The Common Ground Contemporary Service April 14 at 11:15 am will be in person and live-streamed.

Dear Church Family:

After six days of creation, the Creator rested from His labors. When the Lord instructed Israel in how to live with Him and with each other, He included a command for their Sabbath rest. Christians understand that the rhythm of our life as disciples of Jesus Christ is one of work and rest that includes worship. By the grace of Jesus Christ, all creation will finally be renewed in the kingdom of God's Sabbath rest. 

As you read this, I am on a personal retreat at Camp Highroad and gaining much needed rest after a season of Lenten and Easter labor. During this time I will sleep in, pray, read, listen to music, and take long walks in the woods. This will give me rest and renewal for my body and soul. This Sunday I will not be with you in worship but you will be blessed with a message from Carol-Anne Kaye. From Sunday to Thursday, I will be with Nancy at a conference in Lake Junaluska, NC.  

As I have expressed before, I am grateful to be serving our Lord with the disciples at Pender UMC. Now I will be glad for this needed rest and time with my wife. If you have an emergency need during my absence, please contact JaiVon. He will relay messages to me. For other matters, I will get back with you when I return.

Lastly, June 10-12 I will be attending the Pro Ecclesia church conference in Birmingham AL. The conference will include laity, clergy, and professors from many Christian denominations and traditions who gather each year to worship, learn, and talk together about being the faithful church and followers of Jesus in our time and respective places. Thank you to those of you who have helped to defray the cost of this trip by giving money to our pastor's continuing education fund. While we did not seek reimbursement for this expense, I am grateful for your generous support.  

It is good to be servicing Christ with the disciples at Pender UMC,

Pastor Bruce

Addressing Disinformation in The United Methodist Church

Read Bishop Sue’s letter as a PDF

April 4, 2024

To the members and friends of the Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church:

As we approach the convening of the postponed 2020 General Conference in Charlotte, N.C., I must address the varying types of disinformation being promulgated by some as they continue intentionally and concertedly to undermine and tear apart The United Methodist Church.

The following are commitments I want to make as your resident Bishop:

1. The Cabinet and I spend countless hours praying and discerning appointments in order to get the best pastoral fit between pastors and congregations. We are not part of a subversive or underground campaign to appoint LGBTQ+ pastors to every congregation. We would never send clergy to parishes that would not welcome them, follow their leadership, and do them harm. Further, many congregations have indicated that they would be delighted to receive LGBTQ+ pastors. We do not anticipate an overwhelming supply of LGBTQ+ pastors and there should be more than enough congregations to receive those LGBTQ+ pastors we anticipate having.
2. One common point of disinformation is the assertion that, over time, all United Methodist clergy will be forced to perform gay weddings or face being sued if they refuse to officiate. This allegation shows an ignorance of our legal system and denies the great deference it gives to clergy. The U.S. doctrine of separation of church and state prohibits the intrusion of the state into church affairs. Such a lawsuit will never succeed. Giving clergy the opportunity to discern their involvement in a wedding is a right that has always been given to clergy. Calendar conflicts, family conflicts, and differences of perspective have long been realities that keep clergy from officiating weddings. You will always have the ability to refer a couple to another United Methodist clergyperson who might be able to officiate a wedding for a couple when you cannot, no matter what the circumstance might be. No doubt countless clergy refused to conduct marriages between persons of different races when that was legalized. Have you ever heard of a biracial couple bringing suit and successfully forcing a clergyperson to conduct their wedding? No. It hasn’t ever, and will never, happen.
3. Much fear is stirred up by saying that the “progressive movement” and “woke agenda” are taking over The United Methodist Church. Often such statements are coupled with derogatory comments about “social justice.” Social justice and social action do not require alignment with a single political party or perspective. To be clear, The United Methodist Church has a proud history of standing on the side of the poor, the imprisoned, the migrant, the oppressed, and the excluded. The Methodist movement born in England in the 1700’s spoke out against these evils from its inception. The early Methodists established orphanages, feeding stations, schools, and medical facilities. They worked to abolish debtor prisons and the slave trade in the British Empire. Indeed, for John Wesley the natural and expected outgrowth of being personally transformed by Christ (“personal piety”) was to respond to the call to transform society and the world (“social Holiness”). The two cannot be separated: Methodism is not Methodism without social action.
4. United Methodists also have long been at the forefront of the civil rights movement and all other movements that work to ensure that all of God’s children have the equal opportunity to fully live into their God-given gifts and calling. We are proudly inclusive because God excludes none of God’s children and, as revealed in Scripture, God has harsh words for any political system that treats any of God’s children inequitably. We also live as ambassadors for a God that is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and always seeking what it best for God’s children. We are to channel God’s compassion and mercy for all who are in unimaginably hard circumstances, especially those without safety and prosperity in the countries of their birth. We take exception to any who do not first approach aliens, strangers, and migrants with compassion and mercy. It is incomprehensible to us to perceive them with fear, contempt, superiority, and ugliness. We certainly cannot categorically label them all as rapists, murderers, thieves, and vermin. Such an approach does not reflect the nature of the God we follow and is contrary to our Methodist heritage and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
5. We want it to be clear that there will be a place for all in The United Methodist Church. We appreciate traditionalists, centrists, and progressives and stand ready to evangelize as many people as possible by having traditionalist, centrist, and progressive churches. In fact, we doubt there are very few churches that can be described with one of these labels. Most churches are a wonderful array of folks of all types. We see the church as a place of compassion and grace in which all of us journey together as we seek to become more perfect in love for God and love for neighbor. We are bound together in our common proclivity to sin and to pursue our own agendas. Only in an environment of grace and love, with mutual support, where the Holy Spirit does its amazing transforming work, can we work as one in mission to the world. We are bound together by our common mission and our common dependence on God. We do not let our own disagreements drive us apart, but we stay together for the sake of the mission and to live into Jesus’ prayer that we all may be one. Being one despite our differences is our best witness to the supernatural power of God that unites and transforms us all.

