• Canopies or EZ Ups• Wooden Mallets• Wicker laundry baskets• 10 ft long heavy chain• Sheets of black plastic• 8" diameter heavy cardboard tubes,

which can be cut in half lengthwise

VBS supplies requested• Jump ropes (1 for every 5 participants) x 3• Tennis balls, Nerf balls, weighted rubber workout balls–

1 of each size x 3• Wooden clothespins–the old fashioned type–

for “knucklebones”• Hula Hoops (1 for every 5 participants)• Heavy sheets of cardboard, like cardboard refrigerator boxes–

1 sheet• 2 plastic wading pools • Buckets (1 per team)• 10 pound bags of flour in plastic bags (9 bags per team) x 3• Bed sheets (1 per team)

VBS at Salem FUMC promises to be an exciting experienceSign up today!• The dates are Aug. 10 to 14 from 9 a.m. to noon.

• Our theme is Rome: Paul and the Underground Church.

• Children ages pre-K through entering 5th grade are welcome.

• Kids will visit a Roman marketplace, play games at the Olympic village and worship underground (in hiding) as the early Christians did.

• VBS is open to everyone, so bring a friend! It’s free, but pre-registration is strongly encouraged.

• Call the church office, 503-364-6709, to register your child now.

• Forms are located throughout the church.

If you are willing to donate any vases or baskets for decoration, please let Ann or Robyn know. Make sure you mark anything that you want returned to you with your name, phone number and address!

Help turn FUMC into Rome for Vacation Bible School!Decorating and set construction for VBS is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 8. Start time is 9:30 a.m.

We could especially use those willing to lift, carry, wield a hammer or use duct tape! But there will be tasks for everyone. We will be transforming the dining room into a marketplace, the Underground space into the underground church and the Underground office into Paul’s House. We will be converting other rooms and spaces as well. So, we need lots of help! It will be a fun time and will include some yummy, high energy snacks.

Call Ann Shaffer, 503-362-1604, for more information, or just come!

The SpireA bimonthly newsletter of The First United Methodist Church of Salem, Oregon

A S T e p h e n M i n i S T r y C h U r C h

It’s not the steeple, it’s the people. Vol. 41, No. 14 • July 28, 2009

FRoM tHe PaStoR Summer worship 9:30 a.m. in the MICAH Worship Center

10:30 to 11 a.m. Fellowship time

11:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary

Please make a visit to the Mission Café sometime during the morning and help support the work of our Mission Team!

We love to provide the Upper RoomIf you love to read The Upper Room and you are able to make a donation toward your use, please drop it in the box in the Connections Center to help us with the increase in cost.

Web/blog sites of noteCheck ’em out!The Volunteers in Mission Team to Kenya: www.umckenyateam.org

Salem First United Methodist Church:www.salemfirstumc.orgGreat reading! Awesome pictures! Unique music performances!

Digital photos neededIf you have digital photos from your vacation or a church-related event (whether it was held at church or not), please email them to . If you can, tell us who is pictured, and where and when you took the photos. See what we’re talking about! Some videos and photos are online now. Just go to the website at and click the “Watch and Listen” button.

2 The Spire • July 28, 2009

Our Fall ScheduleSometimes what is best for the church and what is best for groups of people within the congregation collide. That is how I feel about needing to make the decision regarding our fall worship schedule. I never like making those kinds of decisions, but at times they are necessary. With that sentiment, I made my report regarding our fall Sunday schedule to the Administrative Council on July 16.

Starting Sept. 13 we will move to new times on Sunday mornings. It will look like this: 8:45 a.m. Praise Service, 10 a.m. Church School for all ages, 11:15 a.m. Sanctuary Worship Service. I deeply regret that this schedule may frustrate some people. However, I genuinely believe it is the best move for our church as a whole. Let me tell you why.

Our church needs to turn around the decline in membership and attendance that we have experienced for more than a decade. To do that, it is critical we have a strong ministry for children, youth and young families. My experience and church growth statistics show that churches with a strong educational program for all ages are healthy congregations. Churches that do not have vibrant programs are churches in decline. I believe we must make our Christian Education a priority and the best way to do that is to have a designated time for that purpose on Sunday mornings. In order to make that happen, it requires us to eliminate one service and move the other two to earlier and later times. It necessitates a change for all of us.

I deeply regret if this decision causes people frustration and pain. We may even lose some of our people that we care about and love. I hope that doesn’t happen. However, the decision I have made I believe is critical to turning our church around and laying the foundations for new growth. I make it because I believe it is the best for the future of our church.

— Dan Pitney

Summer parking lot newsOur Trustees have agreed to allow Willamette University access through our parking lot to the graveled parking lot belonging to them. They will pave the gravel on their property and will restripe our parking lot. Their lot will be used for permit parking, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. We will be able to access their lot on evenings and weekends. The Trustees feel that FUMC can be good neighbors and abide by the agreement.

