Stone Church News April 2012

Sunrise Service Easter—April 8, 6:30am

JC Peace Chapel

Stone Church of the Brethren BULK RATE

1623 Moore Street NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

Huntingdon, PA 16652 U.S. POSTAGE

PERMIT NO. 116 Phone: 814-643-3390

Email: stonechurch@verizon.net

Or Current Occupant

Stone Church News April 2012

HOLY WEEK AT STONE CHURCH

Palm Sunday April 1 – 10:45 am

Join in this service of celebration and remembrance as the children in the congregation lead in a Procession of Palms. The Chancel Choir will share an “Antiphonal Hosanna” as a choral call to worship and will sing the anthem, “Jesus Shall Reign.” Pastor Dale Dowdy will share the morning message from Mark 11, which is the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Everyone is invited to the pancake brunch following worship. (Details about pancake brunch on next page.)

Love Feast Maundy Thursday evening, April 5 – 6:30 pm

—An evening of remembrance and reflection— Sharing in community, all are invited to gather at tables in the Fellowship Hall. Come for worship, for eating a simple soup meal together, and sharing in Feet Washing and Bread and Cup Communion. As we read John 13, we hear again the story of Jesus sharing his last supper with his disciples. In that room, just prior to his death, the disciples had their feet washed by their Lord and teacher and they reflected upon the meaning for their lives. Through many years, the Brethren have gathered to do the same. How does Jesus’ last supper challenge us today to be engaged in our community and our world? Come and be part of this important night in the life of the Stone Church Community of Faith.

Children are welcome, and childcare is provided. Simply call (643-3390) or e-mail (stonechurch@verizon.net) the church office by Wednesday, April 4, to let us know your children will be attending.

Good Friday April 6 – Noon to 3 pm

The tradition continues as the Huntingdon Area Forum of Churches invites the community to the Good Friday procession of services. The first service begins at Abbey Reformed United Church of Christ and then will move in succession through the downtown churches. Pastor Christy Dowdy

will deliver the message at St. James Lutheran Church, which is will be 12:25 pm. This will be the second stop along the Good Friday procession. The services will conclude at St. John’s

Episcopal Church at 2:35 pm. A flyer can be found on the bulletin board with the location and speaker for each of the services. Persons may participate in all seven of the services or feel free to

select a service or services in order to meet personal needs.

Easter Sunday, April 8

Sunrise Service – 6:30 am

Everyone is invited to the beautiful outdoor setting for the Easter Sunrise Service. The Peace Chapel is a wonderful setting for this meaningful time of celebration and reflection. This worship service is coordinated by Stone Church and offered by the Huntingdon Area Forum of Churches. Hot drinks and hot cross buns will be served. In case of inclement weather, the service will be held in the Stone Church sanctuary. (To get to the Peace Chapel, go out Warm Springs Avenue and turn off at Peace Chapel Road. For those unable to walk up the hill, a van will transport persons up to the site of the Sunrise Service.)

Easter Worship at Stone Church10:45 am

Plan to celebrate this special day at Stone Church as we remember the resurrection story in word and music. Pastor Christy Dowdy will preach the morning message. The service will conclude with the singing of the “Hallelujah” from Handel’s Messiah as persons from the congregation will be invited to join the choir in singing this traditional conclusion to our Easter worship. You are encouraged to invite friends and family to join in this worship celebration.

Palm Sunday Brunch

April 1, 2012—Following Worship

Join the fellowship for a festive pancake and sausage brunch following worship

on Palm Sunday. Bill Peters, head chef and organizer, has been gathering men

and youth from the congregation to help with this annual feast. Plan now to be a

part of this great Stone Church event! Bill could still use help with everything

from early morning sausage cooking to washing dishes following the brunch, so

see him if you are able to help.

SPOTLIGHT …BARB HAWN

NEW FEATURE: Each month a different person, team or item will appear in our "SPOTLIGHT" section. The purpose of this feature is to provide enlightenment and to get a glimpse into various aspects of our church community.

Person of interest: Barb Hawn Job Title: Custodian Employment: February 21 - Present Supervised by: Church Property Team and the Pastors of the congregation Approximate number of work hours per week: 6

One sentence job description: My job entails cleaning and basic maintenance of the church. I also prepare rooms for various church functions.

Toughest part of job: I always worry that things are not done/prepared for upcoming events.

