PRAYER CONCERNS & JOYS - MAY 15, 2008

FROM: REVNCY@AOL.COM = NORMAN AND JANET YOUNG

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 'Winners make things happen.  Losers let things happen'

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 OBITUARY FOR WILMA I. BISH BESECKER

Wilma I. Besecker, 73 of 5479 Route 6, Kane and also of

Melbourne, FL died Monday evening, May 5, 2008, at Wuesthoff

Hospice Care Center in Rockledge, FL.

Born February 16, 1935, in Sykesville, she was the daughter

of Grover C. and Ethel W. Daisher Kramer.  On August 29, 1953

in Big Run, she married the Rev. Harry O. Bish, who died in 1997. 

On May 6, 2000, she married Ralph H. Besecker, who survives.

A 1953 graduate of Sykesville High School, she worked at

various jobs in the region.  She was an active member of the

First United Methodist Church in Kane, where she belonged to

the United Methodist Women, Joanna Circle, the Clergy Spouses

Association, the Sanctuary Choir and the Celebration Handbells. 

She enjoyed crafting, woodworking and baking.  She also

enjoyed various activities in Lamplighter Village in Melbourne.

She is survived, in addition to her husband, by two sons, Randy

(Molly) Bish of Allison Park and David (Patti) Bish of Jensen beach,

 FL; a daughter, Darlene Harper of Bradford; two sisters, Jerri Pifer

of Punxsutawney and Evelyn Daughtery of Big Run. Four

grandchildren and three great-grandchildren also survive.

Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents and first husband,

are a sister, Wanda McCullough and a brother, Grover Kramer.

Funeral Services for Ms. Besecker were held at the First United

Methodist Church, Kane on Saturday, May 10, 2008, with

Rev. David S. Lake and the Rev. W. Craig Smith, co-officiating. 

 Interment was in the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Kane. 

 The Ronald McDonald II Funeral Home, Inc. in Kane was in

charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wuesthoff Hospice

Care Center, 8060 Spyglass Hill Road, Viera, Florida  32940.

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PRAY FOR REV. LAMAR CARLSON, SUPERINTENDENT

WASHINGTON DISTRICT

Thanks for Prayers: Washington District Superintendent LaMar

Carlson remains in intensive care at Pittsburgh’s Mercy Hospital

after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage and undergoing surgery

last Sunday. There seem to be positive signs of improvement

in his condition each day.  Updates are posted regularly on

the Washington District website blog at www.washingtondistrictumc.org . LaMar’s family appreciates prayer support. No visitors for now.

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DR. ERWIN KERR TO BE HONORED

Dr. Erwin Kerr will be recognized for his faithful service

to The United Methodist Church Union and the people

of Allegheny County at a Reception/Open House on SUNDAY

June 1, 2p - 4p.  The reception is being held at Calvary United

Methodist Church, 971 Beech Avenue, Northside of Pittsburgh.  

There will be a brief presentation at 2pm.  RSVP BY MAY 27,  

to the Church Union Office, 412-231-4900  or churchunion@stargate.net.

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Word has been received that Charles "Woody" Woods has

entered a rehab facility again.  Please pray for strength

and quick recovery.

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PRAYER REQUEST FROM CHUCK GOODIN

Here we go again. After doing so well following my major abdominal

aortic (iliac) aneurysm surgery in January, here in May, I have a new

complication. After the final CT scan of my abdomen where the

aneurysm had been the scan showed an abnormality of the pancreas.

The doctor who had operated on me sent me to a gastrointestinal

specialist. This specialist ordered blood work and an MRI. The blood

work was elevated and the MRI indicated a tumor. The specialist along

with my other operating doctor immediately arranged for me to see a

pancreas specialist at Baltimore’s John Hopkins Hospital. Our daughter

Amy is taking her Mother and me for a consultation with this specialist on

May 20^th. He will be reviewing several of the CT scans prior to and the

one immediately after my aneurysm surgery. The specialist indicated if

there is a tumor a biopsy will be taken. I send this to ask for more prayers

on my behalf – that my wife, daughter, and I have safe traveling mercies

and that the Baltimore specialist might find, as some other doctors and

nurse friends have suggested, perhaps a shadow or at best a benign

tumor. One doctor before seeking a blood test, an MRI, and CT scans

immediately said CANCER! It threw Cindy and me into a tailspin after

making such wonderful progress following my aneurysm surgery. I still

have many of the cards I received in January and I read their messages

often, especially those from prayer groups in the various Churches I served.

I truly believe that the power of intercessory prayer is what made my

aneurysm surgery such a success. I look forward to the power of

intercessory prayer to see me through this present situation. (On top of

all of this my heart doctor told me I have two heart valves that will have

to be replaced in the near future and my urologist told me I will need

prostate surgery in the near future.) Holy Cow! I thought we grew old

gracefully not falling apart bit by bit. Thanks to all who remember me

and my wife and family in their prayers.

Charles (Chuck) Goodin

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Congratulations to Gene and Sharan Stollings who will be celebrating

their 50th wedding anniversary on May 27. It's been a wonderful

marriage and partnership in ministry!
               Rev. Gene & Sharon Stollings
               401 Morgantown St.
               Uniontown, PA  15401

(Ed Note: They will not be receiving this paragraph in this issue

of Prayer Concerns S0......Surprise them with your cards and E-mails)

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PRAYER REQUEST

Would you please add Peter Foreman, pastor at Dunlo/Sidman

charge in Johnstown District to the prayer list.  He has recently

been diagnosed with ALS. 

