Stone Church of the Brethren BULK RATE

1623 Moore Street NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

Huntingdon, PA 16652 U.S. POSTAGE

www.huntingdonstonechurch.org PERMIT NO. 116 814-643-3390 stonechurch@verizon.net

Or Current Occupant

Stone Church News

AugusT, 2013

Fall Hours Begin— August 11 Camp Blue Diamond Sunday

10:45am Worship

Stone Church News August 2013

Stone Church

Camp Blue Diamond

Worship and Picnic

Sunday, August 11, 2013—10:45 am (Note the time of worship returns to Fall worship schedule.)

All are invited to come to worship in this beautiful outdoor setting.

Please bring:

Family & friends

A dish (or two) to share for the potluck following worship

Table service for you and anyone coming with you

Lawn chairs The Hospitality Team will provide drinks.

We will eat under the Pavilion.

Dress is casual and swimming in the lake will be available following the meal.

Please call the church office (643-3390) for directions or transportation. It is possible to drive close to the pavilion to drop off passengers and/or food.

Lauren Seganos to be Licensed August 25

During the Stone Church worship service on August 25, Lauren Seganos will be licensed to the ministry. At the congregational forum on July 18, members strongly affirmed her call.

Lauren has recently been taking classes at Bethany Seminary through the “Connections” program, and will enter Andover Newton Theological School in Newton, MA

(right outside of Boston) this fall. Check out her blog at: http://agapelatte.wordpress.com/

On August 18, Lauren will be preaching at Stone Church, sharing some of her own journey and telling about the work she has been doing these last two years at Juniata College, serving

as an AmeriCorp Member, coordinating a program called, “Planting Seeds.” A “Lisa Lunch” will also be held that day which is a wonderful way to celebrate!

Church of the Brethren Annual Conference 2013 Charlotte, North Carolina—June 29-July 3, 2013 Conference Report—Andy Murray, Delegate for Stone Church

More than 2500 Brethren gathered in Charlotte, North Carolina to participate in the 227th Recorded Annual Conference of their Church. It is sobering to think that conference is older than at least 90% of the countries of the world. The first recorded conference was the same year that the US Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation to create the new US government and conference has seen the coming and going of several empires including the Third Reich and the Soviet Union.

On the face of it, it is a curious exercise. Once a year a group of people with mostly a rural background gather to discuss religious, social and political issues of considerable gravity. The discussions are set in motion by questions that are asked by local congregations, or even local congregants. These questions must work their way through district conferences and standing committee before they can become conference business. Is the Bible the inerrant, authoritative guide for our church? What is the position of the Church on climate change and how can we live more responsibly with our natural world? What does the Church say about using drones to remotely kill people that we deem a threat to our security?

Those possessing sufficient, surface sophistication could easily be waggish about such an exercise. The world is not holding its breath to see what the Brethren say about drones – or about the Bible, for that matter. I must confess that such thoughts have crossed my mind more than once. But, when I am in ‘the body’ – 721 delegates this year – I am deeply moved to see how many people have set aside time (vacation time, in many cases) and money to leave the comforts and predictability of local congregations to come to the big city and consider the intersection of faith with social and civil life. And, I say a prayer of thanksgiving that I am part of a faith community that asks me, perhaps compels me, to think about drones. I am also reminded that this group of farmers, teachers, preachers and physicians has, in some instances, had influence far beyond its meager numbers and nearly non-existent wealth. The right to refuse to kill as a matter of conscience; the Peace Corps; Church World Service; Heifer Project International, might be sited as examples.

This year, the business of the conference was tamped into two days. This was done to allow more time for spiritual renewal. We had Friday night, Saturday and Sunday dedicated to singing, praying and preaching before we began business on Monday morning. For some, probably most, this was a welcome change from the intense and sometimes painful attention given to the “business” of the church. For me, I am not so

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Church of the Brethren Annual Conference 2013

(continued) sure. I do not make such a clear distinction between business and worship and sometimes feel more of a spiritual lift from having my mind opened by a floor speech from some sister or brother than from the most skillful oratory of some visiting preacher. I found the tightly managed, compressed schedule for the agenda to be a bit hurried. This resulted, I think, in pushing some tough issues off to Conference next year. So it goes.

