Salem Matters News of What Matters This Week
in Salem Presbytery
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May 24, 2023 | Volume IX, Number 21 |
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Franklin Presbyterian - Franklin |
Springwood Presbyterian - Whitsett |
Spencer Presbyterian - Spencer |
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Peace & Justice Committee Offers Racial Equity Training
As we continue to exist in a race-conscious and racially diverse world, and as we are reminded of the commitment of Salem Presbytery to be at the forefront of racial awareness and white privilege, the Peace & Justice committee is offering a one-day training event on May 25th at North Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church. The cost is $30 which covers materials, snacks, and lunch. (Please note that the registration deadline has already passed. Contact Wes Pitts [email protected] if you have questions.)
Please follow the links below for the website and to view the full schedule.
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News of Storm Damage
Last Tuesday evening (May 16th) there was a call for threatening weather in parts of our Presbytery…and when we have threatening weather in these days of climate change it usually has a significant impact. We received the following from Rachael Brooks at Pine Ridge Presbyterian the next morning; several folks from that church were impacted.
“The folks on the ridge really took care of one another. No one saw this coming and everyone is in agreement it was a tornado. Roads were cleared, coffee was delivered, and most everything is back to functioning. No one was physically hurt. I personally, had five strong men come to clear my road, clear my gate and fix the breakers damaged by lightning all before 9 AM! (Just being good neighbors) By noon, the well company had come to replace my well pump.
I was grateful so I did what I could, which was to provide coffee because no one needs a caffeine withdrawal headache after a storm! For some reason, I set up my thermos pot prior to the storm before a cloud was in the sky when I still had water. Maybe God was helping me do my own little part? That pot served so many... it began to feel like the loaves and the fishes. The other piece of good news is that the new church sign which is not a permanent sign, is absolutely untouched. I expect our community bible study will be full of sharing today!”
And Rachael reported that, indeed, the “community bible study was buzzing with storm news.”
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Stoneville Presbyterian Church (1905-2023)
We remember with love and gratitude the faithful witness of Stoneville Presbyterian Church (represented by Johnny Kallum, seen here being thanked by their local elementary school).
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To quote our friend and colleague in Christ — the Rev. Gregory Bentley, co-moderator of the 224th General Assembly (2020) and current Presbyterian Mission Agency board member — I am hippopotamus happy and dinosaur delighted to share with you that the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will be on PBS!
We have partnered with the Viewpoint Project — producer of high-quality social and educational documentaries for public television with the mission of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ while positively impacting our communities and the world. Our educational segment focuses on the denomination’s Matthew 25 commitment to creating healthy, just communities and a radically inclusive world through building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism and eradicating systemic poverty.
A media kit was recently mailed to all mid councils containing videos, information about the program and tips on how your congregations can prepare and use the resources. Watch for that to come across your desk and feel free to reach out if you have any questions. For quick access, here are the two videos for your viewing and awareness:
We want to make it as easy as possible for you to prepare and equip your churches to engage with this opportunity. Feel free to copy, customize and paste the message below to your churches via email, newsletters and/or social media.
Tune in! The PC(USA) will be on PBS!
The PC(USA) partnered with the Viewpoint project — viewpointproject.com — producer of high-quality social and educational documentaries for public television with the mission of positively impacting our communities and the world to produce and share a short video documentary. Our educational segment focuses on the denomination’s Matthew 25 commitment to creating healthy, just communities and a radically inclusive world.
In May, households across the U.S. can view this segment via their local public broadcasting station. Your local PBS station will have the opportunity to show this documentary between broadcasts. A shorter version of the segment will also air across a myriad of cable networks like CNN and HLN.
Click here [link to pcusa.org/viewpoint] to check out the videos, learn more about the program and get some tips on how to prepare your congregation.
This documentary will help multiply the PC(USA)’s commitment to radical and fearless hospitality. When we welcome others, we welcome Christ; when we bring together people who are divided, we are doing God’s reconciling work. With God’s help and our labor, we are being a Matthew 25 church, actively engaged in the world.
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This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the Pentecost Offering. Click HERE for more information and the article published by the PCUSA. |
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Faith Experiences for Summer
This week we continue to feature some ways to create experiences that shape our faith as we plan for the Summer.
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Worship Feast: 50 Complete Multisensory Services for Youth
Bear with me here - forget that "youth" is part of this title - and stay present to the idea of worship as a sensory feast for us to experience together. Summer is a great time to plan and develop worship experiences that invite our whole selves to engage with God, meet Jesus in tangible ways, and allow the Holy Spirit breath through us. This collection gives you full worship plans that invite hands-on ways to explore and proclaim the word - use them as written or let them be springboards for your own creativity.
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Every Picture Tells a Story
This leader's guide and collection of images is a wonderful way to invite your congregation or small groups within it to enter into reflection about their faith and understandings. If you've never encountered some of the other image deck resources (like those from Vibrant Faith or the Center for Creative Leadership), this is a great introduction to using a collection of photos to share our stories and build connections to scripture, faith, and community. Summer is a great time for programs and small group experiences using images to open us to reflection and discernment - this is a great option to consider.
