We need YOU to make our directory complete! To celebrate our church family and strengthen the bond within our congregation, we have made the commitment to produce a new fellowship pictorial directory. If you have not already signed up, then please do so A.S.A.P. You can sign up on Sunday mornings before or after worship or you can go to our church website, www.salem methodistchurch.com.

A pictorial directory is our church family album. A new directory: • Preserves this special

time in the life and ministry of our church

• Becomes a lasting record of our current membership

• Introduces our church to friends, the community and new members

• Enhances fellowship by helping us visually connect faces with names

• Becomes a communication tool for our congregation

We have selected Lifetouch Church Directories and Portraits for this important project. Lifetouch is providing the directory at no cost to our church. Plus, every family photographed receives a complimentary directory and an 8x10 portrait!

OUR PHOTO DATES: Wednesday, April 11—Saturday, April 14

For your convenience, all photography and portrait viewing will take place at Salem. You will have a variety of poses taken, and Lifetouch never charges a sitting fee. One pose will be selected for the directory. In addition to your complimentary 8xl0, you will have the opportunity to purchase additional portraits at attractive prices on the day of your portrait session. You also have the opportunity to invite your extended family and have portraits made with everyone together. Just schedule together and add additional time spots for each of your extended family units. Each family unit will be photographed and receive their own complimentary 8x10 portrait.

April 2012

• Be in our new

church directory

• Strengthen our

connection; Help

us put names with

faces

• Support Missions

• Invite Friends to

Church

Looking Ahead to VBS Birthdays

2

Spiritual Formation Workshop

2

Youth News

3

U.M.W. News 3

Things You Need To Know… Freed Up Financial Seminar

4

Why Your Pastor Asks You To Pray for General Conference

TNUMC Golf Fund-Raiser

5

Calendar 6

Inside this issue:

The Lighthouse A Publication of Salem United Methodist Church

2269 Seven Mile Ferry Road, Clarksville, TN 37040 Phone: (931) 645-2544 Fax: (931) 645-5263

WORSHIP SERVICES

Thursday, April 5 7:00 P.M. A Service of Confession and Commitment Like the sermon series 24 Hours That Changed the World this service is designed to help us find our place in the stories surrounding Jesus’ last hours before his death. It will feature dramatic readings, solos, instrumental music and time for personal reflection. This is a service you won’t want to miss!

Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family.

Revere God.

Peter 2:17a, Eugene Peterson’s The Message

HOLY WEEK SERVICES Sunday, April 1—Wednesday, April 4

6:30 P.M. Revival at Palmyra UMC 2749 Palmyra Rd., 37142 Bishop Bill Morris, Preacher Special Music each night Tuesday—Salem Ridge Quartet Wednesday—Morrison Family Singers (Including our own Jane!)

Lifetouch will then photograph generational poses with everyone together, grandparents and grandkids, or any special poses you would like to have. The additional families are included in our directory only if they want to be included. Personal reasons that I wanted to partner with LifeTouch: A Commitment to Missions: They are committed not only to producing quality photographs but also to partnering with existing ministries. You are under NO obligation to purchase photographs, but if you choose to order, then please donate $10 to Missions. LifeTouch will subtract the $10 from the cost of your photographs and $8 will go to F.U.E.L. (our local ministry that provides weekend food for school children on this side of the River who may not have much to eat from Friday’s school lunch until Monday’s school breakfast) and $2 will go to an international missions organization that LifeTouch promotes.

(continued on p. 4)

Don’t forget: information for

the newsletter must be

submitted by the 15th of

each month. & for the

bulletin by 2:00 p.m. every

Wednesday! (or earlier!

Space fills up fast!)

Friday, April 6 Good Friday Office Closed Our Prayer Room will be open all day. Sunday, April 8 RESURRECTION SUNDAY 7:30 A.M. Early Service 8:30 A.M. Breakfast 9:30 A.M. Sunday School 10:30 A.M. Worship

SAVE THIS DATE! JULY 23-27, 2012 6:00—8:00 P.M.

“My God will meet all your needs

according to his glorious riches in

Christ Jesus.” —-Philippians 4:19

Get ready for exciting wilderness thrills as you head out to beautiful SonRise National Park! Kids will be awestruck by snow-capped mountains, thundering waterfalls, wildflower meadows bursting with color, and amazing animals like

soaring eagles, friendly huskies, and herds of caribou. As kids explore SonRise National Park, they’ll learn the most important survival skill of all: they can always depend on Jesus and His promises of true peace, true riches, true power, true love, and true hope! At SonRise National Park, kids will learn to trust Jesus as their all-powerful guide and Savior! Please not only mark your calendars now, but begin praying for this ministry, that children may come to know Jesus during Vacation Bible School. Last year we had 70 children participate and we are hoping to have even more this year! We will need LOTS of support from the congregation to undergird this ministry. Please pray for volunteers (and about volunteering).

