Dear Church Family:

Every year, the District Superintendent of the Northern Virginia District of the Virginia Conference UMC meets individually with each pastor on the district to review the past year and to talk about the future. In advance of the meeting, we are required to answer several questions to help the DS in the assessment. This year, DS Kirk Nave included the following question: "Name the most exciting thing happening in your church?" As I was mulling over the question, I wondered how Pender church members and congregants would respond. At our SPPRC (Staff/Pastor-Parish Relations Committee) meeting last night, I put the question to the committee members. The first response I received was, "Our partnership with Korean UMC of Koinonia." Others nodded in agreement. Another person responded, our Tuesday and Thursday Bible studies. Later on, a committee member added, the healing service we had earlier this year. I was glad to hear the feedback about how we see God working at Pender UMC.

From time to time, the church needs to remember and give thanks for what bring us joy and encouragement, for we recognize these as signs of the Holy Spirit at work among us and of our growing faithfulness to Jesus Christ. My guess is that, if we put the same question to the entire congregation, we would receive an "Amen" to these answers and more also.

With you, I am grateful for the signs of the Spirit expressed in concrete ways and faithful discipleship among us. I am often asked, "How is it going between you and KUMC-K?" and I am happy to report, "Great, we are forming a happy partnership in the mission of Christ that is blessing both congregations and helping us to fulfill our respective work in making disciples of Jesus Christ." 

From a time of great challenge and uncertainty, Pender UMC is now emerging into a new day of mission and ministry, sometimes in surprising ways but always with the Spirit's aid.  But who could have seen it coming?  Well, God saw it coming! and responded to our needs and faithful praying and serving with answers to our problems that we could not have imagined and yet bring us great joy, even excitement.  

Two weeks from this Saturday, August 23 (9:00-3:00), you are invited to join the disciples at Pender UMC to think, pray, and discern together, asking, What new thing does the Lord want to do among us now? What exciting work does Jesus the Head of the Church have for Pender as we seek to fulfill his mission to be and make his disciples?  

In truth, I do not have the answer to these questions. When we gather that morning, we will wrestle together with important questions as we search the Scriptures, give thanks for God's grace in the past, and discuss, pray, and discern the Spirit's leading for this new time. I do not know where the answers will come from, but I am confident that the God of saving and transforming love will come to us with illuminating grace to reveal the will of the Triune God for us in this time. I hope you will pray with me to prepare yourself for what promises to be a great Day of Discernment. If you cannot participate for the entire time, come for as long as you can.  

While it is still a year away, I am confident that when the DS puts the same question to me, I will be excited and grateful to report the new thing God is doing at and through Pender UMC in 2025-2026. Won't you join us as we open ourselves to discover and receive God's new and exciting thing for Pender?

Pastor Bruce  

• August 10, Time of Prayer for the Backpack Blessings Program
• August 10, Book Lovers Club
• August 16, Community Day and Welcome Back to School Festival
• August 17, Backpack Blessings
• August 23, A Day of Discernment
• August 24, Church Council
• August 24, JDC/Juvenile Detention Center
• August 28, Choir Rehearsals Resume
• September 6, Korean Soloist Ensemble Peace Concert with orchestra
• September 8, Fun with Music Resumes
• September 9, Handbell Rehearsals Resume
• September 13 to 21, Walk, Bike & Roll to Worship Week
• September 13, Women's Prayer Retreat
• September 14, Youth Sunday
• September 15, PenderGO! Team
• September 18, Deadline to register for WFCM Walk to End Hunger & Fellowship Breakfast
• September 19-20, Lay Servant Ministry Training event
• October 18, Second Annual Walk to End Hunger
• October 24-25, Focus on the Heart Women's Bible Study with Rev. Christine Hanak
• October 25, Fall Festival/Trunk or Treat
• November 2 (tentative), Rise Against Hunger (with KUMC)
• November 9, Glory Way Concert
• December 6 (tentative), Craft and Christmas Market

Weekly Events

• Sunday
• Children's Sunday School Classes are on summer break until August 17. 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 periodically relieve the Sunday School teachers so they may 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, Resuming September 8, 2025
• Mary Martha Circle, online
• Tuesday
• Handbell rehearsals will resume September 9, 2025
• Pastor Bruce Bible Study
• Wednesday
• Ruth Circle, will resume in September
• AA Meetings at 6pm
• Thursday
• Pastor Bruce Bible Study
• Lectio Divina Prayer Group
• Choir Rehearsal on summer break will resume August 28

Check here for other meetings.

