• Now until February 20, Sign up for the Poetry Slam
• Now until February 28, Boy Scout Troop 1530 Online Mulch Sale
• February 15, Memorial Service
• February 16, Lay Leadership Recognition Sunday
• February 17, Presidents' Day. The Church Office will be closed
• February 19, Ruth Circle Service Project
• February 19, Pender GO! Team Meeting
• February 20, Poetry Slam Entries due
• February 23, Juvenile Detention Center
• February 23, Poetry Slam
• March 1, Bread of Life
• March 2, Fellowship Feast
• March 5, Ash Wednesday
• March 6, Joyful Thursdays
• March 8, Boy Scout Troop 1530 Mulch Delivery Weekend
• March 9, Woman of the Year Tea
• June 23 to 27 - VBS 2025 Road Trip

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.
• Pray for Pender
• 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
• 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.

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.

Congratulations, Everyone!

We received a $1,000 DAFgiving 360 grant check today. 

Thanks to everyone for all the hard work that went into submitting this application!

DAFgiving360 is a 501(c)(3) public charity that helps donors make charitable gifts through donor-advised funds (DAFs). 

DAFgiving360's mission is to increase charitable giving in the United States.

Ruth Circle Service Project Rescheduled

February 19 at 9:30 am the Ruth Circle will be filling bags of rice and beans to take to the families in Woodbridge that Lilliana is helping.

We may also be collecting warm clothes for these same families.

This is a one time project.

Contact Roberta Pont for more information.

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

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

We will continue taking clothes through March

Please contact Jane McKee if you have any questions.

A Lamb Center Poem

A true God sighting. At The Lamb Center you never know what you'll find on the wall - showcasing a special poem by one of our guests written in the art room.

Thank you for allowing us to share this beautiful piece, Ron.

Our donors, volunteers, and friends of The Lamb Center like you allow us to continue impacting lives on a day-to-day basis. Thank you for partnering with The Lamb Center mission as we live out the compassionate heart of Christ by serving our neighbors experiencing homelessness! 

Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for (audience)? Why should they care (benefit)? What do I want them to do (call-to-action)?

Create a great offer by adding words like "free," "personalized," "complimentary," or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take action, so consider inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"

Last call!

Hey guys, remember our monthly ROMEOS meet-ups at iHop? It wasn't just about enjoying some great food; it was a chance to kick back and connect with other men through a variety of fun and casual activities.

Interested in starting these lunches up again? Several men have already expressed their interest.

Let us know by email or contacting the office at 703-278-8023

Don't miss out on the good times and great conversations. Join us and make some memories!

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

Through Sunday, February 16: Floris is one of the churches that has shared a signup link (below). Their  Serve and Connections Director, Debbie Cali, said "let me know that you may be interested in helping out with Guest House which is our fancy name for the hypothermia shelter run by FACETS in the churches around Fairfax County. 

This year, with the frigid temps we are expecting 110 guests. Thank God the guests are coming in from the cold, and they are trusting the Facets team but … WOW! WE were used to 50 or so… not 110. 

So far our group has stepped up but we could use some other volunteers to help it run smoothly. 

Here is our sign up genius. 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4EACAE22A31-52284753-2025#/

We are also looking for a group to provide Breakfast Wednesday morning for 110. Long shot but … just wanted to put it out there. 

If you have any questions, please email me directly.  dcali@florisumc.org

This year Centreville UMC is again helping to host the hypothermia shelter for two nights at St. Stephens UMC in Fairfax. We will be hosting on Wednesday, February 19 and Thursday, February 20. We will be cooking the meal and providing evening volunteers, but we will not be having overnight hosts again this year. We will also provide breakfast and lunch for the guests for Thursday, February 20 and Friday, February 21.

We invite you to sign up as an individual or as a ministry group (Bible study group, small group, music group, etc.) to help provide the meal. The menus are as follows: Wednesday -

Taco Night, and Thursday - Soups and Grilled Cheese. 

Your group will be organizing the purchase and cooking of the ingredients for your meal.  Cooks will report directly to St. Stephens UMC. The meal is served at 6 PM, so your arrival time will depend on your cooking needs.

Below is a list of items we need donated.  Please bring donations to Centreville UMC starting on Sunday, February 16 and no later than noon on Wednesday, February 19. Please make sure to label everything "Hypothermia Shelter".

