Weekly News & Updates: May 20, 2022 |
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Worship, Sunday at 10am
It's 4th Sunday, our Food Collection Sunday. We're collecting non-perishable food and hearty snacks for our little library - food pantry and to donate to the food pantry at Wesley Community Service Center. Place your offerings in the basket by the altar or contact the church office to make arrangements to drop off.
In-Person Worship Enter the sanctuary through the doors facing Stockley Gardens. All must follow our Covid-19 Mitigation Plan outlined below.
Online Worship Click here to go to our Facebook page or click here to go directly to our "Live" page.
Our nursery is available for children through age 3. Our nursery workers are CPR certified and fully vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus.
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Streaming licenses: Ghent UMC is licensed to stream our FB Live worship services with permission under CCLI #20175590 and One License A-727358. All rights reserved.
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*COVID-19 Mitigation Plan (Updated March 23, 2022)
For all in-person Ghent UMC Happenings
Remember that our call is to love our neighbors and to do no harm.
Wearing face masks is currently optional. Children under two years of age should not wear a mask.
Also, the Virginia UMC recommends that everyone, who is eligible, be vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus.
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Used Book Sale & Parking Lot Fundraisers: Sat. / Sun. May 21 - 22
Volunteers Needed
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The Stockley Gardens Arts Festival is this Saturday and Sunday, May 21 - 22. For the last 8 years, our church has interacted with hundreds of people each year via our used book sale, parking lot fundraiser, and people coming inside our lovely sanctuary for respite and at times to hear organists. We also have raised thousands of dollars for the missions and ministries of GUMC, although the principal goal of the event is outreach and evangelism.
Thank you to everyone who has signed up to volunteer at the Book Sale and Parking Lot Fundraiser!
We still have spots that need to be filled tomorrow, May 21.
Thank you. Love you! Steve Vegh, Mission Co-chair
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Mental Health Awareness Month |
May is Mental Health Awareness Month.
Learn five ways you can overcome anxiety when you feel fearful or stressed. This video offers a guided space to pause so that you can find the road back to peace. Watch the video to the right.
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Free 8-inch Mini Tablet with Internet Service |
Take a moment to think about people that you know and forward this information to them.
Norfolk UMC is offering free 8-inch Mini Tablets with no cost internet service, if the household meets certain eligibility requirements.
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"Giving God, as spring bursts forth its blossoms in witness to your creation, so too help us to witness to your love..."
(Adapted from Feasting on the Word: Worship Companion)
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Weekly Study and Practice - Tuesday at 7:30pm |
**Join us this Tuesday, 5/24. This week's lesson is about Simplicity.
Simplicity is not about giving away all your things, but about
putting your things in the right perspective.
We meet at 7:30pm on Tuesdays in our church library and on Zoom. Enter through the Raleigh Ave. entrance then come to the library.
Everyone is invited to join Pastor Ryan in our weekly study and practice of spiritual disciplines based on the book, "Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth" by Richard J. Foster.
You may join in at any time, even without any preparation.
So, keep an eye out each week to learn what topic will be covered.
To join the Zoom meeting:
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Join us monthly for Messy Church at Ghent UMC! Messy Church is “church, but not as you know it.” Each month is a little different but is always based on the values of all-ages together, celebration, creativity, hospitality, and centering ourselves in Christ.
And it’s FREE!
Please stay tuned for information about our next activity.
To view pictures of recent Messy happenings, click here.
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Little Library / Food Pantry
We need volunteers to help monitor/ fill our church's Little Library / food pantry on Raleigh Ave. Please sign up to help on one or more weeks.
During your "week," at least once, please stock the little library using items from the collection box that is inside the church.
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Food Donations Needed
We are collecting non-perishable food and hearty snacks to place in our little library / food pantry and to donate to the food pantry at WCSC. The food is to benefit those who are hungry, including those experiencing homelessness, families, or individuals.
Place your offerings in the basket by the altar on 4th Sundays, or contact the church office to make arrangements to drop off.
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Learn about Open Table
GUMC is licensed to host The Open Table which is a model in which an at-risk person creates relationships with a small group of community volunteers to help meet their goals. It is a transformative process for all involved. Full training is provided for volunteers. Ghent UMC's 1st table finished its work and our 2nd table is meeting. We are currently forming a 3rd table.
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UMC News: World, VA, and Local |
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VA Conference Zoom Information and Q & A session on the further postponement of the General Conference to 2024 will be on Tuesday, May 31, 7 pm. Registration is required: click here.
The UMC General Committee on Religion and Race responds to the Buffalo Shooting and shares resources. Click here to learn more.
Norfolk UMC is offering free 8-inch Mini Tablets with no cost internet service, if your household meets the eligibility requirements. Apply before June 3, 2022. Click here to apply or call 1-888-803-3889.
