Getting to Know Our Neighbors – On Sunday, July 17th, there will be one joint worship service at 11:15am, followed by a luncheon in the Gathering Place. Cynthia Lopynski, Program Coordinator from the Arlington District, will share current information regarding Pender UMC’s mission field.  

United Methodists Stand Against Racism – On Sunday, August 7th, at 4pm, in the Gathering Place, the Rev. Deborah Porras will lead an intense Bible study on the important social issue of racism. After the study, informal discussions will continue over ice cream.  

Reaching New People – This is proven, current, methodology for “making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world” UMC BOD, 2016, ¶ 120, It utilizes local church strengths and people to “project the church’s presence” into the community. 

The Rev. Melissa Dunlap has agreed to be our consultant. She is coming on Sunday, September 18, from 3-5pm, to lead an introductory workshop. Everyone is welcome with the goal that there will be a Reaching New People team, made up of both volunteer and recruited members, that will meet monthly with our consultant over a twelve-month period. 

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. (Deuteronomy 6:7)

Staff/Pastor-Parish Relations Committee would like to extend a big note of thanks and appreciation to the entire Vacation Bible School (VBS) Ministry team that included our Pender United Methodist Church staff, volunteers, and members from the broader Pender community. We were blessed with 53 children from our community who participated in VBS from June 20-24th. Families expressed notes of thanks and appreciation that they loved every part of VBS; each day was a day of fun; they learned so much about God's creation; and our children were loved and accepted fully and completely -- thank you!

Minister Howard Fickling-Finley, Minister of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries

Jane McKee, Grow in God Cluster Leader

Brian Stevenson, Director of Music Ministries

Mary O'Connor, Director of Communications

Tom O'Connor, Facilities Manager

Joyce Munt, Office Manager

Maya Berry, Storytelling Center Lead

Bruce McCall, Recreation Center Co-Lead

Jim Pont, Recreation Co-Center Lead

Teresa Rothschild, Music Center Co-Lead

Keith Saddler, Arts & Crafts Lead

Johanna Berry, Grades 3 & 4

Cathleen Dockweiler, Grades 1 & 2

Ash Dougherty, Kindergarten

Cherie Kronimus, Kindergarten

Carol-Anne Kay, Grades 1 & 2

Sue Pierce, Grades 1 & 2

Sara Woods, Grades 3 & 4

Roberta Pont, Grades 3 & 4

Eva Caldrone, Grades 5 & 6

Sam Caldrone, Grades 5 & 6

See the Slideshow from VBS

___________________

As Christians, we are to be considered followers of Jesus. Following requires a sort of faithfulness, the placement of trust in another outside of yourself. Those who have endured the heartache of broken trust know that following is not so passive. But there can be powerful agency in choosing who we follow...who we allow to lead our lives and our future.

John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, understood this quite well. He didn't set out to lead a movement. He didn't set out to create a whole denomination. He was concerned that the Church he loved was not following through with the commitment to love all neighbors, especially the poor. How could one say that they followed Christ while denying marginalized individuals the opportunity to hear the word of God? How could one refuse the ability to commune with other believers solely because of economic status? Through his methodical way of studying God's word, engaging with God, and building accountability groups, he was empowered to follow the nudges from the Holy Spirit: to go where the needy were, meeting them where they were instead of beckoning to come to the lavish buildings that shunned or dismissed them.

Wesley remained faithful to his call from God, enabling him to grow deeper as a follower. And you know the funny thing? People started following him. He became a leader, an influencer, by following the ultimate influencer, [Jesus Christ].Klein, Shandon. “Following in Faithfulness.” The United Methodist Church, Rethink Church, UMC.ORG, 2 May 2022, https://www.umc.org/en/content/following-in-faithfulness.

Hopefully we’ll be able to eat outside. They have a very nice tented area for outside dining. The menu can be found at silverdiner.com/fairoaks.

The Pender Book Lovers Group will be reading Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell for the July meeting. The group will be meeting by Zoom on Sunday, July 10 at 4 PM. The book is available for purchase on Amazon or at the local public library.

Contact Iris for more information or the webmaster for the Zoom link.

The schools have requested 30 backpacks in a variety of sizes and colors for boys and girls in Kindergarten through 6^th grade.  Donations can be placed in the Narthex.

If you prefer to shop online, please ship backpacks to the Pender church office. The deadline for donations is Sunday, August 7. 

There will be three Movie under the Stars events. The first will be July 30 from 4:00pm to 5:30pm.

Point of Contact: Minister Howard Fickling-Finley.

Connect your graduating youth and college students to transformative ministry for the kingdom that creates lifelong learners who influence others to serve today by completing our campus ministry form: VA Student Info for Campus Ministries 

You may also visit this page: Connect with Campus Ministry | VAUMC  or email learning@vaumc.org. 

Get to know more about our campus ministries in Virginia here: Campus Ministers and Chaplains | VAUMC.  Please submit student names and information by July 15th.

Pender Members can add your own events to the calendar through MyPenderPage. 

Log onto MyPenderPage, find "Events" on the menu bar, then "Calendar". On the right top, click on "Add Event" to add it to the Pending Calendar.

If you need a paper form, you can download it here.

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.