The Monthly Messenger
May 2026

 

YOU ARE INVITED TO A
CELEBRATION OF MINISTRY

Stone UMC and Bethany UMC invite you to join them as they celebrate "Fellowship Sweet" - a day of rededication to our ministries and missions. 

The celebration begins in the sanctuary at Stone UMC with a special worship service at 9 a.m. and continues in Miller Parlor at 10:30 a.m. with a fellowship meal hosted by the Welcoming Committee and Stone Care Team.  Meat, beverage and dinner service will be provided - church members are asked to please bring a dish to share.

 

Spring Geraniums

Sponsor geraniums to help us beautify the church grounds for summer!

Geranium sponsorships are available for $4 per plant or 3 plants for $10.  Geraniums will be purchased and displayed on the altar for our Pentecost worship service on May 24, 2026.  All geraniums will be planted on the grounds of the church after the service to beautify our outdoor space.  Order forms are available in our sanctuary and lobby or you may use the link below to order plants and make payment online.  If you have any questions, please contact our Office Administrator Jen Royer at churchoffice@stoneumc.org or 814-724-6736.

 

ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2026
MISSION IMPACT PROJECTS

Would you like to contribute to this year's Mission Impact Projects? Please have all contributions into the church by Tuesday, June 2.

UMCOR Menstrual Kits
UMCOR menstrual kits are essential for restoring dignity, health, and equity to vulnerable populations during disasters, crises, and economic hardship. These kits combat period poverty by providing necessary products (pads, tampons, hygiene items), allowing individualsespecially studentsto maintain daily routines without missing school or work, while reducing stigma. In order to participate in this Mission Impact project at Annual Conference, you can:

Use this link to purchase kit items or send a check (payable to WPAUMC with 2026 Mission Impact in memo line) for any donation amount to the Conference Center at WPAUMC, P.O. Box 5002, Cranberry Twp., PA 16066.
The Mission Barn will bring all supplies to Annual Conference, and there will be a designated Mission Impact table in the Vendor Area where you can stop by and assemble kits throughout the scheduled Annual Conference. We hope to assemble 1,000 kits, so your support is greatly appreciated!

 PennWest Pantry
The PennWest Pantry at the California campus is dedicated to helping students overcome food insecurity and related hardships so that they can stay focused on their academic goals and overall well-being. Located in the Natali Student Center and serving students through an online request and pickup system, it provides free food, personal hygiene products, academic supplies, and other essentials to those in need, ensuring that basic needs are met discreetly and with respect, so hunger or lack of resources doesnt become a barrier to success.
Annual Conference attendees are encouraged to bring donations for PennWest Pantry to campus and drop them off at registration. Download the list of suggested items to purchase. By participating in this unique Mission Impact opportunity, you will not only care for those in need but also be a witness for Christ in the lives of PennWest California students who will arrive in the fall.

 

 

Men's Bible Study

Men's Bible Study meets in Miller Parlor at 6:45pm. Any man seeking a closer relationship with God is welcome to attend.

 

May 7 (Thu) - No Study

May 15 (Fri) - Discussing Mere Christianity (Counting the Cost)

May 21 (Thu) - New Study begins - TBD

May 28 (Thu) - New Study continues - TBD

 
 

When you set up your giving through Tithely, you can give a one-time gift to one designated area or set up a recurring offering.  Recurring offering giving through Tithely saves you the hassle of dealing with offering envelopes each week and helps the church in its' work to plan, budget and be good financial stewards. 

 

Sharing An Attitude of Gratitude

 

Stone UMC volunteers work at the Meadville Community Soup Kitchen on the second Tuesday of each month (10am-12:30pm).  Duties include pouring drinks, wiping tables, serving food and washing dishes.  If you would be interested in participating, please contact Barb Baker.

 
 

Raise Right for Stone UMC

Gift Cards That Give Back

 

 

 

 

 

Stay motivated to earn BIG all year long! Every month brings a new challenge, and a new chance to win a $500 gift card of your choice.
How it works:  Complete any month's challenge to qualify for that month's $500 gift card drawing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 2026 Challenge:  Between 5/1 and 5/31, every purchase of a gift card on bonus (or reloaded gift card on bonus) = 1 entry to win.

Check raiseright.com for a complete list of bonus offers...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Examples of current offers include - 17% of your purchase of Columbia gift cards, 7% of Door Dash gift cards or 10% of Burger King gift cards would go to the mission and ministries of Stone UMC.  Use the link below to learn more about this fantastic way to support Stone with your everyday shopping, dining and travel purchases.

 

 

 

Church Calendar

For more information about church activities, please visit our online calendar at stoneumc.org.

 

Easter Sunday Worship Service

Thank you to Nancy Karns for her thoughtful gift of beautiful cross necklaces for the those who attended our Easter Sunday worship service.

 

MAY COUNTERS

3 - Joyce Minnis, Jim Ross

10- Jane Smith, Phyllis Stockton

17- Debbie Knapp, Anne Finney

24- Barb Baker, Marie Schlosser

31 - TBA

 

CALLING ON FIRE: A Dynamic, Interconnected Approach to Methodist Renewal and Growth 
with Rev. Dr. Chris Heckert

Saturday, June 13, 2026
10 AM - 3 PM
First UMC Butler

In this workshop, Heckert will speak on his co-authored book, Calling on Fire: Reclaiming the Method of Methodism, inviting participants to imagine how implementing the methods of early methodism might foster a renewed Modern Methodist Movement both in and beyond the church building. Register now.

 

Registration is open!

 

EmpowHER Leadership Conference

September 28-29, 2026

Jumonville Camp & Retreat Center

The WPAUMC Discipleship Task Force is excited to invite women leaders, laity and clergy, to this leadership conference that aims to bring women together to affirm their call, build grace-filled relationships and mutual support, and equip hearts, minds, and hands to take the next faithful step in their mission and ministry. Read more and register today.

 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Since 1949, Mental Health America has dedicated this month to spreading awareness, starting conversations and encouraging people to take care of their minds just as much as they care for their bodies. So what can you do to get involved this May? Here are a few ideas:

  1. Talk about mental health  One of the best ways to raise awareness is to start conversations. Talk with your friends, family or even people online about the importance of mental health. Share your own experiences if you feel comfortable it helps others to know theyre not alone. 
  2. Set an example  When we prioritize our mental wellbeing, we show others how to do the same. This is a great time to re-familiarize yourself with any employer-sponsored mental health benefits you may have access to.
  3. Learn more  The more you know about mental health, the more you can help others and reduce the stigma that surrounds it. Visit our Mental Health Resources webpage or check out these resources for more:
    National Council for Mental Wellbeing
    National Alliance on Mental Illness
    Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
 

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

A heartfelt thanks to: All who bring joy and order to worship each Sunday morning including ushers, communion stewards, musicians, counters, florists and youth ministry volunteers; to our committee members and laity who serve the church, to all who join us in worship in person or online, and to all who give, pray and serve!

Worship With Us

Sunday Mornings
9 AM
In Our Sanctuary on the "Diamond" in Meadville
or Online at:
stoneumc.org / Facebook / YouTube

Contact Us

Stone United Methodist Church
956 S. Main St., Meadville PA 16335
814-724-6736
stoneumc.org

Pastor

Rev. Kendra Balliet

 

pastor@stoneumc.org

814-299-9129 cell

 

Office Administrator

Jennifer Royer

churchoffice@stoneumc.org

 

Director of Music

Jim Ross

music@stoneumc.org

facebook.com/stoneumc.org

@stoneumc1

© 2026 All rights reserved.

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