Our Pastor, the Rev. Cheryl Cornish, became part of the First Congregational family in 1988. A native Nebraskan, Cheryl studied Philosophy at Williams College and received he Master of Divinity degree at Yale University Divinity School before being ordained in 1984. While she was at Yale, Cheryl served as Coordinator of the Yale Divinity School Women's Center. She served as pastor at Ebenezer United Church of Christ in Augusta, Missouri for four years prior to being called to First Congregational, Memphis.

A gifted preacher, Cheryl's sermons have appeared in a number of publications and she is in demand as a worship leader and preacher. She has served on the Board of Directors of MIFA (the Memphis Interfaith Association), been a member of the Board of Trustees at LeMoyne-Owen College, has been an officer of the Midsouth Interfaith Network for Economic Justice, is former president of the Memphis Ministers' Association and served as Board Chair of the Mid-South Peace and Justice Center. In 2005, Cheryl received Women of Achievement's "Courage" award for her advocacy for peace and justice.

Cheryl is available for appointment Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during the week. Call the office (278-6786, extension 1) to set up an appointment or email her at cherylcornish@bellsouth.net

Associate Pastor Rev. Sonia Louden Walker joined our staff in mid-September 2008, after graduation in her "vintage years" from Memphis Theological Seminary in May, 2008. An ordained minister in the Disciples of Christ, she also holds standing in the United Church of Christ. She earned a BA degree at Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, North Carolina, and a Master of Social Work from Howard University, School of Social Work.

Sonia's career collage includes teaching in pre-school and elementary levels and practicing social work in hospital, school, child welfare and church settings. Her extensive volunteer and staff experience in philanthropy and other non-profit service organizations are marked with honorary trustee acknowledgement at the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis. She is a founding board member and former chair of Leadership Memphis. Long before her formal response to her ministry, her pastoral care skills were recognized by the Tennessee School of Religion with an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters. During her twenty-one years of active membership at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, Sonia served on the trustee board and chaired it during critical shared space initiatives.

Sonia, and the late Walter L. Walker, reared three, now-married sons and have excitedly welcomed four grandchildren.

Pastor Sonia is available for appointments on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. Call 278-6786 x102 or e-mail her at SLWGREATIDEAS@aol.com to request an appointment.

Ms. Julia Hicks serves as our Director of Missions, helping us use our building and facilities in mission to the entire community. Julia works with our shared space ministries and partners, schedules the building and coordinates communication for our office. She also is our staff liaison the Pilgrim House Hostel, for children's programs, youth ministries and outreach programs of the church. Call her at 278-6786, extension 3, if you want to schedule an event, receive the newsletter, change your address or phone number or receive a church information packet.

Ms. Annabeth Novitzki is our Coordinator of the Arts. Dually talented as a musician and a visual artist, Annabeth joined our staff in June, 2004 after receiving her BFA in Vocal Performance with Honors from Carnegie Mellon University. She played the role of Leokadja Begbick in the Pittsburgh premiere of Weill and Brecht's "The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny" and performed Schubert's "Standchen" internationally. You can contact Annabeth at 278-6786, ext. 2. Annabeth coordinates our Vocal Choir, Advanced Choir, Percussion Choir and Handbell Choir. She coordinates our liturgical arts program as well.

John Harkless coordinates Emergency Services for the congregation. He operates our Loaves and Fishes closet and helps folks who need emergency housing and services.

Mr. Mark Ensley is our pianist. He serves as the Director of the University of Memphis Opera Program and has served on the artistic staffs of the Des Moines Metro Opera, the Tulsa Opera and Opera Memphis, where he was for four season the Associate Conductor and Chorus Master. For six years, he has served as a member of the conducting faculty of the International Vocal Arts Iinstitute in Tel Aviv, Israel and Casalmaggiore, Italy. He holds his undergraduate degree in piano performance from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received graduate degrees in piano and vocal coaching/conducting from the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

Mr. Butch Odom, our bookkeeper, maintains our financial records. During the week, he is employed by the Church Health Center, one of Memphis' most innovative ministries of healing. You can leave messages for Butch via email.