monthly newsletter of salem umc, morganton, nc salem scoop · january 2018 monthly newsletter of...

JANUARY 2018

Monthly Newsletter of Salem UMC, Morganton, NC

Salem Scoop NOTES FROM NORM

Yes, it’s still Christmas and I’m writing this from a loft in my parent’s cabin in TN where our family has gathered for a few days. There were supposed to be 10 of us. But, on Christmas Day we found out my younger brother would be joining us along with all of my older brother’s kids. Now there will be 15 of us nestled into this four bedroom home. Looking down at a loft floor now covered by pullouts, cots, and blankets, I couldn’t help smiling. For whatever reason, I was reminded of a story I heard a few years ago.

There’s a story told of a South American village which celebrates the birth of Christ each year with a special reenactment of the Nativity story on the main square. The whole town shows up with children from the village sharing the various roles in the narrative. One young man, charged with the role of the innkeeper, had a single line but it was one of the most important because it set up everything that would come next. The holy couple would come knocking at the door of his apartment asking for a place to stay and he would open the door and deliver his line. The knock came. He opened the door. But he froze. He knew what he was supposed to say, but he simply couldn’t do it. The crowd even tried to help. After what seemed an eternity, the young man blurted out: “You can have my room!” The crowd was stunned, but the holy couple took it in stride. Joseph smiled and he and Mary disappeared into the doorway of the apartment and the entire town erupted with applause.

You may recall from last month that, like it or not, we receive a gift at Christmas. Our dilemma going forward in this life and into another year is this: what will we do with the gift we have been given? How will we re-spond? We know what we’re supposed to say. We know the line we are being fed by the world around us. Things are scarce these days (income, decency, patience, hope, kindness). My hope for you and me is that eventually our hearts will be able to blurt out the one thing stirring within them.

Dearest Christ, as we enter into another year, I don’t have the time or the resources, my calendar is full and my life is upside down, so it should be obvious to you by now. But, what the heck, you can have my room. So be it, Amen.

Pastor Norm

1206 Salem Road / Morganton, NC 28655 / www.sumcm.org / 828-433-6600

SUMC Co-Ed Rec Basketball 2018 Schedule (Games are Tues or Thurs at Collett St Rec (CS) or Mtn. View Rec (MV)) -Jan 9 Faith Pres, 7:30pm @ MV -Jan 11 vs. New Day, 7:30pm @ MV -Jan 16 Summit, 7:30pm @ CS -Jan 18 1stAdvent, 7:30pm @ MV -Jan 23 CoG, 7pm @ CS -Jan 25 Zion Bapt., 7:30pm @ CS -Jan 30 Shine Light, 7:30pm @ CS -Feb 1 Faith Pres, 7:30pm @ CS -Feb 6 New Day, 7:30pm @ CS -Feb 8 Summit, 7:30pm @ MV -Feb 13 1st Advent, 7:30pm @ CS -Feb 15 CoG, 6:30pm @ MV -Feb 20 Zion Bapt., 7:30pm @ MV -Feb 22 Shine Light, 7:30pm @ MV

(remaining schedule TBD) Our team is now 1-1 after a narrow loss to Zion Baptist in Dec. We love our fans!

Come cheer us on to victory this winter!

This year’s roster includes: Josh Autrey, Matthew & Neal Causby, Carrigan & Courtney Causby, Kacey Hens-ley, Norm Jones, Tyler Noble, Jason Penney, Ethan & Jon Pons, Konrad Sommer, Brittany Vinesett, & Dylan Carswell.

Weekly/Monthly Happenings at Salem

UMW meet first Thursdays of each month. (January 4, 7pm in FH Cora Ora) (January 4 6:30pm FH Sadie Rosemary) (January 4, Mary Alice Lois Velna– Meets 3rd Tues-days in the FH at 10 am

Deeper Water Bible Study Meets Wed. at 10 :30am in youth

room. All are

The Remnant

This Bible Study meets Wednesdays at 6

pm in the Parlor.

Everyone is welcome.

Prayer Shawls are tangible reminders of God's love, comfort, and peace. The group meets Monday from 10 - 11:30am All are welcome.

