April, 2013 salemfirstumc.org 1

Generations Speaker Series and PotluckOn Friday, March 29, Dr. Prasanna Pati will speak about Hinduism at the Generations Potluck Luncheon. We hope you can come to the Dining Room from Noon to 1:30 p.m. to enjoy the fellowship, food and Dr. Pati’s presentation. Bring table service and a dish to share. Everyone is invited!

Memorial ServicesA memorial service for Zilla Paeth is scheduled for Saturday, March 30, at 2 p.m. in the sanctuary.The service remembering the life of Phil Hanni will be held in the sanctuary at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 14. Contributions may be made to the Jason Lee Food Bank.

Display for church artists! The MICAH Worship Center is the location of an art display by our parishioners! This quarter, we celebrate featured artists, Kenny K. Davies, Barbara Barrick and Susan Trueblood Stuart!

Easter Blessings, March 31!

Vol. 45, No. 4 | April, 2013A monthly newsletter of The First United Methodist Church | Salem, OR

Don’t Miss it!• Adult Christian Education

(page 2)

• Parents’ Night Out Friday, May 10, 6 p.m. (page 3)

• UMW Tea Saturday, May 4, 11:30 a.m. (page 3)

• Social Concerns (page 4)

• Vote for Mission Café! (page 4)

• Saturdays of Service Saturday, May 18 (page 4)

• Friendship hosts needed (page 7)

• Big Questions Over Lunch Tuesday, April 2, 11:45 (page 7)

• Youth News (see insert)

SUNDAY APriL 14 iS FOOD COLLECTiON SUNDAY

A Spring Offering“April Showers Bring May Flowers” and lots of music at this year’s Music Ministries concert and dessert. This annual fund-raising concert will feature the talented members of the many areas of our music ministry. Selections from musical theatre, pop, gospel and more will be featured, so join the musicians of First Church in the MICAH Ballroom at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 28, for a delightful afternoon. A freewill offering will be taken to support music at FUMC.

Food bank collectionSo far in 2013 we have collected 9,959 lbs. of food for the Jason Lee Food Bank! Our goal for this year (by Dec. 31) is to reach over 60,000 lbs. of donations to feed the hungry. We can do it!

Mia Adjali Circle Adjali Circle will meet at the church on April 8, at 7:00 p.m. Visitors are welcome and donations of items for CHP are encouraged. Contact Connie Bork at 503-364-8623 for more information.

ruth Erbele Circle Ruth Erbele Circle will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, April 8, at noon in the Carrier Room. Coffee and tea will be available; feel free to bring a sandwich or snack for lunch if you’d like. If you need more information, please contact Emily Broussard (503-304-4410). Visitors are always welcome!.

2 salemfirstumc.org April, 2013

Worship scheduleMarch 28 – Maundy Thursday Theme: His Last Days—Ten Sayings of Jesus Sermon: “You will disown me.” Scripture: Mark 14:27-31, Exodus 12:1-4, 11-14March 29 – Good Friday Theme: His Last Days—Ten Sayings of Jesus Sermon: “Why have you forsaken me?” Scripture: Mark 15:25-37March 31 – Easter Theme: His Last Days—Ten Sayings of Jesus Sermon: “Why are you crying?” Scripture: John 20:1-18, Psalm 118:14-24April 7 – Communion Sunday Theme: Characteristics of a Vital Church—Prayer Scripture: Acts 1:12-14, Acts 4:23-31, Acts 2:42April 14 Theme: Characteristics of a Vital Church—Worship Scripture: Acts 2:42-47, Acts 5:12-16 April 21 – Bell Union plays at both services Theme: Characteristics of a Vital Church—Learning Scripture: Acts 6:1-4, Acts 2:42April 28 Theme: Characteristics of a Vital Church—Care/Fellowship Scripture: Acts 6:1-7, Acts 4:32-35

Worship & Christian Education8:45 a.m. – Praise service in the MICAH Worship Center10 to 11 a.m. – Christian Education hour

11:15 a.m. – Traditional service in the Sanctuary

Support mission work—visit the Mission Café!

