Salem United Methodist Church

       2591 Wards Gap Road, Mount Airy, N.C. 27030      (336) 786-8989                               

News

Irene Free


Irene Free Honored By SUMC Women


Irene Free, 96, of Mount Airy was honored by the Salem United Methodist Women for being the church's oldest member. Free is being honored with a brick in the Sesquicentennial Memorial Garden, which is located at the church. 








Bud Van Dyne Recognized for Leadership and Hard Work in Youth Basement

Bud VanDyne, Carol Thomas and Cliff Shockley
The Beth Henderson Circle of the United Methodist Women's Group presented Bud VanDyne with an honorary brick in recognition of his leadership in the youth basement project. 
In turn, Bud recognized Cliff Shockley, who was his right arm in the project. Carol Thomas presented Van Dyne the brick on Sunday, Sept. 20.
The basement has been remodeled for the church's youth, so the youth will have access to a game room and new Sunday School rooms. 
Pictured are (left to right): Bud Van Dyne, Carol Thomas and Cliff Shockley.





Jane Hawks and Steve Dillard

Salem Grants Seven Scholarships 



Salem United Methodist Church Scholarship Committee Chairman Jane Hawks presented seven Salem UMC College Scholarships Sunday, Aug. 23. 

Recipients were: Chynna Beasley, Cory Comer, Steve Dillard, Emily Fosner, Dustin Harris, Kayla Harris and Casey Parker. Each student received $275 to go toward college tuition and/or books. 

Pictured is Jane Hawks giving Steve Dillard his scholarship.



Salem Held Homecoming Aug. 2, 2009

Donald Ray Thomas, Jr.


Christian layman Donald Ray Thomas Jr. was be the guest speaker at Salem United Methodist Church’s 68th Homecoming on Sunday, Aug. 2.
Donald Ray spoke during the 11 o’clock worship service.
Donald Ray is presently employed at Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church in Greensboro as the program director for the Mount Praise and Worship Service, Missions, Evangelism and Small Groups. Previously, he was also the leader and director of contemporary worship at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in High Point.
"Salem United Methodist Church is indeed fortunate to have as our homecoming guest speaker, Donald Ray Thomas Jr., an outstanding and gifted Christian layman, with deep roots in Salem U.M. Church,” said SUMC Rev. Bud Cameron. 
Much of Donald Ray’s adult life has been spent in Christian service as a lay-leader and worship leader in churches he has attended.
“Donald Ray, is a gifted musician and talented speaker with a heart felt love of Jesus Christ that comes from a deep commitment,” Cameron added.
Thomas, 50, is the son of Donald and Carol Thomas and the late Bonnie Simmons Thomas, and the grandson of the late Cecil and Ima Thomas, former members of the church. Donald and Carol are active members of SUMC.
Donald Ray attended Bannertown Elementary School, Franklin Elementary and Middle School and North Surry High School. While at Franklin Elementary and North Surry High School, Donald Ray was a member of the Franklin Boys Choir and Treble Ensemble, under the direction of Mr. Sandy Beam.
Donald Ray moved to Greensboro in 1972, where he joined Rehobeth UMC.  He graduated from Southern Guilford High School in 1976 and then went to work full time for his dad and uncle at Thomas Produce Company where he was the director of safety until 1989.  
Donald Ray started Voices of Faith Quartet in 1981 and sang with the group until 1984. He also formed and continues to  Soldiers Again Quartet. 
Donald Ray is a successful business and family man. He started his own  transportation brokerage business in 1990 with wife of 24 years Dianne. 
The family moved to North Myrtle Beach in 1994, and Donald Ray was a member and elder of Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church. The family moved back to North Carolina in 2000 and settled in High Point. 
Donald Ray and Dianne have two daughters, Khristi, 23,  who just graduated from East Carolina University, and Katie, 20, who is a rising junior at East Carolina University.

Trailblazing Female Preacher Featured at Salem and Epworth Revivals


Salem and Epworth United Methodist churches had a combined revival Monday-Wednesday, Aug. 3-5 at Epworth, which is located on Hwy. 52 in Cana, Va., 1 mile north of the Virginia state line.

