Salem Matters News of What Matters This Week
in Salem Presbytery
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August 17, 2022 | Volume VIII, Number 33 |
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Grace Campus Ministry (CM Winston-Salem State University) - Winston-Salem |
Forest Hills Presbyterian - High Point |
Griers Presbyterian - Leasburg |
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Salem Presbytery Property Assessment for Churches
We are blessed to be stewards of many types of buildings in which we aspire to provide ministry to each other and to our communities. Many of these facilities bear treasured memories and are historically significant. As many of us have experienced, the original cost of these facilities is only a fraction of the total cost to maintain them, especially as they age.
To this end, we have provided a Property Assessment Checklist for you/your Property Committee’s consideration. Even the most seasoned Property Committee might appreciate a different type of checklist to ensure a thorough examination to help preclude those unexpected (and exorbitant!) maintenance costs. Please find this helpful document by following the link below.
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DUE TO ONGOING COVID CONCERNS, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS MADE THE DIFFICULT BUT NECESSARY DECISION TO HOLD THE SEPTEMBER 10TH PRESBYTERY MEETING VIRTUALLY, VIA ZOOM ONLY. WATCH FOR PRE-REGISTRATION (REQUIRED) IN MID-AUGUST. |
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Clerks of Session and pastoral leadership are reminded to ask Sessions to elect elder commissioners for the Saturday, September 10, 2022 meeting of Presbytery. |
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Salem Presbytery COVID-19 Re-Entry Task Force Update (August 2022):
While we all wish this were not the case, COVID-19 is still very much with us; community transmission of the highly infectious Omicron BA.5 variant remains of concern throughout Salem Presbytery. Your COVID-19 Re-Entry Task Force has as its principal goal — that of keeping one another well as we gather together. Going forward, efforts to manage COVID-19 infection in our church communities should focus on encouraging each one of us to engage the better angel of our nature and operate from a position of care and respect for one another.
To that end, we strongly encourage the following:
- Use of highly effective masks (i.e., N-95/KN-95 or KF-94) when gathering with others, especially if you are at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19, are unvaccinated or live or routinely interact with someone who is at high risk or unvaccinated.
- Remain mindful of spacing and ventilation concerns when planning and attending events where people may be eating or drinking; consider using outdoor options whenever and where possible.
- As we move into fall and a return to more normal work and school schedules, remain up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters to decrease the risk of severe illness; when available later this fall, obtain the booster containing Omicron specific protection.
- Obtain an influenza vaccination to prevent illness from another viral respiratory risk.
- If experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, get tested and follow your medical provider’s advice regarding limiting your exposure to others, including specific guidance about masking and repeat testing to come out of isolation.
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Much like regularly reviewing weather forecasts, routinely review the current data for your county on the CDC website found at this link: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home; supplement this review by exploring current data resources on the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services dashboard found here: https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/dashboard. Both resources can help you decide how to manage infection risk.
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New Opportunity Offered by Wake Forest School of Divinity
Interested in cultivating or bringing new life to mutual relationships between your congregation and your community?
The Clergy in Community Program is a great way for early-career clergy in North Carolina to explore opportunities for engagement between faith communities and civic and community leaders through various topics including healthcare, education, and legislation.
Learn more about the cohort starting this fall and apply HERE.
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Racial Equity Equipping Workshop
August 10, 2022 - Clemmons Presbyterian Church
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New Event Offered by Massanetta Springs |
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Parkway Presbyterian/Parkway School Posts New Job Opening: Children and Family Ministry Coordinator
The Parkway School and Parkway Presbyterian Church are looking for someone energetic, charismatic, and creative to work with children ages 12 months through 5th grade. Because this is a newly created position, innovation, imagination and a willingness to risk and try new things are vital qualities.
The position is a 40-hour per week job - 20 hours devoted to the school and 20 hours devoted to the church. The salary is $15 per hour.
For a full position description, click HERE.
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PDA Offers Work Team Opportunities
It is clear that COVID will influence the way we live and do ministry for years to come. Yet in an adapting world, natural disasters continue to affect communities, who still rely on the generosity of volunteers to support the long-term recovery from floods, fires, hurricanes, and tornadoes. Individuals and families who have been marginalized in the past continue to be marginalized during disaster recovery.