Best part of job: I love cleaning and knowing when I leave each day that I have done my job so others can enjoy the environment.

We welcome Barb and are thankful for her work on behalf of Stone Church.

Resignation of Troy and Lisa Rudy After being hired as custodians at Stone Church since August of 2010, Troy and Lisa Rudy submitted a letter of resignation effective on January 31, 2012. In that letter they said Troy had been awarded full-time employment as a 911 Supervisor with Blair County and Lisa was returning to full-time employment with the Shoe Department in Huntingdon. With the new roles and hours they felt they would have little or no time to complete their duties at the church. They went on to say, “We have enjoyed our time at the Stone Church and the people within.”

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 for the next year.

District Women’s Spring Retreat—April 13-14 Walking by Faith - The "Rhythm" of Your Soul

Sarah Baile Steele, member of Memorial COB, brings her background in music to the weekend retreat this April. She will explore a variety of musical genres and how they 'speak' to us, allowing us to be open to who we are and how we walk in and by faith as we work together to serve our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Sarah currently serves on the District P&AC for Middle PA, has served on the Annual Conference P&AC and has directed and served as Music Coordinator for Annual Conference in previous years. She holds a degree in Music Education as well as many years of experience in church music, choral direction and handbell choirs.

She is married to David Steele (District Executive Minister) and they have two daughters, Abby, a sophomore at Elizabethtown College and Aubrey, 16.

PARTICIPANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO BRING—the Church of the Brethren Blue Hymnal: A Worship Book (if one is available), a Bible, a journal, a friend and a willing heart!

REGISTRATION due by April 5. $36 fee payable to Middle PA District—mail to Janet Kipe at 147 River Front Drive, Williamsburg, PA 16693, 814/ 832-2309.

Men’s Retreat Saturday, April 21

A men’s retreat is being planned for Saturday, April 21 at the vacation home of

Nathan and Sue Lashlee in Hartslog Valley. A committee has been formed to

work out some of the details, but at this point the plan is to gather for

breakfast with a time of discussion and reflection in the morning. Then we will

prepare lunch together and conclude with a sending forth time. If you have

interest or questions, please see Pastor Dale Dowdy.

TAIZE WORSHIP There is one more opportunity this season to participate in a Taize service— April 29, at 6 pm. Anyone interested in experiencing this again or for the first time is most welcome. It is an opportunity to worship quietly, reflectively, scripturally, and prayerfully in the context of simple and beautiful music. Please consider...

Older Adult Ministries at Stone Church Stone Church is in the process of growing a ministry with, by and for older adults. An Older Adult Ministries (OAM) Team—Howard Crouch, Jim Dodson, and Joanne Krugh, has been called by volunteer OAM Ministry coordinator, Kim Witkovsky to guide, direct, support and implement this ministry at Stone Church. The first official event on February 16 – Live and Learn – was well attended in spite of bad weather; we are grateful for all who attended as well as for those folks who assisted in making this special time together successful and enjoyable. If you have any ideas, feedback, concerns or desires regarding OAM, please contact one of the team members. Beginning the week after Easter, it is hoped the following opportunities for spiritual growth, education and fellowship will be implemented:

Bible, bag lunch and bring a friend (3 Bs)Tuesdays from 11:45 am to 12:45 pm—a time of bible study and reflection based on the Upper Room devotional

Regular visits together to the Senior Center to attend their Speakers Forum/noon meals

Bi-monthly “Live and Learn” events incorporating food, fellowship, devotions and a speaker regarding relevant topics for “mature audiences only”

Periodic service projects and recreational/educational community trips

Weekly “Conversations with Kim” through visits, phone calls, e-mails etc.

A 70th Wedding Anniversary! We recently received notice that Alva and Pauline (Landis)

Aukerman, who were married at Stone Church of the Brethren on April 4, 1942, will celebrate

their 70th Wedding Anniversary this year with their children and family. Alva started her faith

journey at Stone Church, attending Sunday School and worship with her grandmother, and being

baptized here April 1, 1934. She moved to Ohio following her marriage. We are happy learn of

this milestone, and encourage you to send cards to help them celebrate:

