10 am
Join us this Sunday, at 10am on our Facebook page as Pastor Melody continues her sermon series called "Exit Stage Right."
- Sunday's sermon title is "Grumbling or Unbelief?"
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To read this week's Scripture from Matthew 20:1-16, click here.
- To read this week's Scripture from Exodus 16:2-15, click here.
Worship Bulletin
To participate in our Sunday Worship via Facebook Live, go online to our Facebook page and scroll down until you see the video of the Worship Service. Even if you don't have a Facebook account, you will still be able to view our Facebook page and Worship Service.
Please write your name in the comments so we know you are worshiping with us.
We continue our online Worship with a Love Feast. Please be prepared to again celebrate this feast together. This ritual utilizes some form of bread and a liquid. You may use whatever you have handy. We will continue the Love Feast each Sunday until we are reunited.
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Donations Needed
Please Help Hurricane Victims
The Louisiana Conference is asking for donations to help survivors of Hurricane Laura. Can you please help?
In the early hours of August 27, 2020, Hurricane Laura made landfall near the Louisiana-Texas border causing extensive damage to homes, businesses and several United Methodist churches.
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Daily Prayer
Starter
Please set aside time each day to pray for 2-3 minutes. This week's prayer starter is:
"Whatever my struggles, whatever my miracles,
whatever my burdens, whatever my fruitful labor,
I am thankful for the blessings from you, O God..."
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World Communion Sunday
A Message from our Music Director, Nellwyn Beamon
World Communion Sunday is Sunday, October 4. Our music that day will be representative of our Global community. Often the only instruments are voices and some kind of percussion.
To celebrate, I will have small percussion instruments available to you. Please email me at music@ghentumc.org if you are interested and I will personally deliver something to you to use that morning in the privacy of your home. Nobody will be watching, but you will know that you are part of God's community in the world, making music in the same way. I will need your address and phone number when you make your request. Please let me know no later than Friday, September 25.
Let's take this to a new level!
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Critical Conversations on Race Relations
Episode 5 of Ministry on the Edge
Norfolk UMC & Virgina Conference Focus 2020 hosted their fifth Ministry on the Edge discussion on Sept. 13.
That conversation, which focused on Race, Power, and the Role of the Church, was hosted by Rev. Dr. Sherry Daniels of Norfolk UMC. Her guest was Dr. Robert Johnson. He is the Lead-Servant of Saint Mark UMC in Wichita, KS.
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30 days of Anti-Racism
It's Not Too Late
The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race has suggested activities for 30 days of anti-racism work. People can post photos of their activities using #30DaysAntiRacism and encourage friends and fellow church members to join the effort. Click here for the full list.
Rev. Jason Stanley of the UMC Elizabeth River District office talked with the Executive Director of the Memphis Wesley Foundation, Morgan Stafford, about the General Commission on Religion and Race's new social media campaign, #30DaysAntiRacism . Click here to watch that video.
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Pressing On To Freedom Initiative
Calls to Action
Against Racism
Promising "this time will be different," five UMC bishops have joined with other church leaders and boards and agencies of the United Methodist Church to add strength to the message that "We will no longer remain silent nor complicit but must act now!"
"Pray for all persons of color who suffer at the hands of injustice and oppression. Pray for our church as we take a stand against racism."
The church-wide, multi-level initiative will continue, at least, through General Conference in 2021.
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Connecting Online & Studying at Home
Sunday School This group discusses 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.
Prayer Group is postponed until further notice. Contact Jonathan Tanner for discipleship material options for independent study and prayer.
Ghent Inspire Book Club now meets on the 3rd Mondays of the month at 7:30 pm on Zoom. The next book is Searching for Sunday by Rachel Held Evans. Our next meeting will be Monday, September 21 at 7:30p.m. For more information or to join the Zoom meetings, contact Lynn Tiedge.
Bible Study is not currently meeting. For more information or independent Bible study recommendations, contact Debbie Bonnewell at 757-870-8299.
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Congregational Care
Pastor Melody Tanner
In response to Christ's call to love one another, we want the members of our congregation to care for one another. Pastor Melody and our members strive to care for the needs of our congregation, including the visits in homes, at hospitals and in facilities, as needed and requested. To learn more about Congregational Care at Ghent UMC, and other ways you can help, click on our church's website here.
Please email Pastor Melody or call her at (757) 622-2843 to become a part of our congregational care team or to request a visit from the team.
*Covid 19 virus update In-person visits are limited currently. However, prayers, phone calls, and mail from the care team are continuing.
