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Weekly News & Updates: June 7, 2024

Sunday Worship Service - 10am


Join us Sunday at 10am for Gathering Jam Sunday.


Our band starts playing at 9:45am during the gathering time before Worship begins. Bring an instrument to play along or use one of our percussion instruments to make a Joyful Noise to the Lord!


Please enter the sanctuary through the doors facing Stockley Gardens.

Connection Card:

Click here.

Scripture:

Mark 3:20-35

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?

VA Conference Supporting the Undue Medical Debt Campaign


The Virginia Annual Conference has an offering goal to raise $390,000 to help eliminate $39 million dollars of medical debt in Virginia. This effort is inspired by the work of Haymarket UMC and Grace UMC who cleared $3 million dollars of medical debt earlier this year. Learn about both medical debt and Partnerships of Hope as this year's conference offering: Click Here.


Give online by clicking here.


Watch the video about Undue Medical Debt Campaign.

Adult Class Out for Summer


The Sunday morning 9:00 am, adult discussion group is now on summer holiday.


Of course, the 10:00 service continues with coffee and snacks! The 9:00 am discussions will gather again in September.

Congratulations Class of 2024


Congratulations to our graduating Pre-Kindergarten children! Graduation was today. We are so proud of them all. Please pray for them and their families as they move on to kindergarten.

From Nellwyn Beamon, Minister of Music

There will be a Hampton Roads Interfaith Pride service on the evening of June 16 at 7:00PM at the Coastal Virginia Unitarian Universalist Church at 809 S. Military Highway in Virginia Beach. All are invited to attend.


June is PRIDE month. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is celebrated to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. Learn more.

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I invite all of you to the Great Bridge Presbyterian Instrument of Peace Tour’s “Bon Voyage” concert on Sunday afternoon, June 23, at 4:00PM. 


Many of you have supported me as I have prepared for the trip to Switzerland which will be taking place from June 25 -July 6. I would love to see your faces in the congregation on June 23. GBPC is located at 333 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, in Great Bridge. There is a poster on the music bulletin board in the hallway.

Messy Church Olympics Edition: Running the Race


On your mark! Get set! Go! We're running the race towards that heavenly goal on Sunday, JULY 14th, at 4:30pm. Meet us outside (if the weather cooperates).

This Messy Church: Olympics Edition will have activities for all-ages that will help us stay motivated to run this Christian race!


The Olympic values are respect, excellence, friendship, courage, determination, inspiration and equality. Learn how these values keep us in shape to follow Jesus. Bring your friends and family.

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 class 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

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 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.

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.

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


"Your morning has broken, loving God. Help me to carry into this day the sure knowledge of your steadfast love…"


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


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

Bid Farewell to two local UMC leaders in June. Get details.


Faith communities help revive AIDS ministries in India. Read the story.


UMCOR grant will assist in Vermont flood recovery. Read the story.


Open letter to a momentous, post-General Conference church Read the commentary.


United Methodists offer help after deadly storms. Read the story.


The United Methodist Committee on Relief is a recipient of the highest ranking from CharityWatch. Read the press release.

*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. 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.