VOLUME V NUMBER 34
August 21, 2019
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Presbytery Pledge
It's Time to Step Up: Notes in Transition

We call on all the congregations of Salem Presbytery to respond now that members of presbytery and commissioners representing our congregations have adopted the plan presented last February. Your commitments and your gifts will make possible the fullest realization of what has been envisioned. In a changed landscape for mainline churches we look toward making strides in transformational ministries and leading congregations in new parishes to join together in mission and ministry. In answer to the question what our congregations get out of presbytery, I say we get the opportunity to join in witness, to support one another, and for our larger congregations, blessed with greater resources, annual gifts, endowments, to partner with the smaller. Ask not what your presbytery can do for you; ask what we together can do in ongoing witness to Jesus Christ.

I call on sisters and brothers in ministry, fellow members of this presbytery, to lead the way. Be advocates for this ministry we share. Among the express duties of an interim pastor is to strengthen ties between the congregation and the presbytery and denomination. How much more should this be true for installed pastors. It's among the duties you have already agreed to when you took ordination vows and became members of presbytery. Remember how the vow goes?

Will you be active in government and discipline, serving in the councils of the church; and in your ministry will you try to show the love and justice of Jesus Christ?

In my present transitional position I have learned what it is to be part of a national network of presbytery leaders, who get to know one another, who rely on one another, who continually turn to one another, seeking and giving references. Sometimes I get calls about our presbytery members (about some of you) and about our candidates. It would be nice to be able to say more than simply that there are now no charges pending against this member.

Meanwhile, I know each of you faces challenges, each in your own situation. Fifty-five years after the passage of the Civil Rights Act, some in our communities are expressing racism openly and venting it in a way we never thought to see or hear again. We bear witness that there is a better way. It's a time when false teachers are trying to deceive the elect and lead them to accept other gospels that are no gospel. You face challenges in your congregations from members who never want to hear their pastor say anything they might disagree with. You are called to proclaim the love of God and God's justice too. You also have the privilege of working alongside people who embody the compassion of Jesus Christ better than we do.

Pray for one another, and look for opportunities to be of support to one another. I will pray for you too, and I solicit your prayers for me and for Salem Presbytery.

(The above is an excerpt from the report I presented at our presbytery meeting on Saturday.)

Grace and peace,

Steve Scott
Transitional General Presbyter
Implementation Team Update

Update from Your Implementation Team

The Salem Presbytery Implementation Team continues to work hard to carry out the vision you adopted in February.  We have formed two search committees to begin to live into the new structure of mission and ministry.  

Administrative Presbyter Search Committee:
Co-moderators Randy Harris and Penny Hedrick 
LaQreshia Bates-Harley
Donna Chase
Brian Rummage
 
Search Committee for Leadership Development and Transitional Ministry Presbyters:
Co-Moderators Neil Dunnavant and Marti Hazelrigg
Amanda C Anderson 
Graham Dail 
Margaret Elliott 
Kaye Ziglar 

The committee searching for the Administrative Presbyter has completed taking the job description you approved in the Dream Team plan and adapting it to the Church Leadership Connection.  Our Ministry Information Form has been completed, approved, and will be online this week.  We have already begun to receive indications of interest in this position.  The committee will be receiving applications through October 20.  That doesn't mean we will wait until then to begin contacting and interviewing; nor does it mean that if the right person has not been brought to us by Oct. 20 that we will limit ourselves to the expressions of interest we have received at that point.  Our goal is to bring a candidate to you for your approval at the February 2020 presbytery meeting.

Once we have a good sense that we have found the person God is calling to that position, the search committee for the presbyters of Transformational Ministry and Leadership Development will move into high gear so that the Administrative Presbyter can be part of filling the positions with whom she or he will work. 

We are grateful to Warren Lesane, Stated Clerk and Executive of the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic and Wilson Gunn, former General Presbyter of National Capital Presbytery for their on-going advice and counsel.
 
Property:
 
On Monday, August 12, the Village of Clemmons Council unanimously approved a rezoning of the Salem Offices from  LO-S (office, misc.)  to  LO-S (office, misc; medical, surgical office; professional office), conditioned upon the medical/surgical office use being limited to no more than 50% of the building square footage (2,460 sf of the total 4,920 sf) in order to limit traffic generation and stay within the UDO parking requirements using the 21 existing parking lot spaces.

The change in zoning will allow Salem to lease the Office for virtually any professional office, which is the highest and best use of the facility according to the real estate brokers we have contacted.  Thanks to Moderator Felicia Hoyle, General Presbyter Steve Scott, and Implementation Team member David Parker for their presentations to the Planning Board and to the Council.

The Office will be listed for Lease, although a Lease with Option to Purchase or Purchase will certainly be considered.  Anyone with an interest in leasing or knowing a non-profit or for-profit interested in leasing should contact Ken Broman-Fulks at ken@firstpreshp.org, or the presbytery office.

We continue to be grateful for the ministry of Bryan McFarland, Dianna Wright and Alfredo Miranda.  Bryan and Dianna have completed their work with the presbytery.  Bryan is moving into new areas of transitional ministry.  Dianna has taken an interim position with the PC(USA) in Louisville.  Alfredo is completing his work at the end of this month and will be moving to Louisville to be with Rosa, his wife, who is serving our denomination there.

We are deeply grateful for Steve Scott, Laurie Scott, Renee Carter, Peggy Trenchard, John Johnson, and David Vaughan for their continuing dedication to the ministry of Salem presbytery during this difficult transition period.

