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 Sunday, May 17, 2026 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 dinnerware will be provided - church members are asked to please bring a dish to share.

The Stone UM Church Care Team invites you to a Fellowship Hour in appreciation of all those who "mother" us following our services on Mother's Day - May 10, 2026.  Join them in Miller Parlor directly after our worship service for an assortment of refreshments.

The Adult Sunday school class studying and discussing the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church meets directly after Worship. All adults are welcome to join us in Crawford Library as we delve into issues facing our communities with the United Methodist Principles to guide us as we strive to be true disciples of Christ. 

 This week's topic: Discussing Mere Christianity - God in Three Persons.  Any man seeking fellowship and a deeper relationship with God is encouraged to attend.

Do you have photos, news or items you would like to contribute for the June edition of the Messenger? 

Please have them into the office by May 21, 2026.

Email to churchoffice@stoneumc.org

and the CARE team needs your help.  

We have had a number of individuals stop into our church office in the past few months in need of basic food items.  Many of them are seniors waiting to be added to our list for monthly senior food boxes and families with children in the household.  Please help the CARE team re-stock the freezer so that we have items to offer those who stop in needing a meal or to deliver as a pick-me-up to members facing difficult times.  Items can really be anything - as long as it freezes well- soups, muffins, cookies, casseroles.  They also have limited space for canned goods or shelf stable foods - think fruit, vegetables, pasta, spaghetti sauce, or kid-friendly items like macaroni and cheese cups or spaghetti-o's.

Pastor Kendra Balliet will hold a Safe Sanctuaries training in Miller Parlor on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 5:30 pm.  Stone UMC requires this training for all staff and volunteers and it must be renewed every two years.  Please RSVP to Jen in the office by phone 814-724-6736 or email churchoffice@stoneumc.org if you would like to attend.  

Our annual spring geranium sale provides flowers each year for our South Main Street lawn alongside the building.  Watch for more details coming soon...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Dorothy Smith

Robb Waid

Alisha Hornstein

Mara Cochran

Betty Galbo

Gloria Shields

Morgan Cunningham

Leo Simpson

Do you have a graduate in your family this year?  Please contact the office with your graduate's name, school and degree information so that we may include them in our prayers on Graduation Sunday.

Office Phone: 814-724-6736  Office Email: churchoffice@stoneumc.org

The Staff Parish Relations Committee announced Pastor Domingos Francisco Fernando has been appointed to Stone UMC beginning July 1, 2026. We are so excited for the new opportunities and experiences Pastor Fernando will bring to Stone and Bethany UMC’s and hope he is as excited to come here!

Pastor Fernando is from Angola, Africa and speaks fluent Portuguese and English. He received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Africa University where he was a member of the university choir. After graduating he spent 2 years in Brazil with the Missionary Program of the United Methodist Church, Global Ministries. Pastor Fernando received his Master of Divinity Degree from Drew Theological School in New Jersey. He served as lead pastor at the Norwood United Methodist Church in Norwood, PA before moving to Pittsburg, Kansas where he serves as Campus Minister at Pittsburg State University and Associate Pastor at the First United Methodist Church.

He has read Dr. Dixon’s book, “A Diamond on the Diamond” and feels Stone UMC has historically been a force in the Meadville community. He is looking forward to meeting all of us and continuing this work. He feels at his past churches he has been able to grow congregational engagement and increase participation in worship, connect with young people and grow young people’s ministry and engage the congregation with the community. We are looking forward to learning more about Pastor Fernando over the next couple of months so watch for more news!