If you know who needs a shawl contact Margaret Carswell

Grades 6th-12th

Sundays 5-7 pm

Christ Bread A monthly program for all retirees and older adults. Christ Bread will meet January 16 at 11 am in the Fellowship Hall. Bring a dish to share.

Burke United Christian Ministries

Join us 1st Tuesday of each month at 3:30pm as we serve dinner at BUCM. 1st Sundays of each

month we encourage you to bring food for their pantry. (305 West Union St.) www.bucm.net

Mom's Coffee time will meet January 5 from 8:30-10am in the Youth room for moms with young children not yet in school.

Our Financial Stewardship:

Thru December 31 2017

Budgeted Need: $236,496.00 Total Received for Budget: $220,640.26 Ministry Expenses to Date: $219,473.38

Other Ministry Gifts Received to Date: Backpack Ministry: $1,395.00 Building Fund: $20,171.00 Cemetery: $3,475.00 Enola Trail Fund: $1341.00 Youth Fund: $2,385.00

Mom’s

Time Gifts given in Honor or Memory (December) Marie Causby by Nicole Mull Marie Causby by Millie Avery Marie Causby by Fred & Kathryn Duckworth Marie Causby by Charles W. Garrison Jr. Betty Gibbs by David & Janette Dale Betty Gibbs by Bruce & Kay Pollard Betty Gibbs by Mary Ann Propst, Cary Clark, & Lisa Propst Betty Gibbs by Charles & Leota Garrison Dean Garrison by Charles & Leota Garrison Robert & Louise Garrison by Charles & Leota Garrison Clarence & Velna Brendle by Fred & Kathryn Duckworth Fredie Duckworth Jr. by Fred & Kathryn Duckworth Scott Pruett by Fred & Kathryn Duckworth Raymond, Kettie & Jack Carswell by John & Mary Anderson Kettie, Raymond & Jack Carswell by Margaret Carswell Donald Clark by David & Janette Dale & David Allen Dale Jake Russ Sr. by Bruce & Kay Pollard Donald Clarke by Bruce & Kay Pollard Bob McGhinnis by Bruce & Kay Pollard Bob McGhinnis by Lynda Woody Bob McGhinnis by Norm & Kathryn Jones Bob McGhinnis by Gerald & Kay Duckworth Bob McGhinnis by David & Janette Dale Bob McGhinnis by Alan & JoAnn Byrd Bob McGhinnis by Margaret Carswell Bob McGhinnis by Alan & Barbara Schneider Bob McGhinnis by Eddie Sellers & Better Housing Center Catherine Duckworth by Jackie Ward Marie & Jimmy Causby by Marie Causby Estate Bob McGhinnis by Mary Ann Propst, Cary Clark, Lisa Propst Donald Clark by Mary Ann Propst, Cary Clark, Lisa Propst Norman Duckworth by Beulah & Debbie Duckworth Marie Causby by Beulah & Debbie Duckworth Bob McGhinnis by Beulah & Debbie Duckworth

Family / Kids Movie Night

Join us for dinner,

popcorn and “Frozen”

Friday, January 26 6pm

Dear Lord, hear our prayers….

Servant Leaders for January

Acolytes: 7– Connor Wellman 14– Isabel Jones 21– Ronin Smith 28– Ava Hensley Usher Captains: 7 - Dylan Carswell 14- Dobie Kelly 21- Bruce Pollard 28 - Tim Keller Reader for 11 am 7 – Rita Bowman 14 - Tom Ayers 21 - Jodi Brown 28 – Dobie Kelly Nursery 7- 10 am– Carrie Williams & Angie Dotson 11 am– Joyce Gibson & Edith Dale 14- 10 am— Lara Autry & Kacey Hensley 11 am– Liz Smith & Tim Hampton 21- 10 am— Courtney Hampton & Marilyn Davis 11 am - Nikki Carswell & Joann Byrd 28- 10 am— Joyanne Benfield & Doris M. Garrison 11 am– Muriel McNeely & Rebecca Shuping

Prayers & Concerns: Cary Clark, Thomas Ayers, Kevin Patton, Charles

& Leota Garrison, Seth Loven, Victor Nogales, Alex Austin,

Homebound: Millie Avery, Mildred Mull, Mary Wilson, Jean Jarrell

Nursing Home Residents:

