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Weekly News & Updates
November 13, 2026
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This Sunday - 10am
Bring a loved one and join us for Worship tomorrow at 10am. Hear Pastor Britney's sermon. Lighten your spirit and sing songs with the folks around you.
We're having a Thanksgiving Food Drive! Let's give a little joy to families in need of food to celebrate Thanksgiving Day. Please bring non-perishable food donations with you and put them in the box in the lobby.
"Potluck Mural" Fichter, David
Copyright https://act.library.vanderbilt.edu/artworks/56967
Enter the door at the top of the large staircase facing Stockley Gardens (road).
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Pastor's CHALLENGE for the Week
Two of the oldest parts of Scripture are the Song of Miriam (Exodus 15:1-20) and
the Song of Deborah (Judges 5). Take time this week to read these two poems
and write about God's deliverance in your life.
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Christian Sympathy
It is with sadness that we inform you that Dr. G. William Whitehurst passed away on Saturday morning at 101 years old. Dr. Bill, as he was often called, had been a member of Ghent UMC since 1939. He took pride in saying that he was the oldest member of Ghent UMC. Dr. Whitehurst had been an active member who helped and volunteered in multiple ways.
Please hold the Whitehurst family in your prayers during this time of sorrow. Let us focus on the Scripture from 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10. "For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him."
A memorial service will be held in the Norfolk Chapel of H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments on Saturday, November 14 at 2:00pm. Click here to read Dr. Whitehurst's obituary.
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Living Nativity Planning Meeting
We will have a planning meeting on Saturday, November 14, at 4:00pm at Café Stella (1907 Colonial Avenue) for our Living Nativity.
If you are interested in participating, please let Nellwyn know at music@ghentumc.org.
Last year, so many of the set dressings in our stable were on loan. If you have small lanterns, fake food, baskets, ropes or other items that would go into a stable, please consider making a donation. Our Living Nativity will be Sunday, December 13, from 4:30 to 5:30pm.
This is one of our church’s largest outreach efforts and takes all hands in service. Besides the time and effort, it is FUN! See you on the 14th at Café Stella!
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Thanksgiving Food Drive
Ghent UMC is having a Thanksgiving Food Drive. Let's give a little joy to families in need of food to celebrate Thanksgiving Day.
We will be accepting non-perishable food donations until Wednesday, November 25th. Place your donations in the box in the sanctuary lobby. All food will go to our local foodbank at Ghent Area Ministries in Norfolk.
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Christ the King Sunday
Sunday, November 22, is
Christ the King Sunday.
It is the last Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Mr. David Bonnewell will preach
the sermon and lead a day
that is sure to be a joyous celebration
in the life of the church.
It’s a time of thanksgiving and of preparation for what is to come.
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Advent Season
Sunday, November 29, is the first Sunday of Advent! We will light the candle of Hope on the Advent wreath in preparation of Christ’s birth. Holy Communion will be offered each Sunday during Advent.
You are also invited to our Christmas Eve service on Thursday, December 24. Violinist Christopher Taylor will be playing for us again!
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Weekly Adult Bible Discussion
Our Adult Bible discussion meets in the back of the sanctuary each Sunday morning, 9 - 9:45am. All adults are invited to attend this class.
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Become a Member
Are you thinking about becoming 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.
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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.
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Church Choir
Choir rehearsals are on Sundays from 11:30am to 12:30pm in the choir room (room 300).
If you are interested in joining us, please get in touch with Nellwyn. Email address is above.
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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.
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Organ Music at Ghent
While our building is in a stage of progress, our Organist Brad Norris will be playing the piano.
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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.
If you would like to volunteer or request a visit for someone, call or email the church office.
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GUMP (Our Preschool)
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Christmas Chapel is December 11. Then, the school will be on Christmas break until January 4, 2027.
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Ghent United Methodist Preschool is a half-day program that is open to everyone. Visit our webpage for more info. Set up a tour with Director Ann Robertson by calling (757) 622-3239.
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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.
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Help GUMP when you buy groceries. Link your Harris Teeter Grocery HT Plus Membership account to GUMP (#5347). For each linked account, Harris Teeter will send GUMP $10! Click this link for details.
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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, 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.
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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.
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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.
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Need to get in touch with us?
The church office hours are Monday - Friday, 9am to 12pm.
December 28 - January 4, 2027, will have limited days/hours.
757-622-2843 office@ghentumc.org
Click here for the staff's contact information.
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