1 April/May 2010

Newsletter

Salem United Methodist ChurchSalem United Methodist ChurchSalem United Methodist Church

Dear friends,

Spring has officially arrived in Selbyville, just as the winter’s unusually heavy snows are melting. Gail and I are starting the packing process to get ready for retirement in June. Your new pastor, the Rev. Dr. Jim Van Der Wall, and his wife, Marie, have been down from Wilmington to see the parsonage and are excited about their upcoming move back to Sussex County. He served Grace UMC in Millsboro for six years.

We want to thank you for all the love and support we have received during these past seven years. Salem is a wonderful church in many ways, which you may not fully appreciate because it is easy for all of us to take for granted that which is most familiar. Let me share just a few examples:

Because Salem Church has been here as long as the town of Selbyville has existed, your roots are deep and many families have known each other for generations, but you still welcome newcomers and include them in the life and leadership of this congregation. That does not happen everywhere in other churches.

There are many networks of caring in this church—both formal and informal. Members of this congregation reach out to support

Getting to know...Kathryn

Tingle

2

Service Persons

Appreciation Month

3

Nursing Home Address

List

4

Youth & Family News 5

Council on Ministries

Action Items

5

Spotlight on Missions 6

Gifted to Give 7

Inside this issue:

Volume XVII April/May 2010

Christ is risen!

Townsend Scholarship

Deadline Approaching

Applications for the Townsend Scholarship must be returned to the church office by Tuesday, May 11, 2010. Anyone who received an award last year may simply submit a transcript of year-end grades (when available) to the church office rather than complete another application. Applications are available in the church office. For further information, please call Dawn Lekites at 436-5783.

Mark Your Calendars:

April 1—Maundy

Thursday

April 2—Good Friday

April 4—Easter

May 6—National Day of

Prayer

May 9—Mother’s Day

May 11—Scholarship

Deadline

each other in times of need, and you reach out to help the needy in your community.

You tithe ten percent of the church’s income to missions and you give generously to the Good Samaritan Fund.

Salem has many older members, but also works hard to be in ministry with children and youth.

You have beautiful and well-maintained facilities which you share generously as a true center for this community; during the past seven years, building use has increased so that something is going on almost every day.

New groups have formed and the staff has increased. Growth is taking place, and I am confident that this will continue.

May God continue to bless Salem Church and to bless others through Salem Church. As my friend Elton Jones likes to say, “You pray for me and I’ll pray for you.”

Grace & peace, Bruce Cooke, Pastor

From Our Pastor...

2 April/May 2010

Charlotte Hawkins celebrated her 80th

birthday on

March 13 at Doyle’s Restaurant surrounded by a

group of 28 loved ones including her

children, grandchildren, and all seven

great-grandchildren! Congratulations,

Ms. Charlotte. May God bless you with

many more happy birthdays!

Getting to know…Kathryn Tingle ―A merry heart maketh a

cheerful countenance...‖

Proverbs 15:13. Dubbed our

church humorist by the Rev.

Dale Vroman, Kathryn Tingle

provides a smile and a joke in

most any situation.

―I guess you would call me a

lifetime member of Salem---80

years. This was my Dad’s

church. When he and Mother

married, she left her church in Bishopville and joined him

here.‖

The youngest in a family of three boys, Kathryn graduated

from the old Buckingham High School in Berlin, MD, in

1940. Two years later, she

went to work at Mumford

Sheet Metal Works where she

stayed for 38 years.

―I loved working there and

never heard any cross words

from the five brothers who

owned and operated it‖,

Kathryn added.

A few years later, she met her

husband Ed on the Ocean City

boardwalk. ―He caught my eye

because at 5’6‖ he was one of

the few who didn’t tower over

me. I was a pint-sized 5’1‖.‖

―We were married for forty-one

years,‖ she said with a smile in her voice. ―Ours was a

congenial marriage. We talked things out so that we never

went to bed angry at each other.‖

Nine years later, there was a little one on the way. ―At my

baby shower I happened to receive two high chairs and

decided to return one after my next doctor appointment.

