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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (May 12, 2017)
FAITH Friday, May 12, 2017 East Oregonian Mormon church severs some ties to Boy Scouts By BRADY MCCOMBS Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY — The Mormon church, the biggest sponsor of Boy Scout troops in the United States, announced Thursday it is pulling as many as 185,000 older youths from the organization as part of an effort to start its own scouting-like program. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said the move wasn’t triggered by the Boy Scouts’ decision in 2015 to allow gay troop leaders, since Mormon-sponsored troops have remained free to exclude such adults on religious grounds. But at least one leading Mormon scholar said that the Boy Scouts and the church have been diverging on values in recent years and that the policy on gays was probably a contributing factor in the split. Saying it wants a new, simplified program of its own that is more closely tailored to Mormon teen- agers, the church announced that boys ages 14 to 18 will no longer participate in the Boy Scouts starting next year. The church said the decision will affect 185,000 teens; the Boy Scouts put the number at 130,000. The loss is only a fraction of the 2.3 million youths in the Boy Scouts of America, but the orga- nization has been grappling with declining membership for years and has enjoyed an unusually close bond with the Mormon church for more than a century because of their shared values. Joining the Boy Scouts is practically automatic among Mormon boys. Boy Scouts of America spokeswoman Effie Delimarkos said the organization is saddened by the decision but understands the church’s desire to customize a program. About 280,000 Mormon boys ages 8 to 13 will remain in the Scouts while the church develops its program, the Mormons said. The Boy Scouts estimated their number at 330,000. The church did not say Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP The Mormon church, the biggest sponsor of Boy Scout troops in the United States, announced Thursday it is pulling as many as 185,000 older youths from the organization as part of an effort to start its own scouting-like program. when the younger boys will be withdrawn from the Boy Scouts. Like other conservative faiths, the Mormon church opposes gay marriage and teaches that being in a homosexual relationship is a sin. The church initially said it was “deeply troubled” by the Boy Scouts’ policy change on gays but stayed with the organization after receiving assurances it could appoint troop leaders according to its own religious and moral values. In Thursday’s announcement, the church said that it learned recently that the Boy Scouts are considering admitting girls, but that its decision was made independently of that. Matthew Bowman, a Mormon scholar and history professor at Henderson State University, said the schism reflects the two organi- zations’ diverging values, with gays and girls among the issues on which they are moving apart. “The church is wedded very much to traditional gender roles and they see the Boy Scouts of America increasingly move away from that,” Bowman said. “That means that they have come to see it as less of a hospitable place.” Thursday’s announcement represents a first step toward something that has been in the works for years: a Mormon-run scouting-type program that could be used in congregations around the world. The church has 15.8 million members, nearly 6 in 10 of them outside the U.S. and Canada. Scouting is available only in the U.S. and Canada. “The long game here is the church looking forward to a time when Americans are even more of a minority in the church than they are now,” Bowman said. Mormon teenagers who want to continue working toward the Eagle Scout rank will be able to do that on their own while also participating in the new program, said church spokesman Eric Hawkins. The Boy Scout movement has been entrenched in Mormon culture for as long as anyone can remember. In 2013, the church put on an extravagant theatrical production inside its 21,000-seat auditorium in Salt Lake City to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the faith’s alliance with the Boy Scouts. A Boy Scout training complex in West Virginia is named after Mormon church President Thomas S. Monson, a longtime member of the Boy Scouts’ executive board and a major supporter. Charles Dahlquist II, a Mormon, holds the top volunteer position with the Boy Scouts. Federal judge in D.C. delays ruling in travel ban case By SAM HANANEL Associated Press WASHINGTON — A federal judge in the nation’s capital said Thursday she won’t act on a request to block President Donald Trump’s revised travel ban because two other judges have already stopped the executive order from going into effect. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan said in an order that she is “inclined to agree” that Trump’s effort to temporarily bar new visas for citizens of six predominantly Muslim countries is unlawful. But she said the best course of action is to delay proceedings until appeals from the rulings in Maryland and Hawaii are resolved. Chutkan heard testimony last month from Iranian-American and Muslim groups that say Iranians have faced delays and disruptions in obtaining visas even after the ban was blocked. They had asked for a more sweeping injunction that would restore the normal visa application process. Organizations challenging the ban in Washington, D.C., include the Iranian American Bar Association and the National Iranian American Council. The lawsuit claims the ban was driven by anti-Muslim sentiment and is harming students, business travelers and families. Justice Department lawyers insist the ban targets countries that pose terrorism risks and say courts should not second-guess the president’s foreign policy decisions. Chutkan was the first judge to allow witnesses to testify in court about the effects of the travel ban. The Salvation Army She appeared sympathetic to the groups last month, and said Thursday that she is prepared to issue a ruling “without delay” if orders from courts in Maryland and Hawaii are overturned. Those judges blocked the vast majority of the ban, which would restrict