- As of August 2021, regularly scheduled activities are restarting as shown below. Please listen for announcements during Sunday service, follow us on Facebook for posts, and subscribe to church emails.Call or email church to confirm.
- Note that Thursday is Pastor Ken's day off.
- All activities are at church unless noted otherwise.
- More details about each activity can be found on the Activities pages.
Sunday
- Adult Choir Practice - Temporarily BEFORE Sunday Service - Call Mary Gugler (252) 204-8322 for more information– 8:15 AM to 9:00 AM
- Sunday Service (WITH Fellowship Time)– 9:15 AM
- Communion with Sunday Service - First Sunday– 9:15 AM
- Pot Luck Lunch & Birthday Cake - Last Sunday Following Service– 10:30 AM
Monday
- Golf @ Tanglewood– 9:30 AM
- United Women in Faith - Bimonthly - Call Debbie @ 336-963-9537 to confirm upcoming meeting date or check Calendar– 10:00 AM
- BY PHONE Journey Forward Grief Support Group - Meeting on Hold - Call Debbie @ 336-963-9537 for phone support and to request literature.– 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
- Administrative Council Meeting - Quarterly– 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Tuesday
- Adult Choir Practice - Temporarily at Church BEFORE Sunday Service - Call Mary Gugler (252) 204-8322 for more information– 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Wednesday
- Quilting & Sewing Group - 2nd Wednesday– 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- Al-Anon– 7:00 PM
Thursday
- Rev Ken's Day Off
- United Methodist Men (UMM) - 3rd Thursday– 6:30 PM
Friday
- Exercise with Maribeth Hodge - Must Preregister @ 240-357-1885– 7:30 AM to 8:15 AM
- Bible Study - Parsonage @ 1090 Occanecchi Trail, Ebony | 434-636-4058– 8:00 AM
- Exercise with Maribeth Hodge - Must Preregister @ 240-357-1885– 8:40 AM to 9:25 AM
Check News for Archive
UMCOR Relief Kits - Deadline 6/19/23
District Superintendent - Wednesday 5/31/23 @ 6 PM
Disaffiliation discussion.
Disaffiliation Discernment Vote - Sunday Service 6/11/2023 or email
A vote on whether to proceed with Discernment regarding Disaffiliation. Learn more.
Church Yard Sale - Saturday 6/24/23 - 8:00 AM to Noon
In the church parking lot. Contact Valerie Ruch for more information.
VBS -- Saturday 7/8/2023 - 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Administrative Council - Monday - 7/17/23 @ 5 PM
S/PPR Meeting - Tuesday 7/25/23 @ 6 PM
Welcome to All!
We hope you find your time spent here a blessing. Feel free to browse through the various areas to learn more about this special church and its legacy, our commitment to God and each other, and our commitment to the mission of the United Methodist Church.
If you are considering a new place of worship or a relocation to our area, we would love to have you be our guest -- and consider Prospect as your church home and family.
When you visit or join our church, you will find:
- A caring congregation and church family who welcomes you
- Sermons and ministry that encourage Discipleship and commitment to the UMC mission: following Jesus, making disciples, and transforming the world
- Efforts to align with these foundational scriptural mandates and putting beliefs into action
- Mission work through various church groups
And we like fun, laughter, and food! Thank you for visiting us online and we hope you will choose to visit us at church!
If you are already actively involved, we appreciate all that you do in helping us do God's work for the church, community, and beyond!
Greetings from Pastor Ken...
Please come see and be part of what is possible when we unite to serve God and cause great things to happen.
Prospect is very much alive and committed to "walking the talk" to grow as disciples and to touch others in our church, community, and around the world.
In 2019, we adopted two UMC ministry platforms: RethinkChurch and #SeeAllThePeople. Both platforms embrace relationship-building and sharing God's love as the foundation of discipleship. These platforms are also positioned as the vision for our church’s future to Follow Jesus and Make Disciples for Christ to Transform the World.