April Adult Christian Education ClassesSUNDAYS AT 9 A.M.

The Faith We Sing – Room 114 – led by Holli Davenport Beginning April 7 we will be discussing When God Winks at You: How God Speaks Directly to You through the Power of Coincidence by Squire Rushnell. The book includes true stories about incredible things that happen every day—to famous people and to people like you and me. Are these events coincidence, or is God trying to tell us something?

SUNDAYS AT 10 A.M.

Family Matters – Room B-8 – this session led by Angela & Dave Deckelman April 7 to April 21 – we will be discussing a DVD study about what makes us “Happy.” Do your kids and family? Does your work? Do you live in a world that values and promotes happiness and well-being? Are we in the midst of a “happy” revolution? Come and explore the secrets behind our most valued emotion. April 28 – we will join with Forum to discuss a topic on child abuse for our Child Abuse Awareness Sunday.

Forum – Carrier Room April 7 – Ken Bierly, speaking about the Willamette River Clean-up Tentative dates for the rest of April include: April 14 – Earth Day DVD April 21 – Oregon Housing and Associated Services April 28 – a joint session with Family Matters to discuss a topic on child abuse for our Child Abuse Awareness Sunday

Prayer of the Heart – Room 210 – led by Josh Stringer and Jerilee Avery Prayer of the Heart is a way of contemplative prayer that dates back to some of the earliest Christians. All are welcome as we incorporate into our lives a practice that becomes the foundation of a life of ceaseless prayer and union with Christ, in stillness and activity. Meetings include a time of silent prayer, a reading from scripture and a time for reflection.

Digging Deeper in Theology and Ethics - Room 108 The study of Love Wins: A Book about Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived by Rob Bell will continue through April 14. April 7 – Chapter 7, “The Good News is Better than That” – Arturo Fernandez, facilitates April 14 – Chapter 8, “The End is Here” – the team facilitating the discussion Remaining April dates – TBA

Adult Bible Study – Room 114 – led by Gary Onstot April 7 & 14 – finish study of the 4 Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke & John April 21, 28, & May 5 – study of the Book of Acts

Spiritual Gifts Class – Room TBA – led by Rev. Dan Pitney April 7 to May 19 – “Serving From the Heart: Finding Your Gifts and Talents for Service.” This class is open to all who are interested. We will use materials developed by Church of (continued next page)

April, 2013 salemfirstumc.org 3

Operating Fund

February Total Budget year-to-date year-to-dateincome $51,985 $107,430 $98,286 General $37,796 $79,913 $73,912 Transfers $968 $1,956 $2,262 Use of Facilities $13,221 $25,561 $22,112Bills Paid $53,343 $102,210 $99,835 Building Expense $6,796 $16,044 $17,205 Administrative Expense $2,360 $5,760 $4,873 Employee Expense $30,846 $63,907 $62,521 Programs $742 $3,817 $3,551 Shared Ministries $12,516 $12,516 $11,519 Trustees loan payback $83 $167 $167 Other $0 $0 $0 Income (loss) for February, 2013 $5,219 Balance in Operating Fund at February 28, 2013 $35,748

All bills due in February were paid. 2013 Shared Ministries are paid through February 28, 2013

Feb. First Sunday Collection Pastor’s Discretionary Fund $97.90 Congregations Helping People $195.80 Thank you!

Financial statement: February, 2013

the Resurrection United Methodist Church that include a participant’s workbook, short video teachings and small group interaction. The topics will include: “A Biblical Foundation,” “Spiritual Gifts Defined,” “A Spiritual Gifts Survey,” “Talents and Resources,” “Individuality, Dreams, Experiences and Putting It All Together.” Please let us know of your desire to participate so we have enough materials available. You may write your interest on a Welcome & Communication Card found in the Sunday bulletin or email <dpitney@wvi.com>.

