Dear Church Family:

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

 From the beginning, human beings were pre-wired to be thankful creatures. Everything about us reminds us that our lives are a gift from a very good God. From beginning to end, and beyond, our generous Creator provides us with a never-ending supply of grace for our every need. One of the marks of being a Christian is that we are becoming more prayerful and thankful in every situation of life. No matter what. This does not mean, of course, that we are to be thankful for suffering and evil. Paul does not admonish us to be thankful for everything that happens to us, but thankful inevery circumstance of life; thankful for God’s renewing presence and sustaining grace in our lives.  

 The apostle John focuses our gratitude on Jesus, the incarnate Word of God in whom God gives us every good gift. “What has come in to being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people” (John 1:3b-4). The life Jesus brings is the visible expression of God’s manifold grace: “From his fullness we have all received grace upon grace.” (1:16) The source of our life and gratitude has a name, the blessed name of Jesus. 

 Gratitude is our way of life as Jesus’ disciples. These days I am especially grateful for the efforts of Jane McKee and her army of helpers who are working overtime to help us make the case to a district UM committee that Pender is worthy to receive a grant to make needed repairs and upgrades to our building. On Friday we will submit our proposal. Please pray with us that the committee members allocating the funds will recognize and be thankful for the new thing God is doing at Pender and discern the wisdom of supporting the Lord’s work here with this grant money.   

 I also want to thank the many of you who contributed to the generous Christmas gift of appreciation to our staff and myself. Week after week, it is a blessing to partner with each of our staff members in joyful service to Christ and his church at Pender. With you, I am deeply grateful to God for their excellent work and faithful witness, and grateful to you for expressing your love and appreciation to us in such a tangible way.

 Yes, we are hard-wired to be thankful. Sometimes that gratitude seems naturally and easily. Other times, we may feel like we have crossed wires with the suffering and ungrateful world leaving us forgetful and fearful. In those moments it is especially important to heed Paul’s admonition to “give thanks in every circumstance,” to remember and celebrate God’s gracious provision in every moment through the Lord Jesus Christ. These days, as I face the likelihood of cancer treatments and physical weakness (and more?), I need daily reminders of God’s abundant grace and infusions of Christ-focused gratitude. Years ago, I adopted the axiom, “Prayer, don’t leave bed without it.” This daily discipline of prayer, Bible and devotional reading, and waiting silently to let the Holy Spirit minister to me before my feet have hit the ground, has never been more important to me than now. An old hymn expressed it something like this: “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.” When I make a habit of beginning my day disconnecting from the fears of the fretful world, I remember who I am in Christ, and that the one who guides me safely into His future is holding me even now, amid the uncertainties of this mortal life. It is as if I am being rewired to be the thankful person God meant for me to be. And when the whole church is learning the disciplines of gratitude, we can be confident and joyful that we are journeying together into the will of our great and generous God.

 In this New Year of making disciples of Jesus Christ, with its devoted labor and many unknowns, I am more grateful than ever to be serving the Lord Jesus Christ with the Pender Family that is learning together to rejoice, pray, and give thanks in every circumstance. It is my confident prayer that, now as always, the Lord’s grace is more than sufficient to meet my every need, and yours, and ours. And that true thought makes me very thankful and happy indeed.

Pastor Bruce

• Now through February 9, bring in soup cans for the Souper Bowl canned soup drive
• Now until February 15, Sign up for the Poetry Slam
• Now until February 28, Boy Scout Troop 1530 Online Mulch Sale
• February 1, Bread of Life
• February 1, Memorial Gathering for Ty Lovitt, 1 pm
• February 2, Fellowship Feast
• February 2, Rise Against Hunger at Vale
• February 9, Souper Bowl soup cans due before the game!
• February 2, Fellowship Feast
• February 23, Juvenile Detention Center
• February 23, Poetry Slam
• March 8, Boy Scout Troop 1530 Mulch Delivery Weekend
• June 23 to 27 - VBS 2025 is coming back

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.

Memorial Gathering for Ty Lovitt Saturday at 1 pm

It's with a heavy heart that we have to say that our precious Ty has gone to be with Jesus.

Joshua "Ty" Lovitt passed away peacefully with his family by his side after a lengthy battle with liver disease.

He is survived by his wife Ginny Atwood Lovitt and son Caleb, his father Kenneth Lovitt and stepmother Joyce, his mother Melinda King, his sister Alexandra Lovitt (JT), nephews Law, Loxley and Larson, his step-sister Crystal King and niece Harper, his father-in-law Mark Atwood and mother-in-law Anne Atwood. Ty was predeceased by his step-father Douglas King, his brother-in-law Christopher Atwood, and maternal grandparents Linwood and Rylma Modlin, and fraternal grandparents Robert and Mabel Allsbrook.

