Louis Kenny is a Vine Street friend. We call on him to make repairs to the church from time to time. Today he’s calling on us. He asks for our prayers for his brother Joe and his sister-in-law Regina, who live in England. Both have received recently difficult medical-related news. We pray this family will know God’s comfort and peace.
We remembered in our prayers during worship yesterday several people and situations:
Anne Blackwell is out of the hospital and back at her assisted living community where she is receiving rehab;
Elizabeth Lawrence is back in her assisted living suite with Risley following rehab;
And our prayers continue for those parts of West Virginia and Virginia affected by flooding during the weekend, including family and friends of Rebecca Frame Collier and April Hefner.
Finally, we give thanks for all the 2016 M&M Camp participants and their leaders—thank you for an entertaining and enlightening performance of What’s Up, Zak? It was great fun! (The BBQ rocked, too!)
Thank you for keeping your Vine Street Christian Church community in your prayers!
Anne Blackwell, a longtime friend of Vine Street and Pat Cole’s mother, is in the hospital following a fall Monday. Anne asks for prayers for healing and that God will guide her medical team as they care for her. We pray, too, for Pat, Ed and all those who love Anne.
We pray for God's blessings on church camps near and far, especially Bethany Hills Camp & Conference Center, a ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Tennessee! We hold in prayer its camp manager and longtime Vine Street friend, David Johnson, along with the many volunteer leaders who will care for children and youth this summer. Attending CYF camp this week from Vine Street are: Miles, Crawford, Will, Sarah, Clare and Molly. Grace, peace and joy to all!
A memorial service celebrating the life of Phoebe Binkley will be Friday, June 3, 2016 at 8 p.m. in our Sanctuary. Phoebe died May 11. A reception will follow in Fellowship Hall. Read about Phoebe’s life here.
The Binkley and Knox families invite anyone who would like to sing in a choir at the service to visit www.voicebybinkley.com to check for further instructions. Carolyn Binkley expresses her gratitude for the support she’s received and wants us to know she welcomes our calls, cards and visits.
We’ve learned Elizabeth Lawrence was admitted to the hospital Sunday. Risley believes she will be there for a couple days before returning home and asks for our prayers.
Charlie Biter shares that granddaughter Mary Eloise Duckett was born May 17 weighing 7 lbs. 6 oz.! She is doing well, as is her mother, Annie (who grew up at Vine Street) and her father, Zac. Tom is a sweet, caring, inquisitive big brother. Congratulations to this family and welcome to our world, Mary Eloise!
Linda Edwards is a grandmother again! We join her in welcoming William Velez Edwards, who was born Friday, checking in at 8 lbs. 5 oz. and 20 inches long. Congratulations to Linda and to William’s parents, Todd & Digna Velez Edwards!
Judi Sachs asks for our prayers on behalf of her friends Tony & Reneé.
We are grateful that Emily is on the road to recovery. She was hospitalized for several days, but is expected to go home on Friday. Thank you for your prayers.
We ask for prayers for James who has just been diagnosed with brain cancer. James is the brother of Larry's brother-in-law.
Helen and Chris ask for prayers for their dear friend, Jessica; Chris and Jessica have known each other since med school. Jessica found out recently that she has cancer.
Kathy Zamata's sister, Helen, died on Monday. The funeral is being planned for Thursday, May 19, 10am, at Woodlawn on Thompson Lane. Visitation, also at Woodlawn, on Wednesday, May 18, 3-8pm. Thank you for your prayers for all who love Helen.
We've learned Phoebe Binkley has died (Wednesday, May 11). We give God thanks for her life and for all she means to her family, friends and students, near and far. A memorial service will be held at a later date. The family asks that, for the next few days, we respect their privacy as they adjust to this loss.
Carolyn Binkley shares that her mother Phoebe Binkley is now receiving hospice care at home. Please pray for Phoebe’s comfort as that medical team becomes familiar with her needs. Carolyn asks for our prayers, too, as she continues to support and care for her mother.
Sue Boyd, Pat Bentrup’s sister in law, is ill and needs a liver transplant. Pat and Sue ask for our prayers.
Caitlin Dixon and Cameron Kavoosifar were married at Vine Street Saturday. Caitlin, who grew up in our church, is the daughter of Bryce & Rachel Dixon. Rachel officiated the service. We pray this couple will have a long and rich life together. Congratulations to these families!
We were glad to learn Paul & Mary Ann Johnson arrived safely in Nashville from Colorado and they are settling into their new residence.
May is Mental Health Awareness month. Insight Counseling Centers, formerly Pastoral Counseling Centers of Tennessee, is sponsoring four Wednesday evening conversations in May to help increase mental health awareness. We pray that through this work more people will know compassionate care is available to them. Read more about the Shoulder to Shoulder series here.
Vine Street said a couple goodbyes on Sunday. First, to Ministerial Intern John Culbertson, who concluded his Vanderbilt Divinity School field placement with the church. He has been serving in a variety of capacities since September and has sung in our Chancel Choir. This summer he will intern with Global Ministries in Indianapolis. Thank you, John, for your ministry—we look forwarding to seeing you around again!
We offered, also, farewell wishes to Casey, Phillip, Viola and Lillian Sigmon. The family is moving to Kansas City, Kansas. Casey will begin a teaching fellowship at St. Paul School of Theology. Phillip will serve at a local hospice agency. Thank you for being part of our church—our doors are always open to you!
Risley Georgianne Gannon was born April 8. She is the daughter of Amanda Wentworth and Tom Gannon, the granddaughter of Wendy and Jim Zerface, and the great-granddaughter of Elizabeth and Risley Lawrence. Congratulations!
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We celebrate the unanimous affirmation by the Tennessee Regional Assembly on Saturday, April 16, 2016, of Rev. Dr. Christal Williams as our new Regional Minister and President. Rev. Williams will begin her new ministry in July of this year.
We learned today Reeta Parks has been named Metro Nashville Public Schools Middle School Librarian of the Year! A release to Meigs’ families reads, “The vision of MNPS libraries includes creating student centered learning, promoting collaboration, inquiry, and literacy. The Mission of school libraries is to develop students who are critical thinkers and thoughtful users of information. It only takes a minute in the library with Mrs. Parks to know that she meets all of these goals and more! She is an excellent educator beloved by both teachers and students.” Well done, Reeta! Vine Street Christian Church celebrates with you!