Announcements

A Retirement and a Welcome

On February 1, 2023, Pr. Sally Houck began a new chapter in her life with her retirement. She had served Salem since December 2017 and was very loved by this congregation and by members of the community who worked with her. She is remembered for her preaching and teaching of the Gospel, her concern for others, and her desire to see racial justice done and for all people to be treated with compassion. We wish Pr. Sally and her spouse, Dr. John Houck, the best!

On March 1, 2023, Salem welcomed the Rev. Dr. Dawn Enderwood as Interim Pastor. Her biography and picture are posted on the About Us page. Notably, she has had training and experience as an interim pastor. She will preside (providing communion) at Sunday services, except for 5th Sundays, and will preach on two Sundays per month. There will be sermons provided by a variety of visiting pastors and members for the other services. Pr. Dawn can be contacted through the Salem office which is staffed M-Th from 8 am - 1 pm and Friday from 8 am - 11 am. Please email or leave a phone message at other times.

Stocking the Free Food Pantry

Our Free Food Pantry has been installed by the entrance to the parking lot on our Elm Street side by Nate Sahs as his Eagle Scout project. There will be ongoing opportunities to donate particular types of foods for the pantry. Food may be left in the pantry or in the Elm Street entry at Salem. Canned foods with pop-tops and individual servings are recommended and are the items taken from the pantry.

TOP TEN FREQUENTLY ACCESSED ITEMS
Granola bars
Individual fruit cups
Soup
Lance or Keebler "sandwich" crackers - such as peanut butter filled crackers
Instant oatmeal/small cereal boxes
Beanie Weenies/Chef Boyardee pastas
Ramen noodles
Canned meats (tuna, chicken, Vienna sausages)
Peanut butter, preferably in single-serve contrainers (Jif-to-go)
Crackers (Ritz and saltines, packaged in smaller serving sizes)

Monetary and food contributions are greatly appreciated! Also needed are individually-wrapped bars of soap, rolls of toilet paper, toothbrushes, toothpaste, laundry pods, and feminine hygiend products are good items to have available. Items may be dropped off at the pantry shelves in the north narthex. Checks should be have the memo, "Little Pantry" and made otu to Salem Lutheran.

Parish Nurse

Our congregation is so fortunate that our Parish Nurse, Cindy Pennie, BSN, RN, is able to see to pastoral care needs and to pray with members. She can accompany members to appointments or hospitalizations as needed and checks in on shut-ins. Members are able to discuss concerns with her and get advice on next steps and basic health information. She conducts blood pressure checks. She is not able to provide actual medical care. She is maintaining our prayer list and can be reached at salemparishnu[email protected]. Her phone number is in the Salem directory.

Current Ways to Help Others

Fall Service Project - Collecting school supplies for Lutheran World Relief School Backpacks. The needs are specific so please check the central hallway for the list of needed items. We also make simple drawstring backpacks to hold supplies. Please speak up if you would like to help with sewing. This project runs through August.

Our Free Food Pantry has been installed by the entrance to the parking lot on our Elm Street side by Nate Sahs as his Eagle Scout project. There will be ongoing opportunities to donate particular types of foods for the pantry. Food may be left in the pantry or in the Elm Street entry at Salem. Canned foods with pop-tops and individual servings are recommended. Canned fruits, vegetables, meats, mixed meals, cereals, juices, and soups plus peanut butter, jelly, granola bars, and trail mix are recommended. Contributions are greatly appreciated!

Third Sunday Food Offering - We also contribute to Our Daily Bread (ODB) with food, money, egg cartons for 12 eggs, and plastic bags. Cereal is always needed! Please mark monetary donations for "food offering" and put the other goods in designated baskets under the coat rack. ODB is also looking for volunteers to help clients with shopping and to work in their garden. For more information, go to https://www.ourdailybreadstillwater.org or call 405-533-2555.

Salem Soup Ministry- Just make soup and freeze it in the quart canning jars provided in the kitchen. Label them and put them in the hallway freezer. The soup is primarily used for members who can't get out or are in need of comfort food. You are welcome to pick up a jar at the church and deliver to a friend.

Adult Discussion Class – Sunday mornings at 10:50 am in-person and on Zoom

The new discussion class is continuing lectures on "The History of Christian Theology" by Prof. Phillip Cary of The Great Courses this fall. No class on August 13 or September 10. Join us in the parish hall or online at the Zoom link on Sunday at 10:50 am. It's fine to just listen in. No pressure to "discuss". The class is facilitated by Dr. Terry Gipson and Dr. David Lewis. Dr. Gipson can also answer questions about using Zoom. Contact [email protected] for the Zoom link.

Adult Bible Study - Fridays at 10 a.m. on Zoom

The Adult Bible Study explores a variety of themes. We are currently studying 1st Corinthians with class members sharing the leadership rold. You are welcome to join us on Zoom. Contact salemelcglobal.net for the Zoom link. The group will take a break for the summer after completing 1st Corinthians.

Campus Ministry Dinner and Bible Study - Thursdays, 6 p.m.

Campus Ministry Dinner and Bible Study with delicious homemade dinners are held on Thursdays at 6 p.m. during the school year. See the Campus Connection page for more information about our Campus group. Join us on August 31 for the first meal of the semester!

In addition, the building is available Monday through Thursday from 8 am to 1 pm for students who need a quiet place to study or eat lunch.

Salem Book Group – Last Monday of each month at 7 p.m. on at Salem or on Zoom

We have gone to a hybrid model for our Book Group with a group at Salem and other members on Zoom. This has worked well. The Salem participants are sharing snacks and beverages.

July 31 - Midnight at the Blackbird Care by Heather Webber
August 28 - Lessons before Dying by Ernest Gaines
September 25 - The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict
October 30 - The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocum
November 27 - TBD
January 29, 2024 - The 1619 Project by Nicole Hannah-Jones

Questions, contact Priscilla Gerfen.

Ongoing Communications from Salem

We use email to communicate in a timely manner with members and friends about times and resources for worship services and other meetings. Be sure to keep your email address (and all contact info) up-to-date with the Salem office at [email protected]. Our newsletter, The Seer, comes out at the first of the month by email. Additional updates and the Sunday service information is also sent by email. If you require a paper copy of the newsletter, contact the office.