The Common Ground Contemporary Service September 1 at 11:15 am will be in person and live-streamed.

• September 1, Finance Committee Primer on Apportionments to the Virginia Annual Conference and Northern Virginia District
• September 2, Labor Day. The Church Office will be closed
• September 3, Handbell Rehearsals resume
• September 8, One Combined Service at 10 am
• September 8, Back to School lunch
• September 8, Kirk Nave Installation Service as new District Superintendent
• September 9, Fun With Music resumes
• September 9, Book Squad begins
• September 11, Ruth Circle at Roberta Pont's house
• September 22, JDC, Juvenile Detention Center
• October 3, Girl Scouts resume
• October 19, Fall Festival/Trunk or Treat
• December 7, Christmas Caroling
• December 14, Breakfast with Santa
• January 12, Poetry Slam

Weekly Events

• Sunday
• Children's Sunday School Class at 10:15 am.
• Youth Sunday School Class meets at 10:15 am.
• Connections Adult Class meets at 10:15 am
• The Seeker Sunday School Class meets at 10:15 am.
• Pray for Pender, 10:15 am
• The Impact Youth Group at 5:00 pm
• Monday
• Fun with Music resumes September 9
• Mary Martha Circle, online
• Tuesday
• Handbell rehearsals return September 3
• Pastor Bruce Bible Study at 7pm
• Wednesday
• Ruth Circle returns September 11
• AA Meetings at 6pm
• Thursday
• Pastor Bruce Bible Study at 10:00 am
• Lectio Divina Prayer Group
• Choir Rehearsal at 6:30
• Praise Band Rehearsal at 7:30

• Check here for other meetings.



Dear Church Family:

Pender UMC is a busy place as we enter a new school year and fall season.  

After a summer break, our Bible study will resume soon with a study of the Gospel according to John. Of the four gospels, John is unique in helping Christians to ask and consider the deeper questions about Jesus’ life, ministry, and person, and how this knowledge is related to our lives as his disciples today. As before, we will meet on Tuesday evenings at 7:00pm and Thursday mornings at 10:00am, beginning September 17 and 19. Whether or not you have participated in previous studies, I invite you to join with fellow Pender members and friends as we learn and grow together in our faith and practice as Jesus’ followers here at Pender. All you need to bring is your favorite Bible translation. Feel free to invite a friend or neighbor. All are welcome to come and learn of the Lord and enjoy the fellowship of believers. 

Last Sunday, Pamela and David Kinard (Finance co-chairs) made a detailed presentation between services about how our money is spent, especially regarding the apportionments we commit to pay as a United Methodist congregation. If you were unable to be there, they will do the same this Sunday at 10:15 in the Gathering Place. I encourage you to attend and to bring your questions with you.  

Our ministry to needy persons continues to be a vital part of our community outreach. On many occasions, I have been privileged to take part in this ministry and often find not only need but great faith among those who seek our help. Last fall, a couple in our church donated food and gas cards to help persons who come to us with emergency needs. Those have now all been given away. This coming Sunday, money left on the altar rail during communion will go to purchase more of the same. If you would like to help us in an even greater way, you may purchase food cards directly from Harris Teeter or gas cards from Shell at $20 increments. Thank you for helping Pender to minister to “some of the least of these” whom the Lord loves.       

In this new season there is much work to be done in Christ’s church. In many ways, Pender UMC is stepping up in this time to help us be faithful in ways great and small. The Spirit of the risen Christ is alive and well among us as we live into the new season and hopeful future, and I am grateful to be walking with you into it as your pastor and fellow disciple.

Pastor Bruce

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.

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.

The church office will be closed for Labor Day on September 2, 2024.

Back to School Luncheon!

Join us for a delicious potluck luncheon as we kick off the school year with great food and great company!

Date:  September 8, 2024

Time: Noon - 2pm  

Location: Gathering Place, Pender UMC  

12401 Alder Woods Drive, Fairfax, VA 22033  

(703) 278 - 8023

What's Happening?  

We Provide: Mouthwatering BBQ  

You Bring: A dessert or salad to share  

Let’s celebrate the new school year together! See you there!

Pender UMC 

12401 Alder Woods Drive, Fairfax, VA 22033  

(703) 278 - 8023

Calling All Musicians: Join Our Church's Vibrant Music Ministry! 🎶🙌

Are you passionate about music? Do you feel called to share your musical gifts in a community of faith? Pender is seeking talented musicians to join our vibrant Music Ministry team and contribute to our uplifting and spiritually enriching worship services!

What We're Looking For:

• Instrumentalists: Whether you shine on the strings, whisper with the woodwinds, or resonate with the brass, we need your skills to fill our sanctuary with harmonious sounds.
• Vocalists: Sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses—lend your voices to help lead our congregation in song and praise.
• Handbell Ringers: We will teach you to play during our services and special events.

Why Join Us?

