Fairhaven UMC
E-Messenger
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Mission: To Love, Live, and Serve like Jesus
In our church, community, and world
Sunday Worship
Join us in person or online at 10:30 a.m. as we contemplate, “Boasting in the Foolishness of the Cross,” inspired by 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. The Sanctuary Choir will sing, “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace,” arranged by Eric Fettke. We begin our Black History Month observance with a look at the accomplishments of Dr. Vivien Thomas. Holy Communion will be celebrated.
Weather Watch: If there is another storm this weekend (a possibility), we may move service online again. Notice will be sent via email, the website and Facebook as soon as a decision is made. Regardless, please be safe and stay warm!
This week's worship participants:
Acolyte: Lily Babalola
Ushers – Dennis Leighty
Lay Reader: Ellen Voorhees
Coffee Hour Hosts: Barbara Dougherty and Nancy
The link to last week’s service: LINK
The link to the Martin Luther King service: LINK
Happening This Week
We extend our sympathy to Rev. Ken and his wife, Nancy, on the passing of Nancy’s father, Rusty Hammond, on Tuesday.
Green Team (in the garden room) and Worship Committee (in a Sunday School room) will both be meeting after service on Sunday. All members of the committees are asked to be present.
United Women in Faith will meet virtually on Saturday at 10 am. All women are invited to join us via this meeting LINK
Meeting ID: 814 4547 9276 Passcode: 978171
The Pledge service will be our program after which we will discuss our plans for 2026.
Save the Dates For Future Events! (details below)
February 7 – Young Adult Social Outing
February 14 – Prayer Shawls workshop
February 15 – Scout Sunday
February 18 – Ash Wednesday Worship Service Darnestown Presbyterian Church, 7:30 p.m.
Additional New and Important Updates
Fairhaven's Young Adults are planning our first social outing of the year at 5 Wits (Escape Room) in Arlington, VA at 3:30pm, Saturday, February 7, 2025. All "Young Adults" (college age and up) are welcome! Please let Jonathan Chambers know (as soon as possible) if you would like to attend. Ticket costs per person are approximately $30-35
The Tuesday Morning Bible Study: Resumes in our usual hybrid format at 10 a.m. on February 3rd. We will be studying “An Invitation to Genesis” by Peter Epps. Study books are available from both Cokesbury and Amazon. Please contact Pastor Ken for more details. We would love to have you join us!
Bring your Old Flags: A great way for you to dispose of an old flag is to bring it to church on Sunday. On Communion Sunday, bring all your used American flags to Church and place them in a special box in the narthex and these symbols of our great Nation will be disposed of properly. Look for more news on this topic that will be coming as we approach the 250th birthday of the United States of America.
Appeal for Huree University: Last Sunday Geoff presented a Mission Moment Appeal to support students at the Huree University of Information and Communication Technology in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. Donations can be done online either by accessing our giving portal via the website, or you can write a check to Fairhaven with "Huree" in the memo line and drop it in the offering plate or mail it to the Church office.
As we begin this new year, please consider how you might grow in your relationship with God and in your service to Fairhaven. Here are a few suggestions: Join a bible study class; join the prayer service; join one of our choirs; become an active participant in United Methodist Men or United Women in Faith; join the Green Team; be a Sunday School teacher, become an usher, communion steward, or lay reader; host coffee hour; sign-up to sponsor altar flowers; become a member of the Community Action Team. If you are interested in growing contact the church office and we can let you know who to contact.
Offering Envelopes: 2026 offering envelopes, are available to be picked up from the table in the Narthex.
News from the Greater Gaithersburg Hub, the Baltimore-Washington Conference, and the Community
The Council of Bishops has released a statement condemning the violence in Minnesota. "In recent days, events in Minnesota and beyond have caused deep grief, concern, and alarm across our connection. The use of lethal force in public spaces, the detention of naturalized citizens, members of our indigenous communities, children, documented and undocumented immigrants, and the treatment of other vulnerable persons have weighed heavily on the hearts of many in our church..." You can read the full statement here: https://www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/newsdetail/bishops-condemn-violence-in-minnesota-19590782
Faithful Resistance: On February 25, join ecumenical and interfaith leaders and communities in Washington, D.C. for Faithful Resistance, a public witness grounded in worship, moral courage, and solidarity with our neighbors. Together, people of faith will gather to lift up a shared commitment to justice, peace, and the dignity of all. The day will begin with worship, followed by a prayerful procession to the U.S. Capitol and afternoon congressional visits. Participants will have the opportunity to engage lawmakers and advocate for policies rooted in compassion and care for the most vulnerable. Learn more.
BWC News
The Baltimore-Washington Conference is now accepting scholarship applications through March 6, offering financial support to students pursuing higher education across the United States. Scholarships are available for a variety of paths, including academic merit, leadership, ministry-focused studies, and attendance at Methodist and other accredited colleges. Learn more and apply.
Of Continuing Interest...
Remember our Sick and Shut-ins and those on our weekly prayer list
Weekly Schedule
Office Hours week of February 1
Pastor Ken: 9:30-6:30 Tuesday; 10-7 Wednesday (subject to change)
Rita: Tues-Thurs 9-1
Sunday Worship: Every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. ZOOM Link
Meeting ID: 156 030 351 Passcode: 324036 Dial-In: 301 715 8592
We kindly request that you remain muted during the Sunday service once worship has begun. The service is edited before being posted to our YouTube channel.
Tuesday Morning Bible Study: Resumes on Tuesday, February 3, at 10am
ZOOM LINK Meeting ID: 811 8541 4235 Dial-In 301 715 8592
Tuesday Night Bible Study: Tuesday Evenings 7-8 pm by Zoom. Mala Prasad is leading a study on The Bible With and Without Jesus by Amy Jill Levine and Marc Zivi Brettler. ZOOM LINK Meeting ID: 811 8541 4235 Dial-In 301 715 8592
Weekly Prayer Service: Resumes on Thursday, January 8, at 7:00 p.m. Need a mid-week spiritual lift? All are welcome to join us online at 7:00 p.m. for our weekly Thursday evening prayer service. ZOOM LINK.
Grief Support Group: Will meet in person on selected Thursdays, at 6:30 pm. If you are interested in participating in the group, please contact Rev. Gerry at therevjr@msn.com for more details.
Contact Information
Pastor Ken Hawes: pastorken.fairhavenumc@gmail.com; 240-329-7638
Deacon Megan Blanchard: rev.megan.blanchard@gmail.com
Rita Green: fairhavenumc@gmail.com, c- 301-648-8294
Christina Mollard: ycmollard@gmail.com
Financial Giving to Fairhaven: Thank you for your continued generosity for the ministry of Christ through Fairhaven UMC. There are 3 ways to make an offering:
● In Person: place a gift in the offering plate on Sunday mornings
● Mail: send a check to the church, payable to Fairhaven United Methodist Church
● Online: https://fairhaven.breezechms.com/give/online
You may designate your gift to several funds:
● General Fund: the primary fund covering budgeted expenses
● Discretionary Fund: helps people in need on an emergency basis (at the pastor’s discretion)
● Capital Expenses: for ongoing church building needs
● Invest in Fairhaven: a specific capital campaign to do building upgrades
● Building Use: for community members who use the building to pay their use fees
● Other funds are activated-deactivated through the year for specific causes (Huree, SAVE, UMCOR, etc.)