E-News July 17, 2020

Sisters and brothers,
As always, new information is included in this post so please read the entire post.
 
Here is the link for the Salem Pastor YouTube page. This Sunday's service will be available Sunday morning. If you are unable to connect to any services on your computer let us know, and we can make a DVD or CD for you. You can also view previous services on this page. Online services and additional messages can be accessed via our website or Facebook. Check out salemcob.org or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy2lR7-Re6vMQ092LxcLvyA
 
Additional Announcements
Don't forget if you need pastoral care or anything else, the contact list is below. Please continue to communicate your needs to Pastor Lee and the Deacons.
 
Pastor Lee Saylor; 937-540-4533; [email protected]
Tom Hissong, Board Chair 937-931-3099; [email protected]
Randy Schaurer, Deacon Chair; 937-231-7627; [email protected]
 
Salem Survey
You have an opportunity to continue the work of Salem in this community and the world with your voice and visioning by sharing through a congregational survey. Starting in 2018, Salem Church of the Brethren engaged on a journey of intentional conversation discern what our vision will be going forward. This work is not work that should be done quickly, but thoroughly. This survey is the next step as we draw closer to understanding our part in bringing God’s kingdom to our time. The survey will be used to help mold and shape the future of Salem Church of the Brethren. The future can be scary and exciting. You are being invited to participate in this survey by the 2020 Salem Church of the Brethren Church Board..."  (from Pastor Lee) An email was sent out with more information. You can also see information on our website at https://www.salemcob.org/survey.html . If you need a hard copy of the survey, please contact Carrie in the office.
 
We have been gathering via Zoom on Wednesday evenings to just say hi and connect. You are invited to join us using this link each Wednesday from about 7:00-8:00pm.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85143803031?pwd=MXlCZHI1S092TzIzbVk1M01Bb0dkZz09
Meeting ID: 851 4380 3031
Password: 022471
One tap mobile
+19292056099,,85143803031#,,#,022471# US (New York)
 
Joe B. is in need of some help in finishing some work in the Rec. Hall. If you’re available, please call Joe at 937-469-0075 to let him know that you are willing to help.
 
Carrie Smith is in the office from 9:00am-12:00noon, Monday-Friday. Don’t hesitate to call her if you need anything.
 
For the Salem August newsletter Celebrating Community section...
What have you missed most during this pandemic time? Playing or watching a sport, eating out, hugs, the movie theatre, traveling, etc?! Reply to this email with a sentence or two. You can also send a photo if you'd like. I need responses by the end of next week. Thanks!
 
Salem Pandemic Quilt
Salem members and friends can help create a quilt to remember this time. The quilters will compile squares from members and friends representing this time in our lives. The square needs to be 10.5 inches with an additional inch border on all sides. The fabric does not have to be stitched. You can use markers, fabric paint or some other way to make a square to represent you or your family during this time. If you have any further questions, please reach out to Carol Shroyer.
 
The Chicken BBQ is postponed until further notice.
 
Educational Wing Custodian: We are looking to hire an Educational Wing Custodian. Please contact Diana Hanes if interested.
 
Offerings and tithes can still be mailed to the church or put in the church mailbox. Your offering supports the work of Salem in the community and world!
 
Much continues to be sent out via One Call. If you are not on One Call, have changed your number, need to add a number, or know of someone who needs to be added, please respond to this email or call the church office at 937-836-6145.
 
If you have a prayer request you’d like to go through the prayer chain, please call Deacon Sue Wampler at 937-286-4590. If she cannot be reached, please call Pastor Lee at 937-540-4533.
 
Leadership continues to be in conversation about when worship can move back into the building. Until then, please extend grace, patience, and prayers; and find ways to continue to connect to your church family.
 
Sue Wampler continues to take items to St. Vincent. Please drop your donations off at the church. St. Vincent does not take stuffed animals. 
 
