Weekly news & updates: January 22, 2021
Facebook Live Worship: Sunday 10am
Join Pastor Melody this Sunday for worship at 10am on Facebook live as she begins her new
Sermon Series: "Fame."

Instructions:
  • Click here to go to our Facebook page and scroll down until you see the video of worship.
  • The link and video are viewable even if you don't have a Facebook account.
  • Please write your name in the comments so we know you are worshiping with us.
Worship bulletin: Click here
Sermon Series: "Fame"
Sermon title: "The Reluctant Fisher"
1st Scripture: Jonah 3:1-5, 10 
2nd Scripture: Mark 1:14-20 
Listen to recent sermons. Watch previously live-streamed worship services.
A letter from Pastor Melody

Dear Ghent United Methodist Church & Preschool, During worship this past Sunday, January 17 th, I shared publicly that I will be going on personal leave effective July 1 st, 2021 after six years of pastoral ministry to the Ghent community....

Read more
myemail.constantcontact.com
Pastor Melody Taking Leave
During worship this past Sunday, January 17th, Pastor Melody shared that she will be going on personal leave effective this July 1st. Ghent UMC will be appointed a new pastor at that time.

Your input is welcome as we transition to the next phase in the faith journey of Ghent Church. Please reach out to SPRC Chairwoman Melanie Cramer with your thoughts and ideas. She can be reached at thosecramers@icloud.com.
NEST
Fri. afternoon - Sat. morning, January 22-23
Ghent UMC is joining our neighbors from Ohef Sholom Temple to provide meals and monitoring for NEST January 20-27. Ghent UMC's dates are Friday afternoon through Saturday morning, Jan. 22-23.

Norfolk Emergency Shelter Team (NEST) is a coalition of faith organizations providing warm, safe shelters for homeless adults during winter months, and helping to connect them with resources and support systems. This year, the city projects that there are 40 people in our area without housing. It was decided by the leadership of NEST to have one location this year at First Presbyterian Church (820 Colonial Ave) because the COVID safety set-up is so involved! Click here for details about the COVID safety precautions that are being taken.

To learn more about the volunteer opportunities and to sign up, click here! If you wish to volunteer another day, please email the church office and we will connect you with the Temple.

For more information, please contact Faye Joseph, our NEST coordinator, or the church office.
Messy Church to Go - January
Time to register for your Messy Church To-Go bag! And it can be enjoyed whatever your age. Each month, our Messy Church team at Ghent UMC presents everything you need to celebrate Messy Church at home! January's theme is all about Peace.

Each bag will contain:
A video link to our Messy Celebration posted on our YouTube channel, written instructions and suggestions for a meaningful Messy experience, and all the supplies you need. Get more info on our "Messy Church @ Ghent UMC" Facebook Group page.

This month's bag distribution will be Sunday, January 24, 11:30am-12:30pm.

So, register today by clicking here and let’s get Messy again!

BLM and Ghent Church Signs Vandalized
On Monday, the day we celebrate the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the church's name sign and our sign declaring that Black lives matter to us and to God were vandalized. Someone threw tomatoes and fruit at them. Previously, on Saturday Dec. 26th, someone had torn down our BLM sign.
In both cases, concerned neighbors cleaned the signs and put BLM sign back up. We are thankful to our neighbors who have shown their support through their actions and words. Let's remember that this mild act does not compare to the adversity that members of the Black community face every day. Please continue to pray for the healing of racism in our community and in our hearts.
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! 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.

PLEASE PRAY
2020: The Year in UM News Photos

The year 2020 was an eventful and difficult one for The United Methodist Church. Photographers from UM News, the denomination's official news service, documented a year in the life of United Methodism worldwide.

pray_lettering.jpg
Daily Prayer Starter
Please set aside time each day to pray for 2-3 minutes.

O Lord, help me to overcome my fear. May I go with intentionality to share your abiding love with those around me…

For prayer requests contact Pastor Melody.
Recorded Discussion on COVID-19
Click here to watch the recorded COVID webinar which included the VA Dept. of Health, VCU, faith leaders and Dr. Anthony Fauci.