As for the three questions we noted before: The Primacy of the Bible – Conference gave an adequate answer in 1979. http://www.brethren.org/ac/statements/1979biblicalinspirationauthority.html Drones – We are against them. http://www.brethren.org/news/2013/brethren-board-issues-resolution-against- drones.html Climate Change – Will decide next year.

Highlights for me: The Piano playing Shawn Kirchner’s session on music as prayer Changing my mind about representation on the Mission and Ministry Board Recognizing the Church of the Brethren in Brazil and Spain

A typical Conference vignette that explains why I missed what would have been another highlight for me: After evening worship I was hurrying to the Senior High Activities meeting to see David and Virginia Meadows lead the session in an evening of music. Moving across the main floor lobby I was stopped by an old friend from California. His father was my ‘boss’ when I was a pastor in Oregon and then moved to become the pastor of the church that I grew up in at Cloverdale, Virginia. His son had dated my daughter and had coached volleyball teams that have both beaten and lost to Juniata teams in national playoffs. We have been seeing each other and catching up at conferences for at least forty years. We were soon joined by a close mutual friend who is currently the pastor of the church that I served in Oregon. You see how this works? I could not politely extricate myself. My apologies to David and Virginia. I know it was great.

“Move in our Midst” 227th Recorded Church of the Brethren Annual Conference, Charlotte, NC

Conference Report—Kim Witkovsky, Delegate for Stone Church

Every summer I look forward to attending Annual Conference (except for the years that it is at a

distance such that one would have to fly – most of you know my dislike of that form of transportation).

My participation in Annual Conference (A.C.) this year turned out to be a little different than what I

had expected. My original plan was to be as involved as possible by choosing which events to attend -

some business and insight sessions, a few special meals with speakers and to visit most of the displays

and booths within a relaxed and flexible schedule.

Prior to A.C., I was able to attend the Middle PA District Annual Conference briefing at the Roaring

Spring 1st church in May which is always a very informative and interesting event. I especially wanted

to attend this particular session because I knew the Moderator, Bob Krouse, was going to be present

and I was curious how he would serve in such a leadership position within the denomination. I was not

a stranger to Bob – my first encounter with him was several years ago when I took an intensive TRiM

class at Bethany Seminary on Church Planting.

2 weeks prior to A.C., I received a call from the Stone Church Gifts Discernment Team asking if I would

consider serving as an alternate delegate in place of Brooke Meadows who was not able to attend due

to family events. I was honored to be asked and readily accepted, knowing that serving in the role of

delegate would certainly change my initial expectations of my experience at Annual Conference

because I have served as a delegate in the past. I did not attend A.C. last year but heard many positive

comments on the seating arrangement of the delegates at round tables. This year I was able to

experience it first hand and I believe it created a wonderful arena for connecting persons from across

the denomination in a new way. I appreciated the opportunity to discuss some of the business items

amongst ourselves – it helped us to process items out loud and articulate our thoughts and feelings.

Throughout the week, there were many situations and experiences that I felt God “Move in Our Midst”

from worship services to special workshops on Sunday which was a day without business set aside for

spiritual renewal. It was a gift to have our own Terry Murray at the piano throughout conference,

sharing her musical gifts and talents with the entire denomination. It was certainly a joy to celebrate

with our pastors and others from Stone Church as we were recognized and received the Open Roof

award. Of course I had to support SERRV and Brethren Press with my purchases. It was good, as

always, to see old friends and to catch up with where they are in their ministry journey. I attended a

variety of special meals such as the Juniata College luncheon, the Clergy Women’s breakfast and the

MESSENGER dinner just to name a few, and am grateful for the opportunities to learn and grow

through the information and resources provided.

I am looking forward to sharing more about our Annual Conference experiences during a Stone Church

worship service. Thank you again for inviting me to serve in such a meaningful and humbling role of

A.C. delegate.

