On Sunday we welcomed with joy Erica Hayden to the Vine Street Christian Church community. A local history professor, she lives in Bellevue with her family. As our reception of members liturgy says, we promise our friendship and prayers as we share the ministry of the church of Jesus Christ.
Anne Blackwell
Pat Cole asks that we keep in our prayers her mother, Anne Blackwell. A resident at Richland Place, Anne has had unexplained falls recently.
Phoebe Binkley
We’re glad to share that Phoebe Binkley is home from the hospital. She is still on the mend and faces what she hopes to be a minor procedure next week; yet, she is optimistic about feeling more like herself soon. Phoebe is grateful for Vine Street’s support, continues to welcome our prayers, and asks for prayers for Carolyn, her daughter, too.
Tuesday update
Melissa Freeman's surgery went very well and she is scheduled to be discharged on Wednesday morning. Thank you for your prayers! Please contact Kaye at the church office to find out how you can help the family during Melissa's recovery.
Bess Henderson is scheduled to be discharged tomorrow from the hospital. She will spend a few days in rehab, but she is already feeling much better. Thank you for your prayers!
Casey Sigmon
Congratulations to the Rev. Casey Sigmon who was recently awarded the 2015-2016 Ann E. Dickerson Scholarship Grant from Higher Education and Leadership Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)! HELM works with the wider church and higher education partners to develop and nurture Christian leaders who are transforming church, society and world. Casey—a Vine Street participant along with her husband, Phillip, and daughter, Viola—is a Ph.D. candidate in homiletics and liturgics at Vanderbilt University.
Melissa Freeman
Melissa Freeman is having surgery today; thank you for your prayers for healing. If you would like to support her and her family during the recovery time (food and possibly other needs), please contact Kaye at the church office; she has the contact information for a friend of Melissa's who is coordinating our support efforts.
Michael Adams
Larry Adams shares good news! Michael Adams, his brother, had long-awaited spinal surgery recently. It appears all went well and Michael is expected to make a full recovery. Larry expresses gratitude for all the concerns and prayers shared for Michael by Vine Street.
Norman Hall
Norman Hall had surgery this week and is now recuperating at home. Please keep him and Margaret in your prayers.
Franck Nkosso
Franck Nkosso and his family only recently moved to Texas and they are in the process of becoming members of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arlington. Sadly, he just got news that his father in the Democratic Republic of Congo died last week. You may remember that while Franck and Germaine and the children were visiting their family in the Congo in June his mother died. Please remember them in your prayers during this time of loss and new beginnings.
Peaceful Resistance
Allyn Steele asks for our prayers for friends in Arkansas. They are organizing a peaceful media campaign to resist a KKK gathering, where more than 1,000 people are anticipated. But organizers are experiencing threats and intimidation from KKK representatives in and near Harrison, Arkansas.
Lafayette Shooting Victims
Allison Hutton asks us to join her in continuing to pray for the victims of the recent Lafayette, Louisiana movie theater shooting victims, as well as their families and friends. Tiffany Heath, Allison’s sister, is a friend of Morgan Egedahl, who as shot multiple times, and was acquainted with Jillian Johnson, who was killed.
Bess Henderson
We learned Bess Henderson will be having surgery this week to remove some cancer from one of her lungs. She says the prognosis for recovery is good, and she welcomes our prayers.
Pat Bentrup
Pat Bentrup requests prayers as she is anticipating a second surgery on her arm later this month. We pray for her comfort and healing.
Jed McNatt
Lester McNatt asks that we pray for his brother Jed McNatt, who is again at Cobb General hospital in Atlanta dealing with health issues.
The Nkosso Family
As they prepare to move from Nashville, we say farewell to the Nkosso family, Franck, Germaine, Naomie, Gabby and Emily. We ask for God’s traveling mercies and for a smooth transition to their new city.
Julia Callaway's mother
Julia Callaway shares that her mother is improving following a hospital admission during the weekend. As plans are being made for additional care, Julia asks for our continued prayers.
Bob and Brenda Brodows
Bob Brodows has been hospitalized for treatment of a massive infection. His immune system is severely compromised due to chemo therapy for cancer. We pray for his healing and for strength for him and Brenda. Bob and Brenda are friends of our congregation; they live in Florida.
Shannon Fairchild
We are praying for Lester McNatt’s friend Shannon Fairchild. She is being released from the hospital to a rehab facility where we hope she will continue to heal.
Toni Foglesong
Toni has completed her post-surgical rehab and is back home at the Cumberland in Green Hills. We are grateful for her healing and particularly for the fact that she has been released without any restrictions.
Mother Emanuel
We remember in our prayers those whom Dyllan Storm Roof killed on Wednesday while they were studying scripture and praying at Emanuel AME in Charleston, South Carolina. We remember their families and all who mourn their violent death. We pray for wisdom and courage for ourselves and for all who long for the healing of the deep wound of racism in our nation.
Rev. Clementa Carlos Pinckney, 41, pastor of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, where the shooting occurred, began preaching at 13 and was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives at 23, becoming the youngest African-American to be elected to the State Legislature.
Cynthia Hurd, 54, served as the regional manager of the St. Andrews branch of the county library, a job she loved because it brought her closer to people.
DePayne Middleton Doctor, 49, was the mother of four daughters – the youngest is in junior high school and the oldest is in college.
Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, 45, was a coach for the girls’ track and field team and a speech therapist at Goose Creek High School. She was on the church staff.
Tywanza Sanders, 26, had graduated from Allen University, a historically black college, as a business administration major last year and was looking for employment.
Ethel Lee Lance, 70, was a sexton at the church and had worked there for more than three decades. Her cousin, Susie Jackson, was a longtime church member and died along with her.
Susie Jackson, 87.
Rev. Daniel L. Simmons Sr., a retired pastor from another church in Charleston, attended Emanuel A.M.E. every Sunday for services and Wednesdays for bible study, according to his daughter-in-law, Arcelia Simmons of Newport News, Va.
Myra Thompson, 59, was the wife of the Rev. Anthony Thompson, vicar of Holy Trinity Reformed Episcopal Church in Charleston.