Fairfax United Methodist Church

Vienna Choral Society: Sounds of the Season
2023-12-10 17:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Avenue, Fairfax, VA, 22030, United States
On Sunday, December 10, the Vienna Choral Society, under the direction of FUMC Music Director Mike Horanski, presents their Christmas concert, Sounds of the Season. They are joined by special guests, the Monumental Brass Quintet. The concert begins at 5:00pm and is followed by a reception. Tickets can be purchased online at www.viennachoralsociety.org.

Christmas with the Lunch Bunch
2023-12-11 12:00 - 14:00
If you enjoy festive food and good conversation, join us for our Christmas Lunch Bunch gathering on December 11 (one week earlier than usual) at 12:00 pm at Pastor Pamela’s parsonage across the street from the church. Everyone is invited to bring a dish to share and an ornament for our ornament exchange. This is a great chance to celebrate the season with new and old church friends. We’ll see you there!

Holiday Market
2023-12-15 17:00 - 20:00
Fairfax UMC’s annual Holiday Market event focuses on providing for families in the area who have not been sponsored for Christmas and would therefore be “left out” of the festivities. On Friday, December 15, at 5:00–8:00pm, we offer parents a night to come choose a new, unwrapped, age-appropriate toy for each of their children, as well as gently used books and coats to add to their holiday gift giving, all at no cost to them. A free gift wrap room is also available so parents can wrap their children’s gifts. Additionally, parents receive a $20 Walmart gift card and, thanks to a generous endowment from the church, a $30 Butterball gift check.

This is a churchwide mission event, and we need lots of hands and help to make it a success. If you’re able to give, watch for donation bins in the Narthex starting November 11. These will be ready to receive new, unwrapped toys, as well as gently used books, coats, and stocking stuffers and $20 Walmart gift cards. We also need volunteers to help set up, run, and clean up after the event. A sign-up sheet with one-hour time slots is available by clicking here, and we encourage you to sign up for whatever time commitment works for you. If you have any questions, please contact Leslie Carter by email at lesliecarterre@aol.com or by phone at 703-587-4575.

Lessons & Carols
2023-12-17 09:30 - 10:30
Please join us on Sunday, December 17, at 9:30am for one of Fairfax UMC’s most beloved and anticipated events of the year, the annual Lessons and Carols service. This service tells the story of Christmas through music and scripture and features our Chancel Choir, the Bellissimo Ringers, guest musicians, and our amazing organist, Hyeyoun. This special service is both available in person and livestreamed on the FUMC website and YouTube. After the service, all are invited to gather in the Fellowship Hall for Christmas cookies and coffee — and feel free to bring a batch of your favorites to share. We hope to see you there!

Christmas Eve Service
2023-12-24 09:30 - 10:30
We joyfully gather on Christmas Eve to celebrate the greatest gift the world has ever known: Jesus Christ, the hope for all the world! Join us at 9:30am, 4:00pm, or 7:00pm for seasonal music, an inspired message, and a deep connection with our church and our God. The 4:00pm service includes a children’s message, and Communion is offered at the 4:00 and 7:00pm services. While children’s programing is available for the 9:30am service, children will be in the service at 4:00 and 7:00pm. Be sure to invite your friends and neighbors to this special time of worship on Christmas Eve.

PJs & Poptarts
2024-01-07 09:30 - 10:30
On January 7, children are invited to come to church in their comfy PJs as Kids Ministry celebrates the new year and our first week back after Christmas.

Lunch Bunch
2024-01-16 12:00 - 14:00
The January Lunch Bunch has been moved to Tuesday, January 16, to accommodate for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Bring a packed lunch (we’ll provide the drinks) and join old and new friends for relaxed conversation and laughter at Pastor Pamela’s parsonage. Look for the sign in the driveway across the street from the church. We’ll see you there.