Open Roof Award

Stone church of the Brethren

Presented on June 29, 2013

In Mark 2:3-4, we find the story of people breaking through a roof to bring a paralyzed man to Jesus. This

powerful biblical story became the inspiration for the creation of the Open Roof Award in 2004. It was established

to recognize a congregation or district in the Church of the Brethren that made great strides in its attempt to

serve, as well as be served by, people with disabilities.

This year, along with three other congregations, Stone Church of the Brethren was awarded the Open Roof Award

during the Mission and Ministry Board at Annual Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. The citation for the

award follows:

Our next recipient began their application this way:

Our congregation adopted a Welcoming Statement in January 2012, committing to “recognize the

uniqueness of every individual as God’s beloved child” and “welcome all, regardless of… physical or

mental ability…”

This congregation completed their renovation project in 2009 but, as with all major construction projects,

the planning began much earlier. When the planning groups defined the desired outcomes of a large

renovation project, one of the clear goals that emerged was their deep desire to make the building

accessible, especially for persons with walkers and in wheel chairs. The resulting project involved making

all but one of the outside doors into the building accessible. All bathrooms were gutted and made ADA

compliant. A lift was installed from the fellowship hall level to the sanctuary level of the building. A new

sound system was installed in the sanctuary with hearing enhancement devices available. New lighting in

the sanctuary has aided in the ability of persons to see the printed bulletins and hymnals more easily.

Lighting sensors were installed in a number of areas, including the bathrooms, not only to save

electricity, but to facilitate persons entering spaces more easily.

One of the great benefits of the new sound system was the ability to record services on CDs, making the

worship service accessible to not only those who are home bound, but also for those not able to be

present on a particular Sunday morning.

The following is a quote from the application: “Since the completion of the renovations in 2009, we have

seen the value and blessing of what these renovations have done for not only members and friends of

Stone Church, but also for anyone who comes to use our building. In many ways, words do not describe

the impact this has had on our self-image and awareness of being sensitive to those who are dealing with

accessibility issues.

Many would say that tackling this renovation project amidst one of the worst economic downturns since

the great depression was indeed a step of faith. We felt led to proceed because it was just the right thing

to do and now we are reaping the blessings every time the building is used.”

We congratulate this congregation for seeing the right thing to do, and having the faith to see it through

to completion.

Check out the Open Roof Award website with more info and pictures of Stone Church representatives at:

http://www.brethren.org/news/2013/four-congregations-receive-open-roof-award.html

To Stone Church,

This is a huge thank you for your hospitality and generosity to the Planting Seeds program

at Juniata. The use of your kitchen for our interfaith baking nights was paramount to our opportunities for interfaith dialogue and learning.

Many blessings, Lauren Seganos & The Planting Seeds Program

We Remember… Dennis ‘Denny’ Francis Whalen September 15, 1927 – June 28, 2013

A celebration of Life Memorial Service was held at Stone Church of the Brethren on July 5, 2013. Pastors Dale and Christy Dowdy officiated at the service.

Denny Francis Whalen was born on September 13, 1927 in Bellevue, Ohio, son of Joseph M. Whalen and Peal “Ida” Irene (Koch) Welch. Three months after his birth, his father was tragically killed in a railroad accident. At the age of 18, he committed his life to Christ at a Sunday Evening Church Service that a friend had invited him to attend. In 1945, Denny graduated from Bellevue High School and entered the service, serving in the United States navy as a yeoman second class for 3 years until September 14, 1948. Melva Jackson became his wife on December 31, 1949, with her father, the Rev. Dr. William T. Jackson officiating at the wedding in New Cumberland. Three sons were born to Denny and Melva: Chris, born in 1951, Michael, born in 1955, and Eric, in 1962. Eric and Chris preceded Denny in death.

Denny was an active member of the Stone Church of the Brethren, where he served in many capacities including Deacon. He had a passionate vision that the church would always be a welcoming place for all people, where all opinions would be respected. And at the center of his life, he always asked the question: What would Christ do? And how do we speak the truth in love? We will miss his amazing quest for learning and growing in his faith!

