Dear Friends....
One of my favorite children’s books, Frederick by Leo Lionni, is the tale of a small field mouse, Frederick, who saves the colors of summer to share in the dreary days of winter. While Frederick savors the wonder of the season, his fellow mice stay hard at work gathering nuts and berries to be stored for the cold season ahead. While Frederick turns out to be the hero of this story, the effort of his fellow mice ought not be overlooked. Without their hard work in the season of summer, there would be no food at all for the winter to come.
This children’s story provides an interesting model for our lives this summer. Certainly, we are called to savor this time, to take in the warmth and beauty of this season. We are also invited, called, to prepare for the season to come. For Stone Church, the months of July and August are quieter months with less programming and fewer meetings. I encourage you to enjoy this time with family and friends, picnics and parades. I also encourage you to do the work of gathering information, training and resources for our fall ministry.
In September, we return to more in-person ministry, particularly with our children, youth, and young families. Please read the piece from Cyndi Bland, our Children/Youth/Family ministries director, included in this newsletter about how you might be a part of this exciting work. In September, adult Christian education and spiritual formation resumes, a new members’ class begins and our Lay leadership committee meets to discern church leadership for 2023. So much good and holy work to prepare for!
With the Apostle Paul we proclaim, “We are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3:9). Together we savor the season and prepare for the one to come. Thanks be to God for the work we do and for the gifts we share!
In Christ...Pastor Sarah
July Worship Calendar
9 AM - Stone UMC
Worship In Person or...
Live online at Armstrong Cable Channels 23/100, Facebook, or stoneumc.org
10:30 AM - Bethany UMC (140 Wadsworth Ave)
July 3rd - Communion Sunday
July 10th
July 17th - Baptism Sunday
July 24th
July 31st - Safe Sanctuary Informational Session immediately following worship
THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU
A heartfelt thanks to: Geranium buyers and planters Larry Sippy and Pastor Sarah...Hot Dog Helpers-Joyce Minnis, Luca Direnzio, Leanne Venesky, Cindy Karns, Cyndi and Myla Bland...June ushers, readers, musicians, “florists”, liturgists, preachers, communion stewards and counters: Noah, Adlee, Andra and Nick Mulhearn, Ron Snow, Janet and Bob Waid, JimTurnbull, Nancy and Jonathan Helmreich, Jim Ross, the Bell Choir, Jane Ellen Nickell, Leda Boal, Jason Ashbaugh, Tyson Johnston, Anne Finney, Darlene Ross, Phyllis Stockton, Patty Brown, Lisa Clayton .......To all who give, pray and serve...
COVID Care...My deepest thanks to Rev. Jane Ellen Nickell, Leda Boal and Tyson Johnston for
stepping in at the last minute to lead worship on June 19th. Even as a fully vaccinated, doubly
boosted person, I contracted COVID while at a conference in Pittsburgh. My symptoms were mild
compared to many others and for that I am thankful. My thanks also for all the prayers and well
wishes...Pastor Sarah
THANK YOU - THANK YOU - THANK YOU
Looking Ahead...
- Children’s Church will return on Sunday, September 18th during Worship for children ages 3-8. Children will be invited to Miller Parlor after the children’s sermon for a short lesson and some fun!
- Beginning on Sunday, September 18th traditional Sunday School will return with opportunities for different age groups, including adults, to participate. Sunday School hour will be from 10am to 11am every Sunday. More information to come in the August newsletter. Registration forms will be mailed out and available in the office beginning in August.
CHURCH PICNIC - Sunday, July 31st — 5 PM
Join us for a mid-summer picnic at the Johnston Family’s “Camp Chickasaw” (8849 S. Wayland Rd., Meadville). Relax by the creek, or in the creek, if you prefer! Fun and fellowship for people of all ages. Protein and table service provided. You are welcome to bring a hot or cold dish to share! Please RSVP to church office by Wed., July 27th with the number in your party and your dish, if you’re bringing one. We look forward to seeing you there!
