This week, we were grateful to share that Pastor Keiko Foster will join Washington Farm as our new pastor beginning July 1. 

Pastor Keiko brings a wide range of ministry experience. Originally from Japan, she has lived in the United States since 2001 and became a follower of Jesus as a young adult. She later discerned a call to ministry and completed her studies at Baptist Theological Seminary in Richmond and Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. She was ordained an Elder in 2015 and has served Good Shepherd in Woodbridge, the Northern Virginia District office, and, most recently, Greenwood and Market Street UMC in Winchester.

She and her husband, Mark, have a son, Joshua, and a lively household that includes a dog named Karly, a cat named Mandy, several fish, and a 20‑year‑old mare named Mouse. Pastor Keiko and her family are looking forward to beginning their ministry with the Washington Farm community.

We pray for Pastor Claire and Pastor Keiko as they step into their new ministries.  We trust with joy that God’s love will be among our congregations and with each pastor as they settle into their new church homes.

To read Pastor Claire’s full message from last week, please click the button below.

Registration for Summer Music Camp will open this Saturday. Our registration link is included below, along with a downloadable invitation you can share with friends and neighbors.

This is a great chance to reach out to your neighborhood families. You can text or email this link: washingtonfarmumc.org/pages/summer-music-camp, or click here to download, print, and deliver this invitation. Add a personal note; it makes all the difference.

Here are a few simple lines you can copy and adapt:
“I thought the kids might enjoy this; my kids loved it."
“I thought your kids might have fun at this camp. The teachers are really great.”
“If you could use a few quiet mornings this summer, this free camp is a gift.”
“We’ve had such good experiences with this camp. I wanted to pass it along.”

Let's care for our church grounds together. Most of the work will be leaf raking and bagging, and the church will provide gloves, bags, and some rakes. If you’re able, please bring a labeled rake from home. No power tools will be used.

We’ll break for dinner from 5-6 PM, with hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, garden salad, chips, and plenty of cold water. 

Questions? Contact Steve Brown.

Acolyte Training will take place right after worship on Sunday, May 3 for kids ages eight and up. If you’d like to help lead worship by serving one or more Sundays each month, this is for you. Reach out to Pastor Claire with any questions at pastor@washingtonfarmumc.org.

Your donated treasures really do make a difference, so please keep them coming. All proceeds go toward supporting Washington Farm’s college scholarship recipients.

We’re also looking for volunteers to help with sorting and pricing from April 27–30, and to work the event on Saturday, May 2. You can sign up using the link below or on the clipboard in the narthex.

Then on Saturday, May 2, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., come shop our second Baubles, Bangles, and Beads Boutique right in the church parking lot, weather permitting.

If you have any questions, reach out to Beth Jones.

This Sunday, we welcome our lay leader, Bev Card, to the pulpit, as we reflect on John 10:1–10 and the promise of The Good Shepherd, the One who knows us, calls us by name, and leads us into life.

Thanks to those serving in worship this week!
Liturgist - Theresa Brown
Ushers - Sue Irvin
Acolyte - Kristin Miller
Music Director - Kevin Sapp 
Organist - Beth Evans
Altar Flowers - Sandy Berdux