Sheridan Church Destroyed by Fire Luther King, Jr

TheA bimonthly newsletter of The First UnitedSpire Methodist Church of Salem, Oregon It’s not the steeple, it’s the people. Vol. 41, No. 1 • Jan. 13, 2009 A STEPHEN MINISTRY CHURCH In honor of Martin Sheridan church destroyed by fire Luther King, Jr. In late December, the Sheridan United Methodist Church was destroyed There will be a special service to by fire. Fire fighters from nine surrounding communities came to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., assist with the two alarm blaze. Although the brick sanctuary and on Sunday, Jan. 18, at 4 p.m. at wooden education and fellowship wing are a loss, the parsonage was McKay High School. An offering not harmed. The possible cause of the fire was by the collapse of an will be taken to support a college awning from snow which broke a light fixture. The Church, established scholarship for minority high school in 1875, has been holding services at an alternate location. students. A special part of this Bishop Robert T. Hoshibata, offers this message. “I ask all the churches service will include a large gospel of our United Methodist connection to hold the Sheridan church choir! Please take the opportunity members in prayer. As a denomination we look forward to assisting to honor Dr. King by attending this them in continuing their ministry to the people of Yamhill County.” celebration! Shelley Durrant home Tambourine and Liturgical Dance Class starts from hospital Monday, Jan. 26, 7 to 8 p.m. Shelley Durrant can’t wait for the The Bible says “Praise Him with the tambourine and dance” (Ps.150:4). day when she can brush her teeth. This 10-week class, held on Monday evenings, will teach you how to For now, she’s just happy to be alive. use the tambourine as an instrument of worship. We will learn basic techniques in playing and moving the tambourine and choreographed She returned home to the Monroe patterns—each of which has spiritual meaning. We will also learn how area last week, two months after make colorful ribbon “tails” to attach to the tambourine to add visual losing her arms in a tractor accident. impact to the patterned moves. By the end of the class we will be able to The mother of two girls hopes to get do a tambourine dance to the song “New Song Arising” plus a beautiful a prosthetic right arm in a couple worship dance (without tambourine) that can be danced to many songs, weeks. A left arm will hopefully be including “I Receive.” in the works when that shoulder heals some more. Leading with Excellence She wants to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers, as well Are you a Sunday School teacher or youth leader? Are you considering as the doctors who helped her. But becoming a counselor or dean at camp? Check out LEADAPALOOZA! credit for her survival also goes Leadapalooza: “Learning how to Handle with Care” is scheduled higher up, Durrant added. for Monday, Jan. 19, (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) in Salem. Call “A lot of it is God,” she said, Morningside United Methodist Church for information, 503-364-5013. “Somebody was keeping me here.” Leadapalooza is not just for camping, but anyone working with Shelley’s aunt, Deb Durrant, is Christian Education. We will be offering a class, Safeguarding God’s a member of Salem First United Children, which is closely aligned with Safe Sanctuaries’ policies, and Methodist Church. a CPR class, as well as other leadership workshops. Checkout www. gocamping.org and look on the calendar of events for more details. 2 The Spire • Jan. 13, 2009

PA S T O R’ S P O N D E R I N G S Worship schedule See back page for services and times. One of my best Christmas gifts this year was The Green Bible. I had never heard of it before opening the Jan. 11 wrappings and was somewhat mystified by the title. 8:30 and 11:00 Praise Rev. Sue As I leafed through it, I realized that it is a NRSV “Don’t Discard the Abundance” translation of the Bible with many of the scriptures Luke 15: 11-24 printed in green ink. The green passages are those 11:00 Traditional Rev. Susan that refer to the earth and God’s Word on how we are to relate to it. 6:04 p.m. the Underground Kirk Hurd The Bible also contains essays on the importance of Jan 18 loving the earth as God loves the earth. They are written by 8:30 and 11:00 Traditional Rev. Sue many different theologians from many different theological “The How of It” perspectives. There is an essay from a Jewish theologian, a conservative 1 Peter 4:1-2, 7-11 Christian and some more liberal voices. The essays include words from 11:00 Praise Rev. Susan Archbishop Tutu and Pope John Paul II and Wendell Berry. It is interesting 6:04 p.m. the Underground Kirk Hurd to me that this shared concern and passion for saving the earth may be what brings an end to our divided faith. Jan 25 8:30 and 11:00 Praise Rev. Sue The truth is the earth is dying. To quote, J. Matthews Sleeth, MD, one of the “Leave the Gleanings” essay writers, and creators of The Green Bible: Luke 12:13-21 and “I grew up in the mid-Atlantic area. Many changes have taken place in my Leviticus 19:9-10 lifetime. There are no longer elms on Elm Street, no chestnuts on Chestnut 11:00 Traditional Rev. Susan Lane, no caribou in Caribou, Maine. In just a generation, the fields that 6:04 p.m. the Underground Kirk Hurd supported 300 years of inhabitants have all been replanted with houses. The flocks of birds that migrated for hours over our backyard in spring and Feb 1 Consecration Sunday fall are gone. The snow fences that road crews put up every October are 8:30 and 11:00 Traditional Rev. Sue no longer needed because it rarely snows. And these changes are mirrored “The Power of the Mite” in humans. When I started medicine, one in nineteen women got breast Mark 12:41-44 cancer. Now a few years later, it is one in seven. No one can suppose that 11:00 Praise Rev. Susan these trends in nature and in us can continue unchanged and everything 6:04 p.m. the Underground Kirk Hurd will turn out all right.” The Biblical prophets spoke about the way of destruction and warned us Worship at Willson House – against it. Isaiah, for example, writes, “The earth lies polluted under its Join us for worship the first Friday inhabitants, for they have transgressed laws, violated the statutes, broken of each month at Willson House. the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse devours the earth, and its Feb. 6, at 10:30 a.m. Communion inhabitants suffer for their guilt.” (24:5-6) will be served. That is a prophecy given to us by the faithful as a call to change. As this new year unfolds, I pledge to do more to be faithful to the God of creation and to my neighbor with whom I share this earth. I’m going to re-examine my habits. I am going to pledge my attentiveness to systemic practices. I January is am going to lessen my consumption. I am also looking for a bumper sticker 2009 that says, “Jesus is Coming - Plant a Tree. ” Wishing you God’s joy in your challenges. Stewardship Campaign month! The Spire • Jan. 13, 2009 3

