Debra Cannon’s mom, Alice Marie Chambers, born on March 25, 1933, died on March 20, 2020 in Chattanooga. Due to the measures put in place to protect the public against the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the immediate family will gather for a graveside service on Tuesday. They plan to honor her with a celebration of life at a later date at her home church in Chattanooga. Debra writes, “My sister and my extended family cherish all of your prayers and support of love. We are at peace in Christ and in our faith that she is in the love of her creator.”
Joe Keith
We remember and pray for the Keith family (Joe, Julia, and Johanna). Joe was admitted to the hospital yesterday. He is showing signs of improvement, but is undergoing tests.
Monday prayers
We continue to lift up our Nashville neighbors as our community comes together to clean up and rebuild after the storm. We are indeed #NashvilleStrong, and our communities of faith are essential to maintaining that strong fabric. Larry Adams wrote, “Well, I must say I have a MUCH greater appreciation for Jesus' words in Mark 13:18. If all this had happened in the dead of a cold winter with snow and rain every day it would have been much worse. I still do not have electricity or heat, but friends have loaned me a small generator to give me limited power. The volunteers have been fantastic. Almost all of the downed vegetation and tornado debris has been hauled to the curb and already picked up by Public Works trucks. What has happened here should be a pattern of efficiency for the rest of the country. We should offer prayers of thanksgiving to God for sending the help of all these people.”
Bess Henderson is undergoing a few more days of rehab at Stallworth, and she is looking forward to going home later this week. Her address is 110 Christopher Place, Nashville, TN 37205.
We lift up in prayer Debra Cannon’s mother who is hospitalized after a stroke; she is also suffering from pneumonia. Debra is in Chattanooga to be with her mother.
And we welcome to the world Josephine Elizabeth Shuler Petersen who was born on Satursday in Seattle. We share in the joy of her parents, Kennedy Shuler Petersen and Joel Petersen, and grandparents, Linda Parker and John Shuler.
Tornado relief
We mourn with our neighbors the death of loved ones and the loss of homes and property so many have experienced. We are grateful that those of us who live in the impacted areas were safe during the storm and are able to join us in responding to the needs of neighbors.
New Covenant Christian Church experienced major building damage, but is nevertheless preparing to be part of the neighborhood response in North Nashville. Rev. Tara Williams is one of the pastors at New Covenant Christian Church; she let us know how we can help with the relief effort:
Giving through Week of Compassion is of course an option.
New Covenant is a setting up as a Tornado Relief Distribution Center at 2201 Osage St, Nashville, TN 37208. The church is open from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm today through Friday to receive tornado relief donations for the Covenant Pantry:
Canned & Dry Goods
Baby formula and diapers
Soap
Detergent
Cleaning Supplies
Gideon's Army is doing great work as well in North Nashville.
Tuesday prayers
David Tarpley’s surgery this morning went well. Thank you for your prayers for him and Sara. At the time of this writing he was still in recovery.
Bess Henderson may return to Nashville from Florida within the next week or two. Her surgery back in December lasted nine hours, and her recovery was dramatically complicated by a lung embolism. We are thrilled that she has improved enough to be able to fly back soon on a medical transport.
A death in Kalie's family
Maryanne Dutmers, a cousin of Kalie Rhodes’s, died Thursday afternoon. Kalie asks for our prayers for the family, especially for Maryanne’s husband, Dave, and their two daughters, Julia and Anna.
David Tarpley
David Tarpley is scheduled for knee replacement surgery on Tuesday. Thank you for your prayers.
The Moss family
We ask for prayers for Martha and Joe Moss and their children, Chase and Kim, who are mourning the violent death of Sean, Chase’s younger brother. Details of Sean’s death are still being investigated. We will gather for a celebration of Sean’s life at Vine Street Christian Church on Saturday, February 15, at 2 pm, with visitation beginning at 1 pm. There will also be a visitation time on Friday, February 14, 4-7 pm, at Williamson Memorial Funeral Home, 3009 Columbia Ave, Franklin TN 37064.
All that matters right now is we that we surround this family with our love and prayers.
Their mailing address is 3159 Winberry Drive, Franklin TN 37064.
Sunday prayers
Julia Keith’s brother-in-law, Collin Hickerson, died after suffering a cardiac arrest. Julia was able to join her sister Annette in Memphis during the final days. Julia is back in Nashville and will return to Memphis once funeral arrangements have been confirmed. Thank you for continuing to hold the family, especially Annette, in your prayers.
