FEBRUARY 2020

Monthly Newsletter of Salem UMC, Morganton, NC

Salem Scoop

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

I journeyed with a handful of our youth last weekend to a conference in TN where guest speaker Reggie Dabbs slayed us all with laughter, music, and the love of Jesus. Below is a reflection by John Driver on his time with Reggie in hopes that you too might be captivated once again by the call of Jesus and to share a glimpse of what we received. ~Norm I just wanted to share a few thoughts about my time in the public schools of Wilson County in Tennessee this week. I’ve been accompanying a man named Reggie Dabbs to middle and high schools as he speaks to them about life, love, and living. Reggie is considered to be the top public school moti-vational speaker in the nation. Sharing through humor and tragedy, Reggie connects with students masterfully. In many assemblies this week, I’ve seen students and teachers laugh hysterically and then weep openly as Reggie communicates a message of love and hope to them in their situation. Our steps taken through the hallways, cafeterias, and gymnasiums have again reminded me that this generation hurts. Searching. Needing. Desiring something . . . anything that is authentic. Sometimes, reality television seems to be the closest piece of reality that they can find. One student who was crying after an assembly told me that Reggie was speaking directly to her and that she was reliving her story through his words. Since Reggie’s story was about his mother sleeping with a man for twenty dollars so that she could buy food for her babies who were living with her in an abandoned chicken coop, I can only imagine what kind of horrors this young lady must have been reliving. That’s why Reggie is so effective: he’s answered God’s call to share his pain with others in pain. Through his willingness to relive his pain every day, others are finding hope in the One who salvaged Reggie’s life. In the public school setting, of course Reggie can’t talk about God or religion; but it’s amazing how God speaks through Reggie’s life even when His name is left unspoken.

Last night, a room full of students gave their lives to this Life-Mender. Tonight, we hope that another room-full will as well. But at the heart of our mission this week and the message spoken by Reggie is that each of us have a story full of pain. Sure, the degrees and details are differ-ent, but the need is the same. “I don’t have to know your name to know your pain. I don’t have to see your home to know your shame. But someone loved me just the way I am and someone loves you just they way you are.” This is Reggie’s poem that he shares, written by himself in the ninth grade. The idea is profoundly simple and vastly effective to communicate the truth. You may not be Reggie, but you

have a story to share as well. You may not speak to millions of students each year on every continent of the globe, but you do have something to say. You don’t have to see what they’re facing to love them and you don’t always have to preach to tell them about the Great Salvager. Where will you go with your story today?

2 Cheryl Garrison 4 Gerald Duckworth 6 Severin Smith 7 Vicky Stevens 14 John Avery 18 Amy Causby 26 Doris M. Garrison, Linda Snyder Faith Pons 27 Jessica Simonetti 28 Louise Kramer, Gary Whitener ANNIVERSARIES 14 Jeremy & Jessica Simonetti 27 Dennis & Nikki Carswell 28 Fred & Kathryn Duckworth

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)

Weekly/Monthly Happenings at Salem

UMW News: - We will have choir re-hearsal Feb 5 at 7pm in the sanctuary - UMW mtg on 2/6 is our Call to Prayer and Self-Denial. Please plan to bring your offering (FH). - UMW Sunday is 2/9. Please come celebrate our organization!! Katie Burns, from the Blue Ridge District, will be our guest speaker. Thank you ladies! The UMW still have Pecans for sale. If you wish to purchase please see a UMW member. Lois Velna Circle has Vegetable Soup for pur-chase for $6 a quart. Please see Kay Pollard if you are interested.

Deeper Water Bible Study Meets Wed. at 10 :30am in youth room. All are welcome!

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 encour-age you to bring food for their pantry. (305 West Union St.)

www.bucm.net

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 Barbara Harbour or Margaret Carswell

Christ Bread Christ Bread Tuesday February 25th at 11am in the fellow-ship hall. Bring a food item to share and come enjoy Chris-tian fellowship.

Our Financial Stewardship:

Thru January 31, 2020

Weekly budget needed: $4,025.00 Monthly Budget needed: $16,100.00 Yearly Budget needed: $209,300.00 Total Received for Budget: $16,975.86 Ministry Expenses to Date: $13,976.28

Other Ministry Gifts Received to Date for 2020: Backpack Ministry: $120.00

Gifts given in Memory (January)

of Mabel Hoke by Margaret Carswell By Bruce & Kay Pollard By Jerry & Clarice Shuping By Brenda Dellinger By Alan & JoAnn Byrd By Linda G Babb . Lenoir High School Class of 1957 of Nell Causby by by Sally Powell Sunday School Class By Gerald & Kay Duckworth By Bruce & Kay Pollard By Jerry & Clarice Shuping By Mary Ann Propst, Lisa Propst & Cary Clark

Our weekly Salem Elemen-tary Backpack ministry continues and is in need of breakfast items (oatmeal and grits packets, pop tarts) ramen noodles , canned vege-tables, Jell-O cups, pudding cups, individual cereal packages, canned

pasta (spaghetti-o’s), and hamburger chicken or tuna helper. Please see bulletin for what is needed weekly.

