FAITH
Friday, April 22, 2016
East Oregonian
Page 7A
Veto of %ible as of¿cial book
of Tenn. survives challenge Community
Earlier in the session,
the Legislature approved
a resolution to add the
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. —
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Tennessee has a state reptile,
like the Tennessee cave
a state rock and a state song
salamander, the eastern box
in the moonshine-themed
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“Rocky Top.”
— plus nine state songs.
For now, though, the Bible
Lawmakers
in
both
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chambers had passed the
book.
bill despite a warning by the
Gov. Bill Haslam had
state’s attorney general that it
vetoed a bill that would
would violate both the U.S.
elevate the holy book’s status,
and Tennessee constitutions,
and lawmakers trying to over-
the latter of which states that
ride that veto fell seven votes
“no preference shall ever be
short of the 50 they needed
AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
in the House on Wednesday. Rep. Glen Casada, R-Franklin, center, talks with other given, by law, to any religious
Only 43 members voted in members of the House including Rep. Charles Sargent, establishment or mode of
favor of the bill after two R-Franklin, left, during a debate on whether to override worship.”
Haslam told reporters after
hours of spirited — and spiri- Gov. Bill Haslam’s veto of a bill seeking to make the Bi-
ble the state’s official book on Wednesday in Nashville, the vote that he was grateful
tual — debate.
that lawmakers had decided
The Republican governor Tenn. The House voted not to override the veto.
last week turned back the bill Sexton, a former Baptist
6L[ 5HSXEOLFDQV DQG ¿YH against an override of the
over constitutional concerns minister who was the main Democrats who voted for the veto.
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and because of concerns the House sponsor of the measure, bill when it passed last year
PHDVXUH³WULYLDOL]HV´ZKDWKH urged colleagues to follow did not support the override Bible to put it on the same
considers a sacred text.
what he called the “will of the on Wednesday. They included level with the state bird and
Supporters argued that people” in rejecting the veto. Democratic Rep. Johnny insect and so many other
things we have,” Haslam
the measure seeks to honor
“It doesn’t force anyone Shaw, a Baptist pastor.
the economic and historical to read it, it doesn’t force
“We can put it all over said.
“The Bible is either the
impact of the Bible in anyone to buy it, it doesn’t the billboards of any corner
Tennessee history, rather force anyone to believe in Tennessee, but if it is not inspired Word of God or it’s
than a state endorsement of it,” said Sexton, a former in your heart we are doing not,” he said. “We shouldn’t
religion.
Baptist minister. “It’s simply nothing but mocking God,” honor it for one reason when
it’s really for another.”
Republican Rep. Jerry symbolic.”
Shaw said.
By ERIK SCHELZIG
Associated Press
Pope plucks 12 Syrian refugees from uncertainty
ROME (AP) — Pope
Francis says his gesture is “a
drop of water in the sea” of
Europe’s migration crisis. Yet
for 12 Syrian refugees, the
SRSH¶V GHFLVLRQ WR À\ WKHP
back to Italy from Greece is
an act of kindness that will
resonate for the rest of their
lives.
“Thanks be to God,”
exulted Wafa, mother of two
children who made the trip
with her husband Osama as
she arrived in Rome. “I thank
the pope for this very human
gesture.”
The three Muslim families,
including six children, had
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devastation of Syria’s civil
war. They were plucked from
a refugee camp on the Greek
island of Lesbos, where they
have been stranded for weeks.
They were chosen because
they had their documents in
order, not to make a political
point to Europe about the need
to better integrate Muslims,
the pope said.
“Their privilege is that they
are children of God,” Francis
told reporters en route home to
Italy after an emotional trip to
Lesbos on Saturday.
The Roman Catholic
charity Sant’Egidio, which
is providing the refugees
with preliminary assistance,
welcomed them at their
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Trastevere neighborhood late
Saturday. The mothers were
given red roses, and they were
applauded as they arrived.
Sant’Egidio released some
details about the refugees
but didn’t give any of their
last names due to privacy
concerns.
Hasan and Nour, both
engineers, and their 2-year-old
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Zabadani, a mountainous area
on the outskirts of the Syrian
capital of Damascus that has
been heavily bombed. They
headed to Turkey and took a
boat across the Aegean Sea to
Lesbos, like hundreds of thou-
sands before them, hoping to
reach Europe. But Austria and
several Balkan nations shut
their borders to refugees in
early March, stranding more
than 50,000 people in Greece.
Ramy and Suhila, a couple
in their 50s, came from Deir
el-Zour, a Syrian city close to
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devastated in street-by-street
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militants and government
troops. They arrived in Greece
with their three children in
February via Turkey. Ramy
is a teacher, Suhila a tailor,
Sant’Egidio said.
The third family, Osama
and Wafa, hail from the
Damascus
suburb
of
Zamalka. Their youngest still
wakes each night — and even
stopped speaking for a time —
apparently due to the trauma
of the war and the journey to
Europe.
