Fairfax United Methodist Church

Apples and Alleluias
2026-03-22 11:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Avenue, Fairfax, VA, 22030, United States
On Sunday, March 22, join us from 11:00am to 1:00pm for a family Easter celebration! This event features facepainting, balloon art, crafts, fellowship, food, and, of course, apples. It’s free for all ages, and we can’t wait to see you there!

Biscuits with Bryson
2026-03-26 09:00 - 11:00
Are you looking for an opportunity to ask questions about a sermon, share a story of your walk with God, or have intentional discussion about growing in faith? Join Pastor Bryson at the Fairfax Circle Chick-Fil-A at 9:00am on March 26 and April 23 for Biscuits with Bryson and “taste and see that the Lord is good.”

Palm Sunday Cantata
2026-03-29 09:30 - 10:30
Join us on Palm Sunday during the 9:30am service for a beloved Fairfax UMC tradition. Presented by the Chancel Choir, the Palm Sunday Cantata helps us prepare our hearts for Holy Week. If you are interested in joining the choir as a short-term member for this event, please contact Mike Horanski at mhoranski@fairfaxumc.org. Any singers who would like to join are welcome.

Maundy Thursday Service
2026-04-02 19:00 - 20:00
As we journey “among the trees” this Lent, Maundy Thursday invites us to linger at the roots of our faith, where love is practiced quietly and transformation begins close to the ground. This day commemorates the night Jesus shared the Last Supper with his disciples. The word Maundy comes from the Latin mandatum, meaning “command” or “mandate,” drawn from Jesus’ words: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.” On that same night, Jesus knelt and washed the disciples’ feet, showing us that love is lived through humility, service, and self-giving grace. This Maundy Thursday, we follow his example as an opportunity to truly consider the way that Jesus lowered himself in a tangible way before he journeyed to the Cross. This service is gentle, meaningful, and participatory. Come as you are, whether you choose to take part in foot-washing or simply wish to witness and reflect. Worship begins at 7:00pm; we’ll see you there.

Stations of the Cross
2026-04-03 07:00 - 19:00
Stations of the Cross returns for this year’s Good Friday. As you visit the fourteen stations on our self-directed devotional journey and reflect on the provided scripture and prayers, you trace the path of the final hours of Jesus’ life and gain an increased appreciation for all Christ has done for His people. All are welcome to come and stay as long as you wish.

Easter Sunrise Service
2026-04-05 06:30 - 08:30
Welcome the dawn of Easter Sunday at Fairfax UMC’s Easter Sunrise Service, offered at 6:30am in the church courtyard. Gather for worship at this youth-led service, then gather for an Easter Breakfast in the Fellowship Hall. In the event of bad weather, the service will be held in the sanctuary. Come and glorify our risen Savior together!

Easter Sunday Service
2026-04-05 09:30 - 10:30
Whether you’re a member, a visitor, or part of our virtual family, we invite you to come celebrate our Savior’s resurrection at our 9:30am Easter Sunday service. Enjoy beautiful worship and a reminder of Christ’s love and what it means for us. After the service, we invite you to step outside and take photos by the cross.

Lunch Bunch
2026-04-09 12:00 - 13:30
At noon on the second Thursday of each month, bring a packed lunch and gather for Lunch Bunch in the Multi-Purpose Room at Fairfax UMC and enjoy a relaxed lunch full of conversation and laughter with old and new friends. We hope to see you there, and we’ll be ready to greet you with a big welcome! Contact Charlotte McComas at sel2glf@cox.net for more information.

Pizza with the Pastor
2026-04-22 18:30 - 19:30
If you’re interested in joining Fairfax UMC or just want to learn more about the church, you’re invited to Pizza with the Pastor. Gather at Rev. Bryson’s parsonage on Stratford Avenue at 6:30pm on Wednesday, April 22. Please click here to RSVP (though you’re welcome whether or not you sign up). We look forward to making pizza and enjoying our time together!

Young Adults Night Out
2026-04-24 17:30 - 20:00
Our next Young Adults Night Out is Friday, April 24. All young adults are invited to join us for dinner at Southeast Impressions at 6:00pm. If you have kids, you can drop them off at the church for pizza, crafts, and activities from 5:30 to 8:00pm. If you plan to attend, please click here to RSVP.

New Member Sunday
2026-04-26 09:30 - 10:30
Interested in joining our Fairfax UMC community? Membership is 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 April 26. If you would like to be stand and publicly commit to becoming part of our church family, or if you would like information about what membership at Fairfax UMC means, please contact Rev. Angela Schroeder at aschroeder@fairfaxumc.org. You can also attend Pizza with the Pastor on April 22; click here to RSVP (though you’re welcome whether you sign up or not).

