To Read our Christmas Letter, please click on the image below or click here. Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
Tuesday, October 9, 2018
October 2018 Newsletter
Fall Retreat Testimony
Meet Grant Larson, a junior microbiology major that is part of our Ministry Team, and read more about his experience on our Fall Retreat:
The fall retreat provided me with an awesome opportunity to get out of the city, slowdown from the fast-paced campus lifestyle, build community with other college students, and grow with Christ. I had two exams during the week leading up to the trip, so I was excited to go out in nature and spend time with God. I learned strategies for carrying out my faith from the daily devotions led by Dan Dupee; he spoke about power, peace, and hope from a biblical perspective. I was given the opportunity to spend time alone and reflect with God during solitary time, which made me realize how easy it is to take this time for granted back on campus. The importance of reflection stood out to me and I returned to campus with a desire to implement quiet prayer and reflection into my daily routine.
The fall retreat also provided a great opportunity to grow in a community together as a Christian body. I built relationships with students I had not met before and grew deeper with the ones I had already gotten to know. Whether through worship, games, or dancing/singing around a campfire together, I felt at home with the students and leaders who came on the retreat. I continued to feel this way after returning to campus and the sense of community remained strong after we returned. The retreat was a wonderful experience for me to grow in my faith and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Meet the Students
Meet George Muirhead, a sophomore Bible Study Leader and Political Science Major. Read more about him:
I was raised in a Christian household, so the idea of Christ being my Lord and Savior has always been close to my heart. But, I would say that understanding was quite limited to the verse of John 3:16 and did not extend past the understanding of that verse. So, leaving my hometown of Madison, Alabama and joining Cornerstone Ministries in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has completely changed my life and how I understand the depths of my love for my God and his love for me.
Firstly, I would consider myself a non-denominational Christian, so for me I could receive a word from any pastor in any denomination as long as they clearly could back it up with the Scripture, and as long as they kept that Scripture in context of the Biblical story. When I came to Cornerstone the staff here helped me further my understanding of just how important this is. That the Bible is the finished Word of God, and that the Word does not come from a teaching at odds with what has been written, so a pastor that clearly did not support their claims with the Word would be quickly dismissed from my mind because of this new fortified understanding. So, from the bottom of my heart I cannot thank the Cornerstone staff enough for convincing me that my faith comes from the Word and it alone. Not from an outside source that is at odds with the Word.
Lastly, my relationship with Christ has grown exponentially, because of this simple realization that I might have been told things in the past that might not hold true to the Word of God. Because of this, I have been forced by my love for God and this realization, to go through the Scriptures to confirm just what I have faith in, and this simple act has made me a better believer as a result. So, I cannot thank Cornerstone and its staff enough for giving me the resources and opportunities to truly dive into the depths of my faith.
Financial Update
September was a wonderful month for us! As you can see from the chart, we made $3,893; 91% of our monthly goal! Thank you to everyone who has supported us in our ministry. My ministry to College students, like Grant and George, and Cornerstone would simply not be possible without you. Just because we are close to our goal does not give me an excuse to rest or be lazy, however. Now is the time for me to work harder than ever! If God leads you to do so, we would love for you to be a part of this ministry through your giving. I am asking that my current supporters give an extra 10% to 25% on top of their usual giving. This will help to make up the difference and reach 100% of my goal with my new raise. We are always in need of help financially, and are always looking for new supporters. Remember that any gift is a good gift. 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
After celebrating Benjamin’s birthday last month (September 8th), we had the privilege of celebrating Asher’s ninth(!) birthday on the 6th of this month. Asher absolutely loves video games. As he told me the other day, “I’m different than most kids. I like newer video games, but I also like the classics.” So, because of his love of classic video games, he asked for a Nintendo classic...which we gladly bought him. Needless to say, he went gaga over it. Though, it does pain me to say that the video games I grew up with our now considered “classics.”
In other news, Emily got a new job! She will now be the administrative assistant of Haiti H2O. Haiti H2O is a non-profit founded by our landlords and friends, Jeff and Sarah VanderMolen, which works with rural Haitian communities, cultivating hope and opportunities, in response to the love of Jesus. Emily is very excited for this opportunity, and will be working closely with the director, and friend, Rhonda Smith.
I pray that you are well, and that you continue to grow in Christ. God Bless!
In Christ,
Andy Moore
The fall retreat provided me with an awesome opportunity to get out of the city, slowdown from the fast-paced campus lifestyle, build community with other college students, and grow with Christ. I had two exams during the week leading up to the trip, so I was excited to go out in nature and spend time with God. I learned strategies for carrying out my faith from the daily devotions led by Dan Dupee; he spoke about power, peace, and hope from a biblical perspective. I was given the opportunity to spend time alone and reflect with God during solitary time, which made me realize how easy it is to take this time for granted back on campus. The importance of reflection stood out to me and I returned to campus with a desire to implement quiet prayer and reflection into my daily routine.
The fall retreat also provided a great opportunity to grow in a community together as a Christian body. I built relationships with students I had not met before and grew deeper with the ones I had already gotten to know. Whether through worship, games, or dancing/singing around a campfire together, I felt at home with the students and leaders who came on the retreat. I continued to feel this way after returning to campus and the sense of community remained strong after we returned. The retreat was a wonderful experience for me to grow in my faith and I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Meet the Students
Firstly, I would consider myself a non-denominational Christian, so for me I could receive a word from any pastor in any denomination as long as they clearly could back it up with the Scripture, and as long as they kept that Scripture in context of the Biblical story. When I came to Cornerstone the staff here helped me further my understanding of just how important this is. That the Bible is the finished Word of God, and that the Word does not come from a teaching at odds with what has been written, so a pastor that clearly did not support their claims with the Word would be quickly dismissed from my mind because of this new fortified understanding. So, from the bottom of my heart I cannot thank the Cornerstone staff enough for convincing me that my faith comes from the Word and it alone. Not from an outside source that is at odds with the Word.
Lastly, my relationship with Christ has grown exponentially, because of this simple realization that I might have been told things in the past that might not hold true to the Word of God. Because of this, I have been forced by my love for God and this realization, to go through the Scriptures to confirm just what I have faith in, and this simple act has made me a better believer as a result. So, I cannot thank Cornerstone and its staff enough for giving me the resources and opportunities to truly dive into the depths of my faith.
Financial Update
Moore News
In other news, Emily got a new job! She will now be the administrative assistant of Haiti H2O. Haiti H2O is a non-profit founded by our landlords and friends, Jeff and Sarah VanderMolen, which works with rural Haitian communities, cultivating hope and opportunities, in response to the love of Jesus. Emily is very excited for this opportunity, and will be working closely with the director, and friend, Rhonda Smith.
I pray that you are well, and that you continue to grow in Christ. God Bless!
In Christ,
Andy Moore
Thursday, September 20, 2018
August & September 2018 Newsletter
Cornerstone News
This year began a new era for the Cornerstone large group, because we have completely changed the model. After a summer (and part of spring) spent reevaluating our large group, and we felt that God was calling us to change our current structure. After many prayerful meetings, the staff came up with a new model that incorporates different methods of learning. We have given a “subject” to each of our months, and then each week of that month will feature something different. On the first week, we break into groups to eat food, a small explanative talk on our subject is given, and then we have a few questions which prompt each person in the group to share a story based on the monthly subject. On the second week, we have our traditional Cornerstone that features the staff (or a guest speaker) giving a biblical talk based on the monthly subject. The third week features a more experiential, tactile style of learning based on the subject. The fourth, and last, week is designated for a worship/prayer/testimony night followed by fellowship (and food) at the Original Hot Dog Shop in Oakland.