Shift in relief efforts for Ukraine A move from emergency aid to long-term support sums up the current phase of United Methodist efforts for Ukrainian refugees as faith communities continue to send supplies into Ukraine. Read more.
District Initiative Project Learn more about the collaboration among districts in the VA conference and plans being presented at June's VA annual conference by clicking here.
On October 29, a Special VA Annual Conference will be held. Get details.
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Long Haul The UMC is committed to the long haul when it comes to anti-racism work. Read the story.
What Can We Do?
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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.
Retired Bishop Stith thinks that US divisions are due to a refusal to address issues related to equity and the racial divide. Read more.
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Rev. Ry invites everyone to help on Sundays!
There are several opportunities for adults, youth, and children to participate in our worship services. Just put your name or your child's name on the sign up sheet on the Welcome Center table in the back of the sanctuary; or you can click on the following link: Worship Volunteer Opportunities & Sign-Up.
Altar Flowers In the worship setting, one or two flower arrangements may be placed by the altar. They are given in thanksgiving to God, and often are dedicated in memory of a loved one or in honor of a special event or person. To learn about flower arrangement options and/or to sign up for a Sunday, please contact the church office or click here to sign up.
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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.
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We're Hiring Nursery Workers! |
Ghent United Methodist Church in Norfolk is seeking a nursery worker for our 10a.m. weekly worship service on Sundays. The hours are 9:30-11:30a.m. and the pay is $12 per hour. Experience with childcare preferred. Background checks and COVID vaccination required. CPR training required; will be provided if needed. To apply, contact Lisa King at office@ghentumc.org.
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Children and Youth
Pastor Ryan delivers a brief Children’s Message each week immediately prior to the Scripture and the adult sermon.
The next MS/HS youth group meetings will be Sunday May 22, 4:30 - 6:30pm.
Please plan attend and invite a friend!
Led by Pastor Ryan (a.k.a. Rev. Ry) and his wife Erin, we are a fully inclusive faith community; i.e. welcoming to all.
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Ghent Inspire Book Club meets one day each month, usually, at 7:30pm.
The book club is currently on hold so people can join Pastor Ryan’s book study.
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.
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Anyone can play during the Gathering Jam.
Once a month, usually on 2nd Sundays, all ages are invited to bring an instrument and play along during the gathering part of our service at 9:45am. If you want to make a joyful noise to the Lord but don’t play an instrument, come out and play the maracas or other hand percussion.
The next Jam is June 12.
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Do you want to share your gift of singing?
Singers are always welcome to help lead the songs in worship each Sunday. Contact Nellwyn Beamon if you are interested so she can order a singer’s mask for you and help to get you started!
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The Homeless Task Force is a group of people from a number of local faith communities and community organizations who meet regularly online to share resources and ideas for serving those who are homeless. The next meeting on Zoom is Wednesday, June 15 at noon. A few people from Ghent UMC are actively involved in this group, but more are always welcome. For more information or if you feel led to answer this calling to help those in need, please contact Faye Joseph at office@ghentumc.org.
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Ghent UMC’s Homeless Committee meets quarterly. The next meeting date will be on Thursday, July 21, at 7:30p.m. on Zoom. Please pray to discern if God puts the homeless in your heart, and if so, contact the church office. If you have questions, please ask Karen Kowalski.
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Sunday Adult Bible Discussion
Weekly, in-person, discussions are Sundays, 9 - 9:45am. Meet us in the back of the sanctuary. Please enter through the Stockley Gardens door.
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Ghent UMC Preschool operates safely as teachers and students follow the recommendations of the CDC, Dept. of Social Services, and VA UMC Covid-19 protocol.
If you or someone know is interested in being a GUMP substitute teacher, email the Director Ann Robertson. Background checks will be completed prior to substituting.
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We want to update the plants and shrubs in our memorial garden and along Raleigh Ave. We are planning for the memorial garden to be a tranquil respite; exploring ideas like a prayer tree and Biblical Herb garden for the Raleigh Ave. side. Improvements need to be made to our garden gating, as well. If you want to be a part of the planning, planting, and/or implementation, please contact Debbie Bonnewell. |
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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.
Click here to read former Pastor's, Melody Tanner, special message for our church and community.
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How may I offer a gift or tithe? |
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 about the various ways to give.
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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!
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Shop by starting with OUR LINK at smile.amazon.com/ch/54-0599700 and AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to Ghent United Methodist Church, at no cost to you. Or activate AmazonSmile in the Amazon Shopping app for iOS or Android phones (found under settings on your app).
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How can I get in touch with church staff and the Pastor?
Pastor Ryan Schaeffer and the church office staff are available by appointment only. You may click here to access their email addresses or call the church office at 757-622-2843 and leave a message. Our voice mail is monitored, in general, Monday through Friday. Messages will be returned, as soon as possible.
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