Baptism Sunday July 17th
On Sunday, July 17th, we will celebrate the sacrament of Holy Baptism. If you seek baptism for yourself or a child
in your life, please contact the church office (churchoffice@stoneumc.org or 814-724-6736 ) so that Pastor Sarah may reach out to you personally.
Men’s Study Returns in August
The men’s study group will be on summer hiatus from June 30th through July 31st. On August 4th, we will be starting a 6-week study entitled Jesus: The God Who Knows Your Name. Through this study, author Max Lucado invites us to get to know Jesus by looking at who He was while He walked on the earth and what that means for our lives today.
We would be delighted to have any man that is seeking to grow in his relationship with God join us. Come join us on Thursday nights starting August 4, 2022 at 6:45 PM. Hope to see you there!
Jesus: The God Who Knows Your Name
Week 1—August 4th - God With Us
Week 2—August 12th - Friend of Sinners
Week 3—August 18th - Compassionate Physician
Week 4—August 25th - Great Teacher
Week 5—September 1st - Miracle Worker
Week 6—September 8th - Victorious Sacrifice
Feel free to contact Ron Saccol at roeusac@gmail.com if you have any questions or would like more information.
Hello all,
This fall we are planning to renew our Children’s Church program during worship AND traditional Sunday School. Many of you participated in “The Walk” book study this spring. In that book, we learned that as people of the church we are called to serve! We need a dedicated team to get these programs up and running again. This is where you come in! If you have any interest in leading a class and/or volunteering as an assistant in a class, please let me know.
Now, to give you some information to help you make the decision:
The Children’s Church program will be run during worship. Children ages 3-8 years old will be invited to Miller Parlor for a short lesson and activity after the Children’s Sermon. This will usually last no more than 20-30 minutes. We hope to be able to stream the service so that our volunteers will be able to listen to the worship service on the TV in Miller Parlor. We need at least two unrelated adult leaders each week. Lessons will be planned and ready ahead of time. Training will be provided so that on your Sunday you can confidently show up and follow the plan! If we have enough volunteers, we will be able to create a rotating list so that no one misses worship every Sunday.
Traditional Sunday School hour will be every Sunday from 10–11am after the worship service. Our hope is to have 2-3 different age groups for children and an adult class running at the same time.
The age groups of the children’s classes will be determined by the ages of those registered. I’m currently doing research on curriculums and online resources for lessons and welcome your input on what you’d like taught.
Please don’t be overwhelmed by this! I want you to pray about it, ask God what he is calling you to do and let me know if you have any questions/concerns. There is no retirement plan in God’s plan. If you are alive, God has a plan for you! I hope you will consider joining the team and be a part of rebuilding the church after two very difficult years!
I’m praying for each and every one of you!
Cyndi Bland
Director of Children/Youth/Family Ministries
814-724-6736
cyf@stoneumc.org
SAFE SANCTUARIES TRAINING - SUNDAY, JULY 31ST AT 10:00 AM
Children's Church and Sunday School programs for all ages, including adults will be starting in the fall. If you want to be a part of this exciting ministry -- or even just think you might want to take part in the future -- it is important to complete your Safe Sanctuaries training. This brief training will guide you through the process of obtaining clearances for working with vulnerable populations and best safety practices. The next Safe Sanctuaries training date is Sunday, July 31st -- immediately following the worship service. Questions? Please contact the office or Leanne Venesky.
July Counters
3 – Barb Baker & Jim Ross
10 – Jane Ellen Nickell & Phyllis Stockton
17 – Patty Brown & Lisa Foust
24 – Barb Baker & Jim Ross
31 – Patty Brown & Aundra Zack
Tailgate Party & Lawn Games
Hotdogs and hamburgers will be served but feel free to bring your own tailgate items/food as well. Bring your families for fun and fellowship.
When: Friday, July 8th
Time: 6-8pm
Where: Stone Church Lawn
Why: Food, Fellowship, Fun
A special service project is also planned for this evening. We will be putting together kits for the homeless! Each kit will include one of each item: bottle of water, pack of tissues, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, granola bar, pretzels, gum, hand sanitizer. You may bring any of the items listed to be packed in the kits.