Change is scary. I get that. But sometimes it is worth the risk. We have had a few Cornerstones so far, and (I believe) this new format has strengthened the community. People are engaged, meeting new people, and deepening their relationship and love of Jesus Christ. Please continue to pray for this new format. Pray for continued buy in from the leadership and that God works through these new experiences.
Meet the Students
Meet Savanna Lattanzi, a sophomore Political Science, Religious Studies, and Sociology major at Pitt, and read more about her:
I came into my freshman year knowing that I wanted to follow the Lord in college and committed to searching for the right Christian community for me; somewhere I could get plugged in and have a support system in this new season of my life. I thought I was going to need to church/fellowship hop, and try out a bunch of groups to see what fit me. But instead, the Lord immediately showed me how well He provides for me by giving me Cornerstone. Cornerstone felt right from the second I walked through the door. I felt welcomed, cared about, and pursued by the Cornerstone students and staff from the very first second they met me.
Because of this, I wanted to dive deeper into the community and to get as involved as I possibly could. As I spent more and more time in the Cornerstone community and began to find a home within, I noticed a few key things that our community does especially well. The first is the willingness of the students and staff to follow the Spirit wherever it may lead. This boldness has fostered a closeness to Christ that simply cannot come out of fear and limitations. Cornerstone’s willingness to step into uncomfortability for the glory of the Lord has inspired me. Another aspect I love about Cornerstone is the support that I’ve found in the people. Even when I mess up, which is both often and apparent, I am so loved and pointed back to Christ by the people around me. Getting this support and guidance from people who share my faith has been essential to my wellbeing at Pitt, and I can safely say that without it I may not have chosen to come back for my sophomore year. Although I often felt lost last year, I was always able to be rooted and be firm in my identity because of the community that the Lord has given me in Cornerstone.
And while Cornerstone is a place of safety, it also challenges me. As I became involved in leadership with Cornerstone, I quickly learned that I would not be stagnant in faith, but instead pushed to grow and draw closer to Christ through my team members. Leadership asks me to be better, to follow the Lord more closely, and to be a vessel and a witness in ways that I never expected. The Lord has both given me Cornerstone as the platform to do this but also has worked through Cornerstone to grow me and equip me to do so. I am certain that I would be a completely different person if it were not for Cornerstone and what the Lord has done through this group of people.
Financial Update
The month of August was good to us financially! As you can see from the chart, we met our goal and were 100% of what we need to be! We are so grateful for all of you, and that you felt a tug from the Lord to help support our ministry. We could use your help more than ever so that our goal is met every month. If you are a current supporter, I am asking that you up your pledge and give an extra 10% to 25% on top of their usual giving. If you do support me, or do not support me regularly, I ask that you pray about being a monthly donor. This will help to make up the difference from what I currently make and to help reach my new goal.
All of your generous donations are what helps makes ministry to students like Savanna possible, and helps me get out on campus. Now that I have gotten a raise, this is more important than ever! Remember that any gift is a good gift. We could always use financial help, and if you are interested in supporting this ministry (or giving extra), I would love to meet with you. Please email me at amoore@ccojubilee.org. 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
The school year is not just back in full swing for me, but also for the boys. Benjamin is officially a middle schooler (and now twelve years old!), starting at Sci-Tech. So far, he adores the school. He is fully engaged in each of his classes, and even gets to take Lego Robotics as an extra-curricular class! Trust me, we are all jealous. Ben has also joined Bellefield/Church of the Ascension’s youth group, and has been eating it up.
Joshua is in his last year at Fulton, and has begun to look at middle schools for next year. After Ben raving about Sci-Tech, it has made it pretty high on his list. We just took him to the middle school fair to “window shop” for a new middle school. I think it overwhelmed him a bit, and he isn’t always the most talkative in large group situations. Regardless, it seems he is excited about the future.
Asher has begun third grade, and continues to be his sweet self. Teachers absolutely love him and his personality; he is always willing to help, and he is always willing to talk (sometimes a little too much). He turns nine next month, and is stoked for his birthday. He is asking (of course) mainly for video games.
Emily has recently quit her job at Chick-Fil-A to focus mainly on nannying. Emily is an extreme introvert, and waiting on customers for a good part of the day really takes a toll on her energy levels. Though she was good at what she did, I don’t think Chick-Fil-A wasn’t as good of a fit as nannying. Working with kids is not only something she is good at, but something she is passionate about as well.
I pray that you are well! God Bless!
In Christ,
Andy Moore
This year began a new era for the Cornerstone large group, because we have completely changed the model. After a summer (and part of spring) spent reevaluating our large group, and we felt that God was calling us to change our current structure. After many prayerful meetings, the staff came up with a new model that incorporates different methods of learning. We have given a “subject” to each of our months, and then each week of that month will feature something different. On the first week, we break into groups to eat food, a small explanative talk on our subject is given, and then we have a few questions which prompt each person in the group to share a story based on the monthly subject. On the second week, we have our traditional Cornerstone that features the staff (or a guest speaker) giving a biblical talk based on the monthly subject. The third week features a more experiential, tactile style of learning based on the subject. The fourth, and last, week is designated for a worship/prayer/testimony night followed by fellowship (and food) at the Original Hot Dog Shop in Oakland.
Change is scary. I get that. But sometimes it is worth the risk. We have had a few Cornerstones so far, and (I believe) this new format has strengthened the community. People are engaged, meeting new people, and deepening their relationship and love of Jesus Christ. Please continue to pray for this new format. Pray for continued buy in from the leadership and that God works through these new experiences.
Meet the Students
I came into my freshman year knowing that I wanted to follow the Lord in college and committed to searching for the right Christian community for me; somewhere I could get plugged in and have a support system in this new season of my life. I thought I was going to need to church/fellowship hop, and try out a bunch of groups to see what fit me. But instead, the Lord immediately showed me how well He provides for me by giving me Cornerstone. Cornerstone felt right from the second I walked through the door. I felt welcomed, cared about, and pursued by the Cornerstone students and staff from the very first second they met me.
Because of this, I wanted to dive deeper into the community and to get as involved as I possibly could. As I spent more and more time in the Cornerstone community and began to find a home within, I noticed a few key things that our community does especially well. The first is the willingness of the students and staff to follow the Spirit wherever it may lead. This boldness has fostered a closeness to Christ that simply cannot come out of fear and limitations. Cornerstone’s willingness to step into uncomfortability for the glory of the Lord has inspired me. Another aspect I love about Cornerstone is the support that I’ve found in the people. Even when I mess up, which is both often and apparent, I am so loved and pointed back to Christ by the people around me. Getting this support and guidance from people who share my faith has been essential to my wellbeing at Pitt, and I can safely say that without it I may not have chosen to come back for my sophomore year. Although I often felt lost last year, I was always able to be rooted and be firm in my identity because of the community that the Lord has given me in Cornerstone.
