At the corner of Interstate 395 and King Street in West End Alexandria, Fairlington United Methodist Church has spent more than 75 years building relationships with its neighbors, responding to community needs, and standing up for justice. The congregation marked 75 years of ministry at this location in 2019, but the work that defines the church reaches well beyond its walls: a Reconciling statement that has welcomed LGBTQ members since 2013, a Rent Security Deposit Assistance Program that moved 99 households into housing in a single year, a Food Mission that distributes groceries to 275 to 300 individuals each month, and a Green Church covenant that has earned recognition from both the Virginia Annual Conference and the Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions. The same building houses Fairlington Preschool, two gardens, and a long list of community groups based at Fairlington UMC.
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
Fairlington UMC adopted its Reconciling statement on February 10, 2013, after nearly two years of planning, educational events, small group meetings, and personal stories shared across the congregation. The final vote was 94 percent in favor. The statement commits the church to welcome all persons into membership, participation, and leadership regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, family structure, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, economic background, political affiliation, physical or mental ability, faith history, or life experience. The congregation also acknowledges differences in theology and biblical interpretation, and covenants to accept, respect, and love one another along their faith journeys.
The Reconciling Ministry Team continues to coordinate education, advocacy, and visibility work, including partnerships with the Reconciling Ministries Network, Many Voices, Believe Out Loud, and the Parents Reconciling Network. The church's welcome statement appears in its communications again and again: All are welcome. No exceptions.
Sunday Worship at Eleven
The single Sunday service gathers at 11 AM in the sanctuary. It is a traditional United Methodist service built around liturgy, hymns, scripture, and organ, with the Chancel Choir and the Jubilate Handbell Choir providing musical leadership on a rotating basis. Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month at this same service, with the church teaching that this is God's table, and God welcomes all. Children are present for the first part of worship and then dismissed to Children's Church for the remainder of the hour.
For those who cannot be in the sanctuary, the 11 AM service is livestreamed each week on YouTube and Facebook, and recordings are archived for later viewing. The order of worship and announcements are posted in advance so that viewers at home can follow along. The same livestream is also shared each Sunday morning.
What Visitors Find at 3900 King Street
Fairlington sits at 3900 King Street, just east of the I-395 interchange, with two free parking lots. The lower lot is adjacent to the church entrance and reserves several spots for first-time visitors and those who need accessible parking. The upper lot sits directly across Van Dorn Street, parallel to the Native Habitat Garden, with a crosswalk connecting the two. Visitors who need a ride can contact the church office to ask about bus availability.
The motto for newcomers is simple: come as you are. Greeters and ushers guide people into the sanctuary, and no one is ever asked to stand or to introduce themselves. Lifelong United Methodists and first-time visitors alike are welcome. For families with young children, the building offers a soundproof family room behind the balcony where parents can still follow the service while little ones have room to move. Children's bulletins and activity bags are available at the door.
Communion Sundays are intentionally open. The sacrament is offered to all who wish to receive, including children. Ushers are ready to help with bread or juice, and a blessing is offered in place of the elements for anyone who prefers it.
Children at Fairlington
Children are part of the worshiping community at Fairlington. The Sunday morning schedule is built around the 11 AM service, with discipleship opportunities for every age beginning at 9:30 AM. Big Faith is the Sunday school program, with the Primary Group for ages 0 to 5 meeting in Room 211 and the Elementary Group for first through fifth graders meeting in Room 309.
At 10:30 AM, children move into Children's Church, known as Holy Moly. Children in second through fifth grade start in the sanctuary for the Let the Children Come story time with the pastor, then follow their teachers to Room 213 for a lesson and play. Pre-K through first graders follow a similar rhythm in Room 212. On Communion Sundays, all children return to the sanctuary to receive the sacrament with their families.
Throughout the year, Family Dinner Nights bring everyone to the table on a Wednesday evening from 5:45 to 7 PM. Dinner is served family-style for a modest contribution, and the cost is reduced for anyone who needs assistance.
Every adult who works with children at Fairlington has completed a background check and signed on to the church's Child Protection Policy. Fairlington UMC also participates in Safe Sanctuaries, the United Methodist Church's official child safety program.