Beyond the commitments we make and the responses we have in the Virginia Annual Conference, I would invite you to review the linked statement from the Council of Bishops, which underscores the need for unity in The United Methodist Church.

In closing, I want to condemn the disinformation that is being disseminated that is overtly racist and homophobic. It is unfair to take isolated and extreme situations and present them as the norm or that which will be widespread in the future. We invite all United Methodists to consider the source of such polarizing materials, and to be in conversation with folks throughout the connection, as well as Conference leadership, to gain perspective and a more balanced analysis of our current situation. Our doors are always open to hear your concerns and fairly discuss all matters.



In Christ,

Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson

Resident Bishop, Virginia Annual Conference

Strength Comes Through Struggle

Although we try everything we can to avoid unpleasant experiences in life, sometimes things go wrong: God allows us to go down a path more difficult than we ever expected. There are times that try our souls, they are so hard we come very close to buckling under the pressure of the pain and heartache. Sometimes, we just really suffer!

After his conversion, the Apostle Paul’s moral and ethical life was exemplary by anyones standards. He was also a prolific New Testament writer and a missionary trailblazer. Yet, Paul was shipwrecked, beaten on several occasions, almost stoned to death while doing God’s work, betrayed by his colleagues, and cast into prison. An unlikely set of experiences and outcomes for a man of notable integrity, did so much good work, who was a card carrying member of the privileged class and well educated by Gamaliel, one of the great thinkers of the day.

Sometimes, there are no adequate answers as to why we have to endure some of the more acute difficulties and heartaches in life. It is a mystery. We can, however, recognize we grow stronger because of them. This is also a mystery.

And, it might be the only unobjectionable response to the harder realities that come our way. To use Paul as an example, his sufferings enhanced his sensitivities, molded his character, boosted his spirituality, and accelerated his good work in his lifetime and beyond. Paul acknowledged this mystery in his writings, through his weaknesses and not his strengths he became strong.

Life is not always predictable and sometimes very difficult. Yet, we do become stronger through our heartaches and challenges. This may not always be enough for us, but it is what we have for now. When we pass through this life to the other side, it will be more clear why we went through so much strength training to build up our emotional and spiritual muscle in this life.

