Stone United Methodist Church
Sunday, September 05, 2010
Creating a Community of Caring Christians
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The Messenger Read the current issue of our Conference Newspaper, the Interlink
September Time and Talent
Liturgists (10:45)
September 5: Russ Schetroma
September 12: Jan Emblidge
September 19: Bob Waid
September 26: Anne Finney
Sound Booth (10:45)
September = Tom Rockwell
CHURCH-WIDE RUMMAGE SALE
What's happening? Where is everyone going with all those bags and boxes?
Stone Church is having its fall Rummage Sale! All that extra "stuff" from your attic or garage is welcomed. Please read the following schedule carefully and help as you can.
Sunday, Sept. 12, 6:00- 8:00 P.M.
Youth will be helping to pull rummage from
storage.
Monday & Tuesday, Sept. 13 & 14, 9:30 A.M.
Last days for donations. Set-up and sorting.
Wednesday, Sept. 15, 9:30 A.M.- 6:00 P.M.
Rummage Sale.
Thursday, Sept. 16, 9:30 A.M. – Noon
Rummage Sale Bag Day.
It is not too late to volunteer to help on any of these days or to help with the lunches for workers Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Call Janet Haas, 333-6200, or JUST COME!
See you at the church-wide RUMMAGE SALE!
CHURCH WOMEN UNITED
TO MEET AT STONE CHURCH
Church Women United will hold their community tureen dinner at Stone Church in Kingsley Hall on Monday, September 27 at 6:00. Susan Blose, a talented speaker and musician from St. Marks, will provide the program for the evening. The theme will be "Building the Beloved Community". This will be a great time for food and socializing!
The Wesbury "coach" will be providing transportation, but bus reservations are necessary.
SMALL GROUP EXPERIENCE
"STRESSED OUT"
"GROWING TOGETHER IN THE SMALL GROUP EXPERIENCE" returns this fall. In the study, Stressed Out, we will explore the things that "hound" us. We will study several issues that commonly cause stress - changes and conflicts within the workplace, failure of one sort or another, overload, burnout, grief and loss. The class will provide an opportunity for reflection, sharing insights, and meditation on scripture.
"Stressed Out" will begin TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5 and continue for seven weeks. Registrations are accepted anytime in September, but will be limited to twelve people. Call the church office, 724-6736 or Lucille Dunkle, 332-9334.
 TIME FOR TEA (or coffee)?
The UMCOR Fair Trade tea and coffee sales will begin again with the 3rd Sunday in September. We will be available for your convenience in Thoburn Lobby. We have Organic Regular Coffee, Columbian Decaf Coffee, Hazelnut Cream, and French Vanilla Flavored Coffee. We also carry English Breakfast Tea, Irish Breakfast Tea, Earl Grey & Green Tea (all are 12 bags to a box, no loose tea).
We expect to have our table in the Thoburn Lobby the THIRD Sundays in September, October and November.
UMCOR Fair Trade products benefit small family farms in third world countries to provide income for their families and, through their co-ops also provides community improvements such as water wells and schools for their children.
Enjoy delicious coffee and tea flavors, at competitive prices ….. all the while helping our brothers and sisters provide for their families and community.
See you September 19, October 17 and November 21 when it will be “time for tea”!
NEXT TIME BUY TWO
An article in the Meadville Tribune a week or so ago highlighted the Salvation Army’s Food Pantry. A big deal because so far this year they have served 2,400 people; as many as last year and their shelves are bare. Family Services tells the same story. More and more families in need are turning to agencies and charities for help.
Church and Society Committee wants to encourage Stone Church to respond to this need and extend our traditional November “harvest” collection of nonperishable food items into October.
THANKSGIVING FOR TWO MONTHS!!!
(We can do it! We have much for which to be thankful, don’t we?) As we did last year, all food and monetary donations collected will go to the Meadville Food Pantry.
So start now! Next time you go grocery shopping BUY TWO of a nonperishable item; one for your cupboard and one for the Meadville food pantry. Watch for signs and directions for where to bring your donations.
SUGGESTED ITEMS: Canned meats; packaged dry goods; breakfast foods; peanut butter, jelly and granola bars; canned cooking sauces; canned or dry soups; canned vegetables and fruits; condiments, cooking oil and cooking spray.
OH YES, CASH IS GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED!
Cash donation boxes will be at the rear of the sanctuary and in Thoburn Lobby and will be collected weekly. Mark any checks payable to Stone UMC, but mark the envelope: "Food donations".
 THANK YOU!!!
A sincere note of appreciation goes to Phyllis & Garald Stockton and Aubrey Minnis for representing Stone Church and volunteering at the Methodist Baby Comfort Station. Your support is greatly valued by all those involved.
Let’s hope we can get more Stone people involved in the worthwhile mission for young families in our community.
Carolyn Y. Turnbull & Joyce Y. Minnis
 Very Much Appreciated
by
Martha Lumley
Director of Music
Our summer musicians really deserve our thanks because, it is, after all, vacation time. We appreciate your talents and enhancement to the 10 o’clock summer services. Thank you so very much, Renee Tomlinson, Jerry Murphy, Jonathan and Nancy Helmreich, and the men’s group which is supposed to consist of Harry Stoll, Jerry Murphy, and Glenn Rodgers – all Stone Church members.