Along with many other faith-based and non-profit groups, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) provides opportunities to step into the gap, walk with those impacted, and work towards healing.
PDA currently has 7 host sites receiving volunteer teams witnessing to the healing love of Christ by supporting rebuilding efforts in areas that have been affected by natural disasters, including tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and fires.
To read more and identify host sites, click HERE.
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Salem Presbytery Updates Boundary Training Guidelines
Over the past several months the COM's Task Force on Policy, Compensation, Mediation, and Officer Development has been evaluating our current system of boundary training, known as Healthy Boundaries. The previous policy stated that all members of the presbytery must participate in the "core" Healthy Boundaries training every three years, plus participate in at least of the elective courses as well every three years.
Our research has shown that there are a significant number of members who are out of compliance with this policy. We realize that the onset of the pandemic has not helped in our mandate that all members be up-to-date with this training.
At the recent meeting of Salem Presbytery on February 15th, it was shared that moving forward, we will take advantage of an online option, using the CongregationU platform, and its module of "Clergy Ethics." A link to this site is below.
ALL MEMBERS OF THE PRESBYTERY MUST COMPLETE THIS TRAINING NO LATER THAN AUGUST 31, 2022.
The module takes about 2 hours to complete, and the cost is $29.00. If needed, you can begin the course, save your work, and return at a later time. The link below will take you to the page for the Clergy Ethics Course.
You will need to create an account to sign up and pay for the course. Go to the "Getting Started" menu to create your account, log in, and complete the course.
Once the course is completed, you will receive a certificate, that should be forwarded to Christine at the presbytery office.
UPDATE: COMPLETING THE TRAINING THROUGH CONGREGATIONU WILL EARN YOU POINTS WITH CALL TO HEALTH. SEE THE LINK BELOW.
To sign up for the training, click HERE. To enroll in Call to Health, click HERE. |
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Upcoming Ordination Anniversaries!
Please Pass along congratulations to the following who are celebrating anniversaries of their ordinations:
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Stewart Ellis - ordained August 9, 1970
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Kristen Levens - ordained August 19, 2018
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Jeremy Cannada - ordained August 20, 2011
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Vicki McCain - ordained August 25, 2019
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Joanne Glaser - ordained August 28, 2010
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Susan Moorefield - ordained August 28, 1992 (30th in 2022!)
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Libby Inman - ordained August 30, 1992 (30th in 2022!)
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The Persistent Pandemic
How we wish we didn't need this!
Some other Insurance Board pandemic resources can be found HERE.
The Wisconsin Council of Churches has been a trusted source of advice throughout the pandemic. Their latest resources can be found HERE. |
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Parish D Engagement Pastor James Harley shares the following news from Parish C: |
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From Unity Presbyterian Church in Woodleaf:
You and all in our Parish are invited to attend the Woodleaf Tomato Festival next Saturday, August 20. It will be held from 9 am to 3 pm at Unity Presbyterian Church in Woodleaf. The physical address is 885 Woodleaf Barber Road, Cleveland.
This is our main fundraiser so the we can support all the missions we are involved with.
Drop by when you can to see us as we show our love for God and each other!
Please pass this along to others.
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Each week in this space, we will highlight a video, website, or other content that is relevant to how we look at stewardship in the presbytery as well as in our local churches. Our focus this week is on our Communications Ministry. |
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Click on the graphic or HERE to visit and/or subscribe to Salem Presbytery's YouTube Channel. |
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August Prayers for:
Permanent Judicial Commission
Personnel Committee
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Please Hold the Following in Your Prayers |
- All those who have been effected by gun violence across our country.
- All those who are suffering the effects of extreme heat and devastating fires.
- Our brothers and sisters in Kentucky in the aftermath of the devastating floods.
We will list these prayer requests for two weeks unless we are notified that they are to be continued. You may submit prayer requests through the link below.
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Click below a list of positions available through the PCUSA - updated July, 2022
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Board of Pensions Call to Health |
Click the link below to join the Board of Pensions Call to Health.
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PCUSA News and Announcements |
Click below for the latest news and announcements from the PCUSA.
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