Mission:Welcoming all, Loving God, Serving Others
Welcoming All
We are a congregation of people who are at different places along the journey of faith and who care deeply about one another. Many of us come from areas outside Salem and from different faith traditions. We strive to make everyone welcome as we grow in the knowledge, love and service of Jesus the Christ.
Loving God
Prayer and worship are at the heart of who we are and what we are about. Our liturgy is both traditional and responsive. Communion is open to all. The laying on of hands for healing is a regular part of our worship and sometimes the whole community does that on special occasions or for special needs. For those who cannot come on a Sunday in person, they can attend and participate via Zoom. We love God by loving one another. Various opportunities to learn and deepen our faith and spiritual practices are offered throughout the year.
Serving Others
Jesus showed us the love of God by serving others and telling us to do the same. We serve others in a variety of ways – community dinners, purchasing Christmas gifts and books for children whose parents are incarcerated and then going to the men’s state prison to wrap them, a fund that responds to needs of foster and homeless children, and making donations to local charitable organizations and those supporting needs throughout the nation and world.
We have been cultivating partnerships with some of the local elementary schools, and especially a partnership with Isaiah 58nh, that serves the homeless and home insecure in our area with housing, case management, free clothing and food, and other support. We are renovating a room that will be family-friendly their case managers can use for intakes and educational programs.
As part of our ministry to welcome and serve others, St. David’s offers its buildings to a variety of community groups for meeting space. We have a long history with AA going back to the founding of this church. Currently there are six groups regularly meeting here.
History
Our church was founded in 1961 when a handful of Salem residents who had been traveling to nearby towns to attend an Episcopal Church decided to form one here. As the congregation quickly grew, a farm was purchased that once housed horses from the nearby racetrack. The farmhouse became the rectory, and the barn became the sanctuary. Additional space was added for meeting areas and a parish office. The cross behind the altar was constructed many years ago of fence posts from the former farm. It serves as a reminder of our beginnings.
