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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 10, 2017)
Page 8A FAITH East Oregonian Friday, November 10, 2017 Church that was attacked will be demolished By PAUL J. WEBER and EMILY SCHMALL Associated Press SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, Texas — The Texas church where more than two dozen people were killed by a gunman during Sunday services will be demol- ished, the pastor said. Pastor Frank Pomeroy told leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention earlier this week that it would be too painful to continue using First Baptist Church as a place of worship. Pomeroy discussed the state of the building with the denomination’s top executives, who traveled to the rural community in a show of support, a national Southern Baptist spokesman said. The pastor described the church as “too stark of a reminder” of the massacre, spokesman Sing Oldham said. No final decisions can be made without consulting congregants, but Pomeroy discussed turning the site into a memorial for the dead and putting up a new building on property the church owns, Oldham said. Charlene Uhl, mother of 16-year-old Haley Krueger, who died in the attack, agreed that the church should come down. There should still be a church “but not here,” she said Thursday as she visited a row of white crosses commemorating the victims in front of the building. She said her daughter attended worship services and a weekly Thursday night youth group meeting held by another victim, Karla Holcombe. Jeannie Brown, visiting from Indiana, stopped at the site with her daughter, who used to live in Sutherland Springs but left decades ago for San Antonio. Asked whether the church should be destroyed, Brown said: “Yes. Who would want to go back in there? But then if it is PENDLETON — Families that may not be able to afford a Thanksgiving dinner this year are encouraged to apply to Faith Center Church, which will again be providing free Thanksgiving dinners for the first 25 families that sign up. The dinners will include a frozen turkey, ham, potatoes, canned vegetables, margarine and gravy mix. Applicants must call 541-276-9569 and leave a message to sign up. The church will call applicants to confirm their meal. Those chosen to receive a meal can pick it up Tuesday, Nov. 21 from 6-7 p.m. at the church, 108 S. Main St., Pendleton. For more information, call Rev. Ray O’Grady at the church. Grief Share focuses on holidays HERMISTON — Surviving the Holidays is the topic for an upcoming Grief Share in Hermiston. The faith-based ministry offers encouragement and support after the loss of a spouse, child, family member or friend. Coordinated by Hermiston Church of the Nazarene, the meeting is Thursday, Nov. 16 from 12:30-2:30 p.m. at Sun Terrace, 1550 N.W. 11th St., Hermiston. The session will be facilitated AP Photo/David J. Phillip Crosses showing shooting victims names stand near the First Baptist Church on Thursday in Sutherland Springs, Texas. A man opened fire inside the church in the small South Texas community on Sunday, killing more than two dozen and injuring others. destroyed, does that mean he (the gunman) won?” Other sites of mass shootings have been torn down, including Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut, where a gunman killed 20 children and six adults in December 2012. A new school was built elsewhere. A one-room Amish schoolhouse near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was torn down in 2006, 10 days after an assailant took children hostage and shot and killed five girls ages 6 to 13. The previous site of the school is now by Melody Finn-Kinswa, the church’s connections pastor. For more information, contact melody.hermnaz@gmail.com or 541-567-3677. Ladies event features coffee, crafts and conversation BOARDMAN — A ladies’ social event will feature drinking coffee and making Christmas crafts. Coffee and Crafts is Saturday, Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to noon at the First Baptist Church, 200 S.W. Willow Fork Drive, Boardman. The event is open to women and girls ages 10 and up. Several craft options will be available for $5 each, while supplies last. Those planning to attend need to RSVP due to space limitations. For more information, contact kaitlingustafson@gmail.com, 541-481- 9437 or search Facbook for “Coffee and Crafts.” Community Fellowship Dinner finds new home