Mid-Week Class – Tuesday evenings, 7-8:30 p.m. – Carrier Room – led by Jennie Pitney Our Praying the Names of Jesus group, using a DVD study by Ann Spangler, continues through April.

if teacups could talkSaturday, May 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. All women, all ages are invited—yes, including our young ones and youth! United Methodist Women is hosting a tea party luncheon in the dining room. Come enjoy a variety of sandwiches, sweet and savory treats and a selection of specialty teas. Join us as we share in the warmth of fellowship. It will be a very special time and, though not required, we encourage wearing a hat—fun! A gift basket silent auction and other fun activities will be included.

Tickets go on sale April 7 for $13 pre-sale and are $15 at the door. Proceeds will go toward supporting our local UMW unit for missions: locally, regionally, nationally and globally.

Mark your calendars now and plan to participate in a wonderful tea time together!

Best in the ValleyThe Mission Café has been nominated in the “Undiscovered Restaurant” section in the Best in the Valley contest in the Statesman Journal. The contest ends in early April. Vote online at <www.StatesmanJournal.com/bestof > or on Facebook or Twitter (use #SJBestOf). Vote now!

Parents’ Night OutThere will be no Parents’ Night Out in April.

You may sign up any time between now and May 5

for the PNO on Friday, May 10.

4 salemfirstumc.org April, 2013

Hurry! Vote before it’s too late!You’ve loved the tasty treats. You’ve sampled many of the big-time beverages. You’ve experienced snappy service. Now it’s time to vote for the popular Mission Café in the Statesman Journal’s “Best of the Mid-Valley Contest.”The Mission Café has been nominated in the new “Undiscovered Restaurant” category. We’re up against some big-time places—real stores that display plate glass windows, wireless stations, advertising AND expensive beverages that cost an arm and a leg. Meanwhile, the Mission Café doesn’t charge for anything on our ever-changing menu, we only accept your cash contributions that support three overseas missionaries and local Salem charities.Please vote today. The deadline is April 8. Here’s how to do it: Online go to <www.StatesmanJournal.com/bestof >, “Undiscovered Restaurant” section, or on Facebook or Twitter use the hash tag #SJBestOf. This is David vs. Goliath, The Little Engine That Could, Willamette vs. the Chicago Bears, Us against the World. Winning this contest is not the end of the world, but it’s right up there! Have some fun while you’re doing it.Hooray, Mission Café! Open Sundays, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Mission Café supporters receive thanks

Saturdays of Service—don’t forget! We’ve had two awesome Saturdays of Service and the tradition is going to continue! Circle Saturday, May 18, on your calendars now. The schedule will be the same as before; lunch in the dining room, 12:00-12:45 p.m.; service time at church and out in the community, 1-4 p.m. (volunteer luncheon crew, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.). Specific projects are still being finalized. We are continuing our focus of supporting the fight against hunger issues. Look for sign-up sheets in the office and also in Sunday bulletins starting Sunday, April 28. This is a great opportunity to witness and show our community that FUMC walks the walk, as well as a chance to connect with some other FUMC members you may not have an opportunity to otherwise! Come join us! All ages welcome! It’s a wonderful experience!

Sunday, April 14, is Food Collection SundayEaster time with the coming of spring is my favorite season in the Willamette Valley. It is a time of resurrection, new beginnings, new life, warmth and boundless energy. The beautiful flowering trees decorate our streets, our parks and our State Capitol grounds. Take a walk, smell the blossoms’ fragrance in the air. Listen for the humming of the bees and give thanks for our many blessings. Remember Jesus’ lesson to us in Luke 3:10-11. “And the crowds asked him, ‘What then shall we do?’ And he answered them, ‘Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.’”Sunday, April 14, is Food Collection Sunday. We will have hosts in the dining room and MICAH lobby to accept donations for the Jason Lee Food Bank. You can bring food any Sunday and put it in the collection boxes. You can also put a check in the collection during service and indicate Jason Lee Food Bank on the memo line. As of this writing we have collected 4,132 lbs. of food towards our goal of 60,000 lbs. If you donate money to Marion Polk Food Share on a regular basis please let someone in the church office know. We count those funds in our total congregational giving to help feed the hungers of our community. Thanks for being such a generous congregation.

