March 2017 Newsletter

Spring Break in Birmingham
As many of you know, this year I traveled with 42(!) students to Birmingham, AL to build houses with Habitat for Humanity (H4H) for Spring Break. This was my third H4H spring break trip, and was something I was really looking forward too. Spring Break is always a welcome time of rest, often breaking up the monotony of current work and focusing on a task that is completely different.

The Birmingham chapter of H4H is a well-oiled machine! Birmingham is one of the top ten H4H sects in the world, building approximately 50 houses from the foundation up and another 100 rehab projects. Unlike other years there was always something to do from the time we arrived to the time we left. It was tiring, exhausting, and (at times) grueling work, but it was also amazing! With the help of students, I installed porch ceilings, built furniture without instructions, and installed trusses. Other students had the chance to roof, paint, install walls, and much more….and they were awesome at it!

The highlight of the trip, as always, was getting to meet or know students. The group dynamic was outstanding, and I felt very loved and welcomed. Another group highlight is when a group of us went to look at the 16th St. Church in downtown Birmingham, known for being bombed in the Civil Rights movement. After looking at the church, we decided to cross the street and tour the Civil Rights park that was there. While at the Park, a man approached us after recognizing that we were people volunteering with Habitat. He then asked if we wanted a tour of the park, to which we eagerly said, “yes.” After a few minutes into the tour, this man introduced himself as the grandson of John Thomas Porter, a pastor and key leader in the Civil Rights movement in Birmingham! We were blessed to have such a tour!

This was the best Habitat trip I have been on. I met so many charming and unique students, and built strong relationships with them. It was a great reminder of why I do what I do.

Spring Break Student Testimony

Meet Kevin White, the current student president of the Pitt chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Read about experience on the trip:

This spring break trip was my fourth spring break trip with Habitat for Humanity. It’s always hard to compare the trips. There is a lot of variation with different groups, different construction work, different meal & living conditions, and different families that we are building for; however, there are several key characteristics that I have found on this trip that have kept me coming back.

When I first came on my first habitat trip, I didn’t have that many friends. I was a freshman in college and was completely out of my element. Habitat gave me the opportunity to meet genuine people who have become some of my greatest friends. There’s a quote that you don’t know someone until you volunteer with them, and I have found that to be true. The relationships that are formed on this trip are unique and genuine.

Throughout the years, there has been a wide variety of the construction work we do, and the families that we are building for. We have worked to make homes handicap accessible for individuals who have never moved out of their parents’ house until now, and we have built homes for single mothers struggling to give their children a bed to sleep in. Last year as I was sitting in the rafters on the last day, the home owner was being given a tour through the new property. With tears in her eyes, she walked from room to room describing which of her children would live there and the plans that they had to make each room their own. This woman was living in a trailer home with her mother and children, all of whom had never had their own bed before, and this interaction has forever changed my outlook on life.

Habitat has shown me that when a group of individuals are willing to put in some hard work, entire lives can be changed. Habitat does not build houses, but they create homes and every volunteer is a part of that family. Through construction or fundraising, every individual who helps build this home, is helping to build a future for these men, women, and children, and that’s why I have kept coming back.

Financial Goal
God has blessed us recently in the past few months 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 Click on the below picture.

Moore News

This past weekend, we were able to celebrate Joshua’s birthday. Nine years ago, Emily (who was 35 weeks pregnant) was admitted to the ER with the flu. Due to dehydration, she went into early labor and gave a pretty traumatic birth. What ended up being one of the worst days of my life, also gave me one of the best gifts I could ever ask for. It’s amazing to see how far he has come, and scary to see how much he is like me.

As you may know, Joshua has had the privilege of being nominated by his teachers to participate in the National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF): Pathways to STEM, which is to be held in Trenton, NJ on June 26 through June 30.

We whole-heartedly support Josh in this fantastic achievement! This opportunity, however, is a costly venture. Joshua is fundraising $2,500 to be able to attend. This price includes the program as well as traveling, food, and hotel costs.