And while Cornerstone is a place of safety, it also challenges me. As I became involved in leadership with Cornerstone, I quickly learned that I would not be stagnant in faith, but instead pushed to grow and draw closer to Christ through my team members. Leadership asks me to be better, to follow the Lord more closely, and to be a vessel and a witness in ways that I never expected. The Lord has both given me Cornerstone as the platform to do this but also has worked through Cornerstone to grow me and equip me to do so. I am certain that I would be a completely different person if it were not for Cornerstone and what the Lord has done through this group of people.
Financial Update
All of your generous donations are what helps makes ministry to students like Savanna possible, and helps me get out on campus. Now that I have gotten a raise, this is more important than ever! Remember that any gift is a good gift. We could always use financial help, and if you are interested in supporting this ministry (or giving extra), I would love to meet with you. Please email me at amoore@ccojubilee.org. 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
Joshua is in his last year at Fulton, and has begun to look at middle schools for next year. After Ben raving about Sci-Tech, it has made it pretty high on his list. We just took him to the middle school fair to “window shop” for a new middle school. I think it overwhelmed him a bit, and he isn’t always the most talkative in large group situations. Regardless, it seems he is excited about the future.
Asher has begun third grade, and continues to be his sweet self. Teachers absolutely love him and his personality; he is always willing to help, and he is always willing to talk (sometimes a little too much). He turns nine next month, and is stoked for his birthday. He is asking (of course) mainly for video games.
Emily has recently quit her job at Chick-Fil-A to focus mainly on nannying. Emily is an extreme introvert, and waiting on customers for a good part of the day really takes a toll on her energy levels. Though she was good at what she did, I don’t think Chick-Fil-A wasn’t as good of a fit as nannying. Working with kids is not only something she is good at, but something she is passionate about as well.
I pray that you are well! God Bless!
In Christ,
Andy Moore
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
June & July 2018 Newsletter
Meet the Students
Meet Morgan Crane, a (now) Sophomore leadership student at Cornerstone:
I came to Pitt in the fall of 2017, unsure of what it would look like to be a Christian in college and unsure of whether I would even be able to find genuine Christian community on a large, secular campus. Cornerstone gave me that and so much more. This ministry became my sanctuary. It is a place of worship. It is a body of believers that celebrates brokenness and vulnerability, understanding that weakness is the way to knowing God's strength more fully.
I found that although I was surrounded by (mostly) new faces, we were bound by the great love we share for the same great and holy God. As much as Cornerstone was and is my sanctuary, it is also a place and a people that challenge me, refusing to let me stay stagnant in my relationship with God. Before Cornerstone came into my life, I was angry at God. I didn't read the Bible, I scrutinized it. I looked for anything I didn't like so I could throw it back in God's face and prove that He was not who He said He was, all the while maintaining a facade of faith.
God used Cornerstone to pick me up out of my self-righteous fury and mold me into a leader in the Christian community who believes in the power of His name above all else. The beautiful and unexpected ways in which God has used Cornerstone and Pitt's campus to transform my heart throughout this past year is something I will never stop thanking Him for.
Financial Update
We are getting closer to meeting our new monthly goal. In the month of May, with some one-time gifts, we reached that new goal; 100%! In June we made $3,703; 87% of where we need to be. We could use your help more than ever so that this new goal is met every month. If you are a current supporter, I am asking that you up your pledge and give an extra 10% to 25% on top of their usual giving. If you do support me, or do not support me regularly, I ask that you pray about being a monthly donor. This will help to make up the difference from what I currently make and to help reach my new goal.
All of your generous donations are what helps makes ministry to students like Morgan possible, and helps me get out on campus. Now that I have gotten a raise, this is more important than ever! Remember that any gift is a good gift. We could always use financial help, and if you are interested in supporting this ministry (or giving extra), I would love to meet with you. Please contact me using the information in the "about me" section of the blog, or email me at amoore@ccojubilee.org. 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
Summer has been unusually busy. Usually when the students are gone, and the boys are finished school, things go into “super chill” mode. It seems that this summer is a bit different, however. There have been a lot of Cornerstone staff meetings and early planning, which have kept me busy. I also just took an intensive seminary course (8 hours a day, for a week) on the book of Galatians. The class was incredibly intense (pun intended), but also incredibly fun. The only bad part of the summer, so far, is that I’ve battled 2 pretty severe flare ups of gout. I’ve had gout for about two years and it is extremely painful and debilitating.
As I mentioned, the kids are out of school. Benjamin finished his last year at Fulton and will be moving on to the Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy. It is always hard, but amazing, to watch him grow up. On the last day of school, he (along with seven other students) were selected to give a speech. It is cool seeing how far he has come.
Asher just recently completed a week of the Pittsburgh Gifted Center’s summer camp. He had a blast learning about outer space and art. Joshua has spent most of his summer playing outside with friends. He has also been spending his indoor time modifying various Nerf guns to shoot farther. Admittedly, it has been pretty cool.
Because of the boys’ summer vacation, that means that Emily has been working less at Chick-Fil-A and has been home taking care of the boys (and me when I had gout). She has started her nannying job again, which she loves, and that has kept her busy. She will continue nannying throughout the upcoming school year as well. God has really given her a gift to work with and love children.
Hope you are having a great summer! God Bless!
In Christ,
Andy Moore
Meet Morgan Crane, a (now) Sophomore leadership student at Cornerstone:
I found that although I was surrounded by (mostly) new faces, we were bound by the great love we share for the same great and holy God. As much as Cornerstone was and is my sanctuary, it is also a place and a people that challenge me, refusing to let me stay stagnant in my relationship with God. Before Cornerstone came into my life, I was angry at God. I didn't read the Bible, I scrutinized it. I looked for anything I didn't like so I could throw it back in God's face and prove that He was not who He said He was, all the while maintaining a facade of faith.
God used Cornerstone to pick me up out of my self-righteous fury and mold me into a leader in the Christian community who believes in the power of His name above all else. The beautiful and unexpected ways in which God has used Cornerstone and Pitt's campus to transform my heart throughout this past year is something I will never stop thanking Him for.
Financial Update
All of your generous donations are what helps makes ministry to students like Morgan possible, and helps me get out on campus. Now that I have gotten a raise, this is more important than ever! Remember that any gift is a good gift. We could always use financial help, and if you are interested in supporting this ministry (or giving extra), I would love to meet with you. Please contact me using the information in the "about me" section of the blog, or email me at amoore@ccojubilee.org. 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
As I mentioned, the kids are out of school. Benjamin finished his last year at Fulton and will be moving on to the Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy. It is always hard, but amazing, to watch him grow up. On the last day of school, he (along with seven other students) were selected to give a speech. It is cool seeing how far he has come.
Asher just recently completed a week of the Pittsburgh Gifted Center’s summer camp. He had a blast learning about outer space and art. Joshua has spent most of his summer playing outside with friends. He has also been spending his indoor time modifying various Nerf guns to shoot farther. Admittedly, it has been pretty cool.
