Weekly News & Updates: September 23, 2022 |
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Sunday Worship Service - 10am
Join us for Worship this Sunday, September 25.
It is Food Collection Sunday! Please bring your snacks and non-perishable items. Put them into the basket at the front of the sanctuary.
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.
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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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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.
Or use the sign-up sheet on the welcome table in the back of the sanctuary!
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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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Used Book Sale and Parking Lot Fundraiser in October |
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We are excited to be planning our Fall Used Book Sale and Parking Lot Fundraiser again!
But, in order to have the book sale, we need to have enough volunteers committed ahead of time. So, please let us know that you are willing to help soon!
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The book sale will be during the Stockley Gardens Arts Festival on Saturday, October 15, 10am - 5pm on our front porch and in the sanctuary lobby.
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We will host paid parking on Saturday and Sunday.
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Book sale guests are welcome to rest in the sanctuary and listen to community organists play our newly renovated Casavant organ!
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If you are a professional or apprentice organ player, please click here to sign up to play Saturday, October 15. You may sign up for multiple blocks of time.
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The Coastal Virginia District is holding a Cleaning Kit drive for UMCOR. If every church contributed four kits, the goal of 4,677 cleaning kits will be reached!
UMCOR Supply Depots are close to disbursing all the stored cleaning kits to areas impacted by the recent hurricanes. In another disaster, UMCOR will lose its ability to respond and share a needed resource with the affected people.
Click the image to find out how to assemble an UMCOR cleaning kit.
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"God of radiance and glory, show me the treasure of your grace, that I may live as you have called me to live this day..."
(Adapted from Feasting on the Word: Worship Companion)
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September is Suicide Prevention Month |
September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time for connection. Whether you are having a meaningful conversation with a friend, linking loved ones to community resources, or telling a neighbor about suicide prevention services, the common thread is connection.
Everyone can help prevent suicide. Using the link below, you will see the ways we can work together for hope.
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It's Hispanic Heritage Month |
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 - October 15 each year in the U.S. Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual celebration of the history and culture of the U.S., Latin American, and Hispanic communities.
Click this link to find out why it begins in the middle of the month and to get some ways to celebrate.
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What is Messy Church at Ghent? |
Briefly explained, Messy Church at Ghent UMC is held monthly and 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!
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Please re-link your Harris Teeter Grocery VIC card to Ghent Preschool.
You can link your card in the stores. Or click this link to connect your Harris Teeter VIC card and to learn more about the "Together In Education" program. GUMP's account is #5347. Thanks for your support!
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Have things been unclear for you lately? |
Are you missing something?
We found this pair of eyeglasses a couple of weeks ago. Are they yours? If so, you can find them in the sanctuary lobby on a shelf.
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UMC News: World, VA, and Local |
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World Council of Churches General Assembly focused on reconciliation Get details.
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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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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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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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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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Scam Artists Have Not Stopped |
Please stay alert!
You might receive a text or personal 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.
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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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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.
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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Weekly Study and Practice
Join Pastor Ryan for this study and practice of spiritual disciplines based on the book, "Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth" by Richard J. Foster. We meet at 7:30pm on Tuesdays in our church library and on Zoom.
*The group is taking a small break. Please stay tuned for the next meeting date!
Enter through the Raleigh Ave. entrance then come to the library. 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. Please RSVP to the church office. A nd please tell us if you are coming in person or on Zoom.
“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
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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.
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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. A few people from Ghent UMC are actively involved in this group, but more are always welcome.
The next zoom meeting is Wed., Oct. 19, 12–1pm.
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Ghent UMC’s Homeless Committee meets quarterly. The next Zoom meeting is Monday, October 3, at 7:30pm.
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.
- The GUMP Consignment Sale is the weekend of October 21.
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Interested in volunteering or consigning items? Go to the GUMP Consignment Facebook page or email gumpconsignmentsale@gmail.com. Volunteers are invited to the presale to shop before the general public.
- Hangers are available at the entrance for hanging your consignment items. Take as many as needed.
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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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?
Rev. Ry is in the office Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9am-12pm. Our church staff is in the office Monday - Friday, 9am-12pm. You may also make an appointment, if needed. Click here to access email addresses or call the church office at 757-622-2843.
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