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.

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.  

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 links below to order plants and make payment online.  If you have any questions, please contact our Office Administrator Jen Royer at 814-724-6736 or churchoffice@stoneumc.org

ORDER GERANIUMS

GERANIUM PAYMENTS

Join Stone UMC and Bethany UMC for lunch to wish Pastor Kendra Balliet well as she transitions to her new appointment with Harrisville and Forestville United Methodist Churches.

We will be grilling hamburgers and hotdogs with all the trimmings. The Care Team will be providing a cake. Please bring a side dish to share if you are able. There will be sign-up sheets at both churches or you can call or email the church if you plan to bring a dish. Everyone is welcome for a fun afternoon of fellowship.

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 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. 

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!

Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball has provided a letter to the Western Pennsylvania Conference explaining the appointment process in the United Methodist Church. A copy of the letter is posted on the bulletin board by Miller Parlor. You can also read the complete letter by clicking on the link below or contacting Debbie Knapp, SPRC Chair at debbieknapp4@hotmail.com or 814-853-9340.

 There will be no Men's Bible Study the week of May 4th.  Please join us for our next meeting as we finish our study of "Discussing Mere Christianity - Counting the Cost."  Any man seeking fellowship and a deeper relationship with God is encouraged to attend.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Hannah Kightlinger

Deanna Howles

Mary Stevens

Alexandra Helgert

Hannah Whistler

Gabriel Basko

Susan Lipiec

Addison Siverd

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