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Category Archives: Pender UMC

Stuff the Bus – Today

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has proclaimed September Hunger Action Month. Hunger Action Month is a national campaign to raise awareness and inspire people to take action for those facing food insecurity. NCS and our food access partners will present a one-day Stuff the Bus food drive on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.

Fastran buses, along with Fairfax County Fire Department trucks, will be at several sites from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. for this Hunger Action Month event to combat hunger. Please consider donating non-perishable food items and gift cards at the below locations:

Lidl, 9001 White Spruce Way, Lorton, VA 22079
Giant, 2425 Centreville Road, Herndon, VA 20171
Walmart Supercenter, 11181 US-29, Fairfax VA 22030
Giant, 1454 Chain Bridge Rd, McLean, VA 22101
Giant, 1450 North Point Village Center, Reston, VA 20194
Giant, 7137 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003
Walmart, 4368 Chantilly Shopping Center, Chantilly, VA 20151 – benefits WFCM
Giant, 7501 Huntsman Blvd., Springfield, VA 22153

Since launching in 2011, Stuff the Bus has collected more than 240 tons of food to feed people experiencing food insecurity in Fairfax County. Statistics show the need for food is great, and demand is increasing. In Fairfax County 27% of people are food insecure, meaning that they have limited or uncertain availability to the food needed to live their fullest lives.

For more details and a list of most-requested items, visit Stuff the Bus.

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Posted by MaryO on September 13, 2025 in Get Involved!, Local News

Tags: food insecurity, gift cards, Hunger Action Month, non-perishable food items, serve, Stuff the Bus, WFCM

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