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Weekly News & Updates
January 23, 2026
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This Sunday - 10am
Yes! We're having church this Sunday. No matter the weather, Pastor Britney will be at Ghent UMC to welcome you to worship our Lord. Use your own judgement about driving.
It is our monthly, Food Collection Sunday. Please bring food & drinks, in order, to bless our neighbors in need. See suggestions below.
Grab some coffee in the back of the sanctuary before or during the service. Stay after service and talk to our members!
* Enter the building at the top of large staircase that faces Stockley Gardens (Rd).
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Pastor's Prayer for the Week
A Prayer for This Time of Unrest
For God's grace, God make a way.
For God's justice, God make a way.
For God's hope, God make a way.
For God's peace, God make a way.
For God's redemption, God make a way.
For God's provision, God make a way.
For God's strength, God make a way.
For God's conviction, God make a way.
For God's protection, God make a way.
For God's healing, God make a way.
God make us the instruments of your peace and your Kingdom. Amen.
* Rev. Britney Toner
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Food Collection Sunday
Each fourth Sunday is the day for our monthly food collection. We encourage attendees to bring non-perishable food items, drinks, and snacks to support those in need. Some examples are hearty snacks, canned goods such as tuna (pop top, if you can) and cereal. Other suggestions are small, boxed milk and drinks, instant coffee, sugar packets, individual powdered drink packets that are added to bottles of water and dried fruit.
Give whatever God puts on your heart to give. The food is for those who are hungry including those experiencing homelessness. Please place your offerings in the basket by the altar. Most of the food will be taken to Ghent Area Ministry on Colonial Ave. The rest will remain here for those who ask us for help.
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New Bible Study Begins Monday, February 2
You are invited to join our 6-week, daytime Bible study! The next session begins at 10:30am on Monday, February 2, in the home of one of our members.
This time, we will be reading "Why Did Jesus Have to Die? The Meaning of the Crucifixion:" by Rev. Adam Hamilton. Each week, we will read a chapter, watch the video and have discussion.
Contact Debbie B., if you want her to order the book for you ($19.79) or to get the location. You may also call the church office at (757) 622-2843 for the address.
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Bible Study led by Pastor Britney
Our online, Bible Study is now on Wednesday nights.
Each Wednesday, we will practice Lectio Divina, an ancient way of reading the Word and listening to the Spirit together. We meet 6:30pm - 7pm. You're invited to log on and join Pastor Britney!
Click here for the Zoom link.
Zoom meeting ID: 756 2327 9279 Passcode: ghentumc (all lowercase).
If you are at church, please let her know that you are interested by marking your interest on a Connection Card and listing your email. Then, place it in the offering basket. If you have questions or need more information, talk to Pastor Britney.
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District Training, February 7th
Coastal District Training is Saturday, Feb. 7th from 9am - 3pm at Community UMC in Virginia Beach. All are invited to attend a day of fellowship with other “UMC’ers” in our district and helpful workshops.
For more information click here for a list of workshop options or see the flyer in the back of the Sanctuary. If cost is a problem, then let us know and we can cover it. You can click here to go to the registration page.
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Let's Dream Together, Feb. 8
We are excited to dream together and talk about our hopes and future of our church with our “Discovering the Possibilities” workshop after church on Feb. 8 from 11:30am - 3pm.
Everyone is asked to join! Lunch is provided. But please RSVP by February 1st to office@ghentumc.org or call (757) 622-2843.
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Helping the Unhoused this Winter
Our neighbors at Christ & St. Luke’s Episcopal and Freemason Baptist Church have invited us to join their effort to help those experiencing homelessness.
This important ecumenical ministry is called Norfolk Winter Shelter. It helps provide emergency shelter during the coldest months of the year. This year, Christ & St. Luke's is teaming up with Freemason Baptist to host a week of the NWS from March 8th – 15th.
With over 200 slots to fill, volunteers are needed for all types of positions, including set-up & clean-up, guest relations & room monitors, registration teams, food prep, and overnight monitors. Each position is explained on the registration page. Follow this link to see the online registration page.
They’re also seeking volunteers to staff the kitchen crew. Reach out to Rev. Jared B. Grant directly at 757-627-5665 (ext. 3) to learn more about kitchen crew opportunities.
Please note, all volunteers must attend the Volunteer Training on Feb. 25th from 6:00 - 7:30pm at Freemason Baptist Church in downtown Norfolk.
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Music Ministry
All are welcome to join our Minister of Music, Nellwyn Beamon, in the music ministry of the church.
Contact Nellwyn Beamon, at music@ghentumc.org, if you have any questions or want more information.
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Choir Rehearsal
Choir rehearsals are on Sundays from 11:30am to 12:30pm in the choir room upstairs.
If you are interested in joining us, please get in touch with Nellwyn. Email address is above.
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Gathering Jam Band
Each 2nd Sunday, 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. If you would like the music beforehand, contact Nellwyn. Next Jam Band will be February 8.
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Organ Music at Ghent
Our Organist Brad Norris plays during our worship services. His next date is February 15, Transfiguration Sunday.
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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.
If you would like to volunteer or request a visit for someone, call or email the church office.
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GUMP (Our Preschool)
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GUMP earns $5 for each sale on its GUMP's Spirit Wear Store! Use the discount code WELCOMETOFIDGETY for free shipping on your first order.
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We're collecting paper shopping bags for the next Consignment Sale.
Want to help GUMP when you buy groceries? Link your Harris Teeter Grocery HT Plus Membership account to GUMP (#5347). Ask your cashier to do it or link it online. For each linked account, Harris Teeter will send GUMP $10! Click this link for details.
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Children are Always Welcome at Ghent UMC
Our Children's Church* takes place each Sunday during our worship service, 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 related craft or activity.
Children are welcome to remain in the service and utilize the activity bags in the back of the church.
Our nursery* is available for infants to age 3 beginning at 9:50am.
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 are in the back of the sanctuary, if you wish to use them.
A baby changing station is in the lobby. Go out the swinging door to the right of our Coffee Station. The changing station is near the staircase.
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Ways to Give
- To give by mail, send your checks to GUMC, 531 Raleigh Ave., Norfolk, VA 23507.
- To give in person, put your donation in a basket on Sunday mornings or take it to the church office during the week.
- Other ways to give include endowments and stocks. For more information, call the church office at (757) 622-2843.
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.
| | UMC News: World, VA, and Local | | |
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Native American leader reflects on King’s legacy. Read the statement.
Charges dismissed against Filipino pastor. Read the statement.
Join Bishop Sue and our VAUMC Cabinet, Wed., Feb. 25, for Faithful Resistance: A Public Witness for Immigrant Justice. This will be an ecumenical and interfaith worship service and march in D.C. Learn more.
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Need to get in touch with us?
The church office hours are Monday - Friday, 9am to 12pm.
757-622-2843 office@ghentumc.org
Click here for the staff's contact information.
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