August 3, 2022 | Volume VIII, Number 31

More than 50 individuals, representing 11 of our 19 Black congregations met on Saturday, July 23,  for the Black Church Summit hosted by the Dellabrook  Church, in Winston Salem. Olen Bruner and Catrelia Hunter led the meeting, with assistance from  Presbytery leaders and Staff members, David Vaughan, Stated Clerk, Jodi Lingan, Designated Presbytery for Transformational  Ministry, and  Amanda Anderson, Co-Chair of Committee on Ministry, who came to share vital information and provide support for the congregations. James Harley, Engagement Pastor for Parish D led worship.

FOLLOW-UP NOTE: Jodi Lingan was mentioned for her work in getting this event off the ground, but please note that OLEN BRUNER and CATRELIA HUNTER should be highlighted for all they did to make this event happen!

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.

THRIVE has replaced the Growing into Tomorrow ... Today seminar.

Rooted in A Theology of Benefits, the Board’s retirement planning seminar addresses retirement preparation holistically. THRIVE — short for Thinking Retirement: Identity, Vocation, and Economics — covers subject matters such as financial planning and retirement healthcare options as part of a larger exploration of identity, health, and vocation in retirement.

Click HERE for more information and to register.

For a full position description, click HERE.

The Salem Presbytery Youth Council will reconvene beginning this Fall. The PYC actively works to connect youth from around Salem Presbytery in a variety of ways, moving beyond our local contexts to see what God is up to in the world and how we can all be a part of that work. As the PYC comes back to this work, we will focus on new ideas and empowering the network of churches in Salem. Students in grades 9-12 may apply using the form link below. Applicants should expect to meet once a month and expect to develop and sharpen creative leadership and networking skills. The PYC also includes a handful of adult applicants as well. Adults act as advisors and provide guidance and assistance in implementing student ideas. All applications are due by August 14^th. We ask that no more than 3 students apply from a given congregation. For further questions, contact Rev. Taylor Barner by email: [email protected] 

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.

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.

The module takes about 2 hours to complete, and the cost is $22.00. 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. Once the course is completed, you will receive a certificate, that should be forwarded to Christine at the presbytery office.

To sign up for the training, click HERE.

To enroll in Call to Health, click HERE.

How we wish we didn't need this!

COVID-19 Liability FAQ - Insurance Board

Guide to Gathering Virtually - Fund for Theological Education (It's not just for the pandemic anymore.)

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.

Parish B Engagement Pastor Frank Dew shares the following news from Parish B:

There's a lot happening in Parish B this summer. See below for pictures from Presbyterian Church of the Cross, Jamestown Presbyterian, St. James Presbyterian, and First Presbyterian, High Point.

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 Committee on Preparation for Ministry.

Click on the graphic or HERE to visit and/or subscribe to Salem Presbytery's YouTube Channel.