Roy Smith will have a surgical procedure on Thursday to treat episodes of atrial fibrillation. Thank you for your prayers for him and his family.
Wendy Allsmiller
Joyce Crowell asks for prayers for her niece, Wendy Allsmiller. Wendy is hosptialized in Louisville with complications from breast cancer.
Michael Lee
Michael Lee, son of Ted and Sondra Lee, and brother of Melissa Lyons, died on Wednesday, June 13 in Atlanta, GA after a long battle with leukemia; he was 54 years old. The family is making funeral arrangements, and we will share details as they become confirmed. Thank you for keeping all who love Michael in your prayers.
Michael Lee
Please continue to pray for Michael Lee and all who love him. He is hospitalized in Atlanta due to complications from leukemia treatments. Michael is the son of Ted and Sondra Lee, and the brother of Melissa Lyons.
Clara Martin
Clara Martin's sister, Mary Chester, died Friday afternoon, June 8. She was 89 years old. Please keep Clara in your prayers.
Shirley Forstman
On Sunday, June 10, at 2 p.m. we will gather with the family and friends of Shirley Forstman to worship God, to give thanks for Shirley's life, and to commend her to God's unending love and care. Following the service, there will be a reception in Fellowship Hall. Please continue to hold all who love Shirley in your prayers, especially her children, David, Valerie, and Paul. Follow this link to read the obituary.
Shirley Forstman
Shirley Forstman died late Monday night, June 4; she was 88 years old. It is with profound sadness that I share this news with you, but with even deeper gratitude for the gift Shirley's life has been to us. Thank you for continuing to hold Shirley's family and all who love her in your prayers. Funeral arrangements are still being made, but it is very likely that we will have a Celebration of Life service on Sunday, June 10, at 2pm. We will share details when they have been confirmed.
Shirley Forstman
Shirley was hospitalized on Sunday afternoon with stroke symptoms. Please continue to hold her and all who love her in prayer.
Cyntoia Brown
This request comes from our friend, Preston Shipp:
In 2008, while I was working as a prosecutor, I argued that sixteen-year-old Cyntoia Brown needed to spend her next 51 years in prison, and the Tennessee courts agreed with me. In 2009, I had Cyntoia in class in conjunction with Lipscomb University’s LIFE Program at the Tennessee Prison for Women. In a remarkable twist that testified to her forgiving spirit, we became friends, even after we learned that we had been on opposing sides. Since then, she has demonstrated a remarkable change. She has revealed just how much potential for good we all have, particularly young people. And her heartbreaking story has captured national attention thanks to the Twitter accounts of Kim Kardashian, Lebron James, and Rhianna.
Tomorrow morning, the Tennessee Board of Probation and Parole will conduct a clemency hearing for Cyntoia to evaluate whether she should be granted early release. The final decision will be made by the Governor. Tomorrow morning, a decade after arguing that she needed to spend the rest of her life in prison, I will have the opportunity to argue that Cyntoia deserves a second chance. Time and proximity are funny. They can turn adversaries into allies.
So I would appreciate your prayers, particularly around 10:00 tomorrow morning. Pray for Cyntoia, her lawyers, the other speakers, the parole board, and Governor Haslam. Pray that our penchant for retribution might give way to something more life-giving, more beautiful and compassionate, and more in line with the gospel of Jesus, who proclaimed release for the prisoners and was always willing to offer second chances.
Shirley Forstman
Shirley moved back to her apartment at Cumberland on Friday, but wasn't doing well. She is now hospitalized with pneumonia. Thank you for continuing to hold her in prayer.
Molly Lyons
Congratulations to Molly Lyons, who received recently the Dominican Cross Award at her school, St. Cecelia! She completed more than 90 hours of community service since last July to earn the honor. Most of her service hours were with Vine Street ministries, including TNT, Room in the Inn, M&M Camp and the youth group mission trip to Memphis. Way to go, Molly, and thank you for all the ways you make the world better!
The Evans-Williams Family
Nancy Kleinert passes along a prayer request from Rosie Evans Williams, the daughter of the late Howard Evans, who was a member of Vine Street. Rosie asks us to pray for peace and healing for the family of her daughter, Mylena, who died suddenly Monday morning. Surviving Mylena is a devoted husband, a 13 year old son, and many loving family members who will all miss her deeply.
Visitation with the family will be today, Sunday, May 6, at Woodlawn Funeral Home from 4-6 p.m.
David Tarpley
Sara Tarpley asks for prayers for David Tarpley, who will be having knee replacement surgery next week. We give thanks for all the ways God brings healing to our lives.
Thank You
We received the following note: "The Reed and McCabe families would like to express their appreciation to the members of Vine Street Christian Church for their thoughts, prayers and support during this difficult time. Thank you for sharing your stories about Nan Reed with us." Nan, a longtime member of Vine Street, died April 1.
Lester McNatt
Lester McNatt asks for our continuing prayers for a friend diagnosed with cancer. Lester is grateful to share his friend’s bone marrow tests came back clear, which is good news. Treatment for the cancer begins in two weeks.
Hunter Johnson
Please keep Hunter Johnson in your prayers. She suffered a fall during the weekend. Fortunately, she was not severely hurt and is recovering at home now.
Jim Zamata's Brother, Glenn
Jim Zamata asks for prayers for his brother, Glenn, who is in the hospital with breathing problems. May Glenn, and all who are ill, know God's healing presence.
Alice Cannon's Sister, Mary Lou
Alice Cannon seeks our prayers for her sister, Mary Lou, who fell walking her dog recently, breaking her hip. Mary Lou has had surgery, is now rehabbing and doing well. Recovery will take several weeks.
Matthew Tarpley
Sara and David Tarpley ask for prayers for their son, Matthew. He was shot in the leg Sunday afternoon during an attempted robbery while Matthew was out for a run. He had surgery on his knee Monday to remove fragments and bone and shrapnel. Yesterday he was discharged from the hospital. Generally, Matthew is doing well; his ability to return to his full physical abilities will be determined over the next few months.
Prayers of the People
Alex and Linda
During our prayers Sunday, we remembered the following folks—
We extend congratulations to Linda Edwards and Alex Brandau, who were married Saturday at Vine Street!
Thomas Kleinert’s mother, Anneliese, had surgery Friday after breaking a leg. It appears she is on the road to healing.
Lyn Doris asks us to pray for the family and friends of Kelly Lasley. Kelly died suddenly Thursday, shocking especially her husband, Marty, and their two sons.
We continue to offer prayers for the family and friends of Nan Reed. A graveside service remembering Nan was Sunday afternoon at Woodlawn.