AUGUST 2017

Monthly Newsletter of Salem UMC, Morganton, NC

Salem Scoop NOTES FROM NORM

“All of God’s promises have their yes in him. That is why we say Amen through him to the glory of God.” (2 Cor. 1:20)

The weather has been amazing this week so thank you to those of you who were praying for VBS. It’s been a nice reminder that fall is just around the corner and school is almost in session. For several years, SUMC has had a vi-brant partnership with our school, Salem Elementary. Salem does beautiful work when it comes to caring for children and supporting our schools. Just last year, I was overwhelmed to see our UMW pay off student school lunch debt for Salem Elementary, Liberty, and Patton HS combined! What an amazingly self-less gift that few will ever know! And the weekly devotion of our Reading Buddies is absolutely precious. I’m not sure who enjoys it more - the kids or their buddies?

The opportunities for us to be “love in action” through our schools and communities continue to grow. This month, we’re highlighting several ways you can join in being Christ for students and staff. When it comes to ministry with schools and children, I’m a firm believer that if God opens a door you walk through. I hope you’ll join me in say-ing “Amen” to God’s “yes” as we share the extravagant love of God in any way possible. Lord, bless those at all levels of in the ministry of teaching future generations. As they embark on a new school year, grant them energy, passion, discipline, and endurance for their daily tasks. Infuse their classrooms with an atmosphere of care and mutual respect, that all interactions there will be bathed in patience and understanding. Help their lessons to grow pupils in both knowledge and character, and help us all to support the work these persons do building up our community and our future. Help us also to look upon every child in our community as one of our own, helping them to grow in wisdom and character. In the name of the great teacher who called us all his children, Jesus the Christ, Amen.

Upcoming/Ongoing Ministries w/ Students & Schools: (& how to get involved- servant hearts welcomed)

Summer Camp @ Camp McCall – (SUMC is sponsoring 10 students from SES selected to attend) Aug 6-11 Contact: Norm Jones 828-980-4139

Grant’s Fund – (Salem Elementary annual special offering for to provide for student needs) Aug 6-27 Contact: Rita Bowman 828-433-6567

Faith & Football – (Pre-season Dinner & Dialogue with Patton Coach Tom Eanes) – Aug 14 6pm Contact: Amy Causby 828-443-5134 (proceeds benefit PHS Athletics)

Salem Elementary Staff Appreciation Meal – Aug 22 12:30pm Contact: Amy Causby 828-443-5134

Salem ES Open House – Hot Dog Meal Giveaway – Aug 24, 4-6pm Contact: Eric Carswell 828-430-0274

Back 2 School Biscuit & Coffee Giveaway – Aug 28 7-8:30am Contact: Norm Jones 828-980-4139

Reading Buddies – (Volunteer approx. 1 hour weekly to read and listen to kids @ SES) Sept-May Contact: Barbara Schneider 828-438-4074

Varsity Football Meal – Oct 7, 4:30pm Contact: Norm Jones 828-980-4139

Backpack Ministry – (Pack and deliver backpacks of food for students for the wknd) Sept-May + summer Contact: Margaret Carswell 828-437-6185

Prayer Partners - (Pray over a list of SES staff for each day OR be assigned a kid from SUMC to pray for) Contact: Dian Goodnight (staff) 828-437-9521 Kathryn Jones (kids) 919-260-9852

Enola Trail Workday – (Community project for a greenway to connect Mull & Patton schools) Aug 3 and 26, 8 - 11 am Contact: Jodi Brown 828-413-1919

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

UMW Missions Yard Sale

Saturday, August 12

7 –11 am

Breakfast for $7 plate

Bring your items to con-tribute to the sale by

Aug 10 Proceeds go for UMW

mission projects

ENOLA TRAIL GREENWAY PARTNERSHIP

Salem UMC exists because God calls us to love in action. We create space for all people to explore faith in radi-cal life transforming ways, embody Christ through a risk-taking witness of generosity and grace, and embrace others through passionate mission and service. When our local schools needed help to creatively enhance class-room instruction they came to us for leadership and support.

We believe the Enola Trail project is a remarkable community investment to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors and children. It is a large-scale way to create space and embrace our community. We are thrilled to partner with Patton High School to enable this project to be a success. Together, we hope not only to provide volunteer support, but also financial partnership through a community engagement grant to potentially fund the cost of 1 bridge. This trail has the potential to appeal across de-mographics by providing alternative modes of transportation to walk or bike to school, con-necting school campuses for education and outdoor classrooms, and promoting health, wholeness, and exercise.