Luckily, I went to the doctor first and heard the news---

TWINS!‖

Excitedly I called to tell Ed my news

and he said, ―Honey, don’t worry

about it, they won’t take one and

leave the other!‖

Ed died in 1992 and Kathryn now

operates their mobile home park with

help from her son Eddy. The twins,

Kathryn Tingle Harcum and Edward

McCabe Tingle, just turned 50 this

month. Granddaughter Kaitlynn

Harcum is a student at Liberty

University in Lynchburg, VA.

Kathryn has served as a past president of the United

Methodist Women and has been the leader of the

Friendship Circle for 10 years. She serves as secretary

and treasurer of the Fellowship Sunday School Class. The

lovely altar flowers we see each Sunday are coordinated by

Kathryn.

Edward and Kathryn Tingle as

newlyweds in 1951

Kathryn Tingle with Kathy Harcum,

Eddy Tingle, Dennis Harcum, and

Katie Harcum, 2008

Great Job!

With God’s help, Kate Cramer and two of her classmates won

First Place Global Marketing Team for Business Profession-

als of America (BPA). They competed for the state of Dela-

ware.

Now it’s on to Anaheim for the national competition! Kate

will be in California from May 4 through May 9 and she is

going to Disneyland!

Her favorite hymn is Morning Has Broken. In her spare

time she gets together with a group of ladies to play

Canasta and she has a reputation for ―heavenly‖ fudge!

Kathryn says that she feels blessed to have such a

wonderful life. This lively and busy lady shows no signs of

slowing down.

Edward and Kathryn Tingle, 1991

RUTH CIRCLE NEWS I am grateful to the members of Ruth Circle for their support and assistance in my absence---proof positive that one pair of hands does not always suffice. It was a tough year, but with the love, dedication and understanding of ALL, our circle was able to fulfill those projects we planned.

Now it’s time to make new plans for 2010! The circle met on Thursday, March 25. The main purpose was to discuss the following: schedule of meetings, craft club, fundraisers and projects for the year. UMCOR’s two relief supply warehouses have issued a request for United Methodists to provide health kits that can be sent to earthquake devastated Haiti. As usual, Ruth Circle answered the call and put together 10 kits after our business meeting. Thank you, Janet, for your assistance in this project.

Our circle meets on the 4th Thursday of March, May, Sept., and Dec., at 10:30 a.m. in the Praise Room. WE need YOU! Won’t you consider joining our group? Any questions, please call me at 436-5156. —Barbara White

Friendship Circle

The Friendship Circle met in December 2009, and twenty-three gifts and cards were prepared and later delivered to the nursing homes and shut-ins for Christmas.

We sponsored the "Love Tree" in the rear of the church for young children at Hickory Tree at Christmas. The response was overwhelming.

Twenty-five "Love Bags" with goodies and cards were brought and delivered for Valentine's Day to nursing homes. Charlotte and Walt delivered them.

We brought and filled 55 "Easter Goody Bags" at our March meeting to be delivered to the nursing homes for Easter.

At our April meeting we plan to have an auction and in May we will have our "eat-out." —Kathryn Tingle

3 April/May 2010

In Memory: Almeda B. Quillen, 88, died February 7, 2010. Born in

Selbyville, she was the daughter of the late Hugh and Florence

Mumford Stephens.

Her survivors include three sons, Thomas Quillen, Larry

Quillen and Gerald Quillen and a daughter, Judy Jarvis; two

sisters Mary Rickards and Florence Bixler; eight great

grandchildren and two great-great granddaughters.

Admeda was preceded in death by her husband Byron D.

Quillen, her sisters Betty Madera and Mildred Kitchens and

brothers William, Hugh and Herbert Stephens.

Louise Lynch, our choir director and pianist, lost her father,

Preston Tubbs on February 8, 2010.

Born in Bishopville, he had been a self-employed carpenter for

many years and was a member of Wilson United Methodist

Church. His survivors include two granddaughters, Diane

Green and husband Jeff, and Susan Jones and husband Clay,

and four great-grand children.

Preston’s wife, Louise Patey Tubbs died in 2000 and his son-in

-law, Bill Lynch died in 2003. Three brothers Volley, Donald

and Samuel Tubbs preceded him in death.

We extend our sympathy to Louise and family.

―Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.‖

Psalm 116:15

Gerald Wayne Evans, 69, died February 8, 2010. Born in

Selbyville, he was the son of the late Russell and Evelyn A.

Baker Evans.

A grain and poultry farmer for more that 30 years, Gerald

was a member of the Delaware Farm Bureau and an avid

hunter.

Gerald leaves a wife Patsy, a son Jeffery Evans, a sister Sara

Lee Stevens and one grandson Blake Evans, and his mother

Sheila.

Those who loved and knew Gerald will miss his dry sense of

humor.

―The eternal God is our refuge, underneath are the

everlasting arms...‖ Deuteronomy 33:27

George Elmer West, "Jug," 84, of Dagsboro and formerly of

Selbyville, died Saturday, March 13, 2010 at Atlantic General

Hospital in Berlin, MD. Born in Selbyville, he was the son of

the late Elmer B. and Bertha (McGee) West.

He served in the Navy during World War II and retired as the

Postmaster of the Selbyville Post Office after 28 years with

the U. S. Postal Service.

IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

Bob Burns, Peggy Steele, Isabelle Cropper, Mary Mumford, Greg Forte, Howard Clegg, Lew Brumberg, Jr., James Robbins, Jeff Lathbury, Frances Hudson, Nora Murray, Hazel Lichtenstein, Ray Bixler

If you have a prayer request, please call Charlotte Hawkins at 436-8021 or Mary Jane Davis at 436-5977. Contact the church office, Pastor Cooke or Pastor Crocker if you know of a need that requires a pastoral visit.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mildred B. West, one

son, Kenny West and his wife Denise of Selbyville, DE, one

daughter, Andrea Booz and her husband Bob of Milford, DE

and by six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Psalms 31:24 ―Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen

your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.‖

Gordon E. "Gordy" Pepper, 69, of Selbyville, husband of

Kathleen Pepper, died Wednesday, March 3, 2010, at Atlantic

General Hospital in Berlin.

He was born in Bethany Beach and was the son of the late

Nelson and Irene Bunting Pepper. He retired from the

Salvation Army in Philadelphia. Survivors include two

children, a sister Paulette Brasure and her husband Jimmy

and a sister-in-law Virginia Pepper. Gordy was preceded in

death by his brother Bruce in 2005.

Donations may be made to Salem United Methodist Church,

PO Box 410, Selbyville, DE 19975.

―Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe

also in me.‖ John 14:1

Service Persons Appreciation Month

The month of May is dedicated to the many service people who

help and protect us every day. Speakers will be from the

Delaware State Police, Selbyville Volunteer Fire Company,

Veteran of the Army & Navy, National Guard, and a mother

speaking on Mother’s Day. This will be only at the Early Service

at 8:45 a.m. Please plan to attend to thank the many people who

put their lives on the line for us. —Diane Brasure

GOOD SAMARITAN FUND REPORT

The Good Samaritan Fund has seen another busy few

months. We’re so grateful to be able to help those who are

truly in need and who truly appreciate the help. Since the

last Newsletter, we have paid a total of $1,148.41 for utilities

which include heat, electric and water, $1,150 for housing,

and $395 toward funeral expenses.

The monthly offerings have continued to be very generous

which enables us to continue answering God’s call to help the

needy. We were also blessed with mission monies from

Salem’s tithe, and are thankful to the Women of Faith for

their donation of $500.

—Cheryl Pepper and Donna Mitchell

LOOKING FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS

In an effort to keep in contact with our college students, we are

asking for school mailing addresses and/or email addresses. If

you know a college student that may enjoy a note from Salem,

please contact me at irene@rtomasetti.com or leave the informa-

tion with Deborah in the church office. —Thanks! Irene Bunting

Dear Church family,

Thanks so much for all your prayers and cards. I can never tell all of you how much they meant to me.

