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Weekly News & Updates: March 1, 2024

Sunday Worship Service - 10am


Join us for Worship this Sunday, March 3.


  • It's Communion Sunday. Let's all come together to celebrate the Great Thanksgiving and get reconnected.


  • Rev. Ry will preach about Jesus cleansing the temple.


As always, we will have a gluten-free option for Communion.


Please enter the sanctuary through the doors facing Stockley Gardens.

Connection Card:

Click here.

Scripture:

John 2:13-22

Worship Volunteers / Flowers Sign-Up:

Click here.

Children are Welcome


Our Children's Church* takes place each Sunday during worship, following the children's message. Children ages 3 through 5th grade meet down the hall from the sanctuary for an age-appropriate Bible lesson and craft or activity.


Our nursery* is available for children through age 3.


*Our professional workers are CPR certified, and our staff and volunteers are fully background checked.


*Children's church and nursery are optional. You are welcome to keep your child(ren) in worship with you, if you prefer. Activity bags and rockers, if you wish to use, are in the back of the sanctuary. A baby changing station is in the lobby.

What's Happening?

Meet Us at the Brewery, Saturday, March 9


Where has the time gone?! Our event is this Saturday, March 9th,

at Smartmouth Brewing (1309 Raleigh Ave.). 

Sign up today.

We are about halfway to our goal - number of volunteers.


Rise Against Hunger has always been such an energizing event. Don't miss your chance to help others and maybe have a brew afterwards!


The link will also let you donate to the cause and see video of a meal packaging event.


Please sign up soon. Thanks!

Please click here or on the image to register, learn about the Rise Against Hunger process or to donate.

Read the Book of Revelation with Rev. Ry


Join Pastor Ryan each Thursday, 8-9pm, on Zoom for book study. This session, we'll read the last book of the Bible - Revelation. Everyone is invited to join in the discussion!


The Zoom link each week is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86516483199

Aaand that's a wrap on the Spring Sale


"Thank you so much to our sellers and shoppers and, of course, to our volunteers and GUMP staff who worked tirelessly for over a week. This sale truly would not happen without all of you!! We are so grateful for anyone who contributed in any way."

- GUMP Resale Coordinators


I would like to thank all our volunteers that helped set up the consignment sale. A huge thank you goes out to Catherine Horn and Kady Sutter. Catherine and Kady have put in numerous hours before, during and after the sale! Without all our volunteers, we could not have this sale! Thank you all!

- Preschool Director

Easter Season at Ghent Church

Palm/Passion Sunday worship will be Sunday, March 24, at 10 am. 


Be sure to arrive on time so you don’t miss Jesus riding our donkey into the sanctuary! The congregation is invited to wave palm branches and sing hosannas! 


Readers are needed for the service. Contact the church office to sign up. 

Join us for our Messy Church Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, March 24, at 11:30 am. 


Come to the front of our church facing Stockley Gardens. All children are welcome to the egg finding fun! Ages 3 and under will hunt in our garden, while ages 4 and above in Stockley Gardens. Please BYOB (bring your own BASKET). Refreshments provided. 

Easter/ Resurection Service will be Sunday, March 31,

at 10 am. 


Join us as we make joyful music unto the Lord! 


Communion will be offered. A prepackaged, gluten-free, option is available.


Please bring fresh flowers from your gardens to adorn the Living Cross! 

WE NEED EGGSIt took us two years, but we’ve finally depleted our collection of plastic eggs! Donations of filled, plastic eggs are preferred, but individually wrapped candy, little egg size toys and plastic eggs are great, too. Please put eggs and/or treats in the donation bin in the back of our sanctuary no later than Sunday morning, March 17. Please let the church office know if you can provide a bag or two of allergy free candy.  


We will stuff the eggs together in the back of the sanctuary following worship on Sunday., March 17. All are welcome to stay after worship to help while enjoying fellowship with one another.


The church office will be closed on Friday & Monday, March 1 & 4. You can email the church office or

call Rev. Ryan Schaeffer.

close_sign_shop.jpg

Attend a small group


One of the gifts the church offers is community, specifically small groups where participants can gather to experience acceptance, belonging, and nurturing, as well as challenge and encouragement, for the journey of faith. Contact the church office for more information on any group.

Children's Church


This group for ages 3 through 5th grade is each Sunday during worship, following the children's message. It includes a Bible lesson, and craft or activity.

Youth Group


Our Youth Group is led by Pastor Ryan. We are a fully inclusive faith community, welcoming to all.

Adult Sunday School


Weekly Bible discussions are in the back of the sanctuary on Sundays, 9 - 9:45am, using the Standard Lesson Quarterly series. Enter through the doors facing Stockley Gardens.

Read the Book of Revelation with Rev. Ry


Join Pastor Ryan on Thursdays, 8-9pm, on Zoom for book study. This session, we're reading the last book of the Bible - Revelation. Everyone is invited to join in the discussion! The Zoom link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86516483199

Get involved with mission work


We seek to live lovingly and justly as servants of Jesus Christ by healing the sick, feeding the hungry, caring for the stranger, freeing the oppressed, being a compassionate presence, and working to develop social structures that are consistent with the gospel.

