FAITH
Friday, May 20, 2016
East Oregonian
Page 7A
Methodists try to avoid split over gay rights
By RACHEL ZOLL
AP Religion Writer
Struggling to avoid a split over gay
rights, the top policy-making body
of the United Methodist Church on
Wednesday narrowly approved a full
review of all church law on sexuality,
amid an emotional meeting roiled by
talk of schism.
Delegates at the Methodist General
Conference, meeting in Portland,
Oregon, voted 428-405 to delay
all consideration of LGBT-related
proposals. Instead, the delegates created
a commission that will spend at least two
years reviewing policy on the subject,
contained in the Methodist Book of
Discipline, with the goal of developing
a plan to address their differences.
The denomination has 12.7 million
members worldwide and is the third-
largest faith group in the U.S.
“We are at a precipice,” said Lonnie
Chain, a delegate from the Northern
Illinois Annual Conference, or church
district, speaking in favor of forming the
commission. “There is urgency before
us. The church might divide.”
While other mainline Protestant
groups, including the Episcopal Church
and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.),
have approved same-sex marriage, the
Methodists have upheld a policy they
adopted in 1972, calling same-gender
relationships “incompatible with Chris-
tian teaching.”
As gay rights gained acceptance in
broader society and in other churches,
Methodist LGBT advocates stepped
up pressure for the denomination to lift
prohibitions on ordination for people
with same-sex partners, along with a
ban on gay weddings. However, the
denomination is on a more conservative
path, with its greatest growth in the
U.S. South and overseas, regions where
conservative views predominate. Of the
864 delegates at the Oregon meeting, 30
percent are from Africa.
A recent survey by the church found
about 54 percent of U.S. pastors and
lay people in leadership roles agreed
with the church restrictions on gays
and lesbians, although only 41 percent
of congregants held the same view.
The Rev. Adam Hamilton, who leads
Community
First United
Methodist Church
Of Hermiston
Rev. Dr. James T. Pierce, Pastor
Open Hearts, Open minds, Open doors
AP Photo/Don Ryan
Attendees and LGBT advocates gather to confer during a break in the
United Methodist Church conference in Portland on Wednesday.
Church of the Resurrection in Leawood,
Kansas, estimates two-thirds of Meth-
odists are centrists who could live
with those differences. But Methodist
conservatives and liberals have become
even more polarized over the years,
raising questions about how they can
stay in the same church.
Matt Berryman, head of Reconciling
Ministries Network, a Methodist LGBT
advocacy group, said the commission
plan “signals hope.” The Rev. Rob
Renfroe, president of Good News, a
caucus of evangelical Methodists, said
the plan has “some potential to resolve
our differences” but is “fraught with
peril,” depending partly on whether
conservative views will be heard.
Clergy who support gay rights have
been increasingly deiant, conducting
same-sex marriages or coming out as
gay and lesbian from the pulpit. Doing
so risked penalties, including permanent
loss of clergy credentials. Conserva-
tives have stepped up demands for
punishment of such actions. Separately
Wednesday, the Judicial Council, or
top church court, ruled that mandatory
penalties, which conservatives had
sought, were unconstitutional.
At the meeting, which began last
week, buzz about a potential breakup
grew as some bishops and leaders of
different streams within Methodism,
including conservatives and LGBT
advocates, met privately on whether the
BRIEFLY
church could stay uniied.
The group discussed a proposed
division of the church into conservative,
centrist and liberal wings — a split that
would have been the most dramatic
realignment over homosexuality in
American Protestantism. The church
began in 1784 and has property and
investments worth billions of dollars.
The rumors intensiied to the point
that the president of the Council of
Bishops, Bishop Bruce Ough, was
compelled to stand before the full
conference Tuesday to address them.
He said no plan would be advanced
to break up the denomination, but he
acknowledged bishops were divided
and struggling to ind a way to move
forward.
“I have a broken heart in that collec-
tively we have a broken heart,” Ough
told the delegates. “Our heart breaks
over the pain, distrust, anger, anxiety
and disunity” evident at the conference.
As committees rejected appeals to
lift LGBT prohibitions, gay rights advo-
cates staged multiple protests, standing
on the perimeter of one session with
rainbow-colored duct tape over their
mouths and lying on the loor with their
hands and feet bound.
“People are walking down the street
in tears saying, ‘This is not the United
Methodist Church that I joined,’’’ said
Dorothee Benz, an LGBT rights advo-
cate from the New York.
BOARDMAN’S LIMEY PASTOR
Beginnings
and bondings
Former NASA engineer
speaks Friday
PENDLETON — Spike Psarris, a former
engineer in the United States’ military space
program, will speak at Calvary Chapel of
Pendleton.
A former atheist, Psarris speaks about
science, creation and the Bible. He contends
the universe is inconsistent with random
evolutionary models and is consistent with
Biblical creation. Psarris is the author/
producer of the DVD series “What You
Aren’t Being Told About Astronomy.”
The public is invited to the multimedia
presentation Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Calvary
Chapel, 1909 S.W. Athens Ave., Pendleton.
For more information, contact 541-966-
8912, ccopendleton@ccpendleton.com or
visit www.ccpendleton.com. For more about
Psarris, visit www.creationastronomy.com.
O
Nazarene church holds
Ladies Spring Brunch
HERMISTON — Fellowship, laughter,
special music and a special message by guest
speaker Linda Brazel are featured during the
Ladies Spring Brunch.