Seed Thoughts by Joseph C. Hutchison, Rochester Hills, Michigan, 2020 

• April 13, NO Questions in Faith
• April 14, Last Day to register for the Lava Lip Gloss Workshop. Register here
• April 18, Thursday morning Bible Studies return
• April 20, Dick Busby Funeral at 11:00 am
• April 20, Youth Group Baking Event
• April 21, Youth Group Bake Sale to support the Philippi Youth Missions Trip
• April 21, Woman of the Year Tea
• April 21, Lava Lip Gloss Workshop, Register here
• April 23, Tuesday Evening Bible Studies return
• April 23-May 3, General Conference
• May 5, Graduate Sunday
• May 11, Chris Atwood Foundation HopeFest 2024
• May 11, Concert presented by the Music Department
• May 18-19, Faith Promise Missions Celebration
• May 19, Pentecost Sunday
• June 20-22, Virginia Annual Conference
• June 24-28, VBS. Registration open now at www.penderumc.org/vbs.
• July 19-26, Philippi Youth Missions Trip
• September 8, Back to School picnic
• October 19, Fall Festival/Trunk or Treat
• December 7, Breakfast with Santa

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 Turning Point Youth Group at 4:00 pm
• Monday
• Fun with Music
• Mary Martha Circle, online
• Tuesday
• Recorder Consort or Flute Choir rehearsal
• Handbell rehearsals
• Pastor Bruce Bible Study at 7pm on break
• Wednesday
• Ruth Circle meets in person the second and fourth Wednesday of each month
• AA Meetings at 6pm
• Thursday
• Pastor Bruce Bible Study at 10 am on break
• Lectio Divina Prayer Group Learn more here
• Choir Rehearsal at 6:30
• Praise Band Rehearsal at 7:30

• Check here for other meetings.

After a four-year delay, the 2020 General Conference will take place April 23-May 3, 2024 in Charlotte, NC.

Learn more on the General Conference Page at https://penderumc.org/conference/

Finance Chairman David Kinard brings an exciting update to the Pender community about our dynamic financial endeavor, the "Bridge of Hope" campaign. This initiative isn't just a campaign; it's a journey towards a brighter future for our church, and every member's contribution is a pivotal step on this bridge.

As of April 4, 2024, our collective efforts have already amassed a remarkable $161,905! What's even more heartening is that $10,000 of this is a matching grant from a generous member of our church family. This means every contribution to the "Bridge of Hope" is effectively doubled, up to an astounding $92,000. Every penny you give becomes two, making your impact even more significant.

Pamela and I are personally committed to this cause. All our weekly offerings are now channeled directly to the "Bridge of Hope," ensuring we fully leverage this matching opportunity. We encourage you to consider doing the same. Remember, undesignated funds go into our general fund, so let's be intentional with our giving. It's as simple as marking "Bridge of Hope" on your check, envelope, or selecting it from the dropdown menu when giving online.

Our goal is to maximize this matching gift and double our financial strength. This campaign is more than just numbers; it's about sustaining our beloved church's future. Over the past few years, our savings have dwindled as we've struggled to cover monthly expenses. The "Bridge to Hope" is our path to financial stability, ensuring we don't deplete our reserves.

To help everyone understand the depth and importance of this campaign, we've prepared informative handouts and giving cards available in the Pender narthex. These include answers to frequently asked questions and contact information for any further queries you might have.

Join us in this remarkable journey of faith and generosity. Let's seize this opportunity to double our impact and secure our church's financial future. Your participation in the "Bridge of Hope" campaign is not just a donation; it's an investment in the heart and soul of our Pender community.

To give, click here and choose "Bridge of Hope" - thank you!

The Pender Faith Promise Missions Celebration will begin Saturday May 18 with a Potluck Dinner.

Sunday May 19 at 9AM and 11:15AM Services David and Laura Shuping, long-term Pender members will share about their ministries.