We know that we cannot afford to send Joshua entirely by ourselves, so we are asking that you consider donating by May 31st, so that he may be able to attend the NYLF program. If interested in donating, please go the following website: goo.gl/eS08Rz.

Everyone else in the family is doing well. Asher was admitted to the gifted program! He now gets to join his brothers at the gifted center on Wednesdays, and is very excited. Benjamin has really gotten into basketball, especially March Madness. He created his own bracket for the first time this year. Unfortunately, he had Villanova winning. Emily continues to stay busy working, and being a full-time mom. She continues to excel in all that she does.

I pray that this letter find you well, and that God continues to work through you.

In Christ,
Andy Moore

January & February 2017 Newsletter

Cornerstone Update
As with every new calendar year, there comes new leadership. This year, however, Cornerstone will be having its smallest leadership team...and I don’t say that as if it’s a bad thing. The thought of supervising a lot or people can seem daunting, so the lesser number will be much easier to manage. This year, I will be in charge of the planning team and the worship team, supervising the team and trying to figure out new ways to organize, facilitate, and worship in our large group fellowship on Wednesdays.

The Planning Team (led by Zack Miller, Nathalie, and Jules Saviola) is responsible for everything a student might encounter from the time they arrive at Cornerstone to the time they leave. This includes facilitating the overall flow and quality of Cornerstone, meeting weekly with staff, working with the worship team on planning center, supporting other AoM’s on Wednesday, coordinating tech, updating the Cornerstone Calendar, and designing creative ways to foster relationships either during or after Cornerstone. They are certainly a busy (and well organized) group.

The Worship team (led by Sophie Cosentino, Sean Justice, and Morgan Medvedz) is dedicated to praising God using the spiritual gifts he has bestowed upon each of us. They forge strong relationships with one another while sharing their love of music and their passion for God with our brothers and sisters in Christ, engaging the congregation in glorious praise. Through worship, they grow deeply not only as friends, musicians, and leaders, but as followers of Christ.

It is an honor getting to serve and help plan the Cornerstone service with the planning team, as well as use my musical gifts (which few know I have) to serve the worship team.

Meet the Students

Read more about one of our students, Nate Flick:

1. What is your favorite childhood memory? My favorite childhood memory was when my grandparents took my parents and I out west when I was 8 years old. We visited Las Vegas in Nevada, the Grand Canyon and Death Valley in Arizona, and ended the trip with LegoLand in California! Being a huge Lego fan, I felt like I died and went to heaven! I also remember staying in a hotel in Vegas with a roller coaster that went around it, and spending one afternoon with my grandmother while bawling my eyes out in fear of my parents going on it!

2. What has been your involvement in Cornerstone? With Cornerstone, I have been involved with several service and outreach events, such as ALIVE with Living Ministry, small volunteer events, and several Bible studies and D-groups. Now that I have assumed a leadership position as part of the C.O.P.S. (Cornerstone Outreach, Prayer, and Service) team, I hope to play a strong role in organizing and helping with all sorts of events, especially those that reach out to other service groups on campus and to those in need. Also, being a prayer leader, I hope to be involved in ways that strengthen the church’s pursuit of meaningful prayer.

3. How has Cornerstone helped you during your years at Pitt?  Originally from the Pocono Mountains in eastern PA, I transferred to Pitt from Bloomsburg University and began my studies, and my involvement with Cornerstone, in the spring of 2016. Having already been a Christian before coming, I knew what to expect, but have still grown in ways that I wouldn’t have imagined. I wouldn’t have thought I would make the friends that I have, and uncover the wisdom that I did, while adjusting to a new lifestyle and handling increasingly difficult academics. Being in Cornerstone has shed more light on following Christ in all areas of life, not just in my career. So far, I have gained the most wisdom in actively pursuing the good of Christ’s Kingdom, and being the one to step out in love for those in need. I hope to be transformed in so many more ways!

Financial Update

God has blessed us recently in the past few months 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 click on 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 Birmingham 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/4661.

Moore News

We had a fantastic Christmas (and Emily and I also had great birthdays)! It started when we joined my parents and sister’s family at Beulah Beach. It is always a good time when we get together, especially at Christmas…and especially at Beulah Beach! We spent Christmas day at home in Pittsburgh. It was the fantastic and relaxing break we all needed. Joshua, however, did get a concussion on Christmas Eve, which is never fun.