Alva and Pauline Aukerman

Brethren Retirement Community

750 Chestnut Street, Rm 228

Greenville, OH 45331

Making a Difference: American Girl Clothes, made by

DeLois Fluke, were recently displayed along the Witness

Wall hallway and offered to anyone interested. $93.25

was received in donations, which is to be sent to the

African well project. Thank you, DeLois! There are items

still available in the church office. Those remaining will

be offered at the Heritage Fair in September.

the JV Re-Creation Project 2012 Powers Up Gambia—

one solar panel at a time… presented by the Juniata Valley High School Sustainability Club

Wednesday, April 4, 2012 in the Juniata College Brumbaugh Academic Center, 7:00 pm, Tickets $5

You’re invited to a creative performance presented by Juniata Valley High School students and

Juniata College students, working together to celebrate the arts and encourage environmentally sustainable

practices. The performance will highlight student re-creations in the form of sculpture, poetry, dance, film, vocals,

percussion, photography, story-telling, and fashion. All proceeds will be used to purchase solar panels for a

hospital in The Gambia, West Africa—a project supported by Juniata College students.

Empty Bowls Dinner

Empty Bowls Dinner - Please join us on Friday, April 13 from 5-7 p.m. at the Stone Church of the Brethren for Empty Bowls 2012! Tickets are only $10, which entitles you to a ceramic bowl filled with the soup of your choice. Many of the bowls are made and donated by members of the community such as Jack Troy, Bethany Benson, Jonathan Burns, Carolanne Currier, Jack Allee, Matt Wren, as well as local Girl Scouts and 4-H-ers!

All proceeds go directly to local food banks: Huntingdon Food Pantry, Mt. Union Food Pantry, Southern Huntingdon Food Bank, The Salvation Army Food Pantry. We hope you can join us; bring your family and friends to help fight hunger! Tickets will be on sale beginning March 27 at the information desk in the lobby of Ellis Hall on the Juniata College campus. Tickets will also be available at the door the evening of the dinner. For additional information or questions, please call 641-3362.

Event hosted by: Juniata College Arts Alliance, Catholic Council, Mud Junkies and PAX-O

OUR newest BVS’er, Laban Wenger: (Brethren Volunteer Service Worker) LABAN is now serving at CooperRiis, a Healing Community, in Western North Carolina which serves adults living with mental illness or emotional distress. Website: http://www.cooperRiis.org ... Laban’s Address: 101 Healing Farm Lane, Mill Spring, NC 28756

Summer Camp Reminders The deadline for early registration is May 1. Benefits include a $10 to $20 discount, and free group photo. Don’t forget that Stone Church pays half of the registration fee for children and youth from our congregation. Just pay half when completing your registration and Camp will contact the Church to request the other half.

Other Discounts Families sending more than one child to week-long camps are eligible for a $25 discount per child. Or, bring a friend or relative who has never been a CBD camper and you’ll save $25. See Camp brochure for details.

Quilt Camp – April 27-29 This retreat is for crafts of all types. Bring your quilt work, cross stitch, knitting, scrap booking, etc. and join the fun! Special classes will be offered for those wishing to learn a new quilt pattern. Cost is $75 for the weekend. Father/Son Retreat – May 4-5 This is a great time for Dad and sons (K-6) to share a weekend at Camp. More info will be available on the Church bulletin board.

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.

Camp Blue Diamond 2012 Summer Camp Schedule

Date Camp Grade

('11-'12 school year)

June 2 - 3 Kiddie Camp (New!) Age 5 & 6 + Parent

July 5 - 6 Kiddie Camp (Closed) Age 5 & 6 + Parent

July 5 - 6 Tenderfoot Camp Grades 1-2

July 1 - 4 Pioneer Camp Grades 2-4

June 17 - 22 Junior 1 Grades 3-5

July 22 - 27 Junior 2 Grades 3-5

July 22 - 27 Caventure Grades 6-8

July 15 - 20 Creative Arts Grades 5-8

July 8 - 13 Jr. High Grades 6-8

July 8 - 13 Jr. High Canoe (Closed) Grades 6-8

July 8 - 13 Wild OLS Camp (Closed) Grades 5-7

July 1 - 6 Yough Adventure Grades 7-9

June 24 - 30 Youth Camp Grades 8-12

June 17 - 22 Sr. High Canoe Grades 8-12

July 16 - 20 Bike Camp Grades 8-12, Adults

June 17 - 19 CIT Camp Grades 9-11

THANK YOU—

Dear Stone Church,

Thank you for allowing Boy Scout Troop 28 to use the kitchen for our annual vegetable soup sale.