Rev. Lawan Andimi
The National Council of Churches joins with the Church of the Brethren in grieving the death of Rev. Lawan Andimi, executed by Boko Haram, a terrorist organization based in northeastern Nigeria. Andimi was an ordained minister in Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria), a district leader of the Church of the Brethren, and a leader of the ecumenical movement in his region.
Andimi was executed along with a Nigerian soldier after a Jan. 2 attack by Boko Haram. His story gained notoriety after a hostage video was released in which he professed his Christian faith. His execution is only one of many in the past months.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), where Andimi served as chair for the Michika area, has called on all Christians to fast and pray for three days this week for Nigeria. NCC also asks member communions to stand with CAN and join them in lifting up this nation, which has been beleaguered by so much violence, in prayer.
“We have stood by our sisters and brothers in the Church of the Brethren over the past years as they have endured unspeakable persecution and loss,” said Jim Winkler, President and General Secretary of the National Council of Churches. “We continue to pray for the safety of those who follow the way of peace that is at the core of this beloved Church and the Christian faith.”
Thursday prayers
Thank you fro continuing to keep Vaughn and Donna Woods in your prayers. Vaughn is dealing with difficult health issues.
Leigh Ann Zirkle has been battling pneumonia and the flu, and she is grateful for our prayers and cards. Her current address is 135 Camille Street, Manchester, TN 37355.
We celebrate with Erica, James, and Jamie the birth of Declan Rhodes Hayden (8 lbs 6 oz, 18 in) on January 22, 2020. Congratulations to the parents, the very excited, big brother, and the whole family!
Donna's family
Pamela Rowe Bridges, mother-in-law of James Barr and mother of Beth Barr, and a dear friend of James’s mom, Donna Woods, passed away peacefully after a two month struggle with brain cancer. Thank you for remembering the family in your prayers.
Carol Doidge's aunt
On January 10, Carol Doidge’s 94-year-old aunt Mary Lee (Bomer) Pokropus passed quietly in her sleep after two challenging years with her health. She was the last of Carol’s Dad's siblings. The family plans a service to celebrate her life within the month in her home town of Colorado Springs. Thank you for remembering them in your prayers.
Thursday prayers
Linda Parker is resuming chemo treatments today. Thank you for continuing to hold her in prayer.
Thank you for lifting up in prayer those whose lives have been impacted by wildfires in Australia, the worst seen in decades, and the people of Puerto Rico, still recovering from hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, and now coping with the effects of an earthquake. Week of Compassion update
We remember the families and friends of those killed in the crash of a Ukrainian airplane in Tehran, mourning those deaths amid the uncertainty of what caused them.
We are grateful that the escalation of conflict between the U.S. and Iranian governments has not continued for now, and we pray that all parties involved will not cease to pursue non-violent solutions.
Monday prayers
Julia Callaway had cataract surgery on her left eye this morning and is resting at home. We are grateful all went well!
Bess Henderson is doing much better after a particularly difficult weekend. We continue to pray for her full recovery.
Bess Henderson
Bess Henderson is still in Miami, recuperating from surgery. She is not doing as well as expected. Thank you for surrounding her with prayers and good wishes.
Tuesday prayers
Thank you for continuing to hold Eric Hutton’s father and the family in prayer. He is suffering from severe congestive heart failure, and the treatment options are very limited due to his Parkinson’s and overall frail state. Colette
We join the Dixon and Kavoosifar families in celebrating the birth of Lily Colette Kavoosifar, the daughter of Caitlin Dixon Kavoosifar and Cameron Kavoosifar, on December 30, 2019. Congratulations!
Bess Henderson
Bess Henderson is recuperating from nine hours of surgery. She is doing well, and is expected to be transferred out of ICU tomorrow. Thank you for continuing to keep her in your prayers. We hope with her that this will be the final procedure in what has been a very difficult process of recovery.
Joyce Crowell
Please surround Joyce Crowell with your prayers, especially on Monday. Joyce is scheduled to have a heart procedure.
Thursday prayers
Eric Hutton asks for prayers for his parents. His dad, who is suffering from Parkinson’s, has a partially diagnosed heart issue and has to wait until December 23 for a follow-up appointment. As you can imagine, this is a very stressful time for the family.
Bess Henderson will be traveling to Miami on December 17, where she is scheduled for surgery the next day. We hope with her that, after many set-backs, this procedure will be successful. Thank you for continuing to keep her in your prayers.
Linda Parker is back home after a visit to Seattle. She is resting and recuperating from cataract surgery. Please continue to lift her up in prayer.