Sincerely,

Mary Mumford

4 April/May 2010

NURSING HOME RESIDENTS, SHUT-IN HOMEBOUND MEMBERS AND FRIENDS Updated March 25, 2010

PLEASE TAKE TIME TO REMEMBER THEM WITH A VISIT, CARD, CALL OR A PRAYER

Members and Friends Florence Baker 49 Moores Crossing Millsboro, DE 19966 (302) 934-7037 B/D: 12/4 Betty Brumberg 38743 Sea Gull Road Selbyville, DE 19975 (302) 436-8345 B/D: 5/17 Ethel Bunting c/o Dale Bunting P.O. Box 924 Bear, DE 19701 (302) 737-2228 B/D: 10/22 Tom Campbell 219 Gumboro Road Selbyville, DE 19975 (302) 436-5549 B/D: 7/20 Mary Jane Davis P.O. Box 682 Selbyville, DE 19975 (302) 436-5549 B/D: 7/8 Margaret B. James Methodist Country House Health Center 4830 Kenneth Pike Wilmington, DE 19807 (302) 426-8000 B/D: 8/4 Alice Lee Smith 22 Sandy Branch Road Selbyville, DE 19975 (302) 436-8818 B/D: 1/16 Doris Smith 41 North Main Street Selbyville, DE 19975 (302) 436-8030 B/D: 7/24 Hazel Pepper 44 S. Main Street Selbyville, DE 19975 (302) 436-8060 B/D: 9/9

Members and Friends (cont.) Layton & Grace McCabe 221 Hub Ct. West Millsboro, DE 19968 (302) 436-6044 B/D: Layton 4/30 Grace 10/13

Out-of-State Members Peggy Steele 6355 Morrisey Place Dublin, OH 43016 Harold & Bernice Deel 14524 Abaco Lakes Dr., #101 Ft. Myer, Fl 33991 (239) 481-6781 Cell: (239) 410-5430 B/D: Harold 5/20 Bernice 1/22

Manor House Rev. Jervis Cooke 1001 Middleford Road Apartment 182 Seaford, DE 19973 (302) 629-4593 B/D: 7/28 Mae Dukes 1001 Middleford Road Apartment 124 Seaford, DE 19973 (302) 628-4772 B/D: 5/20 Pauline Carey 1001 Middleford Road Apartment 309 Seaford, DE 19973 No calls B/D: 9/9

Berlin Nursing/Rehab. Ctr. Frances Hudson 9715 Healthway Dr., Rm. 223P Berlin, MD 21811 (410) 641-4400 B/D: 6/10

“Gull Creek” Retirement Georgia M. Campbell 1 Meadow Street Berlin, MD 21811 (410) 641-3171 B/D: 7/12

Other Facilities Atlantic Shores 31 So. Washington St. Millsboro, DE 19966 (302) 934-7300

Atlantic General Hospital 9733 Healthway Drive Berlin, MD 21811 (410) 641-1100

Beebe Medical Center 424 Savannah Road Lewes, DE 19958 (302) 645-2300

Chesapeake Rehab. Center/Health South 220 Tilghman Road Salisbury, MD 21804 (410) 546-4600

“Genesis” Eldercare – Salisbury 200 Civic Avenue Salisbury, MD 21804 (410) 749-1466

“Genesis” Eldercare – Seaford 1100 Norman Eskridge Hwy Seaford, DE 19973 (302) 629-3575

Harrison House 110 W. North Street Georgetown, DE 19947

Peninsula Regional 100 East Carroll Street Salisbury, MD 21804 (410) 546-6400

Renaissance Health Care 26002 John J. Williams Hwy. Millsboro, DE 19966 (302) 947-4200 Please contact Barbara White at 436-5156 with updates and/or changes.

5 April/May 2010

Youth & Family News Sisters & Brothers of Salem,

The 29th chapter of the book of Jeremiah records these words: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (v. 11). That message, spoken to the exiled people of Israel, reveals God’s heart toward his children. And with all of my heart, I believe God speaks that same message to us today. Every week I see evidence of this promise as young lives are transformed by the message of Jesus. Indeed, Salem has hope and a future.

In recent weeks, we’ve been busy with a number of events, including our annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser. It took place on March 6 and earned just over $1700! These funds will support our yearly activities, such as our annual trip to the Youth Rally in Ocean City. I want to express my sincere thanks to everyone who supported us through ticket purchases, donations, volunteering, and prayers. In particular, I would like to extend a special thanks to the Women of Faith, who generously paid for all of the needed supplies.