We made 299 ¾ quarts! We appreciate your generosity. Logan Fultz

Troop Scribe

Dear Stone Church, On behalf of Juniata College’s Habitat for Humanity Global Village Project El Salvadore, I would like to thank you for allowing us to use the Stone Church for our Chicken ‘n Biscuit dinner, which raised over $200! Sincerely, Megan Russel

I would just like to thank our friends at Stone Church for the generous gifts of Love & Support during Sophie’s first year as well as the gifts of food for the food bank. We felt so blessed to have everyone share in her celebration. Your presence was gift enough and everything else was a bonus! So a huge heart-felt “Thank You!” to those who celebrated with us and to those who could not make it! We have definitely felt your love that day and so many other days! Love, Sophie & her family

Two Fantastic Opportunities—April 28

The Dunker Meetinghouse Antietam National Battlefield

Looking back 150 years at a peaceful witness amidst the bloodiest day of battle in American history

2nd Annual Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center Educational Fundraising Event

Saturday, April 28, 2012, 11:00 am — 4:00 pm

Lunch at Manor Church of the Brethren 18511 Manor Church Road in Boonsboro,

Maryland

Visit the Mumma Dunker Meetinghouse and the Antietam National Battlefield

Reflect in simple worship at the

Meetinghouse

Explore the new exhibit at the Visitor Center with an interpretive guide from the National

Park Service

Support the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center

the training program for Ministers in this region

Presenters include: John Frye, Local Historian and member of the Hagerstown Church and Jeff Bach, Director, Young Center at Elizabethtown College

Cost for the day including lunch: $30

per person

Cost of Event plus .25 CEUs:

$40

Deadline for Registration: Monday,

April 16, 2012

Register Early! Event is limited to

75 participants.

Questions? Contact us at:

Phone: 717-361-1450

E-mail: svmc@etown.edu

www.etown.edu/svmc

Address checks to SVMC:

Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center

One Alpha Drive

Elizabethtown, PA 17022

“Extending Care….In All Seasons”

A Deacon Training Event

Saturday, April 28, 2012 Co-Sponsored by: The Village at Morrisons Cove and Middle

Pennsylvania District Churches of the Brethren

Curtis Dubble, will share his wife, Anna Mary’s story and speak about end-of life decision making and the need for having and

communicating advance directives, the importance of developing a strong support system of caregivers, and how crucial a life of faith

and prayer is during difficult times. He is a wonderful, engaging speaker who brings a wealth of lifetime experiences as a pastor and

now an active member of the Lancaster Church of the Brethren in Lancaster, PA. The cost for this event is $5.00, which includes a

lunch.

Buck Season Opening May 1st

That’s right! Time again to bag some

Huntingdon Farmers’ Market Bucks!

No license required, just a commitment…

to eating more fresh, nutritious, locally-grown food

to support and strengthen the market, its environmentally-responsible farmers and our local economy

to help increase access to market produce for folks who otherwise couldn’t afford it What are Huntingdon Farmers’ Market Bucks? They’re “fake money” that can be used like cash at the Huntingdon Farmers’ Market. They come in $1 and $10 denominations. They’re sold at a 5% discount (i.e. $9.50 buys $10-worth of Market Bucks). How will the Market Bucks help folks otherwise unable to afford market produce? Donations may be made toward the purchase of Market Bucks for use by persons who get gov’t food assistance (i.e. SNAP benefits, formerly known as Food Stamps, now on EBT cards). When folks use their EBT cards at the market, they’ll receive $1 of “Bonus Bucks” (donated Market Bucks) for each $2 they spend. How can people buy Market Bucks and/or make donations to support the “Bonus Bucks” program? Market Bucks purchases and donations may be made using cash or check in May and June:

in the back of the sanctuary following worship on Sunday mornings (see Guen Porcelli)

at the Stone Church office Mon-Fri mornings (see Diahann)

at Boxers, Standing Stone Coffee Company and Curves (Huntingdon)

at the Farmers’ Market (in June only) – open Thursdays, noon-5 p.m., Portstown Park pavilion (across from Laney’s Feed Mill)

Other questions? Interested in helping out with the project? Please e-mail Laura White at laura.jamie@gmail.com (or call her at 814-251-4363 after May 30th). A component of the Stone Church Witness Team’s “Daily Bread Initiative,” the Market Bucks/ Bonus Bucks program is a cooperative project involving the Huntingdon Forum of Churches, area farmers, the Center for Community Action, the Salvation Army, St. Vincent dePaul Society, Huntingdon House, and Mary Alexander Outreach.