For those of you whom missed any of the guest musicians, there were several these past three months: Clark Barnes (accompanied by Nancy Galluzzo of Pittsburgh), the local Yesterday’s Sounds, Mary Boozel on the cello, Jacob Boca on the trumpet (MASH senior), Andrew Sipple at the piano (Saegertown senior), and Allegheny senior Dalton Phillips who played the piano one Sunday and sang another.
It was my intention to involve young people and also to have other than vocal music. I certainly hope you, as Stone’s worshippers, were inspired.
And, then there is the Sanctuary Choir, about whom I cannot say enough. These folks really do deserve our appreciation for their rehearsal time each week and, of course, their presence and participation each Sunday morning. They do whatever I ask of them (sometimes they’re not too sure about me) and do it very, very well. Thank you, choir.
Nearly every month, Renee rallied some young people together for their Sunday to sing. Each time, it was very well done. Renee has been a gift from God for me, and I am awfully thankful she chose to come to us.
Finally, I appeal to the choir members to remain faithful; we all need you. I am making an additional appeal to any who want to sing with us. The first meeting is a picnic at my home on Sept. 9, at 6:00. Questions about that can be addressed by calling 336-1303.
Pakistan Flash Floods
For some 3.5 million children, Pakistan's worst floods in 80 years could have deadly consequences. As floodwaters from August monsoon rains spread over 82,000 square miles in Pakistan, the situation has been described as "a rolling earthquake." The death toll is estimated at 1,600, the homeless at 1.5 million and the number of people affected at millions more.
In the span of a few days, the number of families affected by the flooding has jumped from 14 million to 20 million, said Allan Calma, deputy director of the disaster management program for Church World Service in Pakistan.
The giving code is
Grove City Annual Conference
by
David E. Milhous
Lay Delegate
This is the 75th Anniversary of the Upper Room Daily Devotional Guide (1935-2010). As part of this year’s Annual Conference, a special edition of the Upper Room was included with the conference materials received. I’ve indicated previously that I regularly use the Upper Room as part of my daily devotions. This special edition includes major milestones for each of the 8 decades and a special devotion from each decade. I found the devotions to be as meaningful to me as an individual, and for Stone Church now, as they were when they were first printed. While Annual Conference has a jam packed agenda, the Upper Room provides lay and clergy the opportunity to have their own space and time to be with God, in preparation for daily activities.
As many of you know, I missed the prior year Annual Conference to be with my granddaughter, Hannah, who has been battling cancer for two years while her mother was giving birth to Hannah’s youngest sister, Sydney Bella, now one year old. Recently, Hannah received a bone marrow transplant at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Other than the expected complications, she has been doing very well. Undoubtedly, the power of the many people who have prayed for Hannah and family and assisted them through these trying times have played a major role in her progress. Hannah’s Caring Bridge site has had approximately 94,000 visits and most of the folks have not only prayed for her but also have acted out their beliefs.
The same can be said for us as a church. The devotion from the 1960’s encourages us to overcome our fears. The prayer representing the 1990’s is about how Jesus grew. If we are to progress through these trying times and envision our future, we must pray together, act together and believe in a wholistic manner (mind, body and soul).
The future begins with us. Let us use this day to do something good. If we believe and act on our beliefs, our prayers will be answered.
 Fairview/Fairmont Outreach: Your Opportunity for LOCAL MISSION
by
Diane Craven
Fairview/Fairmont Director
Many members have been asking me, “What is Fairview/Fairmont Outreach all about?” One simple statement can sum it all up: it’s about local mission. The Outreach is an extension of the ministry of your church. You are funding and prayerfully supporting mission, right in your back yard. I hope this information helps answer some of your questions.
Mission Statement: “We strive to provide extensive opportunities for children, youth, adults and senior citizens at Fairview/Fairmont Apartments and to engage residents in creative activities and learning experiences in a safe, clean, loving and wholesome environment.”
Motto: “We are here to help!”
Description of Services: We offer such opportunities as: computer classes, internet access, job listing and career training access, help with connecting to community resources, book and video library, senior outings, special lunches and dinners, children’s literacy program, fitness programs, arts and crafts, sewing, bicycling program, cooking, gardening, preschool play group, homework help, field trips, Free Summer Lunch Program, Senior Food Box Program, Transportation to Second Harvest Food Distributions, Clothes and Household Closet, Budgeting Assistance, and Referral Services.
Hours of Service: 11:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. Monday – Friday
History: 1970’s First Presbyterian and Stone UMC worked together to build the Fairview/Fairmont 105 apartment complex to address the growing need for low income housing in Meadville . A Housing Corporation was formed by the two churches to govern the apartment complex along with some “silent partners.” In 1977 the churches took giant steps toward face to face local mission. They took two of the apartments and turned them into the Fairview/Fairmont Outreach Center to service the growing needs of the residents. Over the years they have worked hand in hand with Housing Urban Development (HUD) to develop the many facets of the Outreach Program. Soon the apartments will be owned solely by the Housing Corporation and the silent partners will be no more.
