Weekly News & Updates: January 10, 2025 | |
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Baptism of Jesus Sunday - 10am
During worship this Sunday, we will celebrate the Baptism of Jesus! Our Gathering Jam band starts the praise at 9:45am. Grab one of our instruments and join in.
In the afternoon, come back with a friend or two for Movie Night. We will show a family-friendly movie and serve snacks.
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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Movie Night at Messy Church
Don't miss our next Messy Church at Ghent event.
This Sunday, January 12, we're hosting Movie Night at 4:30 p.m. Everyone is invited! So, bring a friend or two to watch a Disney classic, Aristocats. We'll watch the movie and eat chips and dip!
Messy Church at Ghent is an all-ages event. It is "Church, but not as you know it!" It is Christ-centered and based on creativity, hospitality, and celebration.
*We will meet in our fellowship hall. Park in our parking lot or on the street. Enter the door near the parking lot.
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Pledge Sunday - January 19
We thank everyone for the financial contributions in 2024. It has been a good year. Thanks and blessings are abundant. Volunteers decorated the church for the Christmas season. And the recent Living Nativity was well attended.
We are reaching out because everyone's support has never been more important. When you pledge, you help ensure that Ghent UMC continues to provide Christian ministry and fellowship for our members and neighbors. Please let us know on Sunday, January 19 (or sooner), what your pledge will be.
Your pledge figure for 2025 can be emailed back to the church or put into the offering plate.
Thank you for supporting Ghent United Methodist Church!!
Reach out to us with inquiries and responses.
Phone: (757) 622-2843
Email: office@ghentumc.org
Mail: 531 Raleigh Ave. Norfolk, VA 23507
Yours in Christ's name,
Peter Griffin
Finance Chair
*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.*
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Hope in Action for Creation Justice
Register now for the VA UMC's Climate Summit on March 8.
Participate in the VAUMC's response to God’s call for Climate & Racial Justice, Sustainability in Climate Change, & The Net Zero by 2050 Resolution.
All of the youth are encouraged to join (individually or as a youth group). There will be workshop sessions designed specifically for teens on the theme of faith + science and Creation Care.
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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
"Loving God, help me to live this day in the knowledge that you have claimed me as your child..."
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. His next date is TBA.
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 session is January 12.
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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. 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 Still Working 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.
Pledge Sunday is January 19. Please let us know on or before that date what your 2025 pledge will be. Your pledge can be emailed back to the church or put into the offering plate. Thank you for supporting Ghent United Methodist Church!!
Reach out to us with inquiries and responses. Phone: (757) 622-2843 Mail: 531 Raleigh Ave. Norfolk 23507
Your pledge figure for 2025 can be emailed back to the church or put into the offering plate.
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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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Sign up to put DS Beth of the Coastal District underwater at the Polar Duck Dip on Jan 18.
Read the Council of Bishops Pastoral Letter Addressing the Plight of Migrants, Immigrants and Refugees in the US 2025.
California-Pacific Conference Fire Updates – January 8, 2025 Click here.
Donate to help California wildfires recovery. Click here.
Amid grief, New Orleans pastors bring healing. Read the story.
United Methodist Church Bishops mourn President Carter. Read more.
Global Mission Fellow from Virginia sends update. Watch his video.
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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 scheduled to be 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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