The Songstress at News from the Great Beyond needs your prayer and support.
Her incredibly well written post, This Sucks, is absolutely heart breaking. I don’t think I’d ever be strong enough to write a post like that under such terrible circumstances.
Please visit, read the entire post, assure her of your support, then tell someone close how much you love them.
The Tennessean has published a very moving account of the memorial service for Maria Sue Chapman, daughter of Christian musician, Steven Curtis Chapman.
5 year old Maria died in a tragic accident at the Chapmans’ home last week.
(Thanks to Matt Harmless for the link.)
Yesterday I wrote about the tragic news out of Nashville of the death of Maria, the five year old daughter of US Christian Singer, Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife MaryBeth.
This morning I spoke to pastor, musician and broadcaster, Mike Rayson, who lives in Nashville and is walking a similar journey after losing his eldest son in an accident just over a year ago. Mike joined me live on the phone during my morning radio programme on 98.5 Sonshine FM in Perth, Western Australia. The interview is a touching discussion on the accident which took Maria’s life and the heartbreak of losing a child.
You can hear the interview and get a glimpse into the road ahead for the Chapman family by clicking play on the audio player at the bottom of this post.
A statement has been released on Steven Curtis Chapman’s official website.
NASHVILLE, TN…5/21/08… At approximately 5pm on the afternoon of Wednesday May 21st, Maria Sue Chapman, 5 years old and the youngest daughter to Steven and Mary Beth Chapman was struck in the driveway of the Chapman home in Franklin, TN. Maria was rushed to Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital in Nashville, transported by LifeFlight, but died of her injuries there. Maria is one of the close knit family’s six children and one of their three adopted daughters.
More than five years ago, Chapman and his wife MaryBeth founded The Shaohannah’s Hope Ministry after bringing their first adopted daughter, Shaohannah, home from China. The ministry’s goal is to help families reduce the financial barrier of adoption, and has provided grants to over 1700 families wishing to adopt orphans from around the world. Chapman is a five-time GRAMMY ® winner and 54-time Dove Award-winning artist who has sold over 10 million albums and garnered 44 No. 1 singles.
For those in the Nashville area who would like to remember Maria at her funeral or at a memorial service, details have been posted at Steven Curtis Chapman’s website.
Funeral Arrangements for Maria Sue Chapman
Friday May 23rd Visitation 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday May 24th Memorial service 11:00 a.m.
Christ Presbyterian Church
2323 Old Hickory Blvd, Nashville, TN
(615) 373-2311
A website has been set up in memory of Maria. You can visit In Memory of Maria to leave your condolences for the family.
Tragic news is coming out of Nashville today with the death of Maria, the five year old daughter of US Christian Singer, Steven Curtis Chapman.
This report from The Tennessean tells us that it seems to be a tragic accident.
Steven Curtis Chapman’s youngest child died Wednesday afternoon after being struck by a car driven by her teenage brother in the driveway of the family’s Williamson County home.
Maria, one of the Christian singer’s six children, was taken by LifeFlight to Vanderbilt Hospital, which confirmed the death, according to Laura McPherson, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
The 5-year-old was hit by an SUV driven by her teenage brother, she said. Police did not give the driver’s name.
The teen was driving a Toyota Land Cruiser down the driveway of the rural home at about 5:30 p.m. and several children were playing in the area, McPherson said. He did not see Maria in the driveway before the vehicle struck her, she said.
“It appears to be a terrible accident,’’ McPherson said.
Steven Curtis Chapman’s recent release, Cinderella, was written partly for Maria. He spoke to Bethany Christian Services about the song.
This song was inspired by my two youngest girls. One night I was giving them a bath and trying to get them in bed. I was hurrying and became frustrated. After I got the girls in bed, God convicted me not to miss these moments because kids grow up so quickly. The song is called ‘Cinderella.’
I’m sure that the family will appreciate our prayers at this time.
I have now written an update about the tragedy and included a radio interview with Mike Rayson from Nashville about the pain of losing a child. You can read more at Remembering Maria Sue Chapman.