News & Updates

July 2023

Dear Friends,

Pictured below, you will see our current Board of Directors. Individually and corporately, they are incredible! I am blessed to have such a committed team that cares about each other, this ministry, and is passionate about pursuing kingdom outcomes together.

At last week's annual retreat, they chose a passage of scripture to focus on for the coming year. Our Spiritual Director, Bill Nash, will lead us in discussions and prayer over each section of this verse at our monthly board meetings. We will use this verse to center our prayers over CornerStone, our team, participants, and volunteers. We would love to invite you to join us in praying through Ephesians 3:14-21 when God brings the work of CornerStone to your mind. Please know that we are so thankful for you, your support, your prayers, and your friendship.

For this reason I kneel before the Father,

from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.

I pray that out of his glorious riches

he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,

may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,

to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,

and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—

that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,

according to his power that is at work within us,

to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,

for ever and ever!

Amen.

In Jesus,

Debbi Akers

Executive Director

2023-2024 CornerStone Board of Directors

Terry Boyd, Bill Nash, Caleb Ficken, Elizabeth Jacobus, Jane Daniel, Docquinn Taylor, Katie Herr, Brandon Carrin.

This awesome team met on July 15 for their annual, off-site board retreat. They truly are a "working" board and continue to be evidence of the goodness of God as he provides leadership and support for this ministry. Pray for them as they plan, lead, and serve over this next year.

Leading from "Like" - Tony Akers

I guess it is no huge surprise that as Americans we are driven by consumer impulses. you know this. We like choices. We NEED choices. The next time you are at the grocery, take a moment and check out the cereal aisle. I dare you to try to count the different varieties. I suspect that you will lose count before you complete your task.

We are committed to what we like. The same is true for what we don't like. I am afraid this approach has settled into our bones and affects who we hang with, how we vote, and where...

Meet our newest team member: Amy Talton

We are absolutely thrilled to introduce you to CornerStone's newest team member, Amy Talton. Amy joined our team last month and filled a much needed role in this ministry. Her official title is "Director of Community Care." She has been here less than a month and we are already experiencing the blessing of so many of the gifts that God has given her.

Amy has a B.S. in Business Administration from UAH and 12+ years experience supporting the federal government in a variety of administrative and management roles. Recently, Amy made a career pivot and decided to embark on a journey of training and education that would allow her to support the mental and emotional health needs of others.

We are excited to present Amy as a resource for our program participants and volunteers. She will be serving in the area of case management with a focus on emotional / mental health support and faith formation.

Please join us in welcoming the Talton Family to the CornerStone family. Pictured here are Clint, Amy, and their son Simeon.

Your partnership in this ministry is needed!

POSTING AGAIN,

STILL A NEED.

If you have not read last month's article about our team almost losing our office space this spring, please go here and do so. Now, you understand why we are excited about seeking a way to honor God with the space we currently have and what it is going to take to do that.

We are looking for teams to invest in creating a space inside our building for small groups to study, learn, pray, and eat together. Not a classroom setting - but more of a cozy living room vibe.

Do you have a gift of design? Enjoy decorating? Ever wonder if God could use your knack of creating beautiful spaces for His glory and the good of others? We need you! Please just email debbi.akers@cornerstone-al.org

UPDATE:

Thank you to our friends and ministry partners at Southwood Presbyterian Church. They responded to our request for some "freshening up" of our exterior space. Ben Niemitz and his team of volunteers went above and beyond to make this space inviting. Thank You!

Multiple opportunities to love people through food!

Faith and Finances: Our classes will begin on August 15 and we need some precious souls to sign up to bring a meal for one of our 12 class sessions.

Meals to feed about 30 adults are needed by 5:00pm on Tuesday nights from August 15 - Nov7. To find a Tuesday night that works for your schedule, visit the meal train link here.

Amplify: The 2023-23 cohort of Amplify will kick off on August 9th and meet monthly through June 12, 2024. A hot meal would really help break the ice and create a great atmosphere for this group of about 10-12 folks. Read more or sign up at this meal train link.

Faith and Finances is right around the corner! Tony and Amy are in the process of scheduling interviews for the 44 applications we have received. Please keep them in your prayers as they seek His wisdom and discernment for that entire process.

To learn more about the ministry of F&F, please read more at this link.

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