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Weekly News & Updates
May 2, 2025
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This Sunday - 10am
May the 4th “Be with You” tomorrow at our special service at Ghent Church!
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Guest minister Rev. Melody Tanner will offer Holy Communion to all.
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She will also lead our Worship service and deliver a Mandalorian themed sermon. This service is particularly special because we will incorporate interactive Messy Church activities. Some activities will be Star Wars themed and some about the Grace of Jesus.
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Arrive early to hear our Gathering Jam Band at 9:45am. They will start playing during the gathering portion of our service.
Our Worship service follows at 10am. Don't miss this meaningful experience that promises to uplift and connect our community.
Plan to stay afterwards to have lunch with everyone!
For worship, enter the building through the sanctuary doors facing Stockley Gardens.
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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.
On 5/11, Mother's Day, there will be no Children's Church.
We will still have a nursery care.
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 them, are in the back of the sanctuary. A baby changing station is in the lobby.
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Messy Church - May the 4th Be with You
Ghent's Messy Church activities will be incorporated this Sunday, May 4, DURING 10am Worship.
This month has combined themes. Rev. Melody Tanner will deliver a Mandalorian themed sermon. Come on out find out what that means.
Secondly is "Who is Jesus? It's all about grace." We will acknowledge that we don't deserve Jesus' love, but his grace sees beyond our poor choices and enables our relationship with him to grow. Isn't that wonderful to know? Yes. Thank you, Jesus, for your grace and mercy!
So, some of our Messy Church activities will be Star Wars themed and some will be about Grace. Stay after the service to chat with others and have lunch!
What is Messy Church?
It is "Church, but not as you know it!" It is a Christ-centered, ALL-AGES event that is based on creativity, hospitality, and celebration. Some months include hands-on, interactive crafts and activities, a brief worship time with lively music from our own musicians, and a meal. Other months feature a special fellowship activity.
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Calling All Book Sale Volunteers!
We need people to sign up to volunteer for our annual, Spring Used Book Sale and Parking lot fundraiser. We need help Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 16-18!
If you have not signed up for a slot, yet, please do.
We need more volunteers to cover all the shifts.
Please sign up today. THANK YOU!
Cajole family, friends, students and booklovers to sign up, too.
Proceeds from the book sale and festival parking will benefit missions and church programs for children and youth.
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Become Vigilant Against Scams, Part 2
In an effort to protect you, we are continuing to share information about various scams and fraud that are happening right now. Don't be defrauded!
Have you gotten a text message or phone call from a grandchild or friend begging you to send money NOW because he/she is in trouble?
It's a scam.
Has someone contacted you and asked you to withdraw cash? Or has someone contacted you and asked you to withdraw cash to convert to gold?
It's a scam.
Does your bank or credit union need you to transfer money into a SAFER account?
It’s a scam.
* If you think it is not a scam, double check. GO to your institution and ask them in person.
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Hear Organist Brad Norris on Mother's Day
Don't miss the opportunity to hear the very talented Brad Norris play during service on Sunday, May 11, at 10am. Bring your Mother, Grandmother or Mother figure to enjoy the music.
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Help Keep UM Stories Free and Accessible
Every day, dedicated journalists at United Methodist News bring you stories of faith, transformation and connection from across the entire UMC. From disaster relief efforts to policy decisions that affect your local congregation, they're committed to providing fair, faithful and trusted reporting.
As World Press Freedom Day (May 3) approaches, the Lead for UM News asks for your support to ensure these vital stories continue to reach United Methodists everywhere. Click here to read more and to donate.
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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 each Sunday during worship, following the children's message. It includes a Bible lesson, and craft or activity.
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Youth Group
Our Youth Group is 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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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
"Your way.
Not my way.
Your way.
Not our way.
Your way.
This is the Way…"
* Submitted by
Rev. Melody Tanner
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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 to fill in our Connection Card.
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Resources
Want to read the whole Bible in 12 months? Check out the N. Georgia Conference Guide.
Looking for adult or children's New Revised Standard versions of the Bible? Click here.
Get practices and reflections to help you pray.
Read The Upper Room daily devotional. Click here.
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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.
Worship Singers Singers are always welcome to help lead the songs in worship each Sunday.
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Organ Music at GUMC
Our Organist Brad Norris plays for our 10am worship services on Sundays. His next dates are Mother's Day on May 11, Pentecost on June 8, and July (date TBA).
Trumpet Music
Trumpeter Josh McDonald's next date is TBA.
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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. The next Gathering Jam Sunday is May 4.
Choir Rehearsal
There is choir rehearsal on Sundays from 11:30 to 12:30pm through Pentecost (June 8).
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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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Little Library
Do you have a book you're finished with? Are you ready to read a new one? Then check out our book box! Our Little Library is on Raleigh Ave.
Although GUMC no longer places food in the box, you may see that others in the community continue to do so.
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Food Donations
We collect non-perishable food, drinks and hearty snacks to benefit those who are hungry, including those experiencing homelessness, families, or individuals. Most of the food will be taken to Ghent Area Ministry on Colonial Avenue. The rest will remain at Ghent for those who ask us for help. Please place your offerings in the basket by the altar each 4th Sunday or contact the church office to make arrangements for drop off.
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Homeless Committee
The Homeless Committee of Ghent UMC works to coordinate efforts to positively impact those experiencing homelessness.
| | Preschool Ministry and Leadership Updates | | UMC Has Not Stopped Working to Dismantle Racism | | |
Agency’s top exec offers new year’s hopes for 2025.
Read his commentary.
In 2024, at General Conference, the members approved the updated Article V - Racial Justice.
You Can 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.
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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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Click here for resources, events, and more.
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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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Passionate, dependable volunteers are needed to help make Annual Conference (June 11- 14, in Roanoke) a meaningful experience for all. Get details.
VA Wesleyan Univ.'s trails recognized as bat-friendly certified green space. Get details.
Listen to a podcast about Discernment, Peace and Reason.
Black churches preserve history, shape future. Read part 4 of the series.
Bishops urged to confront rising cruelty. Learn more.
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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.
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How can I get in touch with church staff and the Pastor?
The church office hours are Monday-Friday, 9am to noon.
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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