ESL Classes Spring 2024
2024-01-17 19:00 - 21:00
Fairfax UMC offers English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for beginner and intermediate-level English language learners throughout the year. We also offer a Citizenship Class to prepare students for the U.S. Citizenship test. The Spring 2024 ESL session runs January 17–April 3. Classes are held on Wednesday evenings at 7:00–9:00pm. This class session costs $30 for new students or $10 for students who participated in the Fall 2023 session. This fee covers classes and a book for students to keep.* These classes are for adults ages 18 and over; child care is not provided. If you have questions, contact the ESL coordinator, Laura Zotian, by email at eslatfairfaxumc@gmail.com or by phone at 703-463-7563. For a full list of English classes offered at churches in the area, visit the ESL and Immigrant Ministries site.

*We never want financial difficulties to be an obstacle to participating in our programs. If you need assistance with the fees for this class, please reach out to Laura Zotian by email at eslatfairfaxumc@gmail.com or by phone at 703-463-7563.

New Member Sunday
2024-01-28 09:30 - 10:30
Has Fairfax United Methodist Church become your spiritual home? If you would like to step forward with others and officially join the church, you are invited to be a part of our New Member Sunday on January 28. On this day, we welcome new members to our church family during the worship service. There is power in connection and blessing in committing to a community of faith and love! Contact Pastor Pamela at pkipps@fairfaxumc.org to learn more or to say you’re ready to become a member.

Discovery Days: About Your Church
2024-01-28 10:30 - 11:30
Join us on Sunday, January 28, for a new one-hour Discovery Days workshop, About Your Church, co-led by Reverend David Bonney and church member Wyatt Bethel. We’ll meet in the Fellowship Hall right after worship to learn about Fairfax UMC’s history, our community engagement, and the way our teams and ministry programming works within the church. This is a great opportunity to learn more about your church, to ask questions, and to share your feedback. For more information, contact Pastor Pamela Kipps at pkipps@fairfaxumc.org.

Dinner Out January 2024
2024-01-30 18:30 - 20:00
Dinner Out returns for 2024 on Tuesday, January 30, at 6:30pm, at P.J. Skidoos in Fairfax. Come together to enjoy great conversations and community with your church family. To let us know you’re coming and help us plan for the correct number of seats, please email Pastor Pamela at pkipps@fairfaxumc.org. We’ll see you there!

Hypothermia Shelter
2024-02-04 - 2024-02-10
On February 4–11, Fairfax UMC is hosting the Hypothermia Shelter in partnership with FACETS and other faith communities. This ministry provides overnight shelter for members of the Fairfax community who are currently homeless. There are several ways you can share love and care with our guests. We need groups and individuals to make coffee and serve breakfast casseroles in the morning, to set up in the afternoon before guests arrive, to sponsor and serve evening meals (feeding 30–40 people per night), to provide community for guests in the evening, or to make breakfast casseroles. You can also help by donating items such as clothing, snacks, or money for bus passes and gas cards. For clothing, all types are appreciated, but we are especially looking for new men’s and women’s undergarments, socks, and warm clothing. For snacks, please consider providing individually packaged items like chips or pretzels, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables and ever-popular hard-boiled eggs (we go through two dozen a day). Place your donations in the blue bins located in the Narthex or church office. Fresh fruit and vegetables and eggs can be dropped off in the main kitchen during the week of the Hypothermia Shelter. Thank you for your support as we provide a loving, warm, and safe environment for our brothers and sisters, whatever the weather. Please contact Christie Johnson at christie.johnson92@gmail.com with any questions and click here to learn more or sign up.

Kids Escape Room & Ice Cream
2024-02-04 13:45 - 16:00
On Sunday, February 4, kids ages seven and up (through 7th grade) are invited to come with the Fairfax UMC Kids Ministry as we try out brand new escape rooms at Escapology! We’ll meet at Escapology at 1:45, try our best to escape the rooms, and then celebrate afterwards with ice cream. The cost for this event is $10 per child. Please click here to RSVP.