The Annual Missions Conference is an opportunity to meet visiting missionaries, hear their stories about what God is doing in the lives of people, and how lives are being changed throughout the world because of Pender's Faith Promise Missions outreach.

"Experience the spirit of giving this Easter!

On Easter morning 2024, Jane McKee revealed exciting details about Pender's annual mission trip to Philippi happening in July.

She highlighted the diverse volunteer opportunities available for this transformative journey. But that's not all – she also announced that the Easter offering would be dedicated to building Tiny Houses for Philippi.

Imagine the impact! We have the chance to purchase kits, assemble them into cozy homes, and then watch as Ruston Seaman and his dedicated team transport these homes of hope to Philippi.

Dive into this heartwarming mission with us, contribute to a cause that rebuilds lives, and be a part of a community that cares.

Don’t miss out on this incredible journey of faith and service – stay tuned for updates!"

A hop, skip, and a jump of appreciation to all the wonderful volunteers who made Pender's 2024 Easter Egg Hunt an egg-straordinary success!

Whether you sweetened the day with candy donations, skillfully stuffed eggs and treat bags, or brought order to the excited chaos by organizing the little egg hunters, your efforts brought smiles as bright as spring flowers.

To those who were the captains of check-in, the champions of the game stations, and the bingo bosses – you are the heartbeat of our community fun. Special shoutout to the snack squad, who popped the popcorn, stirred the lemonade, and dished out the treats, ensuring nobody hopped away hungry. Let’s not forget the raffle wranglers, who spun the wheel of fortune for delightful surprises.

And to the Bunny Hop dancers – you brought the groove and the moves, making it an unforgettable jig under the spring sun. We couldn't have done it without each and every one of you. Your spirit of giving has truly been the sweetest treat of all!

Hello Pender Family!

We're excited to see all the wonderful meetings and gatherings being planned within our community! To ensure everything runs smoothly, we kindly ask that all Pender meetings, whether they're happening on-campus, off-campus, or virtually via Zoom, be included on the church calendar. This little step helps us all stay connected and informed.

If you're looking to request a meeting, it's super easy! Just fill out this form, and voilà, you're on your way. We'll send you an email to let you know once your event is approved. Just a heads-up: if a room is already booked, we won't be able to schedule your event there, but we'll do our best to find a great alternative for you.

We appreciate your patience in waiting for the approval of your meeting. We know you're eager to get together, but it's best to hold off on resuming meetings until you get the green light. This ensures that your space is confirmed and ready for you. Remember, completing the form is the first step, but your room isn't booked until you receive that approval email.

Thanks for helping everything run like clockwork at Pender! We can't wait to see all the amazing things you'll be doing in your meetings. 

Questions or need help? Email webmaster@penderumc.org.

Blessings and Happy Planning!

No meeting Saturday 4/13/2024

All are welcome to join us for a discussion to consider “Questions in Faith” that pertain to us all, no matter our station of life or faith. 

We will meet in the library at 10:30 to talk about biblical answers to questions about God, faith, and life that relate to us all. 

If you plan to come, contact me to make arrangement to get you a study book that will be the basis of our discussion. 

Bring your Bible with you and invite a friend.  

Grief Counseling

Grief is a non-linear journey, and you don't have to go it alone. Pender UMC specializes in grief counseling and support, to help you through life's most difficult moments. Supporting clients in and around Fair Oaks.

Premarital Counseling for Couples

Prepare for a lifetime together by having the important conversations ahead of time, and in a supportive environment. Pender UMC provides premarital counseling for couples in our Fair Oaks office. Get the support, encouragement, and the tools to build a lasting marriage with our help.

GBE Backpack Meal Program Thanks and Update

The bags are available now to be returned by April 21st.

We wanted to thank you all so much for your very active participation in filling the blue bags for GBE. Each time we put them out they are all taken and brought back full! We can't tell you how much we and the counselors and students at GBE appreciate this! The bags will once again be available this weekend.

We have just been requested to provide 74 bags for each of our remaining three weeks versus the 50 we have been providing weekly. Because of this...there are even more blue bags in need of filling, but a friendly note that this is the LAST time for us to do this for the school year, because of the help of WFCM.

