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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 23, 2018)
FAITH Friday, November 23, 2018 East Oregonian Page 7A Tragedy survivors reflect on Thanksgiving after year of loss By TAMARA LUSH Associated Press Contributed photo Phyllis Tincher on handbells and Sean Rogers on keyboards are the Ring Praise Music Ministry. They will perform several free faith-based concerts in the area Dec. 1-3. Series of free concerts to ring in holiday season with handbells, keyboards By TAMMY MALGESINI East Oregonian A pair of musicians will truly ring in the holiday season as Ring Praise Music Ministry shares the story of Jesus Christ through music and scripture. Hosted by the Presbytery of Eastern Oregon, the Christmas con- certs feature Phyllis Tincher on handbells and Sean Rogers on key- boards. The free performances are: •Saturday, Dec. 1 at 2:30 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 201 S.W. Dorion Ave., Pendleton. •Sunday, Dec. 2 at 11:30 a.m., Grace Presbyterian Church, 703 S. Main St., Milton-Freewater. •Monday, Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m., Faith Presbyterian Church, 1005 S.E. Ninth St., Hermiston. In addition to the free public performances, Tincher and Rogers will present a program at Two Riv- ers Correctional Institution in Uma- tilla. Although that concert isn’t open to the general pubic, people are invited to lift the performance in prayer in hopes that inmates who attend will be drawn closer to God. The musicians first performed together in 2002 when Tincher was invited to ring handbells at a Boise church where Rogers served as the accompanist. That launched their music min- istry of playing hymns and contem- porary praise songs during concerts in the greater Boise area. Expand- ing their outreach, Tincher and Rogers began traveling to small communities in Eastern Oregon and Idaho. As the Ring Praise Music Min- istry, Tincher and Rogers have released three albums featuring collections of hymn arrangements. In addition, their Christmas CD, “Come to the Manger,” includes 15 traditional and contemporary holi- day songs. Tincher began solo ringing in 1997 and directed her first handbell choir in La Grande. For many years during the holiday season, Tincher brought three octaves of Schulmer- ich handbells and played for The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Cam- paign near her home in Nampa, Idaho. Further sharing of her talents, Tincher has served as a guest con- ductor at festivals and teaches adult and youth handbell classes at con- ferences and workshops. An Ontario native, Rogers tours extensively as a collaborative pia- nist with vocalists and instrumen- talists throughout the United States. As a solo concert artist, he demon- strates skill in improvisation in multiple genres, including classical, jazz and Latin idioms on both piano and organ. Rogers has been called a “virtuosic performer who makes music come alive” for people of all ages. In addition to a handful of solo CDs, Rogers has a concert DVD and has played on numer- ous albums with other artists. Also, he has directed more than 90 opera and musical theater productions. Sonology Music has published four arrangements by Tincher and Rogers, which can be heard at www.sonologymusic.com/music- search. They received praise for their rendition of “Silent Night” by Kevin McChesney, an award-win- ning composer and arranger. “One of the finest writing duos in the business brings us a fresh, beautiful take on a traditional favor- ite,” McChesney said. “If you don’t think anything new or more lovely could be said about the much-ar- ranged ‘Silent Night,’ treat your- self to this wonderful setting — it’ll change your mind.” A nonprofit organization, dona- tions to Ring Praise are tax-deduct- ible. Also, their CDs are available for purchase. For more information, visit www.ringpraiseministry.org. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Mass shootings, hurricanes, fires — for many people across the nation, 2018 was a year of loss unlike any other. As the quint- essentially American holiday of Thanksgiving approaches, some will abandon traditions or choose not to mark the holiday at all. Oth- ers will celebrate new friendships forged in the wake of tragedy. Here’s how some of the survi- vors will spend Thanksgiving: ‘A hard week’ Fred Guttenberg will start his Thanksgiving morning at a cemetery. His 14-year-old daughter, Jaime, was one of 17 people killed in the Valentine’s Day massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. “This Thanksgiving is about loss,” said Guttenberg who will visit Jaime’s grave with his wife, his son and their two dogs. “It’s my first Thanksgiving without my daughter, and we’re not going to leave her out of it.” After that, the family has no plans to celebrate or eat a turkey dinner. None of their past tradi- tions seems appropriate. Jaime loved the holidays, her dad said. She looked forward to decorating the house and helping her mom with the cooking. “This is going to be a hard week,” Guttenberg said in a phone interview. He’s been a vocal advocate for stricter gun laws and started Orange Ribbons For Jaime, an organization that raises money for gun reform and for causes that were important to his daughter, including animal wel- fare and dance scholarships. The grieving father made national headlines when he was one of the first parents to speak out after the shooting at a candle- light vigil. During his gut-wrench- ing recap of his last moments with Jaime, he worried whether he had remembered to say “I love you” as she rushed out the door for school. “I sent her to school yesterday. She was supposed to be safe. My job is to protect my children,” he told the crowd. Now, nine months later, Gut- tenberg says his family is facing a season of firsts without Jaime, whom he described as the energy in the room. He had a request for families who have not lost any