Music First, I’d like to thank… Dessert Second The hosts and hostesses of our 21 Fall Fellowship Gatherings and Sunday, Jan. 25, 4 p.m. Mark Bateman, Scott Berry, Chuck Hudkins and Wally Shaffer of the Our sixth annual music Stewardship Team for leading the feedback discussions. Don Inlay ministry fundraising event is The congration for the many get well cards, prayers and support during on Sunday, Jan. 25, at 4 p.m. my recent hospital stay. It has been quite a struggle but I’m doing in the sanctuary. It will be better each day. God bless you all. Jean Corcran followed by a dessert potluck in the dining room, hosted by our music program members. This Ad sponsors support FUMC newsletter fundraising concert features Heavenly Printing is once again working on the sponsor ad page in the choirs, bell choirs and other The Spire. Any business owner interested in becoming a sponsor can musical groups of FUMC. We’ll contact Heavenly Printing at 951-850-9909. The donations made to share a fun mix of worship FUMC by Heavenly Printing help offset the cost of publishing and and non-worship-style music. mailing our newsletter. Sponsors’ ads will run for one year from Donations will be gratefully March, 2009, to Feb., 2010. Church members will have first choice and accepted toward purchases for receive a big discount. the music ministry. Please come — Jeff and Penny Marsell, Heavenly Printing support our music program. Alternative Christmas Market report Sale of Ranney So many people worked to make this year’s Alternative Christmas concert CD supports Market a success that we cannot possibly list them all, so we are music ministry using The Spire to thank each of you who worked and shopped. The recording of the John Together we raised a record $21,554.70 (the 2007 Market raised Ranney’s concert of his $14,328.72) for helping agencies here and abroad. Even agencies that compositions on the texts of might appear more commercial—wreath sales, Ten Thousand Villages, Hildegard von Bingen that took poinsettias—use their money for service programs, not for self place in our sanctuary, Sept. 21, maintenance. In addition, numerous items were brought for the Giving is, at last, available. Performers and Mitten Tree. include Cynthia and Emanuel On behalf of the Christian Social Concerns Committee, we are grateful to McGladrey, Joan Paddock, Jackie you for your continuing generosity of time and giving. Special thanks to van Paepeghem, Debi Huddleston our office and custodial staff for your cheerful invaluable assistance. and Kristin Hammond, plus the Shalom, Phil and Erin Hanni Koinonia Consort, the Halcyon Trio Oregon and the Hildegard Singers. Many of you who were Craft donations benefit missions there considered the concert a The United Methodist Women were pleased to be part of another very high point in the musical life successful Alternative Christmas Market. We’re grateful to have been of our church and asked for a included! Between handmade craft items and nut sales, UMW raised recording to be available. Now $1,040 for missions during the two days of the market. Many thanks your requests can be filled. to Dee Cook, June Hickerson, Irene Fernandez, Marisa DeBlase, Susan Copies are available in the Boegli, Sharon Everett, Deanna Fitzpatrick, Caroline Cummins, Barb church office at a cost of $15. Alexander, Angela Deckelmann, Sue Corner, and all those anonymous Proceeds go to the Wiscarson donors who contributed lovely handcrafted items to our table. Fund to help further the music ministry of our church. 4 The Spire • Jan. 13, 2009

