery Weekend
• March 9, Remember to Spring Forward
• March 9, Woman of the Year Tea
• March 12, Time with God
• March 12, AA Meeting
• March 23, JDC/Juvenile Detention Center
• April 5, Bread of Life
• April 6, Fellowship Feast
• April 13, Palm/Passion Sunday
• April 16, Easter Egg Hunt
• April 17, Holy Thursday Seder Supper
• April 18, Good Friday Stations of the Cross
• April 18, Good Friday
• April 19 Holy Saturday
• April 20, Easter Sunrise Service with KUMC
• April 20, Easter Brunch with KUMC
• April 20, Easter Services
• May 10, His Life, Love and Ministry Concert
• May 31, Chris Atwood Foundation HopeFest 2025
• June 7, A Celebration of Bach
• June 23 to 27 - VBS 2025 "Road Trip"
• July 18 to 26 - Youth Mission to Philippi, WV

Weekly Events

• Sunday
• Children's Sunday School Classes. The children will meet in the sanctuary until just after Children's Time. They will then leave for Sunday School with their teachers. We are asking for volunteers to relieve the Sunday School teachers so they may periodically attend the full worship service.
• Youth Sunday School Class at 10:30
• 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
• Time with God
• AA Meetings at 6pm
• Thursday
• Pastor Bruce Bible Study
• Lectio Divina Prayer Group
• Choir Rehearsal at 6:30

Check here for other meetings.

All Pender Meetings run by the school year. Recurring meetings (weekly or monthly) taking place after June 30, 2024 will need to be scheduled again for the 2024-2025 school year.

Now that we have 5 additional congregations meeting at Pender, it is more important than ever to get your room reserved and on the church calendar.

It is also important to remove it if you are no longer meeting so that other groups can use the space.

Pender Members and Pender-sponsored groups such as Boy Scouts should go here, click add event. Please list your first-choice of room number. 

You will get an email when your event is approved. Note that you cannot add an event to a room that is already reserved for another meeting.

Brian Stevenson, Pender UMC Director of Handbells and Ensembles, presents a series of hymn-based devotions on Wednesdays during Lent.

The first is Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross by Fanny Crosby, The United Methodist Hymnal Number 301

Jesus, keep me near the cross;

there a precious fountain,

free to all, a healing stream,

flows from Calvary's mountain.

Refrain:

In the cross, in the cross,

be my glory ever,

till my raptured soul shall find

rest beyond the river.

Text: Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915

Music: William H. Doane, 1832-1915

Tune: NEAR THE CROSS, Meter: 76.76 with Refrain

2024 Woman of the Year: Saundra Sandrock 

On January 26, 2025, Saundra Sandrock was honored as the 2024 Woman of the Year by Pender's Women in Faith in recognition of her incredible dedication and service to the church community. 

Throughout the years, Saundra has given her time and talents to many ministries, including: 

~Sunday School Teacher – Inspiring and guiding young minds in faith. 

~Sanctuary Choir Member – Enriching worship through music. 

~Vacation Bible School Helper – Sharing God’s love with children. 

~And much more!

Her unwavering commitment and servant’s heart have made a lasting impact on Pender UMC. Join us in celebrating Saundra’s well-deserved recognition! 

Congratulations, Saundra! Thank you for your faith, kindness, and leadership.

On Shrove Tuesday, we gathered for a fun-filled evening of delicious pancakes, savory sausage, and exciting games as Pender UMC and KUMC Koinonia came together to celebrate!

Friends, families, and pancake lovers joined in for a night filled with*food, laughter, and friendly competition. Whether it was the stacks of fluffy pancakes, the fun and games, or simply enjoying great company, there was something for everyone!

Thank you to all who joined us in this sweet and joyful celebration—we loved sharing this special tradition!

Thank you for all your donations of warm clothes, shoes, and new socks and underwear for the Lamb Center! 

We made our second delivery recently, and they were very appreciative! 

We will continue taking clothes through March.



Please contact Jane McKee if you have any questions.

Fun With Music Needs Frogs & Ladybugs!

Our Fun With Music group is growing, and we’re hopping with excitement! However, we’re a little short on small stuffed green frogs and ladybugs (around Beanie Baby size), and we’d love your help!

If you happen to have any adorable little frogs or ladybugs that you no longer need, our little musicians would be so grateful for the donation. No need to go out and buy any—just check your toy bins or shelves for any extras looking for a fun new home!

Your generosity will bring big smiles to our little ones as they learn and play through music.

Thank you for helping make music time even more magical!

The Pender Medical Closet Back!

Ruth Circle is restarting Pender's Medical Closet—a valuable resource we had years ago, and one that our community needs again! This lending library of medical equipment will provide wheelchairs, walkers, and other essential items to those who need them, free of charge.

Here’s how you can help:

✅ Donate gently used medical equipment.

✅ Lend equipment you’re not currently using but may need in the future.

