November 2016 Newsletter

Cornerstone Update
Quite a lot has happened within the Cornerstone community. First, we had our annual Fall Retreat. Due to some scheduling conflicts, we had to move our retreat from its usual location, Suncrest (a C&MA camp), to the new location of Ligonier Camp and Conference Center. It was a great change of scenery. Sixty students heard John McElwain (the CCO Staff Director for Southwestern Pennsylvania) give three meaningful, memorable, and challenging talks on Scripture. We played various games, grew in community, and ate…a lot. Honestly, it was one of the better Fall Retreats we have had.

Second, we have introduced something new to Cornerstone on Wednesday nights: discussion times and “O” Nights. After every Cornerstone large group, a handful of students get together for a discussion time. Here, students ask questions to the speaker, make their own points, or discuss the talk. At the end of every talk series, we have taken our discussion group to “The Original Hot Dog Shop” (aka The “O”) for “O” Nights. The owner of the “O” (Bruce Simon) as graciously opened the top floor of the “O” for us to provide this Bible Study space, and has also provided food. It has been a fantastic time, and students love it! If you are ever in the Oakland area, give the “O” some of your business as a thank you for ministering to students!

Habitat for Humanity Spring Break Trip
As many of you know from reading past newsletters, I took over as the advisor for Habitat for Humanity two years ago. This role has given me the unique opportunity to meet and work with students. One such opportunity is taking part in a spring break trip to Birmingham, Alabama to help work on houses. I cannot, however, do this alone. The trip costs $400, so I would like for you to prayerfully consider supporting students and me in this endeavor. The expenses include transportation, housing, and food for the week. If you are able and willing, I’m asking for your support to help to cover trip expenses for students and me. I realize that some of you already support me and I am thankful. So, I am asking that you to pray about giving an extra $10-$50 on top of your usual contribution. If you would like to help support me on this trip, please make a separate check out to:

Bellefield Presbyterian Church
Attn: Habitat Trip
4001 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pa 15213

Meet the Students

Meet Will Leisner, a sophomore Mechanical Engineering major from Oaks, PA. Will has been a part of our ministry since orientation week his freshman year. Read more about him:

1. What is your favorite childhood memory? My favorite childhood memory has to be with my grandmom, Nan, and my Grandpop, Captain Bill, when I was 5. My family went down to visit them in Florida for a week over the summer, and one night my twin brother and I were out on the porch with them. Captain Bill turned on the sprinklers and him and Nan tried to convince us to play in the sprinklers…naked! They finally convinced us by telling us it was legal to run through sprinklers naked on Sunday night in Florida!

2. What has been your involvement in Cornerstone? I have been involved in Cornerstone since first semester freshman year. I started sporadically attending in the fall on Wednesday nights and at freshman bible study. Chris Ansell encouraged me to stick with it and he even convinced me to do leadership and the NAOMI spring break trip. Now this year I have been on Freshman Ministry Team as a leader, and I attend prayer team meetings as well!

3. How has Cornerstone helped you during your years at Pitt? Cornerstone has definitely helped me during my time at Pitt. It’s really the first time I've witnessed and been involved in Christian community that is so immersed in and lives out the Gospel. It has helped me to grow in my faith immensely and has equipped me for ministry in the Church Universal. At Cornerstone, I finally realized what loving thy neighbor really looks like!

Financial Update

As you can see from the chart, we made $3,331 for the month of October; 84% of where we need to be. We are so thankful for all of our supporters! The Christmas season is rapidly approaching, and we know that many of you are looking for some place to give financially. If that is the case, we are asking that you prayerfully consider giving to our ministry. Whether it be $10 or $100, any gift is a good gift. It is through your generosity, and willingness to listen to the Holy Spirit, that makes this ministry possible. If you are interested in giving, go to www.ccojubilee.org/donate. We are thankful for what God has done, and will continue to do, through you! Please be in prayer that God will continue to build our support team and that we would be faithful in doing our part.

Moore News

It is the end of the Fall baseball season. Ben and Josh’s team only lost one game, and had a spectacular season! Benjamin became one of the starting pitchers, and led the team in strike outs. He doesn’t have the fastest stuff, but he is very accurate. Joshua got his first taste of kid pitch baseball, and held his own. There were few growing pains here and there for him, but he adjusted nicely. The highlight of his season is when he made a sliding catch in center field. It could have been a web gem! Both Ben and Josh are dynamic baseball players.

Asher finished his art class, and absolutely loved it. He is a gifted drawer, and very creative. He also loves a good story, and has found numerous outlets for that as well. I was fairly artsy growing up, so it’s awesome to see one of my sons be so as well. We are very proud of all three of my boys!

In other fun news, Benjamin entered an art contest for Attorney Edgar Snyder and won! The theme of the contest was “My Holiday Wish.” Ben wrote that his holiday wish was, “That the world will be reunited as friends. To me, there is no world without love.” The drawing consists three pictures of The United States, France, and Italy uniting as friends. Ben won $250, $1000 for his school, and his picture and drawing will be on a local billboard! We are extremely proud of him! As Emily said when she posted the picture on facebook, “Nearing the end of a harrowing political season, God is showing me that there is always hope. Especially if our younger generations are thinking such great thoughts.”

We thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter, and pray that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

In Christ,
Andy Moore