In other exciting news, Joshua has had the privilege of being nominated by his teachers to participate in the National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF): Pathways to STEM, which is to be held in Trenton, NJ on June 26 through June 30.

We whole-heartedly support Josh in this fantastic achievement! This opportunity, however, is a costly venture. Joshua is fundraising $2,500 to be able to attend. This price includes the program as well as traveling, food, and hotel costs.

We know that we cannot afford to send Joshua entirely by ourselves, so we are asking that you consider donating by May 31st, so that he may be able to attend the NYLF program. If interested in donating, please go the following website: goo.gl/eS08Rz.

We Pray that his letter finds you well! Thank you, and God bless!

In Christ,
Andy Moore

2016 Christmas Letter

Please click on the picture below (or click on the link below) to read our 2016 Christmas Newsletter.  Have a very Merry Christmas!

2016 Christmas Letter (link)

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

September 2016 Newsletter

Cornerstone Update
This summer we held our annual summer large group gathering, Common Ground. Common Ground takes most of the CCO groups in Pittsburgh, from various campuses, and combines them into one large group which meets once a week. We decided to do Francis Chan’s “Basic” series this year, as a way to get new perspective on the many Christian truths we already know (Fear, The Holy Spirit, Fellowship, etc.). Common Ground had a great turn out with some great discussion on the BASIC series.

After Common Ground, and an extended vacation, came the time for planning the upcoming school year. This meant that orientation week was soon coming up, complete with multiple fun activities and tireless hours spent working. Here our student leadership took on orientation week events, as well as events scattered through the upcoming semester. We have a great group of leadership students, who came up with some big (and new) ideas. Orientation week went off without a hitch, and we had phenomenal turnouts to all of our events.

Now we are part way during the semester, and I am just trying to catch my breath. It has been, by far, my busiest semester to date. Granted I am taking two seminary classes on top of working, which (of course) makes it busier. Bobbi, Mark, Meagan (our new fellow), and I are all still finding out what does and does not work to our individual strengths. Cornerstone has been great so far, though. We are exploring new ideas and trying new things, constantly seeking God though out all of this. God has certainly been moving here.

Meet the Students

Meet “Backwards Hat” Nick Pezzuti, a junior Mechanical Engineering major from Mechanicsburg, PA. Nick has been part of our ministry since the orientation week cookout his freshman year. Read more about him:

1. What is your favorite childhood memory? My favorite childhood memory has to be playing games with my family. We had a soft mini ball when I was little. My brother, sister, dad and I would run around the house and play ball tag. Sure a few lamps were broken, and a few bumps on the head were given, but the memories will last a lifetime.

2. What has been your involvement in Cornerstone? I've been involved in Cornerstone for two years, and have been on leadership for one. As a small group leader, I've really enjoyed leading a bible study and getting to know the people that come to Cornerstone even better. Being involved in Cornerstone has been a huge blessing in my life, and I've learned a lot through my experiences there.

3. How has Cornerstone helped you during your years at Pitt? Cornerstone has taught me a lot about my faith in Jesus, and has really helped me understand the Gospel and what it means and looks like to find my identity solely in Jesus Christ. Through the talks, bible studies, outreach events, hangouts, and everything in between, Cornerstone is helping me bring Glory to God throughout my life each and every day.

Financial Update

As you may have noted from the chart that our monthly giving is $3,681, 94% of where we need to be. I have been raising these funds so I can minister to students like Nick, and see how God has worked in his life during his years at Pitt. It is because of God working through you that all this is possible, and I am completely in awe by all of your graciousness. If you would like to help this ministry, we are always looking for new supporters. If God leads you to prayerfully do so, we would love for you to be a part of this ministry through gift. Remember that any gift is a good gift. We trust that God will provide. He always has, and He always will. We thank you, and may God bless you richly because you have given to advance His kingdom! 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 seems as though the entire month of July was spent in vacation, and it was (for the most part) relaxing. We started July by going to Vermillion, Ohio to Family Camp at Beulah Beach. Here we, were joined by my entire family (my parents, and my sister and family). It was a great five days of playing outdoors, as well as learning some biblical wisdom and meeting new families. There were a lot of great times and memories on that trip, but very little down time.

