Weekly News & Updates: July 1, 2022 |
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Worship at 10am
Join us for Worship this Sunday, July 3. We'd love to see you!
It is First Sunday which is our Holy Communion Sunday! We offer individual packs of bread with grape juice. There is also a gluten-free option.
More good news: our sanctuary A/C is fixed. So, come take a break from the heat this Sunday morning.
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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July Choir Rehearsals Begin this Sunday |
We will be having one-hour choir rehearsals after services beginning at 11:00am on Sundays July 3, 10, and 17 to prepare for special Sunday services on August 7 & 21.
Please make a special commitment to sing those two Sundays and attend these called rehearsals. I will need to know who is coming so I can have enough music ready. Please email Nellwyn at music@ghentumc.org. If you know anybody who doesn’t come to GUMC but likes to sing, please invite them.
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Independence Day - July 4th |
The church office staff will be off on Monday, July 4.
Please have a safe and enjoyable holiday.
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Please stay alert! Ghent UMC continues to be the target of phishing scams. Phishing is worldwide, Internet-based fraud conducted by criminals. Many Phishing scam emails imbed viruses or malware-onto your phone or computer when you click on a link. Others are also trying to trick you out of your money!
You might receive a text or email that looks like it comes from Pastor Ryan, Rev. Melody, or the church office. It will ask you for assistance, gift cards, and/or funds. Just delete it. If you want to double check if it really is one of us, CALL US at the number you’ve had for years or months.
Learn more with this resource shared by the conference IT Department.
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Special Services in August |
We have three special services coming up in August. Please add them to your calendars.
- Sunday, August 7 will be a service of Lament. Service will held outside in front of our sanctuary.
- Sunday, August 14 will be a Special Jazz Service.
- Sunday, August 21 will be the celebration of our Sanctuary's 100th Anniversary.
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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 for drop off.
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We are the Coastal Virginia District UMC |
At the Annual Conference Session, clergy and lay members approved the District Initiative to create eight new districts from the current 16 district structure. The new structure will begin on July 1, 2022. Eastern Shore and Elizabeth River districts will become the Coastal Virginia District. Click here to read more.
Welcome our new District Superintendent, the Rev. Dr. Cecelia Brooks at the following events:
- Sat., July 16, 11 am -3 pm, Open House Meet and Greet
- Sun., July 17, 4-5 pm, Installation and Celebration Worship Service at Heritage UMC
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"Almighty God, remind me of your presence this day, so that I may be filled with peace..."
(Adapted from Feasting on the Word: Worship Companion)
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Weekly Study and Practice - Tuesdays at 7:30pm - resuming in mid-July |
“For those of you who are not participating, you may want to take another look. You can join in any time and it does not matter what you have missed. The conversation is helpful, thought provoking, supportive, and, when appropriate, deep. Pastor Ry is a gifted leader!”
– Faye Joseph
*The group is taking a small break until the middle of July. Please stay tuned for the next meeting date!
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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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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Virginia Interfaith Center (VICPP) invites religious leaders (clergy and lay) to sign a statement against gun violence. Click here.
Join the GCORR Racial Justice Prayer & Action Challenge Find out how.
Podcast: Enneagram wisdom for our spiritual journey Listen.
Congo health facility used UMCOR grants to get maternity unit up to par. Read more
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.
Join the GCORR Racial Justice Prayer & Action Challenge. Find out how.
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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 meeting dates and times are TBA, but are likely to be in July.
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 Sunday, July 10.
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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 scheduled for July 20th at 12:00pm. 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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