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Weekly News & Updates: January 20, 2023

Sunday Worship Service - 10am


Join us for Worship on Sunday. And please bring snacks, canned goods such as tuna, or other non-perishable food items such as cereal to help keep our food pantry stocked. The food is for those who are hungry, including those experiencing homelessness. Place your offerings in the basket by the altar.



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.

Connection Card:

Click here.

Scripture:

Matthew 4:12 - 23

Worship Volunteers Needed:

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.

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.

Polar Duck Dip, this Saturday, Jan. 21


Occohannock on the Bay Camp is holding its annual Polar Duck Dip on Saturday, Jan. 21. The fundraising event helps continue the growth of its community, camp programs, campers, repairs, and much more. Click here to get details.

Save the date for our Messy Church in February 


Please save the date for Messy Church at Ghent on Sunday, Feb. 12 at 4:30 p.m. We'll watch a children's movie together, and eat soup and bread!


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.

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 on Sundays during worship, following the children's message. It includes a Bible lesson, and craft or activity.

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.

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.

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. Jan. 24: discuss chapters 14-16.

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. 

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.

Winter Shelter 

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.

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.

Homeless Task Force


The Homeless Task Force is a group of people from a number of local faith communities and community organizations who meet regularly online to share resources and ideas for serving those who are homeless. This group's next meeting is TBA. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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


"Lord Jesus, enable me to hear your voice this day, that I may follow you and be a faithful disciple and witness..."


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.

 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 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.

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.

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?


  • 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



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.

Amazon Smile



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).

UMC News: World, VA, and Local

UM News

VA UMC News

Coastal Virginia District News

This is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Learn more.


How to help amid tornadoes and floods: Click here to help with cleaning kits. Or click here to donate.


The first, United Methodist Latina was sworn into US Congress. Read about her.


What would Martin Luther King, Jr. say in 2023? A United Methodist pastor and scholar believes he knows.


Save the date for Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson's Installation Service. Get details.


Watch the 3-part video series featuring Rev. Larry Davies, the pastor at Virginia Beach UMC as he explores our United Methodism. The first video focuses on Our History. As we study together, may these videos fill our hearts, minds, and souls with the knowledge we seek. Click here.

*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.


Click here to read former Pastor's, Melody Tanner, special message for our church and community.

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.