A Music Program for Every Generation
Music is one of the strongest ministries at Fairlington. Dr. Louise Wilson has served as Director of Music and organist since 1991 and has built a comprehensive vocal and handbell program that spans every age.
The flagship ensemble is the Chancel Choir, made up of adults and youth who sing during the 11 AM worship service and rehearse on Thursdays from 7:30 to 9 PM in the sanctuary. The choir has performed the National Anthem for the Washington Nationals on many occasions and participates regularly in the United Methodist Committee on Relief Choir Festival in Alexandria and Springfield.
For adults who prefer handbells, the Jubilate Handbell Choir is an advanced ensemble that rehearses Thursdays from 6:15 to 7:25 PM and rings in worship seven to eight times a year. The Joyful Ringers, an intergenerational beginner and intermediate bell choir, meet Wednesdays from 6:15 to 6:45 PM.
Children have two choirs of their own. Cherub Choir is for children age 4 through first grade and meets Wednesdays from 5 to 5:30 PM. Chapel Choir, for second through eighth graders, meets Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:15 PM, with older singers invited to lead Taizé Prayer Services on the first Wednesday of each month.
Each December, the music ministry presents the annual Messiah Sing-Along. Fairlington invites the community to sing Part One and the Hallelujah Chorus of Handel's Messiah with the Chancel Choir, guest soloists, and the Amadeus Orchestra. Admission and parking are free, and scores are available at the door.
Small Groups and Adult Formation
Adult formation at Fairlington happens primarily through small groups, where members and friends grow in faith by reading, praying, eating, and serving together. There is no required curriculum; each group chooses its own focus.
On Sunday mornings, Practical Faith gathers parents with children at 9:30 AM, while Our Journey on the Way offers a traditional adult Sunday school class at the same time. The Tuesday Morning Bible Study meets at 10:45 AM in Room 110 for retired adults. On Wednesdays at 7:30 AM, the Men's Prayer Group meets for thirty minutes of scripture and prayer.
Younger adults gather as Forever Family, an eclectic group that plays games, celebrates milestones, helps one another in practical ways, and explores questions of faith. The Women's Small Group meets via Zoom on Monday evenings, and the Men's Small Group meets in person on the first Monday of each month at 7:30 PM.
Two longstanding organizations round out adult life at Fairlington. United Women in Faith is a community of women from different backgrounds and professions who work together on local missions, leadership development, and spiritual growth. The United Methodist Men gathers men around faith, fellowship, and service, with monthly dinners and ongoing projects.
Four Mission Priorities: Housing, Food, Creation Care, and Immigration
Fairlington organizes its outreach around four mission priorities, each one a long-term commitment rather than a single project.
Housing. The Rent Security Deposit Assistance Program, often called RSDAP, partners with social service agencies to provide one-time grants of up to $500 toward security deposits for individuals and families moving from homelessness or low-income housing into safe, affordable homes in Arlington and Alexandria. In 2023 alone, RSDAP provided $31,394 in grants to 99 households. On the second Saturday of each month, volunteers meet at the church at 7:30 AM to pick up and deliver gently used furniture in partnership with ALIVE!. The church also hosts the ALIVE! Housewares Program on site and contributes financially to the West End Lazarus Ministry, which provides emergency aid to Alexandrians in crisis through trained volunteer counselors.
Food. The Food Mission distributes groceries and essential items on the third Wednesday of each month from 4 to 6:30 PM, with a Stock Toiletries Pantry that serves 55 to 60 local families (275 to 300 individuals) each month. Volunteers also cook and serve dinner at Carpenter's Shelter on the fourth Saturday of each month, a service the church has provided for more than 25 years. Other programs include monthly Meals on Wheels deliveries to homebound Alexandrians, weekly food collections for ALIVE!, Saturday morning gleaning at the Del Ray Farmers Market, and the Teens Opposing Poverty program, in which students prepare and deliver meals in downtown Washington, DC.
Creation Care. Fairlington is a recognized Green Church. The Creation Care team maintains two gardens on or near the property and supports sustainable practices throughout the building.