They were selected after
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and deserving of humanitarian
protection, and after being
interviewed about their hopes
for settlement in Europe,
said Daniela Pompei, the
6DQW¶(JLGLR RI¿FLDO ZKR
helped facilitate the project.
She said all 12 had been regis-
tered as asylum-seekers in
Greece but will now actually
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They had all arrived
in Lesbos in the past two
months, meaning they had
lived through the brunt of
Syria’s civil war, she said.
³7KH\ UHVLVWHG IRU ¿YH
years,” she said.
Francis said his decision
to bring the refugees to Italy
was a “purely humanitarian”
gesture and not a political act.
BOARDMAN — The
public is invited to share a
chuckle or two during Free
Movie Night at the Church.
“Chonda Pierce:
Laughing in the Dark” is
a documentary about the
life of Pierce, a Christian
comedienne. The daughter of
a preacher, she got her start
working at Opryland Theme
Park in Nashville.
7KH¿OPZLOOEHVFUHHQHG
Saturday at 6 p.m. at the First
Baptist Church, 200 Willow
Fork Drive, Boardman.
There’s no admission charge,
but refreshments will be
available for purchase.
Pierce turned her gift of
storytelling into a successful
comedic career, selling
more comic albums than
any other female comedian.
6KHUHFHLYHG¿YH'D\WLPH
Emmy nominations for her
work co-hosting “Aspiring
:RPHQ´DQGKHU¿UVW
TV special, “This Ain’t
Prettyville!”
For more information
about the movie night, call
541-481-9437. For more
about Pierce, visit www.
chonda.org.
Virginia pastor
treks for orphans
HERMISTON — A
United Methodist pastor
is on a mission to raise
awareness for orphans.
Rev. Wayne Lavender,
who departed on foot near
his Virginia Beach, Virginia,
home Jan. 1, has been
sharing about his Foundation
4 Orphans as he makes his
way across the United States.
Dubbing the journey Oregon
Trail: A New Frontier for
Orphans, Lavender is hoping
to gain support by the
national body of the United
Methodist Church.
The public is invited to
learn more when he speaks
Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at
the Hermiston First United
Methodist Church, 191 E.
Gladys Ave.
Lavender founded the
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help address educational,
emotional, physical and
spiritual needs of orphans
around the world. The
current focus includes
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to expand to others in the
future.
The pastor will continue
on to Portland to attend
the General Conference
of the United Methodist
Church in May. His end
goal is to present a petition
for the effort to become a
missionary focus for the
church. The church body
only meets every four years,
so Lavender is hopeful they
will adopt the cause on his
¿UVWSHWLWLRQ
Regardless, Lavender is
upbeat about his journey as
he is raising awareness and
money for orphan projects.
For more information
about the local presentation,
call 541-567-3002. For more
about the foundation and
how to give, visit www.f4o.
org.
SUBMIT FAITH NEWS
Friday's faith page features local, national and interna-
tional faith-related news. Send information about local
faith-related news and events, including concerts, special
speakers and activities to community@eastoregonian.
com or drop off to the attention of Tammy Malgesini at
333 E. Main St., Hermiston or Renee Struthers at 211
S.E. Byers Ave., Pendleton. Call 541-564-4539 or 541-
966-0818 with questions.
Video program
examines religions
freedom
A program sharing the
story of Constantine and
his continuing impact on
religious liberty around
the world is planned in
Pendleton, Irrigon and
Umapine.
This video series, hosted
by Shawn Boonstra, “Voice
of Prophecy” director, takes
a documentary-style, Bible-
based approach to the topic.
The series, Boonstra said,
provides an examination of
the church and prophetic
history that will answer
PDQ\TXHVWLRQVSHRSOHKDYH
today.
Shadow Empire will be
presented in four parts at
each location. In addition,
all in attendance will receive
a copy of Boonstra’s latest
book, “Shadow Emperor.”
Local presentations include:
Pendleton Seventh-Day
Adventist Church, 1401
S.W. Goodwin Place.
•Thursday, April 28 at 7
p.m.; Friday, April 29 at 7
p.m.; Saturday, April 30 at
11 a.m.; and Saturday, April
30 at 7 p.m.
Childcare provided for
ages 3-10.
Irrigon Adventist
Church, 205 Tumbleweed
Blvd.
•Thursday, April 28 at 7
p.m.; Friday, April 29 at 7
p.m.; Saturday, April 30 at
11 a.m.; and Saturday, April
in Mission for Christ LCMC
Bible Study 9:00 AM
Sunday Worship 10:30 AM
Red Lion Hotel
( Oregon Trail Room )
www.faithpendleton.org
P eace L utheran C hurch
210 NW 9th, Pendleton ELCA
Join us Sundays
9:30 am Sunday Worship
9:30
Worship
10:30 am
am Sunday
Fellowship
11:00 am Sunday School
& Adult Class
~Come and be at Peace ~
on 1290 KUMA noon each Sunday
NEW HOPE
COMMUNITY CHURCH
1350 S. Highway 395,
Hermiston
Sunday Worship Services
English- Pastor Dave Andrus
9:00 & 10:45 am
Spanish- Pastor Genaro Loredo
9:00 & 10:15 am
Classes for kids during all
services
For more information call
541-567-8441
30 at 3 p.m.
