Fairfax UMC & US Hunger Meal Packing
2023-10-21 10:30 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Avenue, Fairfax, VA, 22030, United States
On October 21, help Fairfax UMC accomplish our goal of providing 30,000 meals for those in need. We’ll set up our assembly lines to pack a delicious and nutritious meal that will be distributed to families in our community and around the world. Shifts are scheduled for 10:30am and 1:00pm, with lunch offered to everyone at noon. This event is open to all ages and is a great opportunity for families to serve together. Want to lend a hand? Click here to sign up!

Grief Focus Group
2023-10-22 10:45 - 23:45 | Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Avenue, Fairfax, VA, 22030, United States
If you have experienced the loss of someone or something you love, you know firsthand how difficult it can be to cope with grief and carry on in a spirit of peace and joy. Pastor Pamela would like to invite anyone wrestling with loss to a focus group to discuss how the church can help you. Whether your grief is new or longstanding, we are interested in your thoughts and input as we consider the formation of a grief support group and investigate written materials to potentially purchase. This one-time focus group will meet immediately after our worship service on October 22, from 10:45 to 11:45am in the Fellowship Hall. We hope to hear which of our ideas are appealing, what resources have been helpful to you, and how we might be a better blessing to people in our church.

Dinner Out
2023-10-24 18:30 - 20:30 | Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Avenue, Fairfax, VA, 22030, United States
Dinner Out has been rescheduled to Tuesday, October 24 instead of the usual last Tuesday of the month. We hope to see you at P.J. Skidoos at 6:30pm for dinner with your church family. To let us know you’re coming and help us plan for the correct number of seats, please email Pamela at pkipps@fairfaxumc.org.

GameOn!
2023-11-17 18:00 - 20:00 | Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Avenue, Fairfax, VA, 22030, United States
Are you an adult who enjoys playing board games or card games? If so, join us at our newest opportunity to connect with others in our church. Our first game night, called GameOn!, is planned for Friday, November 17, at 6:00–8:00pm. Come enjoy a light dinner and pick a game table that appeals to you. We’ll have an assortment of game options available. For more information or to secure a ride, contact Andrea Bryk at acwbryk@yahoo.com or Charlotte McComas at sel2golf@cox.net. We hope to see you there!

Lunch Bunch: Feast of Gratitude
2023-11-20 12:00 - 14:00 | Pastor Pamela’s Parsonage, 3572 University Dr, Fairfax, VA, 22030
Join the Lunch Bunch group on Monday, November 20, at 12:00pm for a special gathering. This month, everyone is invited to bring something to share for our annual Feast of Gratitude. We hope you’ll join us for this joyful time of connection at Pastor Pamela’s parsonage across the street from the church as we welcome new faces and friends. For more information, contact Pastor Pamela at pkipps@fairfaxumc.org.

Advent Bible Study
2023-11-29 10:45 - 12:00 | Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Avenue, Fairfax, VA, 22030, United States
Would you like your heart to grow three sizes this Advent season? If so, join us for our Advent study based on Matt Rawle’s book, The Heart That Grew Three Sizes. In this four-week study, we’ll explore the familiar classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas through the lens of faith and see how Christ speaks to us today through our culture and experiences. The study meets on Wednesdays, November 29 through December 20, at 10:45am in the Fellowship Hall. We hope you’ll gather with us for food, joyful fellowship, and creative learning as we discover how familiar stories can grow our faith.

Advent Family Dinner
2023-11-29 18:00 - 19:00 | Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Avenue, Fairfax, VA, 22030, United States
On Wednesday, November 29, at 6:00–7:00pm, FUMC Kids Ministry invites you to come, pause, and remember what the Advent season is all about as we enjoy a meal together. Each family will leave with materials to celebrate the reason for the season, make memories, and have fun as you prepare for Christmas. Please click here to RSVP or contact Angela Schroeder at aschroeder@fairfaxumc.org for more information.

Sing with Lessons & Carols
2023-11-30 19:00 - 20:30 | Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Avenue, Fairfax, VA, 22030, United States
One of the most anticipated events of the year is the upcoming Lessons & Carols service on December 17 during the 9:30am worship service. If you would like to sing in this wonderful service as a short-term choir member, we would love to have you. Rehearsals are scheduled for November 30 and December 7 and 14 at 7:00–8:30pm in the Choir Room. High school students and adults from the church and the community are all welcome to join. If you are able to participate, please contact Mike Horanski at mhoranski@fairfaxumc.org so we can make sure we have music for everyone and a seat ready for you.

Deck the Halls!
2023-12-02 08:30 - 10:30 | Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Avenue, Fairfax, VA, 22030, United States
If you delight in seeing Fairfax UMC decked out for the holidays, please join us on Saturday, December 2, starting at 8:30am to help us “deck the halls.” We’ll enjoy coffee, cider, and donuts as we decorate our beautiful church. Casual Christmas dress is welcome, and there will be a prize for the most spirited attire! This a fun and easy way to serve your church while connecting with others.

Decorate the Mitten Tree
2023-12-03 - 2024-01-01 | Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Avenue, Fairfax, VA, 22030, United States
During Advent, Fairfax UMC decorates the Mitten Tree in the Narthex with gloves, scarfs, hats, and socks for people in our community who can’t afford to buy warm winter clothing for their families. After Advent ends, the items on the tree are distributed to those in need.

Discovery Days: Surviving the Holidays
2023-12-03 11:00 - 13:00 | Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Avenue, Fairfax, VA, 22030, United States
If you’ve experienced grief or loss, you know how hard it can be to be surrounded by Christmas festivities, celebrations, and joy while carrying a heavy heart yourself. If you’d like some tips on how to journey through the holiday season in the midst of grief and loss, join us for our next Discovery Days workshop, Surviving the Holidays, on December 3, 11:00am–1:00pm, in the Multi-Purpose Room. In this two-hour workshop, which features content created by GriefShare, the world’s number one grief recovery program, you’ll view a 35-minute video, have time for meaningful discussion, and receive a take-home survival guide. Come discover how Surviving the Holidays has helped so many people find the comfort and strength they need to journey through this challenging season. If you have questions or want to help provide event hospitality, email Pastor Pamela Kipps at pkipps@fairfaxumc.org.

Vienna Choral Society: Sounds of the Season
2023-12-10 17:00 - 21:00 | 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 | Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Avenue, Fairfax, VA, 22030, United States
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 United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Avenue, Fairfax, VA, 22030, United States
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 | Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Avenue, Fairfax, VA, 22030, United States
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 | Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Avenue, Fairfax, VA, 22030, United States
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 | Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Avenue, Fairfax, VA, 22030, United States
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 | Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Avenue, Fairfax, VA, 22030, United States
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 United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Avenue, Fairfax, VA, 22030, United States
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 | Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Avenue, Fairfax, VA, 22030, United States
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 | Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Avenue, Fairfax, VA, 22030, United States
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 | Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Avenue, Fairfax, VA, 22030, United States
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 | Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Avenue, Fairfax, VA, 22030, United States
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 | Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Avenue, Fairfax, VA, 22030, United States
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 | Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Avenue, Fairfax, VA, 22030, United States
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 | Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Avenue, Fairfax, VA, 22030, United States
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 | Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Avenue, Fairfax, VA, 22030, United States
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 | Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Avenue, Fairfax, VA, 22030, United States
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 | Fairfax United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Avenue, Fairfax, VA, 22030, United States
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 United Methodist Church, 10300 Stratford Avenue, Fairfax, VA, 22030, United States
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.