TEACHERS & HELPERS: Initial Planning Meeting

Sunday, April 29 Sanctuary; 4:00 P.M.

Spiritual formation of our congregations is essential to the vitality of our churches and leads to a deeper discipleship. The Clarksville District is sponsoring a Spiritual Formation Workshop for both clergy and laity. This workshop will offer tools to enhance what you are all ready doing on your churches and present new ways of approaching time honored disciplines.

April Birthdays Please submit additions or corrections to the church office.

SPIRITUAL FORMATION WORKSHOP

16 Will Rodgers 19 Tristen Ellis Debbie Bryant Kevin Cochener 24 Shawn Hudson 25 Linda Matthews 26 Jessica M.Clark 27 Ashley Everett 28 Paige Barbee Erin Gannaway Jeff Sullivan 29 Mari Jo Davis Cathy Wilson 30 Beth Barnes Donna T. Davis Jeremy Hoyt Henrietta Hughes

1 Emily Byard Kathleen Hayes Sara Yarbrough 2 Keith Vaughn 3 Diana Griffin 4 Randall Hite 5 Johnny Ellarson 7 James Fowler, Sr. 6 Chase Melton 11 Mindy Blackard Tony Knight Bryan Hite 12 Bobby Moore Morris Stevens 13 Ann Lindsley Terry Minton Eddie Sinks 14 Charlene Thomas

APRIL 2012 THE LIGHTHOUSE PAGE 2

COMING IN MAY…. Please mark your calendar for Saturday, May 7! It’s our annual Fish Fry for Missions. We will be selling tickets in advance and at the door for $10. You may eat in the gym or carry it home. The menu: catfish fillets, hush puppies, cole slaw, white beans, dessert, and drink. All proceeds support the Guatemala mission in March.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2012

Please make plans to attend one of these workshops and join us as we worship and learn more about the importance of spiritual formation with in the Body of Christ.

IMPACT 1 – DISCOVERING

THE POWER OF ONE:

Come be a part of hundreds of men realizing their potential and power in Christ to impact their families, church, and community. The conference will be at Hilldale Family Life Center Friday night April 13th & Saturday morning April 14th. Dinner and breakfast will be served. Door prizes to be handed out! Registration forms can be located in the narthex. For more information contact the CBA office at 931-358-9035.

I will say unto the

Lord, He is my

refuge and my

fortress: my God;

in Him will I trust.

Psalm91:1

There are two dates where the same workshop will be presented in two different areas of the district to make it convenient for everyone to attend one of these workshops. The first workshop is April 15th from 2-5:00 P.M. at Madison Street United Methodist Church. The second workshop is April 22nd from 2-5:00 P.M. at Waverly First United Methodist Church. Registration is not required.

SAINTS ALIVE! 2012

It’s time to register for SAINTS ALIVE! All youth com-pleting grades 8-12 are urged to participate in Salem’s youth mission week. We will also need adult team leaders—both male and female. Youth AND adults need to complete the registration form and submit a $50 deposit in early April. The $200 balance is due June 1. This year’s theme is “Let It Start With Me”, a song record-ed by No Other Name. We are already working on the t-shirt and banner design, speakers, and work sites. The first SAINTS ALIVE! Board meeting is set for Tuesday, April 3, at 7:00 P.M.

HOMELESS SERVICE DAY Salem’s youth are setting aside Saturday, April 21, to learn about Clarksville’s homeless. They will be working and serving at Manna Café and the Salvation Army. The day will conclude with a special program and Bible study in the Youth Room.

The “Homeless Service Day” will educate and sensitize our youth to this sad dilemma. Participants will need to complete the permission form and return it to Nonnie by Sunday, April 15. These will be distributed at Sonday Night Live. Watch for time and details in this month’s bulletins.

YOUTH GROUP NEWS Myranel Bryant

STOCK CAMPAIGN This is just a friendly reminder that if you have not yet purchased stock from our youth, please do so. Everyone is struggling with other commitments, but if you are able, we would be extremely grateful for the support. As you know, SAINTS ALIVE! and SERVANT FORCE! will resume this summer. It also takes a lot of money for the weekly ministry of the UMYF. There are recreation supplies, snack suppers, and program materials. Some might consider this frivolous; however, if we are going to keep our youth involved and bring others in, we must provide these basics for the Sunday night program. Please pray about how you can best support Salem’s Youth Ministry, then give your best. Thank you!

