John Louk

On Sunday, July 26, Rev. Tom Hazelwood was our special guest preacher. Tom is the Assistant General Secretary for disaster response in the United States for UMCOR (the United Methodist Committee On Relief). His presence gave people an opportunity to ask questions and speak with him  directly. It was a good reminder that Salem is not alone. We are part of a larger connectional system that cares deeply about Salem.   Some of you may remember that Tom was with us for worship on my very first Sunday with Salem last year (at Lovely Lane UMC). That was just a few weeks after the flood. He spoke to the congregation that day. Now a year later, he has been back to spend more time with Salem. Tom has written a very kind blog about his visit with us and how impressed he is that, even in the midst of the flood, Salem has remained strongly engaged in mission. C lick here  to read it.

Word is spreading about the possibility of buying out the New Creation UMC property. We need to be sensitive to our brothers and sisters of New Creation as they struggle with a decision to continue. Here is some background information: Salem leaders participated in a conversation November 13, 2008 with New Creation and several other UM congregations. New Creation said their budget was in crisis and they couldn't pay their mortgage. At Annual Conference in June, their pastor suggested we have a conversation about Salem's interest in their property. I spoke with their pastor on July 25, 2009 about their situation as well as Salem's. New Creation has asked for a "viability study" to see if they should continue. They are pushing ahead, but if things don't change by Christmas they will be out of money. The New Creation building is located next to Target at Westdale mall. It is 4,000 sq. ft. and sits on 8.5 acres. It could be a short-term stepping-stone or a permane...

Beginning September 13 our worship service time will change to 11:45 am . This will be temporary (less than 6 months). Kenwood Park has been so gracious in sharing their space with us and allowing us the best of the three time slots for worship this summer. Since our intention is to move on from the Kenwood Park UMC building as soon as possible, however, they need to be able to return to their own schedule. (They will worship at 8:30 am, have Sunday School at 9:30 am, and worship at 10:30 am.) Therefore, 11:45 am is the first opportunity we will have to use the sanctuary on Sunday mornings. While this seems very late for most people, other congregations in our situation usually need to meet on Sunday afternoon or evening. So I am grateful for this time. Our Sunday morning discipleship classes for children and youth will meet from 10:30 - 11:30 am. Adult classes will meet as they determine.

My friend, Aubrey, is starting a new congregation in Alabama. To begin with, the name for their new church is "All Things New." A video was created that explores the significance of their name. Aubrey says the video is a "beautiful and true rendering of the gospel. This concept piece artistically captures the transformative and renewing power of God's Kingdom." I agree. It's a powerful video. I would love to show it during our worship on All Saints Day (November 1) when we read Revelation 21:1-6a . All Things New from Matt Minor on Vimeo . You can visit the All Things New website here .