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Monthly Archives: August 2025

Pender Handbells

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 monthly 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 worship about once every month. Brian will make out the usual schedule at the beginning of rehearsals starting on September 9th.

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 worship about once every month. Brian will make out the usual schedule at the beginning of rehearsals starting on September 9th.

On Pentecost Sunday, June 8, 2025, Pender’s combined handbell groups rang out a joyful and unforgettable rendition of “Hail, Holy Queen”, arranged by Marc Shaiman and adapted for handbells by Kevin McChesney—all under the spirited direction of Brian Stevenson.

🎶 Remember the movie Sister Act with Whoopi Goldberg? Well, hold onto your wimple—this rollicking handbell version of the classic SALVE REGINA hymn is sure to lift your spirits and put a smile on your face!
🔥 Joyful
🔥 Energetic
🔥 Pure Pentecost fun!

Let this electrifying performance fill your heart with the Spirit’s joy!

Interested? Contact Pender

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Posted by MaryO on August 30, 2025 in Ministries, Music, Music Ministry, Pender UMC, Videos

Tags: Adult Handbells, bells, Carillon Ringers, Joy Ringers, Music Ministry

Celebration of Life for Ruth Wheeler

27 Aug

Please pray for the family and loved ones of
Ruth Wheeler
a beloved long-time member of
Pender United Methodist Church

Celebration of Life
will be held Saturday
August 30, 2025 at 3 pm
with a reception to follow.

Ruth Chickering Wheeler
October 18, 1926 – August 21, 2025

Ruth Joyce Chickering Wheeler was born October 18, 1926 to Edith (Gile) and Arthur Chickering in Concord Hospital, Concord, NH. She died on August 21, 2025 peacefully at her home.

Services will be held Saturday, August 30, 2025 at 3PM at Pender United Methodist Church, 12401 Alder Woods Dr, Fairfax, VA. Reception to follow.

Ruth grew up on Pembroke Street, Pembroke, NH. She is a graduate of Pembroke Academy in Pembroke, NH and Wheelock College in Boston, MA.

After graduation Ruth taught kindergarten in Laconia, NH and through earning a fellowship in Washington, DC from Wheelock College she met and married Arthur Adrian Wheeler, August 15, 1953 in Pembroke and made a home in Fairfax, VA. There they began their family; Anna, Lawrence and Elizabeth Wheeler, and Jonathan Chickering.

In the early 1960’s Ruth and friend Angela Riedel started Pender Hill School at the little Pender United Methodist Church at the corner of West Ox Road and Route 50. She was director from 1962-1997 and she taught preschool there at Pender Hill Preschool throughout those years until her retirement in 1999.

Ruth was a very active member at Pender United Methodist Church for over 70 years. She taught Sunday School, worked in the nursery, was a long-standing member of the United Methodist Women’s Fellowship, working on Methodist Men dinners, the Bazaars, Boutiques, Flea Markets and basically anywhere she was needed.

She was an active member of the PTA at Navy School when her children were in attendance there. Everywhere she went she worked sharing her love of children. Her smile and willingness to be involved encouraged those around her to join in the fun. In her later years she was often seen at Senior Citizen dances around the Northern Virginia area. She loved Ballroom dances best but was up for trying any dance being played. She will definitely be dancing in heaven joining husbands, Arthur Wheeler and Earl McKay and beloved friend Paul Hirt.

Ruth leaves behind her children Anna Sue (Wheeler) and Alan Gibbs (Concord, NH), Lawrence Wheeler (Culpepper, VA), Elizabeth (Wheeler) and Ignacio De La O (Danville and Fairfax, VA), Jonathan and Lindsay Chickering (Nokesville, VA). Grandchildren: Christopher Gibbs (New Durham, NH), Jeremy Gibbs (Sanbornton, NH); Deana Sietz (Seattle, WA); Carlos De La O (Raleigh, NC) and Daniela De La O (San Angelo, TX); Cali, Tanner and Kyler Chickering (Nokesville, VA). Great Grandchildren: Michael, Josh, Austin, Caleb and Kendyll Gibbs; a multitude of nieces and nephews, friends and well loved “step and adopted” family.

DONATIONS

Pender United Methodist Church12401 Alder Woods Dr, Fairfax, Virginia 22033
Pender Hill United Methodist Preschool12401 Alder Woods Dr, Fairfax, Virginia 22033

From https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/fairfax-va/ruth-wheeler-12496174

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Posted by MaryO on August 27, 2025 in Pender UMC

Tags: Celebration of Life, memorial, Pender Hill School

Today! Community Day and Welcome Back to School Festival

16 Aug

Join us for an evening of fun, food, music, and games as we celebrate the end of summer with KUMC Koinonia and kick off the new school year!

Bring your friends, family, and neighbors for a free community event packed with excitement:

🎸 Live Bands

🍕 Tasty Food

🎯 Outdoor Games

🎨 Kids’ Activities

🎈 And so much more!

Whether you’re a student gearing up for school or just love a good neighborhood party, there’s something for everyone.

Let’s send summer off with a smile and start the school year with joy!

Come one, come all — we can’t wait to see you there! 😄

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Posted by MaryO on August 16, 2025 in Back to School, Pender UMC, Posts of Interest

Tags: Back to School, Community Day, food, games, KUMC, music

Be a Part of the Pender Music Ministry

11 Aug

Calling All Musicians: Join Pender’s Vibrant Music Ministry!

Are you passionate about music? Do you feel called to share your musical gifts in a community of faith? Pender is seeking talented musicians to join our vibrant Music Ministry team and contribute to our uplifting and spiritually enriching worship services!

What We’re Looking For:

Instrumentalists: Whether you shine on the strings, whisper with the woodwinds, or resonate with the brass, we need your skills to fill our sanctuary with harmonious sounds.
Vocalists: Sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses—lend your voices to help lead our congregation in song and praise.
Handbells: We will teach you to play during our services and special events.

Why Be a Part of the Pender Music Ministry?

Community Impact: Through your music, you can touch the hearts of our congregation and inspire joy and contemplation in our weekly gatherings.
Spiritual Growth: Participate in a ministry that not only serves others but also nurtures your own faith and connection to the divine.
Musical Development: Collaborate with experienced musicians and vocalists that will help you hone your craft and explore new musical opportunities.

Get Involved:

Rehearsals: We meet weekly to practice and prepare, ensuring every service is both spiritually and musically fulfilling.
Sunday Services: Be a part of our regular worship schedule and special holiday performances that highlight the church calendar.
Community Outreach: Occasionally, our music ministry participates in local events and services, expanding our impact beyond the church walls.

If you’re excited about making a joyful noise unto the Lord and enhancing our worship experiences, we would love to hear from you! Contact our Patrick King, our Music Director today to learn more about how you can get involved.

Let your talent soar in a place where music meets ministry, and together, we’ll create beautiful worship experiences that resonate with all who attend. Join us and be a key note in our melody of faith!

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Posted by MaryO on August 11, 2025 in Get Involved!, hymns, Ministries, Music, Music Ministry, Pender UMC, Special Music, Videos

Tags: Brass, Director of Music Ministry, handbells, musical instrument, Singers, stringed instruments, woodwinds

AA Open Meetings

06 Aug

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 5:30 PM there will be 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)

HANDICAPPED (Handicapped accessible)

Event Coordinator • Tom OConnor

Pender Office 703-278-8023