The Salem Weekly Update
Salem United Methodist Church Newsletter Published Weekly
October 26, 2022
Pastor The Rev. Benjamin Wolf Music Director Lynne Isley Caretaker Jerri Sharpe Sound/Video/Technology Ron Goras, Connie Wolf & Kai VandeVisserA NOTE FROM THE PASTOR
Thank you to everyone who came out Sunday afternoon to share their views on how we move forward as we look toward the future of Salem, and thanks to John Greeson for leading our discussion! If you missed it, you can watch it here. We began the meeting by considering what new name Salem would adopt. Since Salem is leaving The United Methodist Church, we must remove all references to the UMC from our name, etc. before the disaffiliation is finalized. The committee proposed three names (Salem Church, Salem Methodist Church, and Salem Community Church), along with a write in option. “Salem Church” was chosen by a large majority of those present. You’ll begin to see this new name used, completely replacing our current name by the new year.
John presented some of the options Salem has once no longer affiliated with the UMC. He focused on two main options: remaining independent of any denomination or joining the new Global Methodist Church. He shared that remaining independent gives Salem the most latitude in its decision making, able to determine questions of doctrine and practice on the local level. The church would have complete control over who our pastor is. On a very related flip side, this would mean that Salem would be on its own in doing this work we would be responsible for articulating our teachings, establishing our own church committee systems, and finding, calling, and credentialling pastors.
The Global Methodist Church, on the other hand, shares much of its structure and teachings with what we’ve known from the UMC over the years. We would receive guidance on how to structure our committees and we would have doctrinal standards by which our church and pastors would be judged. The GMC would train and ordain pastors, and work with our personnel committee to match us with a pastor.
The GMC aspires to be much structurally leaner, giving more voice to local churches and passing more efficient operational costs down to churches in the form of lower apportionments. You can learn more about the GMC at https://globalmethodist.org
Phone: 336 376 6513
salemumc@gmail.com
www.salemumcofac.com
https:// www.facebook.com/
After answering many questions and hearing the concerns attendees had with both options, John surveyed those present with how they were leaning as we move forward. Overwhelmingly, they felt we should explore joining the GMC. The Disaffiliation Committee will use this feedback to research the process and formulate a plan to present to the church for a congregational vote in the months to come.
This work continues deliberately as our December 31, 2022 disaffiliation date approaches. The Disaffiliation Committee meets again today at 6pm in the Fellowship Hall; anyone is welcome to attend. We also will meet with a lawyer for an initial consultation tomorrow at 2:30 pm. The meeting will be on Zoom, but we are going to attempt to gather most people in the Fellowship Hall. If you’d like to attend this meeting, please let Wanda Andrews know.
As I (mostly) watched and listened to the conversation on Sunday afternoon, I began to think about what it is to be Methodist. Salem is leaving the UMC because many people feel the UMC is moving away from historic teachings about human sexuality, God, and Scripture, not because of a difference with what has defined Methodism through the years. I hope that Salem can maintain and rediscover its Methodist identity through this process and in the years that follow.
By and large, Methodism teaches a lot of the same doctrines as other Protestant faiths. The difference is on what we emphasize, including the power of certain disciplines in our discipleship and the attainability of sanctification (or Christian perfection) in this life. One of the most important emphases for me is a particular stress on grace. You’ve probably heard this before, but we uniquely celebrate God’s work to bring us to him before we know him (prevenient grace), in the moments of salvation (justifying grace), and throughout our lives in discipleship (sanctifying grace).
As I’ve shared before, I stole my signature for these notes from my predecessor at my first appointment who signed each e mail “grace for the journey.” I know the time our congregation is in right now is not particularly fun for any of us. There’s a lot of work to
do and, at times, we find ourselves in conflict with some of those we love the most. We hope that these changes will set Salem up for growth and new life, but it’s hard to see that in the midst of the mess.
Let’s remember our Methodist teachings: God has grace for us even here! Even as we labor through this process, God offers to each of us grace. He gifts us with grace that reminds us we need him, even when we forget. He gifts us with grace when we realize a mistake we’ve made or an injury we’ve cause to another and seek forgiveness. He gifts us with grace that grows us in times of trial and frustration.
