Salem Matters

News of What Matters This Week in Salem Presbytery

Mebane First Presbyterian

Members of Salem Presbytery, 

As you heard at the May stated presbytery meeting at Chapel in the Pines, the Executive Council has formed S.T.O.R.M. (Strategic Task Force on Reviving Ministry) to: 

1. Review our presbytery's ministry in light of our Mission and Vision Statements 

2. Evaluate the current staffing model, organizational structure, and presbytery meeting format.

3. Make recommendations to the council in October and present our report to the Presbytery in November. 

We are at the point in our work where we would like to hear from you! We are asking you to answer the following questions: 

1. How long have you been in Salem Presbytery?

2. Have you served on any committees or commissions in Salem Presbytery?

3. Name a few things which you feel Salem Presbytery is currently doing well.

4. What are 2-3 things that are frustrating or not going well within the presbytery? 

5. Please share ideas about what Salem Presbytery might do that could be transformational for congregations within the presbytery, or for the presbytery as a whole?

6. How well do you think that Salem Presbytery listens to and/or addresses you and your congregation’s hopes or concerns?

7. What would inspire you to deepen your connection with the Presbytery beyond your local congregation?

8. What educational needs or opportunities do you see that Salem might helpfully address?

9. What else would you like for the STORM Task Force to know as we prepare our recommendations for the Presbytery?

Please use THIS LINK  to complete our survey and come to the Presbytery meeting on August 5 prepared to share some of your answers. We will receive surveys from now through August 10th. But go ahead and do it now! 

Thanks for your help as we work together to refocus, reimagine, and revive the work of Salem Presbytery! 

The S.T.OR.M. Task Force

A Letter from our Stated Clerk

Dear Friends in Salem Presbytery,

I bring you greetings in the name of Jesus Christ! As we look forward to our meeting of Salem Presbytery next week at Elkin Presbyterian Church, I wanted to share a bit of news with you. While I have greatly enjoyed serving as your Stated Clerk for the last year, it has become very evident that this role at this time in Salem Presbytery is much greater than the 15 hours per week that are in the position description. By living into this role for a year, the time requirement varies greatly depending on the week, which has created an untenable situation for me. I simply cannot continue to serve as a full time pastor at Taylorsville Presbyterian Church and part-time Stated Clerk for Salem Presbytery, as it is not fair to anyone involved. I let the Presbytery Personnel Committee know of this near the end of June, so they have been working on succession planning ever since. They have advised the Executive Council recently that my last day will be August 31.

Please know that I have greatly enjoyed the duties of being your Stated Clerk because it has given me opportunities to work with many of our congregations on important ministry tasks. I look forward to seeing you at our meeting next week and for our continued work together as members of Salem Presbytery.

Peace be with you,

Paul Sink, Stated Clerk

Parish B News

On Tuesday, July 22, we came together for a heartwarming evening at Guilford Park Presbyterian Church, where Parish B gathered to cook for our ten guests and the Greensboro Urban Ministry (GUM) staff, who are utilizing our church building as an emergency shelter this summer. It was a beautiful opportunity to catch up, break bread together, and serve our neighbors in Christ's name.

We encourage all Parish B clergy who may not be receiving emails about upcoming events to reach out to Stephen and Tricia Fearing, our Parish B engagement pastors. You can contact them at sfearing@guilfordpark.org.

Sign Up for Peace & Justice Newsletter

The Peace and Justice Task Force invites you to sign up for their monthly newsletter addressing Peace and Justice issues and events. Click the link below to sign up.

Position Opening at Rumple Memorial Presbyterian, Blowing Rock

Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church in Blowing Rock is presently searching for Communication and Membership Coordinator.

For more information and a Job Description, click HERE.

Position Opening at Speedwell Presbyterian, Reidsville

Speedwell Presbyterian Church in Reidsville is presently searching for a half-time Stated Supply Pastor.

For more information and a Job Description, click HERE.

Position Opening at Westminster Presbyterian, Greensboro

Westminster Presbyterian Church in Greensboro has begun its active search for Senior Pastor and Head of Staff.  While it’s MDP is now active on the CLC site, the PNC also welcomes both self-referrals and any suggestion of whom the PNC might contact directly.  PNC co-chairs are Jim Gale who can be reached at jimgale820@gmail.com and Judy Phelps who can be reached at japhelps3@gmail.com.

Position Opening at Logan Presbyterian, Scotts

Please refer to the link below to the Job Description for the position of Transitional Pastor at Logan Presbyterian in Scotts, NC

To view the Job Description click HERE.

Upcoming Singing at Old Providence Presbyterian

On Saturday, August 2, 2025, Old Providence Presbyterian Church in Cleveland, NC will host its 119th annual Fa So La Singing (Old Folks’ Singing). Congregational and group singing of old hymns as well as dinner on the grounds and  shape note singing occur during the Fa So La. The singing begins at 10:00 am and concludes at 3:00pm. Please make plans to attend our 119th annual Fa So La Singing.

Invitation from Parish D

There will be a workshop on Human Trafficking presented by Project Light Rowan at Second Presbyterian Church (732 Lincolnton Rd, Salisbury, NC 28144) on August 12th at 10:00a.m. Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP jamesharley0936@yahoo.com

Faith Renewal-Church Renewal

Grace and Growth are combined in a new, exciting and  energetic way!!

NC Presbyterian Pilgrimage is an intensive three day Christian weekend that is designed to encourage and deepen faith and commitment to Christ, the local church and one’s community.  Since the weekend is only the beginning and participants come back rejuvenated and excited, they frequently return from the weekend to be an enthusiastic and positive force in renewing and rejuvenating their local church and to serve in their community.  We are inviting individuals to come and churches to send representatives for a weekend and/or host programs that share information and experiences about Pilgrimage.  

The next three weekends are scheduled for Sept. 11-14, 2025, May 14-17, 2026, and Sept. 10-13, 2026 at Camp Laurel Ridge Moravian Conference Center in Laurel Springs, NC.  For more information, contact Rev. Frank Dew (frank.m.dew@gmail.com or 336-402-2463) or Michie Dew (mdew814@aol.com or 336-707-8799) or go to the NC Presbyterian Pilgrimage website at www.ncpilgrimage.org.

July Prayers for:

Peace & Justice Task Group

Please Hold the Following in Your Prayers

• The family and friends of Rev. Marilyn Hedgepeth, who died on July 23, 2025 following a bicycle accident. A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Charlotte.

• Rev. Eric Larsen, who has been recently hospitalized and is now recovering at home.

• The family and friends of Ruling Elder Donna Hines, (Mt. Jefferson Presbyterian) whose husband Frank passed away on July 20, 2025.

• The family and friends of CRE Hal McElroy who passed away on July 21, 2025. Details will be forthcoming.



We will list these prayer requests for two weeks unless we are notified that they are to be continued. You may submit prayer requests through the link below.

Submit Prayer Requests Here

Ordination Anniversaries

Please pass along congratulations to the following who are celebrating anniversaries of their ordinations:

• Robert Goforth ordained July 31, 1983

• Jim Lunde II ordained July 31, 2011