Spiritual formation opportunities for adults, Jan. – May 09 Sunday School it and what are its goals? Family Matters (room B8 - with coffee and treats) April 5: Local Service Group: What is the problem? The Family Matters class provides fellowship and May 3: Protestant Denomination Proliferation: Why mutual support to parents as they explore ways to Can’t We All Just Get Along? draw on their Christian faith to address issues of May 17: The Rise of Indigenous Peoples in South family life and parenting. America: The Case of Bolivia Jan. 4 - Feb. 15: The Five Love Languages May 24: Memorial Day weekend - TBA Feb. 22: Joining Forum for poverty program May 31: Sustainable, Fair Trade, and Local Eating Mar. 1 - Mar. 29: Discussions of the Statesman Journal Prayer of the Heart (9:30 to 10:45 in room 222) series, “Raising a Community” Those who would like to develop a daily practice of April 5: Joining Forum for a program on local service contemplative prayer are invited to join the Prayer groups of the Heart Circle. This ancient practice of inner April 12: Easter Sunday - no class communion with God from the earliest centuries of April 19 - May 17: So Sexy So Soon Christianity moves beyond images, thoughts, words and concepts to the interior silence and stillness of Great Themes from the Bible—Bible study with short ceaseless prayer in daily life. term units (room 123) This series of Bible study units presents themes from Other than Sunday school hour the Bible relevant for the faith formation of adults. Living Love: Knowing and Becoming the Healing Participants will engage biblical themes that reflect on Power of God faith issues in their daily lives, learn more about God, In this weekly gathering we will explore how to be and understand what it means to live faithful lives. more in tune with God in our daily living and prayer Jan. 18 - Mar. 1: Commitment: God’s Commitment— lives in hopes of becoming more effective channels for Our Response God’s healing love and grace. Mar. 8 - April 26: Christ: Jesus’ Life, Teaching and Sundays, March 1 - May 31, 5:00 - 6:30 in the NHTS Ministry May 3 - June 14: Community: You will be my witness Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver Forum (Carrier Room) Sponsored by the Earth Concerns Committee and The Forum class invites speakers to lead discussions of Rev. Sue Owen. (room 123) contemporary local, national and international topics This is the story of how the Kingsolver family was on social, political and religious issues that have an changed by their first year of deliberately eating food impact on our lives as persons and as communities. produced from the same place they worked, went to Jan. 25: Salem Hospital: Community Resource and Its school, loved their neighbors, drank the water and Challenges breathed the air. Feb. 1: Salem Town and Gown: What’s Happening with Sundays, Jan. 25 - Feb. 22,12:30 - 2:00 Willamette University? What it Means to be a United Methodist (room 123) Feb. 8: Salem Schools: Challenges and Opportunities This six week video-based small group study is Feb. 15: Our Financial Future Feb. 22: “Poverty: For ye have the poor always with you…” Mar. 1 - Mar. 8: Contemporary and Global/mission hymns reflecting the Wesleyan tradition Mar. 15: Institute on Religion and Democracy: What is The Spire • Jan. 13, 2009 5 designed to help people become better acquainted available on page 11. February Book will be Becoming with the structure, mission and beliefs of The United a Blessed Church by Graham Standish. Methodist Church. We hope you will join us as we Third Wednesday of every month, claim the name United Methodist for ourselves. (123) 6:30 - 8:00 in room 225 Sundays, April 19 - May 24, 12:30 - 2:00 Companions in Christ: The Way of Forgiveness Great Religions of the World—Islam (room 225) It takes a lot of willingness and practice to see life from Participants in this class will be engaged in a course on God’s perspective. Perhaps nothing goes more against Islam taught by John L. Esposito, Professor of Religion the grain of human nature than the ideas of forgiving and International Affairs and Professor of Islam at those who wound us and accepting forgiveness from Georgetown University. The course is part of the Great others. In this eight-week study, Thompson breaks Religions of the World DVD series. Throughout the down the transformational process by first examining course, questions will be explored about the basic shame, guilt and anger. A full release of these feelings beliefs of Islam, how these beliefs guide the way not only leads to the wholeness that Christ taught, but the adherents of Islam live (how they dress, work, also takes us on a path of freedom and joy. pray and raise their families) and how those beliefs Thursdays, Jan. 8 - Feb. 2, 10:00 - noon influence relationships with the peoples of other religions. A Clearing Season: Reflections for Lent Mondays, Jan. 12 - April 6, 7:00 - 8:30 It’s time to re-think Lent! Consider it to be a spring cleaning for the soul. Lent offers you time to pause, Victory and Peace or Justice and Peace? consider and renew your relationship with God – an Living the Questions altogether hope-filled experience. Join this small study Through four lectures from John Dominic Crossan we group as they explore a new way of understanding the will look at Justice as Love. season of Lent. • Justice & the World: What is the Character of Your Thursdays, March 5 - April 2, 10:00 - noon God? • History & Jesus: What is the Content of Your Faith? A Hidden Wholeness • Worship & Violence: What is the Purpose of Your This small group will explore what it means to live Prayer an undivided life, one where our inner truth can find • Resurrection & Community: What is the Function of expression and value in our outer lives, despite the Your Church? pressures we may face. Parker Palmer, the author of Tuesdays, Jan. 27 - Feb. 17, 6:00 - 8:30 the text, shows readers how to nurture the soul both in solitude and in community. Palmer examines the Discovering God’s Vision For Your Life: You and problem of the “divided life,” diagnoses its sources, Your Spiritual Gifts assesses its personal and social costs and offers a As a participant in this course, you can expect an model of community that will help people live with exciting and enriching experience. The course will greater integrity and wholeness. provide you with fresh perspectives on your life and Thursdays, April 16 - May 28,10:00 - noon ministry. You can look forward to deepening your relationship with God and enjoying community and Men and Me fellowship with other participants. Each Thursday morning a group of men joins Pastor March 31 - May 26, 6:00 - 7:30 Sue in a discussion of a contemporary book that deals with faith and its relationship to the challenges and UMW and UMM Book Group issues of contemporary life. The United Methodist Women and the United Thursday mornings at 6:30 at the Blue Pepper Methodist Men sponsor this program to read and discuss today’s issues. Books should be read prior to the monthly meeting. January book is Hard Line, Life and Death on The US- Mexico Border. More information 6 The Spire • Jan. 13, 2009

