Dear Church Family:

New Bible Study with Pastor Bruce

Have you ever considered the difference between United Methodism and Methodism? Do you know why it matters greatly for the renewal of the church today? 

For the next several weeks, Pastor Bruce will lead a book-based discussion that will give us a chance to ask crucial questions and talk about what it means to be a vital and faithful church in the Wesleyan/Methodist family of churches in our time and place. 

We are meeting on Tuesday evenings at 7:00pm in the library and on Thursdays at 10:00am.

 If you are curious about these issues, please take and read the photo-copied material (the forward and chapter one of Mainline or Methodist?) to be found on the table in the narthex on Sunday or in the church office during the week and join us on Tuesday as we begin a timely conversation with practical importance for Pender UMC.

Pastor Bruce   

UMM Exploratory Meeting

It has been decided to consider re-establishing a United Methodist Men group here at Pender.

In order to evaluate the viability of forming a new UMM organization we will beholding an exploratory discussion with all interested male members of the congregation in the Gathering Place on Sunday, 24 September directly after the second service. 

Since we will be serving lunch at the meeting, we are requesting that interested people let register in advance by e-mailing Keith Saddler at keith.saddler@verizon.net

We are optimistic that we will be able to re-establish a UMM fellowship which can become a valuable entity in our church experience and in Pender’s community outreach.

The United Women in Faith will have a membership meeting on Saturday, September 16 at 10 AM. 

We will be meeting in the Gathering Space and will be having a light breakfast. We will be discussing Luke 13. 

All ladies are invited and please bring a friend with you. Questions, contact Maya Berry.

Starting Today!

Thursday, September 7. The Music Experience is a weekly 45 minute session for third through sixth grade children from 4:30-5:15.

Children can perform, read, write, and experience music, no prior music knowledge necessary.

Sanctuary Choir Rehearsals will resume this evening Thursday, September 7 at 7:30 pm.

We will have our two Director of Music finalist candidates come and lead us through a hymn, our Sunday anthem, and a music selection of their choice for us to sight read. Each candidate will have 15 minutes to work with us as a choir. 

The remaining 30-40 minutes of choir rehearsal will be led by Jane and she will lead us through our music for the month of September.  

It would be so very wonderful if as many of you could come. 



It is Staff/Pastor-Parish Relations Committee hope and prayer that we will have a decision no later than the week of September 24th (the latest). So come make a joyful noise and be a part of selection process of our new Director of Music Ministries. 

All are welcome!

Handbells are not just for children and teens! We have adult handbell groups for beginner to advanced ringers.  The difficulty level of handbell music is rated from Level 1 (easy) to Level 6 (most difficult). Each of the groups rings 6-8 times in worship between September and June and participates in the annual Christmas handbell concert. 

The groups also like to participate in the various festivals that are held by the regional handbell guild (Handbell Musicians of America – Area 3). Our rehearsals are full of laughing and ringing (sometimes more laughing than ringing!) You do not have to know how to read music to learn how to ring handbells! 

Carillon Ringers group is for ringers who ring Level 2 and Level 3 music.

Carillon Ringers rehearse at 6:45 Tuesday. The handbells will play during the Traditional Service about once every four to six weeks. 

Joy Ringers group is for advanced ringers who ring Level 4 and Level 5 music

Joy Ringers rehearse at 7:30 Tuesday. The handbells will play during the Traditional Service about once every four to six weeks. 

Interested? Contact Brian or the Music Ministry

There are two bins in the narthex for the congregation to supply individually wrapped candy and snacks for the Fall Festival on October 21. 

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries ("WFCM") Current Request for Donations

WFCM has been providing food and services to the community for 35 years. Pender was one of the twelve founding churches that set the path and began the journey.

Thanks goes out to all of you who continue to support WFCM many programs.

~~~

The WFCM blue cart is outside the church.

All donations of food and toiletries are welcomed and needed.

Item of the Week: Canned Vegetables

Please no:

* Expired food

* Glass jars

Thank you for your continuing generous support of WFCM.

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.