Rev. Dr. Arnetta E. Beverly, was be guest preacher and special music was held each night starting at 7. 
Beverly has lived an interesting life having served as a funeral director/embalmer, a police sergeant, the first female pastor at three churches in Davie, Davidson and Guilford counties, the first African-Amercian to be elected to the Lexington City Council and to also hold high positions in the United Methodist Church.
"Dr. Arnetta Beverly is one of the most gifted and spiritual preachers and leaders of the United Methodist Church of our time,” said Rev. Bud Cameron, who leads both Salem and Epworth. “She is well-known to United Methodist of our area, having served as district superintendent of the Northeast District.” 
Beverly presently serves as minister of Saint Matthews United Methodist Church in Greensboro.
“As a woman and as an African-American, Dr. Beverly, has been a trailblazer and a door opener in our denomination and in Christian ministry,” Cameron said. “She is tremendously gifted and spiritually blessed, with a tremendous desire to serve God  through our savior, Jesus Christ and the church.”
Beverly’s personal and ministerial philosophy is: "To do the best I can for as many as I can in the time that God allows, knowing that through Christ, I can do all things." 

Beverly was born in Greensboro and grew up in Lexington. She is the oldest of four children born to Elizabeth Dula Banks of Charlotte and the late Henry Paul Dula.  Beverly graduated from Dunbar High School in Lexington and attended Winston-Salem State University School of Nursing.

In 1964, she moved to New York City and worked as a bank teller. In 1968, she graduated from the American Academy-McAllister Institute of Funeral Service and was a licensed funeral director and embalmer. She also served as a member of the 30th Precinct Investigations Unit of the New York Police Department. 

After returning to North Carolina in 1976, Beverly was employed by the Davidson County Sheriff’s Department and attained the rank of sergeant in the Civil Division and line patrol.

In 1984, Beverly received an associates in art from Davidson Community College and in 1986 received a bachelor of arts from Shaw University in Raleigh. Also in 1986, she was appointed as the first female pastor of Chestnut Grove United Methodist Church in Davidson County and Piney Grove United Methodist Church in Davie County where she served until 1992.

Beverly became the first African-American to be elected to the Lexington City Council in 1987. She was re-elected in 1989 and served until she resigned to take a pastoral appointment at St. John UMC in Eden and Chapel Hill UMC in Reidsville, both in the northeast District of the Western NC Conference. Beverly received her Master of Divinity from Duke University Divinity School in 1992.

From 1998 to 2001, Beverly served as the Director of Nurturing and Ethnic Ministries of the Western NC Conference – the first African-American female on the conference staff. She received her Doctor of Ministry Degree from Drew University in Madison, N.J. in 1999. In July 2001, Beverly became the first African-American female appointed to the Cabinet and served as the Northeast District Superintendent until 2007.

In July 2007, Beverly became the first African-American female director of Connectional Ministries in the Western North Carolina Conference and the Southeast Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church in July 2007.

Beverly became the pastor of St. Matthews United Methodist Church in Greensboro in July 2008 and was the first female pastor in the church’s 142-year-old history.

Beverly has two sons, Russell of Martinsburg, W.Va., and Ronald Beverly, Jr. of Lexington. She has eight grandchildren and makes her home in Greensboro with her grandson, Matt, a college freshman. Her hobbies include NASCAR racing, football, reading and swimming.

“Come hear and be blessed by this great Christian preacher of our time,” Cameron said. For more information, call Rev. Cameron at (336) 710-3506 or bud_cameron@yahoo.com. 

 
New Orders Being Taken for Engraved Bricks for Meditation Garden

The Administrative Board has approved the taking of new orders for engraved bricks for the Sesquicentennial Meditation Garden.  Anyone may order bricks either in honor or in memory of someone connected with Salem UMC.  However it should be understood that the bricks will not be ordered until there is a minimum order of 25 bricks.  The bricks are $60.00 each.  Forms are on the table just inside the church.  Maxine Smith is handling this order and will help you with questions and in filling out the order form.  Make your check payable to the Salem UMC Meditation Garden.  Place orders with payment in offering plate.