We continue to partner with Fairview Church Food Pantry. Please consider bringing a food pantry donation to the church. Needed items include: canned vegetables, canned fruit, canned meat, tuna/chicken helper, canned stew, canned beans, jelly, peanut butter, cornbread mix, mac & cheese, canned chili, cereal, oatmeal, pancake mix, syrup, evaporated milk, and cake or brownie mix.
 
District News
Ice Cream Social, Share-a-Meal Donations - Even though we’re unable to have our annual Ice Cream Social and Share-a-Meals, BDM is able to continue serving disaster survivors. You’re invited to make a donation of the amount that you would usually spend/donate at the Ice Cream Social on dinner and Share-a-Meal tickets. This will enable the ministry to continue reaching those in need. In 2020 we’ll be rebuilding tornado damaged homes in Dayton and flooded homes in Pamlico County, NC. Dates are being set for assembling 1,000 clean-up buckets and 1,000+ school kits.  Click here to donate on-line. Checks can be made out to S. Ohio/KY District COB, with BDM on the memo line. Mail checks to S. Ohio/KY COB, PO Box 785, Greenville, OH 45331. Thank you for joining us as we serve Christ while serving others together.
 
BDM Site Opens, Painters Needed - The Dayton BDM site opens on Monday, July 13, under the leadership of Sammy Deacon and Rex Miller. Local volunteers will be rebuilding homes damaged by last year's tornadoes. Our volunteer housing at Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1541 S. Smithville Rd., Dayton, will not be opening until August. Several painters are needed on Wednesday and Thursday, July 15 and 16, to do some interior painting at the volunteer housing site. Call or text Burt Wolf at 937-287-5902 to volunteer.
 
Clean-up Bucket Assembly - There will be an assembly of 500 Clean-up Buckets for Church World Service (CWS) on Thursday, July 30th at 6:30 PM at Bullen Ultrasonic, 1301 Miller Williams Rd., Eaton. Because of the pandemic, we will need to follow the Covid 19 protocol that Bullens has in place. That means our usual process will need to change to meet their expectations.
· 30 volunteers who are 18 or older, who will all wear face masks.
· All volunteers will need to go through the front door where there will be a person to check our temperature.
· Inside we will have things set up so we maintain 6 feet distancing as much as possible. 
· Each person will have three items to add to a bucket.
· Volunteers will need to stand for two hours since there will not be any chairs available.
We are counting on a good response, even as we anticipate these changes to our normal routine. Call or text Burt Wolf at 937-287-5902 to volunteer.
 
Prayers
Please be in prayer for Shirley C.. She has been in and out of the hospital with tests and such.
 
John E., Genevieve F., Bonnie L., Leon & Waneta M., Joy M., Phyllis W.
 
Long Term Needs: Elois C., Barbara C., Shirley C., Janet H., Bill L., Aaron M., Sam P., Chad P., Kasey S., Reta S.
 
Churches and more: Our district churches, Trinity Presbyterian Church, Church of the Brethren in Nigeria (Godiya Bitrus), Bethany Theological Seminary, for those struggling in various ways during this pandemic
 
Our shut-ins are grateful for letters and cards. Addresses can be found in our current directory or by emailing or calling Carrie in the office.

District Conference Request: 
Dear Congregation,
Sue Edwards and I are your representatives, along with Pastor Lee, to the 2020 District Conference, "Christ's Ambassadors (from 2 Corinthians 5:20)." This will be held in a virtual online format, October 9 and 10.
The Program and Arrangements Committee is asking congregations to help by:
          1) sharing stories of how our congregation has been an "ambassador for Christ in such a time as this." Examples:  Camping, Deacon outreach, quilting/sewing, community service, etc.  They would like us to send in our stories and/or photos. They would also like included video footage for some of the stories that we may have to share, and would have someone available to help with a video if needed.
          2) musical gifts from our congregation can be shared virtually, also. Anyone interested in helping with this please let me know.
If any of you are interested in helping to represent our congregation with this please let me know. This needs to be responded to before July 31.
Please don't let the photos and video footage scare you away, the stories by themselves would be sufficient and appreciated.