Thank You

Messenger Musings Mission Still Matters—And Mail Is Important

Rosalita Leonard and I graduated from Juniata College in 1966. We shared none of the same

classes—“Rosie” was a math major and I was learning my way around the English Department—but

both of us were earning some money by working in the library. During our freshman year we worked

in the Carnegie library building, which now houses an art museum.

I was usually either down in the depths of the old building, shelving old issues of magazines, or

upstairs in the Pennsylvania Room, where I shared space with someone’s idea of what Huntingdon’s

“Standing Stone” looked like. I don’t remember exactly where Rosalita worked, but her cheerful

personality and ready laugh made her easy to locate. The next year found us in the newly erected

Beeghley Library. I had the job of checking in and shelving magazines, which, happily, included

locating newspapers for both George Dolnikowski and Earl Dubbel. (They usually wanted The New

York Times, often at the same time!) Rosalita was usually maneuvering a loaded book truck into the

freight elevator. Both of us did a variety of jobs over the next three years.

Upon graduation, Rosalita went off to Nigeria to teach math at the Waka Schools. We wrote back and

forth. After all this time, I still remember the letter in which she wrote that they had not received any

mail for some time. Why? The postman had been murdered on his rounds. Okay, I’ve got to ask! Can

any of you say that about your mailman/mailperson? We complain about junk mail, but still we enjoy

having something to pull out of our mailbox. At least I do! It may end up in the recycling bag, but its

final destination is my choice.

Nigeria was experiencing bad times then. Now in 2013, the faithful members of EYN-the Church of

the Brethren in Nigeria are suffering once again. The July/August issue of Messenger includes a story

about Carol Smith, who has taught mathematics at four schools there, including Waka. Now she

wants to work in a Montessori preschool. “I would like to see a nation where people cooperate

together for the good of all,” she told the interviewer. “Don’t give up. It is truly amazing what

problems can be solved with simple persistence.” Be sure to read the entire interview on page 16—

oh, you don’t get Messenger? Not to worry! Find someone who does, and then be sure to check with

Diahann about subscribing.

----- Alberta Haught Goshorn

Did you know?

Messenger is now available in digital format—it even has a study guide for use by adult classes and small groups. Digital Messenger is free for the magazine subscribers and does not replace the printed edition. It is in full color and the website is easy to navigate. It has a text enlargement option and one-click access to online resources that are mentioned in the articles, videos and music. Find it here: www.brethren.org/messenger

Stone Church to host District Conference—Stone Church has been asked to host the Middle PA District Conference on the first weekend of October. A Pastor’s educational event will be held during the day on Friday in the building, and worship will begin on Friday evening, October 4 at 6:45 pm. Saturday, October 5 will be filled with reports and agenda. All are invited, and volunteers will be needed to offer hospitality during the meeting times.

If you would like to place flowers on the worship center on a Sunday in memory or in honor of someone, a sign-up sheet is available on the bulletin board by the church office. There is also a sign-up sheet for dedicating the Sunday bulletins as ($25). These are

both gifts which are greatly appreciated.

Grocery Gift Cards—Every card helps our church! Purchase a Stone Church Grocery Gift Card on Sundays at the back of the sanctuary or in the church office. Coordinators, Barb Purdy and Cheryl Ritchey, have challenged everyone to purchase a card one week out of every month.

Church Mortgage & Finance Update

As is typical for summer months, we are challenged with cash flow due to vacations. As you plan your travels, please remember to arrange for your regular gifts to Stone Church.

To keep you updated on the current status of the church mortgage, we will regularly include information in the newsletter.

Current mortgage balance: $115,037.12 Monthly payment amount: $1,473.85 Outstanding Renovation Pledges yet to be paid: $22,850.33

To date we have been blessed with enough funds to make monthly payments and to pay down the mortgage balance a bit. If you have an outstanding pledge balance that you need to discuss, please contact Linda Carpenter. We are deeply appreciative of the generosity of members and friends of Stone Church.

Blessings, Stone Church Finance Team

Brethren Open Golf Tournament – August 13 Last call for the Brethren Open! Bring your friends and enjoy a great day of golf while helping to raise funds for Middle PA District and Camp Blue Diamond. Sign-in at Iron Masters Country Club is from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm for a 1:00 pm start. Cost is $75 per golfer, which includes a banquet at 6:00 p.m. The registration deadline is August 1.