Margie Ayers and John Perry receive Laity AwardsLaity of the Year Award presented to Margie B. Ayers and John Perry  


Margie B. Ayers and John Perry were honored as Laity of the Year by the church last Sunday. The Laity of the Year program is sponsored by the Western North Carolina Conference of the church.

Each local church selects a member who has rendered valuable service to the church as an active member and worker in the church. Recipients selected by the local churches will then be honored during the annual Laity Conference at Lake Junaluska in August.

 

Margie B. Ayers has always lived in the Salem Church Community and is a descendent of Andrew J. and Clementine Satterfield, charter members of the 152-year-old Salem United Methodist Church.

 

She began attending and transferred her membership to Salem nearly ten years ago and has been active in all phases of church life ever since. She presently serves as chair of the administrative board and has served as a member of the board of trustees and member of the finance committee.

 

Margie is a member of the Fellowship Sunday School Class, and active in the Beth Henderson Circle of the United Methodist Women. She has served for years as treasurer of the United Methodist Women. She also serves on the scholarship committee and has served as chair of outreach. Additionally she serves as leader of the Salem Prayer Group and has been a member of this important group for years.

 

“Margie is a go-to person to get something done in the church. She is a person of great compassion and Christian commitment,” said Rev. Bud Cameron, minister of the church.   

 

John Perry has been a member of Salem for over thirty years and has been a Sunday School teacher at the church for over thirty years as well.  At present he teaches the John Tate class. He was chair of the administrative board for approximately twenty years and has sung in the church choir for twenty-five years.

 

John has served as chair of the finance committee, the scholarship committee, board of trustees, building committee and as president of the United Methodist Men. 

 

John has been a mission delegate from the church serving on the Surry Board of Missions for years and was a member of the church’s sesquicentennial committee.

 

“John’s sincere commitment to Salem United Methodist Church and his years of service to the church in many capacities merely demonstrate the Christian commitment that is so important to John,” said Rev. Bud Cameron, minister of Salem UMC.

Juanita Tate Given Two Christian Service Awards from Salem United Methodist

Juanita receives awards.Juanita Tate has spent 60 years of her life dedicated to Christian Service at Salem United Methodist Church. She was recognized Sunday, March 8 during a special awards ceremony.


United Methodist Women's President Carol Thomas presented Juanita with the Lifetime Achievement Award service pin for the recognition. Rev. Bud Cameron read a detailed history of Juanita's life including her many years of 

work as a Sunday School teacher, historian and volunteer at Salem. 

Rev. Cameron gave Juanita a framed certificate for the Dedicated Christian Service Award on behalf of the church. Juanita was also given a corsage on a special day, which was made even more special by the visit from Juanita's only child, Ann, who lives in Colorado.

Download Juanita's Life History, PDF or MS Word.


Christian Fellowship CenterSalem's Christian Fellowship Center Completed & Beautiful

Salem United Methodist Church has gotten bigger and better with the addition of the Christian Fellowship Center including a great remodeled kitchen, minister's office and Sunday school room. The project was started because of an interest by the women's group to expand the kitchen in March 2005.

The Christian Fellowship Center was the result of the hard work that followed until the completion of the project in the fall of 2008. The first church event held in the new area was in December 2008. The project was completed in February 2009.


The total project cost including architect fees was about $368,000 without interest. A total of $94,500 was pledged by church members. The church received two grants from Duke Endowment worth $162,500. The Surry Board of Mission contributed $12,000. The church is currently hosting regular events to help pay the remainder of the loan, which is $120,000 after grants and pledges are received. Please support us in this mission.

Building CommitteeThanks to the Study Committee and Building Committee and each church member who made this project possible.

