Lauren Bethany Calvert, Dec. 31, 2005, Akron, OH, first child of Troy and Traci (Johnston) Calvert. Lauren’s grandparents are Ted and Donna Johnston.

Christopher Michael Judd, Nov. 30, second son of Gerald and Silvia (Baillie) Judd, of Wilson, NC.

Logan James Matteson, March 29, second son of John and Livia Matteson, of Orlando, FL; grandchild of Bob and Kay Persky.

Brody Christopher Metel (left), Feb. 9, first child of Christopher and Iris (Beloso) Metel, of Orlando, FL.

Leif Nathan Villers, April 21, second son of Mark and Adela (New) Villers, of Coos Bay, OR.

Mark Steven Wendland and Amy Anderson Wendland graduated May 13 from Concordia University at Austin, TX, with their Bachelor of Arts in Business with high honors. Mark and Amy are deacons in the Austin congregation. Amy is the daughter of Philip and Gladys Anderson of the Jackson, TN, congregation.

Brittany Wood graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno, with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. Joshua Wood also graduated from UNR with a Bachelor/Masters of Science Degree in Biotechnology.

Three members of the Atlanta congregation received college degrees: Edna Barr, Mercer University, Erica Battles, Florida State University, and Cedrick Thomas, Georgia State University.

Greensboro, NC, celebrates two college graduates: Rosanna Dena Borders (left), daughter of Darlene Borders of Christian Reconciliation Fellowship, Greensboro, NC graduated from St. Andrews Presbyterian College (Laurenburg, NC) on Saturday, May 13, 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. In the immediate future, Rosanna is seeking employment and studying for the GREs in hopes of becoming certified to work in a hospital. Rosanna’s long term goal is to enter the graduate program at Wake Forest University and become a Physician’s Assistant to a dermatologist. Akil Zaid Thornton (right), son of Adama Vacanti of Christian Reconciliation Fellowship, Greensboro, NC graduated from the University of Virginia on Sunday, May 21, 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. His plans are to move to Los Angeles, CA and secure a job in the film industry with hopes of becoming a writer/director/producer.

Tom Melear had two daughters graduate from Nevada State College in May. Katrina Melear received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Erika Melear received a B.A. in Psychology.

Amber Disney, of the Victorville, CA, congregation, graduated from California State University San Bernardino with a bachelor’s degree in Communications.

David Samuel Gilbert IV, son of David and Hinke Gilbert of Philadelphia, PA, graduated magna cum laude with a BA in History with a teaching certification from Messiah College, Grantham, PA.

George Hart, pastor of Christ Community Church in Cincinnati, OH, received a M.A. in Religion and Pastoral Leadership from Cincinnati Christian University.

Greg Williams, pastor of our Fayetteville, NC, congregation, completed a Master of Arts in Religion degree from Liberty University.

Victoria J. R. Martinez received a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Iowa State University. Her husband, Ben Martinez, was ordained an elder in May. They have moved to Washington State, where Ben will pastor the churches in Spokane and Kennewick.

Michael Morrison received a Ph.D. in New Testament from Fuller Theological Seminary with a dissertation on the book of Hebrews.

Rey Taniajura, area superintendent in the Philippines, received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Trinity Theological Seminary. He is an adjunct professor of missions and community development at the International School of Theology–Asia in Manila.

Annette Stovall has just completed her second book of poems, titled Along This Christian Living. The book is dedicated to family, friends, and the church. Annette, originally of the St. Louis congregation, is now a member of the West Valley (northern Los Angeles) congregation. She says, “Before anyone disfavors a poem book, remember Deborah in the book of Judges was also a poet. A good poem is like a good song that stays with you for a time. The book is emotional, happy, inspirational, also funny. Hi, St. Louis church.” You can order the book at www.authorhouse.com or through major bookstores. Annette is also a senior college student studying art.

David and Hinke Gilbert of the Philadelphia, PA, congregation, along with Maurice and Sandy Geeslin of New York City, NY, are happy to announce the wedding on June 16, 2006 of their children David S. Gilbert IV and Anna Beth Geeslin. The couple live in Camp Hill, PA.

Hilda M. and Nelson O. Eugene celebrated their 50th anniversary on May 5. A surprise party was given on May 6 with several family members and many friends in attendance. They have been members of the New Orleans congregation since 1966.

Donald and Patricia Gent (right) celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Feb. 5. Members since the early 1980s, they now attend the Word of God fellowship in Canfield, OH. Church members honored the Gents with roses and a cake. Pastor John Dobritch spoke on how the couple met. There was a dinner party for the family and friends, and the couple renewed their wedding vows. The couple were married on Feb. 4, 1956. They have four children: Terri Lyons, Tammi Bartolone, Patricia DiPillo and Donald Gent, Jr., 10 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Artiff Brown (left), 85, of Akron, OH, died May 2, following a lengthy debilitation after a stroke. Born in Columbus, OH, Artiff was a loving and devoted daughter, wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and friend. Before she became a member in 1988, she was a member of the Church of God and Saints of Christ since her childhood. This church had many similar beliefs to the old WCG. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Beulah Bibby, brothers Clarence, Louis, William, Robert and Alexander; and sister Clairene. Artiff will forever be cherished in the hearts of her brothers, John and Charles, sons, James Mobley and Michael Brown, grandchildren, Ebony, Tracey, Tammy, and their mother Saundra Foster, great-grandsons and great-granddaughters, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends from church.

Rebecca Sue Clark, 60, died March 28 in Fort Wayne, IN. She was born in Peru, IN, to Ellis and Ferne Metzger. She was a member in Muncie, and also attended the Wabash First United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Clark, and a brother, Perry Metzger. She is survived by her daughter, Annette McCallen, grandchildren Robert and Blayke McCallen, her mother, sisters Kay Clemons, Cindy Saylor, Sandra Watkins, Sonna Yancey, Kim Chaney, and Carma Patterson, and their husbands.

Lorraine F. Craig, 78, died 24 April 2006. She had been a member for over 30 years, most recently in the Detroit East church. She was predeceased by her husband Adam, and was mother of three children, of whom the two surviving are Debbie and William. She was born and raised in Hamtramck, MI, and moved to Detroit when she was married. She moved to Clinton Township after the death of her husband. She remained in essentially good health all her life until recently.

Arthur W. Docken, 81, of Jackson, MO, died March 29 of congestive heart failure. He was a pastor for 40 years in the U.S., Philippines and Australia. He served as a church trustee. He is survived by his wife Marie, five children and 11 grandchildren.

John Edmond Goins, 72, died March 20 in Kansas of cancer. He attended the Houston congregation. A Korean War veteran, he had a severe burn and his legs were amputated. He is survived by a son, Jonathan Goins, and is missed by family and friends.

Also in this issue:

Glendora offices

International news

Events

Copyright 2006 Grace Communion International