Church and Foundation Express Appreciation to Allison and Sandy Willson
The Allison and Sandy Willson Church Planting Fund has been established out of gratitude to our Lord for the faithful ministry of the Willsons to Second Presbyterian Church from 1995 until 2017 and particularly honors Sandy for his leadership in the establishment of the Second Presbyterian Church Foundation.
Second Presbyterian Church has historically been a church planting church. From 1870 until 1988, the church undertook ten church plants. During Sandy’s tenure, six church plants were initiated. Church planting is among the more unique contributions that he brought to Second, giving her a deeper vision for the missional opportunities of church planting. The Foundation has established a fund that is reflective of his legacy. Therefore, the purpose of the Fund is to provide financial support to church planting efforts at home and around the world that are strategic, missional, and reformed in character.
The Foundation welcomes the receipt of funds from members of Second and the community at large for the purpose of providing support for the Willson Church Planting Fund, as the church and Foundation are interested in augmenting and strengthening opportunities for church planting.
PARTICIPATE
If you would like to make a contribution to the missional effort of church planting through the Willson Fund, simply direct your gift to the attention of Second Presbyterian Church Foundation: Allison and Sandy Willson Church Planting Fund. This can also be done online.
LEARN MORE
If you would like to learn more about the Fund or discuss ways in which you can participate, contact Vicki Simmons at (901) 507-7898 or vicki.simmons@2pc.org.
Foundation Dinner Highlights
On April 1st, 250 gathered to hear Sandy Willson speak at the Foundation dinner commemorating our 18th year. Sandy presented IMMOVABLE, based on I Corinthians 15:58. “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” He reflected on what the Foundation has achieved to date and encouraged the congregation to continue on this path.
He also gave insights on how the Foundation came into existence. The photograph above was taken following the dinner and is of some of the individuals that played a key role in establishing it, including Sandy Willson, Linda Rhea, John Adamson, and Monte Weaver. Since this was Sandy’s last Foundation event prior to his retirement, former Board Chairs Smoky Russell and Monte Weaver gave the invocation and introduction of Sandy, respectively.
Board Chair Rick Moore reported on Foundation activities in the last year in the areas of stewardship, administration, and investments. He also announced the establishment of the Allison and Sandy Willson Church Planting Fund. Brandon Morrison, Grants Committee Chair, highlighted the recent grants made in the areas of World Missions, Home Missions, and Christian Leadership Development, ending with the introduction of a video on the current fruit produced from the Music Internship Fund.
The meal was served by MERGE and our current Fellows class. MERGE is a group of students from 2PC and Leadership Empowerment Center who meet monthly to learn more about each other, the Gospel, and how the Lord is bringing different groups together while they are serving the city and each other.
Barton Kimbro, a former pastoral intern provided through the Foundation, participated by giving the benediction.
» Listen to Sandy's presentation »
Music Video Rocks Foundation Audience
Daniel Pollorena was in Mexico the night of the Foundation dinner, but his presence was felt through the inspiring video “From Mexico to Memphis: A Journey of Music,” filmed and produced by Robert Heard of the Communications Department.
In the video, Daniel discusses the path that brought him to Second to be the 2015-16 music intern. The Music Ministry Internship Fund was established in 2011 to provide meaningful internships at the college level and to support the music ministry at Second. The Fund was originally established through a planned gift from a family in our congregation who had the idea of encouraging aspiring worship leaders. The concept fit well within one of the goals of the Foundation, which is to develop future Christian leaders. The Fund has since received additional gifts from other donors who have expressed intentionality in supporting such a fund.
Academic Year Interns serve in the adult choir and assist in leading rehearsals among other duties. The Summer Interns assist in serving the various summer music programs for children, such as VBS and summer arts camps, and participate in planning and directing the Patriotic Pops concert.
In just five years, these internships have become an important aspect of the Music Ministry at Second. At the same time, the internships have proved to be a vocational advantage for the interns.
There have been six interns since the inception of the program. Here is an update of where they are since serving as an intern.
Past Music Interns:
Hannah Good
Received her BMEd (Bachelor of Music Education) from the University of Memphis
Currently teaching Orff music at Snowden Elementary School in Memphis
Molly Johnson Pennington
Received her BMEd and BMA (Bachelor of Musical Arts in organ) from the University of Memphis
Currently is the organist for Riveroaks Presbyterian in Germantown, Tennessee and is teaching piano at the Second Conservatory
Kelsey Boel Westhauser
Currently teaches music and theatre at Cambridge Lakes Charter School in Hampshire, Illinois
Sophie Blatt
Currently a Junior at Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, pursuing her degree in vocal performance
Madeline Carson
Received her BMEd from Union University
Currently the choir director at North Side High school in Jackson, Tennessee
Daniel Pollorena
Pursuing a MA (Master of Arts) degree in piano performance at the University of Memphis in the fall and will continue to serve in the music programs at both Second and Esperanza
Currently in Merida, Mexico where he is part of the worship/music leadership team