HERMISTON — The Community Fellowship Dinner in Hermiston — which is held on Thanksgiving and Christmas — will serve up free holiday meals in a new location. Since the senior center is unavailable, 1911 SE Court Ave 541-276-6417 Assembly of God Church a pasture. A nearly identical schoolhouse with a security fence was erected nearby and named New Hope School. The father of the gunman broke the family’s silence and said his relatives are grieving. Michael Kelley spoke to ABC News on Wednesday from his home in New Braunfels, about 35 miles north of Suther- land Springs. He said he does not want the “media circus” surrounding the attack by Devin Patrick Kelley to destroy “our lives, our grandchildren’s lives.” the organization’s board of directors announced the twice-yearly meals will be held in the main commons at Hermiston High School. Board chairman Gary Humphreys said volunteers are excited about the new venue, which offers improved access, additional seating space and enhanced kitchen facilities. The faith-based ministry has served free holidays meals for more than 25 years. One of its missions is to ensure people can enjoy a holiday dinner in the company of others. Read more about the upcoming Thanksgiving meal, including how you can help, in an upcoming community story. In addition, information will be available about other community Thanksgiving meals. For immediate questions about the Community Fellowship Dinner, contact the board at cfdhermiston@gmail.com, 541-371-9772 or search Facebook. ——— 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. 210 NW 9th, Pendleton ELCA FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH Join us Sundays 9:30 am Sunday Worship 9:30 am Sunday Worship 10:30 am Fellowship 11:00 am Sunday School & Adult Class in Mission for Christ LCMC Sunday Worship.........9:00 AM Bible Study......10:00 AM ~Come and be at Peace ~ Red Lion Hotel ( Oregon Trail Room ) www.faithpendleton.org on 1290 KUMA noon each Sunday 401 Northgate, Pendleton 401 Northgate, Celebration of Worship Pendleton Sundays 10:00am CELEBRATION Youth: 0-6th grade OF WORSHIP Midweek 10:00 Service am Sundays Youth: Wednesdays 6:00pm 0-6th grade Youth: 0-6th grade Overcomer’s Outreach MIDWEEK SEVICE Tuesday’s 6:00pm Wednesdays 6:00 pm In the Annex Youth: A Christ Centered, 12 Step 0-6th grade Recovery Support Group Pastor Sharon Miller Pastor Sharon Miller 541-278-8082 541-278-8082 www.livingwordcc.com www.livingwordcc.com 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 14 Martin Drive, Umatilla, OR 922-3250 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” To share your worship times call 541-278-2678 Worshiping God Worship Service: 10:30am Sunday School: 9:30am Worship: 10 AM Sunday School at 11:30 First United Methodist Church 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 Pendleton Worship Livestream at www.facebook.com/FUMCPendleton/ Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors Rev. Dr. Jim Pierce, pastor The Salvation Army Center for Worship & Service Sunday worship at 11:00 AM 420 Locust St. • Boardman, OR 541-481-6132 Colin Brown, Pastor 9:30 - Sunday School COME AS YOU ARE Service of Worship - 10:00 am Children’s Sunday School - 10:20 am Fellowship - 11:00 am www.pendletonpresbyterian.com 150 SE Emigrant (541) 276-3369 Open Hearted... Open Minded Wednesday Bible Study 5:30 Family Fellowship Meal • 6:00 Bible Study FIRST SERVICE 8:30 AM SECOND SERVICE 10:30 AM 712 SW 27 TH ST. 541-276-1894 www.fcogpendleton.com 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 St. Johns Episcopal Church Behind These Stone Walls Beat the Hearts of Some of the Warmest Most Sincere, Most Caring People in Pendleton. We Invite You to Come Get Acquainted! Sunday School: 9:30am Worship: 10:40am Fellowship to follow Offi ce 541-276-5358 M-F, 8:30-12:30 www.fccpendleton.org 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 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 BAHA’I FAITH FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH -Presbyterian Church (USA)- 201 SW Dorion Ave. Pendleton Sunday Worship Service Sunday Service: 10am & 6pm Tuesday Kingdom Seekers: 7pm Wednesday Bible Study: 7pm PENDLETON BAPTIST CHURCH LCMC Sunday Worship 9am • 541-276-2616 Worship Broadcast on KUMA 1290 @ 11am PENDLETON LIGHTHOUSE CHURCH Come meet Jesus at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 10:30 - Worship Service Grace Baptist Church Faith Center