@ C ornerst one Unite d Met ho di st Churc h May/June Newsletter 2009 The guest speaker for our May 17th Worship Service will be the Rev. Dr. Fred A. Allen, the National Coordinator of Strengthening the Black Church for the 21 st Century (SBC 21), a United Methodist Church Quadrennium Initiative. Dr. Allen, a clergy member of the New York Annual Conference, has been a national leader in the United Methodist denomination for many years. Before assuming this post at the Board of Discipleship, Dr. Allen has spent the last six years working at the United Methodist Publishing House as the Executive Director of African American Initiatives & International Outreach. Dr. Allen is a native of Nashville, Tennessee, married to Christine and the father of four children, Sharonda, La- Chelle, DeAndra and Hustin. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology from Tennessee State University, his Master of Divinity Degree, from St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri and his Doctor of Ministry Degree from Drew University School of Theology, Madison, New Jersey. All this is to say that Dr. Allen brings a great deal of experience, knowledge, and passion for the global ministry of the Church.
Page 2 Dear Cornerstone Family, Remember how we talked last year about Cornerstone moving from infancy, through childhood, and into adolescence? Well, here we are. Welcome to the crucible of our teen years. The time of adolescent self-discovery, new relationships, and burgeoning potential is often mixed with massive doses of pain and anxiety. So is this time for us. There's a lot of confusion; it feels chaotic; nothing is the same as it used to be; we'd rather just stop growing, or at least run away. Just like when we were teenagers. Here are a few reminders and plans for staying on course through this challenging phase of our church's life: 1. God did not plant this church without a future in mind, and God is still faithfully with us! 2. There is no quick fix. It takes time for a new pastor and a congregation to get to know each other, especially following a founding pastor or a long pastoral appointment (we've had both -- so double our time). It takes time to form effective ministry teams and organizational structures that can support and sustain the church's growth. It takes time for a church to build enough momentum to rise off of a plateau. All of the above are shared tasks that take more time and effort than many of us expected. But working together, we can accomplish them! 3. Now is not the time to give up. We direct our energy toward growing together in love, not toward our fears. We work together to address our concerns, speaking our truth directly to one another in love. We accept differences of opinion and refuse to "take sides." We try to learn from our mistakes; we don't wallow in them. Most important, at every new twist or turn in the road, we ask ourselves: What is the most faithful and best step to take right now? Practicing these habits will help us to discover the joy and excitement of being church again! 4. I am here for you. As your pastor, it is my deep joy to serve in ministry with you. As a human being, I don't yet have the gift of mind-reading, and I do make mistakes. So please tell me...... your needs, concerns, and joys.... if you or someone you love is hospitalized, seriously ill, or in need of support for any reason.... if I do or say something that really helps you in your faith journey, or if I do something that irks you or hurts you. I'm committed to building on my strengths and righting my wrongs whenever possible. Your feedback helps me be a better pastor for you! The best way to reach me is by cell phone, 310-9290. My home (office) number is 641-1024. Don't hesitate to call, and be sure to leave a message if I'm not able to answer. Also, remember that my email address has been changed from kherefordv@gmail.com to kay@cornerstonetn.org. Email is the least effective way to reach me, so please call about any emergencies or important issues. I'm thankful for your partnership in the gospel! Grace and peace, Kay
Page 3 VBS Items Needed Over the next months you will see a bulletin board with items needed for VBS. Check it out and see where you can help. The theme is EXTREME SPORTS. If you have sporting equipment (kayaking, rock climbing, BMX biking, skiing, etc. ) call Leslie Carroll at 668-5109 to see if we can use it as a prop. Church Camp It s already time to start thinking about church camp! A few of our kids went last year and had a great time at Cedar Crest Camp. Scholarships are available if there is a financial need. Please contact Monica Van Langen at monciavl@comcast.net for info regarding scholarships or registering for a camp. Here s how to find out more about Cedar Crest Camp: Website www.tnumcamps.org Email tnumcamps@tnumc.org Phone (615) 720-6755 Mark Your Calendars for Vacation Bible School Camp E.D.G.E. VBS Date: July 6th - 9th Time: 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Location: Cornerstone UMC Our theme this year will be Camp E.D.G.E.. Our children will Experience and Discover God Everywhere! Mark your calendars for our kids to learn through Extreme Adventure that their strength and might come from God. If you are interesting in helping with VBS, please contact Renee Hopper (427-9603) or myself (668-5109). Thanks, Leslie Carroll UPCOMING UP VBS MEETINGS Thursday, May 21-6 p.m. - Team Meeting Saturday, June 20 & 27 - Work Days for VBS - Start @ 9 AM Sundays, June 14, 21,28 - Registration Days Change for Children This Sunday, May 17th, our children will be taking up a collection for the children of Matamoras. This is a great opportunity for us to be in ministry with children in another country. The Churches of the Tennessee Annual Conference have entered a covenant partnership with churches in this area of Mexico. Our gifts will be presented with those of other churches at Annual Conference in June. WELCOME NEW BABY Congratulations to John & Amy Wiseman. Kyle Jax (KJ) Wiseman was born April 30th. He weighed 8lb 3oz. Congratulations to big brothers Thomas, Chase & James.