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Click on the Graphic below to Register |
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Mission Trip Planning
Summer mission season is fast approaching, and planning is underway to restart mission trips to the Hebron Mission in Chiapas, Mexico. (Presbyterians have been going on mission to Chiapas for over 28 years.) Trips are being restarted following Covid 19 and the recent death of Hebron founder, Rev. Pablo Feliciano Cruz. Previously, there have been up to eight weeks of trips annually to the Hebron Mission. Listed below are the trips currently being planned for summer 2023 and their focus.
Construction trip June 24-July 2. The trip is being coordinated by Lora Crowley of Clemmons Presbyterian Church. Lora can be reached at [email protected] or by phone (336) 671-6095.
Construction trip July 8-16. Planning for the trip is being coordinated by Randy Duval of 1st Presbyterian Church of Virginia Beach. Contact information is [email protected] or he can be reached by phone at (757) 672-1797.
Disaster Assistance trip for youth/adults to eastern Kentucky July 9-15 coordinated by Neal Huffman of Starmount Presbyterian, Greensboro, NC, [email protected] or (336) 202-6716
Please consider participating in one of these trips and encourage your congregational Mission Committee to promote these opportunities for mission service.
For additional information about these and future mission efforts, contact the Salem Presbytery Mission Committee chair, Ray Mims by email: [email protected] or by phone at (336) 202-6093. |
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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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Oak Ridge Scotland Trip
Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church is going to Scotland September 18-27. From Edinburgh, to Inverness to Iona we will journey through Scotland highlighting Presbyterian history.
Please see the flyer HERE for more details.
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Installation at First Presbyterian High Point
The presbytery is invited to celebrate the upcoming installation of Rev. Peter Kim as pastor of First Presbyterian in High Point. The service of installation will take place on Sunday, June 11, 2023 at 2:00 pm.
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Job Opening - First Presbyterian Greensboro
First Presbyterian Church in Greensboro is searching for a Full-time Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry. For full Job Description, click HERE. |
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Job Opening - First Presbyterian Mocksville
First Presbyterian Church in Mocksville is searching for a part-time Accompanist/Organist. For full Job Description, click HERE. |
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Job Opening - First Presbyterian Lexington
First Presbyterian Church in Lexington is searching for a Director of Christian Education. For full Job Description, click HERE. |
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Job Opening - Chapel In the Pines Presbyterian
Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill seeks a part-time Minister of Community Engagement. Please review our job description HERE and, if interested, send a resume to Karen Fisher, chair of search committee, [email protected].
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Items for Sale - Starmount Presbyterian
Starmount Presbyterian church has music and choir robes available, free of charge, to any church that would like some or all of these items. A list of the items follows. Anyone interested in these items should contact the church office at 336-299-8131.
Rejoice, Earth and Heaven - cantata for SATB Soli and Mixed Chorus - by Buxtehude - 26 copies
The Seven Words of Christ on the Cross - by Heinrich Schultz, edited by Richard T. Gore - 40 copies
The Word Made Flesh - A Devotion with Music on the Incarnation - music by Joseph W. Clokey, text complied by Harland E. Hogue and Joseph W. Cloley - 31 copies
An Appalachian Nativity - A Christmas Folk Cantata - by Lewis Henry Horton - 32 copies
In the Bleak Midwinter - A Service of Lessons and Carols for SATB Choir and Chamber Orchestra - by Jon Brotherton - 50 copies (includes the orchestra parts)
The Seven Last Words of Christ - by Theodore Dubois - 43 copies
34 blue children’s choir robes (first picture)
21 blue adult choir robes (second picture)
40 adult linen choir robes (third picture)
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- Receive the peace of Christ today from Griers Presbyterian Church, located north of Mebane and South East of Yanceyville. Griers recently completed a multi-year sanctuary restoration redoing their floor from the ground-up! (See video)
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Several leaders from Parish A congregations have attended special gatherings to learn more about how personalities play an important role in our spiritual journeys as Christians. Thanks to Rev. Kate Harper from Cross Roads Presbyterian for leading our most recent workshop at Shiloh’s scout hut! Next workshop is in the Shiloh Pres Scout Hut (Burlington) 9:30am on June 22nd All are welcome (but let Evan know so he has enough coffee).
- Several representatives from Parish A enjoyed lunch together at the Presbytery meeting.
- Pastoral Transitions are a great time to draw upon the strength of our connectional church! An elder from each two presbyterian congregations in Parish A (both in a pastoral search process) recently took time to meet with one another and encourage one another, and pray for each other’s search process.
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arish A is currently looking for volunteers from any Parish A congregation who are willing to visit another Parish A congregation this calendar year. If you’re willing, please contact Rev. Evan Harrison at [email protected] to learn how you can visit another church to meet some of its people and share some of the joy of being part of the same presbytery and parish! These visits can also be great ways to share ideas for worship, faith formation and community engagement!
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May Prayers for:
Examinations Committee
Executive Council
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Please Hold the Following in Your Prayers |
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Rev. Dana Fruits and her entire family as they mourn the death of Dana's mother on May 16, 2023.
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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The latest in Job Opportunities with the PCUSA, as of March 14, 2023
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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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