Salem Spirit. Invite Someone to Something at Salem this Summer!

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1 Salem Spirit June July Walnut Street P.O. Box 429 Columbia, PA Invite Someone to Something at Salem this Summer! Our spring-time has certainly been a wet one and we have certainly been able to see signs of new life taking hold in our yards and neighborhoods as we move towards Summer. With a little nurturing from us, we watch new life emerge, bloom and thrive as God s strong sun now begins to warm the earth. With the unfolding of creation year after year, we can rejoice in the beauty, breathe in the fragrance of life, and know that we have been given a great gift. It s a lot like that in our church, isn t it? Here, we flourish in the warmth of God s love and by the nurturing we receive from one another. Here, we find welcome, acceptance, grace and love. Gathered by God, we grow and serve and find food for our hungering spirits. Here we discover a gift too great to be kept to ourselves. We want to spread the love and share that gift. There are so many that we meet that yearn to discover such love, warmth and acceptance of such a place as Salem. How often do we feel a nudge from within as we are talking with somebody, to tell them about our church, maybe invite them to come with you sometime? Jesus said:"...i was a stranger and you welcomed me..." (Matthew 25:35). Each of you are an important part of that welcome. Our church community and the life we have here is too great a gift to keep to ourselves. Maybe there s a special event like our upcoming hymn sing and ice cream social or a worship service you just know that they would enjoy. Let s make Salem a church of radical invitation! Let s, each of us: invite someone to something over the summer! Have courage: people are waiting for the invitation: take this opportunity and make invite, invite, invite! Even if the answer is no, the love of God is communicated through the warm extension that was offered. When we receive visitors, one of the most important things each of us can do as a church is to welcome those who find their way to us. Greet them, Sit by them, Guide them, Invite them to come to Coffee Hour with you! It's so easy to get stuck in a routine and rush right by someone who is waiting to be asked. It would be nice to have church members by the door before and after service greeting folks before service and inviting them to coffee following it. Visiting a church, especially for the first time can be intimidating. The visitor really doesn't know what they're getting into. Whether they're "shopping" for a new church, or giving church a try for the first time, they're probably looking for people to whom they can relate and feel comfortable with. If people walk right past without stopping to talk, they aren t likely to come back. I have seen it happen here, maybe you have too. We have so much at Salem to offer and so many gifts to share, let s take a few extra steps towards extending a warm invitation and welcome to our community and then welcoming and spending time with people who are new to Salem. Over the weeks and months ahead, please continue to uphold Salem UCC in your prayers as we seek to spread the love of Christ with others. Our church has a great light to shine...and we can't afford to "hide it under a bushel." Peace, Pastor Elizabeth

2 Happenings at Historic Salem The Vision Committee will be meeting with Rev. Thomas from the Church of God in Columbia. They currently rent out their facility and are willing to give some pointers on the best way to move forward. To keep the congregation up to date with what s going on the Vision Committee will be giving weekly updates. Church Office Organizing: In an effort to organize and have the church office work better for everyone we are doing some spring cleaning. There are items in the choir room on top of the file cabinet that we were unsure of what to do with. Please check them out and let me know if there is something that should be returned to the church office. You ll find a marked box to leave returned or donated items. For questions Eileen Littell at salemucc.columbia@gmail.com or call Thanks so much for your help!! Yoga Classes: Take place on Wednesday evenings from 5:00 6:00 pm. The cost is $5 per class and is being offered by Jen Hollinger to beginners or someone who hasn t practiced yoga for a while. Bring a yoga mat or towel, water and plastic bands if you have them. Hymn Sing and Homemade Ice Cream: Join us Sunday, July 17 th at 6:00 pm for our Annual Hymn Sing and Ice Cream. We will sing hymns your have requested (and some you pick on the spot) in the comfort of our air conditioned sanctuary. Immediately afterwards we will go down to the Fellowship Hall and enjoy delicious homemade vanilla ice cream and plenty of toppings! There will be a sign up sheet by the meeting room for attendance and requested songs. This is an invitational event so start telling everyone about it! See you there! Bazaar Projects: Come one and all to help make some projects for the bazaar in November. No crafts skills required just willing hands and ears for instructions. Possible projects are painting glass candlesticks, paper decorations, etc.. So come the 2 nd Monday of the month at 7 PM. The first one will be June 13 (invite someone to join you for the fun!). Community Breakfast: The last Saturday of every month, we serve breakfast from 7:30-9:30 am. This meal is a great tradition for us to continue to reach out with the hand of Christ to any and all who come to our education building. Sign up to help with serving or cooking on the sign-up sheet outside of our meeting room or speak with Joyce Fuhrman at to see how you can help. We also encourage members to come and eat breakfast and spend time with others in the community, sharing the light and love of Christ. Bring guests! The Next Breakfast is Saturday, June 25th and July 30th. Save the Date! (For the Annual Church Picnic) Sunday, September 25, 2016, join us at the Ironville Community Park for the Annual Church Picnic. Food, fun and fellowship! Mark your calendars now! Invite someone to join in on the fun!

