The Messenger October 2001 Volume 1, Issue 5 Exciting News Pastor’s Message  Employment Support Group  North Salem Sunday School  Does Heaven Have a Phone #?  Report From the Pastor Parish Relations Committee  Trustees Notes  Movies/North Salem Youth Center  Dates to Remember Exciting News by Keith Boucher New Ministries North Salem is developing some new ministries to serve the local communities. We recently applied for a Technology Access and Training grant from the United Methodist Foundation. We will know around November 1st if we will receive any funding. Below is a description of the 3-phase ministry we submitted to the foundation. North Salem UMC is working to become a regional church. With no United Methodist church in existence for a radius North, East and West of the church. We are seeking to attract members of neighboring communities by launching ministries that meet human need as well as   1. Provide points of entry into the church   2. Illustrate that North Salem UMC and it’s members are Faithful to God’s mission and our calling to serve the community.   3. Manifest God’s love and caring. To meet these needs North Salem UMC is launching a multidimensional technology access and training ministry focused upon serving the needs of the community on three different levels:   · A recently initiated Employment Support Group serving individuals of all ages who are unemployed that includes - Development of a talent pool database (available skills that people have) - Creation of a job database and /or access to various public job banks - Provision of networking opportunities with people at our church and in the community as well as creation of a safe environment where people can openly speak of their personal challenges. - Periodic: resume writing clinics, interviewing skills classes, career counseling etc. - Balancing of employment life with family and spiritual life. - Computer and Internet access to research and apply for employment on line.   · A soon to be launched after school youth ministry focused on middle school and high school youth.   · A soon to be launched computer / internet access and training ministry aimed at the elderly. If you'd like to be involved with these great programs, please see Keith Boucher. Pastor’s Message from Rev. Sang-Churl Bae In a study of 351 marriages which had lasted a minimum of 15 years, both husbands and wives consistently listed these seven statements in the identical order, with #1 being the most important:   1. My spouse is my best friend.   2. I like my spouse as a person.   3. Marriage is a long-term commitment.   4. Marriage is sacred.   5. We agree on aims and goals.   6. My spouse has grown more interesting.   7. I want the relationship to succeed. I think that the above findings can be translated into our relationship; between pastor and congregation as well. The following is an adapted list that I hope it would become our testimony in no time. I hope it is not myself alone daydreaming. (Also it is my hope to see my relationship with our congregation in the same fashion)   1. My pastor is my best friend.   2. I like my pastor as a person.   3. Being a partner with pastor in ministry and mission of Christ is a long-term commitment.   4. This partnership is sacred.   5. We agree on aims and goals.   6. My pastor has grown more interesting.   7. I want the partnership to succeed. How about our relationship with one another as a people of faith at North Salem United Methodist Church? Could we also make the above statement into another for us as a church?   1. Our church family folks are my best friends.   2. I like my church family as people.   3. Being in relationship in the church is a long-term commitment.   4. This relationship is sacred.   5. We agree on aims and goals.   6. Our church folks have grown more interesting.   7. I want the relationships to succeed. It seems that the most important statements or issues for the couple can also be making sense to other relationships, especially our Christian relationship in Christ. I praise and give thanks to God for bringing all of us to be a church family. One of hymns from our hymnal rightly points out that we are indeed a people of God and invites us to sing and celebrate together. And let us continue to grow in the love and grace of our God as we sing with joy and confidence “(Refrain) I am the church! You are the church! We are the church together! All who follow Jesus, all around the world! Yes, we are the church together! The church is not a building, the church is not a steeple, the church is not a resting place, the church is a people!” Employment Support Group A quick update on the Employment Support Group (ESG) email list started. We have 14 people involved as of 9/30. We had a good organizational meeting on 9/26. Glenn Lavallee has agreed to draft our mission statement, which he will share with us shortly. We have applied for a grant and hope to set up a computer lab (4 networked computers w/internet access) by January. We need to continue to spread the word. Please talk to your friends and family that either need a job or want to help others who need a job and send information to: nsalememployment@yahoo.com If you need a job feel free to send your resume to: nsalememployment@yahoo.com If you have job(s) please send your job descriptions and contact info to: nsalemjobs@yahoo.com Our next meeting is planned for Wednesday October 10th at 7PM at North Salem United Methodist Church. Our meeting format: - introductions (who you are and why you're here; 30 minutes) - Featured Topic / Speaker (30 minutes) - Networking opportunity and refreshments (30 minutes) Our regular ESG meeting schedule will be the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. North Salem Sunday School By Dawn Trusty, Sunday School Superintendent/Teacher The Sunday School enjoyed a fun kick-off event on September 9th. Shriners' Clowns came to speak with the children about the