Does your group meet at Pender—either in person or online?

Help us keep the church calendar accurate! If anything’s changing with your recurring meeting, just shoot an email to webmaster@penderumc.org.

Pender meetings follow the school year, so if your group meets weekly or monthly and wants to continue in the fall, you'll need to reschedule for the 2025–2026 year.

With four other congregations now sharing space at Pender, it’s more important than ever to reserve your room—and release it if you're no longer using it.

Pender members and Pender-sponsored groups (like the Boy Scouts) can click here to add your event. Be sure to include your preferred room number.

Once your event is approved, you’ll get an email confirmation. Just remember: if someone else already booked the room, you'll need to pick another option.

Thanks for helping Pender stay organized!

Can you help?

Ruth Wheeler is home and happy, but also weak and receiving hospice care. 

She and her daughter Elizabeth (Delao) are seeking church members and friends who can sit with her from time to time as Elizabeth returns to work. 

If you may be able to help them in this important time, and would like to find out more, you can call the church office to notify Vicki (703-278-8023) or call Elizabeth directly (252-588-2322).  

Join us for an evening of fun, food, music, and games as we celebrate the end of summer with KUMC Koinonia and kick off the new school year!

Bring your friends, family, and neighbors for a free community event packed with excitement:

🎸 Live Bands

🍕 Tasty Food

🎯 Outdoor Games

🎨 Kids' Activities

🎈 And so much more!

Whether you're a student gearing up for school or just love a good neighborhood party, there’s something for everyone.

Let’s send summer off with a smile and start the school year with joy!

Come one, come all — we can't wait to see you there! 😄

📚✨ Embark on a Literary Journey with Fellow Bibliophiles! ✨📚

Are your shelves brimming with tales of intrigue, suspense, and the pursuit of knowledge? Whether you’re a devotee of the latest bestsellers or a connoisseur of timeless classics, the Book Lovers Group is your next chapter!

🗓️ Join us virtually each month on the second Sunday at 4:00 PM for an adventure through pages that promise to be as thrilling as the stories we devour. Our rendezvous lasts approximately 1 1/2 hours—perfect for a deep dive into the heart of each book.

Engage in spirited debates that will challenge your perspectives, enrich your reading experience, and connect you with stories in ways you never expected. Will you be the champion of the underdog novel, or the critic of the acclaimed bestseller? Our discussions are as varied and captivating as the books themselves.

For our upcoming gathering, we’re diving into "James" by Percival Everett.

📅 Mark your calendars for Sunday, August 10 at 4 PM, and let’s unravel the wonders of Jame’s world together, all from the comfort of your own reading nook.

Interested? Reach out to Iris for more details, or contact the webmaster to secure your Zoom link to this literary escape room!

🔍📖 All book lovers are welcome to join the quest. Let’s turn the page to a new adventure!

Event Coordinator • Iris Salcewicz

As a new school year begins, we're kicking things off with special Backpack Blessings!

Whether you're a student, teacher, professor, administrator, or staff member, bring your backpack, briefcase, or tote bag to be blessed for the year ahead.



Let’s surround this school year with hope, prayer, and positivity!

🌿 A Day of Discernment – Seeking God’s Vision for Pender

Exciting news! Church leaders have announced a Day of Discernment scheduled for Saturday, August 23, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM in the Gathering Place.

This special day is a time for the entire Pender family—members and friends alike—to come together in prayer, reflection, and conversation as we seek God’s direction for our church in this season.

Together, we’ll explore scripture, reflect on Pender’s faithful history, and prayerfully consider how the Holy Spirit is leading us now in Jesus’ disciple-making mission. This isn’t just about brainstorming ideas—it’s about discerning God’s purposes and priorities for our congregation and identifying clear steps to align our ministries with His will.