Stock the Shelves
2026-05-16 09:00 - 11:00
Our Stock the Shelves food pantry ministry, which originally served 20 families when it was founded in 2020, now serves 50–70 families every month by providing them with necessities such as food, cleaning supplies, and hygiene products. Items are distributed to families in need at 9:00–11:00am on the third Saturday of every month. No signup is required, but we ask that you bring some form of proof of address so we can keep track of who has received help each month.

Want to help Stock the Shelves? Your donations make this possible! You can give financially to support the food pantry via our online donations portal, or you can donate shelf-stable goods in the blue bins located in the Narthex and church office. Each month has a different item focus as follows:

January, May, September: Laundry Detergent
February, June, October: Diapers (sizes 3, 4, and 5 preferred)
March, July, November: Personal Hygiene Items (shampoo, toothpaste, etc)
April, August, December: Cleaning Supplies (kitchen and bathroom cleaners)

You can also click here for a list of all suggested donations. Additionally, you can choose to sponsor a particular item on a monthly basis either via regular donations or by shopping for and dropping off the item each month. For example, you could sign up to donate 75 one-pound boxes of pasta a month ($1 each at Walmart or Aldi), one or more Costco multi-packs of canned corn or beans (we use 50–70 per month), or canned tuna or chicken (we use about 50 per month). More sponsors help us refill the pantry each month after we serve the families who need our help. If you’re interested in giving in this way, contact Christie Johnson at christie.johnson92@gmail.com or Megan Maxwell at meganstanton22@gmail.com.
Want to give time as well as or instead of donations? Our Stock the Shelves food pantry ministry offers many opportunities to help. You can shop for us once a month on your own time, help us stock our shelves and pre-pack giveaway boxes on the third Thursday of each month (6:00–8:00pm), or assist with food distribution on the third Saturday of the month (8:30–11:00am). Thursday setup and Saturday distribution are both great chances for singles and families to serve. Click here and sign up if you’re ready to lend a hand. We appreciate all your support of this vital ministry!

FUMC Preschool Turns 50
2026-05-17 09:30 - 12:00
The FUMC Preschool celebrates its 50th anniversary in the 9:30am worship service on May 17, which will include children from the preschool. Following the service, come down to the preschool wing for an open house with games, kids’ activities, and cake for all. Additionally, the Fairfax Women’s Club, whose members are well-known for their baking prowess, will have a bake sale, with the proceeds benefiting the preschool. We’ll see you there!

Senior Sunday 2026
2026-06-07 09:30 - 11:00
During the June 7 worship service, Fairfax UMC celebrates those in our community who are graduating from high school, college or advanced degrees, trade school, or similar programs. If one of your family members graduates this year and you would like Fairfax UMC to recognize that person, please send a photo and information to Sarah Pennington at spennington@fairfaxumc.org. Your email should include a photo of the graduate, the graduate’s name as you would like it shown on the screens, and what program the graduate has completed. You can also include the graduate’s job or college plans. Graduate photographs and information must be received by Sunday, May 31 to appear in the service. We look forward to celebrating these milestones together as a church family and praying over these graduates’ future endeavors.

Biscuits with Bryson
2026-06-11 09:00 - 11:00
Are you looking for an opportunity to ask questions about a sermon, share a story of your walk with God, or have intentional discussion about growing in faith? Join Pastor Bryson at the Fairfax Circle Chick-Fil-A at 9:00am on June 11 for Biscuits with Bryson and “taste and see that the Lord is good” (and get a sneak-peak of a Discovery Day coming in July).

Hymn Sing Service
2026-06-21 09:30 - 10:30
Lift your voice in praise and celebration at our special Hymn Sing Service on June 21. During 9:30am worship, experience the joy of congregational singing with beloved hymns that inspire and uplift the spirit. Our worship will be enriched with the glorious sounds of a brass ensemble and our beloved organ, filling the sanctuary with majestic music. Whether you have a favorite hymn or simply love to sing in fellowship, this service promises to be a meaningful and uplifting experience for everyone, so please invite your friends to join you in worship for this special service.

Summer Hygiene Supply Drive
2026-06-28 - 2026-08-16
As families in our community struggle financially, many students find themselves in need of hygiene supplies. Fairfax City schools maintain a hygiene pantry to help these students, and Fairfax UMC is collecting items to help support the students and families of Providence Elementary and Katherine Johnson Middle School. We invite you to drop off donations of toothpaste and toothbrushes, mouthwash, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner, body wash and bar soap, acne facial wash, body lotion or cream, lip balm, detergent, and dishwasher soap in the blue bins in the Narthex starting Sunday, June 28. The supply drive runs through Sunday, August 16, after which collected items will be delivered to the schools prior to the start of the new school year. Thank you for helping us bless these students, their families, and local schools in our community.