~Grace Heights– Mable Hoke

~Autumn Care– Joe Carver

~College Pines– Elsie Roper, Avis Williams

~The Brian Center of Spruce Pine– Helen McGee

2 Angie Dotson, Jason Penney 3 Mabel Hoke 5 Maria Williams, Trina Cole

Bonnie Bender, MacKenzie Huffman 9 Brenda Dellinger 10 Melissa Causby, Leota Garrison 11 James Carswell, Steven Roper,

Amanda Simmons, 12 Camelia Causby 15 Josh Call, Rick Pruett 17 Dawson Carswell, Margaret Duckworth 19 Laqueta Carroll 20 Dylan Bollinger 21 Gordon Ronk 25 Alan Byrd 26 Barbara Schneider 27 Janet Koon, Susan Kaika 29 Nina Horton, Charles Garrison Jr. 30 Grant Causby, Mary Ellen Nelson ANNIVERSARIES 11 Max & Nancy Pearson 23 Alan & Joann Byrd 29 Larry & Janet Koon

CHURCH STAFF Norm Jones, Jr.—Pastor (rev.norm@alumni.duke.edu)

Virginia Robinson, Dir. of Music (robinsonva62@gmail.com) Sue Bunch, Pianist (s_bunch@att.net)

Zachary Cagle, Office Admin. (salemumchurch@ymail.com) Kathryn Jones– Children & Youth (kbjones549@gmail.com)

Baby Shower All are cordially invited to a shower for Courtney & Tim Hampton! It will be held on January 14 from 2 - 4 pm in the Fel-lowship Hall.

Dear Church and Barbara Harbour, You are so thoughtful! The Literacy Council is thrilled to receive the wonderful puzzles and learning materials. Please know they will go to good use in our family Literacy program. Our teachers are always hap-py to get new supplies to use in there classes. Thanks and have a blessed Christmas Browning Rocheford

Our Journey to the Manger came together and could not have gone so smoothly without the whole congregation working together. From bakers to singers, actors, farm-ers, decorators, chefs, and adult leaders, the story of Je-sus came alive for those who visited Salem that night. Thank you for the ways you contributed and sup-ported such a special night. ~Kathryn Jones

All youth 6th-12th grade are wel-come and invited to join us!

1/7 Our next youth event will be a Joint gathering at St. Matthews. Meet at 4:30pm to ride together. 1/14 5 pm 1/28 5 pm

Catawba Valley Dist. Leadership Training for ALL

Sunday, January 7, 2018, 3 - 5pm @ St. Luke's UMC (52 16th Ave. NW Hickory, NC 28601)

The following courses are available:

“The Discipleship of Faith and Generosity” All that we have and all that we are is of God. Without God we are nothing…we have nothing. Through our faith and commitment to support God’s church with our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness, we seek ways to be generous with the resources God has given as part of our discipleship journey. Rev. David Snipes, UM Foundation of WNC.

“The Mission and Ministry of Staff/Pastor Parish” Characteristics of an effective SPRC ministry. What SPRCs and clergy most need from each other. Rev. Angela A. Pleasants, CV District Superinten-dent; and Kathy Odell, Director of Human Resources, WNCC UMC.

“Do’s and Don’ts of Local Church Finance” “Best practices of local church finance committees?” What are the best practices of local church committees on finance to advance the mission of the church most effectively? What are the pitfalls to avoid? Topics will include audits, committee responsibilities, budget forecasting, preparation, and apportionments. Rev. Dr. Mark King, Treasurer, WNCC UMC.

“Single-Board Governance— It’s About Vision and Leadership” This workshop is designed to help leaders understand why a single-board model is an effective way to structure any size congregation so that living into vision is more effective. You will learn what this simpler model of decision-making is and how to make it work in your context. Kim Shockley, Catawba Valley District Church Vitality Strategist

“Local Church Historians” Open to anyone who is interested in their church history/records/historic documents. We will focus on which records to keep and which records can be discarded, how best to keep records for posterity, and where to look to find records from the past. Rev. Jim Pyatt, Archivist/Historian, WNCC UMC.