• Community Impact: Through your music, you can touch the hearts of our congregation and inspire joy and contemplation in our weekly gatherings.
• Spiritual Growth: Participate in a ministry that not only serves others but also nurtures your own faith and connection to the divine.
• Musical Development: Collaborate with experienced musicians and vocalists that will help you hone your craft and explore new musical opportunities.

Get Involved:

• Rehearsals: We meet weekly to practice and prepare, ensuring every service is both spiritually and musically fulfilling.
• Sunday Services: Be a part of our regular worship schedule and special holiday performances that highlight the church calendar.
• Community Outreach: Occasionally, our music ministry participates in local events and services, expanding our impact beyond the church walls.

If you're excited about making a joyful noise unto the Lord and enhancing our worship experiences, we would love to hear from you! Contact our Music Director today to learn more about how you can get involved.

Let your talent soar in a place where music meets ministry, and together, we'll create beautiful worship experiences that resonate with all who attend.

Join us and be a key note in our melody of faith! 🎵✨

Blessing Box

Pender has a Blessing Box at the end of the driveway near the lower parking lot which could always use donations. When you’re near Pender, please pay it forward and share a few groceries with those in need. There is no lock on it- it’s open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

“Take what you need.

Leave what you can.

Little becomes much

In the Master’s hand.”

Hebrews 13:16: “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”

Together We Walk To End Hunger is a one-mile family-friendly walk during the Centreville Day Parade to raise awareness of food insecurity in our community and fund solutions. Generously sponsored by Keener Insurance Agency, Inc., 100% of walker registration fees benefit Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) and our Free Food Market operations. 

Date and Time: Saturday, October 19, 2024. Parade line-up begins at 10:45 am with the parade starting at 11:00 am and the walk finishing by approximately 11:30 am.

Walk Details: The parade route is officially 0.92 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. 

Registration: All walkers must register online by Friday, September 20th to receive official walk swag. Please wear your t-shirt and/or wristband on October 19th. 

• Adult registration, includes commemorative t-shirt: $35 (+$2.42 online payment processing fee)
• Youth, aged 13 - 17, includes adult-sized t-shirt and wristband: $35 (+$2.42 online payment processing fee)
• OR Youth under age 18, includes wristband (no t-shirt): $15 (+$1.21 online payment processing fee)
• Children aged 3 - 12, includes wristband (no t-shirt): $15 (+$1.21 online payment processing fee)
• Children age 2 and younger: Free

​

Swag Pick-Up: You will be emailed with dates and times to pick up your commemorative t-shirt and /or silicone wristbands at WFCM offices in Chantilly. Walk items will not be delivered.

Location: The Centreville Day Parade takes place in Historic Centreville at the intersections for Route 29 and Braddock Road. A street address you can use to locate the event is 5714 Mt. Gilead Road, Centreville 20120. NOTE: streets are closed to vehicles! The parade begins at the very end of Wharton Lane and marches down that road past the Centreville Day stage on Mount Gilead Road and ends on Braddock Road. 

​

Parking: Remote parking is available on Rt 29 near Carrabba's. Free shuttles will take you from parking on Rt 29 to Braddock Road. 

Centreville Day Activities: For more information about Centreville Day activities, please visit https://www.historiccentrevilleva.org/

Waiver required to participate. Return signed waivers to donorsupport@wfcmva.org. 

Support our First Responders by helping us restock our Rest Stop.

The following donations are currently needed: individual packages beef jerky, 16 oz bottled water and energy drinks. They don't currently need chips.

Donations can be dropped off in the Church Office.

Our officers continually let us know how blessed they are to have a safe place here at Pender! In turn, we are safer because of their presence!

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!

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.

~~~

The WFCM blue cart is between the two front doors of the church.

Most needed items in the food pantry this month:

• Flour
• Sugar (1 or 2 lb. bags)
• Vegetable Oil
• Pasta Sauce
• Pasta
• Cereal (low sugar preferred)
• Pancake Mix
• Family Sized Snacks (crackers, pretzels)
• Canned Chicken

• Toiletries: bar soap, body wash, toothpaste, hair shampoo, 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.)

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.

Please no:

* Expired food

* Glass jars

* Egg Cartons

Read this month's WFCM Newsletter.

The WFCM Food Pantry is accepting outside donations at their address below. There is a greater need for food but fewer donations.

You can also help by ordering from Amazon for delivery to WFCM. Rice, beans, canned fruit, diapers (Sizes 4, 5, 6), pasta, pasta sauce, etc.



                   WFCM

                   4511 Daly Drive, Suite J

                   Chantilly, VA 20151

Financial contributions are also accepted (cash, check or through our website). Please mark your tax deductible donation "WFCM Food Pantry." This will be recorded on your giving statement.

Thank you for your continuing support of WFCM. In 2021, Pender donated 6,128.74 pounds of food and personal care items to help the needy in the community. Thank you for your ongoing and generous support of WFCM.

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.