Heritage Fair – September 28, 2013 Mark your calendar and make plans to head out to Camp for this long-time tradition. Highlights include delicious homemade foods, crafts, children’s activities, auctions, live entertainment and the Brethren Heritage Center. Volunteer parkers are needed. If you’re willing to help, please see the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board outside the church office.

CBD Volunteer Network It takes time and hard work to maintain Camp’s nearly 50 structures and 200+ acres. Thus, once again the staff and board of directors have been compiling a network of volunteers to offer skilled labor and general maintenance on Wednesdays during Spring, Summer and Fall. If you would enjoy serving in this way, whether regularly or a couple times per season, please e-mail Camp at campbluediamond@verizon.net or call 814-667-2355.

Have questions or need a brochure? Contact your Camp Representative, David Meadows, at 814-599-6017 or meadowd@juniata.edu. Brochures are available at the back of the sanctuary and in the conference room.

Men’s Breakfast—August 10 at 8am

FOOD PANTRY August’s Food Pantry items of the month are canned vegetables- but other items may be brought to help alleviate hunger in our community. Sunday, August 18, is Food Pantry Sunday- the children will come around with a wagon to collect your gifts during Children’s Circle Time of the worship service, as they do every third Sunday of the month. You may also drop off your items in the food pantry wagon located outside the sanctuary organ door at any time. The Food Pantry would also welcome monetary donations—please make your checks out to the Huntingdon Area Food Bank.

Lunch With Lisa Sunday, August 25, following worship and the licensing of Lauren Seganos.

Plan to reserve your place by calling or emailing the church office by August 22 to enjoy a great meal and fellowship.

Bottled Water Blues

Did you know…?

Consumption of water from single-use bottles has quadrupled over the past 20 years; sales of bottled water

grew nearly 7 percent between 2011 and 2012, with consumption reaching a staggering 30.8 gallons per

person on average.

Nearly half of bottled water is bottled tap water.

Bottled water is no safer than regular tap water (assuming that all relevant regulations are being followed);

in fact, municipal tap water is required to meet more stringent standards than bottled water.

Bottling companies often strain groundwater supplies by withdrawing large quantities of water that local

residents depend on.

Nearly one quarter of bottled water crosses national borders before reaching consumers.

Manufacturing the 29 billion plastic bottles used for water in the US each year emits toxins and requires the

equivalent of more than 17 million barrels of crude oil.

Taking into account the energy used for pumping, processing, transporting and refrigerating brings the

annual fossil-fuel footprint of bottled water consumption in the US to the equivalent of over 50 million

barrels of oil; this is enough to run 3 million cars for one year and adds more than 23 million tons of carbon

dioxide to the atmosphere, contributing to global climate change.

Only about 30% of single-use plastic water bottles are recycled; the other 70% end up in landfills, in

incinerators, along the roadside or in waterways.

As bottled water consumption has increased, public drinking fountains have become harder to find and less

likely to be maintained.

The growing popularity of bottled water has exacerbated a more general trend toward underinvestment in

public water systems worldwide.

World Bank funding of corporate water-privatization projects in developing nations is undermining low-

income citizens’ access to safe, affordable water.

Looking for a better way?

Refillable plastic or stainless-steel water bottles may be purchased inexpensively; if choosing plastic, be

sure it’s free of bisphenol A (BPA-free).

If the taste of tap water is a problem, inexpensive filters may be attached to home faucets or used with

pitchers to improve the taste of tap water.

Sources: Earth911.com, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1138, foodandwaterwatch.org, www.earthpolicy.org, www.stopcorporateabuse.org, http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-204_162-10005070-11.html, http://scienceblogs.com/significantfigures/index.php/2013/04/25/bottled-water-sales-the-shocking-reality/

Mark your calendar… TomatoFest 2013

Saturday, August 31, beginning at 8:30 am in the church kitchen. A communal canning/service event—watch bulletins for more info…

Youth News

Thursday, August 8, 5:30-8 pm

Wildriver Waterpark at Lake Raystown Resort

For Youth Grades 6-12

(All youth must be accompanied by an adult.)