different types of clowns and what they do to help children. Balloon animals were made for all the students. After church the students grades 6 and up assembled a giant ice cream sundae for all to enjoy. We'd like to welcome Martha King to our group of dedicated teachers. Martha will co-teach in the Grade 6-12 class. North Salem Preschool opened for the fall session on September 4th. There are 23 students enrolled. The children will be taking their first field trip this month to Apple Acres. The program still has openings for children ages 3-6 years old. Does Heaven Have a Phone #? Mommy went to Heaven, but I need her here today. My tummy hurts and I fell down, I need her right away. Operator can you tell me how to find her in this book? Is heaven in the yellow part, I don’t know where to look. I think my daddy needs her too, at night I hear him cry. I hear him call her name sometimes, but I really don’t know why. Maybe if I call her, she will hurry home to me. Is heaven very far away? Is it across the sea? She’s been gone a long long time, she needs to come home now! I really need to reach her, I simply don’t know how. Help me find the number please, is it listed under “Heaven”? I can’t read these big big words, I am only seven. I’m sorry operator, I didn’t mean to make you cry. Is your tummy hurting too, or is something in your eye? If I call my church, maybe they will know. Mommy said when we need help that’s where we should go. I found the number to my church tacked up upon the wall. Thank you operator, I’ll give them a call. Copied Written Anonymously Report From the Pastor Parish Relations Committee by Merrianne McDonald It has been a busy few months for all of us on PPRC as we work to make small changes to forge ahead with our vision and mission for our church. We have met several times with Pastor Bae and the Worship Committee to go over changes he would like to do with our order of worship and also things he would like to add, as time goes on, that would be beneficial to all. PPRC and Pastor Bae would like any input to this endeavor. If you have missed something within the worship service or would like to see something special or different added, please see me, Noreen Nadeau, Nancy Swank, Nancy Collier-Welch, Nancy Stickney or Pastor Bae with your ideas and suggestions. We will make every effort to look at these carefully and get back to you on results. All are welcome to participate. With the addition now is being completed and the purchase of the property almost complete, the trustees and PPRC will be asking for everyone's help painting and cleaning both places. We look forward to Pastor Bae and Hae Yeon being close to the church and more accessible for everyone. As time passes on and memories remain vivid in all our minds, we all should remember to keep our country, our armed forces and leaders in our daily prayers. They are fighting to preserve the freedoms we are accustomed to for further generations to come. In God we Trust and into his hands with move forth for freedom. God Bless America!! As a community of faith, let us also continue to keep Susan Barber and her children in our daily prayers for God's strength during this extremely difficult time in their lives. God Bless you all. Trustees Notes by Bill Ermer The Trustees held a meeting on September 10, 2001 and are in the process of formulating a plan of action for the work needed to our new Parsonage and the completion of the new addition. The parsonage will be ours on October 15, 2001 and the addition should be done shortly after. When the time comes the trustees will be asking for help to get the parsonage ready for our Pastor and his family. The home is in great shape except for the downstairs bathroom, which needs remodeling. There will be some painting and general cleanup to do and this is where you can help. If everyone could donate a little of his or her time it would be greatly appreciated and our pastor can move in sooner. When the addition is done the trustees will also need help painting and staining. This will save us $2,500.00. This will be a great time of fellowship. This project is so important and it’s a great way to get to know one another better. I would like to thank everyone who has helped make a difference in the growth of our church. A special thanks to Tim Warnick, he has given so much of his time and talents. His dedication is greatly appreciated. If you can help just let one of the trustees know. The Trustees will sadly miss Robert Barber. He was a very faithful servant and took charge of many projects. He will always be with us in spirit. Movies/North Salem Youth Center As we get closer to closing on the new parsonage on 10/15, we've been thinking about how best to utilize the approximately 1000-sq. ft finished area above the garage. Everyone seems excited about utilizing it as youth space. So for the fun of it let's refer to this space as the North Salem Youth Center (NSYC). One of the first things we need to do is see how best to equip this space. Rumor has it we have some good Ping-Pong players (if you know of someone who has a table to donate please let us know); I have also heard someone may be donating a pinball machine. The best vision however will be a widescreen TV and a DVD player to show movies. This has the youth very excited as well as Pastor Bae who is starting a Movie night. Anyone out there have access to a movie style popcorn machine? One thing we are investigating is acquisition of some movie seating. Rumor has it that Salem Tri-Cinema has been purchased by Toys"R"US. Wouldn't it be great to get 30 seats to install as our own private theatre? Wishes do come true.... Dates to Remember Tuesdays 7 PM Choir Rehearsal 2nd Wednesday 7 PM Woman’s Club 3rd Monday Building Committee Last Thursday 7PM Ad Council Coming Events: 10/21 North Salem Home Coming 10/28 Dedication of Addition 11/11 Commitment Sunday 11/18 Dedication of Parsonage 12/2 Consecration Sunday Top