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Cornerstone Welcomes our new Director of Youth Ministry
Brandi Kirkland has joined Cornerstone as our Director of Youth Ministry. Brandi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Bible and Christian Ministry from Johnson University and has led in family ministry for almost two decades in a variety of churches. For the last four years, Brandi has worked as a church consultant with Ministry Architects, helping pastors and church leaders around the country find creative ways to reach more people sustainably. Now, she is overjoyed to be going back to her roots in youth ministry.
Cornerstone Welcomes Melinda Merkley King
Cornerstone’s Session is excited to announce that Melinda King has accepted our offer to serve as CPC’s Interim Pastor. Melinda has led many of our recent worship services and has known our congregation since before Fred was called to be our Pastor. With the blessing of the Presbytery’s Commission on Ministry, Melinda will work in our church office four days a week. If you need to contact Melinda please reach out to her through the church office. Having filled our Bridge Interim role, the Session’s focus will turn to the next steps in our path to a new Senior Pastor. We’ll share more updates in the coming weeks.
Rev. Melinda Merkley King is originally from Delaware, Melinda and is a graduate of James Madison University and Union Presbyterian Seminary. She has served churches in central North Carolina as solo pastor, youth director, supply preacher, and, most recently, nearly eleven years as an associate pastor at the Kirk of Kildaire. She and her husband Brian have two young adult sons. Oliver, a software engineer, lives in Atlanta, and Isaac, a student at NCSU. Melinda’s favorite things include good food, good books, good exercise, good music, and good times with family and friends. Her favorite places include beaches, botanical gardens, thrift stores, and especially churches, where Christ’s body gathers together to pray, praise, learn, laugh, care and share.
Power of Prayer, Wednesdays at 2:00p.m.
Join us each Wednesday at 2:00 as we pray together for health, healing, peace and all that is good.
https://zoom.us/j/897946145?pwd=WkRKMUp6dTRvYkc2SDQ3U2tMM3JJZz09
Meeting ID: 897 946 145 Password: 612093
4 Tips for Returning to Church
No matter who you are, there may have come a time when you stopped going to church. Perhaps you lost your faith, or maybe you were one of many teenagers who struggled to get up on Sunday morning. Remember that a church’s doors are always open, and when you feel it’s time to return, we look forward to you joining us.
The idea of returning to church after several years can seem daunting. You may feel embarrassed or unsure of yourself. This is all completely normal, which is why we’ve come up with these tips to make it easier for you to return to church:
Find the right church for you
Perhaps the most important thing to remember when returning to church is to find a congregation that you feel comfortable in. Just because you went to a particular church when you were a child doesn’t mean that you have to go to that same church as an adult. Look at some websites and ask yourself what you hope to find. Are you looking for something more formal or informal? Do you want to have a large church where you can blend in, or would you prefer a smaller church with a close community? Asking yourself these questions will help you narrow down on your choices.
Go with a friend or family member
Go to a church service with a friend or family member. It will make you feel more comfortable. Attending a new church all alone after many years is a challenging experience. Having a friend by your side will put you more at ease.
Prepare ahead of time
Even if you are returning to the same church that you went to as a child, it’s best not to go in blind. Churches change over the years, and you may not know what’s custom and what’s not. If you’re going with a friend who is already a member of the congregation, ask them a few days in advance what you should wear. Then, take a look at their website to get a better feel for what the congregation and services are like.
Start slow
Start slow and do only what you feel comfortable doing. If that means only going to church once a month, then only go once a month. Your church will always be there for you, and as you get more comfortable, you’ll be encouraged to participate more.
Returning to church after time away can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. At Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, we welcome everybody who has been away from the church, no matter how long. To learn more about us, give us a call at 919-303-9200 or contact us on our website today.
Cornerstone Does Habitat!
Habitat for Humanity, Cornerstone is excited to be a part of the Presbyterian Build to construct houses in Cary. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. Please contact the church office or Cornerstone’s Mission team to learn more!