Want to skip ahead? Dr. Fauci begins 37 minutes into the video. Bishop S. Lewis asks a question at the 1 hour, 17 minute mark. 
Mental Health in a Pandemic
According to the World Health Organization, mental health is more than just the absence of mental disorders or disabilities, it is also “an integral and essential component to health.” 

Between the challenges of the pandemic, the corresponding economic recession, civil unrest around racism and the fractiousness brought about by an election year, the last nine months have likely affected your mental health.
shot_preparation.jpg
COVID Vaccination Registration
The Virginia Department of Health has launched a website for the public to learn when they may be able to begin registering for COVID vaccines.

Some senior members of our community, those with health conditions, or those who are essential workers may be eligible now.
Remembering the Water
This month, we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord and its symbol of new life.

Click on the video on the right to be reminded about God's Gift to us all.
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 are limited currently, however, prayers, phone calls, and mail from the care team are continuing.
 
For more information, prayer requests, or if you are feeling called to get more involved or become a member of Ghent UMC, contact Pastor Melody.
Groups & Leadership
Children and Youth Pastor Melody posts our children's messages on our Facebook page. To view the latest message, click here. For more information about children and youth discipleship material and activities, contact Pastor Melody Tanner.
Ghent Inspire Book Club meets one Monday each month at 7:30 pm on Zoom.

On Monday, February 22, our book will be Too Much and Never Enough by Mary L. Trump.

For those who don’t have time to read the books, we will have a few general questions in each discussion so that everyone will be able to participate!

For more information or to join the Zoom meetings, contact the church office or visit our Facebook page.
tree_vector.jpg
The Leadership Team meeting was held Sunday, Dec. 6, 11:30am via Zoom. Click the links below for the reports.
The date and time of the next meeting will be announced.
Sunday School
This group reviews the Bible using the Standard Lesson Quarterly series, but they are not currently meeting. To read this discipleship material at home or for more information, contact Peter Griffin.
Ghent UMC Preschool continues to operate safely as teachers and students follow the recommendations of the CDC, Dept. of Social Services, and VA UMC Covid-19 protocol.

This Wednesday students participated in a fire drill. All went well. Parents are also starting the reenrollment process for the next school year.

GUMP is looking for substitute teachers. If you or someone you know may be interested, email the Director Ann Robertson for more information. Background checks will be completed prior to substituting.
Frequently Asked Questions related to COVID-19 restrictions
Are we able to gather and worship in person? We have been approved for Drive-in worship services to celebrate Holy Communion on the first Sunday of each month at 1:30 pm. Otherwise, we are continuing to worship and minister to each other and our community online. We appreciate your prayers, patience, and understanding as we do our part in curbing the spread of COVID-19.
How can I get in touch with church staff? Our church staff are continuing to work from home and only come to the church building on an as needed basis. To contact church staff, click here to access their email addresses, or call the church office at 757-622-2843 and leave a voice mail. Our voice mail is monitored, in general, Monday through Friday. Messages will be returned as soon as possible. 
How may I offer a tithe or gift? We understand that these are uncertain times for most of us financially, but we want to offer the opportunity for us all to continue to fully participate in worship through the offering of a tithe or gift. Click here to learn of the various ways to give, including access to our online giving portal and instructions on online giving from your bank. Also, you may drop off checks through the mail slot at our Raleigh Ave. entrance. For assistance, contact the church office.
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.

Click here to read Pastor Melody's special message for our church and community.
UMCmarket, powered by iGive, helps you generate a donation to Ghent United Methodist Church when you shop online at thousands of retailers. It's win-win-win!
You can make an impact while you shop for online deals. Shop at smile.amazon.com/ch/54-0599700 and AmazonSmile will donate to Ghent United Methodist Church, at no cost to you.


Ghent UMC is licensed to stream our FB Live worship services with permission under CCLI #20175590 and One License A-727358. All rights reserved.