$12 Blast Pass (Slides & Mini-Golf)

$6 Mini-Golf Only

Meet near Pavilion #4 at 5:30 pm for registration & devotions. Snack bar will

remain open for limited food items.

***Stone Church participants can meet at Stone Church at 4:30 on the August 8th

to car pool to Raystown Resort.

_________________________________

National Junior High Conference was held June 14—16, 2012 in

Elizabethtown, PA

Attending from Stone Church: Grace Cook-Huffman, Sabin Fisher, Leah Lashlee,

Chloe Soliday, Meredith Widman, and Richard Widman, Pam Grugan, Dave and Kim

Witkovsky.

Here are some of the comments from the youth about their experience:

“ …. It was a joy to spend a weekend of quality time with my friends, and

figure out what colleges we want to go to.”

My favorite speaker of the weekend was: “Andy Murray” “Jennifer Q”

“The best part of the weekend for me was singing with a large group of people

and having fun while singing.”

“A very nice lady named Jennifer told me that dance could be a way to

express your connection with God during my dance workshop.”

“We had so much fun!”

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED WITH THE GARAGE SALE!!!!

Now Available! The new cookbook is in the series of Inglenook cookbooks considered a cherished tradition of Brethren, passed from generation to generation. Recipes for the new cookbook have been submitted by many Brethren from across the country, and have been tested in Brethren kitchens across America. They have been selected for value, excellence, and simplicity.

The success of the Inglenook series “was its appeal to common people--those who embody the principles of simple living and value wholesome food,” Lennard reports. “Now, more than a century after the first ‘Inglenook Cookbook,’ Brethren Press has followed in that same tradition by publishing ‘The New Inglenook Cookbook.’ Together we have created a cookbook for a new generation, one that represents the tables of those

who choose to live simply. Our hope is that this cookbook will bring Brethren together in a way this age of technology can’t: through food.”

The new cookbook includes over 350 recipes as well as other pieces of “wit and wisdom” including meal blessings, memories, and more. Pick up your copy today in the church office for $23. www.brethren.org

August Birthdays and Anniversaries

August Birthdays 13—John Galbraith 24—Dale Dowdy

1—Terry Fultz 13—Fiona McBrayer 24—Jordan Soliday

1—Luke Roth 15—Mark Dowdy 24—Erica Hayden

2—Sharon Yohn 15—Jean Kifer 25—Jim Bookhamer III

2—Lori Schouppe-Wright 15—Roxann Yon 25—Sarah Dowdy

4—Halen Beck 17—Robert Ghaner 25—Morgan Knepp

5—Jeremy Santos 19—Luke Fultz 26—Dorothy Longenecker

5—Clay Pheasant 20—Dale Miller 26—Emily Yohn

6—Gina Perrin 20—Raymond Pembrooke 27—Joyce Bowser

8—Nina Meadows 20—Dick Landrum 28—David Meadows

8—Owen Worley 20—Dottie Hershberger 30—Aylee Pheasant

9—Liz Beatty 22—Otto Krugh 31—Bob Wagoner

12—Sara Jean Brown 23—Andrew Murdock 31—Andrew Deike

August Anniversaries

2—Peggy & Randy Yoder 15—Maylin & Bill Musser

4—Laura & Bob McMinn 16—Alberta & Gene Goshorn

5—Margy & Dale Miller 16—Kim & Luke Roth

7—Judy & Clayton Pheasant 20—Linda & Tom Carpenter

8—Tan & John Hille 21—Sharon & Jim Bookhamer

9—Barb & Paul Anderson 23—Celia & Dan Cook-Huffman

9—Sue & Bill Martin 25—Anita & Doug Soliday

10—Christy & Dale Dowdy 29—Shelly & Jim Rivello

11—Jerri & Dean Wenger 30—Joyce & John Bowser

12—Dottie & Rex Hershberger 31—DeLois & Fred Fluke