Immediately after the Beulah trip, we went back home, packed up our things, got our dog, and headed to Colorado to see Emily’s family and friends. We had a great time as the boys played on the farm and we visited various places, like the Denver Museum and a Trampoline park. My favorite part of the trip was when I preached at Emily’s church on the resurrection of Lazarus. It was really a blessing to be able to speak to a church that has supported us for so long.

Now the kids are back in school, and we are trying to settle in to new schedules. Benjamin and Joshua have decided to pursue fall baseball, and will actually be on the same team this time...which makes coaching much more manageable. Asher toyed with the idea of playing Fall Ball, but decided that baseball wasn't his thing (which is absolutely fine). He has decided instead to pursue art classes. He is a fairly gifted artist for a 6 year old, and is really excited about it. He has started drawing constantly, and just keeps getting better and better.

We thank you all for your love and kindness, and pray that you continue to advance in the knowledge and wisdom of Jesus Christ. Hopefully, these newsletters and updates will be a bit more frequent.

In Christ,
Andy Moore

June 2016 Newsletter

Changes
This month marks the end of an era. My beloved boss and coworker for the past nine years, Chris Ansell, has decided to move on from his position at Bellefield/Cornerstone. I actually first met Chris even before I started working at Bellefield. It was at a CCO staff seminar, and we were in a group together. After we were done talking, he asked me to apply to the Bellefield position. I did, and here I am today.

When I first started working at Bellefield, Chris and I didn’t get along too well. Chris is a type A personality, I’m a type B personality, and I think our work styles just clashed at times. As the years went by, we learned to complement each other and our differences. I had strengths where he had weaknesses, and he had strengths where I had weaknesses. Not only did our work relationship develop, but our friendship also developed. I now consider Chris Ansell (aka “Chransell” as known as by the students) to be one of the best friends that I have.

I am heartbroken that Chris is leaving, but I am so excited about how God will use him and his family.

With that being said, we now have a new coworker: our former fellow (intern) Mark Michaelis. I was so happy when Mark applied for the job. He has been a tremendous fellow, and really brings a lot to our team. This year will definitely not be the same without Chris, nor should we expect it to be. I expect it will be downright weird at first. I am, however, super excited to work with Mark, Bobbi, and our two new fellows. Cornerstone will look different, but God will still be there and in control.

Meet the Students

Meet Emily Wenz, a junior Rehabilitation Sciences major, with a Certificate in American Sign Language, from New Hope, PA. Read more about her and her experiences at Cornerstone.

1. What is your favorite childhood memory? I have many, but the first memories that come to mind are my birthday parties growing up. I’m a triplet, so we always had huge birthday parties for my brothers and I all together during the summer. One year, we had a giant water fight party with about 50 kids simultaneously sliding down an inflatable water slide and chucking water balloons at each other. It was awesome, but now I can see why my parents were always so stressed during those parties….Anyway, one of my babysitters would always make a cake with three different sections because my brothers and I could never agree on what we wanted to put on it (some things never change).
Note: I was going to write about the time I attended Farm Camp and learned how to groom and show cows (aka we gave them baths and then walked them around on a lease in a circle) because it was hilarious and more enjoyable than expected, but I now realize that really the only funny/sad thing about that memory is that I was barely still a child when I attended (I was 14), so I wasn’t sure if it counted as a childhood memory.

2. What has been your involvement in Cornerstone? I’ve been involved in Cornerstone since my freshman year. I started attending every few weeks and slowly got more involved. I joined the worship team at the end of my freshman year and I am now one of the worship leaders. As a musician, worship was one part of Cornerstone that kept me coming from the beginning, so serving as worship leader and growing in my faith through music has been a great opportunity. I am also involved in the outreach team and I attend bible studies.

