The famous Salem UMC Trunk-R-Treat 2010 event  is coming fast!  This event is an amazing outreach and service to the Salem community.  It brings THOUSANDS of folks to our doorstep (seriously!).  If you would like to participate or find out about this far-reaching community ministry, there will be a Trunk or Treat meeting Wednesday August 25th at 6:30pm in the church library.

Lots of folks are needed to pull off an event of this scale.  There are many different ways to help:

• Candy & donation helpers (in-costume, probably at WalMart)
• Hospitality (help folks get signed-in and pointed in the right direction)
• Parking and traffic flow hosts (keeping things flowing and safe)
• Behind-the-scenes help
• Car hosts (decorate your car and hand out treats!!!)

We’ll see you there!

In case you missed it, we participated in a ministry that really has an impact on our community.  UNDIE SUNDAY was August 1^st at SUMC.

We were blessed to be able to join the South Central Missouri Community Action Agency in their Back-to-School project of providing new underwear and socks for needy children.  Due to an outpouring of love and generosity the help needed to make back-to-school easier for over 200 Dent County children was accomplished in only one week! The new underwear and socks collected will be distributed this Saturday, August 14^th from 1:00-4:00 pm. at SUMC.  We were able to make this happen with the help of our Salem United Methodist Church family, the Christian Women Working Together (CWWT) and members from six other local churches including First Baptist Church, Mt. Hermon United Methodist, New Hope Presbyterian, Pleasant Valley Baptist, Sacred Heart Catholic, and Salem Christian Church. THANKS TO ALL WHO HELPED.

The world famous Salem UMC Rummage Sale has come and gone.  Thanks to all who came, bought, donated, and participated in this wonderful event.  You have helped contribute to many ministries and beeen a part of making people’s lives better!

Gerry Harris and Carolyn Battey would like to thank Jimmy, for his help setting up for the rummage sale.  Also thank you Jann for all the publicity you give us for this sale.  To Wayne Spicer for putting up with us women, also taking the leftovers to Rolla and all those who tirelessly worked to set up, constantly fold, and price, serve as cashiers, etc.

They couldn’t have done it without you, God Bless you all.

Once again, it’s RUMMAGE SALE time!!!  The actual event will be on August 6 from 8am to 3pm and August 7 from 8am to noon.

We need YOUR help!  You can bring your CLEAN, USEABLE treasures to church Monday August 2  after noon.   Bring them to the Library.  Again, please be sure that everything is clean.  Undies must never have been worn, mechanical things must work.

If you are willing to help with the set up or during the sale, especially cashier (she’s desparate), please call Gerry Harris.

Come out to the Salem Community Garden to celebrate summer on Thursday, July 22 from 6-8 p.m. and see what’s growing at the garden!

Bring your gloves and help harvest vegetables for donations to local service organizations, mulch pathways and help clean up the garden.  Light refreshments and lemonade will be available.

Haven’t been to the garden before? Come out and meet the community gardeners and learn about how you can get involved in growing good food! Any (and all!) volunteers are welcome!   Learn about upcoming gardening workshops and events. Call Sarah Massengale at Dent County Extension 729-3196 with questions. The garden is located at the Salem United Methodist Church (at the back of the main parking lot).

While sitting in church, have you ever felt like God wanted you to say something?  Many folks are afraid of speaking, but if God wants you to deliver a message, maybe you should listen.

Here’s your opportunity:  On August 14, 2010 at Kings Way UMC in Springfield, the Ozarks South District is sponsoring a Basic Course of Lay Leadership, “Leading, Caring & Communicating.”  Even if you don’t quite feel prepared (yet), this course will give you the knowledge to be ready when He calls.

The course will be led by Dorothy Brucks and is $30 and fulfills UMC requirements for local lay speaker.  Please prayerfully consider attending.  Contact the office for more information and registration forms.

Last Saturday (the 3rd), The Salem Sesquicentennial Committee held the Firecracker 5K fun run/walk and IT WAS AWESOME!  More than 120 people gathered first thing in the morning, stretched and started running, walking, and generally having a great time all around downtown Salem.

The best part is is that the proceeds from the $10 entry fee will support the Back Pack program that provides food for Dent County children!  This is a great example of how our church, and organizations throughout the community can make a big impact.  Well done!

Our own Pastor Doug and Ken McGrail helped make this wonderful event happen (we’re so proud!)  Thanks to everybody who helped.

Summer is here.  REALLY here!  Fortunately, the South Central MO Community Action Agency is holding a Summer Safety Workshop.

On July 12th, from 10-noon at the SCMCAA (Head Start building) they’ll have a fun, interactive workshop to learn how to stay cool without breaking the budget.

Income-eligible attendees may receive a $10 stipend, plus every participant will receive a box fan!  SPACE IS LIMITED and you must pre-register, so please call Kim or Debra at 729-3500 x13 or x14

Wow, that’s a heavy question!  Sometimes we take it for granted.  Did you know there are people who have a gift for translation of God’s Word to make it accessible to all people in their own language.  Yeah, I know – awesome!

The Morton Family

We’re going to have Ken Morton here to talk about this powerful ministry during the Wednesday Re-charge service on June 30th at 6pm.  Some of you may remember Ken – he was born and raised right here in Salem!  He and his wife Marta attended the Moody Bible Institute’s Advanced Studies Program and have traveled the world in service to Jesus Christ.  (Seriously, how cool is that!?)

Bible translation is foundational to every aspect of Christian ministry.  It leads to evangelism, discipleship, and church planting.  It transforms lives as people become followers of Christ.

Come for the Wonderful Wednesday meal, stay for the Re-charge service and some really interesting stuff! See you there!

Coming up on Sunday June 27th, the Shakespeare’s Pizza truck will be at Salem UMC! YUMMY!

Sales of the pizza benefit the July Mozambique trip.  It will be outside the West entrance from 11:30 to 1pm.  If alternate pickup is needed, please contact Lisa Jordison at 453-0140.