✅ Borrow items if you or a loved one has a temporary need.

Drop-off & Pick-up: Donations and borrowed equipment must be brought to and picked up from the church.

Sign-up Sheet: A log is available in the office to track donations and checkouts. Find it on MaryO's door.

For questions, donations, or lending, please call Roberta Pont.



Our goal is to support our church family and community by making these resources available to those in need.

Thank you for helping us bring this important ministry back to life!

Seeking Baby Blankets for Baptisms & Baby Boxes!

We are in urgent need of white baby blankets for our little ones being baptized—we only have two left! If you’d like to contribute, we greatly appreciate your support in providing a special keepsake for these precious moments.

Additionally, Jane McKee is collecting baby blankets for a “Baby Boxes” service project led by our Impact Youth group on March 9th. They will be packing bags filled with essential items for newborns, and we would love to include a handmade blanket in each one as a meaningful touch.

If you have completed baby blankets, please drop them off at Pender’s office, Attn: Jane McKee.

Thank you for helping us bless these little ones and their families!

Although Pender is not able to sustain our Hypothermia outreach this year, we are still interested in helping other churches that are involved.

Fairfax UMC is hosting the 2025 Hypothermia Shelter March 9th-16th. 



We have several ways you can share love and care for our guests! 

We need groups/individuals to volunteer to help in the early mornings (5-7 AM) making coffee and serving breakfast casseroles,  afternoon set up (4-5 PM or earlier) before guests arrive, sponsoring/preparing and serving of evening meals (5:30-7 PM), or to provide breakfast items - see opportunities below to sign up. 

Whatever the weather, we plan to provide a loving, warm, and safe environment for our brothers and sisters. Thank you for your help and support!



Contact Christie Johnson, christie.johnson92@gmail.com with any questions

Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0B48A4A72FA0F85-54509055-fairfax#/

The Rest Stop could use some snacks, M& M’s and flavored waters.

It needs frozen items to munch on but since they are frozen it's hard to have them donated.

Please drop items off in the office so they can be given to our hard-working officers.

Thank you!

Join Us for Bread of Life!

Get ready to roll up your sleeves and spread some love!

What: Bread of Life – A chance to give back to the community!

When: First Saturday of every month. April 5 from 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Where: Pender UMC Kitchen

12401 Alder Woods Drive, Fairfax, VA 22033

Why join us?

• We provide all the ingredients. You bring your enthusiasm and a heart full of love!
• Meet new friends while making a real difference.
• Help those in need and feel the joy of giving back.

All are welcome! Whether you're a seasoned chef or just love the smell of fresh bread, there's a spot for you in our kitchen. Together, we can knead some dough and do good!

See you there – let’s make magic happen!

Save the Date for HopeFest 2025!

Mark your calendars for a day of food, fun, and fellowship at HopeFest 2025!

Join us on Saturday, May 31st, at Pender United Methodist Church in Fairfax, VA, for an unforgettable celebration filled with BBQ, raffles, live music, and games – all in support of The Chris Atwood Foundation’s mission of saving lives and supporting recovery.

Stay tuned for more details, and be sure to invite your

From HopeFest 2024:

A Message from the Finance Committee

Dear Pender,

Thank you for your generous gifts to Pender and its many ministries.

We have recently analyzed the financial data from January and were concerned that our offerings were about a third less than what we projected based on the annual estimate of giving cards that were turned in late last year.

While we realize that everyone has a different pattern of giving, we greatly appreciate those who are able to give on a regular basis so that we can pay our bills.

We would like to offer a gentle reminder for you to please update your offerings for 2025 if you have not already done so.

Thank you for your support of Pender and God’s work here.

The Finance Committee

As of January 31, 2025:

MTD actual revenue was MTD/YTD actual revenue was $38,858;

MTD/YTD actual expenses was $57,904;

MTD/YTD net loss was ($19,046)

Bridge of Hope Fund:

2023 $37,159

2024 (as of 12/31/24) $132,201

Save the Date! Pender VBS 2025 - Road Trip - is coming June 23 to 27th.

Want to volunteer or need the Zoom link? Contact Jane McKee

Help children discover God’s presence everywhere!

Embark on an exciting journey with Road Trip VBS is based on Joshua 1:9 – "The LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Discover God's presence everywhere as we explore new places, make new friends, and experience God's goodness together.

Join us in a fun-filled adventure on the open road, taking all the kids (Travelers) on thrilling journeys to exciting destinations. Led by the Navigator and an adventurous puppet Scout, kids will learn that God is always with them. Through engaging stories from the Navigators' Guide (the Bible), Travelers will delve into timeless tales of faith from the Old and New Testaments. Get ready for twists, turns, and excitement as they face new challenges and find strength in God's presence on this unforgettable trip!