The paving/striping work will be done this summer. Our existing parking lot may be impacted for a short period during which Willamette will try to provide alternate parking for us. Our church office will be informed about any changes. Please call the office if you have any questions throughout this process.

The Spire • July 28, 2009 3

Fall Rummage SaleOct. 7-10 has been selected for the Fall Rummage Sale. Bring your good, clean, useable items to the basement rummage room any time after Aug. 1. Please no computers, electronics, exercise equipment or large furniture as there just is no room for them.

Setting up and pricing will begin Tuesday, Aug. 11, 1 to 3 p.m., and every Tuesday until the sale. Please plan to help us a few hours or more during this busy time.

If you have any questions, call Joan Zelmer, 503-364-6204.

Family Building Blocks diaper driveThe Family Matters group challenges Salem First United Methodist Church to bring in 2,000 diapers by the end of August to help children at Family Building Blocks! Family Building Blocks is in need of diapers of all sizes, but sizes 3-6 in particular. Drop off sites will be in MICAH, the dining room and in the church office. If you have any questions, call Cesie Delve Scheuermann, 503-375-3826. Thank you and God bless you!

Flowers for the altarAltar flowers are needed for Aug. 2, 16, 23 and 30. Go to the Connections Center to sign up or sign up on the “Invitation” insert in the Sunday bulletin!

I want to thank…Chris Havel for the new website format! Chuck and Jan Foster

All the volunteers who help in the office. You are all valued and I appreciate the gifts and talents that you bring to help me in the office (and in the church) to keep things running smoothly! You bless me/us TONS! Katie Carpenter

The Event Planning Team members who have work hard to make arrangements for the All-Church Picnic. Fellowship with each other is SO important, and we appreciate your planning efforts! FUMC Staff

Susan Varner for coordinating Communion Sundays. What a big job that is and we appreciate her faithful service. Melissa Berry

Roberta Moore for sharing her gift of grant-writing skills. She has written several grants for CHP and the program has received funding from many sources due to her work! Thanks again. Carol Stoebig

oregon-Idaho Conference Camping Program—Go Camping!22nd Annual Transformations Prayer RetreatQuiet, personal prayer, renewal Sept. 20 to 25 at Suttle Lake CampLed by the Rev. Michael Powell of Morningside UMC and the Rev. Kate Conolly our Western District Superintendent.

Poster-sized pictorial maps of Salem for sale, $5Go to the Connections Center or to the church office to pick one up today! We also have some church t-shirts on sale for $10. Come and see if we have your size.

Salem triviaDid you know our spire is the tallest structure in Salem?

1. FUMC spire, 185 feet2. Capitol Pioneer statue, 170 feet3. Livesley Building tower, 130 feet4. Boise Cascade plant smokestack, 125 feet5. Pringle Creek apartment house, 123 feet6. Equitable Center, 120 feet7. Salem Hospital Memorial

Unit, north tower, 97 feet8. Ben Franklin

(Masonic Building), 96 feet

Primerica Your needs change over time. We understand.

For a Complimentary, Customized Financial Needs Analysis,

Call Today! Gary Neilson 161 High St. SE, Suite 251 Salem, OR 97301

(503) 391-9817

Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service & Oakleaf Crematory

Pre-Planning Traditional & Memorial Services, Cremation.

605 Commercial St SE (503) 364-2257

www.golden-funeralservice.com

MONA · VIE

Gail and Joe Ripp Independent Distributor Home (503) 838-2033 Cell (503) 551-9695

MonaVie features a delicious blend of the Brazilian acai berry - one of nature's top super foods

and 18 other body-beneficial fruits www.thegreatproduct.com/teamrejuvenation

THE HOTTEST NEW THING IN CANDLES

Stephanie Cruikshank Consultant

(503) 798-8690Scentsational Products include Scentsy Bars, Room Sprays &

Car Candles, Scentsy Bricks, Scentsy Warmers, and NEW! Scentsy Plug-in Warmers. “We Make Perfect Scents”TM

Erika Motzko Independent Designer

(503) 409-0322

Wall Décor, Home Accents & Fragrances, Decorator Florals,Dining & Entertainment, Patio & Garden, Gourmet Food

www.homeandgardenparty.com/home?webid=erikam

Olson Florist499 Court Street NE in Salem

(503) 363-7166

your life | your story | your way Joan Lennox-Consultant (503) 590-9332

*Faith Booking * Album Making www.mycmsite.com/joanlennox

Tupperware 60+ Years & Counting!

