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Weekly News & Updates

October 16, 2026

This Sunday - 10am

Join us for Worship this Sunday, October 18. Our Pastor Rev. Britney Toner will be preaching the sermon. She will also have a special message for the children. So, bring the young people in your life! We are so welcoming of children being in Worship with us. (Learn more in a block below.)

Brad Norris will be playing the piano this Sunday and leading us in song. Learn more about Brad by reading his bio we published in May.

THANK YOU to everyone who made a donation on Miracle Sunday last week. That special offering goes to support the theological education of leaders in areas like the Philippines and throughout Africa. We raised $535.00.

Enter the door at the top of the large staircase facing Stockley Gardens (road).

Scripture

Matthew 22:15-22

Pastor's Pick for the Week

“All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well…

for there is a Force of Love moving through the universe that holds us fast

and will never let us go.”

*Julian of Norwich, 14th c. mystic and anchoress

What's Going On?

RAIN OR SHINE - October 17-18

We're Having Our Book Sale and Festival Parking Fundraiser!

We are so excited that we can have our

Used Book Sale and Parking Lot Fundraiser this weekend, even if the rain falls!

You will find books on our covered porch, in our lobby,

and inside on our rows of seats.

Thanks to all who are volunteering. We need a lot of people to help pack up on Saturday. PLEASE come on out by 4pm and make the work easier.

All ages are welcome to help, but parents must accompany children.

Our book sale tomorrow, October 17, 10am – 4:30pm. Fill your bookshelves with hardbacks that are only $1.50 and paperbacks that are $1.00.

Children can get a free children’s book!

You're welcome to come inside for books, have a seat or just take a look around.

Our parking lot is one block from the Stockley Gardens Arts Festival.

It will be unmanned on Saturday. Drivers who wish to park in our lot can give their $10 donation by going to our website at https://giving.servantkeeper.com/ghentumc/2770.

Under the ONE-TIME tab, go to Festival Parking Fundraiser. Thank you!

We host paid parking on Sunday, 11:30am – 3:30pm.

Proceeds from the sale and festival parking benefit missions.

Pastor Appreciation Month

Every October, churches across the connection pause to say thank you to the clergy who walk alongside them week in and week out. October is observed as Pastor Appreciation Month (also called Clergy Appreciation Month).

Pastor Britney expresses her "sincerest gratitude for the blessings shown, not just for Pastor Appreciation Day, but all year long. I love that God has brought us together for such a time as this!” - Pastor B

Click here to learn more about this recognition and to learn some simple ways to say thank you.

Leadership Meeting

Our next Leadership Team meeting will be next Sunday, October 25, at 11:30am. Please be here to vote for paperwork for our Charge Conference on November 6.

Donate Treats, Decorate Your Car

Have fun at one of our favorite GUMP traditions! We’re inviting church members to decorate their vehicle’s trunks and park in our lot for the annual Trunk or Treat. The young children dress up and safely trick-or-treat from car to car.

We’re also asking for candy donations. Please bring peanut-free candy to the church office or drop it off on Sunday mornings. Their Trunk or Treat is on Thursday, October 29th.

Please email director@gumppreschool.org for more information.

Get A Firm Foundation

Our UMC Foundations Small Group meets on Wednesdays at 5:30pm in room 304.

All are welcome to come and explore what it means to be a member of

the United Methodist Church. If you would like to join, just show up.

You can also request hybrid availability by contacting David Bonnewell at d.bonnewell01@gmail.com or 757-817-4485.

~ A Nice November ~

All Soul's Sunday

All Soul’s Sunday is November 1. Our choir will be singing. During our service, we will honor all who have died and gone on to glory in the past year. Bring a photo or memento to Worship and place it on the altar.

Leading up to All Soul's Sunday, please write the name of the person(s) you would like to honor on a Connection Card with "All Soul’s" in the description.

Meet for Mahjong in November

The next mahjong meeting will be Sunday, November 1st, at 2:00pm at Margaret's house.

If you want to join us, email Melanie C.

We're Having a Picnic

We are having a Church Picnic on November 8th at the Bonnewell's home!

More details will be forthcoming.

Do you want to become a member of Ghent UMC? Pastor Britney would LOVE to talk to you about what it means to join our church.

Please email her to set up a time to chat. Her address is btoner@VaUMC.org.

Outreach Mission - Warm Clothes

We have returned to our fall/winter, outreach mission. Let's help to keep our neighbors warm this winter. Please bring hats, blankets or scarves to Ghent UMC. Put the items in the baskets in the back of sanctuary. Our Missions Chair Mrs. Irene Mabry-Moses can answer any questions you may have.

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.

Church Choir

Choir rehearsals are on Sundays from 11:30am to 12:30pm in the choir room upstairs. They will sing on All Soul's Sunday, November 1.

If you are interested in joining us, please get in touch with Nellwyn. Email address is above.

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.

Organ Music at Ghent

While our building is in a stage of progress, our Organist Brad Norris will be playing the piano. He will be the guest pianist for worship this Sunday, October 18.

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.

GUMP (Our Preschool)

Ghent United Methodist Preschool is a half-day program that is open to everyone. Please continue to pray for our teachers and staff.

Visit our webpage for more info about our school. Or set up a tour with Director Ann Robertson by calling (757) 622-3239.

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.

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.

Children are Always Welcome at Ghent UMC

Our Children's Sunday School* takes place each Sunday during our worship service, following the children's message. All children are invited to begin the hour in our worship service. After the Children’s Message, children aged 3 through 5th grade are invited to attend Sunday School in our library, just down the hall from the sanctuary. Children are escorted back to the sanctuary during the song after the sermon. (Two adults are with the children at all times).

On Communion Sundays (usually the first Sunday of the month), children are invited to come back into the service to celebrate Communion alltogether with their church family.

*Sunday School is completely optional. You are welcome to keep your child(ren) in worship with you, if you prefer

Our professional workers, staff, and volunteers are fully background checked.

A baby changing station is in the sanctuary lobby. Go out the swinging door to the right of our Coffee Station. The changing station is near the staircase and restroom.

Ways to Give

To give securely online, click here.

To give by mail, send your checks to Ghent UMC, 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 or visit our website.

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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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.