Weekly news & updates: October 15, 2021 |
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Worship this Sunday, 10am
We will continue our celebration of our Pastor.
We are thankful to God for sending Pastor Ryan to shepherd our flock! Please say thank you to Rev. Ry in person or by email.
Worship Service begins at 10am. Enter the doors facing Stockley Gardens.
If you cannot join us in person, you can tune in to online worship. See below for more information.
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In-Person Worship*
Where? This Sunday's worship service will be in our sanctuary. Please use the sanctuary entrance that faces Stockley Gardens.
*COVID-19 Mitigation Plan
- When inside the building, everyone, 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, 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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Online Worship
*There are 3 different ways you can access our Facebook Live service:
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Click here to go to our Facebook page, then scroll down until you see the video of worship
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Or click here to go to our Facebook page, then click on "More" on the page menu, then click on "Live"
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Or click here to go directly to our "Live" page
*The link and video are viewable even if you don't have a Facebook account.
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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When inside the building, everyone, 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.
Remember that our call is to love our neighbors and to do no harm.
For more details, go to the bottom of this newsletter or the block above.
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15 Ways to Pray for Your Pastor |
The life of a United Methodist pastor is filled with a variety of responsibilities. They preach, teach, visit, counsel, lead, consult, communicate, budget, clean, and so much more. Every pastor relies heavily on God's guidance, strength and peace as they live their call.
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Consignment Sale Begins Saturday |
The GUMP Kids' Consignment Sale is this weekend, October 16 - 18. Shop in our large fellowship hall for kids fall/winter clothes, toys, books, bikes, decor, and more.
Masks must be worn at all times.
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Fill Your Bookshelves
Our Used Book Sale will be during the Stockley Gardens Arts Festival this weekend, Saturday, Oct. 16, 10am - 5pm on our front porch and in the sanctuary lobby.
Hardcover books are $1.50. Paperback books are 75₵.
We will also host paid parking on that Saturday and Sunday. Proceeds from the book sale and festival parking will benefit missions and church programs.
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The Fun is Back on Sunday, October 24 |
All ages are invited to attend our monthly Messy Church! Messy Church is "Church, but not as you know it!" It is Christ-centered, for all ages, and based on creativity, hospitality and celebration.
October 24, at 4:30 p.m., our crafts, games, and activities will be in our garden, followed by a Celebration time on our front steps and landing facing Stockley Gardens. A light meal will be served.
October's theme is "Alone and Scared" based on the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 17). God's perfect love can cast out our fear and keep us safe when, like Elijah, our freedom is threatened, our hopes are dashed or we fear for our lives.
We are going to have some Fall and Halloween fun too!
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Looking to start a rewarding career making a difference in your community? The Hope House Foundation is hiring Support Professionals. They offer flexible schedules, competitive pay, and great benefits. And, for a limited time, they are offering a $500 sign-on bonus!
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Please set aside time each day to pray for 2-3 minutes.
"Almighty God, when I am sure of myself and my own will, help me to remember that you are God, and to trust in you even when things don’t go according to my plans..."
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Heart issues, cancer and swelling limbs cannot ultimately defeat a Virginia man determined to walk the Appalachian Trail’s 2,198 miles to raise funds for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and Pennsylvania’s Mission Central supply depot. Click here to read his story.
A video is also available that features Dillon on the trail. View here...
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God made us all different. One Minnesota United Methodist church makes it a priority to be as inclusive of the differences as possible. At a recent meeting of the Flames at Centennial United Methodist Church in Roseville, Minnesota, the agenda was about understanding and being inclusive of Deaf people. Click here to read more.
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Anti-racism campaign marked one year |
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The anti-racism work of The United Methodist Church is just getting started after the first year of the Dismantling Racism Campaign, say bishops and others. Upcoming initiatives include an anti-racism social justice agenda, more educational materials and an Advent devotional series. Jim Patterson reports. Read the story.
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What can you do to dismantle racism? Act.
Support cross-racial/cross-cultural ministries in your area. Preach and teach about the harm racism does and how it offends God. Harness the Holy Spirit anointing to rid your congregation and ministry settings of all vestiges of institutional racial bias. Challenge your bishop, mayor, governor, police chief, or other elected officials to encode anti-racism policies and practices. Join the ongoing work for racial justice in the church and world.
