Salem Matters News of What Matters This Week
in Salem Presbytery
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September 22, 2021 | Volume VII Number 38 |
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Prospect Presbyterian - Mooresville |
Faith Presbyterian - Greensboro |
John Calvin Presbyterian - Salisbury |
Erich Thompson, Woodworker - Greensboro |
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Audio Tips for Hybrid Worship
The worship experience is still centered around audio, much more than the visual. After all, would you rather listen to a worship service that you could not see, or watch a service that you could not hear? As more churches provide hybrid worship, offering both online and in-person experiences, it is easy to overlook the importance of good audio both in the building and online.
For a few basic tips and terminology, click HERE for some great information.
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One of the most exciting things I have been asked to do recently was to serve on the task force for possibilities of renaming of Association of Presbyterian Church Educators or otherwise known as APCE so that it carries a more ecumenical thought into the future of a rich organization. One thing we decided right off was that we did not want to get rid of the initials APCE as it has so much branding that we have used in the past for so many things. We began brainstorming other names that could carry the same initials. That was fun. Then I was asked to write an article for Salem Presbytery Salem Matters that would help others to learn and see the significance of the work of this wonderful organization. I decided to make my own version of APCE using the letters to talk about things that stand out to me for the organization.
A would have to stand for awesome advocates as we have gained so much from this group about learning about the broad nature of faith formation and those who minister in this area in congregations. Remember to offer thanks for the support of all these wonderful leaders daily and for what they have contributed to your faith development.
P would stand for powerful partnerships in educational ministry. I have truly been blessed to be involved in many partnerships during my career and have been blessed by the richness of the sharing among ecumenical partners that engage in faith formation and curriculum development.
C would stand for creative community. All members are truly a part of a rich and creative community that stands up for each other and supports each other as we share our gifts in being creative. It is for pastors, educators, volunteers all together in community.
E would stand for energetic endeavors that are a part of APCE. The annual event comes to mind as the premier continuing education event in the area of faith formation. Last year was a great example as we held our first annual event virtually via Zoom and shared many gifts among a group of people that far exceeded what we could have reached in physical attendance during a pandemic year.
I am truly grateful for the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators and all that they stand for as we empower, sustain, enrich, and connect many people who have served or serve now in educational ministries, as ministers, professional educators, volunteer educators, and students. The purpose of the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators, Inc. is to advance educational ministries in the Church and increase the ongoing witness of our faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. All are welcome and if you are not familiar with the organization, go to apcenet.org and scan the website. We would love to engage more pastors who are interested in learning about the cutting edge advances of faith formation. Many Salem Presbytery individuals have played key roles in the leadership of this organization since the beginning.
The annual event in 2022 has a theme of Circle of Faith: 50 years + one and beyond –
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1
Be sure to try to include the dates of February 9-12, 2022 on your calendars and come to Chicago and celebrate and learn with many of us.
If you have any questions about this organization or what it stands for, please ask me but allow plenty of time because it is one of my passions to talk about APCE.
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2022 PCUSA Youth Triennium July 24-27 in Indianapolis, IN!
Salem Presbytery is now accepting applications for our delegation to this wonderful gathering of high school students, youth leaders, and young adults from all over the PCUSA. The theme for this coming year will focus around Matthew 25 and is titled “When did we see you? Triennium is open to students ranging from rising freshmen through graduated seniors in the class of 2022, adult volunteers, and also college age young adults. Below you will find links to our online application and the Triennium homepage. The cost of the trip is $515/student and $535/adult. This cost is covered in equal parts by the participant, their church, and the Presbytery. Applications are due by November 1st for all participants. Please contact Rev. Taylor Barner via email (tbarner@fpcburlington.org) or via phone (412-613-0835) with any questions!
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Want to Learn More About Retirement Savings Tools? Ask Fidelity!
Participants in the Retirement Savings Plan of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are invited to a 30-minute, interactive, virtual presentation filled with tips and a quick tour of NetBenefits, your online retirement resource from Fidelity Investments (Retirement Savings Plan recordkeeper).
Get to Know NetBenefits, hosted by Dan McCarthy, Fidelity Retirement Planner, is a free webinar designed to help you manage your NetBenefits account, review investment options and performance, access educational resources, and use calculators and other modeling tools as you plan for your financial goals with confidence. Following the presentation, Dan will answer your general questions. Participants can also schedule a complimentary, one-on-one consultation with Dan.
From creating an emergency savings fund and managing expenses, to improving your investing know-how and growing your savings, NetBenefits has the resources you need to take the next step on your financial wellness journey.