3. How has Cornerstone helped you during your years at Pitt? Cornerstone has been a huge help to me throughout my time at Pitt. My faith has grown tremendously throughout college, which is one thing I never would’ve expected. I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs over the last few years, and without having Cornerstone as a community to lean on and to hold me accountable, I don’t think I would have grown nearly as much as I have during college so far. I’ve learned that liking a place or what you’re doing there is not nearly as important as liking the people around you. Cornerstone has allowed me to meet some incredible people who have taught me what it means to really care for each other and to strive to serve God through everything I do.

Financial Update

You may have seen from the chart that our monthly giving is $3176, 81% of where we need to be. It is because of all of you that I am here and will get to where I need to be. I have been raising this support so I can minister to students like Emily, and see how God has worked in her life during her years at Pitt. Working with College students, and seeing God transform them, is a true blessing and I thank God every day for this opportunity. If you would like to help this ministry, we are always looking for new supporters. This is what makes ministry possible. If God leads you to do so, we would love for you to be a part of this ministry through gift and/or prayer. We trust that God will provide. He always has, and He always will. Remember that any gift is a good gift. We thank you, and may God bless you richly because you have given to advance His kingdom! 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’ school days and baseball season are at an end. Ben’s team won their World Series, placing them 1st in their league, while Josh’s team ended the season in 2nd place. All the boys on both teams worked so hard this year, and were led by great coaches. With baseball done, it is feeling like summer is finally beginning. So far, our future summer plans consist of joining my entire family for Beulah Beach Family Camp, followed immediately by a cross country trip to visit Emily’s family and friends in Colorado. This (along with some summer training) will pretty much take up our entire July. It’s going to be a bit chaotic, but a good chaotic. Emily has also volunteered to spend a week helping to lead Bellefield’s youth by doing the Pittsburgh Project, a Christian nonprofit community development organization with a nearly 30-year track record of developing leaders and serving the city’s most vulnerable residents. Throw in some baseball “lessons” with the boys, and you pretty much have a description of our summer

In other news, I have decided that the time is right to start taking seminary classes. The CCO offers discounted classes through Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA. I have decided to take them up on that offer, apply, and was accepted. I know that working on my MAR (Master of Arts in Religion), will take up extra time, but I love learning about the Bible and am really excited for this opportunity.

I pray that this letter finds you well, and pray that God continues to bless you.

In Christ,
Andy Moore

April & May 2016 Newsletter

University Sunday
Every Year, Bellefield gives Cornerstone the privilege of being in charge of its services. This includes the worship, ushers, prayers, readings, and the sermon. We call it, “University Sunday.” This year, we had two speakers: Zach Herbster, who spoke on “suffering” at the first and second service, and Kevin Tracey, who spoke on “love” at our third service. If you would like to hear their full sermons, please go to www.bellefield.org. In the meantime, here are some snippets from their manuscripts.

Zach Herbster, Saved to Suffer: “While all this talk of suffering might be easy to grasp theologically and intellectually, the affluent west still likes to avoid this reality at all costs. We have tremendous wealth, resources, and time that allows us to forget suffering by comforting ourselves with whatever we please. A recent New York post article announced that in America, and especially college campuses, “comfort is a preeminent value” that undergirds the American lifestyle. I hope we can grasp that this is incompatible with the Christian life, as it numbs us to the reality that Christians will often be uncomfortable in this world.

Let me be clear: affluence is not inherently sinful; it is a privilege and a great responsibility to have so much in order to be a steward of God’s kingdom. However, as Paul makes clear to the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 4:8, affluence is a severe spiritual liability that can lead to complacency.

A final illustration: in 1978 Soviet author Alexander Solzhenitsyn gave a commencement speech at Harvard. He boldly claimed that the west had grown so comfortable that they focused more on “rights and freedoms more than responsibilities and purpose.” When comfort is preeminent, we inevitably are quick to proclaim what we are entitled to. But this is theologically bankrupt, for we know that God owes us nothing, and we have been made sons and daughters of God only by grace! Instead, we must focus on our responsibility as sons and daughters to gospel and our purpose: which is to be made into the image of Christ by following him in suffering. Solzhenitsyn puts it this way when addressing the contentious ideal of becoming “western-like”:

‘No, I could not recommend your society as an ideal for the transformation of ours. Through deep suffering, people in our own country have now achieved a spiritual development of such intensity that the Western system in its present state of spiritual exhaustion does not look attractive.’

