Salem Matters News of What Matters This Week
in Salem Presbytery
March 15, 2023 | Volume IX, Number 11
Fellowship Presbyterian - Greensboro
Presbyterian Episcopal Campus Ministry - Appalachian State University, Boone
Sandy Ridge Presbyterian
Milton Presbyterian
Is Your Church's Pledge In?

We are approaching the end of the first quarter and we would love to be sure we have accounted for your pledges. If your name is not on this list, we’d love to hear from you by March 31. Thank you Alamance, Allen Temple, Asheboro Baird’s Creek, Bethel, Bethesda Statesville, Boone, Burlington, Cameron, Chapel in the Pines, Church of the Covenant, Church of the Cross, Concord, Fellowship, Flat Rock, Franklin, Graham, Greensboro First, Jamestown, John Calvin, Kernersville, Laurel Fork, Lexington, Logan, Milton, Mocksville, Mount Jefferson, Mount Vernon, New Creation, North Wilkesboro, Old Providence, Pilot Mountain, Pine Hall, Pine Ridge, Pittsboro, Pleasant Grove, Rumple, St. Andrews, St. Paul High Point, Salisbury First, Salisbury Second, Sedgefield, Shiloh Statesville, Sparta, Spencer, Starmount, Stoneville, Taylorsville, Thyatira, Trinity Elon, Trinity Winston-Salem, Unity.
(SEVERAL) SALEM Presbytery Churches are Certified as a PC(USA) Earth Care Congregations

The following churches were certified as an Earth Care Congregations by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s Presbyterian Hunger Program through February 2024.  The Earth Care Congregation certification is designed to recognize churches that make the commitment to take seriously God’s charge to “till and keep” the garden. Churches certified were: Westminster Presbyterian – Greensboro, Guilford Park Presbyterian – Greensboro, Pittsboro Presbyterian, Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian – Chapel Hill, Parkway Presbyterian – Winston-Salem, First Presbyterian – Greensboro, Sedgefield Presbyterian – Greensboro, New Creation Community Presbyterian – Greensboro, Faith Presbyterian – Greensboro, Rumple Memorial Presbyterian – Blowing Rock, and Starmount Presbyterian – Greensboro.

This status speaks to the serious commitment that these churches have made to care for God’s earth. To become an Earth Care Congregation, these congregations affirmed an Earth Care Pledge to integrate environmental practices and thinking into their worship, education, facilities, and outreach.

Started in 2010 by the PC(USA), the goal of this program is to inspire churches to care for God’s earth in a holistic way, through integrating earth care into all aspects of their church life.  The Earth Care Congregation certification honors churches that make that commitment and encourages others to follow their example.

“ These churches were just one of the 305 churches in our denomination that chose to dedicate themselves to intentional care of God’s earth this year. This congregation’s activities and commitment brings hope to their community and indeed to the world. We believe that these churches will inspire others to respond intentionally to God’s call to care for the earth,” says Jessica Maudlin, Associate for Sustainable Living and Earth Care Concerns for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

For more information on the Earth Care Congregations program visit www.pcusa.org/earthcarecongregations.
L. Richardson Trust

First Presbyterian in Greensboro is inviting applications for funds that are available through the L. Richardson Trust. The L. Richardson Trust is pursuant to the will of Mr. L. Richardson and grants may be made annually “for the benefit of Home and Foreign Mission and the benevolent causes of the church.”

The deadline to apply is this coming Wednesday March 15. To apply or to receive more information, email Debby Foster at First Presbyterian HERE.
Lending Library Drop-In Hours

The Rev. Christy Clore, our Interim Faith Formation Coordinator, is now available for drop in hours and consultation on both Lending Library materials and other Christian Education and Faith Formation resources. 

On-site congregational consults can also be requested and scheduled at times outside of these dedicated drop-in office hours. The upcoming hours are: 

March 8th, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
March 13th, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
March 22nd, 10:00 a.m. - 12 p.m.
March 27th, 10:00 a.m. - 12 p.m.

The Lending Library is open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. - 4 .pm. (or by appointment) for you to browse our collection of books at historic Cedarhyrst in Old Salem. We have a vast array of books on faith formation, spiritual growth, music, theology, history, issues, memoirs, leadership, and plenty of children's materials! All accessible to you for FREE!
 
For one-on-one consultation with Christy Clore, please attend Drop In & Learn or contact us at 336.722.8126 or CCD@MCSP.org.
Lending Library Resource Highlights

A Crazy, Holy Grace: The Healing Power of Pain and Memory
by Frederick Buechner and Michael

This 4 session DVD study for adults has both a Participant Guide and a Leader Guide to facilitate group conversation around the powerful and challenging topics of grief and pain. Working around many different congregations, these topics show up on both personal and communal levels and bring up many questions in our faith journeys. While this series was published in 2018, the topic is a timely one for us as we gather and process the changes brought about in the past few years. As we seek to support congregations, we are aware of how often we hear folks bring to light the need for help in coping with pain. This series helps to highlight the amazing resiliency that may be possible as we remember moments of grace in our own past and in scripture, so we can have the eyes to see it in the present and future
- Christy Clore
Upcoming Ordination Anniversaries!