Dear Lord, hear our prayers….

Servant Leaders for February

Acolytes: Usher Captains: 2– Isabel Jones 2- Jack Bridges 9– UMW Sunday 9- UMW Sunday 16– Madison McLaughlin 16- Bruce Pollard 23– Gavyn Smith 23 - Tim Keller

Reader for 10:30 am 2– Charles Autrey 9 - UMW Sunday 16- Gordon Ronk 23 - Stephen Reinke Nursery 2- 11 am– Kathryn Jones & JoAnn Byrd 9- 11 am– Edith Dale & Kevin Reinke 16- 11 am - Muriel McNeilly & Kathryn Jones 23- 11 am– Rebecca Shuping & Carrie Dotson

Prayer Requests: Gary Whitener, Keith Ollis, Ruthie Riddick, Baby Tony Dean, Kathryn Duckworth, Sandra Durain, Shirley Nogales, Joan Borden, Mary Carswell, Terry Campbell, Stephen Dotson, Kim Clardy Home Bound: Millie Avery, Mildred Mull, Mary Wilson, Leota Garrison, James Carswell, Fred Duckworth,

Nursing Home Residents:

- College Pines – Avis Williams,

- The Brian Center of Spruce Pine – Helen McGee

- Hope Ridge Family Care – Doris Garrison

- The Berkeley – Jean Jarrell

Announcing an exciting partnership with our sister church St. Matthews UMC…

Make plans to join us 1st & 3rd Wednesdays for community

dinner for all ages. Everyone welcome!

Feb 5, March 4, April 1 @ St Matt. UMC Feb 19, March 18, April 15 @ Salem UMC

Dinner, 6pm (donations appreciated)

6:30-7:15pm - Breakout Groups (kids, youth, and adult)

Jesus loved to break bread around the table. Let’s build commu-nity and grow together!

SALEM UMC Co-Ed Rec Basketball 2020 Schedule (Games are Tues or Thurs at Collett St Rec (CS) or Mtn. View Rec (MV))

-Feb 4 vs. JC LDS, 8pm @ CS -Feb 6 vs. Zion Bapt, 6pm @ CS -Feb 11 vs. 1stApos, , 8pm @ MV -Feb 13 vs. Shining Lt, 8pm @ MV -Feb 18 vs. CoG 6pm @ MV -Feb 20 vs. JC LDS, 8pm @ MV -Feb 25 vs. Zion Bapt, 6pm @ CS

We love our fans! Come cheer us on to victory this winter!

This year’s roster includes: Josh Autrey, Justin Bartley, Johnnie McLaughlin, Niklas Mülbradt, Norm Jones, Stephen Reinke, Todd Shuping, Bailey Tallent, Cam Whitener, Marcus Whitener

Salem VFD Appreciation Dinner Feb 18, 6pm (FH)

Bring your best covered dishes and make plans to join us as we cele-

brate 25 folks who give their best in serving and caring for the Salem

community and beyond.

Thank you Salem VFD!

Letter from our Bishop

Following the 2019 special session of General Conference, conversations with various factions have continued within The United Methodist Church, all who agree that the current level of tension cannot and should not be sustained over an extended period of time. This morning, January 3, 2020, a statement was shared with the denomination reflecting a Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation which outlines a proposal representing these various perspectives and a negotiated means of moving forward. One aspect of this negotiated agreement is that the diverse petitions proposed to the 2020 General Conference would be withdrawn and request that this proposed Protocol be considered in their place. As with all proposed legislation, we do not know how General Conference will receive, modify, or amend it. The Council of Bishops will request the Judicial Council to offer a Declaratory Decision regarding this proposal. In light of the release of this agreement, I would offer the following recommendations:

Reflect rather than react. Be prayerful for the church. Remain objective. Since this is a negotiated proposal everyone is not entirely satisfied with the outcome, yet the denomination needs to look for the best solution to address its cur-rent impasse.

Read the full agreement and pay attention to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), which will answer many ques-tions raised by the proposal.

The agreement allows a means for those who wish to separate from The United Methodist Church to do so, provid-ing a timeline for separation, and assuring our clergy and congregations that our Pension Plan will continue to serve our churches and clergy.

There is an emphasis on “separation” which communicates mutual agreement, rather than “leaving.”

The United Methodist Church remains The United Methodist Church, although there were some who were calling for the full dissolution of the denomination.

There is an acknowledgement of financial support in the separation, which includes funds set aside for racial vio-lence and discrimination to address the issue of racism within the church.

Provisions would be made to allow congregations to separate and even consider whether an annual conference might separate from The United Methodist Church.

All churches desiring to remain United Methodists will not need to do anything different or to make any further deci-sions.