Because of the boys’ summer vacation, that means that Emily has been working less at Chick-Fil-A and has been home taking care of the boys (and me when I had gout). She has started her nannying job again, which she loves, and that has kept her busy. She will continue nannying throughout the upcoming school year as well. God has really given her a gift to work with and love children.
Hope you are having a great summer! God Bless!
In Christ,
Andy Moore
Monday, May 14, 2018
May 2018 Newsletter
Cornerstone Update
The school year has come to an end, and the majority of College students have gone home for the summer. Instead of taking time to recover in May, we have already begun to plan for the fall semester. This is partially due to the fact that my coworker, Mark Michaelis, will be in Philadelphia. Mark will be working with students in the CCO’s experiential trip, entitled “Encounter Philadelphia.” We are trying to plan everything we can for the upcoming semester while we still have him around. Let me just say, that I think that we have some exciting things planned for Cornerstone.
This summer, instead of having our usual large group gathering (which we have called Common Ground) we will be hosting a bible study on the Ten Commandments. I will be co-leading the Bible Study along with my coworkers Bobbi Perkins, Juliet Casinelli, and Dan Isadore. We will also be having another Bible Study, led by my former CCO Fellow Jordan Trump, on the book of Romans. It should be a great summer.
Meet the Students
Meet Sam Smallwood, a (now) sophomore student leader, and read more about him:
Faith has always been an important aspect of my life since I was a child, but I could not have foreseen how much stronger it would grow in my short time at Pitt so far. When I was beginning my freshmen year last August, I knew right away that I wanted to get involved in some sort of Christian ministry around campus. As fate would have it, on the Wednesday during orientation week at the "Maintaining Your Faith in College" workshop, I met Andy Moore and Morgan Mitchell at the Cornerstone table. In that moment, I felt God telling me that this is where I was called to be, that Cornerstone would grow me into the person I am meant to become and allow me to carry out his work impacting the members of the Pitt community at large.
I made my presence in the group felt from the start, arriving 20 minutes early for the first Wednesday service of the year and confusing everyone with my punctuality. Luckily, I was welcomed in with open arms and along the way, I have met some of my closest friends at Pitt who have played a huge part in my spiritual growth. From this time on, I immersed myself in Cornerstone. My favorite thing within the organization quickly became our weekly Freshmen Bible Study every Thursday night. In high school, I was never invested enough in scripture and I knew this needed to change when I went to college. So every week, I always looked forward to Bible study more than anything else. I could see the changes that this time in Cornerstone was having on my life. I was growing stronger in my faith and becoming closer to God than I ever had been before. But towards the end of my first semester at Pitt, I felt like I could be doing more to help others reach this same point in their lives. That is when I decided to interview for a position on the Freshmen Ministry Team, taking on a leadership role that shaped the next five months of my life and continues to do so now.
In my eyes, this past spring semester at Pitt has been one of the greatest periods of growth in my life across the board. I was really tested a lot spiritually, mentally, and emotionally, but I feel that I am a much stronger person now that I have made it out to the other side. I had to juggle very challenging coursework with being the President of my Hall Council and leading Freshmen Bible Study, and at times I got knocked down. But I always had people who picked me back up. I attended Jubilee and reaffirmed my place in all of this. And I had the reassurance from God that I would make it through these tough trials still standing tall. Without Cornerstone, my first year at Pitt would have looked a lot different. I would not have these important people in my life. My faith would have been stagnant. I would have lacked the strength to get through these difficult moments. But here I am today, stronger than ever because of that decision I made all the way back in August to check out Cornerstone. And now, as I soon enter my sophomore year, I will do all that I can to make sure that our campus ministry can have that same impact on a new group of students.
Financial Update
For the past four months, we have included a financial ask letter to go along with our newsletter where we asked you to “tithe your tax return.” We thank everyone who responded, going above and beyond anything what you may have felt comfortable doing. We are so overwhelmed at your kindness, selflessness, and generosity that we are at a loss for words. Thank you all for making everything possible!
Our financial journey is not over, however, for we are receiving a raise of an extra $350 a month! It is hard receiving a raise, mainly because the burden of raising the extra money falls on us asking you all for more help. We are stepping out in faith, again, and knowing the God will provide financially. In this step of faith, we are asking for you to be a part of this ministry through financial giving. We are also asking that my current supporters give an extra 10% to 25% on top of their usual giving. This will help to make up the difference from what I currently make and to help reach my new goal.
If you would like to help this ministry, we are always looking for new supporters. This is what helps makes ministry to students like Sam possible, and helps me get out on campus. Now that I have gotten a raise, this is more important than ever! Remember that any gift is a good gift. We could always use financial help, and if you are interested in supporting this ministry (or giving extra), I would love to meet with you. Please contact me using the information on the front of this newsletter or email me at amoore@ccojubilee.org. 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
Things are going well in the Moore household. Benjamin and Joshua both made the Elementary National Honor Society (Asher is not old enough, though he did make the high Honor Roll). This is the first year that their school (Fulton Elementary School) has had the Honor Society, so it was cool watching them inducted amongst the first class.
The boys just have about a month left in school, and then (hopefully) we can begin a rather relaxing summer. For Christmas we bought season passes for Sandcastle (a local waterpark), so it should be a rather fun summer. Sandcastle should also be a fun replacement for baseball, since Josh and Ben are taking the year off.
I am continuing with my education, and just finished taking “Basic Hebrew.” I’ve always heard that Hebrew is a language you just get, or you must work extremely hard at. Luckily for me, it was something that I took to. This summer, I will be taking a class on Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians.
Emily recently got a job a Chick-Fil-A and has been spending her mornings doing that before the boys get off from school. She will be cutting back on her Chick-Fil-A hours once the summer hits and the boys are on vacation. She will also be nannying again, in the not-too-distant future, for some friend’s kids. Also, Emily had a terrific Mother’s Day. The boys bought her the movie Black Panther (yes, that was a gift for her and not for themselves), and we ate at the local Mexican restaurant Patron.
We pray that his newsletter finds you well. God Bless!
In Christ,
Andy Moore
The school year has come to an end, and the majority of College students have gone home for the summer. Instead of taking time to recover in May, we have already begun to plan for the fall semester. This is partially due to the fact that my coworker, Mark Michaelis, will be in Philadelphia. Mark will be working with students in the CCO’s experiential trip, entitled “Encounter Philadelphia.” We are trying to plan everything we can for the upcoming semester while we still have him around. Let me just say, that I think that we have some exciting things planned for Cornerstone.
This summer, instead of having our usual large group gathering (which we have called Common Ground) we will be hosting a bible study on the Ten Commandments. I will be co-leading the Bible Study along with my coworkers Bobbi Perkins, Juliet Casinelli, and Dan Isadore. We will also be having another Bible Study, led by my former CCO Fellow Jordan Trump, on the book of Romans. It should be a great summer.
Meet the Students
Faith has always been an important aspect of my life since I was a child, but I could not have foreseen how much stronger it would grow in my short time at Pitt so far. When I was beginning my freshmen year last August, I knew right away that I wanted to get involved in some sort of Christian ministry around campus. As fate would have it, on the Wednesday during orientation week at the "Maintaining Your Faith in College" workshop, I met Andy Moore and Morgan Mitchell at the Cornerstone table. In that moment, I felt God telling me that this is where I was called to be, that Cornerstone would grow me into the person I am meant to become and allow me to carry out his work impacting the members of the Pitt community at large.