Let’s prepare our hearts by recommitting ourselves to Christ and praying for a renewed vision of what God desires for Pender. Where there is a clear and godly vision—and hearts ready to follow—Jesus' church will surely thrive.

📅 Save the date: August 23

📍 Location: The Gathering Place

🕘 Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Join us as we seek, listen, and step forward in faith—together.

LAY SERVANT MINISTRY TRAINING

Northern Virginia’s next Lay Servant Ministry Training event will take place on Friday and Saturday, September 19-20 at Sudley UMC.

Registration Fee: $35

Classes will be canceled unless they receive a minimum of 5.

Registrants are expected to spend 2 hours before class reading the recommended book.



Please note that we have moved this event to the fall. NEW dates are September 19-20!

Register

SCHEDULE

FRIDAY

6:00 – 7:00 p.m. — Dinner Church and Orientation (Heavy hors d’oeuvres)

7:00-9:00 p.m. — Session #1

SATURDAY

8-8:30 a.m. — Breakfast Church

8:30 – 10:30 a.m. — Session #2

10:30 a.m.– 12:30 p.m. — Session #3

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. — Lunch (provided)

1:30 – 3:30 p.m. — Session #4

3:30 – 3:45 p.m. — Closing Blessing and presentation of certificates

Classes Offered

(Click to find the description of each class)

Register

Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course

Instructor: Nick Abate, Sudley UMC

* (required for any certification)

This course is foundational for all courses in Lay Servant Ministries. Participants are encouraged to discover and employ personal spiritual gifts as God intended and to consider the importance of exercising servant leadership, developing future leaders, remaining rooted in consistent spiritual practices, and being part of a group that holds members accountable in their discipleship.

Required Reading: Lay Servant Ministries

Summer Hymn Sing!

In August, we’re celebrating the rich tradition of congregational singing during our weekly services.

Have a favorite hymn you’d love to sing? Drop the title in the basket on Vicki’s desk—we’d love to include it!

WFCM Walk to End Hunger & Fellowship Breakfast

Registration is now open for this year's Walk & Fellowship Breakfast on Saturday October 18, 2025 during Centreville Day.

Sign up today for breakfast, the walk, or both! All registered participants will be invited to participate in a Virtual Silent Auction October 6-9. 

The Fellowship Breakfast will feature a hearty breakfast including pancakes, eggs, crispy potatoes, and breakfast meat and family-friendly activities. 

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. 

Date: Saturday October 18th

Breakfast: 8:30am - 10:00am

Walk to End Hunger: 10:45am - 11:30am 

Walk Details: The parade route is officially .92 miles. The walk will not be timed. Children in strollers or wagons are welcome. For safety reasons, please no headphones/ear buds, pets, bicycles, or skates. Further locations about the location of the walk, parking, and shuttles will be provided to registered walkers.

All walkers must register by Thursday September 18th to receive a t-shirt. Please wear your Walk to End Hunger 2025 t-shirt during the walk.

All walkers must submit a signed waiver of liability

Together We Walk To End Hunger

While the Pender and KUMC Youth were serving in Philippi, West Virginia from July 19–26, 2025, Jane McKee presented an Easter offering check from the Pender Congregation to Ruston Seaman in support of the Tiny House Project.

During the trip, the youth assisted with construction projects—including painting and work on Tiny Houses—helping to meet local housing needs and share Christ’s love through service.

Need a Pender Magnet for Your Car?

Show your Pender spirit on the road!

We have Pender UMC car magnets available in the church office.

Stop by and pick one up—while supplies last!

Our First Responders need bottled water!

Lend a helping hand to our local heroes by contributing to the Pender Police Rest Stop! We are collecting a variety of items that our officers greatly appreciate during their shifts. You can drop off your donations at the church office, clearly marked "Rest Stop."

