Salem Matters

News of What Matters This Week in Salem Presbytery

Hi Friends in Salem,

Many of you have read the most recent updates from the Board of Directors.  All good news:  The Board Bulletin Spring 2026 - The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

You all have also received information about our regional summits.  I hope you can come to either the one in Charlotte or the event in Cary

Cary

Tuesday, April 21st

Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church

10:00AM-2PM

RSVP: Summary - Benefits Regional Summit: Support for Congregational Leaders (Raleigh Area)

Charlotte

Wednesday, April 22nd

First Presbyterian Church Charlotte

10:00AM-2PM

RSVP: Summary - Benefits Regional Summit: Support for Congregational Leaders (Charlotte)

Among topics, you will hear about:

• Medical Plan cost trends and changes in the healthcare system

• Dues package subsidies that would ease financial burdens for congregations, pastors, and their families

• Plans and programs that support those who serve the Church, including Assistance Program enhancements

These meetings are for anyone in the Church.  Pastors, Personnel Committee chairs, and church business administrators will find value in hearing about anticipated updates as they begin planning for 2027.

You will also have the opportunity to ask questions. I hope you will join us at this meeting for a collaborative conversation about the Benefits Plan and what’s ahead.

Blessings,

Elizabeth Little

Church Consultant (NC & SC)

252-723-8653

elittle@pensions.org

Salem Churches are Certified as a PC(USA) Earth Care Congregations

Several Salem Presbytery Churches were certified as an Earth Care Congregations by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s Presbyterian Hunger Program through February 2027.  The Earth Care Congregation certification is designed to recognize churches that take seriously God’s charge to “till and keep” the garden, that is our shared common home.

Since 2010, this PC(USA) program certifies and celebrates environmental ministry across 4 major areas of a congregation’s life: worship, education, facilities, and outreach in the community. This program currently has 4.5% of all PC(USA) congregations and continues to grow each year.

Earth Care Congregations exist as important examples for congregations across the country. One of the goals of this program is to inspire churches to care for God’s earth in a holistic way, through integrating earth care into all aspects of their church life.  By the time a church has recertified for several years, the earth care ethic becomes ingrained in a congregation’s culture, spreads to the surrounding community, and impacts the personal lives of individual church members.

Obtaining this status speaks to the serious commitment that these churches have made to care for God’s earth.

These churches are part of the 373 congregations in 42 states that chose to dedicate themselves to intentional care of God’s earth this year. This denominational program for churches has lasted longer and been more successful than some other models we’ve seen and the individual churches that deserve all the credit for the success of the program. Our Earth Care Congregations are vital parts of their communities and inspirational witnesses to caring for God’s creation and we are so grateful for their presence in the world,” says Jessica Maudlin, Associate for Sustainable Living and Earth Care Concerns for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Salem Earth Care Congregations are: Chapel in the Pines, First Greensboro, Guilford Park, Highland, North Wilkesboro, Parkway, Pittsboro, Rumple Memorial, Sedgefield, Shallowford, Starmount, and Westminster.

For more information on the Earth Care Congregations program visit www.pcusa.org/earthcarecongregations.

Peace and Justice Information

The Peace and Justice Task Force recommends this action alert from our denomination's Office of Public Witness, in Washington. It is their responsibility to alert us to issues about which they recommend for Presbyterians to advocate, based on positions that our General Assembly has taken in the past.  In this case, it is especially valuable that our denomination has connections in the Middle East and in Washington to pass on information about the effect that the Iran War is having on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, since it has not been a big news item.

Gaza is once again on the brink of catastrophic hunger.

A ceasefire agreement reached in late 2025 raised hopes that relief would finally reach the people of Gaza. Israeli hostages were released. Aid was supposed to flow. But those commitments have been disregarded.

Israel has repeatedly closed Gaza’s border crossings, sharply restricting the entry of food, medicine, and fuel.

This crisis is unfolding in the aftermath of devastating and widespread destruction across Gaza. Entire neighborhoods have been leveled. Civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, water systems, and homes, has been shattered. Even before the war, Gaza had been under a long-standing blockade that severely limited access to basic goods and freedom of movement. Now, after months of large-scale violence that many human rights experts have warned may amount to genocide, the population is being left without the food, medical care, and fuel needed to survive.

The scale of need is overwhelming. Before Israel’s war on Gaza, hundreds of trucks carrying food, medical supplies, and other essentials entered Gaza each day. At the start of the US-Israel war on Iran, Israel sealed Gaza again.  Now, only a fraction of that aid is getting through.  

Staple foods, infant formula, and nutritional supplements are in critically short supply. Hospitals lack basic medicines, surgical supplies, and fuel to keep generators running. Clean water systems are failing without the fuel and parts needed to operate them.

Families are going hungry. Hospitals are struggling to function. Children are facing severe malnutrition.

Without immediate and sustained access, more lives will be lost as lifesaving aid remains unable to reach families in need.

CALL ON CONGRESS TO ENSURE SUFFICIENT AID REACHES GAZA

The United States is deeply implicated in this crisis and has a responsibility to act.

Two bills before Congress would take concrete steps to address this crisis:

• The Ceasefire Compliance Act (H. Res. 7645) would press for adherence to the ceasefire and restrict U.S. weapons transfers in cases of non-compliance.

• The Food for Palestinian Children and Families Act (H. Res. 7565) would help ensure that children in Gaza receive consistent access to daily meals through coordinated humanitarian efforts.