Childcare provided for
ages 3-8.
Umapine Adventist
Church, 84685 Ringer Road
•Friday, May 13 at 7
p.m.; Saturday, May 14 at 11
a.m.; Saturday, May 14 at 7
p.m.; and Sunday, May 15
at 7 p.m.
For more information
about the program, visit
www.shadowempire.com.
Abby’s hosts
Young Life
fundraiser
3(1'/(721²3L]]D
lovers and supporters of
Pendleton youth will want to
head to Abby’s Legendary
3L]]D6RXWKJDWHRQ
Tuesday for a fundraiser
HYHQWEHQH¿WLQJ3HQGOHWRQ
Young Life.
For all dine-in or
carry-out orders placed
between 5 and 8 p.m.
Tuesday, Abby’s will donate
25 percent of the value
of the food purchased.
Alcohol, gift card and other
non-food purchases are
excluded. Also, patrons
are encouraged to bring
returnable bottles and cans,
of which the youth group
will receive 100 percent of
the donations.
Proceeds from the
fundraiser will help send
youth group members to
Young Life camp. For more
information, contact Loretta
at 541-379-9168.
Faith Center Church
Worshiping God
Loving People
108 S. Main • 276-9569
Sunday Worship
10:30 am
Sr. Pastor,
Ray O’Grady
pendletonfaithcenter.org
Seventh-Day
Adventist
Church
Saturday Services
Pendleton
1401 SW Goodwin Place
276-0882
Sabbath School 9:20 am
Worship Service 10:45 am
Community
Presbyterian Churc h
OPEN HEARTS – OPEN DOOR
14 Martin Drive,
Umatilla, OR
922-3250
Worship: 10 AM
Sunday School at
11:30
www.graceandmercylutheran.org
Sunday Worship 9:00 a.m.
Sunday School 10:00 a.m. (Nursery
Provided)
Fellowship, Refreshments & Sunday School
Check Out our Facebook Page or Website
for More Information
541-289-4535
Tom Inch, Pastor
Grace and Mercy Lutheran Church, ELCA
164 E. Main St. / P.O. Box 1108
Hermiston, Oregon 97838
Grace Baptist Church
585 SW Birch,
Pilot Rock, OR 97868
(541) 443-2500
prbconline.blogspot.com
Sunday School: 9:30 am
Worship Service: 10:45 am
Kids’ Club: 6:00 pm
Wednesday Services:
Youth Group: 7:00 pm
555 SW 11th, Hermiston
567-9497
Nursery provided for all
services
Sunday School - 9:30 AM
Worship - 10:45 AM
6:00 pm
Wed Prayer & Worship -
7:00 PM
“Proclaiming God’s word,
growing in God’s grace”
St. Johns
Episcopal Church
All People
Are Welcome
Scripture, Tradition
and Reason
Family service 9am Sunday
Gladys Ave & 7th Hermiston
Fr. Dan Lediard, Priest. PH: 567-6672
First United
Methodist
Church
BRIEFLY
Movie night
features Christian
comedienne
FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH
352 SE 2nd Street
Pendleton, OR
541-276-2616
Sunday Worship 9am
Open Hearts, Open Hands, Open Doors
Facebook: www.facebook.com/
FUMCPendleton
Services are broadcast every Sunday
on KUMA-1290 AM @ 11am
Rev. Dr. Jim Pierce, pastor
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH
-Presbyterian Church (USA)-
201 SW Dorion Ave.
Pendleton
Service of Worship - 10:00 am
Children’s Sunday School -
10:20 am
Fellowship - 11:00 am
www.pendletonpresbyterian.com
Open Hearted...
Open Minded
Redeemer
Episcopal
Church
241 SE Second St. Pendleton
(541)276-3809
www.pendletonepiscopal.org
Sunday Holy Communion 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday Holy Communion Noon
Weekly Adults Spiritual Life Group
All Are Welcome
Com e m eet Jesus a t
PEN D LETO N BAPTIST
C HU RC H
3202 SW N ye Ave Pen d leton , O R
541-276-7590
Su n d a y M orn in g W orship 11:00 AM
Su n d a y Bible Cla sses 9:45 AM
Su n d a y Y ou th Grou p 6:00 PM
M on . Com m u n ity W om en ’s Stu d y
9:30 AM & 6 PM
Aw a n a K id s Clu b (K -6th gra d e)
W ed M en ’s Stu d y 6 PM
M O PS m eetin g the 1st Thu r of the M on th 6 PM
FIRST SERVICE 8:30 AM
SECOND SERVICE 10:30 AM
712 SW 27 TH ST.
541-276-1894
www.fcogpendleton.com
“Soul Winning
Seminar”
Ken Gaub is coming to
Pendleton Faith Center
Sunday, May 1st 6:00pm
108 S. Main St.
To share your worship times call
Terri Briggs
541-278-2678