PAGE 3 THE LIGHTHOUSE APRIL 2012

Mother's Day!

The UMW will sponsor a recognition opportunity for Mother's Day Sunday May 13. If you would like to remember or honor a woman who influenced your life, you may have a candle lit on Mother's Day to commemorate her. The candles are 5.00 each.

Members of the UMW will be available in the narthex April 29th & May 6th. So you may order and provide names for a list that will be in the bulletin that Sunday.

U.M.W. GIFT CARDS

Please keep us in mind when shopping and eating out. It will soon be time to buy Easter and graduation gifts, and there are always birthdays and anniversaries.

Jo Ann Sullivan is in charge of our gift cards now. If there is one you need to order or purchase, just let her or any other UMW member know!

Salem United Methodist Women

The next meeting of the UMW will be on Monday, April 9, 7:00 P.M. We will be hosting the Clarksville District Mission Study on April 28 so members need to be at our April 9th meeting to make the final plans for that event.

You do not have to be a member of UMW to attend. For more information, please contact Sandra Simms (647-6551).

United Methodist Women’s News!

WHY TWO TRIPS TO GUATEMALA

Last fall all the team leaders of previous VIM teams from Tennessee met at Franklin First UMC. In addition to discussing plans for the 2012 winter trips, a new opportunity was presented and encouraged. The Board of Directors of the Guatemala VIM office and the teachers of LaToma Elementary School were asking teams to come back to specifically work with students during the school day on Bible, character training, health and wellness, and sportsmanship. Tennessee VIM teams have always gone there to give and serve through construction, and so much good has been accomplished. Salem is answering this call, and we will be the first team to ever go to this village for this purpose. We will be working with the LaToma children the week of July 9-13. We will arrive Friday, July 6, and will spend the first weekend in training and preparation. The cost for this ten-day trip is $1,500. If you have longed to go on a foreign mission trip, but felt you could not contribute on a construction team (which you could) OR if the spring dates prevent you due to your job (teachers), here is your opportunity! Plane tickets at the lowest cost must be reserved by April 2. If you have any interest or need more information, please contact Myranel Bryant, 647-7575 or mmbryant@charter.net.

PAGE 4 THE LIGHTHOUSE APRIL 2012

(Pastor’s Letter cont. from page 1)

A Commitment to Evangelism: Inviting others to have their photograph made is a low-key approach to inviting them to become familiar with Salem. Think about the outreach opportunity if “every family brings a family”! In addition to having your photograph made, I encourage you to invite a family or friend in your neighborhood to come and receive their own complimentary 8x10 portrait. Their photos will not appear in our directory, but it is possible that this event will be the first contact we have in leading them to a relationship with Christ and a relationship with us as their church family! A Place for Pets: If you want to include a pet in your photograph, then LifeTouch will. (Fellow pet lovers understand why this is significant). A Commitment to Inclusiveness: LifeTouch works hard to make sure that everyone who wants to be in our directory is in our directory. If you are not able to be photographed during April 11—14, LifeTouch will allow you to be photographed at another local site if one is available at no extra cost. If that does not work, then LifeTouch can arrange for a photo to be submitted for a nominal fee. Please sign up today and invite and encourage others to sign up, too!

Grace and peace,

Harriet

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW!

Time for a Change -- As some of you know, I have tried for several years to preserve the shrubbery in the landscape in front of the church and in the islands in the parking lot. We have them trimmed each year at considerable cost. Salem church has beautiful architecture and as I was standing in the front yard last week contemplating what would be best to do, I realized that much of our beautiful architecture and our stained glass window is obscured with the now overgrown plantings. I presented my recommendation to remove the current plantings (everything) to the Trustees last Thursday and received a unanimous agreement. This removal would include the hollies in the islands and possibly the islands themselves. The pea gravel is impossible to keep contained and this would provide a little more parking space and maneuvering room in the parking lot. After careful consideration and discussion with landscapers, I was advised that once the plantings are removed, the ground needs to "rest" for 6 months before planting anything new.

The front of the church will seem bare for a few months, but will be beautiful in the long run. My plan was to wait until after Easter to remove the plantings, but David Morgan has generously agreed to remove all of the plants and dispose of them while he has equipment in the area this week (26 March). I am working on a plan for new plantings. They must be as maintenance free as possible and still be attractive. I would welcome any input/ideas from you.

Sandra Simms 647-6551

THOUGHT FOR THE

MONTH: Read Luke 24: 13-35 When and where have you encountered the risen Christ? How has this encounter changed your life?

