A Message from Pastor Sarah... Dear Friends, As most of you know, I am retiring at the end of June. I love the wording of the invitation to my retirement celebration here at Stone on May 21st; "All are welcome to come and share good wishes with Pastor Sarah on her new adventure". A new adventure! That sounds good to me! A number of you have asked where I will be living and what I plan to do. Dave and I plan to stay right where we are, in the house we moved into thirty-seven years ago. We plan on traveling more, biking more, and spending more time with our family. We also plan on continuing to contribute in whatever ways we can to the good work going on in the Meadville community. Where will I be going to church? That question is a little harder to answer. While Pastor Kendra has extended an invitation to me to continue to worship at Stone, it will be good for all of us to have a time of separation. Together with Pastor Kendra, the people of Stone will find inspiration, change and growth. That is your new adventure! For these next two months, it is my privilege to continue to be your pastor. God is still at work. Thanks be to God for this indescribable gift! Pastor Sarah
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
A heartfelt thanks to: Everyone who provided the beautiful flowers for our Easter Sunday celebration…All who gave to the Heifer International project and donated plastic bags for the community WINS project...All who brought in coats for the Blessing of the Coats...All who gave, sorted and packed items for Jared Box project...Our amazing Jim Ross for inspiring Easter music along with the Virtual and the Bell Choir...Jim Schlosser and John Karns for much needed work on the third floor...Those who provided the reception for the Hammerlee family following Jim's memorial service...All who bring joy and order to worship each Sunday morning (including ushers, musicians, counters, broadcast techs, "florists" and CYF volunteers: Leanne Venesky, Susan Lipiec, Carrie Morley, Gloria Shields, Tyson Johnston, Charlie Royer, Bev Barickman, Ron Snow, Debbie Knapp, Janet and Glenn Humes, Jim Turnbull, Joyce Minnis, Sue DeArment, Phyllis and Garald Stockton, Cindy and John Karns, Darlene and Jim Ross, Barb Baker, Marti Mailliard, Anne Finney, Jane Ellen Nickell, Patty Brown, Nancy Frambes...Jeff Loutzenhiser and trustees for supervising the care of the building and the renovation of the lobby bathrooms…Debbie Knapp and the Staff-Parish Committee for leadership provided through this time of transition…To all who give, pray and serve…THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
What Is UMCOR Sunday?
Through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) we are able to provide hope for communities and individuals whose lives have been upset by storms, wars, fires, displacement and climate change. This ministry is achieved exclusively through your generosity. UMCOR Sunday is a denomination-wide celebration designed to raise awareness and support for UMCOR. The special offering on this Sunday underwrites UMCOR's "cost of doing business" making it possible for UMCOR to focus on responding to communities and individuals when they need immediate assistance. It allows UMCOR to preserve the promise that 100% of any donation to a specific UMCOR project or missionary will go towards that project and not administrative cost. All donations given by check or online designated "UMCOR" will support this vital ministry. All proceeds from the sale of Raise Right gift cards in May and June will also be designated for UMCOR.
Congratulations to Rick & Dawn Muntean on the birth of their grandson Landon John born on April 7, 2023.
Graduation Sunday is June 18th
On Sunday, June 18th, we will recognize our graduates at the 9 a.m. worship service. If you know of a graduate who should be recognized in the June Messenger and/or in worship on Sunday June 18th, please contact the church office with the student's name and the school from which they are graduating.
Pamper Mom with a gift card to a favorite store for Mother's Day and support the work of UMCOR at the same time! During the months of May and June, all proceeds raised from the sale of gift cards through the Stone UMC Raise Right program will go to UMCOR. Beginning May 7th, a Raise Right Pop-Up Shop will be held in Thoburn Lobby on the first Sunday of each month after worship service. Choose from the variety of gift cards available for purchase, order gift cards from the many options available through the program or pick up your previously ordered gift cards. Still have questions about Raise Right and how it works? Stop by the table and we will be happy to answer your questions and help you get started. To date, Stone UMC has raised more than $900 through the Raise Right program. You pay the face value of the gift card, and Raise Right gives a portion of your purchase to Stone UMC.
Stone UMC Raise Right Enrollment Code R2JAWC962GJA
Celebrating Pastor Sarah
SAVE THE DATE! Join us Sunday, May 21st at 9 AM for a special service celebrating Pastor Sarah Daniels Roncolato as we prepare to send her off to her new beginning - RETIREMENT! There will be a reception following the service. All are welcome to come and share good wishes with Pastor Sarah on her new adventure!
Bibles for Children
Calling all families with children ages 8 and up! We would love to give your child a Bible if they want one. We plan to hold a special blessing for them during the May 7th worship service. If you would like your child or children to be included, please contact Cyndi Bland for more information.
We send our prayers and condolences to the families of Donna J. Mullen and Hazel Mourer Endlish.
New Men's Study Starting in June 2023
Men, On June 16, we will be starting a new study entitled "Jesus' Farewell Message". Do you know Jesus? It's one thing to know facts about him, but to experience his love, wisdom, and guidance in your life is what it means to follow him. On the night before he was crucified, Jesus invited his disciples into a deep relationship with the triune God -- and his invitation stands for us too. In this six-part series, Francis Chan dives into John 13-17, a passage rich in promises, commands, and eternal truths. He'll remind us we aren't called to a part-time faith --we were made to know, walk with, and commune with God. We would be delighted to have any man that is seeking to grow in his relationship with God join us. Come join us on Friday (and occasionally a Thursday) nights starting June 16, 2023 at 6:45 pm. Hope to see you there! Ron Saccol Feel free to contact Ron at roeusac@gmail.com if you have any questions or would like more information.
Bell Ringers and Voices Welcome Share your musical talents...anyone interested in participating in Handbell Choir or singing with the Virtual Choir, please speak to Jim Ross after any worship service or stop into a handbell practice -- Monday nights at 6:30 p.m.
It Was Very Good! – It Is Good Children’s Program Thank you to all the youth and adults and CYF Director Cyndi Bland who came together to present our Spring Children's program, It Is Good. Missed it? Check it out on the Stone UMC Youtube channel.
WELCOME! Stone UMC is pleased to welcome new members Don and Terry Olah. Don and Terry recently joined Stone by transfer from Harmonsburg UMC. They are both retired teachers - Don taught music and Terry taught math and science. They lived and taught in Virginia for many years before retiring to the Meadville area in 2009. Terry is originally from Crawford County while Don is originally from the Pittsburgh area. They were married in 1979 in Terry's home church, Littles Corners UMC. Don has already begun sharing his musical talents with the Stone Handbell Choir and Virtual Choir. Welcome Don & Terry!
