Lester McNatt asks for healing prayers for a friend struggling with life-changing health issues.
Cheers: Sarahbeth Trull and Corey Raines
Sarahbeth Trull and Corey Raines were engaged to be married over the weekend! We celebrate with this couple and their families, and we give God thanks for the love they share.
A Sunday Update
David and Betsy von Dohlen ask for our prayers. Betsy is having surgery this week.
An update... Ruth Skinner’s daughter, Sandra Jones, has been transferred to a rehab facility. She had surgery last week due to a fall.
We're grateful Tennessee youth celebrated faith and friendship this weekend during a retreat at Bethany Hills, our Regional camp and conference center just 40 minutes down the road. Attending were Duke, Sarah, Elijah, Meadow, Grant, Audrey and Charlie. Our thanks to Kalie Rhodes, Kara Reed, Hope Hodnett and Randy Halstead, who served as counselors.
Finally, related to refugees and immigrants in our city and our position as a Solidarity Congregation: You’ll recall a few weeks ago we assisted a local family in need as their primary breadwinner was detained by ICE. That father was deported last week. We hold this family, which includes a newborn child, in our prayers as we remain open to offering additional support.
Sandra Jones
Ruth Skinner asks for prayers for her daughter, Sandra Jones, and Ruth’s son-in-law, Mike. Sandra fell early this week and suffered a broken hip. We pray for the needs of this family, especially for Sandra’s healing.
Prayers of the People
Eva Golden
Please hold the Dixon family in your prayers. Rachel Dixon’s mother Joyce Register has died. Arrangements are forthcoming. A few hours after Joyce died, her great-granddaughter Eva Golden Kavoosifar came into the world in Atlanta. Eva’s parents are Caitlin, who grew up in this congregation, and her husband, Cameron. We join this family in their grief and in their grateful joy.
We celebrate with Kennedy Shuler and Joel Petersen, who were married in our Sanctuary Saturday evening. Kennedy, of course, also grew up in this church. We congratulate their families on this wonderful union!
For all the joys and concerns close to this congregation, Lord, hear our prayers....
Linda Edwards and Alex Brandau
Have you heard the news? Linda Edwards and Alex Brandau are engaged! A small, family wedding is slated for April. Congratulations, Linda and Alex!
Update: Camille Biter
Camille Biter shares news she is home and doing well! You'll recall she had surgery earlier this week. Recovery is expected to take a handful of weeks, so please continue to pray for comfort and healing. She and Charlie are grateful for prayers and good wishes already shared.
Gene TeSelle
We've learned Dr. Gene TeSelle died March 1. A friend of this congregation, he was a professor at Vanderbilt Divinity School (in the era of our own late Jack Forstman) who was active in religious and civic organizations for the sake of a just and compassionate world. Please hold his family in your prayers. An obituary and funeral arrangements are noted here.
Camille Biter
Charlie & Camille Biter ask for our prayers. Camille is having surgery Monday. Afterward, she will recover for a handful of weeks.
Sara Tarpley
David Tarpley shares Sara is doing fine following surgery this week. He and Sara continue to be grateful for your prayers for healing.
Emily Smith
Amanda Miller asks for our prayers for her mom, Emily Smith, who in the hospital today after a fall last evening.
Parkland, Florida
Once again we are confronted with the tragedy of gun violence in one of our nation’s schools. May God grant us the spirit to pray boldly and to act courageously, especially on behalf of all those affected by the Parkland, Florida mass shooting.
The Rev. Teresa Hord Owens, our denomination’s general minister and president, shares her thoughts here following the event.
Reggie Hill
Reggie Hill's aunt, Lois Brown, has died. Please keep Reggie and his family in your prayers as he travels this weekend for the funeral. You can read about Ms. Brown here.
Lord, Hear Our Prayers
Will you keep the following folks and situations in your prayers, please?
Our Room in the Inn families who will be sheltered, fed and encouraged by our community for a sixth straight night at the church; and that our city will improve affordable housing opportunities for all…
Pat Bentrup, who had a medical procedure Thursday and is now home recovering…
Pam and Jim ClenDening—Pam’s step father died Thursday. Meanwhile, her mother is in the hospital with the flu…
Reggie Hill—his aunt, Lois Brown, is now receiving hospice care…
Cliff and Linda Rudy, who are friends of Vine Street—Cliff is receiving hospice care due to end-stage Parkinson’s disease….
Viki Cauthen
We’ve learned Viki Cauthen will be recovering from surgery for the next several weeks. We pray for her comfort and healing.
Update: Michael Lee
Let's continue to hold Michael Lee in our prayers. He is on the heels of a stem cell transplant, but recently he was hospitalized with complications. We're grateful he is starting to improve, and we pray that healing continues. Michael, who lives in the Atlanta area with his family, is the son of Sondra and Ted Lee.
Rick McVicar
On Sunday we said good-bye to Rick McVicar. He will be moving back to Ohio in a few days to live closer to his mother. We ask God's blessing on this new chapter of his life.
LeBuhn family
On Sunday we welcomed Michael, Casey and Parker Jo LeBuhn as members of our congregation. They moved to Nashville last year when Michael became a student at the Vanderbilt Divinity School.
Easterling family
We ask for prayers for Diane Easterling, Lena, Beverly, and Beth, and all who love Emily. Emily died on Thursday.
Update: Anne Blackwell Arrangements
Family and friends of Anne Blackwell will give thanks to God and celebrate Anne’s life at a memorial service Monday, Feb. 12 at Vine Street Christian Church.
Visitation with the family begins at 1 p.m. in the Sanctuary with the service at 2 p.m. A reception will be held in Vine Street’s Fellowship Hall immediately following the service.
We continue our prayers for Anne's family and friends, especially Pat and Ed Cole and Erik, Jen, Owen and Alice Cole. Anne died Jan. 18.