Christmas Poinsettias
2025-11-09 - 2025-12-08 | Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Avenue, Fairfax, VA, 22030, United States
If you would like to honor or remember a loved one, you may place a poinsettia in the Sanctuary to be used in each of our services on December 21 and 24. Contributions may also be made to Shineforth (formerly United Methodist Family Services) or Endowment Giving as a very special commemoration of a life well lived. Please click here to fill out the order form online or pick up a print version at the church and return it to the church office or offering plate along with your check for $13 per poinsettia or the desired amount of your contribution. Checks should be made payable to FUMC. Orders must reach the church office no later than noon December 8.

New Member Sunday
2025-11-16 09:30 - 10:30 (America/New_York)
Interested in joining our Fairfax UMC community? Don’t be fooled — membership doesn’t come with privileges; it’s about a promise to work and serve with the people of Fairfax UMC through your prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. Our next New Member Sunday is November 16. During this special Sunday worship, those who would like to become part of our church family can stand to publicly make their commitment. If you’re interested or have questions, please contact Rev. Angela Schroeder at at aschroeder@fairfaxumc.org or sign up for Pizza with the Pastor on November 12 by clicking here.

Discovery Days: Faithful Finances
2025-11-16 11:00 - 12:30
On Sunday, November 16, join us after worship for a new Discovery Days workshop: “Faithful Finances: Making the Most of Your Giving.” In this free session, Rev. Brad Duty, a deacon in the Northern Virginia Conference and representative of the Wesley Foundation, will share new ways to save, give, and leave a lasting legacy.

Change for Change: Advent Mission Giving
2025-11-30 - 2025-12-25
This Advent season, we’re celebrating our series “Home for the Holidays” by helping others find a home as well. Beginning November 30, we invite everyone to take part in Change for Change, a simple but powerful way to make a difference. Each week of Advent, bring your spare change for an offering to support the Lamb Center, our local daytime drop-in center for the homeless. Together, our small gifts can create big change by providing meals, showers, counseling, and hope to our neighbors in need. Our goal is to raise $500 to bless the Lamb Center this Christmas. Bring your change and help us change the world, one coin at a time.

Advent Devotional
2025-11-30 - 2025-12-25
This Advent and Chrismas season, join us in reading Advent and Christmas Wisdom from Henri J.M. Nouwen as a church community. You can pick up a copy at worship on Sunday or contact the church office if you can’t make it to the service. Together, we will kick off the church’s new year by exploring the season’s themes of waiting, hope, anticipation, and celebration.

Hanging of the Greens Service & Advent Brunch
2025-11-30 09:30 - 12:30
On November 30, we celebrate the Hanging of the Greens during the 9:30am Sunday service. In the United Methodist tradition, the Hanging of the Greens is more than decorating. It’s a spiritual practice in which every ornament, wreath, and candle is a reminder of God’s presence, God’s promises, and the hope that comes with the advent of Christ. As we place the symbols of the season — evergreens that remind us of eternal life, lights that proclaim Christ as the Light of the World, and the Advent wreath that points to His coming — we do so with prayers of gratitude, hope, and anticipation. After worship, all are invited to bring their favorite breakfast meal to share and kick off the season with an Advent Brunch in the Fellowship Hall.

Pastor’s Open House
2025-12-07 14:00 - 17:00
Rev. Bryson’s family warmly invites you to a Pastor’s Open House at the Stratford Avenue parsonage on Sunday, December 7, 2:00–5:00pm. Whether you’re a longtime member or a first-time visitor, you’re welcome to enjoy a taste of Christmas with fellowship, light refreshments, and good conversation as we celebrate the season of Advent together. Please park in the church parking lot close to the house and use the path to come to the door.

Christmas Lunch Bunch 2025
2025-12-09 11:00 - 14:00
Come celebrate Christmas with the Lunch Bunch on Tuesday, December 9, at 11:00am in the Multi-Purpose Room. Bring a dish to share and a wreath to decorate and enjoy conversation, food, and crafting time with friends. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Charlotte McComas at 703-606-6800 or sel2glf@cox.net.

Holiday Market 2025
2025-12-19 17:00 - 20:00
This winter, the Holiday Market returns for its 9th year of providing for area families who would otherwise be “left out” of Christmas. On Friday, December 19, 5:00–8:00pm, we give parents the opportunity to pick out an age-appropriate toy, as well as gently used books and coats, for each of their children at no cost to them. We also offer a free gift wrap room so parents can prepare their children’s gifts. Each family additionally receives a $20 gift card for Walmart and a $30 Butterball gift check.
If you’re able to give to the Holiday Market, please drop off your donations of new, unwrapped toys, gently used books and coats, stocking stuffers, and other items in the bin in the Narthex. You can also donate $20 Walmart gift cards by dropping them off in the church office. Want to help with the event itself? Click here to sign up for one or more hour-long time slots. If you have any questions, please reach out to Leslie Carter by email at lesliecarterre@aol.com or by phone at 703-587-4575.

Lessons, Carols, and Cookies
2025-12-21 09:30 - 11:30
Join us during the 9:30am service on December 21 for our beloved Lessons and Carols service and be guided by Scripture and song through the story of God’s love and Christ’s birth. Experience the beauty of sacred music, the richness of Advent readings, and the joy of coming together as a church family for worship presented by our sanctuary choir, along with guest musicians and our amazing organist, Hyeyoun. After the service, we invite you to gather in the Fellowship Hall and bring your favorite Christmas cookies to share as we continue our celebration with fellowship, laughter, and sweet treats.
If you would like to join the choir for a short-term commitment and sing in this wonderful service, we would love to have you. Rehearsals are scheduled for December 4, 11, and 18 at 7:00–8:15pm in the choir room. We welcome high school and adult singers from the church and community. If you plan to take part, please contact Mike Horanski at mhoranski@fairfaxumc.org so we can have enough music and seats for everyone.