The following weekend, we traveled to Seaford High School for a Silver Ring Thing event. Silver Ring Thing is a para-church youth ministry, which promotes a biblical message of sexual purity. We took 13 young people, some of whom have already made a commitment to purity. I am pleased to report that at the event, four more of our teens made that same commitment and now wear rings which bear reference to 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4: “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable.”

In addition, we are currently preparing for our own purity series. It will take place outside of our normal Zeke 37 meetings, and we will be splitting up the guys and girls to take an in-depth look into God’s design for sexuality. This is open to any of our young people, regardless of past decisions. We hope to begin in early April, so please let me know soon if you are interested.

The summer is nearly upon us, and Zeke 37 is ready! Beginning May 2, we will no longer have weekly meetings during the summer. Instead, we have planned a number of events:

May 2 – Bike Ride to the Bay June 19 – Old Timer's Day Snow Cone & Bake Sale July 3 – Car wash July 13 – Busch Gardens September 5 – Beach Party

More details on these events will be forthcoming. Young people, please request these days off from your summer jobs so that you can attend! Also, remember that your participation in our trips requires your help with the fundraisers.

Switching gears, it is an exciting time within Salem’s Family Ministries! I have been working with Irene Bunting, our new Family Ministries Coordinator, and she has an abundance of great ideas. So, be on the lookout for upcoming events! Also, don’t forget about Regenerate, our worship café, which takes place the second Saturday of each month at 7 PM in the Salem Center.

Once again, I want to thank you for your ongoing support. Together with God, we are impacting the future of our church. Please contact me with any questions, concerns, or suggestions you may have (email q-elsea@hotmail.com; Facebook; phone 419-672-8084).

Much love in Jesus,

Quentin Elsea (“Q”) Director of Youth & Family Ministries

Council on Ministries Action Items The regular meeting of COM was held on Tuesday March 2.

Seventeen people attended and those who were unable to attend

sent in reports of their mission activities. This is truly exciting.

All reports are recorded and kept in the church office in a brown

notebook under the title COM. Anyone wishing to learn what

missions are ongoing at Salem can stop by any time and read the

minutes and see the reports.

The following are items currently under development and are

considered current ACTION Items:

Vacation Bible School this year is under the leadership of Lisa

Carter and Kim Blaser. The team has already met and has made

many plans for this fun-filled week. If you feel able, please

contact them to let them know how you can assist: teacher, aide,

helper with snacks, etc. It is always nice to have extra hands. A

decision was made to try something new, and that is to have an

evening VBS from 6:15 – 8:00. In an attempt to reach more

children and have the support staff that is necessary, the team

decided to try this new time. VBS is a wonderful outreach

program and we have enjoyed the response of the Selbyville

community.

A new website for Salem Church is in the making. Todd

Aydelotte, Brian Foster, and Quentin Elsea have been busy

working on designing a new site that will attract and draw in

people seeking a new church family. Once they have the basic

page designed, they will be sharing information as to how other

missions and church groups can add to the site information.

National Day of Prayer is May 6 this year. Donna Mitchell

recalls how the event used to take place, and is working to see it

brought back to the Selbyville community this year. Pastor Bruce

is working on talking with the other pastors in town. Soon you

will be hearing more about this event and Donna and Pastor

Bruce will be looking for volunteers.

Michelle Foster has been visiting each of the adult Sunday school

classes to share with members the importance of sharing your

God given gifts with the world. She has revised the old system

and now has a card file set up so she has a reference of where to

go and whom to call when a volunteer is needed. We did this a

couple of years ago, but it is always a good thing to update our

list, as time and abilities change with time. Contact Michelle if

you have any ideas regarding areas of need, as well as your wish

to help. If every member of Salem did just one thing, think how

powerful that light would be reflected in all of Selbyville.

Prayer Shawl Meeting Tuesday, April 6, 10AM in the Parlor. As

you may remember this was brought up in July and has slowly

developed. This first meeting will be an organizational meeting.

Anyone interested should come and hear about what Prayer

Shawls are, how they are made and to whom they are given. We

are reaching out to Friendship and Taylorville Churches as well.

