Interested in Membership at Salem?

A new member inquiry gathering (with time for conversation and questions) will be held Sunday, October 21, from 5-7pm in Fellowship Hall.  Dinner and child care will be provided.  If you like to attend, please call Salem's office (815-895-9171) and let us know how many will be attending.

Global Missions Weekend October 20-21

October 20-21 is Global Missions Weekend.  Pastor Gary Erickson from Bethlehem Lutheran Church will be our guest pastor for the weekend.  Pastor Gary was among the group from the Northern Illinois Synod who traveled to Tanzania this summer and was able to visit with our brothers and sisters at the Kijenge and Nijero parishes.

Please join us for worship and the coffee hour between services to hear about the trip and stay connected with our companion congregation.  Keep the UDUGU (lifelong partnership) alive!

Civil Union Forum #2 October 14-20

Forum #2 will provide opportunity for Salem members to share their opinions on this question.  Forum #2 sessions will be held at the following times and places:

Sunday, October 14, 9:15am - Fellowship Hall
Wednesday, October 17, 6:30pm - Chapel Lounge
Saturday, October 20, 6pm - Chapel Lounge

It is expected that Forum #2 sessions will last a maximum of one hour.  Of course, you should feel free to attend all three sessions if your schedule allows.

Writing Circle Meets October 14

Explore and express your faith with the encouragement of others.  A local ecumenical Christian Writing Circle has been meeting once a month for over a year now.  But we are eager to involve more Christians of every age and church denomination.  We share our writing and get inspiring feedback from one another and will soon be posting our works on our own new website.  The Writing Circle meets again on Sunday, October 14 from 4-5:30pm at Heatherhope Farm, the home of Pastor John and Connie Seraphine, 22417 Airport Road in rural Sycamore, between Barber Greene and Bethany.  Sharing faith-based writing is a great way to grow and to share God's blessings with others.  You won't regret giving it a try.  Why not bring a friend as well!  If you plan to join us, or if you just need more information, please phone the Seraphines at 815-895-9736 or email them at heatherhopefarm@gmail.com.  For directions to the farm visit the website, heatherhopefarm.com and click on the "directions" tab at the top of any page.

Blessing of the Animals October 6

If you have a pet, you know what a great gift God gave us when he blessed us with companion animals.  On Saturday, October 6 at 11am, we will give our thanks, ask God's continued blessing on our pets, and mark the passing of our departed animals at a service of Blessing of the Animals.

The service will be at Heatherhope Farm, the home of Pastor John and Connie Seraphine, at 22417 Airport Road in rural Sycamore, between Barber Greene and Bethany.  Feel free to bring your pets with you to enjoy the day.  For further information, phone the Seraphines at 815-895-9736, email them at heatherhopefarm@gmail.com, or visit their web site at heatherhopefarm.com.

Usher Meeting September 30

An usher meeting for all ushering teams and anyone interested in serving as an usher will be held in Fellowship Hall Sunday, September 30 at 9:45am.

Bring an Angel to Worship...

You're invited to bring a favorite representation of angels for display in celebration of St. Michael & All Angels, September 29-30, 2012.

Civil Union Forum #1 September 23-29

The first forum will present the issue with time available for questions and answers.  Forum #1 will be held at the following times and places:

Sunday, September 23 - 9:15am - Fellowship Hall

Wednesday, September 26 - 6:30pm - Chapel Lounge

Saturday, September 29 - 6pm - Chapel Lounge

Please note that Forum #1 will be only a time for questions and answers.  Forum #1 is not intended as a venue in which opinions are to be voiced.  Opinions will be shared in Forum #2.  It is expected that Forum #1 will last approximately one hour.

Of course, you should feel free to attend all three sessions if your schedule permits.

Salem's website has easy access to background materials pertaining to the question: "Shall Salem Lutheran Church sanction ceremonies for the solemnization of civil unions as defined by Illinois law?"