He is also survived by numerous step-brothers, step-sisters and aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ty was born in Norfolk, VA and graduated from Cox High School and then graduated with an international politics degree with a minor in Spanish from George Mason University.

Ty worked for Reef Escape during and after college and was responsible for a multitude of corporate tanks in and around the DC area including the Smithsonian Institute's Natural History Aquarium. He then went on to work in the paralegal field with the Fairfax Commonwealth Attorney's office.

Ty loved the connection of all beings in nature. He loved to travel, play video games and spend time with his favorite boy, Caleb, listening to music and watching anything anime.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Ty's favorite organization, The Christopher Atwood Foundation, www.thecaf.org.

~~

On January 22, 2025, we lost a remarkable soul, Ty Lovitt, at the age of 40, after a long battle with cirrhosis. We’re coming together to honor his life in a way that truly reflects who he was: passionate, generous, and full of love for underdogs and those who were hurting. Ty was one of a kind—silly, compassionate, and fiercely loyal—a friend you could always count on.

Before his passing, Ty expressed his wish for his story to help others. He wanted his life and death to inspire those struggling with anxiety, other mental health challenges, and addiction to fight against shame and stigma and seek help—before it’s too late.

Funds raised in Ty’s memory will support The Chris Atwood Foundation, an organization founded in memory of Ty’s beloved brother-in-law, with whom he is now reunited with in Heaven. The Foundation provides life-saving resources for those facing addiction, including overdose reversal training and medication, recovery housing, family support, reentry and jail-based services, and a recovery community center.



By donating, you will help continue Ty’s legacy of compassion, generosity, and love. Let’s honor him by helping others and creating a more caring community. Thank you for being part of this tribute to an extraordinary man.

Ty's Memorial Gathering will be held Saturday, February 1 in Pender's Gathering Place

Ministry opportunity - would you like to serve your church and the Lord?

Please consider signing up to serve communion. We celebrate this sacrament on the first Sunday of each month and on other special Sundays throughout the year. 

Please contact Donna Parker at musicalmother@gmail.com if you would like to be a part of this wonderful ministry.

We need you! Our wonderful and dedicated children's Sunday School teachers deserve the opportunity to attend the worship service with their families. 

There are sign up sheets in the Narthex with two slots available each Sunday between now and the end of the year. 

You do not have to plan any lessons or even teach. 

We are just in need of extra hands and eyes in each of the two classrooms. 

Please prayerfully consider volunteering for just one Sunday and give our teachers a blessing. 

You will be equally blessed!! 

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!

Vale UMC invites members of the community to help us package 80,000 meals for the global anti-hunger organization Rise Against Hunger.

The meal packaging event will be held at Vale UMC (11528 Vale Road, Oakton) on Sunday, February 2nd and will be organized into three sessions: 11:30-1:30pm, 2:00-4:00pm, & 4:30-6:30pm.

To volunteer for a shift, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE

The whole family can participate! Kids ages 8 and up can help; child care for children under 8 can be provided if you give us advance notice (please make a note in the comments section). And for teens, this is a great opportunity to earn community service hours for school.

NOTE: The meals were purchased from the proceeds of Vale’s annual Christmas tree sale—so if you purchased a tree from Vale, thank you!

Join Pender's Souper Bowl and Make a Difference!

Are you ready to tackle hunger and cheer for your favorite football team? From now until February 9 before the game, cast your vote in Pender’s Souper Bowl event by dropping canned soup into the box labeled with your team’s name! Let’s see which team comes out on top in this friendly competition for a great cause.

We’re excited to kick off a new partnership with Dulles South Soup Kitchen, an incredible organization providing hot, nutritious meals to those in need in a compassionate and dignified way.

Here’s the game plan:

• Vote with soup! Choose your favorite team and drop off cans in their box.
• Soup Collection Deadline: February 9, Super Bowl Sunday before the game starts.
• Goal: Stock up Dulles South Soup Kitchen with lots of soup to support their mission!

Get in the game and help us score big against hunger. Which team will win the Souper Bowl? The power is in your hands (and cans)!

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

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 Saturday, February 15, 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.

Pender's Impact Youth participated in this year's Martin Luther King Day Parade.

• The 20th Annual MLK Holiday DC Peace Walk & Parade was on January 18, 2025!

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

Want to volunteer? 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.