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The Benediction of Snow: Notes in Transition
Dear friends,
As our lives have been turned upside down or at least slowed considerably by the snow, I hope you have been able to find some rest and refreshment amid the inconvenience too. I regret that many church plans and celebrations have had to be canceled or rescheduled, and many pastors regretted they didn't get to deliver sermons, some wondering if they needed to finish those that still needed work. All those songs about "winter wonderlands" and "the bleak mid-winter" have taken on more meaning than usual in our part of the country.
As a child, I loved the snow (I loved missing school). I remember my father did not like it, but then he had to work regardless of the weather - this was before the cloud and Zoom (he was a doctor, still making house calls, no matter what). I still love the snow - maybe because it awakens a child-like joy. I realize being able to take such joy in it comes out of privilege because we know there are too many for whom snow means suffering, and winter brings danger.
The snow slows preparation for Christmas and forces us to count the remaining days and weeks of Advent more deliberately. We who are God's people are called to keep on preparing the way of the Lord, to keep on remembering neighbors in need, and, yes, to proclaim the coming of One who is bringing down the powerful and lifting up the lowly - "The world is about to turn."
Grace and peace!
Stephen W. Scott
Transitional General Presbyter
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| Dream Team November 2018 Presentation |
Listening Sessions Continue
Salem Friends,
I hope all of you are warm and well following Winter Storm Diego. We all know that when Jim Cantore shows up from The Weather Channel, that we are going to get something big! Here in Boone, we have had over 20 inches of snowfall, which prompts me to let you know that we have had to make a change in our listening session schedule. Given the inclement weather and that conditions up here are not favorable for travel, our Dream Team listening session that was scheduled for Wednesday, December 12 at First Boone, has been rescheduled to Tuesday, December 18 at 1:30pm.
Thus far we have had two listening sessions, one at First Salisbury and another at Fieldstone Presbyterian. We are grateful for the hospitality of our host churches and for those of you who have come to share and ask questions regarding the Dream Team's proposal. However, we've only had 10 folks from our presbytery show up between the first two gatherings. We realize that many of us are busy with Advent and the Christmas holiday coming up, but we implore you to come and share your feedback with us. We've provided six opportunities so that you can schedule a time that works best for you. For us to carefully discern any changes that need to be made to our current proposal, we need
constructive feedback that will help guide us. So please make it a priority to come to one of the remaining gatherings so that together we can work towards a positive plan of action that will foster ministry for years to come in Salem! Look at the schedule below and find a time to meet with our Dream Team. Be reminded that our last gathering at Sedgefield Presbyterian is an evening
meeting for those of you who are unable to meet during the day. Blessings to you all!
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Tuesday, December 18, 1:30 p.m. - First Church, Boone
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Tuesday, December 18, 1:30 p.m. - Clemmons Presbyterian
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Thursday, January 10, 1:00 p.m. - First Church, Burlington
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Tuesday, January 15, 5:30pm. - Sedgefield Presbyterian, Greensboro
Grace and Peace,
Jeff Smith (Teaching Elder, First Boone)
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Presbytery Meeting Photo Gallery
A Gallery of Photos from the recent meeting of Salem Presbytery at Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church is now online at the link below.
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Statistical Season Has Begun
Clerks of Session should note that OGA's Statistics portal is now open for the recording of 2018 statistics. Further information will be sent to Clerks of Session later this week.
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Proposed Constitutional Amendments - For Study And Action
The 223rd General Assembly (2018) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has placed before the presbyteries of the church a number of proposed amendments to our constitution (Book of Order). The proposed amendments will be placed for action before Salem Presbytery at the February 2019 Presbytery meeting. Please begin to review these proposed amendments now. They may be found at the links below.
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403(B) Retirements Savings Plan Participants
The BOP offers a fossil free option to members who participate in the 403(B) retirement saving plan. See the attached letter from the directors of PMA, BOP, and Presbyterian Foundation.
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Online Training
The Presbytery of Hudson River has posted online videos and PowerPoints for Clerks of Sessions and other church officers. If you need assistance with any of these resources, please let Dianna Wright know. See links below for further information.
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The Book of Common Worship, Flash Drive Edition
The Book of Common Worship, Flash Drive Edition (Single-User License)* is now available! $50.
This helpful resource contains electronic files from the Book of Common Worship to make worship planning and bulletin preparation easier and more effective. The flash drive contains a PDF file with extensive links to chapters, sections, and individual services that allow for easier reading, searching, and browsing. This edition also contains Microsoft Word files for each of the services and commentaries found in the Book of Common Worship. Services are arranged in separate files for the ease of bulletin creation and copying and pasting.
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Mission Leaders In Salem Presbytery
Salem Presbytery is compiling a list of "Mission Leaders" in each of our congregations. We seek contact information for mission committee chairs, mission coordinators (staff or volunteer), or those excited about the mission of the church. Click the link below to add your info.
Add Your Information Here
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Become a Peace and Justice Church!
Become and Peace and Justice church! Let your Salem Presbytery Peace and Justice Task Force help, inspire, equip, and send you on a journey. Contact Frank Dew at the link below.
Email Frank Dew
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Special Events?
Check out our events page for three great events coming your way in 2019. Are you hosting a special event (concert, speaker, training, etc.) at a time
OTHER than Sunday morning worship
? Submit your event
below
to be included on our
SPECIAL EVENTS
Calendar.
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Support Salem Presbytery
- LEARN about the various ministries of Salem Presbytery your pledge supports,
- READ current per capita information,
- DISCOVER how to make a pledge and GIVE online.
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Meeting Calendar Available
Don't forget to use our Calendar of Meetings for planning your 2018 monthly agenda.
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Ecumenical / Interfaith Liaison
An Ecumenical / Interfaith Liaison is needed to help our presbytery live into our common mission in the world with our brothers and sisters. Contact Dianna if interested.
Email Dianna Wright |
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Pathways to Learning & Leadership for CREs
Learn about Pathways to Learning & Leadership for CREs
through Union Presbyterian Seminary, by clicking on the link below.
Pathways to Learning & Leadership |
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Hunger Action
Become a Hunger Action Congregation! Check the links below for more info.
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Church Anniversaries
If your congregation is celebrating a significant anniversary (25, 50, 75, 100, etc.), please let the presbytery office know.
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| North Carolina School of the Arts Campus Ministry |
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December Prayers for:
SEND Mission Committee
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PCUSA News and Announcements
Click below for the latest news and announcements from the PCUSA.
PCUSA News
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Salem Presbytery | PO Box 1753, 3950 Clemmons Rd., Clemmons NC 27012
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