Friends of Stonecroft
January 2024
In the 70’s and 80’s, Stonecroft missionary Sarah Page Friesen was key in beginning the first Stonecroft groups in Paris.
In 1970, the first Stonecroft group tea in Europe was held in Paris. The entire program was translated from English into French and vice versa. The event had an enthusiastic response. In Sarah’s words, “It went over really big.” In 1971, they also launched annual retreats, with great success. They began to see women connect to one another and respond to the events. Because the men saw the impact these were having on their spouses, they requested an event for men. Aiming to please and fulfill a spiritual need, the Paris leaders organized a men’s night with over 200 attending.
Over the years, five additional groups were started in the Paris area from that original group. In 1980, Sarah began working with the Stonecroft leadership and was soon asked to become chair of the Paris board, a position she held for 18 years. Stonecroft Bible Studies were steadily translated into French, and numerous study groups formed in homes as the work flourished. In addition to the six outreach tea groups, two-day seminars each fall and the popular spring retreats drew many French women. Soon, all events were held entirely in French. From the start, French women joined the missionaries to lead the ministry and are now developing and expanding it. Sarah retired and returned to the States in 2006. She had helped plant groups that still exist today, and they are continuing to make impact on men and women alike. Countless women trace their spiritual growth to the French version of a Stonecroft group.
When you give to Stonecroft, you help women…
- Experience the joy of discovering their extraordinary purpose and calling.
- Belong to a community of women committed to making a difference together.
- Receive the training and resources needed to become life-changers and influencers in their families and communities.
(IF YOU ARE MEETING ONLINE, put the link in the chat box and on screen.)
Give easily to Stonecroft at Stonecroft.org/friendsdonate. This is the fastest and easiest way to give. You’ll get an automatic receipt for your records. After the event today, you will be directed to a page on Stonecroft’s website with a donation form.
(IF YOU ARE MEETING IN PERSON)
At your tables, you will find envelopes. The easiest option is to use a credit card. Once you have filed out the information and inserted your gift, give it to your hostess or put it in the large envelope in the middle of the table.
THANK YOU for continuing the life-changing work of Stonecroft through your gift.