Here’s what our officers are currently enjoying:

• Celsius Energy Drinks to keep them energized
• Drizzilicious Rice Cakes for a light snack
• A variety of chips for that perfect crunch

Additionally, we're always in need of:

• Full-size water bottles (Please note: the 4oz bottles are not utilized)
• Refreshing beverages like seltzers, Gatorade, Propel, Aspire, and other energy drinks
• Individual-sized snacks such as potato chips, jerky, cookies, and nuts

Your contributions make a real difference in the daily routines of our police officers, providing them with the sustenance and morale boost they need to keep our community safe.

Drop by with your contributions and show your support!

The Pender Medical Closet Back!

Ruth Circle has restarted 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, ice machines, canes 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!

Right now we have:

• A variety of braces for back, knee and wrist
• Rolling walker with basket
• Canes
• Blood Pressure Monitor
• Polar Active Ice Therapy
• Crutches
• NEW! Wedge pillow - good for backs and after knee surgery
• Treadmill (see below)

On Loan:

• Wheelchair
• Electric Wheelchair
• Rolling Walker

Treadmill Donation Opportunity

We may have a treadmill available for donation—perfect for anyone looking to boost their home fitness!

The equipment can be picked up from the donor’s home, and with a few helping hands and a truck (for which Roberta has a connection), moving it is completely doable.

Interested or want to learn more? Contact Roberta Pont for details.

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 June 30, 2025:

MTD actual revenue was $40,580;  YTD actual revenue was $280,428;

MTD actual expenses was $39,526; YTD actual expenses was $290,471;

MTD net gain was $1,054 ;      YTD net loss was ($10,042).

Let’s Stay Connected!

At Pender, we’re here to support you and your family—whether we’re gathering in person or connecting online.

If you're active on social media, we’d love for you to follow us, share our posts, and help spread the word about all the great things happening at Pender!

Which social media platforms do you use most?

Please let us know by voting on our website!

Your input helps us reach and engage our community more effectively.

Hi, Sunday School Families & Friends, 

There are some wonderful family/children's activities happening this year. 

Please come and enjoy! All are welcome -- and invite a friend!

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries – WFCM - programs are designed to serve as a critical safety net to keep individuals and families in financial crisis housed and fed while providing resources, support, compassion services, and connections to help them work toward financial stability and food security. 

In 1987, Pender UMC along with 11 other local churches saw the need for coordinated aid and formed WFCM. Nearly 40 years later, its primary programs are the Emergency Food Program including two Free Food Markets, 15 satellite site refrigerators, and home delivery and Emergency Housing Financial Services Program (assisting with rent, mortgage, and utility bills) serving an average of 700 families/month, nearly 5,000 individuals/year. WFCM, the anchor community-based organization in Region 4 of Fairfax County, provides food and financial support to families at risk of hunger and homelessness in 9 zip codes in western Fairfax County (Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton, Fairfax, Fairfax Station, Herndon, and Oak Hill).

The WFCM Mission:

As an expression of God’s love and a demonstration of the gospel of Jesus Christ, Western Fairfax Christian Ministries provides food and financial support to those at risk of hunger and homelessness.

If you would like to participate in helping our neighbors, there are several ways 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. 

CURRENT MARKET NEEDS.

Food & Beverages​​​

• Canned Meat (chicken, salmon, sardines, Vienna sausages)
• Canned Vegetables (beets, potatoes, mixed vegetables)
• Pancake Mix
• Boxed Pasta (macaroni, ziti, shells, etc.)
• Mashed Potatoes (pouch or box)
• Flavored Rice and Pasta (Rice A Roni, Knorr pasta sides)
• Canned Fruit (peaches, applesauce, pineapples)
• Kidney Beans
• Macaroni & Cheese
• Cake Mix or Brownie Mix
• Family Sized Snacks (crackers, pretzels, nuts, etc.)
• Shelf Stable Juice (apple, cranberry, grape, etc.) (no glass bottles)
• Hot Beverages (ground coffee, tea bags, etc.)

​

Toiletries

NOTE: Toiletry items cannot be purchased by our clients with SNAP​​

• body wash
• lotion
• deodorant
• mouthwash
• hair conditioner
• feminine hygiene products (pads), and baby wipes (NOTE: we are not currently in need of diapers due to our partnership with Greater DC Diaper Bank. Please only donate baby wipes if you want to donate items for babies.

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.