This is humbling stuff. Let us not forget our true purpose as Christians while living affluently in an affluent culture.”

Kevin Tracey, Lord, You Know I Love You: Our time in Easter is amazing and beautiful and thrilling because we have all these moments of the risen Lord. These moments when God, in risen form, reminds us that even death wasn’t strong enough to overcome his love for us. That even in our darkest moments, when we nailed Love itself—Christ our Lord—to a cross, there will never a single thing that can overcome what Christ did for us. No matter where we are or where we turn, God is always waiting for us—always coming to us and loving us without restraint.

But sometimes that’s a really uncomfortable truth to hear. Sometimes, we don’t want to hear that God loves us unconditionally. We want a reason to scream and curse and cry, and not have to be confronted with the cross. Sometimes we want to deny what has been done for us, because honestly, that would be easier.

And so, probably because I’ve written too many papers over the years, I want to give you my main idea before we jump into some scripture: Jesus loves us in spite (and through) all we do to run the opposite way. And then, He charges us to go out into the world and love in exactly the same way.

Meet the Students

Meet Megan Graybill, a (now) sophomore Rehabilitation Science major at the University of Pittsburgh who is from McAlisterville, PA. Read more about her and her experience at Cornerstone:

1. What is your favorite childhood memory? It’s really difficult for me to pick a single, favorite childhood memory, but one that is definitely close to the top is the day I got my dog, Indy. My parent’s played it off like we were just going to visit an old friend of my mother’s. As it turned out this friend was fostering a dog who had just had puppies because their owner could no longer care for them. I picked one of the puppies up to play with it (because who doesn’t love playing with puppies), and you can only imagine my surprise when my parent’s told me I got to keep her.

2. What has been your involvement in Cornerstone? Honestly, my involvement with Cornerstone is so much more than I ever thought it would be in one year. I thought because I was a freshman that I would just stand by and watch everyone else run the show. However, I’m so glad I changed my attitude because being a part of Cornerstone, Freshman Ministry Team, Worship Team, and a Discipleship Group has had such a positive impact on my life. I love being involved in various aspects of Cornerstone because it means that I get to see God working in so many different areas of my life.

3. How has Cornerstone helped you during your years at Pitt? Cornerstone has been such an influential part of my life since coming to Pitt. It has shown me how beautiful it is to have the love and support of a Christian community and what a difference that can make in how I see the world and how the world sees me. I have grown so much in my faith in such a short time which has given me the confidence to step outside of my comfort zone and push past the limits I thought I had. I’m so thankful that God led me to Cornerstone because not only have I grown so much in Him but I have also made some of the best friends I’ve ever had. Here’s to the next three years.

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 click on the picture below.

Moore News

In my last Newsletter I mentioned that all three boys are currently playing baseball; Benjamin now plays for The Diamondbacks, Joshua is continuing with The Mariners, and Asher is now playing for The Scrappers. Just to give you a little picture of what our Saturday looks like: Three kids on three different baseball teams, playing (usually) at three different times, in (usually) three different locations. And that’s just a Saturday. Five other nights of the week are usually spent trying to coordinate practices and/or games. Is it busy? Yes. Is it tiring? Absolutely. Do I love it? You better believe it. Emily also seems to be handling it like a champ, but time will test our sanity.

We were recently able to take a weekend trip to the lovely Hidden Valley area of Pennsylvania, about 1 ½ hours outside of Pittsburgh. It was great to unplug for a couple of days, sleep in, and not be on any time restraints (except for three little stomachs)! Between the rain and the snow, we were able to play many board games, read books, and spend an afternoon at Seven Springs Resort to bowl, play miniature golf, and try our hand at some arcade games. But the best thing was hearing that the boys’ favorite part of the weekend was just spending time together.

I pray that this Newsletter finds you well!

In Christ,
Andy Moore