Please Pass along congratulations to the following who are celebrating anniversaries of their ordinations:

Job Opening - First Presbyterian Mocksville

First Presbyterian Church in Mocksville is searching for a part-time Accompanist/Organist. For full Job Description, click HERE.
Parish Matters
Parish A Engagement Pastor Evan Harrison shares this news from Parish A:

PASSING THE PEACES - Congregations in Parish A can begin "passing the peaces" to one another by 
1) emailing evan@pittsboropres.org a group picture from your church (can be any moderately recent group picture...congregation or small group) ...feel free to tell us about some of your groups/events
2) email Evan a video of a group from your church saying "from ___ church, the Peace of Christ be with you!" 
3) contact another congregation in your parish to set up a time when 1-2 from your congregation can go pray at one of their gatherings and then allow them to come pray at one of your gatherings (can be Sunday worship, Sunday School, or any gathering you choose!) 
 
SPRING FLING (Silent Auction, Bake Sale & Dinner)- April 29th at 5pm, dinner at 6pm at CROSS ROADS PRESBYTERIAN, 3302 NC-119, Mebane, NC 27302. All are welcome!

Regional “Creek Week” events
Email gsimpson@nc.rr.com to participate in a watershed cleanup in Pittsboro, Saturday March 18 is but one of the many events planned for the Regional “Creek Week,” March 18-25. Sponsored by the Clean Water Education Partnership.
Regional Creek Week celebrates the four rivers and numerous creeks that provide the water for residents, animals, and plants that live in Chatham County, as well as the waterways in surrounding counties of the Piedmont region.
During Creek Week you can visit Chatham’s rivers, explore ephemeral pools, meet aquatic insects, learn about plants that are good for streams, and participate in river clean-ups. Individuals may also participate in the Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Oh My! scavenger hunt for fun and prizes. Programs will take place in person, via Zoom, Facebook, and Instagram.
On Thursday the 23rd from 6:00-7:00 pm a member of PPC’s Creation Justice team, Connor Jarvis, will be at Cumnock Union Church, 851 Cumnock Rd., Sanford NC, speaking on the Watershed Management Plan for the Deep River.
To learn more about the free programs being offered during Creek Week, or to register for those programs, visit Chatham County Creek Week or CWEP Regional Creek Week and find out how to get involved locally and regionally.

You are part of Salem Presbytery's Parish A.

Sadly, the days of guilting and manipulating people to "do church" are (mostly) over. I can't force you to enjoy being connected with other great congregations around you. But if you're going to be doing ministry another 5-50 years, why not make some friends in nearby congregations who understand similar joys and frustrations in ministry...and can pray for you or collaborate with you when you need it? 

Please take this This SURVEY to "help me help you" in connecting in more meaningful ways. 


ANNOUNCEMENTS from PARISH A CHURCHES: 

Wednesday Food for Body and Spirit Suppers at Shiloh Presbyterian, Burlington. Supper is at 6pm at $3.00 per person and consider bringing a dessert or side. Then enjoy viewing an interesting Christian video, like The Chosen, at approximately 6:45 PM. Please email jwpls9000@hotmail.com in advance so they can have enough tables. 2638 Grand Oaks Blvd, Burlington, NC 27215.

Springwood would love to see your Cemetery by-laws.

Another church wouldn't mind seeing your child protection policies. 

PARISH A GATHERINGS: 

Parish A's Brownbag lunch THIS Thursday (Thurs 3.16.23) 11:30am at Shiloh's Scout Hut, Burlington. It's the scout hut off the hidden drive near 2638 Grand Oaks Blvd (see special map below). 
   - We're looking for alternate times that may work better for people, but would love to see someone from your congregation if possible. Bring your own lunch and we'll have a spiritual practice, semi-structured time to share about your congregation's ministry and a chance to meet your neighbors and colleagues in ministry. 
Prayer Matters
March Prayers for:
 Committee on Representation
CPM - Committee on Preparation for Ministry
Please Hold the Following in Your Prayers
  • Family of Rev. Dale Walker, who passed away on March 8, 2023.
  • Family of Rev. Harold Fuller, former pastor of Parkway Presbyterian in Winston-Salem, who passed away on March 11, 2023. A service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 18th at Parkway. Visitation will preceded the service, also at Parkway.

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.

PCUSA Matters
PCUSA Job Opportunities
The latest in Job Opportunities with the PCUSA, as of March 14, 2023

Board of Pensions Call to Health
Click the link below to join the Board of Pensions Call to Health.

PCUSA News and Announcements
Click below for the latest news and announcements from the PCUSA.