John Louk

In September 2009, more than a year after the flood, the Salem congregation decided to accept the voluntary buyout for the downtown buildings and properties. At the same time, we presented a renewal plan to the East Central District Board of Church Location and Building as well as to the Bishop and Cabinet for approval. We acknowledged that the Spirit establishes the purpose of the Lord and often in surprising ways. Therefore, we knew we had to trust in God and remain open to the surprising ways of God. In doing so, we felt led to three possibilities. One, if New Creation UMC decided to close, we could assume their mortgage and continue a United Methodist presence there. Two, we could purchase an existing church building in an underserved part of the city. Or three, we could begin to develop the nearly ten acres of land Salem owns on Blairs Ferry Road. A year ago, during Lent, we fasted and prayed that God would lead us to a new place. Fasting is a discipline that helps us hear fro...

Several people are ready for membership at Salem. Therefore, there will be a new member orientation class on Sunday, April 10. Non-members who are already living out the membership vows (professing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and upholding the church with their prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness) and have expressed an interest in membership will be invited to participate. We will receive new members on Easter Sunday (April 24)

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of our Lenten journey towards Easter. The Westside 6 United Methodist congregations are worshiping together this evening, 7:00 pm at Salem. All are welcome. As we begin Lent today, the following is from the church's liturgy: INVITATION TO THE OBSERVANCE OF LENTEN DISCPLINE   Dear brothers and sisters in Christ: The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord’s passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of penitence, fasting, and prayer. This season of forty days provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for baptism into the body of  Christ. It was also a time when those who had committed serious sins and had been separated from the community of faith were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to the fellowship of the Church. The whole congregation was thus reminded of the mercy and forgiveness proclaimed in the gospel of Jesus ...

On February 24, we met with the city’s representatives and signed the final closing papers for the voluntary buyout. Salem received three checks totaling $891,245.27 for the downtown properties. It has been more than two-and-a-half years since the flood that destroyed Salem's downtown physical location. Finally, that chapter is complete!

Like last year, I am encouraging our congregation to fast during Lent which begins on Ash Wednesday, March 9. This is certainly not an expectation but rather an invitation. Fasting is a spiritual discipline; it means abstaining from food for spiritual purposes . Fasting and prayer go together. Therefore we devote the time normally used for eating to reading scripture and prayer. Furthermore, the feeling of hunger is a reminder to draw near to God. Doing so often leads to greater intimacy with the Lord and to hearing more clearly what the Lord is saying to us. While there are interesting physical things that happen when we fast, far beyond anything physical is the spiritual. This is a discipline that helps us hear from the Lord and be in the Lord’s presence. Jesus teaches us in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6) about giving, praying, and fasting as virtues of the kingdom people. Jesus does not say, “If you fast.” Rather he gives directions for “When you fast.” Jesus also teaches t...

Several persons have inquired about membership at Salem. This includes people formerly a part of New Creation UMC, people who are new to Salem, and people who were a part of Salem before landing in our new location. We are thrilled that there is such interest in becoming members. I want to take this opportunity to share the pathway to membership at Salem and the expectations of members.   The pathway to membership includes living out the membership vows for six months or so and then participating in the membership orientation class that I lead, usually on a Sunday afternoon. We meet for a couple hours and then new members are our guests at a special dinner in their honor.   While we encourage membership, please know that everyone is welcome to be a part of Salem without becoming an official member. Membership is not about privileges; it is about commitment and responsibility. It is the next step up for those who make a greater commitment to God’s kingdom through Salem, submi...