Fairfax City residents looking for a taste of authentic Korean culture, delicious food, and family fun will have the perfect opportunity on Saturday, October 18, 2025, when the Korean United Methodist Church of Koinonia holds its first-ever Church Bazaar at its new Fairfax location from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m – 12401 Alder Woods Dr, Fairfax, VA 22033
Reverend Young Bong Kim described the excitement surrounding the event: “This is our first big event since our church moved from Centerville to Fairfax about eight months ago. I hope to provide a fun event for residents in this neighborhood. I also hope that our church members bond as a community by working together.”
For the church, the bazaar is more than just a fundraiser—it is a reflection of its mission. “Since the very beginning, our church has emphasized three kinds of fellowship: fellowship with God, fellowship with fellow church members, and fellowship with the neighbors. This event fits our three goals perfectly because the church members get to work together and bond, we will be serving our neighbors, and the proceeds of the event are used for the work of God.”
Food, Fun, and Fellowship
The highlight of the bazaar will be the food, with church members showcasing their culinary talents. Visitors can expect traditional Korean favorites like ramyun and kimbap, which Reverend Kim noted are especially popular these days: “Apparently, popularity of ramyun and kimbap is through the roof due to the movie K-Pop Demon Hunters. Koreans and non-Koreans alike can enjoy all that amazing K-food on the spot.”
Beyond ready-to-eat dishes, the bazaar will also offer pantry staples to take home. “You can also purchase kimchi, doenjang, and gochujang, all hand-prepared by our church members, for a much cheaper price than the market and enjoy them at home,” Kim explained. Adding a personal touch, he plans to roll up his sleeves and join the cooks: “I am going to be wearing an apron and serving Korean-style mung bean pancakes myself. The ingredients and recipe will be by someone who is a much better cook than I am, but it will be me doing the cooking and greeting the guests.”
For families with children, the bazaar promises plenty of entertainment. “We have face painting, a moon bounce, cookies hand-prepared by our youth group, and more fun things planned,” Kim said.
A High-Quality Flea Market
Unlike the typical image of a church rummage sale, organizers are making sure the flea market meets high standards. “As we accept donations, we take out any item that is old are poor in quality. We will only sell merchandise that is desirable and worthy of purchase,” Kim emphasized. “We have also accepted luxurious products as donations, so those who are interested should check out such items.”
There will also be a section devoted to fresh produce, sourced from Korean American farmers in nearby states. “We have many Korean American farmers close by who own and raise agricultural products in places like Pennsylvania and South Carolina. They are sending us fresh produce such as mushrooms,” Kim noted. “They are of top-notch quality, but very reasonably priced compared to the market.”
Supporting Local and Global Missions
Proceeds from the bazaar will go toward several causes close to the church’s heart. Reverend Kim shared, “Since our church moved to the City of Fairfax, we decided to take care of weekend meals for 150 students in Daniels Run Elementary School. The County of Fairfax is one of the wealthiest localities in the United States and in the world. It is a tragedy there are 150 elementary school children here who do not have access to a good meal on the weekends. We will be using the proceeds mostly to help support this children.”
Additional funds will aid missionaries, including a long-serving member on the Hopi Reservation in Arizona who is recovering from a serious illness, as well as United Methodist Church missions worldwide.
Welcoming the Community
Since moving to Fairfax, the church has felt embraced by its new neighbors. “There is a large Korean American community in this area. We have a Korean-language and English-language congregation as well as a youth group and Sunday school. Our doors are open to anyone interested in Korean culture,” Kim said. “We wish to work alongside Pender United Methodist Church to continue to spread God’s love to people of all backgrounds in this region.”
The October 18 bazaar is free to attend, and all are welcome. With its mix of food, fun, quality shopping, and a mission to serve, the event promises to become a new Fairfax tradition.