GriefShare
2024-02-11 10:45 - 12:00
If you have experienced grief or loss, Fairfax UMC invites you to participate in GriefShare, a new group forming at the church. GriefShare is a safe, welcoming place where people can explore the difficult emotions of grief and discover helpful ways to move through it. During this thirteen-week program, you’ll discover the ebbs and flows of grief and its accompanying emotions and learn ways of coping with its unpredictability. On Sundays at 10:45am starting February 11, the group will gather to watch a GriefShare video and spend some time discussing and reflecting. The program is split into two parts, with Part I running February 11 through March 24 and Part II running April 14 through May 12. We hope you’ll consider joining us for this time of learning, and we encourage you to invite family, friends, and neighbors to participate. For more information, contact Pastor Pamela Kipps at pkipps@fairfaxumc.org.

Ash Wednesday
2024-02-14 12:00 - 13:00
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 14. Fairfax UMC offers a Service of Ashes at 12:00pm and 7:00pm.

February Lunch Bunch
2024-02-20 12:00 - 14:00
The February Lunch Bunch has been moved to Tuesday, February 20, due to Presidents’ Day. Bring a packed lunch (we’ll provide the drinks) and gather with old and new friends for relaxed conversation and connection at Pastor Pamela’s parsonage. Look for the sign in the driveway across the street from the church. We’ll see you there.

Book of Acts Bible Study
2024-02-21 11:00 - 12:00
If you’ve ever wondered what happened after the Resurrection and in the early days of the Christian church, you’ll want to be a part of our upcoming Bible study focusing on the book of Acts. In this six-week study, we’ll read through Acts together and examine the exciting and challenging moments that the church experienced. This is a perfect follow up to our Journey Through the Gospels study or an excellent way for beginners to dive into Scripture. The group meets on Wednesdays at 11:00am in the Fellowship Hall, February 21 through March 27. To learn more, contact Pastor Pamela Kipps at pkipps@fairfaxumc.org.

Endowment Grant Applications 2024
2024-02-25 08:00 - 2024-03-28 17:00
The Endowment Committee is pleased to announce that our Church is once again blessed to have funds available for grants in 2024. If any member of the church congregation or staff has a worthwhile project that can improve any of our ministries in the areas of worship, music, learning, congregational care, fellowship, outreach/missions, or church facilities, and the item or project is not already a line item in the church budget, you are encouraged to complete a grant application. Applications are available at the church office or by clicking here. The completed grant application must be delivered to Dawn Conrow at the Church office not later than March 28, 2024 to be considered by the Endowment Committee. The grant applications should also have been previewed and approved by the Church Pillar Chair who oversees the area of focus of the grant request. If approved, funding for approved grants can begin as early as mid-May following deliberations of the Endowment Committee and the Church Leadership Team approval of those decisions.

Youth and Adult Mission Trip Information Meeting
2024-02-25 17:00 - 18:00
Fairfax UMC is planning a youth and adult mission trip to Quimistan, Honduras, for July 28–August 3. This trip will include various projects working with the students at Honduras Independence Bilingual School and the Organic Learning Center, as well as a side trip to the Copan Mayan Ruins. An information session is scheduled for Sunday, February 25, at 5:00pm in the Sanctuary. If you’re interested or just want more information, you are invited to attend. Please contact Andrea Kennedy (andreakennedy80@gmail.com), our youth director, Jenn Zotian (jzotian@cox.net), or Reverend David Bonney (dbonney@fairfaxumc.org) for further details.

Dinner Out
2024-02-27 18:30 - 20:00
Dinner Out is an opportunity for you to connect with your church family and share conversation and laughter over a meal. The group meets at 6:30pm at P.J. Skidoos in Fairfax on the last Tuesday of every month. We hope you’ll join us for this time of fellowship and community! To learn more, contact Pastor Pamela Kipps.

Men’s Group Dinner Recharge Meeting
2024-03-14 18:30 - 20:00
Men, do you like BBQ? How does smoked pulled pork, pork ribs, and sausage with all the trimmings sound to you? All this will be at a dinner meeting on Thursday, March 14, at 6:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. In addition to enjoying great BBQ made by church members, we will discuss ideas on how to recharge the United Methodist Men’s group with regular fellowship dinners, small service projects, and other ways to support both our local church and larger Fairfax community. If you’re interested, please RSVP to Scott Tribbie at stribbie@verizon.net. Additionally, we need a few volunteers to set up tables and clean up after the event, so let us know if you’re willing to help in this way. See you there!