If you have questions, please contact Johannah Evans at johannahevans@yahoo.com or 443-340-1313



Sign up to Help Host the Hypothermia Shelter

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!

Poetry Slam Application

and Guidelines

~~

Please email completed form to webmaster@penderumc.org

POETRY SLAM GUIDELINES

Please review and make sure to adhere to the following guidelines before submitting your poem:



1. Submit only one poem.
2. Your poem must be an original piece of work. Plagiarism is a very serious offense.
3. The theme is TRANSFORMATION.
4. Poetry can be written in any style on the subject of TRANSFORMATION.
5. Please use proper language. Poems containing language that is vulgar, offensive, or wholly inappropriate will not be accepted.
6. All poems must be written in English.
7. The writer must be a student, at least 13 years old in the 7th grade.
8. By submitting your poem to this poetry slam, you accept that your poem will appear online and may appear in a print anthology. Regardless of how your poem will appear, you will be credited as the author.
9. We reserve the right to not publish a poem for any reason.
10. Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
11. Originality and creativity.
12. Quality of the poem - is the idea of TRANSFORMATION communicated clearly?
13. Is the poem well organized?
14. Poets can recite poems from memory or read from paper.
15. Poets cannot use props, costumes, or musical instruments.
16. The delivery of the poem is just as important as the content.
17. Performers will be treated with respect.
18. A poet who is physically unable to read their poem onstage due to a permanent or temporary impairment may have a substitute reader perform the poem as long as: (a) the primary author is in the space and positioned where they are clearly visible to the audience and (b) the reader delivers the poem without significant affectation that draws attention away from the author.
19. We recognize that being on stage may be terrifying. A poet who experiences extreme anxiety about being on stage or who otherwise requires physical support to be on stage may have a teammate or coach accompany, provided that the accompanying support person remains physically neutral on stage and does not engage in anyway that could be considered to make them a performer.
20. Entries can be submitted electronically with this poetry slam application completed to Pender United Methodist Church OR mailed to Pender United Methodist Church, 12401 Alder Woods Drive, Fairfax, Virginia 22033, or dropped off at the church office.
21. All entries must be received in Pender United Methodist Church office no later than Thursday, February 20, 2025.

PRIZES

• Three swag bags will be awarded to the first, second, and third place winner.
• Each swag bag will have a variety of items to include a $100, $75, and $50 Amazon gift card respectively included.

Jane said that she and Bruce McCall walked this last year (or 2 years ago!).

It’s fun and a great cause!

Thank you for participating in the Feed Fairfax 5K over the last four years. With your help, we have raised $178,846 and packed and donated 138,241 meals for kids in Fairfax County Public Schools. 

We are so excited to announce that the Feed Fairfax 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run is back for 2025! The race will take place Saturday, May 3rd at 8am in the Chantilly Planet Fitness parking lot. 

Registration is now live, and this year is going to be even more impactful than last year! 

After you register, you will get a custom discount code to share with a friend! The code is only good for 72 hours, so make sure to use it right after you register!

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

There will be a VBS Planning Meeting on February 7 at 7:00 pm in the Library and on Zoom

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!

As of December 31, 2024:

MTD actual revenue was $57,669;  YTD actual revenue was $559,768;

MTD actual expenses was $63,722; YTD actual expenses was $612,129;

MTD net loss was ($6,053);   YTD net loss was ($52,361).

Bridge of Hope Fund:

2023 $37,159

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

------------------

Total as of 12/31/24  $169,360

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 January WFCM Newsletter we learn that 850 families were served Thanksgiving food as a result of the food donations.  One of the important donations was from the Scouts who collected 44,145 pounds of groceries and toiletries for WFCM. 

These toiletries and canned goods help stock our shelves and provide more options for families WFCM was grateful that the Scouts collection provided enough toilet paper and bar soap donations to resume providing those items to each family in addition to the usual one toiletry per person in the household each month. 

Thanks to each of you at Pender who support these amazing programs with your donations of funds, non-perishable food and toiletries.  

There are 2 ways to support the WFCM food provisions through Pender:

1.     Financial donations designated WFCM may be made to Pender to be forwarded to WFCM.

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

Another way I’ve found to be quite easy is to make purchased through Amazon and have them delivered directly to WFCM at 4511 Daly Drive, Chantilly 20151.

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

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: 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.