Church Loving People 108 S. Main • 276-9569 352 SE 2nd Street, Pendleton OR Redeemer Episcopal Church miss my friends at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. I miss the bulky greenness of Boardman, with its windy promontories and weather, and … oh I miss its surprising weather! I enjoy the congregational letters to me very much. I am pleased to hear that the congregation is still soaring with song — with Renee tapping the heavenly gifts and that people are feeling the spirit rise in them there strongly. All of these are good things. All of these are gracious things. Right now, down in the citied lowlands near Salem, my friends and I feel that our little weekend Sabbath service we are instituting is in its right shape down in Colin Aurora. Our musician there, Lori, Brown plays flute and keyboard, and is Faith herself an instrument vibrating to the ethers. God shakes her like a cymbal. Heaven rustles. This new, nighttime service is designed to align several Christian spiritual practices that are not commonly used and to provide a place where people can feel in contact with their Lord and Savior and with their own inner selves, which is joined to God. It is also designed to appeal to those of multiple denominations. No restriction. We use the chanting of the Taize services from France, the Centering prayer of the Benedictine monks, the serene peace of speaking in tongues of Glossolia that we read about in New Testament times, and prayers of supplication and prayers that are spoken or called out by the Holy Spirit in an order determined primarily by the perceived will of the Father. The Holy Spirit is gentle but is willing to shake us like an earthquake shakes palm trees. Unlike the traditional Sunday service and its classical forms, this service is designed to be under the control of our maker, molding our movements, feelings and sounds into a vibrating and ecstatic pattern of divine life that we can perceive moving our spirits. It is an abnormal experience that most haven’t experienced before, not unpleasant but certainly wildly unusual. Next service we shall open our service to receive more people, to allow them to experience this movement of the Holy Spirit in us and among us. I still work a sermon into the mix, using a lectionary text, and allow it to be received slowly, as the word, through the ears. It is my plan to do this service regularly in the weekend evening time frame, so that we make use of the darkness, the same darkness that the secret student Nicodemus used as cover when he came at night to ask Jesus the important questions. We call our little evening service, “The Church of the Night” — a place where one has to make an effort to enter the darkness within our own breasts where our fear, sadness and hope reside, where we can find the Lord and ask him what it is we need to know. If it goes as planned, and as God wills, I will integrate this with the standard Sunday services of other churches that folks feel normal with — and people can receive a mystical influx of the Holy Spirit that they invite within as part of this prayerful service. In this way we can deepen our exploration of Christ’s gift and share his gift with others. The Holy Spirit, like a dove, is known to take flight and alight according to a higher call, so I am not sure how this will be received. I believe that God is in it and this is why I am doing this now. May God’s will be done and may we all be blessed by his guiding spirit. Amen. ■ Colin Brown is the former pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Boardman. Worship Community Community Presbyterian Church P eace L utheran C hurch The Church of the Night I BRIEFLY Faith Center offers free Thanksgiving dinners LIMEY PASTOR Join Us Join On Our Journey With Jesus. Scripture, Tradition and Reason Family service 9am Sunday N.E. Gladys Ave & 7th, Hermiston PH: 567-6672 We are an all inclusive Church who welcomes all. IN PENDLETON “My first counsel is this: Possess a pure, kindly and radiant heart , that thine may be a sovereignty ancient, imperishable and everlasting.” – Baha’u’llah Please come visit with us at The Baha’i Center: 1015 SE Court Place EVERYONE INVITED! Sunday Devotions @ 11:00am Sunday Wi-Fi Open House: 5:30 – 7:30pm Wednesday Spiritual Discussions: 6:30pm, Bring your thoughts and voice! Thursday Investigate Religion Class, 7pm • EVERYONE WELCOME! (541) 276-9360 or visit us at www.pendletonbahais.com
