Dear Friends in Christ,

“Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to an inhabited
town; hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. Then they
cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress." (Psalm 107:4-6)

I confess to you that I don’t know much of what it is to be hungry. Often I even find myself sitting down to eat yet another meal before hunger pangs make me aware of my need to eat. And yet there are people in this world, yes, even in our community, for whom the words of the Psalmist above would ring all too true. People who are yearning to find a town inhabited with people who would do what they could to feed their children and to give them the hand up they need to begin again.

Surely, one of the dreams we share is that Salem might be more and more that kind of “town” --- a place inhabited by people who want to ensure that at least people will be fed. And to be sure, for the hundreds of families who walk through our front doors from Tuesday through Friday to fill a few bags with groceries to tide them over --- for them, this is that kind of “town.” And for those six middle school students to whom we deliver backpacks of food for their families to share over the week- end, as part of our NEW Backpack Program, Salem is that kind of ‘”town.” We do this because people need it. I expect, we do this also for ourselves, so that we might be more and more the kind of people whom God would have us be.

During November we have a number of opportunities to keep growing into that kind of “town.” On Friday, November 19th from 6-8 p.m. a crew from Salem will gather at Cornerstone Christian Academy to pack bags of food for children all over the world. It’s not too late to sign up to be a part of this effort. The sign-up sheet is in the church narthex or just call the church office. And on Wednesday, November 25th, the day before Thanksgiving when we sit down to share a feast with families and friends, we gather for worship to give thanks to God and to share our gifts with the world. That night you are invited to bring gifts for our food pantry. Especially needed are items for those backpacks: peanut butter and jelly, macaroni and cheese, pasta and sauce, bottles of juice, or whatever strikes you that a child might enjoy!

What a gift it is to be the kind of “town” where the hungry and thirsty know God will deliver them from their hunger!

Peace to you and many blessings,
Pastor Janet