John Louk

We have talked and prayed about how we will move forward in our new location. Generally, that conversation has been about what we need to build now that we are settling in our new location and we have received the voluntary buyout money. The impetus for building has been furthered by the lack of space we have experienced. We have received positive response to what we have done with the space so far. Still, we are all aware that we have a small amount of space for gathering (traditionally, the “narthex” or entrance/lobby area) and fellowship (our small fellowship room has been a tight squeeze). Furthermore, at times we have not had enough room in the sanctuary. We packed more than 230 people in one service at our Westside 6 gathering for Ash Wednesday. Likewise, we just had over 300 people in two services on Easter Sunday. How amazing! Dealing with a lack of space can be frustrating, but it is also exciting. Many congregations, who have been where we are and go on to build, report fond ...

Jacobus Arminius Rachel Held Evans has a fun blog posting about how to make arminianism cool. This is good stuff for United Methodists to talk about. Heather Hahn, a United Methodist news reporter, has an interesting article here . She briefly explains, "In John Wesley’s day, the big debate among Protestants took place between two theological schools: the Calvinists and the Arminians. The Calvinists took their name from John Calvin, the 16th century reformer who taught that God predestines the elect for salvation and foreordains eternal damnation for others. Calvin emphasized God’s sovereignty and foreknowledge. "The Arminians take their name from Jacobus Arminius, a Dutch priest who was born around the time Calvin died. Arminius criticized Calvin and his followers for limiting God’s salvation. Arminius taught that God gave humans the free will to accept or reject God’s love. John Wesley was firmly in the Arminian camp." Here is another good article th...

New research claims that Jesus' Last Supper was on the Wednesday before his crucifixion rather than on Thursday (Maundy Thursday, traditionally). Click here for more.

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!