Please join us on Saturday, March 7 from 9:00 to 2:00 PM at Pender United Methodist Church for a powerful women's retreat enabling you an opportunity to engage in corporate and individual worship and prayer.

The retreat is designed to bring women together for spiritual growth, personal reflection, and fellowship. The retreat Unshakable Faith will offer two powerful sermons, workshops, and a healing and anointment service that addresses, hope, healing, renewal, and overcoming doubt to stand firm in the midst of your trials.

Theme: Women of Purpose: Trusting in Jesus

Bible Verses: Philippians 2:1-8

Cost: Free, Open to the public

The main speaker will be Reverend Dr. Hyemin J. Na, Assistant Professor of Worship, Media and Culture and Chapel Elder of Oxnam Chapel at Wesley Theological Seminary.

Reverend Dr. Hyemin Na is Assistant Professor of Worship, Media, and Culture and Chapel Elder of Oxnam Chapel at Wesley Theological Seminary.  Professor Na takes decolonial approaches to the study of worship, with research interests in exploring how liturgical practices intersect with media cultures. 

Her scholarship has been supported by major grants and fellowships from the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, the Korea Foundation, the Louisville Institute, and Forum for Theological Exploration, among others.  Before entering the academy, Reverend Dr. Na served in various ministries as an ordained Elder in the Northern-Illinois Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Harvard College, Masters of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and PhD from Emory University.

Please let us know you're coming!

Women's Prayer Retreat

 

Your name, please

Our "2025 Woman of the Year" has done so much for Pender members of all ages! She has taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for many years.

Our special nominee has served on Church Council and has often graced us as Lay Leader on a Sunday morning. She continues to be a Conference Delegate, and her outreach now includes being a guest preacher at other churches.

Our nominee is always able to say a prayer upon request with eloquence. She has personally counseled many young women, and attends Bible Study and "Lectio' Divina" for her own spiritual growth. She is a wonderful role-model of faith and perseverance!

This special woman has lightning fingers when making prayer shawls, and she rings bells with accuracy and teamwork. She continues to bless others, despite her own health issues.

"Well-done, good and faithful servant!

Please stand in appreciation for our amazing "2025 Woman of the Year", Carol-Anne Kaye

The Ruth Circle is collecting brown paper grocery bags for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries, where they’re used to pack food for families in need throughout our community.

If you have extra bags at home, please bring them to church and place them in the brown collection box in the Narthex. Even a few bags make a big difference!

Thank you for helping us turn everyday items into practical acts of care and compassion.

Pender UMC
12401 Alder Woods Drive
Fairfax, VA US 22033

Opportunities to Serve

Lend a helping hand to our local heroes by contributing to the Pender Police Rest Stop! We are currently in need of bottled water.

We are collecting a variety of items that our officers greatly appreciate during their shifts. You can drop off your donations at the church office, clearly marked "Rest Stop."

Here’s what our officers are currently enjoying:

  • Celsius Energy Drinks to keep them energized
  • Drizzilicious Rice Cakes for a light snack
  • A variety of chips for that perfect crunch

Additionally, we're always in need of:

  • Full-size water bottles (Please note: the 4oz bottles are not utilized)
  • Refreshing beverages like seltzers, Gatorade, Propel, Aspire, and other energy drinks
  • Individual-sized snacks such as potato chips, jerky, cookies, and nuts

Your contributions make a real difference in the daily routines of our police officers, providing them with the sustenance and morale boost they need to keep our community safe. Drop by with your contributions and show your support!


The Pender Mini Food Pantry is officially open and ready to serve our community! This little structure—built as an Eagle Scout Project by one of Pender’s Boy Scouts—is a beautiful example of service, compassion, and creativity.

At first glance, it looks a lot like a Little Free Library, but instead of books, it’s stocked with nonperishable food for anyone in need. It’s a simple yet powerful way to share kindness and nourishment in our neighborhood.

What’s Inside:
As of this writing, the pantry is filled with a wide variety of items, including:

  • Canned tuna, chicken, chili, and soup
  • Broth, vegetables, pumpkin, and apple sauce
  • Shelf-stable milk, peach slices, mandarin oranges, and individual fruit packs
  • Jello, pudding cups, mac and cheese servings, and mashed potatoes
  • Coffee, oatmeal, ketchup, gravy packets, and cooking oil

It’s truly a community effort—and every contribution helps keep it going.

Anyone is welcome to take what they need or to donate food items to keep the pantry stocked. When you give, please remember our guiding principle:
Give with dignity. Only donate items you’d feel comfortable using yourself.

Next Events

Request a room by clicking here and choosing "Submit Event.
You will get an email when your event is approved.

Don't Forget!

March 8, 2026

Daylight Savings time begins again! On Sunday, March 8, 2026 at 2:00:00 AM (or earlier!) clocks are turned forward 1...

Praying Our Faith

March 8, 2026

Praying Our Faith Pender members and friends from both services meet in 218/220  to pray for the church and to...

Pender UMC's Egg-citing Easter Bash, March 28

Special Note: Gather your little bunnies for a day filled with crafts, laughter, and hidden treasures. This family-friendly event is the perfect way to celebrate the Easter season.

Don’t miss this chance for fun and fellowship. Invite your friends and family and join us at Pender UMC for an unforgettable afternoon!

Starting Wednesday, March 11 | 6:30 PM (Dinner Included!) | Grades 6–12

Got questions about faith? You’re not alone.

Alpha Youth is a place where middle and high school students can explore the basics of the Christian faith together — in a relaxed, welcoming space. Each Wednesday kicks off at 6:30 PM with dinner, followed by real conversations about life, God, purpose, and what it all means.

No pressure.
No judgment.
No “perfect answers” required.

Just good food, honest discussion, and a chance to figure things out together.

Bring a friend. Bring your questions. Come as you are and see what you think!

This is a week-long hands-on mission trip for middle to high school teenagers that introduces the youth to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ through missional living, confronting issues of social justice, and completion of a hands-on project in Philippi, West Virginia.

Adult volunteers are also needed to assist and support the youth.

This year's trip begins Saturday July 17, 2026

Get ready to turn your next summer VBS into an unforgettable adventure with Snowball Mountain Challenge VBS 2026! 

Snowball Mountain Challenge invites kids to an exciting winter sports event where they become Challengers, gearing up for frosty games, snowy surprises, and hands-on lessons about resilience and faith. They will come to realize that with the strength God provides, they can share their gifts, be brave, give their all, pray, and hope.

Your kids will be guided daily by the energetic Activities Director and the lovable Ollie the Arctic Seal puppet, who is reporting on the events. Challengers aren’t just playing games. Using their Challenge Companion (the Bible), they learn to draw strength from their faith through powerful stories, while connecting the learnings to Bible Stories and Lift Lessons (Key Learnings). With a unique winter theme and solid theology at its core, Snowball Mountain Challenge VBS delivers joy and meaning in equal measure, teaching kids that “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13, NRSV).

Bring your church family together to experience Snowball Mountain Challenge. Your VBS program will be transformed into a mountaintop experience filled with laughter, life lessons, and lasting faith. As children face their challenges and discover their strength in God, you’ll hear them say, “Challenge accepted – with God I am strong.”

Register now.