If you can bring people together, deep-en the understanding of our stewardship of creation, and promote physical health and wholeness, we believe you have a truly worth-while project worthy of communal support and funding. Our grant application has been sub-mitted so we await to hear the result. In the meantime, we hope you’ll take advantage of community workdays when announced to help work on trail development and clearing. For more on the trail, see the article in the July 10 News & Herald at www.morganton.com (keyword search: enola trail). Workdays Aug 3 & 26, 8-11 am; (bring gloves and garden rakes)

“Rap w/ the Rev.”

During August your invited to “Rap with the Rev.” in the Fel-lowship Hall after 11am worship on the 2nd Sunday (Aug. 13). A lite lunch will be offered. This is a great opportunity to share, ask questions, explore more about the witness and mission of our church, and just get to know one another.

You are encouraged to make a dona-tion to Grant's Fund, a fund named in honor of Grant Causby. As you know, this fund does NOT benefit Grant in any way, but does benefit the students of Salem Elemen-tary in many ways. The donations go to the school to be used by the guidance counse-lor and principal to assist students who are in need. Some of the ways it has been used in the past are for coats, shoes, field trips, and school and project supplies. We don't know who will be helped but we are contin-uing the caring relationship with the com-munity and school that our congregation has had for many years. Donations can be placed in a pew envelope and labeled "GRANT'S FUND" and placed in the offer-ing plates until Sunday August 27.

Enola Trail: Phase 1 (orange) Phase II (blue)

8/3 Enola Trail workday @ Patton HS, 8:30am

8/6 YOUTH MOVIE NIGHT 5-7 pm

8/13 South Mtns. Hike. Meet @ SUMC, 2 pm

8/20 Youth & Parents’ Potluck Lunch 12 pm

Messy Games 5 - 7 pm

8/27 Youth Pool Party, 5pm(welcome 6th graders!)

@ Dennis & Nikki Carswell’s House

Our youth gave a week of their summer to mission work and service for others. 8 of our youth joined youth groups from Greensboro, Charlotte, and Mount Holly at Camp Tekoa Foothills in Casar, NC. They worked hard M-F painting, building ramps and stairs, doing yard work, and sharing the love of Christ with homeowners across Cleveland and Gas-ton County. Thank you for your prayers and donations which made this trip possi-ble. Youth are already looking forward to the next opportunity to be in mission for Christ in our community!

FALL YOUTH WKND. MISSION TRIP - Oct 20-22

illumiNATION is a weekend mission experience where youth join together in Christ to offer home repair for those with significant need in Rutherford County. Lodging at Camp McCall, food, t-shirt, and building materials are included in your $40 registration fee. Don’t miss out on this opportunity for worship fun and meaningful mission. And don’t let cost be an issue (scholarships are available). Register ASAP to insure a spot. Open to all youth grades 6-12. Contact Kathryn Jones: kblackwell04@hotmail.com or 919-260-9852. (Interested Skilled Adult Leaders are also needed to help oversee projects).

BACK 2 SCHOOL BREAKFAST:

A drive-thru welcome event for teachers, parents, and kids returning to school on August 28. We will set up a tent in our parking lot inviting families to stop in between 7-8:30am (before or after dropping their kids off) and enjoy a biscuit or coffee. If you would be available and excited to serve folks that morn-ing, please contact Pastor Norm

This will be a great opportunity to let children and families know we care and we’re here. rev.norm@alumni.duke.edu.

Prayer Partners (update)

All our children and youth have been covered in prayer this year thanks to our awesome Prayer Partners. Although school is out, please continue to lift your prayer partner up to the Lord weekly and send a note of encouragement! Summer can be a challenging time for our children and youth who have extra time on their hands, and we want to encourage them to play safely, make smart choices, and honor God with their time and ener-gy! If you would like to be a prayer partner again, a sign up will be available in September as the new school year begins.

The Reading Buddy program is getting ready to kick off its 4th year of working with Salem Elementary. The importance of this program and time spent with 1st and 2nd graders can be seen in the progress children make over the course of each

year. The time spent serving is flexible and can be a time and duration that meets your schedule. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Barb Schneider at 438-4074. A background check/application is required to serve and orientation is offered. If reading isn’t your cup of tea but you’d still like to serve, there are plenty of other ways you can be in ministry at SES too. Let's continue expanding this wonderful outreach ministry!

Salem KIDS had an awesome day hiking and exploring God's beautiful creations in

South Mountains State Park. We

hiked the waterfall, swam in mountain

streams and enjoyed a picnic lunch!

~ August 7– Hickory Splash Park. Meet at church at 9 am as we carpool over to the Kiwanis Splash park in Hickory for lots of cool fun in the sun! Pack a picnic lunch and bring a friend! (Sign up with Kathryn by August 4)

Aug 23rd from 5-7 pm: Get ready for a night of fun and creativity. Me, You, and Some Glue is offering a free night for our Salem KIDS to ex-plore and play. Additional activities (painting, crafting) will be available but we must register for them. If you plan to join us and would like to do some additional activities, please sign up with Kathryn by Aug 13th.