Many participate in CPr-AED trainingTwenty-two people associated with FUMC participated in CPR/AED training on March 4 and 7. Those earning their certificates included: Penny Strand, Katie Carpenter, Judy Allen, Deanna Fitzpatrick, Bobby Ottis, Doris Bennett, Camile Knospe, Kim Martin, Dennis Lundeen, Don Knepp, Shirley Knepp, Dawn Douglas-Gienger, Amanda Rich, Roberta Moore, Nicole Lehmonoski, Wendy Herrett, Tom Herrett, Carol Patrick, Becky Beaman, Loxie Fitzgerald and Gary Onstot.

April, 2013 salemfirstumc.org 5

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Friendship hosts wantedDo you want to make some new friends? Are you willing to share American culture with college students? Would you like to expose your family to different cultures?If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, please consider participating in the Tomodachi “friendship” Program sponsored by Tokyo International University of America! Young or old, married or single, children or not—you have something to offer! This program matches you with two students and asks that you get together once a month from April through Dec., 2013. It is not a home-stay! The program begins April 3 & 4.For more information, go to our website, <www.tiua.edu>, or call Barby at 503-373-3300. Sign up today!in the religious studies department at Willamette University.

Big Questions Over LunchThe Office of the Chaplains at Willamette University invites you to join us for a monthly discussion of “Big Questions Over Lunch.” The next session will be Tuesday, April 2, in Goudy Commons from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. The discussion, “Mormon Identity in the 21st Century—What has Changed?,” will be facilitated by Prof. Richard Francaviglia from the WU department of religious studies.Mormonism has been called “a quintessentially American religion,” yet many Americans know little about it other than simple stereotypes. This presentation explores core Mormon beliefs about post-Biblical revelation, racial identity, gender roles, cultural origins, material wealth and American exceptionalism—all of which surfaced during the unsuccessful 2012 presidential election campaign of Mormon candidate Mitt Romney. Although religion was publicly downplayed in that race, its presence was palpable and shed light on the challenges faced by the Mormon Church itself in an increasingly diverse society. Richard Francaviglia received his Ph.D. at the University of Oregon in 1970 after writing his dissertation on “The Mormon Landscape.” He recently returned to Oregon after a productive, forty-plus year career as university professor and administrator. Passionately interested in how religion reflects and shapes values, he now lectures on “Sacred Spaces and Holy Places” and teaches occasional courses about Islam in the religious studies department at Willamette University.

Heartfelt birthday thank youI want to share with you a special event that occurred on Feb. 19, my husband Dan’s 80th birthday. Alan Davenport agreed to visit our home late in the afternoon of the 19th and sing “Danny Boy.” My husband Dan, has always felt a kinship to this song and I was so excited to have planned this surprise. Alan’s performance was superb and his voice the perfect instrument for “Danny Boy.” Dan said he had never heard all the verses to the song. Our eyes welled with tears as we listened to the story so full of emotion. We were overwhelmed.Thank you, Kerry, for helping connect us and a heartfelt thank you to Alan for this hightlight of a special day. We are so blessed to have such outstanding talent among our FUMC membership. I felt so honored to be able to showcase Alan’s gift in this way.

— Kenny K. Davies

8 salemfirstumc.org April, 2013

First United Methodist ChurchAs followers of Jesus Christ, the vision of First United Methodist Church of Salem is to feed the hungers of our community: spiritual, physical, intellectual, relational.

