Worship Schedule Worship
Service at 8:30 & 10:45 a.m.
Church School for all ages at 9:40 a.m.
We invite you to come and worship with us this Sunday!
You Can Make a Difference!
You Have a Home at Salem
Welcome to Salem United Methodist Church. A congregation of
238 members, Salem strives to faithfully proclaim a witness to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, from its hilltop setting just east of Waukesha. We invite you to browse these pages to find out more about us and the United Methodist Church of which we are a proud part.
But more than that, we invite you to check us out personally with a phone call at (262) 547-5231, or visit our service of worship this Sunday morning.
Worship Services
From September through the first Sunday in June, we meet for worship at 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. During the summer (mid June through Labor Day Sunday) we worship at 9:30 a.m. We also have special services on Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and Christmas Eve.
Focusing on the sharing of God's word and sacraments within the gathering of the community of Salem Church, our services feature songs, prayer, the sharing of joys and concerns, the gathering of the children, sharing of the scripture, and biblically based preaching.
Our contemporary music group, The Salem Singers, participate in the 8:30 a.m. informal service. The Sanctuary Choir participates periodically in the more traditional 10:45 a.m. service, and the children share their music monthly. We also enjoy special witnesses in music by various members from time to time.
The Sacrament of Holy Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month and at special services on Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday. We believe that Jesus is the host at our Communion Table, and therefore, all are invited to participate. We especially encourage children and youth to take part with their parents. In keeping with long standing United Methodist tradition, we serve unfermented grape juice.
The Sacrament of Holy Baptism is celebrated as a part of our worship experience, usually for infants, but also for children and adults. The baptism of all Christian faiths is accepted and recognized. A time of preparation is required for those preparing for baptism.
Music Ministry
Spirited music enlivening our worship is a mark of the Salem community. But in addition to singing with the congregation, we offer several other opportunities for our family to share their talents.
We have special musical groups that sing periodically throughout the year, and we celebrate PraiseFest on
this year on the last Sunday in April..
The Salem Singers are a group of musicians including guitarists, keyboard, rhythm and singers, who provide music for the informal 8:30 a.m. worship service. We invite anyone who enjoys folk and contemporary Christian music to join them. Our Adult/Youth Tone Chime Choir meets for fun filled rehearsals on Thursday evenings during the school year, and plays occasionally at both morning services.
During the summer the special music for our worship services is generally provided by soloists.
Christian Education
We like to think of Christian Education as our most important responsibility. Our Church School featuring classes for all ages meets at
9:40 a.m. on Sundays during the school year. We are excited about our Exploring Faith Church School curriculum. This Bible Based education program is designed to give students a firm Biblical grounding for their faith development.
Confirmation Classes are offered to youth in eighth grade and above. This one year program begins anew each fall.
Tuesday mornings find an Adult Scripture Study Class meeting at 6:30 at Cherubs Family Restaurant (1430 East Moreland Avenue). These early risers use the lectionary based curriculum.
During the summer we conduct an evening Vacation Bible School. Our
2008 dates will be announced in the near future. We will be taking registrations in the late spring so give us a call for more information. With an emphasis on the life and teachings of Jesus, children from 3 years through eighth grade can participate.
New people are always welcome to join any or all of these opportunities.
Mission Projects
The fundamental job of any Christian church is to shed the light of God's love in specific, hands on, ways in the world. We at Salem take that task very seriously.
Locally:
We join with some fifty other congregations in supporting the Cooperating Congregations of Waukesha County (CCWC), an ecumenical ministry based in downtown Waukesha, dedicated to serving the needs of those who fall through the cracks elsewhere.
We actively support the local food pantry, and the Meals for the Hungry program at St. Matthias Episcopal Church.
Each Christmas we share the joy of our Lord's birth by adopting families in the Christmas Clearing House project.
We supply walkers and financial support for the annual CROP WALK and UNICEF fund raising efforts.
We assist those who are in ministry to our local jail, and we provide support for Habitat for Humanity.
We make available the opportunity for our members and friends to respond financially to natural and man-made disasters as they occur through the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
We provide a steady stream of volunteers to do hands on construction though the Wisconsin Conference's Volunteers in Mission (VIM) program.
In 2004 we had six persons participate in a VIM Mission Trip to Danli, Escuapa, and La Jujua, Honduras.
We have maintained a special relationship with missionaries, Paul and Roxanne Webster, in Zambia, contributing to the ongoing work in that area as well as the Republic of Congo.
Well, that's the beginning. There's lots more. Stop by and we will be glad to tell you our stories of outreach.
United Methodist Women
We invite all women to join us in a creative, supportive fellowship as we meet in small groups at the church or in our homes. At our meetings we focus on our relationship with God through Jesus Christ, ministries with women, children and youth, and mission locally and globally. We have three circles meeting the first week of the month: Esther-Rachel Circle, Tuesday at 7:00 p.m., Sarah Circle, Wednesday at 9:00 a.m., and Elisabeth Circle, Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. General meetings are held periodically through the year as we enjoy a luncheon, brunch, or supper, or our traditional potluck Christmas party.
