THE MONTHLY MESSENGER -- September 2024
A Message from Pastor Kendra...
The Path We Are On
You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
-Psalm 16:11 (NSRV)
It is hard to believe I have been serving with you for more than a year now! I have met many new faces, and I have seen some wonderful God sightings along the way. There have been falling leaves, snow, spring flowers, and the hot days of summer sunshine!
We have done some wonderful things this past year. We were recognized as a church with a caring congregation and agreed to be designated as a Lighthouse Congregation to act as a haven and resting place for those seeking a new United Methodist faith community. We held our first Out of the Woods Day Camp. The Stone UM Children's Center is always bustling with activity and continues to grow. The new school year is upon us - we blessed backpacks during our service on August 25th and welcomed our younger members back to Children's Church!
As we enter the busy fall/winter season, I look forward to walking this path together with you - and finding the joys along the way. Come join us! We are the Stone Church with the warm heart!
Grace & Peace, Pastor Kendra
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
A heartfelt thanks to: All who bring joy and order to worship each Sunday morning (including ushers, musicians, counters, florists and CYF volunteers: Carolyn Turnbull, Bev Barickman for her care of the building, all the bakers who supported our bake sale, our monthly Soup Kitchen volunteers, to all those who have spent long hours supporting funeral dinners, summer programs and church events, to our Tea Party planners, Jeff Loutzenhiser and trustees for supervising the care of the building, to Joyce Minnis for the seasonally changing decorations in Thoburn Lobby and to Barb Baker and Darlene Ross and the Care Team for the seasonal updates to the tables in Miller Parlor, to our committee chairpersons as they prepare reports and get us ready for Charge Conference, to all who join us in worship in person or online, to all who give, pray and serve!
National Back To Church Sunday
Held on the third Sunday in September, National Back to Church Sunday is a national effort to encourage our communities to connect with a faith community.
Did you know that only 5% of Americans have received a personal invitation to church? The good news? Eighty percent of Americans would be open to attending church if invited by a friend - who will you invite to church this Sunday?
Trunk or Treat 2024
The Stone UMC Trunk or Treat will be held Thursday, October 31, 2024 during the City of Meadville trick or treat hours - 6-7:30PM. Preparations for the annual Trunk or Treat event are well underway. Stone UMC takes pride in providing a safe, fun and family-friendly event for the community. It won't be long before trick or treat night is here and we need your help as we get ready for the hundreds of children who will visit us.
This year's coordinator Joyce Minnis invites any and all help that you can give-ways to help include:
- Donate individually wrapped candy to be handed out at the event (collection bin in Thoburn Lobby)
- Donate funds to be used to purchase candy (be sure to write Trunk or Treat in the memo line of your check).
Sign up to bring your vehicle on the night of October 31 to be a trunk and help pass out candy.
2024 Charge Conference
Will be held in Miller Parlor on Wednesday, October 9th at 6:30 pm. Charge conference reports are due to the office by Monday, September 16, 2024.
Our Deepest Sympathies
Please keep in your prayers the families of: Mary Belle Hawke and Dr. Christopher Karns
New Bible Study Begins September 18th
It's Back to School time - and that means -- Back to Bible Study! Pastor Kendra Balliet will lead the discussion in Miller Parlor on Wednesday mornings beginning September 18th as we explore Margaret Feinberg's "JAMES - What You Do Matters".
RSVP today on the office bulletin board or call Jen in the office at 814-724-6736 or email churchoffice@stoneumc.org. Books ($15) are available for purchase in the office or at Bible Study.
From the author:
"If there's one book that has taught me that what I do matters, it's the book of James." Beloved author and speaker Margaret Feinberg has been teaching the Bible for over 25 years. In her newest Bible study (video streaming included), she leads you through this treasure trove of wisdom and timely teaching.
New Bible Study begins next Wednesday
September 18th
It's Back to School time - and that means -- Back to Bible Study! Pastor Kendra Balliet will lead the discussion in Miller Parlor on Wednesday mornings beginning September 18th as we explore Margaret Feinberg's "JAMES - What You Do Matters".
RSVP today on the office bulletin board or call Jen in the office at 814-724-6736 or email churchoffice@stoneumc.org. Books ($15) are available for purchase in the office or at Bible Study.
From the author:
"If there's one book that has taught me that what I do matters, it's the book of James." Beloved author and speaker Margaret Feinberg has been teaching the Bible for over 25 years. In her newest Bible study (video streaming included), she leads you through this treasure trove of wisdom and timely teaching.