“Ministry of the Trustees” Rev. Roy Byers, Hoey Memorial UMC-Sulphur Springs UMC

“Children’s Ministry” Rev. Sarah Watkins Davis, Director of Communication & Evangelism, Myers Memorial UMC

“Building Relationships through Nurture, Outreach, and Witness (NOW) Ministries” Rev. George Ragsdale, First UMC, Belmont.

“In the Beginning” We all agree we’re really good at tending to our work, tending to other’s needs, tending to laundry, and the like... yet pretty lousy at tending to the replenishing needs of our soul. In this experiential learning session, you’ll learn tips for establishing a new rhythm and leave inspired to engage in Sabbath keeping. Ann Starrette, Director of Spiritual Formation, Davidson UMC

“Igniting the Fire of Youth Ministry” Andrew Woods, Director of Youth & College-Age Adults, St. Luke UMC, Hickory

“Baptism is the Ordination of the Laity” In and through our baptism, we are called to be disciples who make disciples. Come and learn about intentional ways that you can inspire others to grow deeper in their commitment to Christ and more effective in their witness to the community and world. Rev. Amy Coles, Assistant to the Bishop

There is no cost for these courses, but registration is required. Registration deadline: January 2, 2018

Call our church office OR visit https://wnc-reg.brtapp.com/DistrictLeadershipConference2018

Prayer Partners Reminder to our prayer partners to continue to

pray for your child or youth at least once a week and send a note of en-couragement once a month. If you are not sure who your partner is or if you would like to be assigned to pray for someone in our church, please contact Kathryn Jones. (919)-260-9852

Nursery Schedule New schedules have been posted in the nursery and Sunday school classrooms. Please contact Kathryn or another teacher if you need to change a date with someone. Thank you for the ways you teach and care for our children and youth.

JAN 19-21, 2018 25 Youth and adult leaders from SUMC will travel to Pigeon Forge, TN for an annual youth conference with over 8,000 youth spon-sored by the Holston UM conference in TN. Please pray for safe travels and meaningful experiences during our wknd trip. Thank you

for your contributions to the Youth Fund that help offset the cost of the trip.

January 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25

26 27

28 29 30 31 Feb 1

10:30 am Bible Study (Yth Rm) 6 pm Bible Study(Parlor) 7 pm Prayer Group (Parlor) 7:15 pm Choir

10:30am Bible Study (Yth Rm) 7 pm Prayer Group (Parlor) 7:15 pm Choir

8:30—10am Mom’s Coffee

4:30 pm Youth to St. Mat-thews

4 pm Church Council (Parlor) 5-7 pm Youth

6pm Praise Team 7:30 pm BBall @ CS

11 am Christ bread (FH) 6pm Praise Team 7:30 pm BBall @ CS

6pm Praise Team 7:30 pm BBall @ CS

10am Prayer Shawl (Ed Bldg) 3 pm Leadership Training Hickory St. Lukes

10 am Prayer Shawl (Ed Bldg)

10 am Prayer Shawl (Ed Bldg)

10 am Prayer Shawl (Ed Bldg)

5-7 pm Youth

10:30am Bible Study (Yth Rm) 6 pm Bible Study(Parlor) 7 pm Prayer Group (Parlor) 7:15 pm Choir

10:30 am Bible Study (Yth Rm) 6 pm Bible Study(Parlor) 7 pm Prayer Group (Ed Bldg) 7:15 pm Choir

Youth in TN

7:30 pm BBall @ MV

9-3pm Card Class (FH) 7:30 pm BBall @ MV

3:30pm BUCM meal 6pm Praise Team

6pm Kids Movie night (FH)

7 pm UMW Meeting (FH) 7 pm BBall Prac-tice CS

10 am Prayer Shawl (Ed

10:30 am Bible Study (Yth Rm) 6 pm Bible Study(Parlor) 7 pm Prayer Group (Parlor) 7:15 pm Choir

1 pm Staff mtg 6pm Praise Team 7:30 pm BBall @ MV

7:30 pm BBall @ CS

7:30 pm BBall @ CS

2 pm Youth depart for Pigeon Forge.

Youth in TN