December 21, 2022 Weekly Newsletter

The Salem Weekly Update

Salem United Methodist Church Newsletter - Published Weekly

December 21, 2022

Pastor

The Rev. Benjamin Wolf Music Director Lynne Isley Caretaker Jerri Sharpe Sound/Video/Technology Ron Goras, Connie Wolf & Kai VandeVisser

A NOTE FROM THE PASTOR

I’m grateful for the 3½ years I’ve been able to serve as your pastor. Thank you for how you welcomed me into the community with my flip flops and rainbow-of-colors polo shirts, and for your patience with me through the mistakes I’ve made, the times I’ve fallen short, and the whole learning process that was COVID. There are certainly some things I would go back and do differently, but overall, I’m proud of the ways we’ve grown together. I’ve loved getting to know you; the impact that so many of you have had on me will stick with me for years to come, shaping my ministry and life.

Of course, this transition is different from most pastoral changes over the years. Beyond doing this in December instead of June, this change also coincides with a change in denomination. While we have discerned a need to go in different directions, I wish you well and extend God’s peace. We still serve the same God, and we still have the same mission: to make disciples.

This change feels different from any other move. Not that I’ve had a whole lot of experience, but in my previous moves it “felt” like it was time. I haven’t felt that here. There are so many things we have started, like Covenant Discipleship Groups and outreach to our new neighbors, and things that I have started, like involvement with the SAFE board and elections, that don’t feel like they’re really at a “stopping point” yet.

And that’s the thing: they aren’t. However, as I’ve reflected on this feeling these past weeks, I’ve been reminded of a simple truth: it’s not about me. These ministries aren’t about or in need of me. The pastor is there to help support the congregation in your ministry, but not to be the ministry. I hope that as you move forward, you’ll continue to be about the work of these various ministries. You can do it! God has gifted and equipped you, the people of the church, to do this work! But, God will continue to call you into new things as well, which sometimes means putting aside

Phone: 336-376-6513 Email: SalemChurchHawRiverNC@gmail.com Website: http://SalemChurchHawRiverNC.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/ SalemChurchHawRiverNC YouTube: https://youtube.com/ @SalemChurchHawRiverNC

old ministries and ways of doing things. Even 5 years ago, how many of us could have imagined how many new neighbors we would have? Who knows what needs God will call Salem into over the next five years? Did we finish the ministries that I began? No! But friends, ministry is never finished!

As we conclude worship together on Christmas morning, my pastoral duties at Salem will be complete. At that time, I commend you to your new pastoral leadership. In this interim period, you can contact John Greeson at (336) 3807586 or Greaseman1@triad.rr.com with pastoral care needs. He will work to connect you to the appropriate person. The SPRC, in consolation with other leaders of the church, will be discerning when to seek the appointment of a pastor to Salem from the Global Methodist Church in 2023. Whenever that appointment is made, I urge you to welcome your new pastor with the same sort of love and support so many of you have shown Connie and me and listen for how God has equipped them to help Salem grow in its next steps. There are a few important logistical changes I want to highlight: I sent you some new e-mails and links a few weeks ago ignore those! Since making those changes, the NC Secretary of State denied us the use of the name “Salem Church,” leading to the adoption of our new name “Salem Community Church.” This name will take effect on January 1, so be sure to start writing checks, etc. to “Salem Community Church” after this Sunday. We also plan to install a mailbox at the church, so you can begin mailing things to 4924 Salem Church Rd., Haw River, NC 272589420.

Please update the following addresses in your bookmarks and address books: Church Email: SalemCommunityChurchNC@gmail.com Website: www.SalemCommunityChurch.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/ SalemCommunityChurchNC Starting with our worship this weekend (Christmas Eve

The Salem Weekly Update

and Day), we will stop using Zoom. I also don’t know if E-mails with a direct link to the stream will be sent out for each Sunday. Instead, to access the livestream, just visit our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ @SalemCommunityChurchNC At the top of the page, you’ll see a section with the current and upcoming Live Streams. I’ve circled it in the picture:

You can then click the livestream to join. Please let me know if that’s unclear. At this point, there’s no option to call in from a non-smart phone, but you can access YouTube with a smartphone or tablet, along with a computer or smart TV (if your TV has a YouTube app, try opening it and search for “Salem Community Church NC”).

I hope you can join us in person or online for our worship this weekend: Christmas Eve Memorial Service at 4:30pm (in-person only), Christmas Eve Service 5:00pm, and Christmas morning worship 10:30am. Remember, there’s no Sunday School this week!

While I urge you to bring pastoral matters to your new pastor, please stay in touch. My cell phone number should remain to same (252.567.3210), along with my Conference E-mail (bwolf@nccumc.org). Our mailing address is 2315 Elizabeth Ave., New Bern, NC 28562-4321. You can also connect with me on Facebook. Let us know if you’re ever visiting or passing by New Bern!