immigration of people from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. The Trump administration is appealing both rulings. A federal appeals court in Richmond, Virginia, heard arguments in the Maryland case on Monday, while a federal appeals court in San Francisco will consider the Hawaii ruling next week. Meanwhile, Chutkan said the litigation on the merits of the case would continue and she ordered the parties to file legal briefs by the end of June. Cyrus Mehri, a lawyer repre- senting the challengers, said the groups would have a preferred a ruling, but are pleased with the judge’s comments that the ban likely is illegal. He said his clients would continue to “vigorously prosecute” the case. The case is being heard together with another lawsuit filed by the Universal Muslim Association of America, the country’s largest orga- nization of Shi’a Muslims. The revised travel ban issued in March is narrower than an earlier one from January that was blocked by a federal judge in Washington state. The new version removed language that would give priority to religious minorities and erased Iraq from the list of banned countries. It also made it clear the ban doesn’t apply to those who already have valid visas. Page 7A BRIEFLY Church honors longtime service of several members MILTON-FREEWATER — Several members of the Milton-Freewater First Christian Church were recently recognized in a special service. The April 9 event honored the individuals for their countless hours of time, talent and service to the church, said Janet Collins. Recognized for their many years as church deacons, Tom Hinton and Ray Cox both received the title of deacon emeritus. Also, in recognition for their years of service, Dorothy Hinton, Margaret Johnston, Pauline Cox, Glenda McGillis, Bonnie Stephens and Pauline Pope were named deaconess emeritus. The emeritus title, Collins said, indicates that each of the people are specially honored by the congregation and are still welcome to continue serving as they are willing and able. The First Christian Church is located at 518 S. Main St., Milton-Freewater. The regular Sunday worship service meets at 10:45 a.m. Valet parking is available by entering the ramp from the south side of the church. For more information, call 541-938-3854 Monday through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to noon. GriefShare offers faith-based support A support group that features prayer, DVD lessons, group discussions and workbook exercises can help people with the grieving process. GriefShare is available in several locations each week: •Tuesdays from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Irrigon Seventh-day Adventist Church, 205 Tumbleweed Blvd. •Wednesdays from 1-3 p.m. at Sun Terrace Assisted Living, 1550 N.W. 11th St., Hermiston. •Wednesdays from 6-7:30 p.m. at New Hope Community Church, 1350 S. Highway 395, Hermiston. People can join the sessions at any time. There is no fee. For more information call Terri at 541-667-3543 or Beth at 541-564-2595. In addition, people can sign up for GriefShare emails that offer daily encouragement at www. griefshare.org. ——— 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. Worship Community Center for Worship & Service Sunday Worship Service 9:30 - Sunday School 10:30 - Worship Service Wednesday Bible Study 5:30 Family Fellowship Meal • 6:00 Bible Study COME AS YOU ARE 150 SE Emigrant • (541) 276-3369 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 Come meet Jesus at PENDLETON BAPTIST CHURCH 3202 SW Nye Ave Pendleton, OR 541-276-7590 Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 AM Sunday Bible Classes 9:45 AM Sunday Youth Group 6:00 PM Mon. Community Women’s Study 9:30 AM & 6 PM Awana Kids Club (K-6th grade) Wed Men’s Study 6 PM MOPS meeting the 1st Thur of the Month 6 PM 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 Grace Baptist Church 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” P eace L utheran C hurch 210 NW 9th, Pendleton ELCA Join us Sundays 9:30 Sunday Worship 9:30 am am Sunday Worship 10:30 am Fellowship 11:00 am Sunday School & Adult Class ~Come and be at Peace ~ on 1290 KUMA noon each Sunday OPEN HEARTS – OPEN DOOR www.graceandmercylutheran.org Sunday Worship 8:45 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 (First United Methodist Church) 191 E. Gladys Ave. / P.O. Box 1108 Hermiston, Oregon 97838 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church LCMC Sunday Worship 10:00am Wednesday Healing School 6:00pm Sunday worship at 11:00 AM 420 Locust St. • Boardman, OR 541-481-6132 Colin Brown, Pastor Community Presbyterian Church St. Johns Episcopal Church Join Us On Our Journey With Jesus. 14 Martin Drive, Umatilla, OR 922-3250 Scripture, Tradition and Reason Worship: 10 AM Sunday School at 11:30 N.E. Gladys Ave & 7th, Hermiston Fr. Dan Lediard, Priest. PH: 567-6672 We are an all inclusive Church who welcomes all. Family service 9am Sunday Seventh-Day Adventist Church Saturday Services Pendleton 1401 SW Goodwin Place 276-0882 Sabbath School 9:20 am Worship Service 10:45 am PENDLETON LIGHTHOUSE CHURCH Sunday Service: 10am & 6pm Tuesday Kingdom Seekers: 7pm Wednesday Bible Study: 7pm We off er: Sunday School • Sign Language Interpreters • Nursery • Transportation • & more! Pastor Dan Satterwhite 541.377.4252 417 NW 21st St. • Pendleton, OR 97801 www.facebook.com/ PendletonLighthouseChurch Faith Center Church Worshiping God FIRST SERVICE 8:30 AM SECOND SERVICE 10:30 AM 712 SW 27 TH ST. 541-276-1894 www.fcogpendleton.com First United Methodist Church Pendleton 352 SE 2nd Street, Pendleton OR Sunday Worship 9am • 541-276-2616 Worship Broadcast on KUMA 1290 @ 11am Worship Livestream at www.facebook.com/FUMCPendleton/ Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors Rev. Dr. Jim Pierce, pastor Youth Classes: Nursery - 6th grade Sun & Wed Jr & Sr High Discipleship Program Wed Overcomer’s Outreach Tuesday at 6:00pm - Annex A Christ-centered, 12-Step Recovery Support Group Pastor Sharon Miller 401 Northgate, Pendleton 541-278-8082 www.livingwordcc.com To share your worship times call Terri Briggs 541-278-2678 Loving People 108 S. Main • 276-9569 Sunday Worship 10:30 am Sr. Pastor, Ray O’Grady pendletonfaithcenter.org 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
