Weekly News & Updates: August 30, 2024 | |
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Sunday Worship Service - 10am
Worship with us at Ghent Church this Sunday, September 1, at 10am.
All are invited to bring your school backpacks, digital devices, work or volunteer bags, and diaper bags to worship! We will ask God to bless our bags, digital devices and our journeys. Both children and adults will be assured that God will be with you wherever you go.
First Sunday also means it's time to celebrate Holy Communion! We always have pre-packaged cups/wafers, gluten-free option available.
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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Closed for the Holiday
Our preschool and our church office will be closed on Monday, September 2, for Labor Day.
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Messy Church at GUMC, Sunday, Sept. 8
On Sunday, September 8, at 4:30pm, get to Messy Church at Ghent! It's Game Night and we have games for everybody. Bring your children and their Grandparents because it's also National Grandparents Day.
We’ll provide fried chicken. We ask you to bring the sides.
Messy Church is also seeking an individual to be our event photographer. The person would snap photos during our exciting events and share them with our office. This helps 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.
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Back to School Blessing
With each new school year comes the excitement and anticipation of a new beginning, a new journey, a new chapter. This video meditation features an empowering blessing, written by the Rev. Marilyn E. Thornton, to lift up those involved in all walks of education.
Please pray for GUMP students and staff and everyone in our nation as schools resume.
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Harris Teeter Together in Education Program
It's time to re-link your Harris Teeter Grocery Store VIC card to Ghent Preschool. GUMP’s number is 5347. Next time you're at the store, give the cashier this number.
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Fall College Scholarships
Applications are now being accepted for the Ghent UMC Fall Scholarships!
To qualify, you must be a Ghent UMC church member attending college full time (12+ credit hours, undergraduate or graduate studies).
Previous recipients must have a C or better grade average. If interested in applying, email your transcript to the church office at office@ghentumc.org.
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Organ Music, Sunday, September 8
Our Organist Brad Norris plays during some of our 10am worship services. His next date to play is Sunday, September 8. Bring a lover of organ music with you.
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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.
*This group begins again Sunday, September 15.
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Read with Rev. Ry
Join Pastor Ryan on Thursdays, 8-9pm, on Zoom for book study. This class will resume in September. Date is TBA. Everyone is invited to join! The Zoom link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86516483199
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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
"Good and Constant God, surround me this day with your favor, that I may hear the cry of those in need and share my resources..."
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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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 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 second Sunday in September.
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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
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.
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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.
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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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Preschool Ministry and Leadership Updates | |
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Preschool
School has started! Please keep the students and staff in your prayers!
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 | |
Webinar for Pets who have Experienced Traumatic Events on Sept. 4 Get Zoom information.
Philadelphia church aims to register 1,000 voters. Read the story.
Bishop Sue gives Virginia Conference Medical Debt Update. Watch the video.
Watch an interview with the Rev. Dr. Aleze Fulbright, newly elected secretary of the General Conference and the first woman of color elected to that position. Watch the video.
New hub in Philippines supports people living with HIV. Read the story.
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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 9am-12pm on Thursdays and Fridays. 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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