EARTH CONCERNS GROUP FUMC soup kitchen Meets the third Tuesday of every month at 5:30 in the Carrier Room. service a success Thanks to the generosity of 23 Earth news attendees of the FUMC MICAH Praise Service, 70+ hungry In 2008, David Smedema and the Trustees completed a number of members of our community were energy projects. An energy audit was conducted for the church. Light served a hot meal on Dec. 7 at bulbs were changed to CFL (Compact Florescent Lights), and the the Kairos Soup Kitchen. Special church’s furnace was computerized with a timer to save energy and thanks to Ted and Colleen Richard heating bills. We are also exploring placing a solar panel on MICAH in for organizing the cooks and the future. servers and generally being in The Earth Concerns Group is looking forward to a busy year of activities. charge on the day of the event. We have two volunteers who will be taking classes through Marion (Sorry to those who wanted County to become Master Recyclers. They will be active promoting more to volunteer but weren’t able recycling practices in the church’s daily routine. We are working on because others beat them to the becoming an “Energy Wise” business through Marion County’s program. sign up sheet! Maybe next time!) The group is entertaining the idea of integrating some of the “Natural Servers included, Sabrina Step Program” ideas to include environmental consequences and impacts Riggs; Bill, Lisa, Matthew, Kyle, in the decision making process of the church. In January we will host a and Tyler Ismay, plus their five class discussion group on the book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. The exchange student, Sarah Wright; group will sponsor an Earth Day event in April, date yet to be announced. Nancy and Andrew Brik; Ranjit If there are any questions or if you would like to contact someone Ramakrishnan; Nancy Baker-Kroft; about the group, please contact Diane Rolph at [email protected] and Andy and LeAnn Bromeland. or 503-581-0525. Donors included, Ted and Colleen Richard; Stu and Judi Smith; Tom Join us for a five-week book study Scheuermann; Roberta Moore; Dawn Gienger; Bill Olson; and Bill Please join the Earth Concerns Team for a five-week book study beginning on and Paula Sullivan. Sunday, Jan. 25, at 12:30. We are going to be studying Barbara Kingsolver’s book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. Kingsolver writes about how her family In 2008 four groups from FUMC returned to providing their own food and the importance of understanding served at the Kairos Soup our food consumption practices. This is an enthralling narrative that will Kitchen (formerly Jason Lee Soup open our eyes in a hundred new ways to an old truth: You are what you eat. Kitchen). Groups sponsoring this service were Family Matters Class, Let us know if you would like to explore this book with us. Call the Mia Adjali Circle, Social Concerns office and we will purchase the books. We do ask that you reimburse the Ministry Group and MICAH Praise church. Cost of the book is $17.99. Service participants. Many thanks to all who contributed time and Big Give gets bigger money for this important service Last month we reported that the fifth grade Sunday School class raised to the hungry of our community. close to $200 to be put toward the students’ favorite charities. That We have four opportunities in total is now well over $200 as Rachel Scheuermann raised money the coming year. The 2009 dates selling home-baked cookies to neighbors. She donated that money to her are; Feb. 22, May 3, July 26 and favorite charity—the Humane Society. Jack Edwards raised money the Dec. 13. If your church group old fashioned way—he asked for donations…and got them. The money would like to sponsor one of he raised will be donated to our church’s general budget. (Now that’s these dates, please contact Bill a worthy charity!) Thanks to all the fifth graders and their teachers, Sullivan, 503-371-3467. Marilyn Edwards and Lauren Lathrop, for their efforts and generosity. The Spire • Jan. 13, 2009 7 Sat 9 a.m. -4 p.m. -4 9 a.m. 31 3 10 Quilt Group 17 24 Fri Fri Spire Spire Spire Deadline for Deadline for Deadline for Noon Social Noon Social Concerns Concerns 6 p.m. Parents Night Out 9 6:30 p.m. Mary Martha Circle 30 2 Worship 10:30 a.m. @ Willson House 16 23 Thu Thu Closed New Year’s New Year’s 10 a.m. 10 a.m. 7 p.m. SPRC SPRC 7 p.m. Church Office Office Church Day 10 a.m. 10 a.m. Companions Study 10 a.m. Companions Study 10 a.m. Companions Study 1 8 15 22 Council Ad 7 p.m. 29 Companions Study 6 p.m. Trustees

