Caring & Sharing

Methodism is not a passive form of Christianity. Our faith presses us to personally do acts of compassion for those in need and to witness to injustices when encountered in our society. Stone works hard to provide opportunities for its members and friends to work their faith. Among the ministries of StoneChurch are the following.

Soup Kitchen. Stone Church hosts the community’s “soup kitchen” that provides wholesome meals to many in need five days per week. Meadville’s soup kitchen project is ecumenical and Stone cooperates with many churches throughout the region in providing this essential work of compassion for the needy. Stone’s central location and substantial facilities make it the logical and most effective home for this project.

Fairview-Fairmont Apartments. Reacting to a lack of quality low-income housing for needy citizens of the community, Stone formed a partnership with another local church many years ago and created a substantial subsidized housing development known as the Fairview-Fairmont Apartments. Stone and its partner church continue to subsidize operations at Fairview-Fairmont and provide religious and social programming and education for the residents of the facility.

United Methodist National and International Projects Throughout the year, the Untied Methodist Church conducts fund raising events for special domestic and international mission projects. The members and friends of Stone are active in responding to these events.

Red Bird Mission. Red Bird Mission is a national mission institution in the Red Bird Missionary Conference that is affiliated with the Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. The Mission provides "a witness for Christ in the heart of Appalacia." The Mission defines its task as ". . . guided by Jesus Christ, [Red Bird Mission] empowers individuals and advocates justice by providing spiritual, educational, health, and community outreach ministries." Stone provides financial support and encouragement to the christian school (grades pre-K through 12) operated by Red Bird Mission in Beverly, Kentucky. Over 80% of the students in the school come from low income families and the school services a region in which 50% of the adult population has never finished high school and in which illiteracy is "more usual than unusual."

Special Emergency “kits”. Among the unique ministries of the UntiedMethodistChurch is the development, collection and distribution of special personal hygiene, educational and other targeted “kits” of materials useful in times of fire, flood or other disaster. The people of Stone are active in assembling many of these kits and participate fully in making sure that the United Methodist Committee on Relief master warehouse is full with the goods that will help the victims of disaster begin to rebuild their lives.

UNICEF. The children and youth of Stone Church are active participants in the United Nations UNICEF progam to benefit needy children throughout the world. Among their efforts for UNICEF, our kids invade our sanctuary each fall in full costume to collect a special offering for the worlds' most underprivileged children.

Shepherd Wellness Ministry. Young people from Stone Church are active participants in the Shepherd Wellness Community ministry in Pittsburgh. Shepherd Wellness permits our church to express its love and concern for persons suffering from HIV /AIDS and their families through providing and serving dinners to the Community. Participants find the Shepherd Wellness program to be a valuable opportuity for personal ministry and all have reported that participation returns more than is given. We are very proude of our Shepherd Wellness volunteers.

Wesbury Auxilliary Support. Stone Church enjoys a long and very special relationship with the Wesbury United Methodist Retirement Community. Members of Stone are very active in the Wesbury Auxilliary and provide ongoing support to this treasure of care, compassion and community resource that benefits so many individuals and our community.