Tuesday, October 5, 2021
Noon ET
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Select Attend a learning event.
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On the next page, enter The Board of Pensions of the PC(USA) as the employer, choose Virtual as the event type, and use the calendar icon to select October 5 as your event date.
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Click the green Register button, provide the requested information, and click the blue Schedule Event button to complete your registration.
Not in the Retirement Savings Plan?
If you do not currently participate in the Retirement Savings Plan, talk with your employer today about enrolling. All employees who work for a PC(USA) church or affiliated employer can participate if their employer offers the plan to them. If your employer does not offer the RSP, ask them to contact the Board of Pensions at 800-773-7752 (800-PRESPLAN).
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Church Lease and Covenant Issues
PC(USA) General Counsel Mike Kirk has prepared advice on best practices when a church is considering allowing an outside group to use its building. This information should be shared with your Sessions and other interested parties.
You may find the document HERE.
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Healthy Boundaries Coming
Healthy Boundaries Seminar via Zoom
Foundational Course: “Life Together in the Image of God”
Led by Dr. Jill Crainshaw of Wake Forest School of Divinity
Monday, October 11th
9:30 am – 12:00 noon
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Union Presbyterian Seminary Webinar - Death and End of Life Issues
UPSem's Leadership Institute is partnering with the Interpretation Journal in order to produce this upcoming event.
Webinar Description:
Death and end of life of issues affect all of us, and yet we are often reluctant to address them honestly, even in churches. Rather than facing our mortality, we often talk about ways to prolong our days, surgeries that will restore youthful appearances, and how quickly we can “move on” from the loss of a loved one.
This webinar will address this topic openly by bringing together five experts known for their pastoral and theological insights. This webinar stems from the most recent themed issue of Union’s flagship journal, Interpretation. This journal is read by pastors, rabbis, academics, students, and interested laypersons all over the world. We will cover such matters as responding to a loved one with dementia, conducting a funeral, the content of Scripture on death, pastoral care with those who are dying and their families, and how to deal with the decline of a beloved family member. There will be time for audience interchange with our excellent panel.
The event is FREE, yet attendees must register. A webinar recording will be available for those that register as well.
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Elkin Presbyterian Sponsoring David Lamotte Workshop & Concert
JOIN US FOR THE DAVID LAMOTTE CONCERT AT THE REEVES THEATER OCTOBER 8, 2021, 7 – 9 PM
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DAVID LAMOTTE WORKSHOP AT THE ELKIN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OCTOBER 9, 2021, 9 AM-2 PM
The Elkin Presbyterian Church is sponsoring the David LaMotte October 8th concert and the October 9th workshop. A special thanks to the Reeves Theater for assisting with the Friday night concert.
David LaMotte is a peace activist, award-winning songwriter, speaker, and author who lives in Black Mountain, NC.
David highlights his concerts & workshops with messages about how to: promote large scale positive change in communities; approach conflict resolution; and live our lives on purpose. Using a story-based style, LaMotte looks at questions of daily work, helping us to discover both our potential to have an impact and how we can get started. He is challenging, encouraging, inspiring, and motivational. Anyone who wants to move toward meaningful action in their lives will find something of value in David’s work.
Questions: Contact Sherry Burman 404-550-9461 sberman12661@gmail.com or Robin Chandler 336-902-2572 rchandler715@gmail.com. The October David LaMotte event in Elkin is sponsored by the Elkin Presbyterian Church. A special thanks to the Reeves Theater for their support.
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Servant Leadership in the 21st Century
A 7-week Zoom Course
Facilitated by Rev. Frank Dew and Marilyn Wolf
"The emergence of servanthood as a way of leading represents a new hold on the old truth that greatness lies in serving."
Bennett J. Sims, Servanthood: Leadership for the Third Millennium
Servant Leadership is a paradox. It even seems like a contradiction in terms. "How does one lead through serving?" you might ask.
In this 7-week course, you will discover the answer to that question by exploring:
What it means to be "called"
The essential role that prayer plays
Why being in community is vital
What "being with the poor" means in our modern world
How we "engage the powers" of the Divine
This is an invitation for you to join a small community to learn what Servant Leadership might mean for you. Instruction, group discussion, and small group partnerships will be used to help us discern what Servant Leadership means in our lives as modeled by Jesus and other great servant leaders in the world.