I made my presence in the group felt from the start, arriving 20 minutes early for the first Wednesday service of the year and confusing everyone with my punctuality. Luckily, I was welcomed in with open arms and along the way, I have met some of my closest friends at Pitt who have played a huge part in my spiritual growth. From this time on, I immersed myself in Cornerstone. My favorite thing within the organization quickly became our weekly Freshmen Bible Study every Thursday night. In high school, I was never invested enough in scripture and I knew this needed to change when I went to college. So every week, I always looked forward to Bible study more than anything else. I could see the changes that this time in Cornerstone was having on my life. I was growing stronger in my faith and becoming closer to God than I ever had been before. But towards the end of my first semester at Pitt, I felt like I could be doing more to help others reach this same point in their lives. That is when I decided to interview for a position on the Freshmen Ministry Team, taking on a leadership role that shaped the next five months of my life and continues to do so now.
In my eyes, this past spring semester at Pitt has been one of the greatest periods of growth in my life across the board. I was really tested a lot spiritually, mentally, and emotionally, but I feel that I am a much stronger person now that I have made it out to the other side. I had to juggle very challenging coursework with being the President of my Hall Council and leading Freshmen Bible Study, and at times I got knocked down. But I always had people who picked me back up. I attended Jubilee and reaffirmed my place in all of this. And I had the reassurance from God that I would make it through these tough trials still standing tall. Without Cornerstone, my first year at Pitt would have looked a lot different. I would not have these important people in my life. My faith would have been stagnant. I would have lacked the strength to get through these difficult moments. But here I am today, stronger than ever because of that decision I made all the way back in August to check out Cornerstone. And now, as I soon enter my sophomore year, I will do all that I can to make sure that our campus ministry can have that same impact on a new group of students.
Financial Update
Our financial journey is not over, however, for we are receiving a raise of an extra $350 a month! It is hard receiving a raise, mainly because the burden of raising the extra money falls on us asking you all for more help. We are stepping out in faith, again, and knowing the God will provide financially. In this step of faith, we are asking for you to be a part of this ministry through financial giving. We are also asking that my current supporters give an extra 10% to 25% on top of their usual giving. This will help to make up the difference from what I currently make and to help reach my new goal.
If you would like to help this ministry, we are always looking for new supporters. This is what helps makes ministry to students like Sam possible, and helps me get out on campus. Now that I have gotten a raise, this is more important than ever! Remember that any gift is a good gift. We could always use financial help, and if you are interested in supporting this ministry (or giving extra), I would love to meet with you. Please contact me using the information on the front of this newsletter or email me at amoore@ccojubilee.org. 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
The boys just have about a month left in school, and then (hopefully) we can begin a rather relaxing summer. For Christmas we bought season passes for Sandcastle (a local waterpark), so it should be a rather fun summer. Sandcastle should also be a fun replacement for baseball, since Josh and Ben are taking the year off.
I am continuing with my education, and just finished taking “Basic Hebrew.” I’ve always heard that Hebrew is a language you just get, or you must work extremely hard at. Luckily for me, it was something that I took to. This summer, I will be taking a class on Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians.
Emily recently got a job a Chick-Fil-A and has been spending her mornings doing that before the boys get off from school. She will be cutting back on her Chick-Fil-A hours once the summer hits and the boys are on vacation. She will also be nannying again, in the not-too-distant future, for some friend’s kids. Also, Emily had a terrific Mother’s Day. The boys bought her the movie Black Panther (yes, that was a gift for her and not for themselves), and we ate at the local Mexican restaurant Patron.
We pray that his newsletter finds you well. God Bless!
In Christ,
Andy Moore
Friday, April 20, 2018
March & April 2018 Newsletter
Testimony Edition
Jubilee Testimony
Read Nick Bersin’s Jubilee testimony:
Jubilee has been a transformative experience for me every year that I've attended, and this year was no different. Particularly edifying for me was the experience of attending Scott Erickson's breakout sessions. The first I saw, entitled "We Are Not Troubled Guests", was a multi-medium presentation in which Scott took us through his existential crisis. At the end, we didn't come to easy answers; we came to a place of resting and trust in God without needing to have all the answers. I found this deeply comforting. It is often hard to trust God amidst hard questions and experiences. We are certainly called to learn and seek answers. But the absolute otherness of God means that we frequently will not understand him and his ways. But thankfully, we don't have to.
Spring Break Testimony:
Read Will Leisner’s Habitat for Humanity Spring Break Trip Testimony:
This year, I went to Winston-Salem, North Carolina for Spring break with the Habitat for Humanity club at Pitt. Going in to the trip, I was nervous since I only knew five out of the 30 people going on the trip. But, this quickly turned into excitement as the journey began. I signed up for the trip because I love to work with my hands, and I love to serve others by making something. I often find it easier to work with a hammer than with others directly. However, my expectations proved to be different from reality. As the week went on and we began to work as a group, I quickly began to grow deep friendships with the other students. So many of them were so genuine in their friendship and we happily talked while we worked.
On this trip, our primary project was to rehabilitate a dilapidated 1 story house that Habit for Humanity had purchased. Once it was fixed up, the house would be available for a family in desperate need of affordable housing. We began our days at 7:30, and worked until 2:30 with a lunch break around noon. The very first day we went right to work ripping off the old shingles on the roof and my trip highlight, demolition of the old chimney. The rest of our week was spent fixing up the studs and putting on a completely new roof, including a front porch overhang.
Aside from the manual labor, we spent our evenings exploring the city. Winston-Salem has a lot of history, and it was very fascinating for me, as a Christian, to learn about the Moravian denomination who settled the area and still has a significant presence in the area. On Thursday, we hiked Pilot Mountain, whose pinnacle dominates the surrounding landscape. After that, we drove to Old Salem. It was here that we visited a Moravian church and learned a lot more about the denomination. I asked the gentleman talking with us about the seal I saw at the front of the sanctuary. He explained to me that the Moravian Church uses an Agnus Dei as their seal with the surrounding Latin inscription, “Vicit Agnus Noster, Eum Sequamur”, which is, "Our Lamb has conquered, let us follow him." It was a stark reminder to me of why I had come on the trip. To follow Jesus, specifically, by serving others.
Looking back on the trip, I am so glad I went. I got to be a part of something beautiful. Not only because it was advancing the kingdom here on earth through service to others, but also because of the friendships formed. I reflected on 1 John 4, specifically in verses 10 and 11, where it is written, “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” God really worked in me on this trip to love the people I was with, recognizing how loved I was by God, and how much he loves them. I continue to pray that God will work in the friendships formed and use me to bear witness to the Gospel in those relationships. It can be easy to narrow our search for God to just the big things. Our Almighty God is infinite, yes, but he is also a personal God. He works in the mundane, little things in life. In the still, small voice that Elijah heard thousands of years ago, and in the friendships that I formed last week.