Road trips are a great way to build strong relationships and create indelible memories. This makes Road Trip! VBS not only a fun experience for kids but also an opportunity for them to strengthen their faith and bond with others in their community. With engaging activities, interactive games, and meaningful lessons, children will have a blast while they grow in their understanding of God's love and promises for everyone.

Green Light: “The LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

Mile Markers:

God is with us on the journey

God is with us when we go off course

God is with us when we’re joyful

God is with us when we’re lonely

God is with us near and far

Bible Stories

Session 1: Abraham and Sarah Follow God (Genesis 12:1-9)

Session 2: The Israelites Take the Scenic Route (Exodus 13:17-12)

Session 3: Mary & Elizabeth’s Family Reunion (Luke 1:39-56)

Session 4: Jesus Visits Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10)

Session 5: On the Road with Paul (Acts 18:1-11)

Hi Sunday School Families & Friends, 

There are some wonderful family/children's activities happening ithis year. Please come and enjoy! All are welcome -- and invite a friend!

The WFCM has an urgent request. They have run out of toilet paper to distribute to the 700 clients they serve each month.

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries ("WFCM") Current Request for Donations

WFCM has been providing food and services to the community for 37 years! Pender was one of the twelve founding churches that set the path and began the journey.  Becky Bryan is our current liaison with WFCM.  Please contact her with any questions.

In May more than 700 families were provided groceries from the Food Pantries, a 15% increase over May of 2023. Serving more families means we have a greater opportunity to make an impact with our donations. 

There are multiple ways you can support this community ministry.  The ways we hear of most often are donations of goods or money. Another way to participate is through volunteering of time to work in the Food Pantry.  If you are interested in volunteering, contact the WFCM office or Becky Bryan.

Financial donations to be used to stock the Food Pantry can be made to Pender to be forwarded to WFCM.  In a recent newsletter, WFCM explained that, because of the savings that flow out of bulk purchases, a donation of $100 is used to purchase the equivalent of $600 of food. 

For donations of food and toiletry items, you may leave your gifts in the grocery cart located by Pender’s front doors.  OR, you can order from Amazon for direct delivery to WFCM at 4511 Daly Drive, Suite J, Chantilly, VA 20151.

~~~

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries - “WFCM”

Update from Becky Bryan, our liaison with WFCM:

From the March WFCM Newsletter:

March 6th is the 38th anniversary of the founding of WFCM by leaders from twelve local congregations who knew that by working together, they could accomplish so much more. We are grateful to these forward-thinking leaders and to the founding congregations that continue to support this work today, providing food and financial assistance to families in western Fairfax County which ensures these families remain safely housed with food in their refrigerators and utilities connected. 

Mark is a senior citizen who receives disability benefits. WFCM has been able to deliver groceries to him through our home delivery program grant with Capital Area Food Bank and DoorDash. He orders the food he needs online, and DoorDash drivers deliver it to him each month. Mark recently told us, “There were so many days that I was without groceries in my refrigerator and cabinets. I don't know what I would do without Western Fairfax Christian Ministries. You have been very responsive and generous to me." 

It takes many partners working together to serve families in our community in need of assistance. During the month of February, I was grateful to meet with Elder Yoo from Korean Central Presbyterian Church to discuss challenges and solutions and to accept a generous donation to support our work. I was also thankful for an opportunity to speak at the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce State of Centreville event along with partners including county government staff and Pastor Wilkins from Mount Olive Baptist Church.

I am grateful for the Fairfax County Food Access Program grant funding that arrived in February to provide funds to purchase food for our markets and Free Food Fridge program (weekend meals for students at 12 FCPS locations). This supplemental grant will enable us to purchase one or two of the most needed/desired food items for our markets each month during calendar year 2025, as well as the yogurt and apples for weekend meals for students for several months. 

With your support, we will continue to meet the needs in our community today, tomorrow, and for many years to come. 

Thank you.

God bless,

Harmonie Taddeo, Executive Director

The Most needed items in the Free Food Market this month:

·    Flour (Maseca preferred)

·    Sugar (1 or 2 lb. bags)

·    Vegetable Oil 

·    Pasta Sauce

·    Pasta

·    Brown Rice 

·    Pancake Mix 

·    Family Sized Snacks (crackers, pretzels, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, etc.) 

·    Canned Chicken 

·    Hot Beverages (ground coffee, tea bags, etc.)

·    Toiletries: We have a big need for toilet paper right now. 

We also need bar soap, body wash, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hair shampoo, hair conditioner, feminine hygiene products, toilet paper, and baby wipes (NOTE: we are not currently in need of diapers size 0-5 due to our partnership with Greater DC Diaper Bank. Please only donate larger size pull ups size 4T/5T for toddlers, size 6 diapers, or baby wipes if you want to donate items for babies.)

Financial donations designated WFCM can be made to Pender to be forwarded to WFCM. 

Donations of food and toiletries may be left in the blue grocery cart located by Pender’s front doors.

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.