Romans 12: 6 ―We have different gifts, according to the grace

given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in

proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is

teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if

it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously;

if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing

mercy, let him do it cheerfully.‖

—Co-chair, Jackie Bates

A Suggested Prayer to Make or Renew Your Faith:

―Dear Lord, I would like to be one of your disciples. I want to

follow you. I accept the forgiveness and mercy you offer me.

Wash me clean and make me new. Help me to follow you as I

commit myself to you. I pray this to you, and in your name,

Jesus. Amen.‖

6 April/May 2010

Royal Rangers Salem’s Royal Rangers had a pretty good showing at our second Pinewood Derby. Out of seven churches competing with approximately 130 boys racing, our boys came home with three trophies. Ranger Kid Joshua Carter was the 1st place winner, Ranger Kid Nicholas Zduriencik was 2nd and Ranger Kid Max McCann placed 3rd. The Discovery and Adventure Rangers may not have had trophy-winning cars but they placed well in their races and had a lot of fun doing it.

We would again like to thank Salem’s business members who sponsored the race. They are Bunting and Murray, Brasure’s Pest Control, Warren’s Station, First State Packaging, Inc., Selbyville Tractor & Equipment, Inc., Selbyville Pet & Garden Center, Pep-Up, Inc., Murray Sod, Above Grade Services, and Senator George Bunting. We are so grateful for these businesses that recognize the importance of supporting an organization that is teaching boys about Christ. All families from the seven churches that make up our District who are involved with Royal Rangers were encouraged to support the program sponsors, and we encourage members of Salem to do the same. A few copies of the programs are located on the table outside of the church office.

Rangers have entered into another quarter of study recently. Discovery and Adventure Rangers are working toward their Fire Craft Merit and are studying 1st and 2nd Corinthians. In addition to earning the merit, they will use their Fire Craft skill in competition at their spring sectional Pow Wow. Ranger Kids will memorize three verses while learning about obedience to God. We are so proud of all of these boys. They are doing such a great job.

As our Outpost grows, our Commanders continue to update their training to give them the skills they need to work with the boys. Four Commanders recently spent 16 hours training in Ocean City and three Commanders will be attending a District Seminar in Virginia. Commanders come away from these trainings with many new teaching skills and security procedures to help keep the boys safe and the church less liable. We continue to learn and grow.

As always, we thank the congregation for their support and ask that you continue to keep this ministry in prayer as we help in the development of Christian young men.

—Cheryl Pepper

Front Row: Nicholas Zduriencik, Joshua Carter, Max McCann

Back Row: Greg McCabe, Brian Foster, ―Pep‖ Pepper

Congratulations!

Congratulations to two young people from Salem who participated in the 2010 Sussex Junior/Senior Honor Bands! Paige Parker of Selbyville was chosen to play the mallets. Mr. Lee Knier, conductor of Salisbury

University’s Concert Band, conducted the Junior Honor Band. Alyssa Murray also of Selbyville played first flute in the Senior Honor Band. George N. Parks, professor of Music at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, was

guest conductor for the Senior Honor Band.

Worldly Wisdom or God’s Wisdom?

Proverbs 4 teaches us to”…let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments and live. Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not….” But, we have been exhorted by the Word of the Lord through the prophet Jeremiah, “How do ye say, we are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us?” Jeremiah 8:8. We are not to be ensnared in worldly wisdom. “…hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world…. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” I Corinthians 1:20,24.

We as sinners are separated from God. Romans 5:12-13 says “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: “For unto the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.” God sent Christ to fulfill His law by grace and to bridge the gap between His righteousness and the inherent sins in man, giving us op-portunity to become new creatures in Christ. We have been given the Mediator “… Christ who is the power of God and the wisdom of God.” I Corinthians 1:24.

Throughout the Old Testament, God has reveled a glimpse of His mag-nificent divine nature and the folly of the nature of man. “For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” 1 Peter 1:24-25. —Steven Turner

Spotlight on Missions

As I was thinking about what mission to focus on for this article, my mind wandered to many different thoughts. I thought about how missions or minis-tries get started and why we have them at all. Certainly, they’re not because we have extra time on our hands or because we need the entertainment. I Peter 4:11 tells us ALL THINGS ARE DONE SO GOD MAY BE GLORIFIED

THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.

