I am asking for prayers please for my Pastor and for everone at St. Paul's AME in Southern Indiana. He and his wife were in a horrible accident today and she was killed and he is in the hospital in Indianapolis with a broken back. I just can't believe it and have cried and cried. Please pray for us and especially Pastor Allen. Thank you!

-- Anonymous, September 16, 2001

Answers

Be strong in the Lord. You, your church, Rev Allen and his family will be in my prayers.

-- Anonymous, September 17, 2001

You have the prayers of the Grant AME Church, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Be strong and of good courage.

-- Anonymous, September 17, 2001

You certainly do have our prayers in the Chicago Annual Conference. Do you mind sharing the full name of your pastor and his wife. I am sure many minister's wives knew her.

-- Anonymous, September 17, 2001

I want to thank you all for the prayers and support and God bless you all. The Pastors wife's name was Adrienne and his is Allen McClendon.

I apologise for not providing that information before!

-- Anonymous, September 17, 2001

God's Peace and Comfort to your Pastor and his family and the St Paul AME Church. We at St Paul AME, Cambridge Mass. are keeping you in our prayers.

-- Anonymous, September 17, 2001

I was devastated when I heard the news this morning. My neighbor worked with your pastor's wife and called to let me know what had happened. Know that my prayers are with your church membership, your pastor, who is my friend, and for his family's loss. Although we may not understand why these things happen to us and those close to us, know that God in His mercy is always near to us and understands our need for the comfort that only He can provide. Be strong in the Lord, and be strong for your pastor. Pastor Allen needs your strength right now. His burden has now become our burden and we must be there for him and with him in this time of need. God bless and keep you.

Rev. Terri

-- Anonymous, September 17, 2001

I want to thank you all for your messages and prayers. It really helps to know some of you know this family and have been there with them. Our congregation is planning to get a van and travel up there for the funeral Friday and to visit our Pastor. I will share with him your messages.

-- Anonymous, September 17, 2001

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding, continue to acknowledge him in all your way, especially your sad ones for blessed are they that mourn for they will find comfort. You and your church, especially your pastor are in our prayers, your Indiana conference family. Love and peace from Bethel A.M.E. Michigan City.

-- Anonymous, September 17, 2001

Here is the Indianapolis paper's story on the accident.

I wanted to let you all know someone is giving us a 15 seat van for our trip for the price of a 7 seater and another person is donating the cost so we can make the trip to Indy.

Victims may have been forced off I-65 By Kevin O'Neal Indianapolis Star September 17, 2001

A fatal highway crash Sunday on the Southeastside slowed afternoon traffic for more than two hours.

Adrienne McClendon, 48, 11000 block of Leo Drive, was declared dead at Methodist Hospital, according to the Indiana State Police. Her husband, the driver, was injured. He was identified as Allen N. McClendon, 41.

State Police were looking into reports that another driver forced the McClendons' vehicle, an Oldsmobile Intrigue, off of northbound I-65 at the Southport Road interchange, causing the crash.

The crash was reported to troopers at 2:33 p.m. Police arrived to find the Oldsmobile had run into I-65's grass median and hit an embankment at the bridge over Little Bunk Creek.

The angle of the embankment had launched the four-door sedan into the air, and troopers said the car flew about 70 feet before it crossed the creek, crashing to the ground on the north side of the water.

According to police, Allen McClendon, who was taken to Methodist Hospital, told them that another vehicle had run him off the road, and another motorist had called troopers after the crash to say he had seen the Oldsmobile forced into the median.

The crash blocked traffic on I-65 in both directions for 30 minutes, while a LifeLine helicopter picked up Adrienne McClendon and took her to Methodist, where she was declared dead. Allen McClendon's condition was not immediately available.

When the helicopter left, all three southbound lanes reopened but the left lane was closed to northbound traffic.

---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Contact Kevin O'Neal at 1-317-327-7928 or via e-mail at kevin.oneal@indystar.com

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-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

Matthew 8:13 Jesus responded to the centurian in reference to his faith. We here believe in long distance prayer. We will certainly lift you, your Pastor and family, and congregation in prayer. From Mt.Zion Circuit; Greater Mt. Zion, Pearlington, and St. James Picayune Mississippi, Eighth Episcopal District.

-- Anonymous, September 18, 2001

Please know that the entire membership of the Los Angeles/Pasadena District of Southern California Conference will be in prayer for Rev. McClendon and his family. 'Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal"

Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Presiding Elder

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2001

I saw Pastor Allen today and praise God he can move his legs! His back is broken in two or three places and he is in a lot of pain but he will be able to walk. Please continue to pray for him because he is grieving and in physical pain too. I want to thank you all for the many prayers. I knew God would hear and answer! He has a way to go yet but I am so glad to know he will be all right and able to come back to us and preach again. I copied all your messages and took to him and he and his family knew many of you. They are going to display the messages at Adrienne's funeral service on Friday. It was very encouraging for him to know so many were praying for him. God bless you!!!! thank you again and most of all Thank GOD.

-- Anonymous, September 19, 2001

Receive herewith our deepest sympathy and condolences with the tragic and horrific death of your Pastor's wife, Adrienne and injuries to your Pastor, Rev. Allen McClendon. The Cathedral of Vinton Anderson African Methodist Episcopal Church, EERSTE RIVER, Cape Town, South Africa (15th Episcopal District) mourns and pray with you in these your troublesome days

Rev. William C Legolie, II

-- Anonymous, September 20, 2001

May the peace an comfort of a Mighty God Keep and bless you in this heavy hour of pain and sorrow. May your faith keep you and the peace of God sustain you at this time. The love and prayers of the Holy Trinity AME Church Rock Hall, Maryland is with you, your Pastor and church family.

In Love, Pastor Bess McCallister

-- Anonymous, September 24, 2001

Peace and blessings for the Pastor and Church family of St. Paul in S. Indiana. May the Holy Spirit give you the strengh during a time of loss. God is still a miracle worker. The Pastor and Officers of St.John AME Church in Bishopville, Md. are praying for God's healing power. Shalom, Pastor Linda P. Wheatley

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2001