Join Margaret in a joy-filled, fresh study of the book of the Bible that sounds more like Jesus than any other letter in the New Testament. You'll discover the genuine markers of true faith, develop new practices of spiritual maturity, and discover how much the Father of heavenly lights treasures you.
Raise Right Anytime, Anywhere
Have you tried the Raise Right app on your phone yet? When you use the Raise Right phone app, you can buy gift cards and track gift card balances right at your fingertips. Using Raise Right gift cards for everyday purchases can make a big impact on raising funds for the mission and ministry of Stone UMC. Since launching Raise Right, we've already received hundreds of dollars in earnings from the program -- and we are just beginning! Imagine what we can do together! If you haven't checked it out yet, visit www.raiseright.com to learn more...be part of the Stone UMC team by enrolling in the program with our Enrollment Code: R2JAWC962GJA
Bake Sale - October 6, 2024
Thank you to everyone who brought delicious baked goods or took home goodies at our September bake sale - we raised $344! We still need $175 to reach our goal - our next bake sale will be held Sunday, October 6th. Any additional proceeds will be used to cover the costs of permit fees and candy for our Trunk or Treat event on Oct. 31.
Rev. Dr. Sang Choi Appointed Erie-Meadville District Superintendent
Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi appointed the Kane District Superintendent Rev. Dr. Sang Choi will be the new DS for the Erie-Meadville District, effective July 1, 2024.
Rev. Choi brings a number of gifts to the Erie-Meadville District including effective leadership experience in rural and suburban churches and in starting a new congregation. Rev. Choi earned a Doctor of Ministry in Church Servant Leadership from Wesley Theological Seminary and a Masters level degree in Pastoral Care and Pastoral Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary. He is a graduate of Seoul Methodist Theological University in South Korea and earned his Master of Divinity degree from Drew Theological School University in New Jersey. He has completed the United Methodist Foundation's Pastors Academy for Stewardship and completed Clinical Pastoral Education at Overlook Hospital in Chatham, New Jersey.
Rev. Choi has an evangelical spirit. He first experienced a call to ministry during his childhood living in a parsonage, but after immigrating to the U.S., he was "struck by grace" during a retreat similar to the Walk to Emmaus. He experienced what John Wesley called enlightening of divine grace. He has a deep commitment to the spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting, and discernment.
Rev. Choi is deeply relational. He is clear about his personal convictions and has demonstrated an ability to work with people with many different perspectives and from many different cultures. He served a brief time in overseas mission experiences with indigenous tribes in Canada and Peru.
In 2001, Rev. Choi was commissioned by the General Board of Global Ministries and appointed to the Pittsburgh District to launch a new Korean congregation, which met at Mt. Lebanon UMC. He served there for five years before being appointed to serve Houston and Bentleyville UMCs. He then served at Erie First UMC from 2013-2015, when he began serving in his appointment at Christ UMC in North Huntingdon.
Before coming to Western Pennsylvania, Rev. Choi served churches in the New York and the Detroit conferences, so he is no stranger to cold weather and snow. He also brings with him a spirit of joy. One of his favorite Bible verses is 1 Thessalonians 5:16 which reads, Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus.
Handbell Choir
Bell choir has resumed their weekly Monday night practice sessions. Are you interested in trying out the handbells? Join them at 6:30pm in the music room or talk to Director Jim Ross. (814-724-6736 or music@stoneumc.org)
Safe Sanctuaries - Protecting Children and Volunteers
Creating a safe, loving environment is one of the foundations of what we do as God's people. Developing an atmosphere that protects our children is critical. We, as Christians, must be diligent about this task. Come learn about what clearances you need to volunteer for church activities with children and vulnerable adults - how to get them and what our church guidelines are for keeping everyone safe during church activities.
Pastor Kendra will lead our next Safe Sanctuaries class in Miller Parlor on Monday, September 23rd at 6 pm. ALL VOLUNTEERS who assist with child/youth activities at Stone UMC are required to complete this course every two years.
Out & About with Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball
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The Western PA Conference is pleased to announce that Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball will embark on a tour of the districts in the WPA Conference, beginning next month.
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Erie-Meadville District - October 30 CLERGY Worship & Light Lunch Erie-Meadville Area Ministries Visit LAITY Dialogue & Light Snacks
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