|
Weekly News & Updates
October 2, 2026
| | |
This Sunday - 10am
During our 10am worship service, we will be celebrating with the Body of Christ around the world, as we take part in joining with God and each other through Scripture, songs, and Communion. October 4th is called World Communion Sunday! Our Gathering Jam Band will play and our choir will sing a song by the Evangelical Presbyterians of Egypt.
We will also continue our six-week journey of Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, and Lead Courageously, joining thousands of United Methodist congregations around the world who are walking this path with us.
Over the past several weeks, we’ve heard powerful stories from leaders serving in Zimbabwe, Liberia, Romania, and Nigeria. Each video was about the impact of the generosity of United Methodists. This week, we hear from Pastor Simon Peter Koroma from Sierra Leone whose ministry is shaping lives in remarkable ways.
Visit the Virginia UMC's website to learn more about this sermon series.
Enter the door at the top of the large staircase facing Stockley Gardens (road).
| | |
Pastor's Pick for the Week
Love all God’s creation,
the whole and every grain of sand of it.
Love every leaf, every ray of God’s light.
Love the animals, love the plants, love everything.
If you love everything,
You will perceive the divine mystery in things.
Once you perceive it, you will begin to comprehend it
Better every day.
And you will come at last to love the whole world
With an all-embracing love.
* Fyodor Dostoyevsky
| |
God, Bless Our Animals
Our annual Blessing of the Animals service is this Sunday, October 4, at 5:30pm on the Porch Steps.
Join us for a short service of song, Scripture, and celebrating the love of God in our animals. Please keep all pets on leash or in crate. If you would like to bring a photo of your pet instead, feel free. Stuffed toy animals are also welcome.
We need volunteers to help. So, please show up at 5pm for instructions.
| | |
Get A Firm Foundation in a Small Group
Our new, “UMC Foundations” small group has a start date!
We will meet Wednesdays at the church at 5:30pm, starting October 7th.
Learn more about what it means to be a member of a United Methodist church.
If you would like to join or request hybrid availability, please contact David Bonnewell at d.bonnewell01@gmail.com or 757-817-4485.
| |
Miracle Sunday, October 11
Our sermon series “Transform the World like Jesus” culminates next week on Miracle Sunday, a day when United Methodists all over the globe will take a special offering to support the theological education of leaders in areas like the Phillipines and throughout Africa.
Please pray for how God would move your heart for this special offering next Sunday, Oct. 11 during worship.
| |
We Need You
Please sign up today. We need to get a count of the number of helpers to expect for our Used Book Sale and Festival Parking fundraiser.
We need volunteers to help set up tables and put out books on Friday, October 16th, starting at 3:00pm. Our Fall Used Book Sale will be during the Stockley Gardens Arts Festival on Saturday, October 17th, 9 am - 5 pm.
We will also host paid parking
Saturday, October 17th, 9:30am - 4pm and Sunday, October 18th, 11:30am - 3:30pm.
Thank for your help! Follow this link to sign up and get details.
Steve V. wants everyone to keep in mind that if we don't get enough able-bodied volunteers, we cannot have this wonderful outreach and fundraiser.
So, please think about making this weekend a priority for Ghent UMC.
| |
Park Close to the Festival
Park one block from the Stockley Gardens Arts Festival! We host paid parking on Saturday, October 17th, 9:30am - 4pm and Sunday, October 18th, 11:30am - 3:30pm. Requested donation is $10.
On your way to the Arts Fest, make sure to stop by and grab your new, fall reads or some cherished favorites. Our used book sale is Saturday, October 17th from 10am - 4:30pm.
| |
Happy Birthday Miss Irene and Miss Margaret
If you haven't already, wish Miss Irene and Miss Margaret a happy birthday.
May God bless you ladies!
| |
Meet for Mahjong!
If you missed the meetup to play Mahjong last month, you have another opportunity. The next mahjong play date will be Sunday, October 11th, at 2:00pm at Linda's house.
