Title Image

Local Outreach

Be the Hands and Feet of Christ in our Community

To serve in our local ministries, please contact Bob Zotian or Reverend David Bonney.

Missions_Hypothermia Local Outreach

Hypothermia Sheltering

Fairfax UMC is hosting the 2024 Hypothermia Shelter on February 4–10. Winter is an especially challenging season for the homeless community, and the shelter this ministry offers provides a brief respite that saves lives. Between 40 to 60 guests each night are provided shelter, safety, fellowship, dinner and breakfast the following morning. To learn more about the 2024 Hypothermia Shelter event and how you can help, click here.

Stock the Shelves

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. 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, which you can learn about on our Facebook page, or you can 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? Click here and sign up to help with either stocking the food pantry shelves or distributing items. We appreciate all your support of this vital ministry!

Stock-the-Shelves_Local
Facets_Local Outreach

FACETS Hot Meals

On the first and third Fridays of each month, FACETS volunteers from FUMC prepare and deliver hot meals for families and individuals who are homeless in our community. Please contact Jim Conklin to assist with this critical ministry. Volunteers to cook and deliver the meals are always needed.

Lamb Center Lunch Ministry

At 9:00am on the fourth Thursday of each month, individuals from Fairfax UMC prepare lunches for the guests of the Lamb Center. The Lamb Center is a local ministry that provides important services to the local homeless population such as meals, showers, clothing and other social services. If you would like to participate in the Lamb Center Lunch Ministry, simply drop by the church between 9:00 and 10:00am; no sign-up required!

Lamb Center
ESL flopped

English as a Second Language (ESL)

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. Registration is now open for the Spring 2024 ESL session.

 

The Spring 2024 ESL session runs January 17 through 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. The Citizenship Class begins January 10 and costs $20. All fees include 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.

Fairfax FISH (For Immediate Sympathetic Help)

This volunteer, non-profit ecumenical outreach organization provides funds and volunteers to serve the needy and the elderly in the greater Fairfax City area with life’s necessities: food, clothing, financial assistance for delinquent rent, mortgage, utility bills and prescriptions. Requests for assistance are coordinated through Fairfax County Department of Human Services. Fairfax UMC is one of the founding churches of Fairfax FISH and continues to provide leadership and support. Please contact Tony Almond to assist with this ministry.

 

If you need assistance from FISH, please contact the Office of Coordinated Services Planning “CSP” at 1-703-222-0880.

Outreach_Rebuilding new

Rebuilding Together

Rebuilding Together is an annual event in which FUMC and many other churches work with local individuals and organizations to help repair and rebuild homes for those in need. Volunteers may do outdoor gardening and trimming, painting, power washing, minor repair projects, hardware installation, or other similar tasks. This ministry is a great way to make a tangible difference in people’s lives!

 

For information on the 2023 Rebuilding Together event, click here.

Holiday Market

Holiday Market is a wonderful ministry our church initiated three years ago and it has found a special place in the hearts of the church and the community at Christmas! Each year, the church collects new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages, along with gently used books, coats, stocking stuffers, and other gifts for adults and kids. Then, local parents who would not otherwise be able to provide Christmas for their kids have the opportunity to select and wrap gifts for their kids from the donations. FUMC is always glad for this opportunity to bless others in such a blessed item of year.

 

To learn about this year’s Holiday Market, click here.

Holiday Market_Local Outreach