Weekly News & Updates: November 1, 2024 | |
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Sunday Worship Service - 10am
This Sunday is Communion and All Saints Sunday. Remember your departed loved ones by bringing a photo or memento then placing it on the church's altar. Rev. Schaeffer will light candles in their memory.
For Communion, we also offer gluten-free, packaged cups/wafers. Follow this link to help you explain Communion to your children.
Our organist Brad Norris will be blessing us with his gift of music.
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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Organ Music this Sunday, November 3
Our Organist Brad Norris plays our Casavant organ for our 10am Worship service several times a year. He will be playing this Sunday, November 3, for All Saints Sunday. Come enjoy his gift and be blessed.
Brad is Dean of the Tidewater Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. After 36 years, he retired from St. Andrew’s Church and School in Newport News. He lives in Hampton and enjoys doing work as an organ/piano substitute and accompanying various singing groups in Hampton Roads, such as Bellissima.
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Change Your Clocks
It's time to “Fall Back” as Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend. Turn your clocks back one hour Saturday night, November 2, before you go to bed.
This change means there will be more light in the mornings. Check out The History of Daylight Saving Time on the Farmer's Almanac website.
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VAUMC called to prayer amidst presidential election
In preparation for election day, Bishop Sue, the Cabinet, and all the conference leadership invite the VAUMC clergy and laity into a rhythm and posture of prayer now through election day on Tuesday, November 5.
Together, each day, at 8 a.m., noon, 6 p.m., and 10 p.m., we will pray the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi (follow this link).
During this time, allow the Holy Spirit to work within and around yourself. Allow yourself to be silent and mindful in the presence of God. Allow yourself to pray these words and hear them anew.
All are also invited to join Bishop Sue and Conference Lay Leader Martha Stokes for a 30-minute Vespers Service of Prayer at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, November 6. Register now...
This will be a space for prayer, rest, processing, and community during this election season.
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October is Fire Safety Awareness Month.
But every month, our preschool has a fire drill. The sound of the fire alarm doesn't scare the children. They know exactly what to do!
Thursday, we invited the Norfolk Fire Department to bring one of their trucks so everyone could get a close up look. It was great. Thank you NFD for coming to educate GUMP.
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Parking Lot Reminder
On Sundays, Christ and St. Luke's will be using the 15 parking spots along the metal fence. So, please leave those spots empty on Sunday mornings.
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Messy Church's Greening of Ghent UMC
Sunday, November 17
Can you believe it's time to decorate for Advent and the Christmas season? Even if you aren't ready to prep your home, get in the Christmas spirit by hanging the greens at church! We need everyone's help. Oh, and as an extra incentive, we will be serving spaghetti and macaroni and cheese.
We’ll have a Greening Service at 10am. Then afterwards, we’ll serve lunch while we have Messy Church lessons. We’ll “green” the sanctuary with wreaths, swags and our Christmas tree. Come dressed comfortably and have some holiday fun!
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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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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
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
"God of Blessing, Thank you for all those who have shown me the faith and have gone forth to be with you, make me a worthy companion of my ancestors in faith, helping me to love others as I have been loved..."
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 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 | |
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Preschool
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/
GUMP’s Harris Teeter number is 5347.
Questions? Contact Director, Ann Robertson.
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Leadership Team
The next Leadership Team meeting is Sunday, Nov. 10 after Worship. It will be 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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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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