Upcoming events and activities from Monday, September 21st – Sunday, September 27th
MONDAY
Monday Bible/Disciple Study Class
We are looking forward to more exciting, inspiring and engaging sessions and we hope and pray that you will join in. The study that the group agreed upon is:
“The 3:16 Verses – Seven Salvation Principles: Twenty-One Messages of Hope – Matthew 3:16 through Revelation 3:16″ and the author is Reverend Dr. Ronald Glenn.
This book can be purchased from Amazon.com if you do not already have it.
The zoom link for joining the group is listed below:
https://zoom.us/j/301.324.6096
Meeting ID: 301-324-6096
Phone Number: 301-715-8592
TUESDAY
Morning Devotion
WEDNESDAY
Community Bible Study(12 NOON)
Wednesday Bible Study(7PM)
THURSDAY
Mystics Game Interest
he Washington Mystics will host their annual HBCU & Divine 9 Night on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 7:30 PM against the Chicago Sky at Capital One Arena.
Gethsemane is looking to purchase group tickets for a church outing for our youth and sports fans. Tickets are $50 and will include a $20 food credit. Please respond ASAP to this email or message me directly (rparquet@gethsemaneumc.org 0r 301-908-8432) so we can get a count
Morning Devotion(Also on Thursday Afternoon)
The FCAC Resilience & Reinvention Series
Registration Link: HERE
Series Details & Schedule
When: Thursdays — September 10, 17, & 24, 2026 | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM (ET)
Where: Virtual via FCAC Zoom Platform
Target Audience: Open to all Black women navigating career disruptions, downsizing, or financial and professional transitions.
Note: While each 90-minute session offers a complete standalone experience, attendees are strongly encouraged to join all three for maximum benefit. Audience participation in breakout rooms will remain strictly confidential.
Session Breakdown
Session 3: Wealth Protection, Health, and Long-Term Security
- Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026 | 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM (ET)
- Co-Moderators: Dr. DeForest B. Soaries, Jr. & Ashley Hence (Prudential)
- Featured Experts: Karima M. Woods, invited (Commissioner, DC Dept. of Insurance, Securities and Banking) & Dr. Tori Gartmond (Montefiore Medical Center)
- Focus: Moving from immediate recovery to long-term fortification. Key topics include asset and home equity protection, navigating health insurance changes post-federal employment, portfolio diversification beyond the TSP, and estate planning/legacy protection.
FRIDAY
Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Event
SATURDAY
GETHSEMANE FOOD PANTRY(NEW SCHEDULE)
Grace and peace church family!
To better serve our community, the food pantry is adopting a new schedule. Distributions will occur on the second and fourth Saturday of each month. The hours of operation will be 10:00 am to 12:00 noon.
District Superintendent (DS) Churchwide Meeting 2PM
Good morning/afternoon/evening Gethsemane Family,
Over the past 60 days, we have shared in a wonderful season of worship, fellowship, ministry and even grief together. I have witnessed the church “in action” and I am grateful. All of the ministries are essential to the life and mission of Gethsemane UMC. At the same time, there is another important area of our church life that requires our attention: our administrative structure.
As has been shared with the congregation by our District Superintendent while she was interim pastor, Dr. Johnsie Cogman, is calling a DS Churchwide Meeting to be held on Saturday, September 26th, 2026 at 2pm as we prepare to transition to the One Board Model. All are invited to this meeting in the sanctuary. This One Board model brings together the responsibilities of the Staff-Pastor Relations Committee (SPRC), Trustees and Finance Committee into one collaborative leadership body.
The goal of this transition is not simply to change how we conduct regular church business, but an opportunity to strengthen our ministry, improve communication and collaboration, streamline our administrative work and free more members to focus on mission and ministry. With a smaller group working collaboratively on administrative matters, we have an opportunity to create greater space for the congregation as a whole to engage in the work that God has called Gethsemane to do — worship, serve, reach and make disciples.
This important step in the life of the church is needed, and I look forward to us making this transition together with prayer, openness and a spirit of cooperation.
For those who would like a refresher on the One Board model, please take a few minutes to review the following video:
Thank you for all that you continue to do for Gethsemane. I am grateful for your faithfulness, your willingness to serve, and your commitment to the future God has in store for our church.
Let us continue to move forward with God leading and guiding our witness, work and worship. This serves as a ten day advance notification in accordance with policy to modify our administrative structure.
Shred Event
SUNDAY
Sunday Morning Worship Service
We will worship at 10 a.m. every Sunday in person Online streaming begins at 10:00a.m on YOUTUBE AND FACEBOOK
Men’s Day
The G-Men are pleased to announce our Men’s Day Celebration on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at Gethsemane UMC. Our theme is “Strong and Courageous Men of God,” based on Joshua 1:9 (NIV). Our guest speaker is Pastor Kevin O’Bryant from Promised Land Baptist Church, We look forward to celebrating together as we honor and encourage the men and youth of our church.
Our attire for Men’s day will be Dark Suits, white’ shirts and Black Tie. If we decide to change our attire we all can have an open discussion and make any final decision on the attire.
Youth Prayer Call
T-SHIRTS
Greetings Saints,
Sweat-shirts and T-shirts will be on sale after service the next few sundays after church.. Come early and purchase a shirt of your choice.
See you before and after Worship!!
