Sondra and Ted Lee ask for prayers for their son, Michael, who grew up in our church, and his family. Michael was diagnosed recently with leukemia and is in an Atlanta-area medical center receiving treatment.
Mark and Erica Pilkinton
Shelton Pilkinton asks for prayers for his family. Mark Pilkinton, Shelton’s grandson, and his wife, Erica, experienced a miscarriage last week. Margaret Ann will be buried Dec. 9 at Harpeth Hills on Highway 100.
Prayers and Support for East Tennessee
Earlier this week you became aware of the campaign by Tennessee Disciples and friends to provide emergency assistance items for folks affected by the wildfires in East Tennessee. Thanks to a generous response, relief items are being transported across I-40 east now—thank you!
The struggle there goes on, so please continue to keep those communities in your prayers. And if you haven’t had a chance yet to pitch in on the relief efforts, you may still do so by making a financial donation. Week of Compassion stands ready to receive your contributions by clicking here.
Welcome, Isla!
It's another amazing day for the Dixons! Isla Belle Dixon was born this morning at 1:03 a.m. to Cory and Matthew Dixon. She is the sister of Roman and Gia. Paternal grandparents are Rachel & Bryce Dixon. Congratulations to this family!
Thank you, Jeff Miller
Congratulations to Jeff Miller, who was named the 2016 Steward of the Year at the Harvest Luncheon on Sunday! He is recognized for his commitments to church leadership, local outreach and children’s education. Thank you, Jeff!
Prayers for Our Leaders
Writing on her blog today, the Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, our general minister and president of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada, says, “As we awake to this day after the election, some things have not changed. Whether we are rejoicing or we are feeling stunned and disappointed, the Gospel still calls us to love God first of all with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. It calls us to love our neighbor as ourselves.”
She continues, “On this day, our job as disciples of Christ, is still the same as it was yesterday, as it will be tomorrow—to proclaim by what we say and what we do that God is a God of love, and we are people of love—for all God’s children. Our call is to work together for the common good, to welcome all to the table, people of all races, ages, gender identities, abilities, religions, and yes, politics, and to find ways to work together to extend to each other—across the whole human family—the abundance of a generous God.”
We offer prayers for all leaders today, as we do throughout the year. To read Dr. Watkins’ entire post, click here.
Weekend Chi Rho Retreat
Several people from Vine Street are participating in this weekend’s Chi Rho retreat for 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. Heading out to Bethany Hills are campers Elijah W. and Duke C.; TCYF cabinet member Molly L., providing leadership; and counselors Miles Kleinert, Clare Crenshaw and Rev. Hope Hodnett. We pray the weekend will be rich for all!
Welcome, Luke!
We are thrilled to share news that Luke Howard Dixon was born Sunday, Oct. 30! His parents are Amanda & Gabe Dixon and his big brother is Liam. Rachel & Bryce Dixon are his paternal grandparents. We celebrate with this family! And we hold them in prayer, as Luke is in the hospital today receiving additional care. It’s hoped that he will be home by the end of the week.
Glen Stewart
Please keep in your prayers Glen Stewart. He fell last week and is suffering from two broken back vertebrae. Now in a back brace around the clock, doctors project healing to take eight weeks. We pray for Glen’s healing and that his pain will be eased. We pray for his wife, Joyce, that she will have strength and courage for the weeks ahead. Your cards and notes are welcomed: please email one of the ministers, Hope, Thomas or Greg, for Glen & Joyce’s address, if you don’t already have it.
Vaughn and Donna Woods
Please offer prayers for Vaughn and Donna Woods. Vaughn’s son Matthew died unexpectedly over the weekend. He was 37 years old. We hold in prayer, too, Matthew's mother, Mickie. These families will receive friends on Thursday, Oct. 27 from 5-8 p.m. at Harpeth Hills Funeral Home. A celebration of Matt’s life will be conducted there on Friday, Oct. 28, 2016 at 11:30 a.m., with an hour visitation prior to service.
Celebrations of Marriage
Two weddings were celebrated at Vine Street Christian Church over the weekend. Ryan von Dohlen and Katrina Adlerz were married Saturday last evening. Ryan grew up in our church and is the son of Betsy and David von Dohlen. Erin Halstead and Stephen Alred were married Sunday afternoon. Erin is the daughter of Jackie and Randy Halstead. Congratulations to these families!
The Trump Family
We were thrilled Sunday to affirm the Trump family and covenant with them as they dedicated to God their youngest son, James. Emily and Mikeal, along with James’ big brother, Henry, covenanted to lead James toward Christian discipleship. May God bless all of us in keeping these promises together in the years to come!
Ruth Skinner
Ruth Skinner is in the hospital. Doctors are exploring the cause of some shortness of breath. We pray they will discover what’s going on.
Bread for the World Sunday
Pat Bentrup reminds us Oct. 16 is Bread for the World Sunday, a moment to move faithfully toward living out God’s vision of a world without hunger. It’s also a tie in to conversations about food in our current adult Christian education series. Pat asks us to join others in prayer and to seek opportunities for advocacy to end hunger. Learn more about Bread for the World by clicking here.
Aaron Partington
The Tennessee State Soccer Association announced recently its annual awards. Congratulations goes out to Aaron Partington, who was named girls recreation coach of the year! Aaron will be among 13 people honored at the TSSA Hall of Fame dinner in late January. Way to go, Coach Partington!
Tennessee Regional Assembly
Please remember in your prayers the Tennessee Regional Assembly taking place this weekend. Among those from Vine Street participating in the worship and reconciling work of the event are: Hope Hodnett; Julia & Joe Keith; Nancy & Thomas Kleinert; Eva Evans; Jackie Halstead; Martha & Roger Bishop; and Greg Rumburg.
Hurricane Matthew
Many prayers are already being offered for persons in the path of Hurricane Matthew, estimated to be the strongest hurricane in the Atlantic in the last nine years.
Sara Tarpley is among those praying. She makes, “a special prayer request for the prisoners and military force at Guantanamo and in particular for our younger son Matthew, who is deployed there with a public affairs unit of the Tennessee National Guard. He was able to communicate with our older son earlier [Monday]. It sounds as if little provision has been made for the safety of those at Guantanamo, whether military or detainees. I heard on the news earlier [Monday] that nonessential employees and their families have been evacuated. We are seriously concerned.”
Meanwhile, Week of Compassion will be in constant contact with its partners on the developing situation in Haiti, Jamaica, Cuba, the Bahamas and other islands impacted by Matthew. Joining Sara, Week of Compassion and others, Lord, hear our prayers….
Welcome, Zelie
Zelie Rose Warren was born on Tuesday, Sept. 20 to Heidi and Mitchum Warren of North Canton, Ohio. Norma Warren is the great grandmother! Zelie weighed 6 pounds 9½ ounces and was 18 inches long. We celebrate with Norma and this family!
Arrangements for Sue Boyd
Pat Bentrup shared with us the arrangement information for her sister-in-law Sue Boyd. Visitation will be Friday, Sept. 30, from 4-8 p.m. at Woodbine Hickory Chapel. The funeral will be Saturday, Oct. 1, at 11 a.m. Visitation Saturday will be at 10 a.m. Sue died on Sunday, Sept. 25.
Pat Bentrup
We give thanks to God for the life of Sue Boyd, the sister in law of Pat Bentrup. You’ll recall Sue had liver transplant surgery last week. Doctors said it went “phenomenally well,” and on Friday Sue was making plans for the weeks and months ahead. But something changed overnight Saturday and Sue died early Sunday morning. It was a shocking turn. Please keep Sue’s family and friends, including Pat, in your prayers.