3 June Movie Matinee There will be a matinee showing of the Good Dinosaur after service on Sunday, June 26th. A lunch of assorted subs, snacks, fruits and drinks will be provided before the movie begins. The Good Dinosaur is a computeranimated comedy adventure film, produced by Pixar Animation Studios. Set on a fictional Earth in which dinosaurs never become extinct, the film follows a young Apatosaurus named Arlo, who meets an unlikely human friend while traveling through a harsh and mysterious landscape. Upcoming Attractions Thursday evenings at 6:30 pm : July 21 Toy Story August 18 Toy Story 2 September 15 Toy Story 3 All movies will be shown in the Educational Building on the big screen at the stage. Thank you to Matthew Killian for hosting the movie events. So please com on out and enjoy the fellowship. Sit and relax as you watch a movie, eat buttered popcorn and have a soda; just like going to the movies!!!! Donations Needed for Toddler Gym: this is an invitational program in which parents and caregivers bring toddlers to our church every week. This is a great way to reach out to families in the community. We have welcomed up to 14 children and their parents/caregivers to Salem at a time. This successful program needs your support. We need volunteers to help run the program next fall (the day/time can be flexible). Also, the following supplies are needed (cash is also accepted, please clearly state: For Toddler Gym on check memo and place in a separate envelope with For Toddler Gym marked on the envelope.) Here are other things needed: Balls for a ball pit, Manipulation toys such as blocks, etc., Children s musical instruments, Play houses and kitchens, Smaller Jungle Gyms, Play-doh/kinetic sand/ easy craft items, Rugs that are approximately 5 by 7 (for our crawlers), Snack items, such as gold fish (sealed), Napkins, Dixie cups, baby wipes and Lysol Wipes. We are taking a break for the summer, but please continue to be on look out for garage sales and help support this wonderful program (please place donations on the stage in the education building). See you in the fall!!

4 Assisting with Services (please remember to find substitutes when you cannot assist on your assigned date/s) June Hilary Smith Open/Close Hilary Smith/Jillian Smith Ushers Hilary Smith/Matt Killian Tellers July Karen James Open/Close Joyce/Karen James Ushers Julie Bigler/Denise Bollinger Tellers Communion June Joe Bachman, Peggy Rupp & Karen James July/August Karen James, Joyce Fuhrman, Hilary Smith Children s Faith Formation in June & July Nursery Elementary Floater 6/5 Peggy Rupp Lee Nocheck Sara Ulrich 6/12 Sam Nocheck Lee Nocheck Denise Bollinger 6/19 Peggy Rupp Denise Haney Sara Ulrich 6/26 Sam Nocheck Denise Haney Alex Collazo 7/3 Peggy Rupp Lee Nocheck Need somebody 7/10Sam Nocheck Denise Haney Alex Collazo 7/17 Hilary Smith Lee Nocheck Sara Ulrich 7/24 Sam Nocheck Denise Haney Denise Bollinger 7/31 Peggy Rupp Lee Nocheck Sara Ulrich

5 Mark Your Calendars and Remember: Invite Someone to Something this Summer! For more information on these events please check out the Salem UCC Regular Sunday Schedule (unless otherwise noted) website 8:00-9:30 am Bible Study in Salem meeting room (for information call Larry Sheerer at ) 10:15-11:30am Worship Service 10:30-11:30am Children s Faith Formation 11:30am Fellowship Hour Regular Weekly Activities (check Salem s Calendar for locations and more information) Tuesdays 12:30-2:30pm Salem Office Hours Wednesdays 5:00-6:00pm Yoga - All are Welcome. (education building) 7:00-9:30pm River Crossing Playback Theatre Practice (except the 2nd Wednesday of the Month) Thursdays 12:30-2:30pm Salem Office Hours Upcoming Events Tues, Jun 7 9:00-10:30 am Homes for Hope (Salem s meeting room) Wed, Jun 8 7:00-8:30pm Columbia Housing Revitalization (ed building) Fri, Jun 10 11:30 1:00pm Lunch Bunch (Crazy Tomato) Fri, Jun 10 Sat, Jun 11 Penn Central Conference (Selingsgrove) Wed, Jun 15 6:30-8:30pm Council Meeting (Salem meeting room) Sat, Jun 25 7:30-9:30 am Community Breakfast (ed building) Mon, Jul 4 Fourth of July Independence Day!!! Tues, Jul 5 9:00-10:30 am Homes for Hope (Salem s meeting room) Fri, Jul 8 11:30-1:00pm Lunch Bunch (The Olive Garden) Mon, Jul 11 Newsletter articles due Wed, Jul 13 7:00-8:30pm Columbia Housing Revitalization (ed building) Sun, Jul 17 6:00-7:30pm Annual Hymn Sing & Ice Cream Wed, Jul 20 6:30-8:30pm Council Meeting (Salem meeting room) Sat, Jul 30 7:30-9:30 am Community Breakfast (ed building) Mark Your Calendar Bridge Bust on October 1st we will have a stand to promote the bazaar. Mardi Gras Parade on October 27th we will have a stand outside Flowers by Us Historic Salem Craft Bazaar on Saturday, November 5th from 9:00 am 2:00 pm Bridge Bust & Olde Salem Craft Bazaar: Our craft bazaar will be Saturday, November 7 th from 9:00 am 2:00 pm. We are looking for chance items/baskets, other possible vendors and donations of baked goods to sell. We have reserved a spot for the Bridge Bust on October 3rd so any chance/basket items will need to be ready by the evening of October 2 nd. For those who would like to reserve a booth, speak with Denise Bollinger (number below). We will also need volunteers to man the stand at the Bridge Bust and work the day of the bazaar so please contact Denise at if you are interested.

