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Weekly News & Updates
June 20, 2025
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This Sunday - 10am
Join us this Sunda, June 22, for Worship. Rev. Kim Barker-Brugman is our guest minister. She will deliver the sermon and lead our worship service.
It is the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost and Food Collection Sunday. Please bring what you can. It will help others. See suggestions in a block below.
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 related 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 them, are in the back of the sanctuary. A baby changing station is in the lobby.
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Organ Recital, This Sunday, June 22
Come out for a delightful recital at St. John’s Episcopal Church (100 W. Queens Way, Hampton) THIS Sunday, June 22, at 4:00PM.
Our own Brad Norris will be one of four participants playing their Parsons 46-rank instrument. The program will explore organ pieces of the majestic Baroque period, the lyrically beautiful Romantic era, the edgy but interesting 20th century, and even “gospel” organ improvisations.
Reception to follow. If interested, talk with Nellwyn Beamon. Let’s get a group together to support Brad!
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Food Donation Suggestions
This Sunday, please bring snacks, canned goods such as tuna (pop-top, if you can), or other non-perishable items such as cereal to help others. The food is for those who are hungry including those experiencing homelessness. Place your offerings in the basket by the altar.
Other suggestions are dried fruit; boxed milk and drinks, instant coffee, sugar packets and individual powdered drink packets that are added to bottles of water.
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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LGBTQ Faith Community Pride Potluck
Join the folks of Christ & St. Luke’s for a Pride Potluck in the Lychgate Garden on Sunday, June 29, 6-8 pm. The potluck is open to all ages and the allies who stand with them. Bring a dish to share and meet some new friends!
Christ & St Luke’s is at 506 W. Olney Rd., Norfolk. Click the link for more information.
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Notes from Virginia Conference
The 243rd Session of the Virginia Annual Conference has wrapped. Learn more about the worship, fellowship and business from the annual event.
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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. Class is on summer break: June, July & August.
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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
"As a deer longs for
flowing streams,
so my soul longs for you,
O God. My Soul thirsts
for God, for the living
God. Oh God, thank you
for letting me see you
today in..."
*Submitted by Rev. Kim Barker Brugman
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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
Want to read the whole Bible in 12 months? Check out the N. Georgia Conference Guide.
Looking for adult or children's New Revised Standard versions of the Bible? Click here.
Get practices and reflections to help you pray.
Read The Upper Room daily devotional. Click here.
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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 will be in July.
Choir Rehearsal
Choir rehearsal on Sundays from 11:30 to 12:30pm will resume in the fall with singing on selected dates. If you are interested in being part of this group, please get in touch with our Minister of Music, Nellwyn Beamon, at music@ghentumc.org.
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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 Gathering Jam is in July.
Trumpet Music
Trumpeter Josh McDonald's next date 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. Most of the food will be taken to Ghent Area Ministry on Colonial Avenue. 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 works to coordinate efforts to positively impact those experiencing homelessness.
| | Preschool Ministry and Leadership Updates | | UMC Has Not Stopped Working to Dismantle Racism | | |
Agency’s top exec offers new year’s hopes for 2025.
Read his commentary.
In 2024, at General Conference, the members approved the updated Article V - Racial Justice.
You Can 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.
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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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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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A number of Virginia United Women in Faith participated in the Pentecost vigil on Capitol Hill. Watch the interview.
Bishop calls for prayer after Minnesota assassination. Read the bishop's letter.
622 people graduate from Africa University. Read the story.
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Church and Society General Secretary Bishop Julius C. Trimble urges United Methodist to pray, stand with immigrants, and protest peacefully. Read the statement.
Working for immigrant rights and peace in LA. Read the story.
Responding to visa emergency at Lydia Patterson Institute. Read the story.
Bishop asks for compassion after raid in Omaha. Read bishop’s statement.
Travel ban will impact UMC mission and ministry. Read more.
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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.
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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