REGISTRATION DETAILS
DATES: 7 Consecutive Thursdays, Sept. 16 - Oct. 28
TIME: 6:30 - 8:00 pm, EST
PLACE: Zoom
COST: $60 - $120 for all 7 sessions. Pay what you can in this range. To ask about financial assistance, please email The School at TheSchool.SCL@gmail.com
BOOK NEEDED: Improving Our Acoustics for Hearing the Gospel by Rev. Frank Dew with Jane Murden
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Presbyterian Foundation Program on Managing and Stewarding Church Property
The Presbyterian Foundation is pleased to offer a second Day of Learning with presentations focused on the stewardship of church property. There will be time for questions and answers and an opportunity to see colleagues from across the country.
Join us October 12 for this FREE learning opportunity.
Schedule
11:30 am EST/8:30 am PST - Maggie Harmon will discuss the importance of defining Mission, Vision and Values in Managing Real-Property Assets.
2:00 pm EST/11:00 am PST - Olanda Carr and Robert Hay will give a presentation on Considerations in Property Use, Re-Purposing, and Partnering.
5:30 pm EST/2:30 pm PST - Paul Grier will provide an Overview of Understanding Finances Related to Property.
For more information or to register, click HERE.
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The Persistent Pandemic
How we wish we didn't need this!
Some other Insurance Board pandemic resources can be found HERE.
The Wisconsin Council of Churches has been a trusted source of advice throughout the pandemic. Their latest resources can be found HERE. |
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Commissioner Nominations for the 225th General Assembly in 2022
The 225th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) will convene on June 17, 2022 in Louisville, Kentucky, and online. Each presbytery in the denomination will send commissioners to the assembly, include Young Adult Advisory Delegates, Ruling Elder Commissioners, and Teaching Elder Commissioners. Please see the attached documents for information and for nominations. Contact the Stated Clerk if you have any questions.
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Afghan Refugees Coming to Greensboro
Over the next few months, we anticipate resettling potentially hundreds of Afghan refugees who will undoubtedly need continued support from our community. Together, we can help these families find safety and home once again. These are the ways you can take action:
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Contact your Members of Congress - click here to email your members of Congress and tell them to urge the administration to evacuate vulnerable Afghans for as long as it takes, create safe pathways out of Afghanistan toward protection, and evacuate at-risk Afghans—including women and girls, religious and minority groups, people with disabilities, and others.
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Sponsor a family arriving to our community. If you are interested in sponsoring a family for 4-6 months, please contact Volunteer Coordinator, Anne Louise Pass at apass@cwsglobal.org.
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Are you a landlord who has rental units that you are willing to rent to newly arriving Afghan families? If you would be willing to rent to a newly arrived refugee family, please contact our Case Management Coordinator, Fa Ri Dar Bi at Fbi@cwsglobal.org
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Make a monetary donation – give here in support of Afghan refugees and other refugees arriving to our community. Donations will help us respond to emergency situations by filling financial gaps for refugee newcomers and supporting life-saving services to new arrivals.
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Mid-Atlantic Black Caucus to Meet
The Mid Atlantic Black Caucus will hold its annual meeting virtually October 9, 2021, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Please clear your calendar for this time to be with us. There are many items we need to cover. To attend this meeting, you must register to receive an invitation by way of Zoom. This is our first announcement, another email will give you instructions how to register. For those without internet access, why not plan a gathering of church members to attend together. If you have questions, contact John Etheredge email, (snuffy977@aol.com) or leave a message at 202-977-6479.
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Advent Practices During Covid-Times |
Follow the link below for an APCE article highlighting ideas during the season of Covid!
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The Presbytery mailing address remains the same at P.O. Box 1763, Clemmons, NC 27012, and the Presbytery phone number remains 336-766-3393. We no longer have an available fax number. |
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September Prayers for: Presbyterian Women and Presbyterian Youth Leadership Team |
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Please Hold the Following in Your Prayers |
- The family of Rev. Bill Leist
- Bill Browder, recovering from a broken hip
- Carrie Tuttle and family, dealing with health issues with son Heath
- Wes Pitts' church secretary's son, Scott Martin
We will list these prayer requests for two weeks unless we are notified that they are to be continued. You may submit prayer requests through the link below.
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Are you hosting a special event *(concert, speaker, training, etc.) at a time OTHER than on Sunday morning worship? Submit your event through the link below to be included on our SPECIAL EVENTS Calendar.
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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.
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Become a Matthew 25 Church |
Become and Matthew 25 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.
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Become a Hunger Action Congregation! Check the links below for more info.
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PCUSA Job Opportunities - Updated 08.31.21 |
Click below for Job Opportunities listed in Church Leadership Connection
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Click below for Board Bulletin - Summer 2021
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Board of Pensions Call to Health |
Click the link below to join the Board of Pensions Call to Health.
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PCUSA News and Announcements |
Click below for the latest news and announcements from the PCUSA.
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