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This is Hunger Prayer Weekend, October 16-17.
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The Virginia UMC Refugee Response Team has shared new resources for the churches on 'Understanding the Resettlement Process.'
This video and document provide more information on the Afghan Allies' resettlement in States and also has information on how the churches can assist and support our allies along this process. Click here.
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With The UMC facing a proposed split, multiple groups have events planned to help churchgoers discern where they might feel most at home. The proposed split comes after debate over LGBTQ inclusion.
The groups include those who hope to stay United Methodist and those hoping to set up a new, more theologically conservative denomination. Learn more...
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Rev. Ry is asking for help during Worship |
Rev. Ry has again invited everyone to help on Sundays. Each Sunday, there are several opportunities for adults, youth, and children to participate in our worship service.
Just put your name or your child's name on the sign up sheet sitting on the Welcome Center table in the back of the sanctuary or on the bulletin board in the hallway across from the church office.
Or you can click on the link below to sign up and see the opportunities.
If you have any questions, please contact the church office at office@ghentumc.org or call 757-622-2843.
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Calling Hands for the Altar Guild |
Wanted – those who can help with the altar. Regular duties include keeping the candles filled and making sure communion is set up monthly. During special events, we make sure the silver is polished, and we also make sure the hangings are proper for the liturgical year. If you are interested, please get in touch with the
church office. There will be training—but it really does not take much to do the work. Just a commitment to make sure things are taken care of, and the schedule is very flexible. Thanks!
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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, they 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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Pastor Ryan Schaeffer
Rev. Ryan Schaeffer, who refers to himself as Rev. Ry, loves Bible Studies, his family, and hockey. Rev. Ryan is getting to know everyone at Ghent and looks forward to growing together in faith.
Pastor Ryan 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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The 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 community volunteers to help meet their goals. It is a transformative process for all involved.
Ghent UMC's first table has finished its work. Our second table is about to be assigned a person to be in relationship with. And we will be forming a 3rd table to begin in January 2022!
For more information or to volunteer, leave a message for Faye Joseph at the church office at (757) 622-2843.
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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.
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Choir Rehearsals are Wednesdays 7 - 8:30pm in the sanctuary and everyone is invited to join the choir!
Let Nellwyn Beamon know that you will be attending, so she knows to let you in the building and can order you a singer's mask.
*We rehearse with singer’s masks. Also bring your calendars to help plan the year.*
*COVID-19 Mitigation Plan: When inside the building, everyone, whether vaccinated or not, must wear masks that are well-fitted. Read the rest of the Plan in FAQ below.
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Ghent Inspire Book Club meets one day each month at 7:30pm.
On Monday, Oct. 18, the book will be "Original Blessing: Putting Sin in Its Rightful Place" by Danielle Shroyer.
On Monday, Nov. 15, the book will be "The Universal Christ: How a Forgotten Reality Can Change Everything We See, Hope For, and Believe" 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 November 14.
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The next Leadership Team meeting* is TBA in the sanctuary after Worship.
*COVID-19 Mitigation Plan: When inside the building, everyone, whether vaccinated or not, must wear masks that are well-fitted. Read the rest of the Plan in FAQ below.
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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., Oct. 20 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.
*COVID-19 Mitigation Plan: When inside the building, everyone, whether vaccinated or not, must wear masks that are well-fitted. Read the rest of the Plan in FAQ below.
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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 will be closed Monday for Columbus Day.
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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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Christ & St. Luke’s has a community garden on their property which is on the other side of our playground fence. The community is welcome to lend a hand with the garden which provides produce for those who are in need. For more information or if you are interested in helping with the garden, please contact Nicole Pabst.
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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? We are able to gather and worship in person, however, our guests are required to follow our COVID-19 Mitigation Plan.
When inside the building, everyone, 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, except for those who are in the same household group. Hugs and handshakes are not allowed. 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.
Pastor Ryan 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.
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 of the various ways to give, including access to our online giving portal and instructions on online giving from your bank. Also, you may drop off checks through the mail slot at our Raleigh Ave. entrance. For assistance, contact the church office.
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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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