Weekly News & Updates: February 3, 2023 | |
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Sunday Worship Service - 10am
Join us for Worship this Sunday. We will celebrate Holy Communion! We use pre-packaged cups and wafers and have gluten-free options, as well.
Enter the sanctuary through the doors facing Stockley Gardens.
*Please note that our in-person worship service will next be broadcast live at a date TBA.
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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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Online Worship Service - Sundays at 12pm
If you can't worship in person, join us for Plugged In, our succinct online worship service posted at noon to our Facebook page. View it alone or with friends and loved ones gathered together. To view the "Plugged In" bulletin, click here!
Streaming licenses: Ghent UMC is licensed to stream our FB Live worship services with permission under CCLI #20175590 and One License A-727358. All rights reserved.
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See a Movie at Messy Church, February 12, 4:30 pm
Join us for our Messy Church on Sunday, Feb. 12 at 4:30 p.m. We'll watch Disney's Strange World together and serve kid-friendly food and snacks! (Crafts & activities will still be available during the movie for the littlest ones.)
Plus, since it's "SOUPer Bowl Sunday," we will serve a variety of homemade soups with bread. We also ask each person to please bring a can of soup. The soup will be donated to the Wesley Community Service Center in Portsmouth.
Please register to let us know you are coming.
What is Messy Church? It is "Church, but not as you know it!" It is Christ-centered and based on creativity, hospitality, and celebration. Click here to go to our Messy Facebook group.
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The Discipline Has Not Been Changed
The Rev. Dr. Cecelia Brooks, District Superintendent of the Coastal Virginia District has released a statement.
In part, it says "This week there is mis-information spreading across our District that “the Discipline has been changed.” That statement is an out-right lie. The United Methodist 2016 Discipline cannot be changed outside of a General Conference. General Conference consists of people elected as delegates from your local church. It meets again in 2024. Sadly, however, some of our clergy and laity are disseminating misleading information and lies about us, the United Methodist Church. These actions are unacceptable and are not within the Spirit of unity and love of Methodists who hold ourselves accountable to “Holiness."
To read her whole statement, click here.
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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 on Sundays during worship, following the children's message. It includes a Bible lesson, and craft or activity.
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Youth Group
The next MS/HS youth group meeting dates and times are TBA. 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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Bible Study
Join Pastor Ryan on Tuesdays at 7:30pm on Zoom for a Bible study using Rob Bell's book, "What is the Bible?" This study is for those exploring, as well as those sharpening their knowledge of, the Bible. Feb. 7: discuss chapters 16-18.
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Crafter's Fellowship
Are you interested in participating in a Crafter's Fellowship Group in which attendees meet, perhaps weekly, to work together on their individual craft hobbies (crochet, painting, cross stitch, etc.)? If so, contact Karen Kowalski who is organizing this group.
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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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We are still working to secure locations, volunteers, and meals. The Sign Up Genius form can be found here. Or please contact the church if you are able to help in any way. | |
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Open Table
GUMC is licensed to host The Open Table which is a model in which an at-risk person creates relationships with a small group of community volunteers to help meet their goals. Full training is provided. Read a brochure about The Open Table or watch a video.
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Homeless Committee
The Homeless Committee of Ghent UMC meets quarterly to coordinate efforts to positively impact those experiencing homelessness. The next Zoom meeting is Thurs., April 27.
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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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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.
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Worship Singers
Singers are always welcome to help lead the songs in worship each Sunday.
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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. Next date is Sunday, Feb. 12.
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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 of Mercy, Open my eyes to see the world though your compassion. Open my mind to understand the world through your wisdom. Open my heart to receive the world through your love..."
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.
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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
Ghent UM Preschool teaches toddlers to children in Pre-Kindergarten. For more information, contact Director, Ann Robertson.
The GUMP Spring Consignment sale will be Saturday - Monday, Mar. 4-6. To stay up to date, visit the sale's Facebook page.
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Leadership Team
The next Leadership Team meeting is Sunday, Feb. 19, 11:15 a.m. 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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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!
Long Haul The UMC is committed to the long haul when it comes to anti-racism work. Read the story.
UM Bishops call for equal voting rights. Read the press release. Read the statement.
Retired Bishop Stith thinks that US divisions are due to a refusal to address issues related to equity and the racial divide. Read more.
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
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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Amazon Smile
*The Amazon smile program is closing by Feb. 20.*
Shop by starting with OUR LINK at smile.amazon.com/ch/54-0599700 and AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to Ghent United Methodist Church, at no cost to you. Or activate AmazonSmile in the Amazon Shopping app for iOS or Android phones (found under settings on your app).
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UMC News: World, VA, and Local | |
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Church responds to days of mass shootings Read the story.
Church leaders mourn Tyre Nichols and seek change Read more.
Three churches, each with a different racial/ethnic membership, modeled the powerful idea of "beloved community." Read about their march.
Attend Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson's Installation Service, Sat., Feb. 11. Get details.
Watch the 3-part video series that focuses on Our History, Our Beliefs, and Our Worship. As we study together, may these videos fill our hearts, minds, and souls with the knowledge we seek. Click here.
How to help amid tornadoes and floods: Click here to help with cleaning kits. Or click here to donate.
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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.
Click here to read former Pastor's, Melody Tanner, special message for our church and community.
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How can I get in touch with church staff and the Pastor?
The church office hours are Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Friday, 9a.m. 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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