World Communion Sunday offers us an opportunity to experience Holy Communion in the context of the global community of faith.

The first Sunday of October has become a time when Christians in every culture break bread and pour the cup to remember and affirm Christ as the Head of the Church.

On that day, we remember that we are part of the whole body of believers.

Christians celebrate the communion liturgy in as many ways as there are congregations. World Communion Sunday can be both a profound worship experience and a time for learning more about our wider community of faith.

An Important Message for Parents from Pender UMC ❤️

If your kids are loud, please still come to church.

They’re kids—and we love having them here!

If you’re running late because getting everyone dressed, fed, and out the door felt like a battle, please still come. Walk in late. Walk in frazzled. Walk in carrying backpacks, diaper bags, snacks, and all the things. We’ll be happy to see you.

If your toddler won’t sit still, please still come. Wiggles are welcome! We have a nursery and children’s spaces, and there are plenty of people here who understand that little ones have a lot of energy.

If your baby needs to eat, please still come. Feed that baby. Comfort that baby. Do whatever your baby needs. You never need to apologize for caring for your child at church.

If your child asks questions at the least convenient moment, please still come. We love their curiosity, their observations, and those wonderfully unexpected questions.

Children are learning what worship means—and sometimes their questions are part of that learning.

If you feel like you spent the entire service managing your children and heard approximately 12% of the sermon, please still come. We understand. We are a church family. We’ll encourage you, help when we can, and remind you that showing up matters.

If you’re worried your children are distracting the people around you, please still come. Children are not an interruption to church. They are part of the church. Our congregation loves them, and we want them here.

Please don’t wait until your children are older, quieter, calmer, or better at sitting still before bringing them to worship.

Bring them just as they are. Bring yourself just as you are.

There will be wiggles.

There may be noise.

There may be spilled snacks.

There will definitely be questions.

And there will also be joy, laughter, learning, love, and a community that wants your family here.

Come as you are.

Your children belong here.

You belong here.

❤️ At Pender, there is a place for every generation.

I guess you can name the ten commandments right? No?

How about where they are located in the old testament? No?

Well, let Chuck explain about the ten commandments.

Chuck explains in the video below.

• October 1, Choir Rehearsal
• October 2, Becoming a Godly Woman
• October 4, Impact Youth
• October 5 Fun With Music
• October 5, Mary Martha Circle
• October 6, Handbell Rehearsals
• October 6, Pastor Bruce Evening Bible Study
• October 7, AA Open Meeting
• October 8, Pastor Bruce Morning Bible Study
• October 10, Caring Hands
• October 17, Walk to End Hunger
• October 17, Washington Soloists Ensemble Concert 
• October 24, Pender United Women in Faith General Meeting
• October 25, Youth Harvest Festival
• November 5, Joyful Thursday
• November 8, Charge Conference
• December 5, Christmas Joy at Pender
• December 6, Fellowship Feast
• December 12, Christmas Concert
• December 19, JDC Christmas Party

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.

🌸 Becoming a Godly Woman | Small-Group Study

What does it mean to become a godly woman—not just on the outside, but from the inside out?

Becoming a Godly Woman is a small-group course designed to help you grow in your relationship with God by exploring the deeper patterns that shape our thoughts, emotions, and reactions.

Together, we’ll look beyond surface behaviors and discover how God meets us in our struggles, heals our hearts, and transforms us from the inside out. Through conversation, reflection, and faith-filled community, we’ll explore what it means to grow closer to God and allow Him to shape our lives.

📅 Small-Group Details

Fridays, October 2–November 13

10:00–11:45 a.m.

📖 Handbook: $30

💗 Scholarships are available.

If you’d like to learn more or register, please contact the Pender United Methodist Church office.

Come as you are. Bring your questions, your experiences, and your desire to grow.

There is room for you in this journey. ❤️

Items below:

• Drivers Needed
• Answering the Call
• WFCM News, including a job offer
• Upcoming Events including Pender United Women in Faith General Meeting, A Youth Harvest Festival and A Family Christmas Morning
• News from Pender’s Scout Troop 1530
• Medical Equipment
• JDC Christmas Party
• Financial News
• United Women in Faith Announces 2027 Reading Program List
• A Bit of Humor

Drivers Needed

Would you be able to driver some of our Pender family members to worship from time to time? 

We are blessed to have a couple of us who have done this on a regular basis, but now they need help in getting some of our younger brothers and sisters to church. 

Please contact Pastor Bruce if you would like to consider helping with this important ministry.

WFCM Executive Director's Update 

September is Hunger Action Month. Every year this brings renewed awareness to the challenges of hunger and food insecurity in our community. At WFCM, we re-start the deliveries to stock the Free Food Fridges at 12 Fairfax County Public Schools providing weekend meals for nearly 700 students. We also start working with partners to plan the November and December Holiday/School's Out Food Distributions that will serve hundreds of families (link to sign up is below). We look forward to community members helping us stock our shelves through annual food drives coordinated by our partners including the Fairfax County Government Stuff the Bus food collection on September 19th (donate at the Sully District Government Center to benefit WFCM) and Scouting for Food on November 14th. In addition to attending several community and school fairs, WFCM is preparing for our annual Resource Fair that will be held later this month for families we serve.