Women and girls are invited to attend
Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Hermiston Church
of the Nazarene, 1520 W. Orchard Ave.
Child care will not be provided during the
event.
The meal is potluck, so those attending
are asked to bring something to share. To see
what others are planning to bring, visit www.
mealtrain.com/rvy9o2.
For more information or to RSVP,
contact 541-567-3677, hermistonnaz@
gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/
events/1189822504385364.
Christian author to speak
in Baker City
BAKER CITY — A faith-based women’s
spring event will feature Christian author
Francine Rivers.
The public is invited to hear the
bestselling author, who will speak Tuesday
from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Baker City Christian
Church, 675 Highway 7, Baker City. A
pre-event, which features an author meet-
and-greet and book signing, is from 6-7 p.m.
Afterwards there will be refreshments, books
for sale and additional time to have Rivers
sign her books. The event is free.
Rivers received a degree in English
and journalism from the University of
Nevada-Reno. She initially embarked on a
writing career from 1976-1985. She received
numerous awards and acclaim. In 1986, after
becoming a born-again Christian, Rivers
wrote “Redeeming Love” as her statement of
faith. Since that time, she has penned more
than 20 novels with Christian themes.
For more about the event, contact
541-523-5425 or secretary@
bakercitychristian.com. For more about
Rivers, visit www.francinerivers.com.
h my! There is a
Kylene said to me: “I want
lot of stuff going
God in it!” By golly, that’s
on. In a few days
what she will get — she
time I am invited to give a
came to the right man in
baccalaureate address to the
her future father-in-law (I
wise children of Boardman
hope). Both of them will
June 1, as they prepare for
realize the holy nature
one of the most signiicant
of the wedding bond, its
transitions in their lives.
purpose that lasts in a world
Colin
The majority of them are
outside our own and that
Brown
Catholic, and in preparation
will take the couple to a
Comment
for the wide world, a
deeper understanding of the
Lutheran pastor (that’s me)
community, the family of
is going to speak with them about
God where they are to be placed as
the next steps in the larger picture.
man and wife.
I know one of the children
Matthew’s old school friend,
already, a young lady who serves
Rachel, is also getting married
me breakfast at the Sunrise Café
to the equally biblically named
on Saturdays, who plans to start
Adam. I am performing their
training as a nurse at Mt. Hood
service too. Adam is like a large
Community College in Gresham.
pixie, grinning perpetually as if
What an honor to be asked to help
plotting a mischief, while Rachel’s
prepare her by words, a young saint soulful Madonna eyes gaze at her
in training. You can hear the call in man with adoration and longing.
her, reverberating to the purity of
It seems like marrying them will
that sound. Many of the youngsters, be like tying together starlight to a
of course, will still be listening for
hay bale — such astonishing and
their own call. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, perfectly matched opposites.
the Lutheran theologian, said that
These wonderful conjunctions
God’s will is not just one thing, it
all come following Pentecost,
can be many and our job is then to
the celebration of the birthday of
examine them all, trying to discern
the church when the Holy Spirit
which ours is for right now. This, I
entered and spoke, opening up
think, is wisdom.
the treasure chamber of spiritual
Since I went to a Baptist church gifts. In those early days the Spirit
in my pre-teen years, was baptized
melded languages while sharing
a Catholic and migrated to being
understanding. On Sunday I sat
a Lutheran due to accidentally
with my lock, in their red feathers,
moving next to a Lutheran church
in a shaded sanctuary to share our
while listening to and reading the
stories of the Holy Spirit — still
works of Garrison Keillor about the active in our lives after all these
mythical Minnesotan town of Lake years. Stories came out faster and
Wobegon, it seemed likely that I
faster as people revealed their
might ind myself as a presenter
stories about how the supernatural
to this lively group. In those days,
touch of the Spirit embraced them
Keillor was Plymouth Brethren and and protected them, or bent their
managed to convert himself into
lives in new directions. Had we
a Lutheran while in the process of
stayed there until the next day the
telling his understated story gems
stories would have still lowed out,
about life in the minus-20 degree
because as we relected we realized
temperatures of that northern state.
that God has never left us alone
In this spirit of beginnings,
and never will. Miracles of the
examination and discernment, I am Holy Spirit are gifted us every day.
also preparing for wedding my son Amen.
Matthew to his true love, Kylene,
■
and doing it carefully without
Pastor Colin Brown from Good
disturbing the balance of things,
Shepherd Lutheran Church on
without scaring them, but focusing
Locust Road in Boardman invites
a laser-like solemnity of purpose to you to join us at 11 a.m. on Sunday
the occasion while blessing them
morning with coffee and tea
with God’s joy. To my delight
afterwards.
SUBMIT FAITH NEWS
Friday's faith page features local, national and international 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.
191 E. Gladys Ave.
Sunday Worship at 11am
(541) 567-3002
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
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
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
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
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
FAITH LUTHERAN
CHURCH
in Mission for Christ LCMC
Bible Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:00 AM
Sunday Worship . . . 10:30 AM
Red Lion Hotel
( Oregon Trail Room )
www.faithpendleton.org
BAHA’I FAITH
“The Unity of All Mankind”
Pendleton Baha’i Center at
1015 SE Court Place
Devotions Sundays @
11:00am; Everyone
invited!
(541) 276-9360 visit us at
www.pendletonbahais.org
To share your worship times call
Terri Briggs
541-278-2678