Wed Wed 4 p.m. 4 p.m. 4:30 p.m. UMW 7 p.m. Mia 7 p.m. Mia Adjali Circle Susanna Circle Wesley 7 6:45 p.m. UMW UMM & Monthly Book Study 4 p.m. Susanna Wesley Circle 14 21 28 Executive Meeting Executive Meeting January 2009 Tue Tue SPIRE SPIRE 6 6 p.m. SPRC 7 p.m. All Church Charge Conference SPIRE Published the 6 p.m. Living Questions, Peace & Victory 13 20 27 Published Published Mission 1:30 p.m. Team Work Class Mon MLK Day 6 p.m. Connections That Count 7 p.m. Islam Class 7 p.m. Tambourine & Dance Class 5 6:30 p.m. Ministry Stephen Meeting 12 Islam Class 7 p.m. 19 6:30 p.m. Ministry Stephen Islam Class 7 p.m. 26 Office Closed begins begins First United Methodist Church First United Methodist Church

Sun Food Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King - Sunday, January 18, 4 p.m. at McKay High School! 18, 4 p.m. at McKay High School! Sunday, January

12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. Worship Team 4 p.m. MLK Celebration at HS McKay 4 Earth Concerns Book Study Collection SundayCollection 11 18 25 begins Choir (Choir rm.) Fun Night (Rm 121) Night (Rm Fun Check-in for Youth @ Blue Pepper m. - “Men & Me” at Blue Pepper Pepper & Me” at Blue - “Men m. Events Weekly Weekly . - Recurring WORSHIP Thursday 6:30 a. Monday Class - Islam 7 p.m. 5 p.m. - Living Love Prayer Group (M) Prayer Group (M) Love - Living 5 p.m. Sunday Morning (YC) Sunday Morning - All Classes. 9:45-10:30 a.m. 9:45-10:30 a.m. - Youth Sacred Space Space Sacred - Youth 9:45-10:30 a.m. 7 p.m Sunday 5:30 p.m.-Bridges 5:30 p.m.-Bridges 7:30 p.m. Chancel 7:30 p.m. Wednesday Rm.) (Dining & Glo 9:30 a.m.-Stretch Wednesday Wednesday Alleluia Choir (Choir rm.) 6:30 p.m. 5 p.m.-Sacred Space P.M. (YC) 5 p.m.-Sacred Monday Rm.) (Dining & Glo 9:30 a.m.-Stretch 7:15 p.m. Angelus Dei Bells (Sanctuary) Angelus Dei Bells (Sanctuary) 7:15 p.m. Sunday 6:30 p.m. Serephim Bells (Sanctuary) Bells (Sanctuary) Serephim 6:30 p.m. 10 a.m. - Companions in Christ - Companions 10 a.m. Sunday (S) Service First Up Worship 8:30 a.m. (MICAH) Praise Service 11 am MUSIC Monday Bells (Sanctuary) Archangel 5:30 p.m. CLASSES/PRAYER GROUPS/ACTIVITIES 11 a.m. Traditional Worship (S) Worship Traditional 11 a.m. Underground (MICAH) 6:04 p.m. Sunday - Choristers 9 - 9:40 a.m. 8 The Spire • Jan. 13, 2009