Parties, Kitchen Planning, Career Opportunities

Stacey Blum-Manager 503-910-2421

40% profit from fundraisers

Carry & Michele McGuffey Independent Distributors

(503) 999-7596 Michele’s cell (503) 999-4828 Carry’s cell

www.advocare.com/04101567

Sports Performance, Weight Management, Wellness & Energy, Children’s Nutrition, Skincare, and a Financial Opportunity

Becky Wright

Independent Sales Representative

(503) 999-6592

www.youravon.com/beckywright

Wings of the Soul A Store With A Heart For Him

Elegant Home & Garden Tiffany Lamps & Jewelry Infant & Children’s Treasures Book, Bibles & Crosses

Bath & Body Products Treat yourself to a heartwarming time of shopping.

Great gifts for those you love!

Hours: Monday – Friday 10 am to 6 pm Saturday – 11 am to 5 pm

345 SE Owens St ( Across from Create-A-

Memory )

503-589-4959 Sonja Tapp- owner

All budgets, big & small: Beautiful flowers for all www.olsonflorist.com

5 The Spire • July 28, 2009

WoMen’S MInIStRIeS Love, Serve, Learn, Celebrate

”Grow a Row“ UpdateSo far we have donated 37 pounds of fresh veggies and herbs to the Marion-Polk Food Share this summer. Our goal is to donate at least 200 pounds by the end of the growing season! Keep those veggies coming on Sunday mornings to the drop-off locations at the MICAH Worship Center and the dining room. United Methodist Women will transport all donations to Marion-Polk Food Share. Remember, if you need us to collect your veggies from home, just contact Melissa Berry at 503-316-0581. Thank you for Sharing the Bounty and helping impact hunger in our community!

September Unit meeting Open to all women all agesTime and date TBAPlease join us for a time of study. We will be discussing the book, Ending Hunger Now, a Challenge to Persons of Faith by Donald E. Messer, George McGovern and Bob Dole. This book examines the barriers to feeding the hungry in our world, and challenges us to answer the questions, “Why are people starving in a world of plenty?” and, “What is our response?”

“‘To a hungry person,’ noted Mahatma Gandhi, ‘God can appear only as a piece of bread.’ Thus feeding the hungry always has been at the heart of Christian faith and ethics, as well as every other major religious and ethical system.” (From the introduction.)

Copies of the book are available through the church office.

BRIDGeS Getting to know youA couple of issues ago, I mentioned that we were going to start a “Getting to Know You” section. It is a way for members of our church to get to know our friends who come to Bridges on Sunday and/or on Wednesday every week.

Our first “Getting to Know You” is Lynette. She is a native Oregonian, originally from Coos Bay. She lived most of her early life in Coos Bay and moved to Salem, graduating from North High in 1970. She has worked in a variety of locations within the Garten Corporation and is currently retired. Lynette has made Salem her home.

Lynette’s favorite hobbies are varied and include shopping for clothes, painting, needle crafts and putting together model cars. Lynette likes coming to Bridges because she can enjoy working on crafts of her choice and visiting with friends. Her favorite color is red and, naturally, she loves spaghetti.

Lynette has two cats that she loves to talk about; she dotes on them. She likes to help others and is quick to volunteer to help around the Bridges room. She is an open and friendly person.

If the Salem bus ran on Sundays, she would love to attend First Church because of its friendliness and caring atmosphere.

new items for people to enjoyWe have added a few new items for people to enjoy, besides the usual fun things we have all the time, and as always it is FREE!

Snap together models: We have just received a shipment of new models that can be put together by everyone (or with very little assistance). The models include animals, ships, cars and planes.

Fabric painting: Bring your own t-shirt (new and not yet used) and paint a design or just have fun! Be the first!

Embroidery: If you have embroidery skills, we have needles, thread, patterns, tea towels and pillowcases—or bring your own and have some fun!

Continuing activities: Velvet pictures to color, lots of wood items to paint or color, sun catchers, new movies, Perler beads and patterns, regular beads, tons of new puzzles, lots of pictures to color, ink stamps and musical toys to play with!

Open every Wednesday, 5:30 to 8:15 p.m., and every Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to noon. Drop in when it’s convenient or stay the entire time!

Looking for something to do, want to volunteer, but don’t have a lot of time? Give us a call! For more information about the Bridges program, call 503-364-6709 or 503-585-5212.

The Spire • July 28, 2009 6

SaCReD SPaCe Praise You in this stormLast Friday, my husband Gerry, our son Zach and I attended the Salem Art Fair. We were touched, moved and inspired by the Children’s Educational Theatre’s production of the musical, Godspell, starring a few of the members of Sacred Space. It was outdoor theatre and yet it was also a vibrant worship experience. How did four weeks of rehearsing a show about the teachings of Jesus develop the faith of the cast members? I wondered if all the gifted youth in the cast have a place like Sacred Space, where they can hang out every week with other followers of that amazing cool dude, Jesus. I also imagined how glorious it would be if the youth in Sacred Space could bring a sample of their many and diverse talents into worship at FUMC in blended, outside of the box worship experiences more than just once or twice a year. God only knows how amazing that could be!