Outreach Governed by: Fairview/Fairmont Outreach Board of Directors. The 8-12 member board consist of members from both churches who meet monthly, August through May dealing with the running, funding, administrative duties and supervise the staff of the Outreach.
Financial: First Presbyterian Church, Stone UMC and the Housing Corporation
Staff: Three part time employees: director, assistant director and computer technician. In the summer months we have an additional part time program staff as well as a Bonner Student through Allegheny College.
Diane Craven, Director (October 2009)
Assistant Director (currently interviewing)
Rich Pfalzgraf, computer technician
Sarah Miller, 2010 summer program staff
Staff Goals: Along with our Mission Statement our staff goals are to provide positive, caring, nurturing experiences and growing opportunities to the residents of Fairview/Fairmont. Our job is not to be the expert, but to know what community resources are available for the residents and to help them with making those connections. We strive to be witnesses to the love of God in the lives of the residents.
Other Support and Volunteers: Allegheny College, Community, Church volunteers and AmeriCorps VISTA workers. We benefit greatly from Allegheny College Community Services and are blessed with two of their Bonner Leader Service Program Students: Sasha Miller and Shaka Sadler. Sasha was with us all summer and she will be with us this school year. Shaka will be back with us in September as she was last school year. We are looking forward to the wealth of resources and program commitment and care that these two students bring to our residents. In addition, they both recruit other students to assist in other needs and areas of service at the Outreach. This Saturday, they are bringing 6-8 students to the Outreach to help on a cleaning, sorting and painting project!!
Ben Masters is a Community Volunteer who has a passion for bikes. He has been presenting a weekly program since February on bike maintenance and safety: Children and Teens learning and earning bikes!
Meadville Rotary: Grant for our Bike It program
Winslow Grant: Grant for our Photography program
Rachel Clark, AmeriCorps *VISTA worker, presenting opportunities for financial literacy workshops.
Emily Burnett, AmeriCorps *VISTA worker, presenting one of a kind sewing program for kids. Rags to Riches program is a community project whose mission is to divert useable fabric from the landfill and repurpose it into useful, beautiful items.
Stone UM Women and Congregation: Annual donations for mittens, hats, socks for all our residents
First Presbyterian Women & Congregation: Annual School Supply Drive for all school age children, teens, and adult students
First Presbyterian Deacons and Stone UMC: Thanksgiving Dinner donations
The list goes on, and please forgive me as I know I have forgotten a few!
Thank you, First Presbyterian Church and Stone UMC, for giving and caring in local mission!
 The Stone Church Children's Center
The Stone Children’s Center has had a wonderful summer. We met new friends and had some great adventures. The school agers loved going swimming and watching a movie at the down town theater. Preschool and two year olds really enjoyed the trip to Roche Park and to the fair to see the animals.
The fall is shaping up to be exciting as well. We look forward to opening our three year old classroom, which has an enrollment of 14 children!! Our one and two year old rooms are also seeing larger numbers than we have in the past!
We are also going to have our first ever staff retreat in October. We will close the center early on a Friday and travel together to my parents’ cabin in Tionesta. We will use the time together for staff training, meetings and just enjoying each other’s company. I look forward to it and hope the staff does too!
We hope to host another Scholastic Book Fair this fall as well as a Christmas Fundraiser. Please be on the lookout for details! I thank everyone for their support of the Children’s Center from the donating of materials to supporting our fundraisers. It really means a lot to me and the staff. As always thank you for your thoughts and prayers!!!
~Ann Knott
Children’s Center Director
INVITING ALL YOUNG PEOPLE
TO THE RESURRECTION OF
STONE UM YOUTH FELLOWSHIP
SIXTH– TWELFTH GRADE
STARTING SEPTEMBER 12 AND MEETING WEEKLY
6 PM DINNER
6:30 – 7:30 PM YOUTH GROUP
GAMES, STORIES, PROJECTS, SERVICE
THE STONE YOUTH CHOIR
OPEN TO CHILDREN AND YOUTH – ALL AGES
REHEARSALS SUNDAYS
AT 5:00 PM
STARTING SEPTEMBER 12
MEMBERS 6TH – 12TH GRADES
STAY FOR DINNER
AND YOUTH GROUP
RALLY DAY
OPENING DAY OF SUNDAY SCHOOL
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
AT 9:15 AM
BREAKFAST IN KINGSLEY HALL
MEET YOUR TEACHERS
AND FIND YOUR CLASSROOMS
10:45 AM WORSHIP
THE THIRD GRADERS
WILL RECEIVE THEIR BIBLES
 BIBLE STUDY
WITH PASTOR JOHN
“WALK THRU THE BIBLE”
OFFERED EACH WEDNESDAY
10:00 AM
Repeated EACH THURSDAY 6:30 PM
SEPTEMBER 8 & 9
thru
DECEMBER 15 & 16
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