Easter Around the World
2024-03-16 13:00 - 15:00
Every year, people around the world remember how Jesus died for us on the cross and celebrate how He rose from the dead and is still with us. On Saturday, March 16, at 1:00–3:00pm, come join in the Kids Ministry celebration as we take part in Easter traditions from many places, including eating hot cross buns, decorating bonnets, rolling eggs, and more. If you have any questions or want to help with the event, email Angela Schroeder at aschroeder@fairfaxumc.org.

Lunch Bunch
2024-03-18 12:00 - 14:00
On the third Monday of each month, gather for Lunch Bunch at the University Drive parsonage across the street from the church and enjoy a relaxed lunch full of conversation and laughter with old and new friends. Please plan to bring a packed lunch; drinks are provided. We hope to see you there! Look for the Lunch Bunch sign in the yard and come up the back stairs by the driveway (which is on Stratford Avenue). We’ll be ready to greet you with a big welcome!

Palm Sunday
2024-03-24 09:30 - 10:30
On Palm Sunday, March 24, the Chancel Choir will present “Lenten Sketches,” composed by Joseph Martin. This incredible work is a series of tableaus illustrating the pivotal final days of Christ’s earthly ministry: the triumphal entry, the Last Supper, the Garden of Gethesemane, and the crucifixion. These events have inspired artists through the ages, and their wonderful creations in turn inspire this Lenten cantata, which will prepare our hearts for Holy Week.

Table to Cross Service
2024-03-28 19:00 - 20:00
On Thursday, March 28, at 7:00pm, we gather to shift our gaze from the table to the cross as we remember the events leading up to the crucifixion. Journey with us from Jesus’ final meal with his disciples to his death on the cross in one moving service.

Stations of the Cross
2024-03-29 07:00 - 19:00
Stations of the Cross returns on Good Friday, March 29. This transformative, self-directed experience is available to everyone at any time between 7:00am and 7:00pm. Come visit the fourteen stations and be reminded of the final hours of Jesus’ life as you contemplate the images, read the Scriptures and devotions, and pray the provided prayers. Stay as long as you would like, and plan to leave with a renewed appreciation for all Christ has done for you.

Easter Sunrise Service
2024-03-31 06:00 - 07:00
Begin Easter Sunday with a beloved tradition: the annual Easter sunrise service. This service is offered on March 31 at 6:00am in Old Town Square in Fairfax City and is led by the Fairfax UMC youth. Come enjoy coffee, donuts, fellowship, and beautiful worship and support our students as they use their gifts and talents to glorify our risen Savior!

Easter Service
2024-03-31 09:30 - 10:30
Fairfax UMC is excited to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus with services at 9:30 and 11:00am on Sunday, March 31. Regular attendees, visitors from the community, and our expanded virtual church family are all welcome at worship on this glorious day of triumph and hope. Both services are available in person and via livestream.

To order flowers to be used in our Easter services, click here.

Lunch Bunch
2024-04-15 12:00 - 14:00
On the third Monday of each month, gather for Lunch Bunch at the University Drive parsonage across the street from the church and enjoy a relaxed lunch full of conversation and laughter with old and new friends. Lunch is provided for April’s event. We hope to see you there! Look for the Lunch Bunch sign in the yard and come up the back stairs by the driveway (which is on Stratford Avenue). We’ll be ready to greet you with a big welcome!

Celebrating Rev. Pamela Kipps
2024-05-19 10:30 - 12:30
Reverend Pamela Kipps will be assigned to another church in the next appointment cycle, and her final Sunday at Fairfax UMC will be May 19. After the service that day, all are invited to a reception in the Fellowship Hall where we will thank Reverend Pamela and honor her for her excellent pastoral service to our church. Please feel free to bring a favorite dish to share. We hope you will attend and help us send Pamela off with our gratitude, prayers, and best wishes as she transitions to a new ministry at her next assignment.