Scripture tells us that each one of us has been gifted with at least one spiritual gift at the time of salvation. We are told in Ephesians that the gifts equip us for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ. So you see, when the members put their gifts to work, the various ministries begin, and through these ministries, we grow stronger as Christians and often we build the body up with new members. Isn’t it exciting to know that we are helping

Jesus and glorifying God when we participate in missions?

Oftentimes we think that our gifts are inconsequential or have no value, but God says that every member of the body is important. In fact, I Corinthians tells us that the members whom we think are less honorable will actually re-ceive more abundant honor. It’s kind of like thinking about the size of our

heart. Such a small organ, yet we can’t survive without it.

I have often wished that I could write such encouraging notes like Janet Scott does, but I realize that it is not my gift. We may all wish we could do some-thing that seems more important or eloquent, but we need to remember that no gift is more important than another. All are important to God and He gave each of us the gift or gifts He knew were right for us. When we put them all together as God asked of us, they do build up the body of Christ. Janet Scott’s gift of exhortation is needed to encourage someone else to use his or her gift and so on and so on. When we all work for the common good as I

Corinthians tells us, all are important and are needed.

I was recently thanking Rosemary Reyes for her help at skating and I realized that Rosemary is a perfect example of someone who employs her gift of helps for the common good. Rosemary is always willing to help in whatever area her help is needed. She doesn’t complain or expect to be noticed or re-warded. Oftentimes we’re not aware of all that she does until she doesn’t do it. There isn’t a job too large, too small, or too dirty for Rosemary. This brings to mind Jesus’ words in John 13 after He washed the feet of His disciples and said in verse 14, “If I then, the Lord and Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” He gave us an example to follow. None of

us is too good for any job God calls us to do.

Michelle Foster has been speaking to Sunday school classes about the Gifted to Give ministry. This is a ministry to help all other ministries of the church function effectively. Please take the time to complete the needed information

so we at Salem can glorify God and build up His Kingdom. —Cheryl Pepper

7 April/May 2010

GIFTED TO GIVE I hope that you have had a chance to learn more about our Gifted

to Give project as I have been making my way around the adult

Sunday school classes! I have enjoyed sharing the materials with

you, and hope that we can make the GTG resource a great one

here at Salem.

It occurred to me, as I was evaluating my speaking, that

although I spoke quite a bit about ―using the spiritual gifts God

gave to you‖, I may not have been clear on exactly what gifts God

chooses to bless us with. The gifts that Paul tells us about in

Romans and 1 Corinthians are apostleship, prophecy,

evangelism, pastoral, teaching, prayer, service, exhortation,

giving, leadership, mercy, wisdom, knowledge, tongues,

interpretation of tongues, miracles, healing, discernment, and

faith.

Many spiritual gifts are also behaviors expected of all Christians,

such as faith, prayer, service and evangelism. An explanation of

this is that a spiritual gift goes beyond what is expected of

Christian living; it is a supernatural ability to fulfill these gifts.

The spiritual gift of prayer, for instance, can mean a

supernatural confidence in prayer, or a special given ability to

pray. Some information about spiritual gifts:

1. Spiritual gifts are freely and graciously given. They cannot be

earned. "And since we have gifts that differ according to the

grace given to us, let each exercise them accordingly" (Romans

12:6). Since a gift is not earned, all pride and satisfaction should

be for the Glory of God.

2. Spiritual gifts are a means of serving in the Body of Christ.

They are to enable that person to serve other believers. "As each

one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another,

as good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (1 Peter 4:10).

3. Spiritual gifts make action necessary on the part of the

believer. Your gift will emerge as you serve. Many do not

recognize their gift because they are inactive. Many of us are

―sitting around‖ waiting to be discovered. In waiting, we become

frustrated, but this is only because we are not functioning as God

intends.

I hope that you have had time to pray about spiritual gifts and

their role in your life. Thank you again for the opportunity to

share more about GTG with you.

—Michelle Foster

Salem Skating Program The Salem Skating Program moves into spring with a new

"skate home‖. A closet was approved by the Trustees to be built

on the wall in the Salem Center between the entrance door and

the stage. The cost of the closet will be shared by the skating

account, the Trustees, and, if needed, Zeke 37 will contribute....