Interested in how much money various politicians have received from the fossil-fuel industry – and how they’ve voted on energy-related issues? Check out http://www.dirtyenergymoney.org/.

2012 Annual Conference July 7-11 in St. Louis, Missouri

Stone Church of the Brethren will be represented at the

2012 Annual Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, by

delegates Pam Grugan and Tinka Berger. Any one may

attend the conference, and “non-delegate” registration

and housing reservations are now available. (start date:

February 22) All Annual Conference events-worship,

business, meals, meeting rooms, and insight sessions

will be held in the America’s Center Convention

Complex in the heart of downtown St. Louis. For more

details on Annual Conference, visit

www.brethren.org/ac/.

“Continuing the Work of Jesus.

Peacefully. Simply. Together.”

The Huntingdon Area Habitat for Humanity Chapter is about to begin construction of two new

“green” houses in Mapleton, which will be super insulated to significantly reduce heating costs. Volunteers are needed to help build. Anyone interested in helping is asked to contact John Bittikofer (puppiesrus2@verizon.net or 814-644-6993) who will keep folks updated on the building schedule, expertise needed and other pertinent information. We have a family partner identified for the 1st house but are looking for potential partners for the 2nd house. If you, or someone you know, are interested in applying for consideration, contact Jake Ayers at huntingdonhabitat@yahoo.com or 814-386-7265—he can explain the qualification requirements and facilitate the application. A 2nd partner must be chosen soon, as they must accrue sweat equity hours by working on a previous house. Habitat houses are not free; partners assume the mortgage for their house at no interest once construction is finished.

American Red Cross Local Blood Drives

Wednesday, April 11

Huntingdon Wal-Mart

10 am -- 3 pm

6716 Town Center Blvd

Huntingdon

Friday, April 1

Juniata College- Ellis Hall

12 am – 6 pm

1700 Moore Street

Huntingdon

April Birthdays

1—Margaret Fisher 12—Kelly Zanylo 21—Wilfred Norris

1—Sandra Hancock 12—Lucas Montoro 22—Dean Wenger

2—Debra Garman 13—Brenda Furry 22—Sara May White

3—Pamela Adams 13—Diane Shingler 24—John Swigart, Jr.

5—Emma Janelle Musser 13—Meghan Wright 26—Martha Swigart

6—Joanne Krugh 13—Olivia Ghaner 27—Eddie Rice

7—James Ake 14—Betty Ann Cherry 27—Ruth Heaton

8—Chris Baker-Shuck 14—Katherine Frandsen 28—Anthony Rivello

8—Micah Dowdy 19—Carolyn Lidston 29—Samantha Montoro

11—Charles Hamburg 21—Abigail Biddle 30—John Keiper

April Anniversaries

1—Joan & Stephen Engle 15—Sylvia & Tom McDowell

1—Yvonne & Bob McKenzie 16—Donna & Kenneth Evans

5—Sarah & Donald Braxton 29—Jennifer & Todd Newman

10— Pam Kavanaugh & James Pingry

A Remnant of Resurrection

the time for daffodils has come. bunches of six, ten, or twelve, with tightly wrapped buds, arrive from warmer lands.

like sentinels of invitation they keep my wintered heart

leaning into Spring.

the directions say to cut at least a half inch off the stem,

then place in water and wait for the surprise.

behold, in the early hour of dawn, I see resurrection on my kitchen table,

every yellowed daffodil hurrahing the morning, stretching outward in the etched-glass vase.

but what captures my attention is one small, thin remnant,

voluntarily discarded, beneath the smiling daffodils.

this dry, transparent cover, a cast-off tube of protection once concealing a fragile bud, conveys the price of blooming.

I pick up this remnant of resurrection and hold it for a long, silent time,

wondering what soul-shroud of mine needs to be unwrapped,

before I, too, am blooming. —Joyce Rupp

Thank you to all of those who decorated

our sanctuary March 25 with beautiful yellow Daffodils of Hope, supporting

the American Cancer Society.