Page 4 May 31st is Pentecost, the birthday of the church!! Don t forget to wear RED!! Let s celebrate that the Holy Spirit is alive and well at Cornerstone UMC.
Page 5 May & June Birthdays Gabrielle Souviron May 2 Gracie Van Langen May 2 Sabra Bozman May 5 Travis DePaul May 7 James Wiseman May 8 Wesley Hopper May 9 Jay Graves May 11 Julius Souviron May 14 Janice Patton May 14 Bruce Van Langen May 16 Buffy Hotard May 17 Amy Wiseman May 24 Monica Van Langen May 24 Richard Sullivan May 30 J.T. Spradley May 31 Chelsea Nance June 1 Larry Sullivan June 7 Melissa Rogers June 8 Maranda Shepherd June 14 John Wiseman June 14 Scott Spradley June 17 Linda Bawek June 18 Megan Drew June 20 A Place For You To Serve Greeters Needed Greeters are needed for the 10:30 Sunday service! The basic requirements are a cheerful attitude and a willingness to help. Families are encouraged to participate. Sign up sheets are on the mug table at the entry to the sanctuary. You can sign up for as many Sundays as you like. We will be glad to email or phone a reminder on the Friday before your scheduled date. Thanks for your help in this ministry! Marsha Campbell - marshcamp88@yahoo.com May & June Anniversaries Tim & Tamara Brown May 1 Fred Hembree & Debbie Church May 2 Tom & Beverly McCall May 6 Gary & Beth Nance May 6 Kenny & Jennifer Hunt May 23 Matt & Tiffany Denton May 28 Leo & Linda Bawek May 30 Doug & Evelyn Jarrell Rashi June 2 David & Laurey Carr June 13 Kay Hereford Voorhees & Jay Voorhees June 20 Ryan & Vicky Blackmon June 24 CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GRADUATES Samantha Wheeler, Roy West, & Tyler Bromley are graduating high school this month. We celebrate their success with them and wish them well on the next chapter of life before them. Samantha & Roy graduate from LaVergne High School and Tyler graduates from Lancaster Christian Academy. How To Contact Staff & Leaders: Office phone: 615-220-0042 office@cornerstonetn.org www.cornerstonetn.org www.cornerstoneumc.blogspot.com 349 Chaney Road, Smyrna, TN 37167 Worship Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Rev. Kay Hereford Voorhees Pastor kay@cornerstonetn.org 310-9290 or 641-1024 Beverly McCall Finance Secretary tmccall9@aol.com Mark Cline Music Director markc60798@aol.com Monica Van Langen Children s Director monicavl@comcast.net Scott & Tara Spradley Youth Directors flywchrist@hotmail.com
Page 6 Final Thoughts Don t forget to check the bulletin board in the Gathering Area for items listed. We have listed items that are needed at the church and if you can grab a post it note and add it to your personal grocery shopping, that would be a simple but great way to help out the church in these tight financial times. The church has done a great job of sticking with our freeze on spending. And you are helping make it happen!! THANK YOU!! Congratulations to Leslie Carroll, Kimberly McCall, & Tom McCall. After this last Lay Speaking Course, Tom continues as a Certified Lay Speaker, Kimberly is a Certified Lay Speaker and Leslie is a Local Church Lay Speaker. We are continuing to offer you the opportunity to receive your newsletter via email. We will be sending the newsletter as a PDF file. You can get a free copy of this program from www.get.adobe.com/reader. Painless Giving @ Cornerstone Most of you already know how we can use Kroger Gift Cards to raise funds for the church. It is even easier with Food Lion MVP cards. You must register your MVP card online or with forms you can get from Beverly, our finance secretary. Every time you use your MVP card at checkout, Cornerstone will receive funds based on your purchase. How to register online: Go to www.foodlion.com Scroll down to Food Lion in the Community Click on Lion Shop & Share Fundraising Click on Register Your MVP Card Click on Select Organization Select State: TN Select City: Smyrna Select Organization: Cornerstone United Methodist Church Click OK & Add your MVP # and personal information Contact office (220-0042)if you have any questions about the Food Lion or Kroger fundraising programs. C O R N E R S T O N E U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U R C H 349 Chaney Road Smyrna, TN 37167 615-220-0042 www.cornerstonetn.org