Blue Christmas Worship
2025-12-21 19:00 - 20:00
You are invited to gather for a Blue Christmas worship service on Sunday, December 21, at 7:00pm in the Fairfax UMC Chapel. This service offers a quiet, reflective space for those experiencing grief, loss, or stress during the holiday season. Through Scripture, music, and prayer, we come together and acknowledge the difficulties of this season while holding onto the hope and comfort that Christ brings. All are welcome to come and find peace, support, and God’s presence through this sacred time.

Christmas Eve
2025-12-24 10:00 - 11:30
Bring your friends and neighbors and come Home for the Holidays as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with Fairfax United Methodist Church. Join us for any of our three special Christmas Eve services, each filled with warmth, light, and joy.

10:00am: Gather for a quiet Contemplative Service, a peaceful time to reflect and prepare your heart for Christmas.
4:00pm: Families will love our lively Pick-Up Christmas Pageant, where children (and kids at heart) can step into the nativity story. Costumes and scripts will be provided when you arrive.
7:00pm: Rejoice at our Traditional Candlelight Service, filled with Scripture, carols, and the timeless message of Christ’s birth.

All three services include Communion and candle-lighting as we rejoice in the good news that Christ is born. No matter which service you attend, you’ll find a place to belong, a story to celebrate, and a Savior to worship. If you have any questions, please contact the church office.

Tacky Christmas Sweater Sunday
2025-12-28 09:30 - 22:30
We are excited to announce our first Tacky Christmas Sweater Sunday, coming on December 28. Are you ready to share your favorite Christmas sweater? Join us at 9:30am for worship and a touch of holiday whimsy as we embrace the fun and festive season of the spirit. Whether your sweater is glittery, outrageous, or delightfully tacky, come continue our Christmas celebration in style.

Twelfth Night Dinner
2026-01-05 18:30 - 20:30
You are warmly invited to Fairfax UMC’s Twelfth Night dinner on Monday, January 5, at 6:30pm. Celebrate the close of Christmas and Epiphany Eve in traditional fashion by gathering for a meal to give thanks for the blessed season of Christmas and the changed hearts that come from experiencing the birth of Christ. The meal will be catered, so please click here to sign up. Come enjoy a new tradition and bring a festive close to the Christmas season.

Good & Beautiful Small Group Study
2026-01-11 11:00 - 12:00
All are invited to a Sunday morning small group study to explore The Good and Beautiful You by James Bryan Smith and discover the person Jesus created you to be. This journey invites us to rediscover who God really is and how God’s grace transforms our lives as we replace the false stories we tell ourselves about God with the truth revealed in Jesus Christ. The study meets on Sundays at 11:00am, January 11–March 29. Books can be purchased on Amazon, or you can pick up a copy from the church office. A children’s program is offered for kids in nursery through sixth grade to continue their faith journey with the Holy Moly curriculum. Come grow with us as we seek to know the God who is truly good and beautiful!

Women in Faith Post-Holiday Games Party
2026-01-11 14:00 - 16:00
The Northern Virginia District Women in Faith’s Post-Holiday Games Party returns by popular demand on Sunday, January 11, at 2:00–4:00pm in the Multi-Purpose Room. This is a great opportunity to meet women from other UMC churches while playing games, fellowshipping, and sharing snacks. Please bring a favorite card or board game and snack to share, as well as a love offering of a canned good for Stock the Shelves, and come together for a great time, no RSVP necessary. If you have questions, please contact Leslie Carter at lesliecarterre@aol.com or 703-587-4575 or Beth Meserve from the NOVA District at beth.meserve@gmail.com.

Ultimate Chili Showdown
2026-02-01 10:30 - 12:00
Mark your calendars for February 1 and bring your favorite chili to share in a chili cookoff during Fellowship Time. This is your chance to show off your secret recipe, compete for bragging rights for the year, and test your chili before the Super Bowl. Whether you’re a chili champion or just want to taste them all, come join the fun, enjoy great food, and fellowship with friends.

Hypothermia Shelter
2026-03-01 - 2026-03-08
Fairfax UMC hosts the Hypothermia Shelter in 2026 the week of March 1–8, 2026. During the Hypothermia Shelter, church volunteers and the FACETS staff provide overnight shelter, food, and fellowship for our registered adult guests. We need many people to help welcome, feed, shelter, and show God’s love to our neighbors without housing, and there are equally many ways that you can contribute.
Do you show God’s love for others by cooking delicious food? Sponsor an evening meal, a breakfast casserole, or evening snacks. Do you show God’s love by making people feel welcomed and cared for? Sign up to be an evening volunteer or an early morning breakfast server. Do you show God’s love by helping behind the scenes? Consider being a team captain for a part of Hypothermia week, set up an afternoon snack before guests arrive, or plan to donate clothing items and gift cards. Are you gifted with organization and communication skills or a heart to serve through facilitating a small team? We need team leaders for evenings, afternoons, and mornings. Contact Christie Johnson at christie.johnson92@gmail.com for more information. Ready to commit? Click here to sign up for your choice of role.