As we prepare for Holiday/School's Out Food, and always seek to hear the needs of the families we serve, we surveyed families in August to ask about food preferences. In addition to sharing food preferences, clients shared these comments in the survey: 

•  “Thank you for all you do. It makes life a little less stressful for so many people when we don’t have to worry about how we’re going to afford our next meal.” 




•  “We had a very positive experience with your organization. The food was greatly appreciated, and your kindness, generosity, and care for the community truly make a difference. Thank you for your wonderful support and for helping families in need.”

•  “These resources have been of great help to our family. We are forever grateful for the service and kindness we receive every month from WFCM’s Chantilly Market.”

• “I really appreciate the lady who packs my groceries (after I select them in the market). She is amazing.”

I am grateful to all of our volunteers and partners who ensure families receive the food they need and feel treated well when visiting WFCM. 

In addition to the critical resources of food and financial assistance for housing, last month 15 congregation partners (including hundreds of community members) provided 1,355 backpacks for students at 18 local Fairfax County Public Schools, as requested by school staff to meet their needs. Thank you to everyone who participated! 

If you are looking for additional ways to get involved this month, consider using the ideas on the Hunger Action Month calendar developed by our Deputy Director, Pamela. Click here to download the Hunger Action Month Calendar pdf. You can also save the date and share the flyer for Stuff the Bus by downloading the Stuff the Bus pdf here. 

To sign up to support the Thanksgiving or December Holiday/School's Out Food Distributions, please complete this survey by October 16th. 

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

God bless,
Harmonie Taddeo, Executive Director

Other WFCM needs:

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. 

🎒 Answering the Call: Supporting Students at Skyview High School

Last week, Pender UMC received an urgent request from Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM): Could we help provide six backpacks for students with significant needs?

The answer was yes! Through the generosity and caring spirit of our Pender community, the need was met. Arlet Williams recently met with Loris, the Family Liaison Officer at Skyview High School, to help get these much-needed backpacks into the hands of students.

Skyview is a brand-new comprehensive Fairfax County high school designed to prepare students for specialized pathways in aerospace, artificial intelligence, technology, and robotics. The school is also committed to being a relationship-centered community where meaningful connections are built among students, staff, families, and the wider community.

Please keep Skyview High School—its students, families, faculty, and staff—in your prayers. And pray that Pender will continue to recognize opportunities like this one to reach beyond our walls, respond to our neighbors’ needs, and share the love of God and love of neighbor in meaningful and practical ways.

Sometimes sharing God’s love begins with something as simple as a backpack. ❤️

Registration is now closed for
the 3rd Walk to End Hunger and Fellowship

Breakfast on Saturday October 17, 2026. The Walk to End Hunger is part of the Centreville Day Parade. 

​

Date: October 17

Breakfast: 8:45-10am

Walk to End Hunger: 10:45-11:30am 

The Fellowship Breakfast will feature a hearty meal including pancakes, eggs, crispy potatoes, and breakfast meat. Families can enjoy having their faces painted while we eat, chat, and hear WFCM updates. ​​The Walk to End Hunger is a one-mile family-friendly walk at the end of the Centreville Day Parade to raise awareness about food insecurity in our communities and ​raise funds for our Free Food Markets in Chantilly and Centreville. To learn more about Centreville Day activities, visit historiccentrevilleva.org. 

​

New this year, WFCM participants will have our own shuttle buses between the breakfast location and Centreville Day. While you may register for the breakfast only or walk only, we encourage you to join us for both. If you are concerned about walking the full mile in the parade, you may take the WFCM shuttle and watch the parade, with minimal walking to and from the shuttle drop-off location.

​

Also new this year, instead of a virtual auction WFCM will offer a raffle for dining gift cards for registered participants. Each Adult/Youth registered participant will receive one raffle ticket. You can purchase additional raffle tickets when signing up for the breakfast and or walk online. All prizes are valued at $100+. Limit one prize per person. Raffle ticket sales are tax deductible less the value of any prize won. Raffle sales end October 14th prior to the breakfast and walk. ​

Pender United Women in Faith General Meeting October 24 at 9 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!

🍂🎃 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

⏰ 5:30–7:00 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!

Create • Celebrate • Share

A Family Christmas Morning at Pender UMC

🍪 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!

🏕️ Adventure, Leadership & Fun — Join Scout Troop 1530!

Pender UMC’s Scout Troop 1530 is welcoming new Scouts and their families!

Scouting gives young people opportunities to get outdoors, try new adventures, build confidence, develop leadership skills, and learn the value of teamwork and community service. Along the way, Scouts make friendships and memories that can last a lifetime.

Youth in 5th through 12th grades are invited to come see what Troop 1530 is all about. The troop meets Monday evenings at 7:00 PM at Pender United Methodist Church. Prospective Scouts and their families are welcome to stop by, meet the troop, and learn more—no commitment necessary.

Whether your child loves camping and the outdoors, wants to learn new skills, or is simply looking for a place to belong and grow, Troop 1530 would love to welcome you!

For questions or additional information, please contact Joseph Lin or Scoutmaster Pat Jones at patjones1962@gmail.com.

Come explore what Scouting has to offer with Pender’s Troop 1530! ⚜️

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 August 31, 2026:



MTD actual revenue was $50,450;  YTD actual revenue was $359,903;

MTD actual expenses was $44,029; YTD actual expenses was $404,322;

MTD net gain was $6,420;      YTD net loss was ($44,419).

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.