Weekly News & Updates: August 2, 2024 | |
|
Sunday Worship Service - 10am
Worship with us at Ghent Church this Sunday. It is Communion Sunday.
On the 1st Sunday of the month, we celebrate Holy Communion together. Everyone is welcome to take Communion. We always have pre-packaged cups/wafers, gluten-free option available.
After Worship, stay for coffee and fellowship with Rev. Ry and other worship attendees. Thank you to Erin Schaeffer for organizing this.
Please enter the sanctuary through the doors facing Stockley Gardens.
| |
|
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.
| |
Help Tidy Up for Clergy Event
The Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church will be hosting an onboarding event in our Fellowship Hall on Wednesday, August 7th. This for clergy and their new assignments.
If you have time, after service, please stay behind and help us tidy the space for our Conference. We'll meet in the basement right after service this Sunday, August 4th.
Thank you all for your time and service!
| |
|
Messy Church: Olympics Edition | |
|
Our Messy Church: Olympics Edition had activities for all-ages.
We highlighted the Olympic values of respect, excellence, friendship, courage, determination, inspiration and equality!
| |
Organist, Sunday, August 11
Our Organist Brad Norris has been playing our Casavant organ for our 10am Worship service this summer. You can still hear him Sunday, August 11. Come and be blessed!
Brad Norris is Dean of the Tidewater Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. He is also retired from St. Andrew's Church and School in Newport News. He lives in Hampton and enjoys doing work as an organ/piano substitute and accompanying various singing groups in Hampton Roads.
| |
Road Closures - Sunday, August 11
Traffic in our neighborhood will be impacted on Sunday, August 11. That afternoon, after our Worship service, Ohef Sholom will have its security drill with the city's police and rescue teams. Streets around Ghent Church will be closed or impacted.
| |
|
Messy Church Needs
Do you love capturing special moments and bringing joy to others? Messy Church is seeking an individual to be our event photographer! Your role will involve snapping photos during our exciting events and sharing them with our office to help us document the fun and memories.
Additionally, we are also in need of a new or gently used Bluetooth speaker to enhance our gatherings and create a lively atmosphere.
If you are willing to help with either of these, please call (757) 622-2843 or email the church office asap at office@ghentumc.org or tell Melanie Cramer or Rev. Ryan.
| |
CommUNITY Puzzle
Let’s work together in commUNITY!
Next time you’re in worship, stay for coffee and help us build our commUNITY puzzle. You’ll find it in the hospitality area in the back of the sanctuary.
As Rev. Ry said, it can take a long time and a lot of hands working together to build something beautiful.
| |
Where in the world is UMCOR?
In the wake of Hurricane Beryl, UMCOR is supporting disaster response efforts in both the Caribbean and the United States. UMCOR awarded solidarity grants to the Jamaica, Haiti and Southern Caribbean districts of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas (MCCA). In the U.S., UMCOR awarded four solidarity grants to the Texas Annual Conference and is supporting relief efforts in Vermont with a solidarity grant.
| |
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.
*This group is out for the summer.
| |
|
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
| |
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
"Thank you, God, for being my traveling companion today. Help me to count all the forms that your manna took as you fed me with the bread of life today..."
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.
| |
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 10am worship services on Sundays. Next dates are August 11, September 8, and November 3 (All Saints Sunday).
Violin Music
Violinist Chris Taylor plays during our 10am Worship. His next date is TBA.
| |
|
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 second Sunday in August.
| |
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
Our Little Library on Raleigh Ave. is now for sharing books only. Do you have a book you're finished with? Are you ready to read a new one? Then check out our book box!
Although GUMC will no longer place food in the box, you may see that others in the community continue to do so.
| |
|
Food Donations
We collect non-perishable food, drinks and hearty snacks to benefit those who are hungry, including those experiencing homelessness, families, or individuals. Some food will be taken to Christ UMC, Norfolk. The rest will remain at Ghent for those who ask us for help. Please place your offerings in the basket by the altar each 4th Sunday 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.
| |
Preschool Ministry and Leadership Updates | |
|
Preschool
There are a few classroom openings for students this fall at GUMP!
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 | |
|
*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 church office hours are Monday-Friday, 9am to noon. This summer, Rev. Ry is in the office Mondays and Tuesdays, 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.
| | | | |