Cornerstone Testimony:
Read Jake Layton’s Cornerstone testimony:
For me joining Cornerstone was originally just in a contract made with my parents so I could come to Pitt. I picked the first Campus Ministry that I saw and decided to go check it out. Clearly God was pointing me towards this group because it turned out my lazy effort put me in a new home away from home. When I walked up to the Cornerstone booth first day of my Freshman year everyone already knew me as the kid who emailed Mark, which at first was really weird but I also realized people seemed excited to have me there. Cornerstone seemed like a blessing that God had put in front of me.
As freshman year went on I didn’t attend as much as I would have liked to with school and basketball getting in the way, but I applied to be a leader of Freshman Bible Study and, not knowing anyone, I went into the experience hoping it would keep me accountable. Leading that Bible Study, I met some of my best friends and a good community. Being a leader also got me closer to staff and I developed a close relationship with Mark who has become a strong example for me. Without Cornerstone my freshman year would have been a lot different and I wouldn’t be where I am today. I probably would be stuck in a content state of stale faith. Leading the Bible Study helped me learn as much as I taught, and it helped me grow in faith everyday as I learned the importance of scripture.
As a Sophomore I have become one of the more experienced leaders of FBS and I am helping the current freshman leaders unlock their potential as they are helping me unlock mine. I have grown really close with the current freshman bible study leaders and I enjoy talking and interacting with all of them. They have helped me open up more, which for a while I enjoyed being as distant as possible. Along with them I have grown closer to my fellow Sophomores and I am happy that I picked Cornerstone to be my Campus Ministry as I know that this Community is where I belong and where I will continue to grow close bonds with people through a shared faith in God.
Financial Update
God has blessed us recently by helping us reach our monthly goal. Now, we are asking for help on a unique way of giving. If you would like to give, please click here: https://secure-q.net/Donations/CCO/15954. If you are interested in learning more, please read the picture below.
Thank you for reading our Newsletter. We pray that you continue to seek and obey the Lord!
In Christ,
Andy Moore
Jubilee Testimony
Read Nick Bersin’s Jubilee testimony:
Spring Break Testimony:
Read Will Leisner’s Habitat for Humanity Spring Break Trip Testimony:
On this trip, our primary project was to rehabilitate a dilapidated 1 story house that Habit for Humanity had purchased. Once it was fixed up, the house would be available for a family in desperate need of affordable housing. We began our days at 7:30, and worked until 2:30 with a lunch break around noon. The very first day we went right to work ripping off the old shingles on the roof and my trip highlight, demolition of the old chimney. The rest of our week was spent fixing up the studs and putting on a completely new roof, including a front porch overhang.
Aside from the manual labor, we spent our evenings exploring the city. Winston-Salem has a lot of history, and it was very fascinating for me, as a Christian, to learn about the Moravian denomination who settled the area and still has a significant presence in the area. On Thursday, we hiked Pilot Mountain, whose pinnacle dominates the surrounding landscape. After that, we drove to Old Salem. It was here that we visited a Moravian church and learned a lot more about the denomination. I asked the gentleman talking with us about the seal I saw at the front of the sanctuary. He explained to me that the Moravian Church uses an Agnus Dei as their seal with the surrounding Latin inscription, “Vicit Agnus Noster, Eum Sequamur”, which is, "Our Lamb has conquered, let us follow him." It was a stark reminder to me of why I had come on the trip. To follow Jesus, specifically, by serving others.
Looking back on the trip, I am so glad I went. I got to be a part of something beautiful. Not only because it was advancing the kingdom here on earth through service to others, but also because of the friendships formed. I reflected on 1 John 4, specifically in verses 10 and 11, where it is written, “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” God really worked in me on this trip to love the people I was with, recognizing how loved I was by God, and how much he loves them. I continue to pray that God will work in the friendships formed and use me to bear witness to the Gospel in those relationships. It can be easy to narrow our search for God to just the big things. Our Almighty God is infinite, yes, but he is also a personal God. He works in the mundane, little things in life. In the still, small voice that Elijah heard thousands of years ago, and in the friendships that I formed last week.
Cornerstone Testimony:
Read Jake Layton’s Cornerstone testimony:
As freshman year went on I didn’t attend as much as I would have liked to with school and basketball getting in the way, but I applied to be a leader of Freshman Bible Study and, not knowing anyone, I went into the experience hoping it would keep me accountable. Leading that Bible Study, I met some of my best friends and a good community. Being a leader also got me closer to staff and I developed a close relationship with Mark who has become a strong example for me. Without Cornerstone my freshman year would have been a lot different and I wouldn’t be where I am today. I probably would be stuck in a content state of stale faith. Leading the Bible Study helped me learn as much as I taught, and it helped me grow in faith everyday as I learned the importance of scripture.
As a Sophomore I have become one of the more experienced leaders of FBS and I am helping the current freshman leaders unlock their potential as they are helping me unlock mine. I have grown really close with the current freshman bible study leaders and I enjoy talking and interacting with all of them. They have helped me open up more, which for a while I enjoyed being as distant as possible. Along with them I have grown closer to my fellow Sophomores and I am happy that I picked Cornerstone to be my Campus Ministry as I know that this Community is where I belong and where I will continue to grow close bonds with people through a shared faith in God.
Financial Update
God has blessed us recently by helping us reach our monthly goal. Now, we are asking for help on a unique way of giving. If you would like to give, please click here: https://secure-q.net/Donations/CCO/15954. If you are interested in learning more, please read the picture below.
Thank you for reading our Newsletter. We pray that you continue to seek and obey the Lord!
In Christ,
Andy Moore
Thursday, February 15, 2018
February 2018 Newsletter
Fasting and Refocusing
Here is a recent article I wrote for Bellefield’s Facebook page on Lent. I thought you might enjoy it.
Lent is a time of fasting and refocusing. Often, we do one but not the other; we fast* and we have no idea why. We hear things like, “This year, I’m giving up sugar for Lent,” or “This year I’m giving up coffee for Lent.” Yet, if we were to ask that person, “Why are you giving ___ up for lent?” we would most likely not get a valid response, but one that is steeped in tradition: I’m fasting for lent, because that is what you do. Believe it or not there is a point behind fasting for the Lenten season, and that is to refocus.
Lent is a time where we examine and come to terms with our sinful, human condition. The human heart was made to worship God, but often we find ourselves replacing God with other things we love or obsess over. This, simply put, is what the Bible calls idolatry. Lent is a time where we come to terms with our idols, cast them aside, and the refocus our hearts on the one true God. When we fast at Lent, we fast from the things that have taken God’s throne. In other words, the things that we fast from during Lent are not supposed to be easy to give up, but difficult. The time that we would normally spend worshipping these Idols, must immediately be replaced with the worship of the one true God. Not to be snarky, but upon some self-examination you would most likely find that you are not worshipping sugar or coffee. We must refocus ourselves with God.
During this time of refocusing, we are reminded that the Lenten season does not stop with our own human depravity but points us to the hope of the Resurrection. Through the incarnation (God becoming man), Jesus Christ bore our penalty for sin and conquered death. And one day our sin and the penalty it bears, death, will be no more. “‘He (God) will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He (Jesus) who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:4-5)
Let us cast down our idols and be reminded of what Jesus has done and will do.
*Voluntarily abstaining from food, drink, or any other good gift from God for the sake of some spiritual purpose.
