Joys and Concerns in November
Pullen is a loving, compassionate community that cares for and shares with one another — in sickness and in health, in good times and in troubled times.
Read the joys and concerns that we shared in November.
Celebrating Joys
We give thanks for the Pullenites who participated in the CROP Walk to raise money for Church World Service and alleviate hunger in our community. The Round Table Ministry received some of the proceeds from the CROP Walk.
We are grateful for your generous response to our call for support of Urban Ministries. During November, we delivered over 500 pounds of food, two additional SUVs full of food, and donated over $1,000 (and counting).
During their November visit, Nicaragua pilgrims installed six solar panels, a battery system, electric lights, and outlets at a remote health outpost, allowing for a refrigerator to bring life-saving vaccines to the community of Bilampi, Matagalpa, along with other medical equipment. In addition, a latrine was repaired and painted, 30 water filters were distributed, and Deb Norton led first-aid training for community healthcare volunteers.
The Cuba travelers are grateful for the generosity of Pullenites in providing supplies for our friends in Matanzas. Their hearts and suitcases are full! We pray for their safe travel to Matanzas.
We are grateful to Chalice Overy, Pam Knight, and Chris Schwartzman, who represented Pullen in New Orleans at the In Deed and Truth gathering. In Deed and Truth is a new program of the St. Charles Center for Faith and Action. It invites predominantly historically white congregations to tell the whole truth about their histories and enter an intentional, guided discernment process to determine how each local church will act upon the full knowledge of their origins.
We rejoice with Brooks Wicker’s mother, Kathleen Wicker, who turned 100 on November 15, and with Hilda Highfil, who turned 102 on December 1!
Praying in Loss
We remember and pray for:
Beth Barnwell, whose brother, Joe, lost his battle with lifelong depression. A celebration of Joe’s life will be held on December 5 in Asheville, where Joe lived. We pray for Joe’s wife Sharon, for Beth, and all of Beth’s family.
Praying with Our Community
We remember and pray for:
Warren Chesson, who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. He has begun treatment, and his prognosis is positive.
Georgette Foster, who has recently completed chemotherapy and radiation treatments at UNC Cancer Hospital. She thanks the congregation for their prayers and asks for continued prayers for a successful outcome.
Hilda Highfill, who is receiving hospice care at home.
Michael Watkins, who began aggressive treatment for cancer on Thanksgiving Day. He is home and feeling fairly well after his first round of treatments. He will continue with outpatient care until December 12, when he returns to the hospital. Please continue to hold Michael and Shannon in prayer.
Kristy Bastone’s mother, Phyllis, who is receiving hospice care at home.
We pray for Janet Wise-Thomas, who has had paralysis in her hands over the past few months. She has been seen by many doctors, but the cause has not been discovered.
Myriam, the mother of Cristina Garcia Alfonso, who is at home recovering from surgery following some time in the ICU.
Rita’s friend, Stephanie, who was hospitalized last month.
Abby Sandling, who is dealing with a bout of Bell’s Palsy.
Heidi McLean, who is recovering from knee replacement surgery.
Praying with Our World
Eunice Dai asks us to pray for Christians and Christian churches in China. Pastors are being censored and detained in the government’s most recent crackdowns on churches. This situation is expected to get worse. She asks that we specifically pray for divine provision and human support.
-Chalice Overy, Associate Pastor
