Weekly News & Updates: January 14, 2022 |
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Worship Sunday at 10am
Join us Sunday. It will be a renewal of Baptismal vows service led by Pastor Ryan.
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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* Due to the increase of Covid cases in the area, there will be no congregational singing this Sunday. We will still be lifted up with worshipful music to the Lord! Our music director and a volunteer will play and sing. Also, out of an abundance of caution, we will be physically distancing more from one another.
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*COVID-19 Mitigation Plan (Updated Aug. 2021)
For all in-person Ghent UMC Happenings
- When inside the building, everyone [2 years of age or older], whether vaccinated or not, must wear masks that are well-fitted.
- When outside, those who are fully vaccinated do not have to wear a mask, while everyone else must wear masks that are well-fitted.
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6 feet of physical distancing must be maintained by everyone [We understand this may not be possible for children], except for those who are in the same household group. Hugs and handshakes are not allowed.
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All are required to stay home when sick, and we ask everyone to self-check in at each entrance with our health acknowledgement poster.
Remember that our call is to love our neighbors and to do no harm.
Also, the VA UMC recommends that everyone, who is eligible, be vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus.
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GUMC MS/HS Youth Group, This Sunday
The youth will meet this Sunday, January 16 at 4:30p.m. Ring the Raleigh Ave. door to be let in. Please 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. Please wear your mask.
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Monday is the day we remember Rev. Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. and his efforts.
Share this child-friendly, 6-minute video with your (grand)children about this peaceful man.
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Our next Ghent Inspire Book Club meeting will be this Monday, January 17 at 7:30pm. We will discuss part 1 of "The Universal Christ” by Richard Rohr.
We will start the meeting with a devotion for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
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Homeless Task Force Meeting |
The next Homeless Task Force meeting is on Zoom, Wednesday, January 19 at noon.
The Homeless Task Force is a group of people from a number of Ghent faith communities and community organizations who meet regularly online to share resources and ideas for serving those who are homeless. 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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Save the Date: Sunday, February 13 |
Our next Messy Church at GUMC will be Sunday, Feb. 13, at 4:30p.m. We will celebrate God’s love which is the greatest love of all for Valentine’s Day.
As always, this is an all-ages event! Messy Church is "Church, but not as you know it!" It is Christ-centered, for all ages, and based on creativity, hospitality and celebration. Check back later for details.
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"Loving God, no matter what I am facing this day, remind me that you have claimed me as your child..."
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GUMC is licensed to host The Open Table which is a model in which an at-risk person creates relationships with a small group community volunteers to help meet their goals. It is a transformative process for all involved. Ghent UMC's first table has finished its work!
We are currently forming a 3rd table which will begin in January. So, we are seeking volunteers who wish to serve on the Table. Full training will be provided.
For more information or to volunteer, leave a message for Faye Joseph at the church office at (757) 622-2843.
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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 $11 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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UMC News: World, VA, and Local |
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Join the 2022 Bible Challenge |
In the new year, join the Virginia Conference to read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation (daily reading list provided at conference website). Be on the lookout, starting in January 2022, for new ways to interact with the Bible and fellow participants, as well. Click the image to see Bishop Lewis' invitation and 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.
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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 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 Ryan.
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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.
Our MS/HS youth group's next meetups will be January 16 and 30th at 4:30pm.
Ring the Raleigh Ave. door to be let in. Please 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.
Our next meeting will be Monday, January 17 at 7:30pm. We will discuss part 1 of "The Universal Christ” by Richard Rohr.
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. The next Jam will be February 13.
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The choir is on hiatus until the Spring.
In the meantime, play-along during Gathering Jams or Messy Church services. If you like to sing and don’t play an instrument, come out and play the maracas or other hand percussion.
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The next Leadership Team meeting* is TBA in the sanctuary after Worship.
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The Homeless Task Force is a group of people from a number of Ghent faith communities and community organizations who meet regularly online to share resources and ideas for serving those who are homeless. A few people from Ghent UMC are actively involved in this group, but more are always welcome. The next meeting of the Homeless Task Force is on Zoom, Wed., Jan. 19 at noon. 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.
Ghent Church Homeless Committee This committee spearheads the church's ministry to those experiencing homelessness. The last meeting of the Homeless Committee was Tuesday, Sept. 7th. The next meeting is TBA. For more information or to help, please contact the church office.
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Sunday Adult Bible Discussion
Weekly, in-person, discussions are Sundays, 9 - 9:45am. Meet in the sanctuary lobby. 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.
GUMP is closed for the holiday season.
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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Frequently Asked Questions related to COVID-19 restrictions |
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Are we able to gather and worship in person? Yes, however, our guests are required to follow our COVID-19 Mitigation Plan:
- When inside the building, everyone [2 years of age or older], whether vaccinated or not, must wear masks that are well-fitted.
- When outside, those who are fully vaccinated do not have to wear a mask, while everyone else must wear masks that are well-fitted.
- 6 feet of physical distancing must be maintained by everyone [We understand this may not be possible for children], except for those who are in the same household group. Hugs and handshakes are not allowed.
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All are required to stay home when sick, and we ask everyone to self-check in at each entrance with our health acknowledgement poster.
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How can I get in touch with church staff and the Pastor? You may click here to access their email addresses or call the church office at 757-622-2843 and leave a message.
- The church office staff will not be working on Friday, December 31.
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Pastor Ryan Schaeffer and the church office staff are available by appointment only in order to help keep the preschool healthy from Covid-19. If the appointment is during preschool hours, members and guests may enter, fully masked, through the Raleigh Ave. entrance and go directly to the church or pastor's office. To enter, please ring the bell on our Raleigh Ave. door or call the church office, 757-622-2843.
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For an appointment with Pastor Ryan, leave a message at the number above or email him at ryanschaeffer@vaumc.org.
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For an appointment with the church office staff, email office@ghentumc.org or leave a message at the church office 757-622-2843. Our voice mail is monitored, in general, Monday through Friday. Messages will be returned as soon as possible.
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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 about the various ways to give.
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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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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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