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Author Archives: MaryO

About MaryO

Cushing's and kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma) patient, founder, owner and webmaster of Cushing's Help and Support, web designer, piano teacher and mom. I am a Cushing's patient who has dealt with Cushing's symptoms since 1983 (or earlier) and the aftereffects of pituitary surgery since 1987. Because I had very little support for my symptoms, diagnosis and surgery, I decided to try to make things a little better for other patients and started a support site called Cushing's Help and Support in 2000. The site has grown to astronomical numbers. This disease isn't as rare as doctors have told us! In 2006, I was also diagnosed with kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma). My left kidney and adrenal gland were removed. Having an adrenal gland removed complicates my post-Cushing's symptoms. I am not planning to have any more rare and unusual diseases. My entire bio to date can be found here: http://www.cushings-help.com/maryos_story.htm But, enough of that - it's not always about Cushing's, or even Cancer. This one is about Life!

Charles Wesley

05 Sep

Charles Wesley was an English leader of the Methodist movement, most widely known for writing more than 6,000 hymns. Wesley was born in Epworth, Lincolnshire, the son of Anglican cleric and poet Samuel Wesley and his wife Susanna.

In the course of his career, Charles Wesley published the words of over six thousand hymns, many of which are still popular. These include:

“Arise my soul arise”
“And Can It Be That I Should Gain?”
“Christ the Lord Is Risen Today”

“Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies”
“Come, O Thou Traveler Unknown”
“Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”
“Depth of Mercy, Can it Be”
“Father, I Stretch My Hands to Thee”
“Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise”
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
“Jesus, Lover of My Soul”

“Jesus, The Name High Over All”
“Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending”
“Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”

“O for a Heart to Praise My God”
“O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing”

“Rejoice, the Lord is King”
“Soldiers of Christ, Arise”
“Thou Hidden Source of Calm Repose”
“Ye Servants of God”

Some 150 of his hymns are in the Methodist hymn book Hymns and Psalms, including “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing, and “The Church Hymn Book” (In New York and Chicago, US, 1872) where “Jesus, Lover of My Soul” is published. Many of his hymns are translated into other languages and form the foundation for Methodist hymnals, as well as the Swedish Metodist-Episkopal-Kyrkans Psalmbok printed in Stockholm in 1892.

Born: December 18, 1707, Epworth, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom

Died: March 29, 1788, London, United Kingdom

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Posted by MaryO on September 5, 2025 in Posts of Interest

Tags: Charles Wesley

Korean Soloist Ensemble Peace Concert

01 Sep

The Washington Soloist Ensemble (WSE) members consist of professional singers, conductors, pianists as well as amateur singers who pass the audition process.

The group has performed at the Kennedy Center, George Mason , University of Maryland and other local community centers and institutions. Established in 1993, the WSE has been an integral part of the Korean diaspora that has represented Korean culture in the United States through music.

The group has performed in numerous key events over the years including the Centennial of Korean Immigration to the United States. By harmonizing the choral artistry of Korea and the United States, the group’s music resonates with the heart and leaves a lasting impression. Over the years we have performed over 75 concerts in total.

This concert will feature an orchestra as well as the singers. It will celebrate 80 years of Korean independence from Japanese colonial rule, a process culminating on August 15, 1945, with the end of World War II.

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Posted by MaryO on September 1, 2025 in Pender UMC, Posts of Interest

Tags: concert, Washington Korean Ensemble Concert, Washington Soloist Ensemble

Pender Handbells

30 Aug

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