Monday Update

The General Assembly is in Nashville, and what a Sunday we had! Thank you for your continuing prayers for this wonderful gathering of Disciples in our city.

Bob Binkley will have medical tests on Tuesday, and the family asks for our prayers.

LaRuth Faubion is not well and asks that we remember her in our prayers.

We continue to pray for Emily Warren and her grandfather; they are recuperating from serius injuries they suffered in a recent automobile accident.

South Sudan is now an independent nation, and we pray for peace for its people and its neighbors.

Aaron Partington and Dina Mingle were married on Saturday in Vermont. Congratulations! We wish them and their four girls much joy in their life together!

Sarah Spencer

Sarah sends her greetings and gratitude from Yakutat, Alaska:

Hello Vine Street!

I just wanted to say thank you for all the support you've given me over these past two years. And, now that I've decided to stay in Alaska, to extend an invitation for all of you to come and visit!

Thank you for showing me love and service so that I could go out and show others as well. You all are wonderful! <3 Sarah Spencer

This article about a bike day gives you a taste of Sarah's life in Yakutat.

Josh Cauthen

Josh leaves on Monday, June 20, to work in Swaziland (Southern Africa) for three months. We pray for safe travel and wish Josh many transformative encounters.

Julia Keith

Julia asks for our prayers for her sister, Annette. Annette and her family are experiencing heart-breaking loss, and Julia needs the support of our prayers for herself as well, as she tries to offer comfort and strength to them.

New Zealand

We continue to remember in our prayers the people of Christchurch. The Economist blog recently published this personal reflection. Our friends, Lyndsay and Lorraine live outside the city and are OK. Philippa lives in Christchurch, and we hope she will keep her great sense of humor about the shakes.

If you're friends with Lorraine on facebook, you may want to read her most recent post.

Pat Bentrup

Pat's cousin, Donnie Sigrist died on June 14 in Zanesville, Ohio. She asks that we keep his wife, Bernie and their children and grandchildren in our prayers.  

Dick and Mary Ann Schellhardt

The Schellhardt family celebrate the birth of Larissa May Bon-Jorno. Dick and Mary Ann's great-granddaughter was born on June 7, 2011 in Melbourne, FL. Congratulations!

Welcome, Giovanna!

Gary Powell Nash and Lien Thi Kim Vo proudly introduce to the world Giovanna Dieu Huyen Nash, born June 3, 2011.

Chris Well

Chris asks for prayers for his cousin Kerry; he will have spine surgery the week of June 5.

Margaret Netterville

Margaret will have ankle fusion surgery Wednesday, June 8 at Baptist Hospital.  After the surgery, she will recover and have physical therapy at home.

Donna Woods's mother

Donna's mother, Myrtle Lambos died on Sunday morning, May 29. Thank you for your prayers. obituary

Sunday morning

Congratulations to Craig and Marcina Clark Gardella who were married on May 28.

Jim ClenDening's daughter, Michelle, will have surgery this week to treat an infection in her leg.

Don Zirkle's nephew was named North Carolina High School Lacrosse Player of the Year! Congratulations!

Janet Clanton and her family celebrate the birth of her grandson, Adam Mitchel Hambright; he was born on May 28, 2011 in Asheville, NC

Disciples Families in Joplin, MO

According to news reports as of this morning, 123 people were killed by the tornado that ripped through Southwest Missouri this past Sunday, making it one of the deadliest tornados in the state's history. Property damage is estimated in the millions, and the loss of life and livelihood will inevitably have a catastrophic impact on this close-knit community. Week of Compassion has been in touch with South Joplin Christian Church and Joplin's First Christian Church. Many, many families from those congregations have lost their homes. Others have sustained extensive damage. Each and every member has a neighbor or friend or relative who is suffering unbelievable loss. The situation can only be described as devastating--with so many of our own Disciples families gravely affected. Read more.

Colin Dredge

Julia Keith asks for prayers for Colin Dredge. He lives in Australia and is recuperating from heart surgery. Colin's wife, Marge, is on the board of World Convention.

Glen Clanton

Glen Clanton died in the early morning hours of Monday, May 23 from the effects of a stroke. The family burial will be later this week. There will be a memorial service on Thursday, June 2, at 1pm, at Vine Street Christian Church, with visitation at the church beginning at noon. Glen was the husband of Janet Clanton.

Joplin, MO

Joplin, Missouri, a sleepy college town in Southern Missouri, was struck by a massive tornado on late Sunday afternoon. Initial reports indicate at least 89 fatalities and 2000 buildings damaged or destroyed, including homes and places of business. St. John’s Regional Medical Center was also hit, and is currently unable to offer medical services.

Read more

Monday update

We ask your prayers for Drew Lovell, Gene Lovell's son. Drew has been deployed again to an undisclosed location in the Middle East.

Sunday morning

Joann Reynolds asks for prayer for her friend, Paige; she is worried about the impact of some injuries on her ability to work.

Bob and Jane Goidel ask for prayer for their friend, Joann; she is in rehab after a blood clot had developed in her arm.

Julia Keith ask for prayer for her friend, Connie; she is receiving hospice care and believed to be near death. Connie is the former secretary of First Christian Church, now Aspen Grove Christian Church.

Our friends, Tallu Schuyler and Robbie Quinn were married on Saturday in Bethany Hills. Congratulations!

Katie's grandfather

Katie McLaughlin's grandfather, John Hood, died last Sunday; he was 90 years old. Katie, TJ, and Jack will travel to Illinois this weekend for the funeral on Saturday. Thank you for your prayers for them and their family.

Monday update

Amy Gopp, Executive Director of Week of Compassion, is hospitalized at Vanderbilt for treatment of a stubborn infection.

Will Campbell is recuperating from a stroke.

Erica Well asks for prayers for her friend Tana and her baby. The baby had to be delivered prematurely due to Tana's health.

Leigh Ann Zirkle asks for prayers for her co-worker, Karen. She is recently widowed and has health issues.

Many people lost their home in the Wednesday fire at the Metropolitan apartments next door to the church.

Donna Woods's mother, Myrtle Lambos, continues to decline. She is alert, but doesn't have much energy. Your prayers are greatly appreciated.

Helen Trabue and Malinda Moseley's uncle Frank, who is battling cancer, is having a difficult time with chemo. He has a few more rounds before further testing. Their friend, Juanita, who is on dialysis, is in a great deal of pain and is still waiting to see if she will need to have her leg amputated. Their dad is back at work.  He is in physical therapy for his knee and is doing well, but is still experiencing a great deal of pain.