It is indeed a privilege for Jan and me to continue to be a part of this special church and I invite you to join us on our spiritually fulfilling and rewarding journey.
When God leads you to Prospect, you will always receive a warm welcome. We'll be happy to see you as often as you bless us with your presence!
If you are looking for a church home and family, we hope you will consider Prospect.
If you need my pastoral services or someone to talk to, I am easy to reach via email (kenthrasher@vaumc.org) and by calling the Parsonage at 434-636-4058. If urgent, call my cell at 434-955-0253.
A Note about Disaffiliation as of June 4, 2023
Prospect remains part of the United Methodist Church and had not entered into formal Disaffiliation consideration until May 31, 2023. There continues to be no action required to remain affiliated. As it stands, practicing homosexuality is not compatible with the UMC Book of Discipline. That said many UMC churches - including Prospect - have embraced a "welcome to all" policy. The UMC policy is to be revisited at the 2024 General Conference. One possibility is that the Book of Discipline will be updated to remove language that excludes LGBTQ leadership and same-sex marriages - but not mandated; this would give churches the latitude to decide policy locally. Please feel free to let your position be known to Rev. Ken.
Update: on May 31, 2023, District Superintendent Jay Carey led a session at Prospect providing information and responding to questions. The next step in the process is a vote to determine if the church wants to move forward considering disaffiliation (Discernment) or keep things as they are remaining part of the United Methodist Church and maintaining a welcoming policy to All. A vote is set for June 11 to decide on this aspect. Learn more.
Upcoming Events / News
When we have special events or activities throughout the year, they will be noted on the News page. Those that are current or upcoming will be highlighted in the Upcoming Event section (lower left column).
Year-round Events Overview
Our church calendar year includes the following recurring special events and services along with other things that may come up:
| Lent & Easter |
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Sep |
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| May |
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Oct |
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| June |
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Nov |
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| July |
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Dec |
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| Summer | Year-Round |
As of 3/15/21, 9:15 AM Sunday Service at church resumed while we are also continuing to stream on Facebook.
A word from Pastor Ken: In this difficult time we have an opportunity to support one another. I encourage you to consider your continued support of your church. During these difficult days the one thing we can hold onto is our faith and trust in Jesus. Your church family needs your continued financial support and prayers. Please be in prayer for our world.Your offerings and gifts of love and support are so deeply appreciated.
To members: we greatly appreciate and count on your keeping your pledges and tithing to the church current so that we can sustain our church and ministries. This is especially critical while our normal collection at Sunday Service has been disrupted. Please consider mailing a check, give online, or make other arrangements that work best for you.
To friends and guests: please consider a financial donation whenever possible. it is most appreciated.
Checks can be mailed to PUMC, P.O. Box 25, Ebony, VA 23845.
- Consider automated payment to the church via your bank's online bill payment service.
- If you bank with First Citizens Bank, consider an automated transfer from your account to the church account.
Online giving is also possible. Please use this link. If you use the link, the church name and city is Prospect United Methodist Church in Ebony, VA. There will be a 4% deduction by the provider when using this service for your gift or donation.
Again, thank you very much.
These selected resources are provided by the Virginia Conference to clarify the topic and inform discussions:
- Recorded "Skunk on the Table":
Disaffiliation Discussion with Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ti8qwVJ-hZo
- Disaffiliation Reporting Guide - February 2023
Download PDF
- Recorded Webinar:
General Conference and Disaffiliation Information:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGAk4okLj7o
If you listen to Bishop Sue in the first link, she encourages unification and staying affiliated, with respectful coexistence of non-extreme perspectives - and finding respectful common ground as the body of Christ.
NOTE: churches who wish to remain part of the United Methodist affiliation do not need a special vote. Not voting means the church chooses to remain affiliated. If anyone at Prospect would like more information or wishes to share your perspective, please contact Pastor Ken.