Way back in August of 2019, I shared with you my theft of “Grace for the journey” as the closing of my articles from my first predecessor, Rev. Roger Dill. I say now what I said then: we’re all on a journey in life, and we’re called to be journeying towards realizing God’s will for our lives. That doesn’t change as the name of your church or your pastor changes. You are called to keep working to grow in holiness and mission; as Paul said to the Philippians, “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” And know, beloved, that no matter what you face in this holy work of life, God is with us, always providing…Grace for the journey,

Salem United Methodist Church Newsletter - Published Weekly

Pastor Ben

UPCOMINGWORSHIP&STUDY

• Saturday, December 24th : Christmas Eve Memorial graveside service @ 4:30 pm followed by Christmas Eve Worship Service @ 5:00 pm in Sanctuary & online via our YouTube Channel: https:// www.youtube.com/ @SalemCommunityChurchNC

• Sunday, December 25th : Worship service @ 10:30 am & online via our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ @SalemCommunityChurchNC

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

• Tonight, Wednesday, December 21st : Dinner @ Mebane Hursey's @ 6:30 pm - all invited

There’s still 1 copy of the above picture of the old wooden Salem church left. 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. .

Thank you for continuing to support 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: 171 boxes Mac n cheese; 26 Individual cookie packs

Here is the list of workers for the remaining school year:

December – Rachel Paris & Wanda Andrews Pack/John & Sheila Greeson Deliver January – Nina Greeson & Gina Potts Pack/George Todd Deliver

February – Faith & Gerald Paris Pack/John & Sheila Greeson Deliver March – Sheila & John Greeson Pack/Roy & Jerri Sharpe Deliver April – Rachel Paris & Wanda Andrews Pack/George Todd Deliver May – Mary Jane, & June Pack/Gail Goodburn & Jerri Sharpe Deliver (Also June)

Cemetery Plots Available for Non-church Members

During the 2020 Memorial Association Business Meeting, the membership approved the sale of 50 cemetery plots to non-church members. The plots are located in the rear section of Section II of the cemetery and will be sold for $2,000.00 each to raise much-needed capital for the upkeep of the cemetery for years to come.

Before reaching out to local funeral services, the Association will allow church and Association members the opportunity to make these available to extended family members or friends who might be seeking burial plots.

If you know of anyone seeking a plot, have them call an officer of the Association for details. The following are officers of the Association and Cemetery Committee: Brad Andrews, Dennis Cole, Debbie Cole, George Todd, David Whitfield, Donna Sharpe, John Greeson, Bobby Holt, and Gerald Paris. You can also send John Greeson an email at: Greaseman1@triad.rr.com or text him at 336-380-7586.

We are in need of additional choir members. As the church begins a new season of worship, we need to increase our choir numbers to lead our congregation in one of the most important facets of worship: music. Some of you might not think you are good enough to join the choir, but you are mistaken. Some of us who are now members were a little surprised when we first started. When the voices are combined, it really does come out sounding great. Please Help!

1. Mail Checks to the Church Mailing Address

Thank you to everyone who does this already! Checks can made out to Salem United Methodist Church and mailed to:

Salem Community Church 4471 Salem Church Road Haw River, NC 27258-9415

2. Did you know that many banks offer a free Bill Pay option? I usually use this and it’s very easy. Typically, you login to your online banking account and you can set up either a one-time or recurring payment to the church. Then your bank prints and sends a check directly to the church, usually all at no cost to you. Talk to your banker about it or look on their website; here are some examples: State Employees’ Credit Union, Wells Fargo, Truliant, & PNC Whenever you give by cash or check, there are no processing fees-all of your gift goes to the ministries of the Church.

3. Give Online

We’re excited to offer a new way to support the ministries of the church: online giving. All you need to do is visit https://bit.ly/give2salem , fill in your information, and complete your gift! With convenience, though, there is a slight fee. Credit and debit card gifts have about a 3% fee and bank drafts (ACH/eCheck) have about a 1% fee. You’ll notice when you give, the “Cover Fees” box is checked so that your gift is increased to cover the processing fees so the church is able to get your entire gift. If you’re able, please leave that box checked so the church can receive your full gift.

Please help lead worship!

We are still in need of folks to sign up to help lead our worship services. Please contact John Greeson and let him know if you are interested.

Upcoming Youth Group Events:

Saturday April 23rd, 2023 – Community Day @ Chestnut Ridge, 3-7pm

This week we lift up our praises to God for:

• Birthdays: Janie Page (approaching another millennium), Coby Isley (Mark Isley’s son), Lynne Isley (busy week this week in the Isley home), Connie Wolf’s Mom, Pastor Cindy Lister (really old…)

• Anniversaries: Eddie & Judy Shambley, Bobby Long’s parents, Jan & Frank Sady, Mike & Janie Page (poor guy)

This week we lift up our prayers to God for:

• Tommy Greeson (Cousin of Gina Potts & John Greeson) - Surgery for stomach aneurysm

• Gina Potts - recovering from knee replacement surgery

• Angie Soares (Frank Sady’s sister)hospitalized with several urgent medical issues

• Karen Nolen (Frank & Jan Sady’s daughter) - involved in serious accident with severe concussion & brain bleed

Billy Graham

“God knows what we are going through when we grieve, and He wants to assure us of His love and concern. He also wants us to turn to Him and bring our heartaches and burdens to Him.”