Gary Onstot shares thoughts, concerns Gary Onstot shared these thoughts as a public no other staff areas are open to consideration to statement at the Administrative Board meeting in cut. This recommendation was made in good faith December. Gary is supportive of the Administrative based on the information available in November. Board as the leadership work together to find 2008. The information in February, 2009 may look solutions to the proposed cuts. considerably different, positively or negatively. Leave yourselves enough room to do what really I deeply appreciate all the hard work done by the SPR makes sense at that time. and Finance committees and was pleased to see that the letter to the congregation signed by Jan Morgan A word to the whole congregation: Don’t concede and Steve Horning mentioned hope that the proposed defeat before the game is played. Yes, I read the cuts would not be needed if our giving increased newspapers and listen to the news; and yes, I know enough to cover the entire 2009 proposed budget. the past history of giving in this church; and yes, I know financial times are tough. However, we I have three concerns with the proposed need to conduct a much more vigorous stewardship recommendation which I would like to bring to campaign this time than we have done in the your attention: recent past. We need to let our congregation know I believe that our church’s most important mission in very graphic terms that if they want to continue is to pass our faith on to the next generation. The their favorite styles of worship and music, as well largest proposed cut directly affects our ability to as participate in meaningful mission work and perform this mission. I am not lobbying to retain educational opportunities, they are going to have to this position, as presently defined, or to retain the sacrifice to finance it. employee who presently fills this position. However, The Christian religion is built on the premise I do believe that this most important mission that resurrection follows sacrifice, not the other deserves at least as much professional staffing way around. Remember: Jesus Christ was asked consideration as maintaining the various styles of to make a sacrifice, and when he prayed about worship which are preferred by various members it in the garden of Gethsemane, he was told that of our congregation. It is not adequate staffing to unless there was a sacrifice, there could not be a simply add the Christian Education duties to those resurrection. of an already overloaded Lead Pastor. It is also not acceptable to throw out a $500 per month stipend We must insure that every person in our to lure an unsuspecting, well-meaning layperson congregation clearly understands that a higher into an impossible part-time position that will standard of personal financial giving is required to probably result in “burn-out” in 6 months or so. maintain our program and ministries at the present We have tried that approach three different times in level. I suggest we ask everyone to go home, look the 35 years I have been a member of this church in the mirror and ask themselves this question, “Is and the result has been the same each time: a) everything I’m spending money on more important substandard programs, b) burn-out of the person, than passing our faith on to the next generation?” and c) that person leaves the church. Will we have a resurrection? Are we willing to Christian Education, and especially that part sacrifice to have this resurrection? involving our children, must be a priority The answer is up to us! responsibility of a paid professional member of our staff. If SPRC decides to assign the responsibility to our Lead Pastor, some of her present duties must be assigned to other members of the remaining staff. Some advice to the Ad Board: Don’t paint yourselves into a corner. The recommendation, as presently worded, will lead many to believe that The Spire • Jan. 13, 2009 9

HOW is a success! Mayor’s plan to end homelessness in Salem Hope on Wheels (HOW, which Some of you may be aware of Mayor Janet Taylor’s plan to end is our outreach van into the homelessness in Salem. She has a committee with several sub- homeless camps) was a big committees which meet and work out details of how this will work. success. The van made its first Some cities in America have developed housing for their homeless run the day before Thanksgiving population. Seattle is an excellent example of such a concept. Funds and served far more people than were raised by the community and with these funds a hotel was anticipated. It is sometimes purchased. The rooms were small, but they seemed like a castle to hard to serve homeless people persons who had been living on the streets and in the woods. This in their camps. They constantly complex is staffed with full services such as employment counseling worry about being turned in for and development, staff to determine eligibility for various government illegally camping. As a result programs, mental health counseling and vocational rehabilitation, just they do not welcome strangers to name a few. It has been a very successful program and now Salem for fear they will be reported, is looking to set up a model for our city. undergo a police sweep and be Several ideas are in the works. One plan is to obtain funds to purchase forced to move again. There a building to house our homeless people. It would be a full service is a trust level which must be building. The end goal would be to provide for whatever needs a developed before outside groups person would have so they could achieve their full potential. This plan can work with our disadvantaged has developed to the point where the State of Oregon is now assisting population. the committee and has made some funds available. The van first went to Wallace The second plan is to develop a place for our homeless people to Marine Park. A few people came legally put up a tent. It would be to code and meet all sanitation out and soon word spread that requirements. The City of Salem is also behind this plan. Our city there was a help van with warm planners know homelessness cannot be ended with one building. clothing, blankets, tents, tarps, A tent stand would provide a safe place for people to stay until more hats, gloves, socks, batteries openings in a building were made available. This tent stand would and fresh drinking water. More also have services available to assist with clients’ needs. It was people who were cold came out pointed out in the last meeting that there is a great deal of expense of the woods to seek help. The by not having a tent area. The police are constantly being called to van left and went on to Cascade the camps, which takes up time and salary. Some have stated the Park. After arriving, several emergency room at the hospital gets much more use because homeless people came out to see what people cannot practice preventative medicine. was there. They went back into the woods, spread the word Many faith-based communities are on board to work with the mayor and more homeless people who on her plan. FUMC has committed to working on the second plan. were cold and hungry came out We are in need of a representative from our church. This commitment to receive help. Several people would be to serve on the planning committee only and you would were sleeping under a tarp. One be working with some wonderful people from different faith- person had no tarp or tent. We based organizations. If you would be interested in serving on this were able to give tents, along committee, it would be a great service to FUMC. Call the church office with blankets and warm clothing. (503-364-6709) and let Katie know you have an interest. Someone They were very grateful. The van will call you and answer any questions you may have. Let’s get FUMC left the camps with staff feeling on board and do God’s work on earth by helping to make the lives complete at the help they gave. of homeless people better. This van returned the next day to offer a Thanksgiving dinner to

