Matthew 5:14-16 King James Version (KJV) says:
"Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Hey Pender Family It’s always a joy to see your smiling faces, but we know there’s a whole world of amazing achievements and cool activities happening in your lives outside of Pender too. Why keep all that awesomeness to yourselves when we could be celebrating together right here in our newsletter

Kids’ Corner: Did your little one just make the honor roll, strike up a tune in the school orchestra, master the art of coloring inside the lines, score a touchdown, try a triple axel, or toss their graduation cap in the air? We want to hear all about it!

Adult Achievements: What’s new and exciting in your life? Picked up a paintbrush or a guitar recently? Maybe you’ve just designed the next architectural marvel in London, tied on tap shoes, shared a meal with a homeless person, or knitted your first scarf—no feat is too big or small for our Pender community spotlight.

Share Your Stories: Drop us a note, send in a photo, or even a short blurb about what’s new and exciting in your world. Let’s fill our newsletter with your successes and new ventures. After all, every achievement deserves a shoutout!

Can’t wait to feature your stories and celebrate all the incredible things you’re doing. Let’s make our next newsletter issue the most inspiring one yet!

Shine!


May 3, a group of Pender People, including a past pastor and family, will go to Herndon High School to support Sean Wittmer in the title role of "Fiddler on the Roof".

Interested? Ticket info here.

On May 10, several Pender People will be at Oakton High School to support Ash Dougherty as she works diligently back stage to produce the stage play "Pippin".

You can be there, too - tickets here.

June 15, Mary O'Connor, Pender Director of Communications, will play balalaika at Capitol One Hall as part of the Washington Balalaika Orchestra. There will also be two free outdoor concerts this summer. One at Mason District Park in Annandale and one in Harris Pavilion in Manassas.  September 22 there will be a Concert in Support of Ukraine in Culpepper.

Brian Stevenson, Director of Handbells and Ensembles here at Pender, plays a multitude of instruments including bassoon, clarinet, flute, guitar, harp, piano, organ, handbells, recorder and mandolin as well as arranging and directing, harp therapist and luthier.

Brian has completed his studies in piano tuning and repair with a certification from APTN and has just set up a page on NextDoor.  If he's tuned your piano, please give him a good review.  If you need your piano tuned, give him a call.


Recent Past Shining Events

Unleashing Potential with BlackGirlScientist, LLC!

Dive into our latest slideshow featuring the exhilarating Lava Lip Gloss Lab, a FREE STEM Workshop held at Pender UMC, specially designed for 30 middle school-aged girls. This dynamic session was crafted to ignite a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, offering these young minds a hands-on experience that transcends the typical classroom setting.

Why STEM? STEM encompasses the core disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It's more than just an educational framework; it's a gateway to innovation and a critical component of future career paths. Our workshop not only introduced these bright young girls to fundamental concepts but also demonstrated how they can blend creativity with science to create something fun and beautiful like their very own lip gloss!

In this video, watch as curiosity transforms into tangible skills, see the joy of learning in action, and maybe even learn a thing or two about the science behind cosmetics. Don't miss out on the highlights from this empowering event where young girls learn, create, and inspire.

Join us on this journey of discovery and empowerment! Let's inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers together!


Celebrate with us as we honored the United Women in Faith Women of the Year at our special Women of the Year Tea, held on April 21, 2024!

This prestigious event showcased the incredible achievements of Vicki Fitzgerald and Teresa Rothschild, highlighting their remarkable contributions to our community.

Under the leadership of Maya Berry, President of the United Women in Faith Pender UMC Chapter, the event was filled with warmth, inspiration, and a strong sense of fellowship. Join us in this video as we capture the highlights of the tea, from heartfelt speeches to joyful celebrations with members and guests.

Relive the special moments, the elegant decorations, and the community spirit that define the Women of the Year Tea. Whether you're a long-standing member or just curious about the impactful work of the United Women in Faith, this video is your gateway to experiencing the joy and dedication of our honored women.

The background audio was a flute solo by Brian Stevenson on October 3, 2022.


Impact Youth Bake Sale

Welcome to our latest YouTube slideshow featuring Pender's Impact Youth in action!

Dive into our delightful slideshow capturing the sweet moments of our dedicated youth baking cookies, brownies, lemon bars, and more. This isn't just any bake sale; it's a heartfelt effort to support the upcoming Mission Trip to Philippi, West Virginia, from July 19-26, 2024.

Watch as our Impact Youth mix, bake, and decorate their way through an array of delicious treats, all for a noble cause. The proceeds from this bake sale will help fund the construction of tiny houses, providing stable homes for those in need. Each slide in this video not only showcases the fun and fellowship of the baking process but also highlights the spirit of community and charity that drives Pender's youth.

Enjoy the smiles, the teamwork, and of course, the scrumptious baked goods that make this event so special. From stirring the batter to boxing up the final products, every moment is a step towards making a significant difference in the lives of others.


A J Rios is the drummer at Pender's Common Ground Contemporary service each Sunday at 11:15.

Check out his talent any Sunday in person or online. He recently shared his love for music and teaching music with Fox 5 News DC.

AJ and Hawkins from Middle C Music School guided the Fox 5 News hosts through creating a one-of-a-kind band using items anyone could find around the house. From paint cans to water xylophones, watch as everyday objects transform into musical instruments, all tuned to play perfect melodies and rhythms.


We had a night full of strikes, spares, and unforgettable fun! Pender's Impact Youth Group took over the lanes at Fairfax Bowl America for an epic bowling extravaganza.

Friends rallied, favorite bowling balls rolled, and the competition for the first strike was fierce. Whether seasoned pros or first-time bowlers, it was the perfect way to kick back, relax, and enjoy a fantastic evening with the crew.

We all met up and said our goodbyes directly from the bowling alley, still buzzing from the night’s excitement. It was an awesome event that truly struck up loads of fun! Don't miss the highlights—check out our video to relive every frame of the action!