Meet the Students
Meet Sara Kaempf, a one of the “Wednesday Night Team” student leaders on Cornerstone. Read more about her:
I came to Cornerstone for the first time last fall during my first semester at Pitt. Immediately I was able to recognize this was a fellowship rich in community and deep in theology. This is exactly what I was looking for as a new student who was feeling somewhat lost.
I'm from the area, but I transferred to Pitt after graduating from The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. There, I had spent the previous two years living my lifelong dream as a fashion student. More importantly, there is where I heard and responded to God's true calling for my life. During that time, I was experiencing the hardship of broken family relationships and dysfunction brought on by abuse and drug addiction. My inability to intervene in the situation because I was nearly 400 miles away from home was a true testing of my faith. From this experience, which I am still actively facing today, I have learned countless lessons about God, His son Jesus, and His plan for my life. This is why I decided to move back to Pittsburgh to pursue a degree and career in Social Work. Being a primary witness to the darkness of abuse and addiction, but also God's vessel, I am dedicated to bringing His light into the population impacted by these things.
Cornerstone has been a tremendous help in this journey! I found a community of believers who are here to support, care for, and grow with one another through the college experience. I've also found a place where I can learn more about God so that I may continue to grow in my faith and identity in Christ. Cornerstone provides its students many opportunities to do this through weekly prayer and worships services, small group bible studies, discipleship and mentoring relationships, and service projects. I am honored to be a part of a strong and faithful community of believers who truly are a reflection of God's love. And I can't wait to see where this journey takes me next!
Financial Update
God has blessed us recently by helping us reach our monthly goal. Now, we are asking for help on a unique way of giving. If you are interested in learning more, please read the picture below.
Habitat for Humanity Spring Break Trip
As many of you know from reading past newsletters, I took over as the adviser 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 Winston-Salem, North Carolina to help build and work on houses. I cannot, however, do this alone. The trip costs $500, 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
Moore News
Not much has happened in the Moore household in the past few weeks…except for one big piece of news. We found out a few days ago, that Benjamin was accepted into the Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy (aka Sci-Tech) for middle school and high school! This is especially exciting not only because it’s a great middle school/high school, but because this was Benjamin’s number one choice of school! Benjamin doesn’t always show a ton of emotion in surprise situations, but he was through the roof for this one. Above is a video of him reading his letter of acceptance.
We have decided (as a family) that we are going to be taking a year off baseball. Emily and I threw out (pun intended) the idea to the boys, and (to our surprise) they understood and were fine with the idea. It seems like we have all been on the go, and we were all starting to feel it. Instead of reaching burnout, we thought it would be a good idea to take a much-needed break. The boys are currently taking swim lessons, and we plan to continue that throughout the beginning of the summer.
I pray that you are well, and that you continue to move forward in your relationship with Christ.
In Christ,
Andy Moore
Here is a recent article I wrote for Bellefield’s Facebook page on Lent. I thought you might enjoy it.
Lent is a time of fasting and refocusing. Often, we do one but not the other; we fast* and we have no idea why. We hear things like, “This year, I’m giving up sugar for Lent,” or “This year I’m giving up coffee for Lent.” Yet, if we were to ask that person, “Why are you giving ___ up for lent?” we would most likely not get a valid response, but one that is steeped in tradition: I’m fasting for lent, because that is what you do. Believe it or not there is a point behind fasting for the Lenten season, and that is to refocus.
Lent is a time where we examine and come to terms with our sinful, human condition. The human heart was made to worship God, but often we find ourselves replacing God with other things we love or obsess over. This, simply put, is what the Bible calls idolatry. Lent is a time where we come to terms with our idols, cast them aside, and the refocus our hearts on the one true God. When we fast at Lent, we fast from the things that have taken God’s throne. In other words, the things that we fast from during Lent are not supposed to be easy to give up, but difficult. The time that we would normally spend worshipping these Idols, must immediately be replaced with the worship of the one true God. Not to be snarky, but upon some self-examination you would most likely find that you are not worshipping sugar or coffee. We must refocus ourselves with God.
During this time of refocusing, we are reminded that the Lenten season does not stop with our own human depravity but points us to the hope of the Resurrection. Through the incarnation (God becoming man), Jesus Christ bore our penalty for sin and conquered death. And one day our sin and the penalty it bears, death, will be no more. “‘He (God) will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He (Jesus) who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:4-5)
Let us cast down our idols and be reminded of what Jesus has done and will do.
*Voluntarily abstaining from food, drink, or any other good gift from God for the sake of some spiritual purpose.
Meet the Students
I came to Cornerstone for the first time last fall during my first semester at Pitt. Immediately I was able to recognize this was a fellowship rich in community and deep in theology. This is exactly what I was looking for as a new student who was feeling somewhat lost.
I'm from the area, but I transferred to Pitt after graduating from The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. There, I had spent the previous two years living my lifelong dream as a fashion student. More importantly, there is where I heard and responded to God's true calling for my life. During that time, I was experiencing the hardship of broken family relationships and dysfunction brought on by abuse and drug addiction. My inability to intervene in the situation because I was nearly 400 miles away from home was a true testing of my faith. From this experience, which I am still actively facing today, I have learned countless lessons about God, His son Jesus, and His plan for my life. This is why I decided to move back to Pittsburgh to pursue a degree and career in Social Work. Being a primary witness to the darkness of abuse and addiction, but also God's vessel, I am dedicated to bringing His light into the population impacted by these things.
Cornerstone has been a tremendous help in this journey! I found a community of believers who are here to support, care for, and grow with one another through the college experience. I've also found a place where I can learn more about God so that I may continue to grow in my faith and identity in Christ. Cornerstone provides its students many opportunities to do this through weekly prayer and worships services, small group bible studies, discipleship and mentoring relationships, and service projects. I am honored to be a part of a strong and faithful community of believers who truly are a reflection of God's love. And I can't wait to see where this journey takes me next!
Financial Update
God has blessed us recently by helping us reach our monthly goal. Now, we are asking for help on a unique way of giving. If you are interested in learning more, please read the picture below.
Habitat for Humanity Spring Break Trip
As many of you know from reading past newsletters, I took over as the adviser 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 Winston-Salem, North Carolina to help build and work on houses. I cannot, however, do this alone. The trip costs $500, 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
Moore News
We have decided (as a family) that we are going to be taking a year off baseball. Emily and I threw out (pun intended) the idea to the boys, and (to our surprise) they understood and were fine with the idea. It seems like we have all been on the go, and we were all starting to feel it. Instead of reaching burnout, we thought it would be a good idea to take a much-needed break. The boys are currently taking swim lessons, and we plan to continue that throughout the beginning of the summer.
I pray that you are well, and that you continue to move forward in your relationship with Christ.
In Christ,
Andy Moore
Thursday, January 25, 2018
January 2018 Newsletter
Cornerstone Update
With a new calendar year comes new leadership. While we have never really had a problem retaining our leaders, this year we have had a huge turnover in leadership. On one hand, the thought of working and teaching so many new people can be daunting. On the other hand, it brings something new to the table. Every leadership team has a different collective personality, and sometimes it refreshing to have a fresh perspective. There seems to be a genuine ere of optimism, and a sincere love for Christ. God is and will continue to do great things through Cornerstone, so please be in continued prayer for them.