Special thanks goes to the following Study and/or Building Committee members: Rev. Peter McQuire, Brady & Helen Jones, Donald & Carol Thomas, the late Bobby Gravely, Chris Robertson, the late Doug Marshall, Jane Hawks, Melba Smith, Mary Lee Gravley, Wade Ayers, Maxine Smith, Kent and Joann Carder, the late Butch Arnold, Rev. Bud Cameron, Bud VanDyne, John Perry and Jim Boyd.

Please view more pictures on the photo page.




Boy Scout Built Memory Garden, Receives Eagle Scout on "Cory Comer Day"

Cory ComerBoy Scout Cory Comer constructed a Sesquicentennial Memorial Garden at Salem United Methodist Church in order to be one of only 4 percent of scouts who earn the highest scout honor - the Eagle Scout. And, he succeeded.

Cory, 17, grew up going to the church at Salem and started his Boy Scout career when he was a 7-year-old, so the project marries two important parts of this Patrick County High School senior’s life. He is a member of Troop 596.

The garden has a curved brick walkway that features 4-by 8-inch bricks, which were engraved with messages to honor or memorialize people or events.

"This project created an area surrounded by beautiful flowers and bushes where people could sit and meditate, socialize or just relax," Cory said. "The addition of the memorial walkway created a personalized touch establishing links to the present and the past."

The 123-square foot walkway leads to a garden filled with azaleas, rhododendrons, flowers and a dog wood tree and has a granite bench, which was dedicated to Clinton and Dorothy Gravely by their relatives 

Cory sold the memorial bricks for $60 each and used the proceeds to pay for the cost of the project and its future upkeep. Comer hoped to sell 100 bricks, and 132 were sold. Cory's fellow Boy Scouts pitched in along with his mother Melinda and other church volunteers.

Cory was awarded his Eagle Sco

ut at a special ceremony held at the church on March 29 during the worship service. The church also declared March 29, "Cory Comer Day."  To see pictures of the project and Cory Comer Day, go to the photo page.

Women's Group Receives Five Star Certification
Congratulations to the Beth Henderson Circle of Salem United Methodist Church!

The United Methodist Women of the Western North Carolina Conference have sponsored a Mission Today program that has challenged the UMWs of the conference to participate in the Mission Today program during the past year. In order to be recognized as a Mission Today Circle, a circle must complete eight of 12 mission goals named in the program.

The Salem UMW Beth Henderson Circle has recently received notification that the circle group was named a "Five Star Mission Today" in honor of their making a difference in missions of the conference.


The group's certificate is being displayed on the piano in the sanctuary for everyone to see. Congratulations ladies! What a wonderful undertaking! Next year, the goals have been increased, and the women have committed to winning next year as well. We are proud of your accomplishment! 

Salem United Methodist Church Announces New Website
Welcome to our church's new website! We are excited to have a new way to stay in touch with our members and reach out to prospective members.

If you have any suggestions or would like to submit items to be published on the website, please email Julie Pharr at jpharr@embarqmail.com. Julie is the web master and will be updating the site weekly. Please check back for updates frequently and save the site in your favorites folder for easy reference. 

Church Publishes Bi-monthly Newsletter
Joan Carder distributed the first edition of the church's new newsletter during the worship service on Jan. 25th. The informative newsletter contains a Thought of the Month, news pieces, events listings, anniversaries and birthdays.
The newsletter will be given out during church service every other month and mailed to shut ins. To download a recent copy, scroll to the top of this page. Joan asks that if anyone would like to submit information to call her at (336) 789-6825 or email to Kcarder@triad.rr.com.

Salem Phone Tree Back In Operation
You should be receiving periodic phone calls from Salem's Phone Tree. The phone tree system delivers pre-recorded messages to whatever phone number you choose. Your home, work or cell phone number can be used or a combination of these numbers. It's helpful to have a number that has an answering machine or voice mail service to be sure that you will receive the messages if you are not available to answer.

If you would like to be added to the Phone Tree list, please email Julie Pharr at jpharr@embarqmail.com or a call her at (336) 786-4180.