This is the 11th year that Emmanuel United Church will be presenting a play starring youth from our church and the local community. We have already started rehearsals for this year's production, Lifesong. The setting is a tropical island where cast members are put to the test, not only to find the true leader inside of each of them, but to learn to lead like Jesus. Each character brings his or her gifts to the challenges they meet along the way.

In February she was admitted to the hospital with an ear infection and a very high fever. Her liver enzymes were elevated to the point that she was transferred to Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City for a possible liver transplant. Fortunately, it was not needed. She has been hospitalized twice for several weeks and endured many tests in an effort to determine the cause of her illness. Within the last few weeks Melani's diagnosis of mitochondrial disease has been confirmed.

Mitochondrial disease is a chronic disease that affects the cell structure of the body, resulting in insufficient energy for the organs including brain, heart, liver, muscles or kidneys. It can also cause deafness and infections. The symptoms are different for each person, depending on which cells are affected.

We hope and pray that now that she has a definitive diagnosis, the doctors will develop a treatment plan so that she can enjoy life as a happy, healthy little girl. She is cherished and loved by everyone who meets her and especially by her parents and her four year old big brother, Alex.

Performances will be on Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16 at 7:00pm at Emmanuel United Church, 516 Park Avenue in Mechanicville. A reception will follow each performance. There will be a third performance on Sunday May 17 at 7:00pm at the Arts Center on the Hudson, Main Street, Mechanicville.