In addition to filling the blue bags if you have any plastic grocery bags that you would like to recycle, they have said that would be of great help in distributing the additional WFCM provided items. Thank you again for your continued support. If you have any questions, please contact Jami Flemmons or Ann Hines.

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

The following donations are currently needed: individual packages of chips, 16 oz bottled water and energy drinks.

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!

BlackGirlScientist, LLC. will sponsor a FREE STEM Workshop (Lava Lip Gloss Lab) at Pender UMC for the maximum of 30 middle school age girls. The goal will be to expose young girls to STEM through an interactive workshop.

STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It's a term used to group together these related technical disciplines. STEM is often used in the context of education policy and school curriculum choices.

Sunday, April 14 is the last day to register!

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!

Discover a supportive space for new beginnings! Join us every Wednesday at 6:00 PM in the serene ambiance of Pender UMC's Library.

At 5:00 PM there is a time of casual chat, known as the "meeting before the meeting".

Engage in meaningful conversations and find camaraderie at our AA meetings, guided by the experienced Tom O, a dedicated long-term member.

These are open meetings.

OPEN (Open to anyone interested in Alcoholics Anonymous' program of recovery from alcoholism)

DISCUSSION (Group participation in discussion of topic relevant to the AA program)

STEP (Group discussion of the 12 steps of AA)

Pender VBS Registration is open!

VBS will be the week of June 24 through June 28

In the bustling, whimsical world of Hero Hotline Headquarters, superheroes of every shape, size, and superpower come together under the watchful eye of the wise Professor and the legendary Super Meer, a daring Meerkat hero.

Here, in this vibrant hub of heroism, young and old heroes alike answer the call of duty, joining forces to lend their extraordinary talents to Hero Teams across the globe.

Whether it's solving perplexing puzzles, battling dastardly villains, or rescuing those in peril, these superheroes are always ready to save the day with a dash of fun, a sprinkle of humor, and a whole lot of heart.

Register at https://penderumc.org/vbs

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. Becky Bryan is our current liaison with WFCM.

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

~~~

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

Most needed items in the food pantry this month:

• Cereal (low sugar preferred)
• Hot Cereal (Oatmeal, Grits)
• Maseca Corn Flour
• Sugar (1 or 2 lb. bags)
• Red Beans (low salt preferred)
• Black Beans (low salt preferred)
• Canned Pasta
• Pasta Sauce
• Flavored Pasta (Pasta Helpers)
• Risotto
• Flavored Rice (Rice A Roni)
• Canned Tomatoes (stewed, crushed, diced, paste)
• Pancake Mix
• Peanut Butter
• Coffee (ground, no k-cups)
• Family Sized Snacks (pretzels, crackers, etc.)
• Canned Mixed Vegetables (low salt preferred)
• Individual Juice Boxes (100% fruit juice preferred)

• Toiletries: body lotion, body wash, toothpaste, hair shampoo, hair conditioner, toilet paper, and lotion (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.)

All donations of food and toiletries are welcomed and needed.

Please no:

* Expired food

* Glass jars

* Egg Cartons

Thanks to all of you who faithfully extend your loving mercy to those in our community who may face food insecurity without the donations we make to WFCM. Usually this Pender weekly email does not contain the entire letter from WFCM with their monthly update. Since it may have been awhile since you’ve seen how your contributions make a difference, please take a couple of minutes to read this. You’ll also learn about the various ways WFCM gets food to those who need it. 

Below is an excerpt from the letter which I want to bring to your attention. 

Please consider a recurring monthly donation. How does this help? We are able to turn your monthly donation of $50 into $300 of groceries.

When you give a cash donation to Pender designated for the WFCM Food Pantry, Pender will forward the donation to WFCM with the restriction to use it for the food pantry. In March we have sent $1,000 – which multiplies into $6,000 worth of food when WFCM makes bulk purchases.

If you have any questions, please contact me, Becky Bryan, or you may contact WFCM directly.

Again, thanks to each of you who continue to support this important ministry.

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.