Thank you.

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E-MAIL ADDRESS CHANGES

Please change our e-mail address as of May 10:

lpomrenke@tampabay.rr.com  

Thank you,  Lou and Audrey Pomrenke

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Please note my new email address oldoc@verizon.net. 

Thanks  Doc Salmon

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Would you please add Peter Forman, Dunlo/Sidman. Johnstown

District to the prayer list.  He has recently been diagnosed with ALS. 

Thank you.

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INTERESTING FACT:

Did you know?  Any month that comes in on a SUNDAY will have

a Friday the 13th.

June 1st is a Sunday.

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'To the world you might be one person, But to one person you just

might be the world'.

 

 

 

 

 

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Urgent Prayer Request: Please pray for Washington District Superintendent

LaMar Carlson, who suffered a massive cerebral hemmhorage Sunday,May 11th

during lunch.  After surgery Sunday evening to relieve pressure and remove

a blood clot, as of Monday afternoon, he remained in the intensive care

unit of Pittsburgh's Mercy Hospital. His wife Rachel and son Nathan are

receiving support from their family, Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton and some

other members of the Cabinet. They appreciate prayer support, but because

of limited space and hospital policy request that others not visit at this time.

 

Technology can be a wonderful thing.

A Blog has been established on the district website that I will update

throughout the day as information becomes available on La Mar’s condition. 

This will make the email sending on my end easier, and many more

people can stay abreast of the news.  Please pass this information on. 

The Washington District website is www.washingtondistrictumc.org.  

 

 

 

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PRAYER CONCERNS AND JOYS FOR MAY 1, 2008

Some good news!  Rev. Rita Platt and  Rev. Don Anderson,

were married Saturday, April 19, 2008 at St. Paul's United Methodist

Church in Allison Park. Rev. Dr. Donald G. Scandrol, Pittsburgh

District Superintendent, officiated.

The couple traveled to Williamsburg and Washington, D.C.

for a wedding trip, and will be a part of  the November Conference

trip to Italy, Greece and Malta as they join  Bishop Bickerton in

Paul's journey.  For now, the couple will be living at the Albright

United Methodist parsonage, 486 South Graham Street,

Pittsburgh, PA 15232.

Have a great week!   Don Anderson

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Change E-Mail Address:

Please note the new e-mail address,

Thanks

Bruce Knapp    ebknapp2000@yahoo.com 

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REV. CECIL CLYDE COWDER

March 8, 1914 - April 19, 2008

Rev. Cecil Clyde Cowder, 94, of Bigler, PA., died Saturday

April 19, 2OO8 at his home. Born March 8, 1914, at Mocks Hill,

West Decatur, PA., he was the  son of the late Grant and

Daisy (Williams) Cowder.

He graduated from Morris Township High School in 1932 and

Bonebrake Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, in 1939,

when  he was ordained an Elder in the United Brethren Church

and assigned his first charge at Coalport and Beaver Valley that

 September (1939-1942).

Cecil became a U. S. Army chaplain in 1942, attended Chaplain

School at Harvard University and was assigned to the 73rd Bomb

Wing, 498th Bomb Group, serving in Saipan as one of eight base

 chaplains on the South Pacific Island during World War II. (1942-1946)

After the war, he served as pastor of the Altoona Pleasant Valley

United Brethren Church (1946-1948). In 1948 he became a Chaplain

in the U. S. Air Force and served numerous tours of duty

throughout the United States; Shemya; Alaska; Okinawa; and Izmir,

Turkey, with a final tour as wing chaplain at Andrews Air Force Base

in Washington, D.C., where he retired with the rank of lieutenant

colonel in 1963.

Chaplain Cowder served the nation proudly and was awarded six

Bronze Medals and two Distinquished Service Citations for

outstanding performance of duty. The Rev. Cowder loved to attend

his Bomb Wing reunions, enjoyed his church activities, teaching

Sunday school, traveling and gardening. He was an avid amateur

archaeologist and loved to present his vast collections of Indian

arrowheads, stones and artifacts from around the world.

He served on the Board of Directors of the Bigler United Methodist

Church and the Bigler YMCA.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Josephine (House-Owens)

Cowder; a son, John and his wife Linda, of Dunmore; a step-son,

James, and his wife, Deanna, of Silver Spring, MD.; a son-in-law,

Fred Plummer and his wife, Sigrid, of Houston; seven grandchildren;

and nine great-grandchildren.

The Rev Cowder was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife,

 Margarette (Houser); a daughter, Ann Marie Plummer; four brothers,

Leo, Weldon, Carrol and Arnold; and a sister, LeVaughn "Dot" Peters.

Funeral services for the Rev. Cowder will be held Wednesday, April 23,

at 2 p.m. at the Bigler United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Thomas

C. Lenker officiating. Interment will be at Summit Hill Cemetery.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Bigler

United Methodist Church in care of the Rev. Thomas C. Lenker, P. O.

Box 416, Bigler, PA 16825; or to the Bigler YMCA, P.O. Box 417, Bigler,

PA 16825.

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'A friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.'

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How Rare Is Your Name? 
Go to this web site called http://www.howmanyofme.com. 
Put in your first and last name and see how many people in the USA 

Have your name as well.

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ANNUAL CONFERENCE JUNE 12-15, 2008 AT GROVE CITY

COLLEGE.

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