Book Discussion: Remarkably Bright Creatures
2026-06-28 11:00 - 12:00
This “Summer Semester,” we are intentionally stepping away from our normal routines to dive deeper into Scripture, community traditions, and practical ministry. As part of our program, we’re communally reading and discussing one book per month, June through August. June’s book is Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. This book is a heartwarming exploration of grief, connection, and community told through the intersecting lives of a widow, a young man, and a remarkably clever giant Pacific octopus. This fiction selection will challenge us to look closely at the unexpected friendships that help us heal. We invite you to read this book and then gather to discuss it after the Sunday service on June 28, 11:00am, in the Multi-Purpose Room.

July Fellowship Time Cookout
2026-07-05 10:30 - 12:00
We’re celebrating our nation’s 250th with a cookout during Fellowship Time on Sunday, July 5. Put on your patriotic picnic attire, bring a side or sweet to share, and come enjoy hamburgers and hot dogs provided by the church. All are welcome!

Discovery Days: Walking the Camino Trail With Us
2026-07-12 11:00 - 12:30
Have you ever wondered what it’s really like to drop everything and walk an ancient pilgrimage trail? Grab a cup of coffee and join us for our next Discovery Day after worship on Sunday, July 12, as Reverend Bryson and his son Jackson share stories, lessons, and pictures from their recent trek along the Camino Português. Come discover universal truths of the road, like the absolute necessity of pacing oneself, the literal and spiritual weight of a 20-pound backpack, and why the real pilgrimage actually begins when you return home.

Youth Mission: The Jeremiah Project
2026-07-19 - 2026-07-25
This summer, July 19–25, middle and high school students can travel to Romney, West Virginia, to serve with the Jeremiah Project. There, the team will work to make community homes safer, drier, and more accessible. For more information on what to expect, please visit jeremiahproject.org or email Reverend T. Bryson Smith at brysonsmith@fairfaxumc.org. Camp costs are to be determined.

True North VBS
2026-07-20 09:00 - 12:00
Join GROW Kids Ministry as we learn to trust God in a wild world at True North VBS Camp. True North VBS is held here at Fairfax UMC on July 20–24, 9:00am–12:00pm. Additional activities are optionally available on July 24 until 4:00pm. Kids in preschool (three years old and potty trained) through fourth grade can be registered as VBS participants, while older students and adults are invited to help out as assistant leaders. For more information and to register or sign up to volunteer, visit fairfaxumc.org/vbs or contact Roxanne Lypka at rlypka@fairfaxumc.org.

Honduras Missions Trip: Summer 2026
2026-07-26 - 2026-08-01
Fairfax UMC is forming a mission team to return to Quimistan, Honduras this summer, July 26–August 1. The team will work on various projects with the students and staff at Honduras Independence Bilingual School. No teaching experience is required, just your unique skills and talents and a passion for forming lasting relationships with our neighbors in that region. Your cost for the trip is the flight ticket plus $750 for in-country expenses, including food, lodging, and in-country travel. For planning purposes, please make your commitment by mid-May. For more information, contact Andrea Kennedy at andreakennedy80@gmail.com.

Book Discussion: The Great Divorce
2026-07-26 11:00 - 12:00
This “Summer Semester,” we are intentionally stepping away from our normal routines to dive deeper into Scripture, community traditions, and practical ministry. As part of our program, we’re communally reading and discussing one book per month, June through August. July’s book is The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis. This brilliant theological fantasy classic follows a bus ride from Hell to the outskirts of Heaven, exploring the subtle choices that separate human hearts from the divine. We will use this classic text to examine the nature of free will, pride, and the reality of grace. We invite you to read this book and then gather to discuss it after the Sunday service on July 26, 11:00am, in the Multi-Purpose Room.

Click here to learn more about our Summer Syllabus.

All God's Children Camp
2026-08-09
The All God’s Children camp offers children with an incarcerated parent a week of adventure, belonging, and unconditional love where they’re reminded that they matter, they’re capable, and they’re never alone. The camp is seeking youth and adult volunteers to help with activities including crafts, music, swimming, hiking, and Bible studies. There is no cost to serve as a volunteer. For more details, please visit https://www.agccamp.org/ or contact Lori Smith at lttlelori@gmail.com or 571-245-9591.

Book Discussion: The Gifts of Imperfection
2026-08-16 11:00 - 12:00
This “Summer Semester,” we are intentionally stepping away from our normal routines to dive deeper into Scripture, community traditions, and practical ministry. As part of our program, we’re communally reading and discussing one book per month, June through August. August’s book is The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown. Are your ready for a practical, research-based guide to shedding societal expectations and embracing a life of wholehearted authenticity? This book will ground our discussions on cultivating courage, compassion, and resilience within a supportive faith community.. We invite you to read this book and then gather to discuss it after the Sunday service on August 16, 11:00am, in the Multi-Purpose Room.

Click here to learn more about our Summer Syllabus.
