Weekly News & Updates: March 18, 2023 | |
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Sunday Worship Service - 10am
Join us for Worship Sunday, March 19. Pastor Ryan Schaeffer will be leading the service.
Enter the sanctuary through the doors facing Stockley Gardens.
*Please note that our in-person worship service will next be broadcast live on Facebook 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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Congratulations to our Messy Church Chili Cookoff Winners!
The voters have spoken, and it was a tie between 2 families' recipes!
Thanks to the 7 entrants who brought a crockpot of chili for our annual contest.
We all had a great time of fellowship.
You can see more photos on our Facebook page.
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Spring Concert
Bellissima! Women’s Chorale will be singing their spring concert “Creation Sings!” on Sundays March 19 and 26. Bellissima! Is the only auditioned women’s chorale in the Hampton Roads area.
Join us for a free concert at 4:00 on March 19 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church at 424 Kings Grant Rd. in VA. Beach or on March 26 at 4:00 at Ohef Sholom Temple. We look forward to seeing you! A freewill offering will be taken.
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Holy Week 2023 at Ghent UMC
Holy week is the week of Christian observances leading to Easter Sunday. It begins with Palm/Passion Sunday and progresses through Maundy (Holy) Thursday and Good Friday. It culminates with the Easter Sunday celebrations. Please join us for any or all of the following:
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Palm/Passion Sunday Worship
We commemorate Jesus Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, as well as the short, final period before his death, on Palm / Passion Sunday, April 2 at 10am. (Please note there is no Communion on this Sunday.)
Be sure to arrive on time so you don't miss Jesus riding our donkey into the sanctuary while the congregation is invited to wave palm branches and sing hosannas!
Readers are needed for the service. Email the church office to learn more and sign up.
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Easter Egg Hunt
Join us for our Messy Church Easter Egg Hunt on Sun., Apr. 2, at 11:30 a.m. See the block below for more information.
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Maundy Holy Thursday
Stay tuned for more information regarding our Maundy (Holy) Thursday observance.
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Easter Sunday Service
Our Easter Service is on Sunday, Apr. 9, at 10 a.m. in our sanctuary. Our organist, Brad Norris, will be leading us in making joyful music unto the Lord! Communion will be offered. The elements are prepackaged; a gluten-free option is available. Also, please bring fresh flowers from your gardens to adorn the Living Cross!
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Messy Church Easter Egg Hunt, Sunday, April 2
Join us for our Messy Church Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday, April 2, at 11:30 a.m. Come to the front of our church facing Stockley Gardens. All children are welcome to the egg finding fun! Ages 3 and under will hunt in our garden, while ages 4 and above in Stockley Gardens. Please BYOB (Bring your own basket). Refreshments provided. RSVP for this free event by clicking here.
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Donations of bags of individually wrapped candy and/or little egg size toys are being sought. No plastic eggs are needed. Please drop off in the donation bin in the back of our sanctuary no later than Sunday morning, March 26. Please let the church office know if you can provide a bag or two of allergy free candy.
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We will stuff eggs together in the back of the sanctuary following worship on Sunday., March 26. All are welcome to stay after worship to help, while enjoying fellowship with one another.
** Messy Church is "Church, but not as you know it!" It is Christ-centered and based on creativity, hospitality, and celebration. Some months include hands-on, interactive crafts and activities, and a brief worship time with lively music from our own musicians. Other months feature a special fellowship activity. For more information, visit our website, or go to our Messy Church @ Ghent UMC Facebook page.
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Order Your Easter Lilies by Monday, April 3
Lilies will be placed around our altar on Easter Sunday, April 9. Lilies may be dedicated in honor or memory of someone special.
To sponsor a lily, please make a donation of $15. Donations will benefit missions! Orders and donations are due by Monday, April 3. You may give through our online giving portal or make checks payable to Ghent UMC with notation for Lilies.
To order your lilies, click here.
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Church Office
Help Wanted
After 10 years, our church administrator, Lisa King, has decided to step away from her position. She will remain on staff as our financial secretary.
We are seeking a part-time Office Manager to work 4 days a week totaling 18 hours. The Office Manager is the initial point of contact for visitors to the church office and provides administrative support to the Pastor, staff members, and committee chairs. They work both independently and in concert with other staff.
Qualified candidates are of the Christian faith and must be patient, attentive, a good listener and compassionate to the needs of those who reach out. They must be flexible in changing work priorities, display excellent organizational and interpersonal skills and be capable of using computer systems for communication and data management. Ability to maintain confidentiality is essential.
Duties and Responsibilities will be shared with applicants. Interested candidates, please email a cover letter, resume and any additional information to: jobs@ghentumc.org. Position open until filled.
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Women's History Month
The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history. Click this link and read some great stories about women in America.
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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. March 21: discuss chapters 23-25.
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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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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.
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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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Organist Recital
A recent organ recital by our organist, Brad Norris, was on Sunday, March 5, 2023. The Choral Evensong for Lent at Christ and St. Luke's began right after him. Click here to watch the recital on Facebook.
Brad will next play organ for our 10 a.m. worship services on April 9 (Easter) and May 28 (Pentecost).
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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.
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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
"Good Lord, you are with me in every darkness and so I need not be afraid. I pray that you improve the eyes of my faith so that I can see you more clearly and love you more dearly…”
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.
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Leadership Team
The next Leadership Team meeting is Sunday, April 16, 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 - 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.
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UMC News: World, VA, and Local | |
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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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