Weekly News & Updates: September 6, 2024 | |
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Sunday Worship Service - 10am
Worship with us at Ghent Church this Sunday, September 8, at 10am.
- Rev. Ryan Schaeffer will be preaching the sermon.
- Organist Brad Norris will lead us in song.
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Also, this Sunday, we are collecting items such as small Kleenex packs, socks, sunscreen, combs, handwipes / sanitizer and Chapstick. In Children's Church, our teachers and kids will be putting together Blessing Bags to put in our Little Library outside. (They already have soap and dental items.)
- Then come back at 4:30pm. We're having Game Night at 4:30pm in our downstairs hall. There will be games for all ages! Bring a side to go with the fried chicken we will be serving. Get details below.
Please enter the sanctuary through the 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.
This month in Children's Church, they are doing community projects to learn about giving back. "Give and it shall be given unto you."
Sept. 8th: Blessing/ Grab Bags for the unhoused
Sept. 15th: Be Kind rocks/ displays to put around Stockley Gardens
Sept. 22nd: Collecting food, blankets, treats etc. for a local animal shelter.
Sept. 29th: Volunteering in the community
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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Game Night, This Sunday, September 8
On Sunday, September 8, at 4:30pm, get to Messy Church at Ghent! It's Game Night and we have games for everybody. Bring your children and their Grandparents because it's also National Grandparents Day.
We’ll provide fried chicken.
We ask you to bring the sides.
Messy Church is also seeking an individual to be our event photographer. The person would snap photos during our exciting events and share them with our office. This helps us document the fun and memories.
Additionally, we are also in need of a new or gently used Bluetooth speaker to enhance our gatherings and create a lively atmosphere.
If you are willing to help with either of these, please call (757) 622-2843 or email the church office asap at office@ghentumc.org or tell Melanie Cramer or Rev. Ryan.
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Meeting on Sunday, September 15
Our next, Leadership Team meeting will be Sunday, September 15th. It will be in the sanctuary after worship.
All are welcome to attend.
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Harris Teeter Together in Education Program
It's time to re-link your Harris Teeter Grocery Store VIC card to Ghent Preschool. GUMP’s number is 5347. Next time you're at the store, give the cashier this number.
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Fall Consignment Sale
Our Fall, GUMP Kid's Consignment Sale is coming up! Sale starts Friday, October 4.
Lots of items will be brought in for sale.
Shop for your grandchildren, children, and friends. We will have fall / winter and holiday kids' clothes, toys, books, bikes, strollers, furniture, decor, bedding and more! All proceeds benefit Ghent Preschool.
Visit our sale's Facebook page for hours and updates. www.facebook.com/GUMPConsignmentSale
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A Musical Evening of Hope | |
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The Urban Renewal Center and Virginia Symphony Orchestra, in conjunction with First Presbyterian Church, are hosting an Evening of Hope at Harrison Opera House on Thursday, October 10 at 7:00PM to honor victims, their families, and survivors of various forms of violence, including gun and knife violence.
Additionally, they will recognize the crucial efforts of frontline professionals who tirelessly work to provide hope in the midst of pervasive violence.
They are forming a community choir and have invited surrounding choirs to participate. Since Ghent Church does not have a choir, Nellwyn Beamon would like to invite anybody who is interested to let her know and she will register us as GUMC Choir.
Please email Nellwyn and let her know of your interest by September 10 so we can get the music we need. There will be a music review/rehearsal at Ghent Church on Sunday, September 22 at 11:30am. There are two mandatory rehearsals at First Presbyterian from 7:00 - 9:00pm on Thursday September 26 and October 3. The call on October 10 is 5:00PM and the concert is at 7:00PM.
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Fall, Used Book Sale
Get ready! Our annual, Fall Used Book Sale and Parking lot fundraiser will be Saturday and Sunday, October 19 and 20th.
We have had the book sale for at least 11 years. And it is a big hit, generating goodwill with the community. As always, this is pretty much an all-hands-on deck event to pull off. So, keep your eyes out for sign-up sheets coming soon. Cajole family, friends and booklovers to sign up, too.
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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.
*This group begins again Sunday, September 15.
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Read with Rev. Ry
Join Pastor Ryan on Thursdays, 8-9pm, on Zoom for book study. This class will resume in September. Date is TBA. 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
"Generous God, surround me with your favor, that I may hear the cries of the needy..."
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 dates are September 8 and 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 second Sunday in September.
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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
Our Little Library on Raleigh Ave. is now for sharing books only. Do you have a book you're finished with? Are you ready to read a new one? Then check out our book box!
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 quarterly to coordinate efforts to positively impact those experiencing homelessness.
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Preschool Ministry and Leadership Updates | |
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Preschool
Please keep the students and staff in your prayers. Our Fall Consignment Sale is Oct. 4-7.
Ghent UM Preschool teaches toddlers to students in Pre-Kindergarten. Learn more about our half-day program by visiting GUMP's page at ghentumc.org/connect/our-preschool/
Questions? Contact Director, Ann Robertson.
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Leadership Team
The next Leadership Team meeting will be Sunday, September 15th. It will be 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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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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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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