A WORD FROM FINANCE, ENDOWMENT AND CAPITAL CAMPAIGN:
Dear Members and Friends,
As we head into the Holidays, we want to stop, give thanks and give an update on the Capital Campaign. We are on track to reach our goal of raising $250,000.00 over three years which will be completed December of 2021. We are currently 4.5% under our expected collection rate, which is remarkable since this year has been extremely challenging.
We have completed several capital projects that were outlined as top goals in our Campaign brochure. Money pledge to the campaign has been in a separate account and only used for these purposes. Church Roofing has been completed on the entire rubber membrane roof which encompasses all the space we know as Thoburn Lobby, Offices, South Main entrance, Elevator, etc. Obviously, the Children’s Center on Two and part of three now have no more leaks! This project came in under budget at $107,489.00 and has been the most costly. We now have safety railings to access the roof, insulation, and a long-term warranty. We continued our work on the Slate roof and we are down to one last area, the west side slate, everything else is finished. We will have one or two years left to finish this work.
The second area we addressed is becoming ADA compliant with a complete rehab or the restrooms on the lower level (in partnership with the Meadville Community Soup Kitchen) as well as moving to get the sanctuary pews ADA compliant. We are planning as funds are given to continue the masonry repairs too. These projects will use the entire $250,000.00 or more. If we can meet our stretch goal of $300,000.00, we can start on the Kingsley Hall kitchen and other interior repairs, most of them caused by water damage.
The good news is we have been able to continue improvements and repairs outside the Capital campaign funds from the Trustee repair and maintenance budget. We also used some unrestricted funds to solve the remainder of water problems this year. This makes interior rehab of the areas damaged something that can be addressed in the future. We have been able to “go green” with all of our lighting throughout the building with the special conversion program that required no outlay of cash to convert to LED. There has been a real spirit of generosity from donors to fund technology and security. Special endowments and gifts have been used to help us be more capable of moving forward in 2021.
We will give another update in February 2022 as we project how much we will be able to accomplish on the top priorities. Meanwhile, if you want to contribute for the first time or signify that you will continue your gift, it would greatly help for planning.
Your Finance Committee, Endowment Committee and Capital Campaign Group
THANK YOUS:
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! A heartfelt thanks to…Our wonderful October musicians, liturgists and storytellers: Myla Bland, Skyler Bland, Ethan Ashbaugh, Marian Beckman, Carolyn Turnbull, Penny Ohl, Jane Ellen Nickell, Jim Ross, Jen Ashbaugh, Erin Means, Kathleen McArthur, Edie Grimm, Susan Shrock, Lisa Clayton and Leda Boal…Jason Ashbaugh “up in the booth” for quality work with sound and video… Marie Schlosser for assistance with sign placement…Jeff Loutzenhiser and the trustees for getting the building ready for cold weather… and……October flower folks: Janet and Bob Waid, Joyce and Dick Minnis, and Marge Daniels’ family…. Ride for the Refuge and WiNS supporters… All who continue to work through and pray through the changes at Stone United Methodist Church… THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
Dear Friends, On behalf of my whole family, I thank you for the care and support you’ve provided at the time of my mother’s death. We are blessed to be lifted in prayer and surrounded by so much love! As we move into this month of thanksgiving, I give thanks for you and for the new life all of us find in the Living Christ…Pastor Sarah
Thanks again for your continuance of Sunday services on Armstrong. I have been blessed in my attendance each Sunday. Sincerely, Evelyn Dorchester
NOVEMBER WORSHIP CALENDAR:
9am in person at Stone (And live on Armstrong Cable Channels 23/100 and on Facebook, stoneumc.org)
10:30 am at Bethany UMC (140 Wadsworth Ave)
November 7th All Saints/ Communion
November 14th Honoring our Veterans
November 21st Thanksgiving
November 28th First Sunday in Advent
WITH HEARTFELT SYMPATHY:
Sympathies to the family of James Lockert who passed away on September 27th. He was the father to our Children’s Center Director, Jackie Russell.
Sympathies to the family of Gary Quigley who passed away on September 28th. He was the twin brother of Larry Quigley and brother-in-law to Dee Quigley.
Sympathies to the family and friends of Mae Stewart who passed away on October 6th.
Sympathies to Pastor Sarah and family on the passing of her mother, Marjorie Daniels, who passed away on October 18th.
ORGAN CONCERT:
Honoring Veterans - Saturday, November 6, 2021
Please join us for an Organ Concert in Honor of our Veterans with Jim Ross as organist. On Saturday, November 6, 2021, at 2:00 PM here at Stone United Methodist Church.
*Please note the date change*
A goodwill offering will be available to benefit The Wounded Warrior Project.
NOVEMBER MISSION EMPHASIS:
The Wounded Warrior Project
The Wounded Warrior Project is a national non-profit whose mission is to honor and empower our Wounded Warriors who incurred a physical or mental injury or illness related to military service on or after September 11, 2001.
In support of this mission we are:
Taking a special offering at Jim Ross’s organ concert Saturday November 6th at 2pm.
Hosting a bake sale after worship on Sunday, November 14th. All bakers and buyers encouraged to give!
NEEDED:
Bakers and buyers for the bake sale to benefit November's mission, Wounded Warriors. Bring items to Miller Parlor before church on November 14th and the sale will take place following the service.
Cash donations will also be accepted.
VIRTUAL HAPPY HOUR:
Put your kids to bed and join us for virtual parent happy hour on Friday November 19th starting at 9pm. Grab your favorite drinks and snacks and join us for fellowship and fun via zoom. The link will be available on our CYF Facebook group page the night of the meeting. Hope to “see” you there!
BLESSING BAGS:
This holiday season we want to remember our loved ones, those stuck at home, and our nursing home residents by putting together some blessing bags. Beginning November 1st paper bags will be available in Thoburn lobby with a list of items to fill the bags with. A small craft will be included for families, children, or adults to put together to include in the bags. Feel free to also use your creativity to decorate your paper bag! We will bless people with these bags shortly after Thanksgiving so please return them to the church office by November 28th. At this time, we are asking to stay away from including any food or candy items. If you have any questions, please contact Cyndi Bland at cyf@stoneumc.org. Thank you!
HEADING INTO THE HOLIDAYS WITH "HEART":
Get a head start on the holidays with our seasonal study The Heart that Grew Three Sizes: Finding Faith in the Story of the Grinch” by Matt Rawl. The evening discussion, held on zoom, begins Tuesday November 16th from 6:30-7:30 and runs through December 21st. The Wednesday morning study, which will be hybrid, begins Wednesday November 17th at 10am and runs through Wed December 20th. Books available in the church office.
NOW HIRING:
The Children’s Center is hiring! They are in need of an Assistant Teacher. All resumes can be emailed to: stonechildrenscenter@gmail.com.