It is inspiring to be linked as a chapter to over one million devoted, Christian women throughout our state, nation, and the world. As a community we seek to know God, to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ, and to expand our concepts of mission.
Please join hands with us.
Youth Ministry
Our youth program involves kids in 6th grade and up, who meet twice a month on Sunday afternoons during the school year, and at various times during the summer. Knowing these younger members of Salem have needs and interests of their own, we strive to create an atmosphere that deals with their unique needs.
Our program is divided into two age groups. 6th - 8th grades make up our middle school/junior high youth, and the 9th - 12th grades comprise the high school youth. All are encouraged to participate in District and Conference sponsored events including the Junior High and Senior High CONVO's, which are Conference wide annual gatherings for United Methodist Youth.
The youth meet for fun and fellowship every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month. We host an annual spaghetti dinner, ring bells for Salvation Army at Christmas, and visit a local health care center each month. Monthly events like dinners, movies, and sporting events are planned by the group with friends always welcome! Confirmation classes for 8th grade and older youth meet from September through April, with Confirmation scheduled each Spring.
Kids' Klub
Our Kids' Klub is for all children between the ages of three years and 5th grade. We meet Thursday evenings from 6:15 through 7:45 p.m. during the school year. We divide our Kids' Klubbers into two age groups: 3 years - 1st grade and 2nd - 5th grades.
Kids' Klub emphasizes our relationship with God! The setting is one of fun and learning. All of the children learn the value of participating in worship and serving their community by sharing their gift of music. Highlights of the year are the presentations to the congregation at Christmas and on Mother's Day.
Traditional as well as contemporary music is learned. The children in 2nd through 5th grades also learn music accompaniment through the use of recorders, rhythm instruments, tone chimes and keyboard.
Not to be overlooked is the craft and snack time. In this setting we have the opportunity to nurture our children's Christian faith experience as well as allowing them to make new friends.
Salem's Staff
Joel Deaner-Rogers is in his
27th year of ministry as an ordained elder of the United Methodist church. He served for 13 years on the Internal Audit Staff at the General Board of Pension of the United Methodist Church in Evanston, Illinois. Joel has also served churches in Lisbon, North Dakota and Elkhorn, Wisconsin, before being appointed as Salem's pastor in June, 2003. He has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religion from Lebanon Valley College, Annville, Pennsylvania; and an Master of Divinity Degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, Illinois.
Joel is married to the Reverend Christine
Deaner-Rogers, who is currently on Full-Time family leave to care for their son
Franklin.
Pastor's Joel and Chris live with their adopted son Franklin,
who they adopted from China on July 2, 2007, and their Miniature Schnauzer, Chaucer age
8.
Marie Broege - Ministry Team Coordinator
Sue Lewinski - Accompanist
Corrine Zywicki - Administrative Secretary
Elizabeth Rohde - Nursery Caregiver
Donald Chaltry - Custodian
How to Find Us
If you are new to the area, Take heart and be of good courage, we are NOT located in those dreaded labyrinthine confines of downtown Waukesha!
Unlike most things in our area, we are EASILY found.
Highway 59/164 is the beltway around the south and east sides of Waukesha. Recently this road has been designated "Les Paul Parkway."
About a mile and a half east of downtown, where Broadway (which then becomes Cleveland Avenue) crosses 59/164 is where you will find us. Salem is the brown building on the hill southeast of the intersection.
Our entrance is off Highway 59/164, just south of the building. Look for the "Church Entrance" sign on our lawn.
Salem United Methodist Church 541 Highway 59 Waukesha, Wisconsin 53186 (262) 547-5231
For More Information about Salem
We know visiting a church can be a difficult experience. And, some people are reluctant to do so without some foreknowledge about the congregation, the minister, the programs, and the atmosphere. That is why Salem offers several other options for introducing the church to you.
You may learn more about Salem in the following ways.
By requesting the minister or a church member telephone you.
By requesting the minister or a church member visit you.
By requesting additional information mailed to you.
Or, you may email questions to us.
Whatever option you select, you have our promise that we will respect your privacy. We will not telephone you, nor will we call on you, without a request to do so.
Lastly, the motto of the United Methodist Church sums up our belief: Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors. The people of The United Methodist Church. All are welcomed at Salem!
Please feel free to email us (office@salemonthehill.org) , or telephone us (262-547-5231), for more information.
The youth meet for fun and fellowship every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month. We host an annual spaghetti dinner, ring bells for Salvation Army at Christmas, and visit a local health care center each month. Monthly events like dinners, movies, and sporting events are planned by the group with friends always welcome!