loved ones to gun violence. “Remember those who maybe aren’t there this holiday and be part of the change that needs to happen in this country so it doesn’t happen to them next.” ‘We must not forget’ Rabbi Jeffrey Myers had just AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar A makeshift memorial of flowers rests on bushes outside the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. AP Photo/David Goldman Hector Morales, left, is hugged by friend Matthew Goss, a fish- erman, as they reunite after Hur- ricane Michael which destroyed Morales’ home and Goss’ boat in Mexico Beach, Fla. begun Shabbat service at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pitts- burgh when the shooting began. Now, less than three weeks after the deadliest attack on Jews in the United States, he plans to cele- brate Thanksgiving and encour- aged others to do so too. “People are looking forward to Thanksgiving because there is a lot to be thankful for,” he said. The day of the attack, Oct. 27, “will remain a constant wound,” Myers said of the shooting that killed 11 people. But in his weekly blog post to his congregants, he wrote: “For me, just being able to sit in the same room with my family is immensely reward- ing, something I was not certain I would ever have the opportunity to do again. That is why some- thing so simple is so powerful and meaningful for me.” However, that is not enough, Myers said. He urged people to be aware of the less fortunate, those in the community who need food and shelter. And he sug- gested “one simple, yet meaning- ful gesture” that would make an impact. He asked people to count the number of friends and rela- SUNDAYS LCMC WORSHIP Morning Celebration - 10am Morning Kids Place - 10am Evening - 6pm Adult - Study Youth - Small Group Kids - Rangers & Girl’s Ministries Sunday worship at 11:00 AM Pastor Michael Smith COMMUNITY THURSDAYS Celebrate Recovery - 6pm Celebration Place - Kids - 6pm The Landing - Teens - 6pm WEEKLY Groups For All Ages AN ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH 1911 SE Court Ave. 541.276.6417 • pendletonfi rst.com 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 Celebration of of Worship Celebration Worship Sundays 10:00 am Youth: 0-6th grade Midweek Service Midweek Service Join Us On Our Journey With Jesus. 541-481-6132 Scripture, Tradition and Reason P eace L utheran C hurch N.E. Gladys Ave & 7th, Hermiston PH: 567-6672 We are an all inclusive Church who welcomes all. Family service 9am Sunday 210 NW 9th, Pendleton ELCA Join us Sundays 9:30 am Sunday Worship 10:00 am Sunday Worship 11am Fellowship & Adult Class 9am Sunday School on 1290 KUMA noon each Sunday 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” 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 Pastor Sharon Miller 108 S. Main • 541-276-9569 Pastor Jeff Geesey 541-278-8082 www.livingwordcc.com Pastor Sharon Miller To share your worship times call 541-278-2678 ~Come and be at Peace ~ Wednesdays 6:00 pm Youth: 0-6th grade Overcomer’s Outreach Jr./Sr. High ’ St. Johns Episcopal Church 420 Locust St. • Boardman, OR PENDLETON LIGHTHOUSE CHURCH 401 Northgate, Pendleton tives gathered around their tables at Thanksgiving and donate that sum to charities that feed the hun- gry. People could also give more, or less. “It is called tzedakah for an excellent reason: The root word, tzedek, means ‘righteousness.’ It is the right thing to do, and you know that. The needs of others did not disappear on Oct. 27. They remained, and we must not forget them.” Facebook angels Athenia Dunham and daugh- ter Natalie will spend Thanksgiv- ing at the home of a woman they met less than two weeks ago, sur- rounded by new friends. Athenia calls them “angels.” The Dunhams barely escaped their home in Paradise, Califor- nia, on Nov. 8 as a deadly wildfire swept through. They were awoken by their pitbull, Luna, and flames were already burning the home next door. They made it out and to a hotel in nearby Redding, pay- ing for the room with money from a homeowner’s insurance payout. On a normal Thanksgiving, Athenia said, she would be cook- ing for a few friends and prepar- ing to “pig out and veg.” But this year the holidays are the last thing on her mind. “To be honest, I really don’t even know what day it is — it feels like this just happened yes- terday,” she said Tuesday. But an army of super volun- teers who connected via Face- book have come together to help give the two women as normal a Thanksgiving as possible. Beyond providing a meal, the volunteers have provided the mother and daughter with cloth- ing, gift cards and a laptop com- puter so Natalie can keep up with her education. One volunteer even did their laundry. “They’re our angels — and angels have been with us since we left our driveway,” Athenia said. Worshipping God Loving People Worship Service: 10:30am pendletonfaithcenter.church FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH in Mission for Christ LCMC Sunday Worship.........9:00 AM Bible Study......10:00 AM 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 Red Lion Hotel ( Oregon Trail Room ) www.faithpendleton.org 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 The Salvation Army 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 Seventh-Day Adventist Church Saturday Services Pendleton 1401 SW Goodwin Place 276-0882 Sabbath School 9:20 am Worship Service 10:45 am Offi ce 541-276-5358 M-Thr, 8:30-12:30 www.fccpendleton.org 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 14 Martin Drive, 1909 SW Athens Ave., Umatilla, OR Pendleton 922-3250 Come join us for Worship at 10:45am on Sunday Worship: 10 AM Sunday School at 11:30 541-966-8912 Come meet Jesus at Sunday School: 9:30am Worship: 10:40am Pendleton 352 SE 2nd Street, Pendleton OR Community Presbyterian Church PENDLETON BAPTIST 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! First United Methodist 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