If you have any questions, email Melanie C.
| |
Drop Off Travel-Size Toiletries
and Clothes
Ghent UMC is now collecting new and gently used men's and women's clothes. We are focused on collecting clothes that people can wear to work such as khaki pants, jeans, work boots and polo shirts. Please take a look in your closets and see what you have available to donate.
We are not accepting suits or dress up clothes. The donated clothes for women and men will go to Ghent Area Ministry.
We have also been collecting toiletries in travel sizes. Click here to see a list of suggested, TRAVEL SIZE toiletries.
| |
|
Do you want to become a member of Ghent UMC? Pastor Britney would LOVE to talk to you about what it means to join our church.
Please email her to set up a time to chat. Her address is btoner@VaUMC.org.
| | |
Storm Damage Update from Pastor Britney
On Tuesday, August 4th, our church was hit with six inches of rain in one hour, which, combined with overloaded city mains backing up, caused the flat roof over the Education Building to flood.
Water then seeped into the parking-lot-side walls and ceilings, affecting classrooms and spaces from the third floor
through the basement.
Click here to read the rest of Pastor Britney Toner's letter.
| |
Music Ministry
All are welcome to join our Minister of Music, Nellwyn Beamon, in the music ministry of the church.
Contact Nellwyn Beamon, at music@ghentumc.org, if you have any questions or want more information.
| | |
Church Choir
Choir rehearsals are on Sundays from 11:30am to 12:30pm in the choir room upstairs. Rehearsals have resumed.
The choir will sing first Sunday, October 4, for Communion Sunday.
If you are interested in joining us, please get in touch with Nellwyn. Email address is above.
| | |
Gathering Jam Band
Each 2nd Sunday, 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. If you would like the music beforehand, contact Nellwyn.
They will play first Sunday, October 4, for Communion Sunday.
| | |
Organ Music at Ghent
While our building is in a stage of progress, our Organist Brad Norris will be playing the piano. He will be the guest pianist for worship on Sunday, October 18.
| | |
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.
If you would like to volunteer or request a visit for someone, call or email the church office.
| |
GUMP (Our Preschool)
- Ghent United Methodist Preschool is a half-day program that is open to everyone. Please continue to pray for our teachers and staff.
-
GUMP earns $5 for each sale on its GUMP's Spirit Wear Store! Use the discount code WELCOMETOFIDGETY for free shipping on your first order.
-
Help GUMP when you buy groceries. Link your Harris Teeter Grocery HT Plus Membership account to GUMP (#5347). Ask your cashier to do it or link it online. For each linked account, Harris Teeter will send GUMP $10! Click this link for details.
| | |
Children are Always Welcome at Ghent UMC
Our Children's Sunday School* takes place each Sunday during our worship service, following the children's message. All children are invited to begin the hour in our worship service. After the Children’s Message, children aged 3 through 5th grade are invited to attend Sunday School in our library, just down the hall from the sanctuary. Children are escorted back to the sanctuary during the song after the sermon. (Two adults are with the children at all times).
On Communion Sundays (usually the first Sunday of the month), children are invited to come back into the service to celebrate Communion alltogether with their church family.
*Sunday School is completely optional. You are welcome to keep your child(ren) in worship with you, if you prefer
Our professional workers are CPR certified, and our staff and volunteers are fully background checked.
A baby changing station is in the sanctuary lobby. Go out the swinging door to the right of our Coffee Station. The changing station is near the staircase and restroom.
| |
Ways to Give
- To give by mail, send your checks to Ghent UMC, 531 Raleigh Ave., Norfolk, VA 23507.
- To give in person, put your donation in a basket on Sunday mornings or take it to the church office during the week.
-
Other ways to give include endowments and stocks. For more information, call the church office at (757) 622-2843 or visit our website.
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.
| | UMC News: World, VA, and Local | |
|
Need to get in touch with us?
The church office hours are Monday - Friday, 9am to 12pm.
757-622-2843 office@ghentumc.org
Click here for the staff's contact information.
| | | | |