VBS 2017 Update- July 30-Aug 2

VBS is HERE. All children ages birth through rising 12th grade are invited to join the fun! Dinner starts at 5:30 nightly.

VBS celebration: Everyone is invited to join us Wednesday night at 5:30 pm in the sanctuary for a VBS celebration followed by a hot dog supper and ice cream. If you can bring a churn of homemade ice cream, that would be wonderful!

Stock the pantry: The mission for our VBS week is collecting canned goods and non perishable items for Burke Christian Ministries and Glen Alpine UMC's food pan-try. Please help by bringing items to the fellowship hall any night this week.

UMW meet first Thursdays of each month. (Aug 3, 7pm) Cora Ora - Beulah D. (FH) Sadie Rosemary— Dawn Hutchins (207 Glendale St.) Mary Alice –Melissa Causby (1358 Mtn. Shadows Dr.) Lois Velna– Meets Third Tuesday each month in the fellowship hall at 10 am

Weekly/Monthly Happenings at Salem

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

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, and can be given for many reasons.

The group meets Monday from 10 - 11:30am All are welcome. If you know who needs a shawl contact Bonnie Bender or Margaret Carswell

Grades 6th-12th

Sundays 5-7 pm

Christ Bread A monthly program for all retirees and older adults does not

meet during JUNE-AUGUST

Burke United Christian Ministries

Join us1st Tuesday of each month at 3:30pm as we serve dinner at BUCM. BUCM is an ecumenical

ministry serving the needs of our neighbors in crisis or (305 West Union St.) www.bucm.net

Mom’s Time

Mom’s Coffee time will resume Friday, Sept. 1 for moms with young children not yet in school.

Our Financial Stewardship:

Thru July 31, 2017

Budgeted Need: $140,895.00 Total Received for Budget: $129,172.25 Ministry Expenses to Date: $126,221.71

Other Ministry Gifts Received to Date: Building Fund: $10,104.00 Youth Fund: $1,175.00 Backpack Ministry: $995.00 Cemetery: $100.00

Gifts given in Honor or Memory (July):

Beth Dale and Charlie Dale by Mildred Mull Eugene, Mary Wilson, Tessie Mae Dale by Mildred Mull L.O. & Leila Garrison by Beverly & Landres Williams Scott Pruett by Bruce & Kay Pollard Doris Roper by Denise Campbell (H) Scott Roper by Denise & Zoe Campbell *(Please note these updated numbers. We apologize for any con-fusion last month. In reconciling with the new software, the contri-butions received appeared significantly less than our expendi-tures).

OFFICE CHANGES/Hours: Please be in

prayer for your SPRC during the process to fill our office position. We also ask for your patience with us and Pastor Norm as we work to fulfill office responsibilities in the interim. During our search, Zachary Cagle (Office Admin. for Aber-nethy Memorial UMC) is filling in. Our new hours are Tues & Fri. from 12- 5pm. Thank you.

Panther HS foot-ball is roaring to life again this sea-son and you're invited to join the prowl.

This year, the Pat-ton Panthers make their debut in a new conference hoping to build off their most successful season.

Salem UMC and Burkemont Baptist are partnering to promote Panther pride by offering a pre-season coach's conversation on football and faith. The event, hosted at Salem UMC, begins August 14 with a delicious dinner at 6pm followed by a conversa-tion with Head Coach Tom Eanes.

The meal and event is free and open to all. Any do-nations given for the meal go directly to the PHS Athletic Association to support all athletes during the 2017-18 school year.

FOOTBALL & FAITH -Aug 14, 6pm

Dear Lord, hear our prayers…. Servant Leaders for August

Acolytes: 6– Isabel Jones 13– Luke Brown 20– Ronin Smith 27– Faith Pons Usher Captains: 6 - Dylan Carswell 13- Dobie Kelly 20- Bruce Pollard 27 - Tim Keller Reader for 11 am 6 – Gordon Ronk 13 - Kasey Hensley 20 - Rita Bowman 27 – Tom Ayers Nursery 6- 10 am– Brenda Duckworth & Angie Dotson 11 am– Liz Smith & Edith Dale 13- 10 am—Rita Bowman & Eric Bowman 11 am– Rachel Kelly & Kacey Hensley 20- 10 am—Joann Byrd & Liz Smith 11 am Carrie Williams & Kathryn Jones 27- 10 am—Amanda Simmons & Courtney Hampton 11 am– Holly Keller & Tim Keller