(cont. on page 10) 10 The Spire • Jan. 13, 2009

HOW is a success! FUMC YOUTH (cont. from page 9) Sacred Space our disadvantaged population. What a feeling! Sacred Space AM: Every Sunday morning from 9:45 to We do not see HOW as the answer to homelessness in Salem. It is 10:45 a.m. Emphasis on group a temporary program until a better plan is developed by the City of discussions. Salem. In the meantime, HOW will assist now as the need is today. Sacred Space PM/Youth Group: Word has spread throughout the faith-based community about HOW. 5 p.m. on Sunday in the youth Without asking we are receiving donations for the van. Recently center. Those who wish will stay someone donated a huge number of warm blankets and the program is and attend the Underground from fairly well off for this item. We still need additional items. If you can 6 to 8 p.m. help it would be a great service to the least of us in the community. You can receive a donation receipt for tax purposes. Needed items More info at our blog: www. include: sacredspacesalem.blogspot.com.

• Gallon jugs of fresh water • Warm hats, mittens, gloves, • Warm jackets, slacks socks, scarves • Small tents • Inexpensive can openers • Carpenters candles • Toliet paper • Batteries, AA, AAA, and D • Plastic garbage bags • Women’s personal products • Anything you feel our • Small tarps homeless people could use • Cash (needed for gas and insurance)

This is a program which has developed out of the FUMC. We have much community support and the program is growing. Any donations you can make would be put to good use. Your donations can be recycled or new. Thank you for your assistance.

Mission Café year-end report is good despite crummy weather Thanks to volunteers who disregarded blustery fruit bars, brownies, and other baked goods, and December weather—the Mission Café finished those behind the counter their dimes and dollars. strong and reached its goal for 2008! We provided We couldn’t do it without you. $3,500 to help support three United Methodist Now, the slate is clean. This is a new year and missionaries; Janice McLain in the Republic of it’s time to do it all over again. If you wish to Congo, and Teri and Ev Erbele in Ketchikan, Alaska. volunteer for the first time - please give your Your noble efforts also enabled us to provide contact information to the office. The Mission Café donations to local mission projects: Baker School welcomes your favorite family recipes. Our proceeds Literacy Program ($200) and Salem Outreach support missionaries and mission work and we do Shelter ($300). it “one cookie and one drink at a time.” Thanks a million. But wait, there’s more! UMCOR Medicine Boxes ($200) and the Liberian Girl’s School ($200). — The Mission Work Team We salute the volunteers who keep the Café inventory filled with cookies, cupcakes, muffins, The Spire • Jan. 13, 2009 11