Finally, it is becoming increasingly clear that the greatest obstacle to completing the implementation process of our new vision for mission and ministry is the financial status of the presbytery.  I ask you, whether a ruling or teaching elder, to bring this matter to your congregation as we move into the budgeting process for 2020.  These are not easy times for congregational budgets.  But the primary question is of priorities.  We are moving into a model that is outwardly focused, and that is exciting.  I ask you, and challenge you, to make your presbytery a greater priority as you decide where your congregation's giving will go next year.  

Thank you for your continuing prayers, encouragement and support.

Ken Broman-Fulks
Implementation Team Moderator
Congratulations to Andrew Taylor-Troutman . . .

pastor of Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church, whose book Gently Between the Words: Essays and Poems has been published. He guides readers through seemingly simple stories of death, life, parenting struggles, successes and failures that speak to larger questions we all face: How do we best spend our time? How can we raise our kids to be kind and confident? Who gives us guidance and wisdom? What does love look like in our lives on a day-to-day basis?

In simple and important gestures like cleaning spilled milk with toilet paper, flipping the perfect pancake with your partner, and walking down the beach with your young child, readers find universal truths to guide their own lives regardless of personal circumstances.

Find Andrew's book here
Congratulations to Vicki McCain . . .

who is being ordained and installed as pastor of The Presbyterian Church of the Cross, in Greensboro, Sunday, August 25th at 3:00 pm.
Interested in New Ideas for Stewardship

Take advantage of some of the best of denominational resources at Stewardship Kaleidoscope. The theme is "The Pulse of Generosity: Vital Signs of a Healthy Steward." The keynote, by the Rev. Dr. Eric H. F. Law, will ask, "How Can You Vitalize Your Ministry Through Holy Currencies?" Our own Diane Moffett, president and director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, will be worship leader. 

Dates: September 30 - October 2. Place: Catamaran Resort, San Diego.

Conference Flyer and Info
Open to New Ideas for Your Congregation?

Does your church sometimes feel stale? Are you looking for a little energy?
 
Salem's Church Growth and Transformation Committee has several solutions for what ails you!
 
1)      CG&T has prepared resources for "Elders on the Loose," a structured way for churches to look at themselves with fresh eyes by visiting other churches to find and bring back new ideas. Equipped with an easy-to-use worksheet, each church's Session is invited to give their elders a week off from worship to visit other area churches and view them from a newcomer's perspective. This can help inform how welcoming we really are. More information and forms will be available on the Presbytery website following Saturday's Presbytery meeting.

2)      Churches are also invited to participate in "Gospel on the Go," a presbytery-wide pulpit swap" on Sunday, September 29. Participating pastors are encouraged to offer messages of hope, vision, and transformation to their sister church for the day. Churches can be paired either by taking the initiative directly or by being paired through CG&T. Please contact Lee Zehmer to sign your church up or for more information.
Attention Clerks of Session

Good news and more good news! Presbyterian Mission Agency's Research Services group is abandoning the "Clerk's Annual Questionnaire" (CAQ)! You'll remember that the CAQ was the fall survey that asked questions like "what kind of Sunday school curriculum are you using" and "does your church have a committee that focuses some or all of its attention on world or international mission?" 

Instead of the CAQ, Research Services may periodically design a short survey on a targeted topic of interest and deliver that to you - in random fashion (not everyone will be asked to participate in every survey). In that vein, you might receive, directly from Research Services, a link to complete a short and easy-to-complete survey on the General Assembly and the Office of the General Assembly. Please make every effort to complete this survey. 

If you have any questions, please contact David Vaughan through the link below.To clarify: the Annual Statistical Report and the Salem forms (information and necrology) will still be required! Thank you for your important work!

Salem Online Resources

Have you acquainted yourself with our online directory? Please take advantage of this handy resource, to which you have access through the Salem Presbytery website. As our staff grows smaller, and as fewer are available to answer the phone, you will find this directory easier to use (password = clemmons3950) than calling the presbytery to get phone numbers and email addresses of committee members or others you want to be in touch with.

Healthy Boundaries Training

Learn about Healthy Boundaries events and click the link below for a listing of 2019 events with complete Registration links.

Nominations for 2020 General Assembly Commissioners

Salem's Committee on Representation is now receiving nominations for Commissioners to the 224th General Assembly, to take place June 20-27, 2020 in Baltimore. We anticipate sending four Minister commissioners and four Ruling Elder commissioners - and hope to identify a Young Adult Advisory Delegate as well. Nominating forms are on the Presbytery website through the link below. Forms must be submitted by October 1, 2019; early submissions are welcomed!

Click HERE for the 
2019 Prayer Calendar
August Prayers for:

Permanent Judicial Commission
Personnel Committee
Jamestown
Shady Side - Lexington
Honorably Retired Ministers of Salem Presbytery
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.

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
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
2019 Prayer Calendar

Click the link below for the 2019 Prayer Calendar for Congregations and Ministries of Salem Presbytery.

Other Special Events

45th National Black Presbyterian Caucus Convention and Mid-Atlantic APCE Retreat are among the things you don't want to miss. Deadline to register is coming soon 

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.

Meeting Calendar Available

Don't forget to use our Calendar of Meetings for planning your 2019 monthly agenda. 

Hunger Action

Become a Hunger Action Congregation! Check the links below for more info.
Church Anniversaries

If your congregation is celebrating a significant anniversary (25, 50, 75, 100, etc.), please let the presbytery office know.
Board of Pensions

Click below for Board Bulletin - Summer 2019

Board Bulletin
Board of Pensions Call to Health

Click the link below to join the Board of Pensions Call to Health.

Board of Pensions Call to Health
PCUSA News and Announcements

Click below for the latest news and announcements from the PCUSA.

PCUSA News
Salem Presbytery | PO Box 1753, 3950 Clemmons Rd., Clemmons NC 27012
336.766.3393 | Email | Website
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