Prayers & Concerns: Dylan Bollinger, Don Lovelace,

Dakota & Kristen Campbell, David Campbell, Joe Roper,

Kathryn Duckworth, Patrick Geraghty, Gertrude Race,

Phillip Gregory, Pam Keller, Hope Kelley, Sherrie Rose,

Mark McGhinnis, Sarah Morrow, Nicole Nelson,

Jenny Roper, Ann Thompson, Virginia Thompson ,

Mitchell Williams, Cary Clark, Betty Jean Kincaid,

Lawrence Caraway, Frances Franklin, Shirley Nogales,

Alice Borden, Tim Hampton,

Homebound: Millie Avery, Marie Causby,

Mildred Mull, Mary Wilson,

Nursing Home Residents:

~Grace Heights– Betty Gibbs, Mable Hoke

~Autumn Care– Joe Carver

~College Pines– Elsie Roper, Avis Williams

~The Brian Center of Spruce Pine– Helen McGee

~Hope Ridge Family Care– Nell Causby

2 O. C. McCoy 3 Kathryn Duckworth 5 Nancy Pearson, Cindy Ross 6 Logan Hensley, Shirley Clark 7 Debbie Dale, Courtney Causby, Mallory Johnston, Rachel Kelly 10 Dylan Carswell 14 Virginia Robinson, Brandi Woody 15 Ray Duckworth 16 Laura Cole 17 Adam Bowman 19 Clarice Shuping, Todd Shuping, Raven Key, Will Davis, Dawn Wellman 22 Madison Wilson, Nikki Carswell 26 Sierra Wellman 27 Fred Causby, Jr., Fred Duckworth 29 Allie Lowdermilk, Aaron Cole 30 Randy Davis Anniversaries 5 Larry & Jennifer Putnam 10 Eric & Rita Bowman 30 Charles & Leota Garrison 30 Tracy & Joyanne Benfield

The Catawba Valley District An-nual UMW Celebration will be August 5th, 9am at FUMC Gas-tonia. All ladies are invited to attend. Contact Virginia Robin-son 238-4493 for more info. The Hands-on Mission for the day is On Eagles' Wings Min-istries. Please bring the following items to do-nate: toilet paper, sanitary napkins, toothpaste and toothbrushes. You may leave donated items at the Op-portunity Corner in the sanctuary. Thanks! —————————————————————-- Catawba Valley Lay Servant Ministry Training Sundays: September 10, 17, 24, October 1 3-5:30pm Bradley Memorial UMC Gastonia, NC 28052 A great opportunity for any who thirst for deeper servant leadership and public speaking skills. Attendance is required all 4 Sundays for class credit. Snacks provided. Contact Lisa Propst or Eric Carswell for more info 430-0274 Classes offered: -Basic Course: (for those new to training) -Preaching -Accountable Discipleship

Register early! Cost $25 and includes book. No registrations will be accepted that are postmarked after August 24, 2017. http://wnccumc.org/event/catawba-valley-district-2017-lay-servant-ministry-training/

August 2017 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

10:30 am Bible Study (Yth Rm) 12:30 pm Staff Mtg 6 pm Bible Study(Parlor) 7:15 pm Choir

10:30am Bible Study (Yth Rm) 5-7 pm Me, You, and some glue 6 pm Bible Study (Parlor) 7:15 pm Choir

4-6 pm SES Open house, Hot dog meal

8-11 am Enola Trail Workday 7pm UMW (FH and homes)

2-4 FH reserved 5-7 pm Youth movie night

12:15pm Rap w/Rev (FH) 2 pm Youth Hike South Mtn. 5 pm UMM

10am Lois Velna UMW (FH) 6pm Praise Team

12:30 pm SES Staff meal. 6pm Praise Team

6pm Praise Team

9 am Salem Kids Hickory splash park 10am Prayer Shawl (Ed Bldg) 6:30pm Prayer Group (Ed Bldg)

3:30 pm BUCM meal

10 am Prayer Shawl (Ed Bldg) 6 pm Faith & Football Meal(FH)

10 am Prayer Shawl (Ed Bldg) 6:30pm Prayer Group (Ed Bldg)

7 - 8:30 am Back 2 School Biscuit and Coffee givea-way 10am Prayer Shawl (Ed Bldg) 6:30pm Prayer Group (Ed Bldg)

11 am JIRDC Resi-dents 5 pm Youth pool party at Carswell's

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

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

12 pm Youth/Parents potluck lunch 5-7 pm Youth Messy games

Join us 2nd Tuesday to spread joy to our shut-in and homebound (Aug. 8, 10am)

Vacation Bible School July 30 - Aug 2 starting at 5:30 pm nightly.

8-11 am Enola Trail Workday

Join us for a special service led by Chap-lain Carol Morgan & residents of the JIRDC (Riddle Center) @ 11am Aug 27

10am Visit Shut In (Yth Rm)

9 am UMW Celebration at FUMC Gastonia

7-11 am UMW missions yard sale

9-5 Card Class(FH)

5:30 pm VBS Celebration