Weekly News & Updates: October 25, 2024 | |
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Sunday Worship Service - 10am
Sunday, October 27, is the last Sunday of Clergy Appreciation Month. Let’s show Rev. Ry that we appreciate him! Feel free to give him a note, card, or a thank you gift.
This month, we also have been collecting financial donations to purchase a gift the whole Schaeffer family will enjoy. Any amount you’d like to give will be greatly appreciated. Please indicate “Pastor Appreciation” with your donation.
Rev. Ryan Schaeffer will be bringing the sermon from the 10th chapter of Mark.
Please 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.
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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Parking Lot Change
On Sundays, beginning this Sunday - October 27, Christ and St. Luke's will be renting the 15 parking spots along the metal fence. So, please leave those spots empty on Sunday mornings.
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What a weekend! First of all, we give God thanks for the ability to hold our Used Book Sale and Parking Lot fundraiser. Secondly, we thank Him for the great weather. It was a perfect day for opening our doors to the public and showing our friendliness.
Ghent Methodist members made hundreds of new friends for our church during the Stockley Gardens Arts Festival!
Thanks to the volunteers of all ages who were ushers on their post in the parking lot. About 200 cars parked in our lot during the arts festival weekend.
We also sold a ton of books. And people toured our sanctuary. Heartfelt thanks to all of you who volunteered by setting out books and tables, staffing the sales table, and knocking it all back down. We're proud of you!
We collected $1,560 during the weekend for our Missions and Children/Youth Ministries.
See more photos on our Facebook page or on our Instagram and X accounts.
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VA UMC sent off over 1,500 flood buckets for hurricane recovery efforts
Thank you, VAUMC! Over 1,500 existing, cleaning (flood) buckets made their way to the conference center at Glen Allen and are now in route to Mission Central where they will then be dispersed.
Another round of bucket collection at the VAUMC conference center will happen on Friday, November 1 at 12 p.m. Our districts will work to collect buckets from their designated drop off sites and bring them to Glen Allen to be blessed, packed, and sent on their way to serve those most in need. Read more.
If you would like to make a financial donation to UMCOR through Ghent UMC, we are collecting donated cash and checks and will send it to UMCOR. If making a donation via check, make your check out to Ghent UMC with “UMCOR” or “Hurricane Helene Relief” in the memo. If you donate cash, please label the envelope.
Whenever someone gives to disaster relief through UMCOR, 100% of the gift goes to support those in need. You can also visit: vaumc.org/Helene for more information.
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Provide a Lunch for WesleyODU | |
All Saints Sunday, November 3
Our Organist Brad Norris plays our Casavant organ for our 10am Worship service several times a year. He is next scheduled to play November 3 for All Saints Sunday. Come enjoy his gift and be blessed.
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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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Read with Rev. Ry Time Change
Join Pastor Ryan on Thursdays, 7-8pm, on Zoom for book study. This class will resume September 19. Everyone is invited to join! The Zoom link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86516483199
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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
"Ruler of Creation, grant me with wisdom to encounter both gifts and obstacles placed before me this day with thanksgiving..."
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 to fill in our Connection Card.
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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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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. Next date is November 3 (All Saints Sunday).
Violin Music
Violinist Chris Taylor plays during our 10am Worship. His 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 one is TBA.
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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 will no longer place 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. Some food will be taken to Christ UMC, Norfolk. 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 meets to coordinate efforts to positively impact those experiencing homelessness.
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Preschool Ministry and Leadership Updates | |
UMC Continues the Call to Dismantle Racism | |
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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!
The Long Haul The UMC is committed to the long haul when it comes to anti-racism work. Read the story.
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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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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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.
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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. Rev. Ry is in the office 9am-12pm on Thursdays and Fridays. 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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