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Category Archives: Missions

Missions Update: Ecuador

Please pray for Sharon Ranalli Folkhart serving in Ecuador.

Several years ago Sharon started a Child Development Center in a very poor area, setting up a sponsorship program, so that children can go to school, receive a lunch, afternoon tutoring and a Bible class. A Pastor moved into the area and working with Sharon, they built a church and are presenting the gospel to these people who have never before heard the word. Now they are again praying and planning for the new school year, getting uniforms made and buying shoes, school supplies.

The project will continue this school year with 25 children. Multiple requests to Compassion International that they take over this project are finally being considered by new leadership in Ecuador. Compassion will ensure that which Sharon and her fellow workers have sown will be taken care of in the years to come. Sharon shares that it is hard to explain in a letter the brokenness of the families of these children, the obstacles and traumas that they face at such young ages.

Ecuador is going through a time of great violence, kidnapping for ransom, and robbing churches and people, gang fighting, drug cartels, store closings, etc. Please pray for Ecuador and for the safety of Sharon as she continues her ministry that began here with a Bible Institute in 1985.

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Posted by MaryO on May 23, 2023 in Missions, Pender UMC, Videos

Tags: Ecuador, missions, video

Flood Buckets

04 Nov

Update November 4, 2022

Thank you for your generous support of building the flood buckets. Pender completed 11 buckets and we had extra supplies to donate also.

There was even show and tell with some of the Burke UMC preschoolers. The kids were very interested to see what was inside the buckets and what they were for. You’re never too early to learn about missions.

Pender United Methodist Church is requesting that each family donate ONE item in support of our assisting our neighbors in Florida and Puerto Rico who are working through the devastation and impact of natural disasters, specifically hurricanes. It is our hope that everyone will join with us in assisting to build flood bucket cleaning kits that will assist the families.

All items must be new. All cleaning agents must be in liquid form. No powders can be accepted. Items for donation may not be imprinted with cartoon characters, advertisements, religious, patriotic, military, or camouflage symbols.

Requested Cleaning Kit Materials:

One Five-gallon round bucket with lid (14.35″ h x 12.19″ w x1)

No screw lids
This may be used, but it must be free from all residual product
Advertisements on the outside are acceptable.
No patriotic or religious symbols are to be displayed.

One 32-64 oz. bottle liquid laundry

One 16-40 oz. bottle liquid concentrate household cleaner (please, no spray cleaners)

One 16-34 oz. bottle liquid dish soap

One 4-8 oz. pump spray air freshener

One 6-14 oz. pump spray insect repellent (pack of 10-20 wipes also acceptable)

Pump spray bottles must have protective covers

One scrub brush (with or without handle)

18 re-usable cleaning wipes

No terrycloth, microfiber or paper towels
Remove the packaging

Five scouring pads

No stainless steel or pads with soap on them
Remove from packaging

36-50 clothespins

One 50-100 ft. clothesline (cotton or plastic line)

24 roll of heavy-duty trash bags (33-45 gallon sizes)

Remove from packaging

Five N95 particulate respirator dust masks (1-3 mm thickness)

No surgical masks

Two pairs kitchen gloves

Durable for multiple uses
Remove from packaging

One pair work gloves

Cotton with leather palm or all leather

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Posted by MaryO on November 4, 2022 in Get Involved!, Ministries, Missions, Outreach, Pender UMC, Videos

Tags: Flood Buckets, video

Missions Conference April 30-May 1

29 Apr

Come and attend the Pender Faith Promise Missions Celebration on Sat. Apr 30 at 8:30AM-12:30PM and on Sun. May 1 at 9AM, Sunday School and 11:15AM Services.

Missionaries will share about their ministries in our Fairfax community, in the US, and internationally.

Our keynote speaker is Christine Hanak, an ordained UMC minister, and her husband, Charlie. They serve globally with Ambassadors for Christ International (AFCI). As you know, Chris is an ordained minister with the UMC, and we are thrilled to have her back at her home congregation where her missionary life began.

Austin and Sinte House will update us about their ministry in Thailand. Members from Campus Crusade (Cru) on the George Mason University campus will come share their testimonies. Enjoy inspirational music and songs!

Come and be refreshed in the Lord! Share some hospitality with our missionary visitors. Breakfast, lunch and refreshments with an international flair will be served in the Gathering Place.

We look forward to seeing you!

For more information, please contact Greg or Maya Berry, or the church office.

Pender United Methodist Church supports 150 missionaries in 32 countries around the world. Each year, Pender sends teams on short-term mission trips to Central and South America, Europe, Africa, and we’re always researching other trips.

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Posted by MaryO on April 29, 2022 in Ministries, Missions, Pender UMC

Tags: Ambassadors for Christ International, Chris Hanak, Faith Promise Missionaries, missionaries, Missions Celebration, reception

Santa’s Ride Toy Collection

27 Nov

Pender Hill School is collecting toys for the Santa’s Ride program again this year. We are excited to work with the Fairfax County Police Motor Squad to collect new toys and books for children in local hospitals.

Items can be donated in the marked bins in the Church Lobby and the downstairs Preschool hallway until Sunday, December 12.

Please contact Ann Hines or Sarah Hocker with any questions.

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Posted by MaryO on November 27, 2021 in Get Involved!, Missions, Outreach, Pender UMC

Tags: Pender Hill School, Santa's Ride, toy collection

Be a Part of our Jail Ministry with JDC!

26 Nov

Join us in worship with the young men and women at the Fairfax County Juvenile Detention Center.

You may feel like your individual participation doesn’t matter, but it does! Over and over again, the staff tells us how we make a difference in the young men’s and women’s lives and the lives of the staff!

Currently, We can only bring three people, so it is by invitation only. It is for the church to keep JDC in prayer.

Pender ministers to the youth lodged in the Fairfax County Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) through a program of Sunday afternoon worship. The JDC serves young men and women, ages 10 – 17. These young men and women are held before trial, and in some cases, after trail in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. The JDC also holds juveniles while awaiting transportation to the State Department of Juvenile Justice or other Placements. Their offenses run the gambit from delinquent offenders with minor criminal records to youth charged with major crimes.

Pender members join with these youth in worship including contemporary Christian music, a message, and prayer. Every fourth Sunday, we meet at the Center at 1 PM and are finished by 2:30 PM.