WinterJam 2026

The entire church family is invited to join the youth group as we attend Winter Jam 2026 on Saturday, January 24. Students between 12-18 who are attending without a parent/guardian must have a signed permission/medical form from Pastor Heather. The cost is $15 per person plus additional money for food and drinks at the concert if desired. Join us for an evening of worship and fun with some of the hottest names in Christian music! THERE WILL BE NO YOUTH GROUP ON JANUARY 25 FOLLOWING THIS EVENT!

Updating the Directory

It’s time for a new directory update. Please be on the look out with a letter that will help update your entry and return it to the church office as soon as you can. We’d like to get new copies printed by February.

Christmas Program: Love Sent a Child

Operation Christmas Child

When the spirit of God is the driving force, it’s amazing what a committed group of believers can do!
We set a goal of filling 50 shoeboxes for “Operation Christmas Child.”  We collected 61!
We pray that every child around the world who receives one of these boxes and the gifts inside it is touched by the very presence and love of God.

Salem Welcomes New Director of Family Ministries

Hello! My name is Pastor Heather McLeod, but you can call me “Pastor Heather” or just “Heather” or if the students want to christen me with a cool nickname, that works too. I am super excited to be your new Director of Family Ministries! This is an answer to prayer, on both of our parts. I know that you as a congregation have been praying for this position to be filled for a while, and I have been praying for the Lord’s direction for the next chapter of ministry for almost the same amount of time. I love it when the Lord works all things together for good! (Seems to me that I’ve heard that somewhere before. Romans 8:28 anyone?)

Allow me to introduce myself. I grew up outside of Pittsburgh, PA, though I have been an Ohio resident for over a decade. My husband, Sean, is the pastor of Woodlawn GMC in Bucyrus. We are both Ordained Elders in the Global Methodist Church. We got married late; we’ve only been married for about 6 ½ years. God has not blessed us with any children of our own, but He has graciously entrusted the children of other families into our hands, and we love each of them as if they were our own – even those that we have yet to meet! Pastor Sean will likely not be seen too often as he has a congregation of his own, but he will likely show up from time to time for special events. I have a younger sister, Megan, and brother-in-law, PJay. They live in Maryland. This past Valentine’s Day, my precious nephew (and Godson!), Logan, was born! My parents, Fritz and Dianne Runser, are still living, and reside in my former hometown outside of Pittsburgh.

I love to sing, and I also play the trombone, piano/keyboard, and organ (though I am out of practice on the last two). I also love arts and crafts of all kinds, including knitting. I am also a casual pc video gamer. The games I prefer are role-playing games (RPG) where I pretend to be a hero of an epic story. But that is enough about me.

The most important thing I love to do is to point people to Jesus. This is our universal calling as Christians. I also believe very strongly in the call to discipleship. Yes, we are saved, by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ! He loves us just as we are; but He also loves us so much that He does not wish us to remain just as we are. All of us are sinners in need of forgiveness and grace. We are called to a life of holiness. This means that we are set apart by God through the power of the Holy Spirit to be an example to the world. But I will save the preaching for a more appropriate time.

Thank you for being willing to share your children with me. Thank you in advance for giving your time to support the ministry to children and youth. I am humbled by this opportunity, and I look forward to working with each one of you to spread the Good News throughout the world!

You can reach Pastor Heather via voice/text 412-527-4531 or email: pastor.heather.gmc@gmail.com

VBS 2025 was a BIG Success!

Vacation Bible School, held July 20, 21, and 22, was a BIG SUCCESS!

Salem’s “True North” Vacation Bible School featured music, skits, & hands-on sessions. True North wasall about finding your way in a world gone wild.

We have Jesus—our true north!

Our VBS this year gave kids a rock-solid foundation and pointed them to Jesus, their unmovable, unshakable friend forever!

Special thanks to Cheryl Slack for coordinating VBS and many thanks to all of the volunteers who made it happen! Our kids learned to Trust Jesus!!

You can see all the photos from VBS on our Facebook Page. Here are a few:

Save the Date! Ice Cream Social July 9th

Come join the fun! Come see what’s going on at Marion Salem’s Ice Cream Social, July 9, 2025, 5-7pm.

It’s an annual tradition. Enjoy the wonderful homemade noodles, homemade desserts, cool ice cream and awesome fellowship with neighbors and friends.

All seaing is indoors with air conditioning.

Love offering to dine in.

Carryout is available—priced to go!

 

Chuck VanVoorhis honored in TV Program

The Japanese Broadcasting Company from New York City came to Marion on April 23  to interview and film Chuck VanVoorhis.

They interviewed him about the Vietnam War and how his experiences affected him then and through the years to follow. This broadcast is the equivalent of our 60 Minutes program.

Also, a part of the program included the story of Kim Phuc Phan Thi who at a young age was known as the Napalm Girl. The story explained the trauma and experiences from a civilian perspective and a Marine’s perspective. The episode was not be aired in the US, however, it was shared with our congregation.

We will pass that on to anyone who is interested! Chuck’s Vietnam War Experience traveling museum will be May 10-11 at the American Legion on Olney Avenue.

Jerry Barbarich recognized

Congratulations, Jerry Barbarich!

Jerry received an award for the highest GPA of the post baccalaureate Medical Laboratory Science students at Ohio Northern University. We are so proud of you, Jerry. It’s not easy going back to college but your hard work and determination show!

Trail of Easter

Trail of Easter—April 1-20

The “Trail of Easter” provides a fun way for families to experience the story of Holy Week and the Resurrection from the convenience of their own car. The route is mapped out for you and will take you past different locations where objects relating the story are placed for you to find as you drive by. You’ll stay in your car and spot the items from the road, Scripture passages will be available to read on the map handout. Maps will be available March 30.

— Credit to Lockport Mennonite Church for the idea.