Church StaffLay Leaders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fran Eriksen and Bill Sullivan

Pastor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Dan Pitney

Director of Christian Education and Youth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kristen Bonn

Director of Music Ministries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Kerry Burtis

Director of Bell Choirs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shira Fadeley

Praise Band Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jennie Pitney

Organist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Ranney

Business Administrators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nancy Brik and Ellie Carson

Office Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Katie Carpenter

Childcare Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Meredith Dameron

Stephen Ministry Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fran Eriksen

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First United Methodist Church600 State StreetSalem, OR 97301

Sunday Services . . . . . 8:30 a .m . (Sanctuary), 11 a .m . (MICAH), . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 a .m . (Sanctuary), 6:04 p .m . (MICAH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sunday School at 9:45 a .m . Location . . . . . . . . . . . . .Corner of Church and State Streets Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . .503-364-6709Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .503-364-7268 Prayer Line . . . . . . . . . .503-362-8149E-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Church: salem1st@wvi.com Dan Pitney: dpitney@wvi.comWeb page . . . . . . . . . . .www.salemfirstumc.orgOffice hours . . . . . . . . .Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Friday, 9 a.m. to Noon

The Spire (USPS 863-560) published monthly by the First United Methodist Church, 600 State Street, Salem, OR. Periodical postage paid at Salem, OR 97301 . Postmaster: Please send change of address to 600 State Street, Salem, OR 97301.

Spire deadlinesPlease submit your articles by NOON of the deadline date. Articles received after the deadline may not be printed.

Deadline . . . . . . . . . . . . . issue April 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May TBA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June June 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . July July 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aug. Aug. 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sept.

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PRAYSTRONG Retreat - Ignite the Fire! PRAYSTRONG is an awesome retreat May 17-19, 2013 for area youth grades 6-12, sponsored by Salem First UMC Youth Ministries. It is a fun-filled weekend of music, wor-ship, friends, prayer, service and most of all, FUN! Isn’t it time you Ignite the Fire? The excitement kicks off Friday evening at 7 p.m. with games, music and worship. On Saturday, we jump into high gear to discover what ‘sparks’ your world and then put it into practice at the Saturday of Service. Saturday evening will showcase a fabulous concert featuring Cutter Gage and the Rez-Life Band from Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, KS. Then Sunday morning we rock worship together led by LifeSong and the youth of Salem First at the annual Youth Sunday service! Following fellowship time after service with the congregation, we will close the retreat and depart for home. Event details and registration forms can be found on the youth website at www.salemfirstumcyouthorg. Cost for the retreat is $30 per person registered before April 30, which includes admission to the concert. After April 30, the cost is $40 . Tick-ets for only Saturday’s concert are $10 in advance, $15 at the door.

Youth Mission Team Benefit Dinner & Concert This year’s benefit for the Youth Mission Team was an incredible experience! In a change from the auctions of past years, the focus was on our amazing youth. First, they served a dinner and then switched gears to provide a jam-packed musical evening. Many of our youth performed vocal or instrumental solos and then LifeSong closed out the show with a full set of music. Guests of the event thoroughly enjoyed the concert. The re-mark most often heard was, “I had no idea we had so many musically talented youth in our congregation!” But the benefit was about more than just showcasing our youth. The Mission Team sold ‘shares’ to support their mission work. This July, our senior high youth will travel to Stockton and San Francisco, California to repair homes, serve meals to the homeless, and work in a food bank. Then in August, another group will have a more local focus and travel to Eugene to work on hunger and social justice projects. The Youth Mission Team has raised about 2/3 of our goal of $7000. Some of the money will be used for this year’s mission projects, but the team is also saving toward next year - when an international mission trip is being planned. If you would like to contribute to the Youth Mission Team, shares are still available for purchase through the church office. Thank you for being such a generous and mission-focused congregation. Your support is greatly appreciated!

“Shares” in the Youth Mission Team available for

purchase at the benefit

Upcoming Events March 31, No

Youth Group on Easter Sunday

April 5-7, Shebang Planning Team in Hermiston

April 7, Youth Mission Team, Confirmands and Mentors to serve at Kairos Soup Kitchen, 12:45-3 p.m.

April 10, Fun Night! Join in the Spring Fling fun from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Bring friends!

April 21, Confirmation class with Pastor Dan

May 3-4, Confirmation Retreat

May 17-19, PRAYSTRONG retreat, including Saturday of Service work project, concert featuring Cutter Gage and the Rez-Life band, Youth Sunday worship and confirmation!