Meet the Students
Meet Sean Justice, a Senior who is one of the leaders of our Worship team. Read more about him:
Since day one of college, Cornerstone has been a place where no matter what else has been going on in my life, I would be surrounded by God’s love from students and faculty that truly care about me and other people. That’s something that’s hard to find in even some (supposed) Christian communities. My involvement in Cornerstone has been pretty constant over the past three years if not consistent as far as depth goes. In that time, I’ve come to learn a few different things about my relationship with God as well as what it means for my life. I can say for certain that without Cornerstone my faith would be weaker than when I had started college and I’d be short some really great friends and mentors.
In general, as a person Cornerstone has helped me come out of my shell while at college. Being involved with Cornerstone, whether for orientation events, bible study, worship, discipleship groups and all manner of shenanigans really put me in a place to meet a lot of new people. Despite preferring to keep to myself I’ve gotten much more outgoing with trying to be open with and talk to new people. And while it took some convincing, and I still like to hide in the background, being on leadership has been a great experience as well. Learning to trust and serve God, aware that I don’t need to be perfect but to let him be perfect, has been a huge ongoing lesson because of my time with Cornerstone.
While I’ve always known that spiritual discipline is important, Cornerstone has helped me put it into practice. While doing so I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the work God has done in mine and others lives when he is set consistently as the focus of my day. The presence of a community to help focus on God has been huge for me. And with that comes a stronger relationship with Him that has helped me to be more trusting and vulnerable. The combination of things has led to some of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make and trusting that they were God’s will. Discipline, community, vulnerability and trust. These are the sort of things that I hope to carry with me after college because of Cornerstone.
Financial Update
God has blessed us recently by helping us reach our monthly goal. Now, we are asking for help on a unique way of giving. If you are interested in learning more, please read the picture below:
Habitat for Humanity Spring Break Trip
As many of you know, I am the adviser for the Pitt Habitat for Humanity. This role has given me the unique opportunity to meet and work with students. One such opportunity is taking part in an amazing Spring Break trip to Winston-Salem, NC to help work on houses. The trip costs $300 per student. The expenses include transportation, housing, and food for the week. If you are able and willing, I’m asking for your support or help to cover trip expenses. If you would like to help support students on this trip, please go to the following website: https://engage.pitt.edu/project/8688.
Moore News
The Moore’s has a fantastic Christmas. We flew out on December 20th to Colorado and spent a bit over a week out there. Out of the 13 (almost 14) years that Emily and I have been married, we have never celebrated Christmas in Colorado with her family. It was so incredibly relaxing! We went and saw the zoo lights in Denver on Christmas Eve, visited with Emily’s relatives, watched a lot of football and I met up with a former student and wonderful friend, Jeff Schallick, who lives in Cheyenne, WY working in the gas/oil industry. (Read more about what Jeff does by visiting the following link: http://ccojubilee.org/stories/living-out-gods-story-for-gas-drilling/89/). The whole family just had such an incredible, relaxing, and joyous time. I’m not exactly sure why it took 13+ years for us to do this.
We flew back into Pittsburgh on December 28th (Yes, I spent my whole birthday in various airports. It wasn’t that bad.), and we didn’t arrive home until 1:00 a.m. on December 29th. Just a few short hours later, my parents and sister’s family came to Pittsburgh for our “second Christmas.” I’m not sure if frying a turkey on a few hours of sleep is a good idea, but I did it anyway. It was as if the same incredible, relaxing, and joyous time that we had in Colorado transferred over to Pittsburgh. In other words, the party never stopped. Multiple people have been asking me, “What was your favorite gift?” Honestly, its hard for me to single out one. For me, it is way more about the experience. As my parents taught me, “It’s not where you are (or in this case what you get), by who you’re with.”
We pray that you all had a fantastic Christmas, and that God continues to work through you!
In Christ,
Andy Moore
With a new calendar year comes new leadership. While we have never really had a problem retaining our leaders, this year we have had a huge turnover in leadership. On one hand, the thought of working and teaching so many new people can be daunting. On the other hand, it brings something new to the table. Every leadership team has a different collective personality, and sometimes it refreshing to have a fresh perspective. There seems to be a genuine ere of optimism, and a sincere love for Christ. God is and will continue to do great things through Cornerstone, so please be in continued prayer for them.
Meet the Students
Since day one of college, Cornerstone has been a place where no matter what else has been going on in my life, I would be surrounded by God’s love from students and faculty that truly care about me and other people. That’s something that’s hard to find in even some (supposed) Christian communities. My involvement in Cornerstone has been pretty constant over the past three years if not consistent as far as depth goes. In that time, I’ve come to learn a few different things about my relationship with God as well as what it means for my life. I can say for certain that without Cornerstone my faith would be weaker than when I had started college and I’d be short some really great friends and mentors.
In general, as a person Cornerstone has helped me come out of my shell while at college. Being involved with Cornerstone, whether for orientation events, bible study, worship, discipleship groups and all manner of shenanigans really put me in a place to meet a lot of new people. Despite preferring to keep to myself I’ve gotten much more outgoing with trying to be open with and talk to new people. And while it took some convincing, and I still like to hide in the background, being on leadership has been a great experience as well. Learning to trust and serve God, aware that I don’t need to be perfect but to let him be perfect, has been a huge ongoing lesson because of my time with Cornerstone.
While I’ve always known that spiritual discipline is important, Cornerstone has helped me put it into practice. While doing so I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the work God has done in mine and others lives when he is set consistently as the focus of my day. The presence of a community to help focus on God has been huge for me. And with that comes a stronger relationship with Him that has helped me to be more trusting and vulnerable. The combination of things has led to some of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make and trusting that they were God’s will. Discipline, community, vulnerability and trust. These are the sort of things that I hope to carry with me after college because of Cornerstone.
Financial Update
God has blessed us recently by helping us reach our monthly goal. Now, we are asking for help on a unique way of giving. If you are interested in learning more, please read the picture below:
Habitat for Humanity Spring Break Trip
As many of you know, I am the adviser for the Pitt Habitat for Humanity. This role has given me the unique opportunity to meet and work with students. One such opportunity is taking part in an amazing Spring Break trip to Winston-Salem, NC to help work on houses. The trip costs $300 per student. The expenses include transportation, housing, and food for the week. If you are able and willing, I’m asking for your support or help to cover trip expenses. If you would like to help support students on this trip, please go to the following website: https://engage.pitt.edu/project/8688.
Moore News
We flew back into Pittsburgh on December 28th (Yes, I spent my whole birthday in various airports. It wasn’t that bad.), and we didn’t arrive home until 1:00 a.m. on December 29th. Just a few short hours later, my parents and sister’s family came to Pittsburgh for our “second Christmas.” I’m not sure if frying a turkey on a few hours of sleep is a good idea, but I did it anyway. It was as if the same incredible, relaxing, and joyous time that we had in Colorado transferred over to Pittsburgh. In other words, the party never stopped. Multiple people have been asking me, “What was your favorite gift?” Honestly, its hard for me to single out one. For me, it is way more about the experience. As my parents taught me, “It’s not where you are (or in this case what you get), by who you’re with.”
We pray that you all had a fantastic Christmas, and that God continues to work through you!
In Christ,
Andy Moore
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