State of the Church Report

Cornerstone UMC, 2022

 “And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47)

One of the responsibilities that all United Methodist churches have at the first of each year is to give a statistical accounting of their annual ministry.  As this data was prepared for our “2022 End-of-Year Report” to the North Georgia Annual Conference, I thought you might be interested in what I consider to be some of the highlights for Cornerstone UMC (percentages represent growth since the previous year):

• Total number of new members in 2022: 14 (+180%)

• New members joining in 2022 by profession or reaffirmation of Christian faith: 4 (+33%)

• Number of persons baptized (all ages): 2 (+100%)

• Net growth of CUMC church membership in 2022: +6 (+1%)

• Church membership as of December 31, 2022: 1084

• Average attendance for all worship services during 2022 (in-person & online): 297 (27% of membership)

• Average attendance in all Sunday School classes and small groups during 2022: 65 (+10%)

• Number of participants at children’s Vacation Bible School:  125 (+4%)

• CUMC diversity: percentage of membership not from white/Caucasian ethnicity:  2.3% (+0.5%) 

• Number of persons engaged in mission/community ministries: 70 (+100%)

• Number of persons served by community ministries of outreach, justice and mercy: 975 

• Total number of family units financially supporting our church’s mission and ministry: 208 (+8%)

• Total income received for ministry budget:  $571,664 

• Total amount received for special offerings: $5,005 

• Amount spent in 2022 on program ministry and operational expenses (excludes salaries):

$119,775 (+13%)

• Amount given during 2022 for local, state, and world mission ministry: $58,827 (+12%)

• Current value of all church-owned buildings & property:  $2,304.291 

• Principal and interest paid on indebtedness: $25,476 

• Debt remaining on current physical buildings & assets: $342,865

As you can see, the statistics reveal that -- after a challenging year 2021 -- not only have we stabilized, but that we’re once again starting to show signs of new growth in many areas, with more things still to come in 2023.  So if you haven’t already, I pray that this year you and your family will “get in” on what God is doing in our midst!  Remember, God loves you and I do, too!

Prayer for Justice in Response to Gun Violence and Racism

In response to news of continued gun violence (this time in California) and of the recent racist brutality towards Tyre Nichols in Memphis, TN (regardless of the color of the perpetrators), this past Sunday I wrote and shared the following Spirit-inspired words as part of my Pastoral Prayer in worship.  I share it with you in the hopes that you will pray it for yourself, as I will be doing for myself, as well:

“O Lord, seeing the events in the news from this past week, we are reminded of the fact that we live in a broken, fallen world -- a world of violence, racism, selfishness, division, and injustice.

In the words of Isaiah 6:5, ‘Woe are we! We are lost, for we are a people of unclean lips, and we live among a people of unclean lips’   Forgive us, God, for the part or parts that we have played -- either consciously or unconsciously -- either in bringing such a world into existence, or even in allowing such a world to continue.

Yet, we also affirm Isaiah’s words at the end of that verse, as well, when he said ‘yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!.’  For we as your people know that you sent your son Jesus into our broken, fallen world, to offer forgiveness and redemption for all the shortcomings both of ourselves and those in our world, but also to empower us with your Holy Spirit, so that we can make a difference in helping our world to be, and become, a better place for all persons.

So, give us grace, discernment, patience, a spirit of peace, and an open heart to hear what you would have us say and do to bring about your kingdom on this earth today -- a kingdom characterized by justice, righteousness, and equity for all people.  Thank you for your love, and for allowing us to be the vessels by and through which your salvation and peace is brought to all.

In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.”

 

 

Christianity the Wesleyan Way

What’s so special about “being a Methodist”? Aren’t we supposed to just be “Christian”? How does Methodist Christianity address today’s culture in uniquely relevant ways? These are a few of the questions we'll address in a new six-part worship series called “Christianity the Wesleyan Way.” 

Offered each Sunday, January 8 - February 12, 2023, you’re invited to rediscover the difference that the practice of Wesleyan Christianity can make not only in your life but in the life of those around you. 

● January 8:  Journeying With John Wesley (Romans 3:21-26)

Discover how John Wesley and the early Methodists impacted the world with the gospel

● January 15: Catholic Spirit (John 17:20-23)

Learn what Wesleyan Christianity shares in common with other Christian traditions

● January 22: The Scripture Way to Salvation (Ephesians 2:1-10)

Explore the unique beliefs of Wesleyan Christianity

● January 29: Practical Divinity (1 Timothy 4:6-11,15-16)

Explore the unique practices of Wesleyan Christianity

● February 5: Connected to Christ (Acts 2:43-47)

            Learn ways United Methodist Christianity connects us both to Christ and each other

● February 12: The Heart of It All (1 Corinthians 13:1-13)

            The Sunday before Valentine's Day, we'll be reminded of the central focus and practice of our faith (and of Methodist Christianity)

Don't forget that God loves you, and I do, too!