Thanks Q! The object was to provide a better system for skate

storage and disbursement while maintaining the integrity of the

Salem Center. The project manager (Trustee Donna Villani) has

created a functional and cosmetically pleasing solution. The old

closet will be used for games. This allows the stage to be cleared

of all the extra "stuff" being stored there.

The Friday night program is open to the public and has

been averaging about 50 (skaters plus non skaters). Dr. Cooke,

Walt Crocker, Q, and the couples in charge have continued the

Prayer Circle with three-to five-minute devotion.

This program remains one of the best outreach programs at Sa-

lem. We are thankful for the support of all involved, and encour-

age you to become more involved in your gifting of time and tal-

ents.

—Connie Parker

Meals for Ministries During the month of December, the Family Ministries

tried a new venture—we provided complimentary dinners for our choirs and Young Girls of Faith on Wednesday nights

(their regular weekly meeting night).

The intent of the mission is to help our families eat a healthy meal while enjoying fellowship in the Salem Center, and helping every-one's paycheck last a little longer. We feel the effort is worthwhile and are continuing this ministry through May.

We have chosen Wednesday night as it seems to be the busiest night of the week at Salem. Upcoming dates will be April 4 and May 12. These dinners are free of charge and for the entire family of the involved person. So, if you need to have a meeting in church, think about having it Wednesday night and join us for food and fel-lowship.

In Family Fellowship, Irene Bunting

New

venture

THANK YOU!

I would like to thank everyone that generously allowed the church to display his or her nativity scenes in the windows. They are as fol-lows: Deborah O’Donnell, Fred and Geraldine Stevens, William and Nancy Jo Pepper, Cliff and Connie Parker, Alice and Lisa Mantello, Jeff and Sandy Givans, Donald and Jean Lynch, Greg and Irene Bunting, Wilson and Dawn Lekites, Buddy and Charlotte Hawkins.

—Irene Bunting

Our next newsletter will be the Summer

Edition for June, July, and August. We need

to hear from you by Monday, May 24, 2010.

Please drop your information into the box on

the wall next to the Salem Center; hand it

over to one of the Newsletter Gang: Carolyn

Hudson, Ann, Caroline, Rebecca, or Cynthia

T u r n e r , o r e - m a i l u s a t

sumcnewsletter@yahoo.com.

As always, we appreciate the information

that you send our way. Thank you! The Newsletter Gang

IDEA FOR FELLOWSHIP Before coming to Salem UMC almost four years ago, my family and I attended Wesley UMC in Dover. They had three services, and if you always attended the same one, you didn’t always get to know the people who attended the other services. They developed a program called Dinners IV to help people get to know each other outside of regular church services. Four couples were matched to have dinner together for the next four months, once a month at each house. Each couple would take turns hosting the other three couples at their house. We were responsible for one dinner, and for the other three we were guests (a night out with your honey with NO cooking or cleaning up!!!) Over time, we probably met at

least 15 couples. We enjoyed delicious food and fellowship with each of them.

The idea has been put forth to try to have our own Dinners IV here at Salem UMC, and I would like to get your feedback. It would be a wonderful way to get to know

other people in our church and to develop strong friendships.

You do not have to cook a massive gourmet meal or a five-course dinner for this, or even to have matching place settings (you won’t find them at my house!). It is completely up to the hosts what to serve their guests. If I am your host, you might

get burgers on the grill, or homemade pizza!

Also, this is not just for married couples. If you are single you can also participate.

You can even ask a friend and do it together.

If you would be interested in participating in this new idea, please contact me at 302-382-4564, or you can e-mail me at nellsmom@comcast.net. I am interested in

your feedback!!!

—Laura Weaver

8 April/May 2010

29 West Church Street

P.O. Box 410

Selbyville, DE 19975

Salem United Methodist ChurchSalem United Methodist ChurchSalem United Methodist Church

Phone: 302-436-8412

Fax: 302-436-2536

E-mail: salemumchurch@verizon.net

Web site: www.sumc.com

SERVICE SCHEDULE:

8:45 AM Informal Praise Service

9:45 AM Sunday School

11 AM Traditional Worship Service

1790 “A Church Full of Faith, Charity & Love” 2009

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