WOMEN’S MINISTRIES Love, Serve, Learn Re-connect with self, Sunday, Feb. 8: Staying Connected the discussion. ALL are welcome. Copies are available via the church To register, call or come by the others, God or public library. A limited number church office. The cost is $68 per of copies are available for purchase You are invited to spend the entire person. By all means, bring a friend. weekend re-connecting with yourself through Melissa Berry (503-316- and your passions, with new and old 0581). Reading this book satisfies friends and with God. If you cannot Mia Adjali Circle part of the reading program attend the entire weekend, you still Mia Adjali Circle will meet on requirement for the UMW reading have the opportunity to engage in Wednesday, Jan. 14, at 7 p.m. at program. See you Jan. 15! reclaiming your identity as God’s the home of Donna Herbert (1375 beloved. Prayer practices throughout Ewald SE). Visitors are welcome UMW Special Mission the weekend allow you to reflect on to enjoy a program dealing with Recognition pins what God desires to reveal to you genealogy. For more information, during the season of Lent. contact Connie Bork, 503-364-8623. UMW Special Mission Recognitions are given to honor individuals’ work Facilitator the Rev. Roberta Egli Luncheon success! and commitment to missions. They is pastor of Englewood UMC in are given to members of United Yummy soups—including HOME Salem and also serves as Director Methodist Women and beyond to MADE soup by Bob Johnson and of Deep Well Ministries. Roberta others in churches and communities. Shirley Knepp—bread from Cascade has a passion for designing They recognize the important roles Bakery and terrific volunteers creative worship as a spiritual individuals play in mission in their brought in $290 towards defraying formative experience. local and global communities. costs for the Women’s ’09 Retreat. Roberta is a certified Spiritual Thanks to ALL who helped and This year, our UMW unit had three Director and has over 20 years of contributed to our project! pins to award and 11 wonderfully experience as a worship designer mission-minded nominees! On Dec. and leader. In addition, her skills UMW/UMM book 13 we recognized Donna Herbert, in vocal music enhance her retreat Barbara Alexander and Don and leadership. She has worked in study—immigration Shirley Knepp as this years recipients a variety of ecumenical settings Join us following dinner on the during the 11 a.m. service. Donna’s which include local church, Third Wednesday in January as we involvement in the re-instatement of district, conference and national study the book Hard Line: Life and our local UMW unit in 2001, as well denominational leadership. Death on the U.S.-Mexico Border. as her service to the church office and CHP, Barbara’s service to UMW and Friday, Feb. 6: Reconnect with Self In this book, Ken Ellington, a as the church choir librarian and Don An optional seminar on the correspondent for the Los Angeles and Shirley’s mission service through Enneagram. The Enneagram is a Times, captures the heart of this UMCOR and their tendency to help spiritual typology that assists you complex and fascinating land, anyone in need have touched us all. in learning more about your own through the dramatic stories of motivations and how you respond undocumented immigrants and To honor the other seven deserving to the world around you. the border agents who track individuals who were nominated, them through the desert, Native a special gift to mission through Saturday, Feb. 7: Reconnect with Americans divided between two UMW was made in each of their God, Rooted in God’s Love; countries, human rights workers names. Please join us in thanking Reconnect with Self, Embracing aiding the migrants and ranchers Carol Ann Munson, Sue Owen, our Uniqueness; Reconnect with taking the law into their own hands. Bob Johnson, Kim and Dan Bolen, Others, Sacred Conversations; and You are responsible for acquiring Phaedra Parrish and Sue Cridge for Celebrating our Connections the book, although reading the book their gifts of service to Christ. is not a requirement for attending — The UMW Executive Team The Spire (USPS 863-560) published twice monthly, except in Nov. and Dec., by the First United Methodist Church, 600 State Street, Salem, Oregon. Periodical postage paid at Salem, OR 97301. Postmaster: Please send change of address to

It’s not the steeple, it’s the people.

First United Methodist Church 600 State Street Salem, OR 97301

Sunday Services . . 8:30 a.m. (Sanctuary), 11:00 a.m. (MICAH), ...... 11 a.m. (Sanctuary), 6:04 p.m. (MICAH) ...... Sunday School at 9:45 a.m. Location ...... Corner of Church and State Streets Phone ...... 503-364-6709 Fax ...... 503-364-7268 Prayer Line ...... 503-362-8149 E-mail ...... Church: [email protected] Sue Owen: [email protected] Susan Boegli: [email protected] Kirk Hurd: [email protected] Web page ...... www.salemfirstumc.org Office hours ...... Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m...... Friday 9:00 a.m. to Noon

12 The Spire • Jan. 13, 2009

First United Methodist Church Spire deadlines A diverse and inclusive community of faith, seeking to follow the example Please submit your articles by of Jesus Christ by Welcoming all to a walk with Christ, Nurturing each NOON of the deadline date. other in Christian love, Equipping persons with a faith that works in real Articles received after the deadline life, and Serving God in the church, the community and the world. will be held for the next issue. Deadline ...... Publication date Church Staff Jan. 16 ...... Jan. 27 Lay Leaders ...... Chuck Hudkins and Mary Ann Robinson Jan. 30 ...... Feb. 10 Feb. 13 ...... Feb. 24 Lead Pastor ...... Rev. Sue Owen Feb. 27 ...... March 10 Minister of Discipleship ...... Rev. Susan Boegli March 13 ...... March 24 Youth Director ...... April 3 ...... April 14 April 17 ...... April 28 Coordinator of Children’s Ministries ...... Elizabeth Fenton E-mail articles for The Spire to the Director of Music ...... Kristin Hammond church office, [email protected]. Director of Contemporary Music and the Underground ...... Kirk Hurd Please include the word “SPIRE” Organist ...... John Ranney and the subject of your article in the subject line. Be sure to Business Administrators ...... Nancy Brik and Ellie Carson include a phone number with your Office Manager ...... Katie Carpenter article. Articles longer than 300 Stephen Ministry Coordinator ...... Fran Eriksen words may be cut to fit. Director of Human Resources ...... Carol Stoebig Campus Custodian ...... Total Solutions Karen McCoy ABR, GRI Real Estate Consultant Cell: (503) 930-7001 Suite 100 Office: (503) 391-1350 Salem, OR

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