Now is the time for action.

As people of faith, we are called to respond when human life is at risk. The Palestinian people in Gaza cannot wait. Border crossings must be reopened, and humanitarian aid must be allowed to flow freely, fully, and without delay.  Call on your Congressional representative now to support these two bills.

CONTACT CONGRESS TODAY

Free Baby Grand Piano

Contact Patricia Reginald HERE for more information about a free Yamaha baby grand piano.

Position Opening at Jamestown Presbyterian

Jamestown Presbyterian Church is seeking a part-time Director of Youth Ministries. For more information and a Job Description, including contact information, click HERE.

Position Opening at Sparta Presbyterian

Sparta Presbyterian Church in Sparta, North Carolina is seeking a part-time Temporary Bridge Pastor. For more information and a Job Description, including contact information, click HERE.

Position Opening at Westminster Presbyterian, Charlottesville, VA

Westminster Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, Virginia is seeking a part-time Campus Ministry Coordinator. For more information and a Job Description, including contact information, click HERE.

Position Opening at First Presbyterian, Charlottesville, VA

First Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, Virginia is seeking a full-time Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. For more information and a Job Description, including contact information, click HERE.

Position Opening at Starmount Presbyterian, Greensboro

Starmount Presbyterian in Greensboro is currently seeking a full-time Church Business Administrator. For more information and a Job Description, click HERE.

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

View the Logan website 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.

Event at Grace Presbyterian Church - Winston-Salem

The Rev. Cecelia "CeCe" Armstrong, Co-Moderator of the 226th General Assembly of the PC(USA) will be visiting our area April 26, 2026, and we would love for Salem and New Hope Presbyteries to join us for faith formation and conversations.

The First Presbyterian Church of Burlington, NC Pritchett Symposium is Sunday, April 26, 2026.

We warmly welcome The Rev. Cecelia "CeCe" Armstrong, Co-Moderator of the 226th General Assembly of the PC(USA) as our guest teacher and preacher.

Everyone is invited for this time of faith formation and worship.

• 9:00 am -"Who Needs Jesus?" - class location Shive Hall

• 10:00 am Worship -  "Journey to Serve"  sermon text John 11:44

• 4:00-6:00 pm - "How Does the Church L.I.V.E.?" - class location Shive Hall.

We extend a special invitation to Salem Presbytery and New Hope Presbytery to come hear from our Co-Moderator.

Contact our Director of Faith Formation, Charlotte Nance-Allbright, CCE, for more information (callbright@fpcburlington.org).

An RSVP is not required but can help with set up for this event (reception@fpcburlington.org or 336-228-1703).

First Presbyterian Church ~ 508 W Davis St ~ Burlington, NC ~ 27215

PERUVIAN AMAZON MISSION TRIP 2026

Have you ever considered participating in a short-term Mission Trip to the Amazon Jungle of Peru?  Are you looking for an adventure this summer which gives you an opportunity to share your faith in action?  Dave Henry, Parish Associate for Congregational Care at Rumple Memorial, Blowing Rock, will be leading a Mission Team (Peru Crew) to Iquitos, Peru and surrounding area (in the heart of the Amazon Jungle) this July.  There is an opportunity to go for one week (July 10-18) or two weeks (July 10-25).  This mission trip will include worshipping with local Peruvian congregations, construction projects, a Bible school for the children of Tamshiyacu, medical clinic, distribution of books in Spanish, building relationships, immersing ourselves in the Peruvian Amazon culture and more.  There is an additional opportunity for a two-day Jungle Tour/Lodge experience.  Dave has been involved in this mission work in Peru for over 25 years and has led mission groups to Peru over 20 times.

If you are interested in learning more about this trip, please contact Dave Henry at 573-619-8934 (text or call) or by email at rabbiyoda@icloud.com.  (Must be 18 or older to participate unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.)

March Prayers for:

Committee on Representation;

CPM - Preparation for Ministry

Please Hold the Following in Your Prayers

• The family and friends of Rev. Dr. David K. Garth. His first pastorate was at Speedwell Presbyterian, from 1969-1973. Click HERE to view the obituary.

• All those whose lives have been turned upside down by the conflict in Iran and the surrounding countries in the Middle East.

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:  

• Stephanie Hankins ordained March 18, 2007

• Khelen Kuzmovich ordained March 23, 2014

• Fred Beck ordained March 28, 1993

• Tom Nesbit ordained March 31, 2019

News from POAMN - Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network

Deepen Your Older Adult Ministry This Fall

The Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network (POAMN) annual conference will be in Knoxville, TN, in September 2026. Faith leaders interested in learning more about older adult ministry are invited to join us. Registration will open in mid-April. Proposals for speakers are being accepted through April 1.

https://poamn.org/conference/

Volunteers Needed for Week of Service at Holston Camp

Each spring and fall for one week, a group of mostly older adults gather at a place typically associated with youth: a summer camp. But instead of canoeing and campfire songs, they come to work, volunteering their time and skills to tackle items on the host facility’s to-do list, bridging generations through service and shared purpose.

Mariners in Mission is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization composed mainly of retired Presbyterians across the U.S. Members range in age from the 40s into the 90s.

“Even the oldest among us still have much to give to others,” shared Manella Calhoun, a co-coordinator of the group.

Interested in volunteering with the Mariners? Join their next trip April 12-18 to Holston Camp & Retreat Center in Banner Elk, NC.

https://poamn.org/mariners-mission-summer-camps/