Little Library / Food Pantry


Volunteers are needed to help monitor/ fill our church's Little Library / food pantry on Raleigh Ave. Please sign up to help on one or more weeks. During your "week," at least once, please stock the little library using items from the collection box that is inside the church. Click here to sign up and get details.

Food Donations Needed


We collect non-perishable food and hearty snacks to place in our little library / food pantry. The food is to benefit those who are hungry, including those experiencing homelessness. Place your offerings in the basket by the altar on 4th Sundays or contact the church office to make arrangements for drop off.

Homeless Committee


The Homeless Committee of Ghent UMC meets quarterly to coordinate efforts to positively impact those experiencing homelessness.

Music Ministry


All are welcome to join our Music Minister, Nellwyn Beamon, in the music ministry of the church. Contact Nellwyn Beamon for more information.


Worship Singers Singers are always welcome to help lead the songs in worship each Sunday.

Organ Music at GUMC


Our Organist Brad Norris plays for our 10 a.m. worship services on Sundays. Next is TBA.


Violin Music

Violinist Chris Taylor will play during Worship on St. Patrick's Day, Sunday, March 17.

Gathering Jam


Once a month, usually on 2nd Sundays, all ages are invited to bring an instrument or use one of ours and play along during the gathering part of our service at 9:45am. The next one is Sunday, April 14.

Other Spiritual Disciplines


In addition to joining a small group, participating in mission work or music ministry, we are encouraged to pray, care for one another, and read our Bible.


Daily Prayer Starter


"God of Earth and Heaven, I listen this morning for the sound of your glory, in the songs of birds and in the laughter of friends. Give me ears to hear your glory this day in its many forms..."


Adapted from Feasting on the Word: Worship Companion

Congregational Care


In response to Christ's call to love one another, we want the members of our congregation to care for one another. In-person visits, prayers, phone calls, and mail are examples of the ways we reach out to one another.


To send a prayer request to our pastor and congregational care team, click here to fill in our Connection Card.

 Resources


Re-energize your prayer life with a new practice. Learn more.


Read The Upper Room daily devotional. Click here.


Click here to find the resources you need to explore the Bible.

Preschool Ministry and Leadership Updates

Preschool


Thank you to everyone who is helping with our consignment sale!


Ghent UM Preschool teaches toddlers to students in Pre-Kindergarten. Learn more about our half-day program by visiting GUMP's page at ghentumc.org/connect/our-preschool/


Questions? Contact Director, Ann Robertson.

Leadership Team


The next Leadership Team meeting date is TBA. It will be in the sanctuary after worship. All are welcome to attend.


A Zoom link will be made available. Contact the church office if you need the link.

UMC Continues the Call to Dismantle Racism

The United Methodist Church has stated that we will no longer remain silent nor complicit about racist acts against African Americans but we must act now to become anti-racist individuals and churches!


The Long Haul The UMC is committed to the long haul when it comes to anti-racism work. Read the story.


What Can You Do to Help?


  • START with prayer. We are asked to pray for Dismantling Racism efforts, as well as, all persons of color who suffer at the hands of injustice, oppression, and white supremacy. Click here for the daily prayers.


  • The General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) has a compiled a list of 8 things church leaders and members can do to help anti-racism progress. One way is to denounce false notions of “two equal sides.” Click here to learn more.


  • Listen to individuals share how they are creating daily life with God in the face of racial injustice and the trauma induced by racial inequity in the U.S. Click here to listen.


Giving News


Our giving represents an act of worship in which we thank God for our blessings and acknowledge that everything we have is a gift from God. Click here to learn about the various ways to give.

UMC Market - iGive


Shop thousands of stores, any time, to support Ghent Church. UMCmarket, powered by iGive, helps you generate a donation to Ghent United Methodist Church when you shop online at thousands of retailers. Click here to join and shop.

UMC News: World, VA, and Local

UM News

VA UMC News

Coastal Virginia District News

Amy-Jill Levine, Jewish scholar of the New Testament, has become one of the most popular Bible teachers for The United Methodist Church. Read the story.


At least 13 civilians, including United Methodists, killed in attack in the Congo. Read the story.


Help for Gaza Strip population by UM Board of Global Ministries. Read the story.


Help North Carolina welcome the world to General Conference. Find out how.

*COVID-19 Mitigation Plan for all in-person Ghent UMC Happenings (Updated March 23, 2022) Our call is to love our neighbors and to do no harm.



Jesus is for everyone. No exceptions.

A Word of Welcome from Ghent UMC 


Ghent United Methodist Church is called to the affirmation of the sacred worth of all people. We embrace as a gift the diversity of our neighborhood and the world. We acknowledge our human family's diversity in sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, language, age, faith history, theological orientation, economic status, education, marital status, abilities, and any other defining feature, real or perceived. Click here to read the message in its entirety.


How can I get in touch with church staff and the Pastor?


The new church office hours are Monday-Friday, 9am to noon. Rev. Ry is in the office Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9am-12pm. You may also make an appointment, if needed.

 

Click here to access email addresses or call the church office at 757-622-2843.