Philip Steiner shared a piece of advice before my first gathering with the Sacred Space youth; come prepared with a theme song. I love music of all kinds so it is impossible to choose just one theme song for my ministry with the FUMC youth. For my first two weeks with the group, I chose the song “Praise You in This Storm” by Casting Crowns. It seemed to fit the context. The youth of FUMC have experienced the winds of change and the losses that come with the storms of life. Chad, Kyle and David have all moved on, but we pray that Roberta will be back by the end of the summer as a devoted and valuable volunteer.

As the ancient Psalms and the Casting Crowns song remind us, our help comes from the Maker of Heaven and Earth. Our help comes from our Savior Jesus Christ. Our help also comes when we gather as disciples of Jesus, the Body of Christ, the Church.

I am honored to serve FUMC as Minister of Youth and Christian Education (nick named MYCE for short). I pray that my gifts, service, presence and witness will be a contribution to the young people of FUMC, their parents and the volunteers involved in ministries that touch the lives of young people. I also pray that most of the members of FUMC will have an opportunity to experience young people as the heart beat of FUMC. I am excited and impressed with the leadership abilities, talents and intellect

of the young people involved in Sacred Space. They have so much to offer FUMC and the broader community. I intend to look for opportunities where our youth can show up as active members and leaders of the congregation engaged in study, prayer, worship and acts of service, compassion and justice.

My first months with Sacred Space will focus on creating a safe space to talk about the feelings that come with change, building relationships and creating plans for the coming academic year. Three Sr. High students stepped forward with the support of the rest of the group to assist me as servant leaders, and to help with the preliminary planning for an annual events calendar and for the structure and content of the weekly gatherings.

We serve a teenager-friendly dinner at the beginning of our Wednesday evening gatherings. If you would be willing to be a Sacred Space Host (prepare and serve dinner for 15 to 20 hungry teenagers), please give me a call or email me. I am also looking for a Sacred Space meals coordinator to schedule and make reminder phone calls to the volunteer hosts. There will be more room to involve parents and other adult volunteers in the program, so please check future issues of The Spire for news about how you can help.

We also welcome volunteers who would like to be engaged in meaningful short-term or long-term ministries with our children’s Christian education programs. With the help of Nancy Porter and others, Chuck Foster, Chair of the Christian Education Committee, and I have scheduled an informal gathering of Children’s Sunday School volunteers and parents on Sunday, Aug. 2, from 12:30 to 3 p.m. at FUMC (room to be announced). The purpose of the gathering is three-fold; to allow interested volunteers and parents to “Voice” their concerns and wishes for Children’s Christian Education, to share a preliminary framework or “Vision” of our fall programs and to enlist “Volunteers” for a variety of roles within the fall programs. Please join us for the gathering, or give me a call before that date to discuss your ideas, concerns and interest.

— Robyn Morrison

7 The Spire • July 28, 2009

First United Methodist ChurchA diverse and inclusive community of faith, seeking to follow the example of Jesus Christ by Welcoming all to a walk with Christ, Nurturing each other in Christian love, Equipping persons with a faith that works in real life, and Serving God in the church, the community and the world.

Church StaffLay Leaders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chuck Hudkins and Mary Ann Robinson

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

Minister of Youth and Christian Education . . . . . . Rev. Robyn Morrison

Director of Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kristin Hammond

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

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

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

Childcare Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gina Rock

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

Director of Human Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carol Stoebig

Campus Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Total Solutions

It’s not the steeple, it’s the people.

First United Methodist Church600 State StreetSalem, OR 97301

Sunday Services . . . . 8:30 a .m . (Sanctuary), 11:00 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 .com Robyn Morrison: Robynmorrison1@me .comWeb page . . . . . . . . . www .salemfirstumc .orgOffice hours . . . . . . . . Monday through Thursday 9:00 a .m . to 4:00 p .m . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Friday 9:00 a .m . to Noon

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

Spire deadlinesPlease submit your articles by NOON of the deadline date. Articles received after the deadline will be held for the next issue.

Deadline . . . . . . Publication date July 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aug. 11 Aug. 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aug. 25 Aug. 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sept. 9 Sept. 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sept. 22 Oct. 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oct. 13 Oct. 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Oct. 27

E-mail articles for The Spire to the church office, salem1st@wvi.com. Please include the word “SPIRE” and the subject of your article in the subject line. Be sure to include a phone number with your article. Articles longer than 300 words may be cut to fit.