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Church Building
Closure Update
Our church staff are continuing to work from home and only come to the church building on an as needed basis. They are monitoring the church's voice mail and checking email Monday through Friday. Messages will be returned as soon as possible. |
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VA UMC Annual Conference
Sat., Sept. 19,
9a.m. -1:30p.m.
Because it is virtual this year, anyone may view the Annual Conference live online.
Russ Evett is our VA Annual Conference delegate so he will be representing our church. Please keep Russ and Pastor Melody in your prayers as they help to conduct the business of the conference!
If you'd like to view the conference, use the link below.
To learn more about this year's annual conference, click here. To learn more about annual conferences in general, click here.
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A Message from Ann Robertson
Our Preschool Director
To Our Families
Welcome to the new school year. We have started off well. We had lots of happy children at GUMP this week! Thank you for entrusting us with the care of your children. The staff and I truly care for your children as our own when they are here and missed having them in the building over the past months.
A Message from the Church
The church extends a special thank you to Ann and the teachers for all of their hard work, as well as, a warm welcome to our preschool children and families. May God bless our preschool this school year!
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Honor Teachers
We invite you to join us in the #IGiveUMC celebrations to express appreciation for others.
Make a donation to Ghent Church in honor of or in memory of a teacher. Recognize someone who's been an inspiration. Or encourage someone who has had to make the tough transition to virtual teaching. Then, post on social media about your honoree, gift, and a request for others to make a donation of their own. Use the hashtag #IGiveUMC so it can be shared with others doing the same.
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New Freezer Needed
WCSC
Each week, the Wesley Community Service Center serves hundreds of people in Portsmouth, VA. They are able to feed so many people because of donations from their supporters like you, as well as, their partnership with the Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia. Unfortunately, their commercial freezer is broken beyond repair.
If you, or anyone you know, has a large freezer(s) that they can donate, it will be much appreciated. They will arrange a pickup! Contact Wesley Community Service Center at 757-399-0541 for more information or to donate.
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COVID-19 Pandemic
Please Pray
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Please join me in prayer for the healing of our world. You are not alone. We'll get through this together. I want to encourage you all to stay in touch with one another as much as possible. There are social media links at the bottom of this newsletter. Use them as ways that we can all engage God and one another during this time of isolation.
Peace, Pastor Melody
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Responding To Racism
Tuesday Talks
Rev. Jason Stanley (Coordinator for Church Revitalization for the Elizabeth River District) spoke with Rev. Rachel Billups who is the lead Pastor of Ginghamsburg Church in Tipp City, Ohio.
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Leadership Team Meeting
Sunday, Sept. 27 at 11:30am
Gary Bonnewell has moved our scheduled Leadership Team meeting on Sunday September 27th to the church parking lot at 11:30am. It will be social distanced and masks are required. A report/letter will be disseminated to the rest of the congregation thereafter.
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Worship through Offering
Various Ways
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. Listed here are various ways to give.
Online Giving Go to ghentumc.org/give and click "Give here" under "Online & Mobile Giving".
Personal Online Banking Bill Pay
Mail or Drop-off Checks You can mail checks to the church at 531 Raleigh Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23507, or drop them through the mail slot at the Raleigh Ave. entrance.
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Blessing Bags
Sign Up Sheet
At this time, we especially need travel-size shampoo, conditioner, and body soap.
Ghent Church is still collecting items to put into Blessing Bags for those we encounter who are homeless. Blessing Bags are gallon size bags filled with non-perishable food, hygiene products, and gift cards.
We have a collection basket in the hallway near the Ghent Church office door. If you do not have a key fob, contact the church office to make arrangements for drop off. Leave a message at 757-622-2843 or send an email.
We thank everyone who has faithfully contributed items thus far!
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Resuming In-Person Worship
Update from Pastor Melody
While the state has transitioned into Phase 3, Bishop Sharma Lewis has confirmed that the Virginia Conference will remain in Stage 2 of Reopening. Ghent UMC will continue to worship and minister to each other and our community online.
Thank you for your prayers, patience, and understanding as we do our part in curbing the spread of COVID-19. We can't wait until we can all be together again!
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Past Worship Services
On Facebook
Watch previous Worship services that were streamed live on Facebook by clicking here. Ghent UMC is licensed to stream our FB Live worship services through CCLI #20175590 and One License A-727358. |
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Jesus is for everyone.
No exceptions
A Word of Welcome from GUMC
- Based on a statement by Green Street UMC in Winston-Salem, NC
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 entire letter. Click here to read Pastor Melody's message to our church and community.
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