This Protocol tries to offer a respectable path forward that treats others with grace and respect. The primary question for me is how do we Glorify God and love others in our decisions? How can we be open to those who interpret and under-stand scripture differently as we worship God and serve neighbors while traveling along different paths of faithfulness? While I have not addressed each of the details proposed in the agreement, I have refrained from doing so knowing that this will be the work of our General Conference. Our WNC delegation to the General Conference has asked that all opin-ions and reactions be addressed to the delegation secretary, Rev. Amy Coles, acoles@wnccumc.org. There will be some who welcome this proposal. There will be others who are resistant to the proposal. It is always hurtful to me to separate in order to be The United Methodist Church. Let’s be in prayer, slow down, and give space for the Holy Spirit to guide the church. Again, this is a proposal. Now we trust the General Conference to do its work. I refuse to give up on the One who is reconciling all things to himself, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross (Col. 1:20). Bishop Paul L. Leeland WNC Conference

Summer Youth Mission (and adults) to Guatemala 2020

About the Trip: Samaritan Hands of the TN UMC is leading a team to Chichicastenango, Guatemala who will participate in VBS and orphanage construction projects. During our time, we will visit our Methodist orphanage and the construction team will work on pro-jects around the orphanage. The VBS team will work with children in Chichicaste-

nango and other villages. They will go into the schools and provide VBS. Each team member is expected to share about God’s love, the church, and why they are

joining this trip.

Dates & Cost: June 27—July 4 2020 - $1,550

Cost includes airfare, ground transport, and lodging for the trip along with most meals. Balance is due June 1.

There will be at least one day to visit the famous Chichicastenango mar-ket and visit the jade factory on the way to Guatemala City.

Eligibility:

Individuals willing to live in a simple rustic environment, willing to share God’s love in word and deed, committed to work together on construction and VBS plans. Passport required. No immunizations needed. Attend team planning meetings prior to departure.

*Contact Pastor Norm ASAP if interested*

One of the great things about Salem UMC over the years is a gifted music program. (Perhaps most recently you experienced a glimpse of that with the Choral Cantata in December). We have been richly blessed and Vir-ginia Robinson has played a big part in giving life to our worship and music in some capacity for over 30 years. Almost a year ago, Virginia shared with me she felt like retirement would come sooner rather than later. Over the Christmas holidays, she found some peace about this and decided the time was right for her to retire this spring. So, it's with some sadness, but a grateful heart for the wonderful

blessing she has been to me and our congregation, that I write to inform you our Director of Music will retire at the end of April 2020. Virginia plans to continue to "raise her voice" at SUMC, only now she says she will be "singing from the sidelines." Our SPRC team has already been in conversation with Virginia about this and has begun the process of searching for a new Director of Music. An updated job description and posting are being sent out this week and you will also be able to find it online on our website. Please feel free to reach out to an SPRC member if you have contacts or recommendations you might wish to share or any questions you may have about the search process. I also invite you to join with me these next few months in celebrating Virginia and lifting in prayer this search process. May the One who puts music in our hearts guide us all into the New Year, Pastor Norm

SPRING CONFIRMATION SESSIONS If you’re in grades 5-9th this is a significant time in your life for spiritual formation. Pastor Norm will be offering a series of gatherings this spring just for you to help you affirm your faith and discover more about what it means to follow Jesus. Please alert Pastor Norm if you would like to participate! (828)-980-4139

In order to make a commitment, you will have to make a commitment. I’m asking for your help in the process by making every effort possible for your child to attend each session and the weekend retreat at Lake Junaluska. Below are the anticipated dates:

Wednesdays (6:30pm) Feb 26 (Ash Wed),

Mar 11, 25 Apr 8, 22, 29

February 2020 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

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10:30am Bible Study (Yth Rm) 7 pm Choir

9:30 Sunday School 10:30 am Worship

10 am Prayer Shawl (Ed Bldg)

10 am Prayer Shawl (Ed Bldg)

10 am Prayer Shawl (Ed Bldg)

9:30 Sunday School 10:30 am Worship

10:30am Bible Study (Yth Rm) 6 pm Dinner Church (SUMC) 7 pm Choir

9:30 Sunday School 10:30 am Worship UMW SUNDAY !

4pm Church Council (parlor)

6pm Bball @ CS

8pm Bball @ MV

7 pm UMW mtg (FH) 6pm Bball @ CS

12:30pm Staff Mtg 8pm Bball @ MV

9:30 Sunday School 10:30 am Worship

11 am Lois Velna (FH) 6pm Salem VFD meal (FH) Girl Scouts (FH) 6pm Bball @ MV

10 am Prayer Shawl (Ed Bldg)

3:30pm BUCM meal 6pm Girl Scouts (FH) 8pm Bball @ CS

10:30am Bible Study (Yth Rm) 6:30pm ASH Wednesday /Confirm 7pm Choir

10:30am Bible Study (Yth Rm) 1:30 pm Visit Shut ins 6 pm Dinner Church (St. Matt UMC) 7 pm Choir

11am Christ Bread (FH) 1pm Info deadline for Newsletter 6pm Bball @ CS

10-3pm Card Class (FH) 8pm Bball @ MV

FH reserved PHS