Immigration. The Just Neighbors ministry supports low-income immigrants and refugees in Northern Virginia through legal services, and the Refugee Assistance team sponsors families transitioning into the Alexandria community.
A Green Church with Two Gardens
Fairlington adopted a Green Covenant that commits the congregation to care for God's creation through learning, teaching, worship, sustainable practices, and mission. In 2024 the Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions honored Fairlington with its Sustainability Champions Award for People of Faith Developing Local Solutions to the Climate Crisis, and the Green Church Initiative of the Virginia Annual Conference recognized the church as a Green Church.
The Native Habitat Garden sits across Van Dorn Street, parallel to the upper parking lot. Volunteers have planted a wide variety of native species, removed invasives, reduced stormwater runoff, and minimized chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Pathways, seating areas, and open lawn make it a place to wander, and the church welcomes visitors to come and explore. Memorial and honor trees and shrubs can be planted in the garden or on the property by arrangement with the Creation Care team.
Behind the playground, the ALIVE! Vegetable Garden is an organic plot tended by volunteers of all ages. Produce is harvested and donated to ALIVE! for distribution through its food programs. During the growing season, May through October, the team hosts weekly volunteer times to care for both gardens.
Inside the building, sustainable practices include a water fountain with a refill station, cloth napkins in the kitchen, recycled paper bulletins, fair trade palms on Palm Sunday, and locally grown and organic communion elements when available.
Fairlington Preschool in the Building
Fairlington Preschool is a nonsectarian, nonprofit preschool that operates out of the church building, serving children ages 2 through 6. It is licensed by the State of Virginia and is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The preschool uses the High Scope curriculum, a developmentally appropriate, whole-child approach, and offers one of the largest outdoor play spaces in the area. Director Jaime Thompson, who has been involved with the preschool as both teacher and parent for many years, leads a staff that emphasizes play, inclusion, and community partnerships.
Pastoral and Program Staff
The Rev. Dr. Janine Howard serves as Lead Pastor. A graduate of Wesley Theological Seminary, where she earned her Master of Divinity in 1998 and Doctor of Ministry in 2007, Janine was first welcomed into the United Methodist Church by United Methodist Women on the Eastern Shore before going on to serve in pastoral leadership and at the cabinet level of the Virginia Annual Conference. She most recently concluded her term as District Superintendent of the Danville District before being called to Fairlington.
The Rev. Christian White, a Deacon in the United Methodist Church, serves as Minister of Congregational Family Life, overseeing Christian formation programs for children and adults, as well as the Youth Ministry and Fairlington Preschool. Christian graduated from Duke Divinity School in 1998 and spent eleven years as a middle school teacher and principal in Washington, DC before entering congregational ministry.
Dr. Louise Wilson, Director of Music, has shaped the church's choral and handbell program since 1991. She holds the Doctor of Musical Arts in organ performance from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, with additional degrees from Indiana University, and has taught on the adjunct organ faculties of American University and the Chicago Conservatory College.
Logan Westcott serves as Youth Minister. A graduate of VCU and the Candler School of Theology, Logan came to the United Methodist Church in 2018 and has served in prison ministry, nonprofits, and youth ministry since 2019.
A Building That Serves the Wider Community
Beyond its own ministries, Fairlington opens its building to a remarkable number of outside groups. Boy Scout Troop 350 meets on Tuesday evenings. AA Women's Safe Harbor, a women's recovery group, gathers on Tuesdays at 5:30 PM in Room 110. The Alexandria Learning Cooperative runs Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 2 PM for homeschooled students. Westminster Presbyterian Church holds weekly music rehearsals and gatherings on the property, and a local Muslim brotherhood meets for prayers on Friday afternoons. A weekly sewing class, a knitting group called Kneedful Knitters, an improv comedy class, a pastry shop in the Fellowship Hall, and a sewing circle fill out a calendar that turns the building into a seven-day-a-week community hub.
For worship, formation, mission, and music, the building also remains available for weddings and funerals, and rooms can be rented by nonprofit groups whose work aligns with the church's values.