In the midst of the all the work, changes, and uncertainty many of us feel right now, don’t forget to receive God’s good gift. God meets us with grace in this and every season. Even in adversity, he looks to give us what we need to heal, grow, and thrive. When we’re so busy with church “stuff,” it can be easy to think that our time at church has us “covered” with God. In all of this, make sure you’re still working to grow your faith and relationship with God, especially through the Scriptures and prayer. God is with us, individually and as a congregation; let’s be sure we’re seeking him out, so that, when this transitional season is finished, we can celebrate who God has grown us to be.
Grace for the journey, Pastor Ben
UPCOMINGWORSHIP&STUDY
• Sunday, October 30th : Sunday School @ 9:30 am followed by worship service @ 10:30 am & online via Zoom @ following link: https://nccumc.zoom.us/j/772544684
UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS
• Tonight, Wednesday, October 26th : Disaffiliation Committee Meeting @ 6:00 pm all invited (we need more participants/help!)
• Tonight, Wednesday, October 26th : Dinner @ Mebane Hursey's @ 6:30 pm all invited
• Thursday, October 27th : Choir Practice @ 6:00 pm (note time change)
• Saturday, October 29th : Ruritan Breakfast @ Salem 6:30 10:00 am
• Sunday, October 30th : Youth Group Meeting @ 4:00 pm
• Monday, October 31st : Trunk or Treat 5:30 to 7:30 pm (see flyer on page 4)
The New Disciples Class is still selling dishrags to fund their mission and teaching activities. The dishrags will sale for $2.00 each. Please see any member of the class to get yours soon.
NOTE: no train needed. , Just come out and enjoy watching the fun and support Ron as he remembers his son Andy.
There’s still 5 copies of the above picture of the old wooden Salem church . Some people were asking to get a copy of it. If interested in an 8x10 copy the cost is $5. Contact Sheila Greeson to get your copy. Profits go to the Building and Maintenance Fund. .
The Disaffiliation Committee is working hard to meet the requirements of the disaffiliation process as required by the UMC. We are especially looking for copies of minutes of committees and meetings and bulletins, primarily before 1990. If you might have any of them, please contact John Greeson @ (336) 380 7586.
If you have anything that you think might be of value, please contact him as well to determine if those records are needed.
THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING SUPPORTING THE SNACK PACK MINISTRY AT AWS
The MIM can’t thank you enough for all those who have helped our FOOD DRIVE! Here is a list of what we still need:
boxes Mac n cheese
Individual cookie packs
Individual packs of Fruit & Grain Bars
We Thank You, and plan to have a thank you meal for those who help out sometime in January of 2023! When You are out shopping please take this list with you.
To prevent the spread of COVID 19 , and we ask that people take appropriate precautions for our worship services.
Worship services are each Sunday at 10:30, with Sunday School preceding at 9:30. As it is safe for you, we hope you can join in person worship! For those at higher risks of serious sickness, you are invited to utilize a mask in person or continue worshipping online. To worship virtually, visit https://nccumc.zoom.us/j/772544684. If you don’t have a smart device or have trouble with your internet connection, call (301) 715 8592 and enter the Meeting ID 772 544 684## to worship by phone call. If you need a toll free option, please let Pastor Ben know. Services are also streamed on our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0qb1Jd37GODV6_42SR5jXg).
When you join us in person, we ask that you please follow these guidelines:
• Wear a mask or face covering if you prefer. Disposable masks are available at both entrances.
• Wash your hands frequently. Hand sanitizer is available at the entrances.
• Do not attend in person if you or someone in your home is feeling ill at all, especially with these symptoms: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019 ncov/symptoms testing/symptoms.html
• Consider continuing to worship at home if you are at high risk for severe complications (https:// www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019 ncov/need extra precautions/).
• Still haven’t gotten your shot yet? I encourage you, in consultation with your doctor or pharmacist, to get vaccinated! To get it at the Alamance County Health Department, visit www.vaccinatealamance.com or call 336 290 0650. You can find other vaccination sites at https://myspot.nc.gov/
We know these guidelines can change the experience of coming to God's house. Thank you for following them so we can continue to safely welcome all to worship together with us!
