Weekly News & Updates: May 24, 2024 | |
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Sunday Worship Service - 10am
Join us Sunday at 10am for Trinity Sunday, the first Sunday after Pentecost. Let's praise our Holy God, Three in One, our eternal hope, our companion in life, and our liberating power!
In Matthew 28, Jesus told his disciples "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’"
Please enter the sanctuary through the doors facing Stockley Gardens.
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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.
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Both offices will be closed on Monday, May 27, in honor of Memorial Day. | |
Cleaning Kits Needed for Conference
We only need a few more items donated before the end of May:
- 50-100 ft. clothesline
- five N95 particulate respirator dust masks (1-3 mm)
In response to requests from the Virginia UMC Conference, Ghent Church will donate a complete United Methodist Committee on Relief Cleaning Kit in June. All of the kits collected will be ready to deploy to help communities affected by different disasters.
Watch how a kit is put together by clicking here.
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Class of 2024
Congratulations to our graduating Pre-Kindergarten children! We are so proud of them all. Please pray for them and their families as they move on to kindergarten.
Graduation day and the last day of school is May 31.
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New Nursery Worker on Sundays
We say thanks to Caroline Wilson for all of her help in the nursery and her positivity at our church events and services. We pray for Caroline and her family's safe travels to their next home.
Now, we're welcoming new Nursery Worker Brianna Graziano. Bri started working in our nursery this month. But, we have known her for years! She was an assistant in our GUMP Pre-K class and is now the Lead Teacher for our 1-year-old Busy Bees room. We're so excited to have her join our Sunday team and she’s excited to be a part of GUMC. Bri considers herself spiritual, has a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership, and studied Elementary Education at James Madison University.
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Run the Race at Messy Church at GUMC
On your mark! Get set! Go! We're running the race towards that heavenly goal on Sunday, June 9th, at 4:30pm. Meet us outside (if the weather cooperates).
We will have activities for all-ages that will help us stay motivated to run this Christian race!
Bring your friends and family.
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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.
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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.
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Youth Group
Our Youth Group is led by Pastor Ryan. We are a fully inclusive faith community, welcoming to all.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Homeless Committee
The Homeless Committee of Ghent UMC meets quarterly to coordinate efforts to positively impact those experiencing homelessness.
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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.
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Organ Music at GUMC
Our Organist Brad Norris plays for our 10am worship services on Sundays. Next dates are June 30, July 7, July 14, July 21, 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.
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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 June 9th.
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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.
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Daily Prayer Starter
"God, my advocate and Comforter. As I rest in you this day, breathe peace into every troubled place and person. Shine on me, in me, and through me..."
Adapted from Feasting on the Word: Worship Companion
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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.
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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.
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Preschool Ministry and Leadership Updates | |
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Preschool
Our preschool will be closed Monday, May 27, in honor of Memorial Day.
Their Pre-K graduation will be Friday, May 31, the last day of school.
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.
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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.
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UMC Continues the Call to Dismantle Racism | |
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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UMC News: World, VA, and Local | |
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*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.
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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.
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How can I get in touch with church staff and the Pastor?
The 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.
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