Sweat-shirts $40.00 T-shirts $20.00 each
SPECIAL 2 T-shirts $35.00
YOU GET A SHIRT. YOU GET A SHIRT. YOU GET A SHIRT
FUTURE ANNOUNCEMENTS/FLYERS
Combined Scholarship Opportunity in Memory of Pastor Ron
Dear Gethsemane Church Family:
Beth-El has offered Gethsemane the opportunity to support a scholarship being established in honor and memory of our beloved former pastor, Rev. Ronald E. F. Triplett (Pastor Ron). (See attached flyer)
Throughout his ministry, Pastor Ron demonstrated an unwavering commitment to Christian leadership, education, service, and community engagement. He understood the importance of investing in people, particularly our young people, and encouraged them to pursue their educational goals, develop their God-given gifts, and use those gifts in service to God and their communities.
Pastor Ron’s leadership extended well beyond the church walls. He believed that the Church should be a visible and active presence in the community, building relationships, creating opportunities, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. His dedication to ministry, education, and community service remains an important part of the legacy he leaves with Gethsemane.
There have also been several discussions regarding Gethsemane establishing its own scholarship in Pastor Ron’s honor. We will continue working toward that goal with plans to establish a Gethsemane scholarship in his memory in 2027. This will provide another meaningful opportunity for our church family to preserve his legacy by investing in the education and future of deserving students.
In the meantime, Beth-El’s scholarship initiative provides us with an opportunity to join others in honoring Pastor Ron and the tremendous impact his life and ministry had on so many.
Supporting education in his memory is truly a fitting tribute to a Pastor, leader, mentor, and community servant who believed in helping others grow and succeed.
May Pastor Ron’s legacy of faith, leadership, education, service, and community engagement continue to inspire us for generations to come.
Continue to Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Pastor Ron!
Fall Bible Study
PG-SCLC Scholarship and Career Fair
UCAP AI Bootcamp
SHABACH MINISTRIES
Food Giveaway
The Garden of Gethsemane Youth Choir
Gethsemane United Methodist Church is excited to invite our children and youth, ages 4–17, to become a part of The Garden of Gethsemane Youth Choir!
If your child loves to sing—or simply has a heart to praise God—we would love for them to join us as we worship through music every 4th Sunday. Rehearsals are held on the 1st and 3rd Sundays immediately following worship service. Parents, your encouragement and support can help our young people discover their gifts, build confidence, develop friendships, and grow in their faith while serving the Lord. Please contact Sis. Rayla Parquet, Director, or Sis. Lisa Davis, Music Coordinator, for more information.
Let’s help our children lift their voices in praise and become part of The Garden of Gethsemane Youth Choir!
“Train up a child in the way he should go…” — Proverbs 22:6
Liturgical Dance Ministry
Do you have a passion for expressing your love for God through dance? Gethsemane United Methodist Church invites children, youth, and adults to become a part of our Worship in Movement Ministry!
As Psalm 149:3 reminds us, “Let them praise His name with dancing.” Whether you’re experienced or just have a willing heart, there is a place for you as we minister through the gift of movement.
Come and experience the joy of worship in a powerful and creative way. You were made to worship!
For more information, please contact:
- Kierstyn Raglin, Dance Ministry Coordinator
- Rayla Parquet, Worship Coordinator
- Dr. Shirley Newton–Guest Worship Co-Coordinator
Join us as we release the Kingdom through dance and glorify God with every movement!
Gethsemane UMC Green Team
Building on the Sacred Grounds garden installation project, The Capital Market and Gethsemane United Methodist Church are coming together to launch the Sacred Grounds Green Team. The Green Team will converge as a gathering of congregants and community members committed to caring for God’s Creation and engaging in the climate movement.
What is the Green Team?
A welcoming, intergenerational space where we meet every third Thursday to learn, share, and take action around environmental stewardship in ways that are rooted in community.
When: Every Third Thursday, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Where: 910 Addison Road South, Capitol Heights, MD 20743 LUNCH IS PROVIDED!
In each Green Team gathering, we will:
- INSPIRE intergenerational conversations that promote lasting change
- CONSERVE by building tangible skills that increase confidence working in nature
- EDUCATE ourselves with subject-matter experts who break down policies impacting our community
- FELLOWSHIP by connecting with one another as we learn to preserve God’s Creation
Whether you’re deeply involved in environmental work or just curious about where to start, there is a place for you at the table.
What’s next?
To RSVP, please contact kennedy@thecapitalmarketmd.com or visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1982832460265?aff=oddtdtcreator
Church Worship Participants
Grace and peace to you! The Worship Design Team is excited to invite individuals of all ages to participate in our weekly worship services. We believe that each member of our congregation has unique gifts to offer, and there are many ways you can serve your church family: as a greeter, acolyte, reader, prayer leader, usher, in communications, or through dance or choir.
If you or someone you know feels called to participate in any of these capacities, please reach out directly to the Worship Coordinators or the lead in each ministry:
Worship Committee: Rayla Parquet & Dr. Shirley Newton-Guest
Acolytes/Communion Stewards: Cynthia Wilkins
Music Coordinator: Lisa Davis
Ushers: Sheila Chapman
Liturgical Dance: Kierstyn Ragland
Communications/A/V: Brandon Hayes & Karen Thornton
Thank you for your continuous support as we strive to build a Worship Team that is pleasing to God at GUMC. Your willingness to serve is greatly appreciated and contributes to the richness of our worship experience.
Blessings,
Worship Design Team