4/21 Freed Up Financial Living Seminar The Good $ense Ministry

Control your finances instead of letting them control you! Come and learn tried and true principles that lead to financial freedom. When: Saturday, April 21, 9 A.M. until 3 P.M. Where: Promise Seekers Room downstairs

Cost: $20 per individual; $25 per couple (Includes one participant’s workbook and light lunch) Register no later than Sunday, April 15, by e-mailing or calling the church office (salem@salemumc.us or 645-2544). We need time to have the correct number of participant books shipped to us! Freed-Up Financial Living refreshes and expands on the time-tested, life-changing Good $ense Budget Course developed at Willow Creek Church that has been used in more than 5,000 churches. Freed Up Financial Living is designed to help individuals at every stage of their lives effectively deal with day-to-day issues related to finances. It’s about finding the peace, joy, and freedom that come through following biblical financial principles.

Presented in an encouraging, grace-filled manner, Freed Up’s goal is heart change and a more God-centered perspective on your resources. The curriculum outlines biblical essentials on earning, giving, saving, spending and reducing debt, while providing practical tips to help participants achieve their own financial, personal, and spiritual goals Anyone will benefit, no matter how big or small your financial resources, or what your church affiliation.

Last June, I was elected by my peers to be one of four delegates that the TN Conference sends to General Conference, an event held every four years where decisions that shape the life of the United Methodist Church are made. This year’s General Conference is being billed as a “landmark or watershed conference.” While it is unlikely that current proposals will be adopted without modification, it is my hope and prayer that as delegates listen to the Holy Spirit that significant change will occur. I have taken the liberty of adapting an article by Mike Slaughter who pastors Ginghamsburg UMC in Ohio so you will understand why I keep asking you to pray! Slaughter writes: Here’s a summary of some of the proposed re-structuring legislation: 1. Nine boards and agencies will be consolidated into five offices. 2. The directors of the boards and agencies will be replaced by a group of 15 people who will govern and manage the work of the denomination.

PAGE 5 THE LIGHTHOUSE APRIL 2012

Why Your Pastor Keeps Asking for Prayer for General Conference April 24-May 4

3. There will be a group of 45 people to whom the group of 15 are accountable. This group will be elected from across the denomination. They will meet 2 times a year. 4. Guaranteed appointment for ordained elders will be eliminated allowing cabinets to appoint effective leaders to congregations. 5. The Council of Bishops would elect a set aside bishop who will work with the group of 15 to lead the denomination. This bishop will also serve as the ecumenical officer of the denomination and will not be assigned to an annual conference. 6. Leadership effectiveness will be the key driver across the denomination. Congregations and leaders will be measured by a common set of metrics. We need a new vision of ministry that dares to redirect money and energies away from bloated administrative structures into a strategy for mission that effectively makes disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Ministry that most effectively creates world-changing disciples has its intentional focus on ministry and mission at the local church level. Jesus calls us to be in mission with the least and the lost.

Redirecting money that currently supports top-heavy administrative structure will allow us to reallocate strategic resources for ministry and mission at the local church level. The UMC future depends on investing our best energies and resources in identifying anointed young leaders who will create new local expressions of healthy faith communities that will reach unchurched people. The proposed legislation is essential, but much of what needs to be done begins right at home with changed hearts and renewed commitment to make new disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world! God’s Spirit is always calling us to be prophetic, relevant and willing to embrace change. Please continue to be in prayer for our church and wisdom for all of the General Conference delegates who will gather in Tampa from around the world. Ask God for wisdom that we may be sensitive to the direction of God’s Spirit.

Friends of Camping Golf

Tournament Monday, April 30, 2012

The Hermitage Golf Course 3939 Old Hickory Blvd., Old

Hickory, TN 37138

Registration Begins at 11:30

am

Free Lunch at Noon

Tee Time at 1 pm.

This year we are asking each golfer to pay $50 for their golf fee and to bring ONE camper scholarship ($300) with them to the tournament Golfers are asked to please raise the money from their friends, family, Sunday School Class, church family, co-workers, civic club members, or anyone else who is interested in providing a camp experience for a child who may not be able to attend camp in any other way.

GOAL: 15 Teams (Two from each District plus one) = 60 Golfers 60 Golfers @ $300 each = $18,000 for Camp Scholarships – Providing a Camp Experience for a Minimum of 60 children. Hole Sponsorships are also available for $200 each!

Golfers Without a Team are Welcome and will be Paired

with Others Needing a Team.

Please sign up prior to the

Tournament by e-mailing your

team members NAME,

ADDRESS, AND E-MAIL to:

Dickie Hinton at

tnumcamps@tnumc.org no

later than April 28, 2012.