6 Investment Accounts a/o 3/31/16 Kaufhold Fund $ 16, Lyons Fund $ 12, Endowment Fund $ 34, Total - $ 62, Financial Update Feb& March YTD Total Income $ $ Total Expense $ $ Net Income/(Deficit) $ $ ( ) Checking Acct. Balance as of 5/17/16 $ (this includes a generous $1, gift from a member to be used for the general fund). Savings Acct. Balance as of 5/17/16 $ (this includes $ remaining from insurance company to be used on ed. building roof/ceiling repairs). Work is still being done on the ed. building including some additional unexpected cost. We would also like to have the bell tower painted, it is peeling and the cost of $ was proposed to do the work. If you would like to contribute to the building repairs please place in the offering plate and mark ed. building repairs or mail to: Salem UCC PO Box 429 Columbia, PA SUNDAY WORSHIP FLOWER SPONSORSHIPS For those who are interested in sponsoring our altar flowers in the year 2016 in honor of or in memory of somebody special, the sign up forms and calendar are hanging on the worship bulletin board by the men s restroom. The information you provide will be printed in the announcements on your chosen Sunday. Simply complete the form from the envelope and put it back inside the envelope with a check written in the amount of $30 and also write your name on the calendar indicating your date of preference. If you cannot come to Salem to complete this process, you may call the church office to inquire if your date is available and then mail in your check, attention flower sponsorship. The flowers will be yours following the service (many use them as gifts). All flower sponsorships need to be made by the first of the month prior to your chosen date. See Karen James (or call her at ) to learn more. SUNDAY WORSHIP BULLETIN SPONSORSHIPS Less expensive than sponsoring flowers, all are invited to sponsor a Sunday bulletin as well. The $10.00 sponsorship fee offsets the cost of printing the bulletins. The information you provide on your form will be printed in the announcement section on your chosen date. Simply complete the form inside the envelope on the board and put it back inside the envelope with a check (also write your name and the details on the calendar indicating your date of preference). If you cannot come to Salem to do this, you may call the church office to inquire whether your date is available and then mail in your check, attention bulletin sponsorship. All bulletin sponsorships need to be made at least two weeks prior to your chosen date. See Hilary Smith (or call her at ) for more information.

7 EVERYONE MATTERS AT SALEM TIME TO CELEBRATE ONE ANOTHER! We would love to have the Birthdays and Anniversaries of all our people. Please fill out and return an About You form (found on the bulletin board outside the meeting room), or send your important dates by or call and we will list your dates here. June Birthdays 6/9 Barbara Ann Stephenson July Birthdays 7/1 Laura Becker 7/1 Elizabeth Sheerer 7/10 Brian Becker 7/12Denise Bollinger 7/17 Dawn Moore 7/21 Peggy Rupp June Anniversaries 6/25 Lee & Pastor Elizabeth Nocheck July Anniversaries 7/19 Laura & Brian Becker If you would like to send a Birthday or Anniversary Card to anyone listed above, there are donated cards at Salem that came from Denise Bollinger s mother (located on table in entryway to main building). For addresses, check your church directory or contact the church office at salemucc.columbia@gamil.com or call to get a directory. To all the members of Salem who contributed to my bonus, your generosity was unexpected and greatly appreciated. Thank you so much!! Eileen Littell Salem Administrative Assistant

8 324 Walnut Street (PO Box 429) Columbia, PA; Phone: Website: Historic Salem United Church of Christ Pastor: Elizabeth Nocheck ( ) Officers President: Peggy Rupp VP External: Sara Ulrich VP Internal: Joe Bachman Secretary: Karen James Ministry Teams Christian Ed: Sara Ulrich Worship/Music: Mardy Bachman Outreach: Joyce Fuhrman Parish Life: Karen James Property: Scott Bollinger Treasurer/Finance: Hilary Smith (Hilary is not on council, but continues to serve in this position.) We continue to need two people to serve on council. If you are interested in learning more, please speak with Peggy Rupp or Pastor Elizabeth. Newsletter Submissions for August/September: If you re interested in submitting an article or information about an upcoming event; please drop it in the Church Secretary mailbox in the copy room (do not put items on the computer desk please; they tend to get lost) or your article to on or before Monday, July 11th