A6
FAITH
East Oregonian
Friday, March 1, 2019
High court’s cross case could Lent’s bright shadow
affect monuments nationally M
By JESSICA GRESKO
Associated Press
WASHINGTON — A 40-foot-
tall, concrete cross on public land
in a Maryland suburb of Wash-
ington is at the center of a case
before the Supreme Court. But
similar monuments elsewhere in
the country could be affected by
the high court ruling, states have
told the justices.
The District of Colum-
bia-based American Humanist
Association, which is behind the
challenge to the Maryland cross,
acknowledges that at least a hand-
ful of other monuments around
the country could be affected if
the court sides with them, though
they disagree with those support-
ing the cross that the number is
vast.
The monuments most likely
to be affected are large crosses
on public, not private, lands and
where there’s a prominent cross
that isn’t part of a larger memo-
rial or setting such as a cemetery,
said Monica Miller, an American
Humanist Association attorney.
By the same token, those mon-
uments could be insulated from
challenges if the other side pre-
vails, as many observers think is
likely given the court’s conserva-
tive makeup.
A look at the cross at the center
of the case and cross memorials
in other states:
MARYLAND
If the justices wanted to take
a field trip to see the cross at the
center of the case, it wouldn’t
be hard. The cross is located on
a large, grassy traffic median in
Bladensburg, about 5 miles from
the Supreme Court.
Sometimes called the “Peace
Cross,” it was completed in 1925.
A plaque on the base of the cross
lists the names of 49 soldiers from
the area who died in World War I.
While a trial court judge ruled
the memorial was constitutional,
an appeals court disagreed. Those
challenging the cross are telling
the Supreme Court that it should
be moved to private property or
modified into a slab or obelisk.
They also note that the nearly
100-year-old monument has been
deteriorating. Chunks have fallen
off and restoration work planned
years ago has been put off while
the case has moved forward.
FLORIDA
A 34-foot-tall concrete cross
in Pensacola’s Bayview Park has
been the site of a sunrise Easter
service for decades.
The first Easter service was
organized at the site in 1941. A
wooden cross was put up for the
gathering, which was organized
AP Photo/Kevin Wolf, File
Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Associa-
tion, speaks near the 40-foot Maryland Peace Cross dedicated to World
War I soldiers on Feb. 13 in Bladensburg, Md.
by the local Junior Chamber of
Commerce. In 1969, however, the
group installed the concrete cross
that stands today. Lighting and
maintaining the cross costs Pen-
sacola around $200 a year.
Four people sued over the cross
in 2016. They have the backing of
the American Humanist Asso-
ciation, the same group behind
the cross lawsuit now before the
Supreme Court, and the Wiscon-
sin-based Freedom From Religion
Foundation. Two lower courts
have ruled against the cross.
KANSAS
A cross near Lyons, Kansas,
honors Father Juan de Padilla,
a 16th century Franciscan mis-
sionary. Installed in 1950, the
cross was a gift to the state by the
Knights of Columbus.
The Freedom From Religion
Foundation sent a letter in 2018
objecting to the cross, asking that
it be removed or moved to private
property.
NEW MEXICO
A bronze cross on a concrete
pedestal stands in the town plaza
in the center of Taos. Paid for
by private donations and dedi-
cated in 1960, the cross is part of
a memorial honoring young men
from the area who fought and
died in World War II. Beside the
cross are flagpoles flying the flags
of the United States and New
Mexico, and in front of the cross
is a sculpture of three soldiers.
The town says it has been
threatened with lawsuits simi-
lar to the one currently before
the Supreme Court. If the high
court doesn’t side with supporters
of the Maryland cross, Taos told
the justices, it would “virtually
guarantee Taos would be drawn
into costly and unjust litigation to
remove its memorial.”
y grandson was born
In the stories of our tradi-
tion there was a time when one
yesterday, in the Good
language was available for us
Samaritan Birthing
Center, in Silverton. Nine pounds when God’s word emerged from
his heart. The proph-
of boy, 21 inches long.
ets prophesied and those
Another in the long line
who asked God for his
of descendants from
aid received it. I believe
Adam, another soul in
that this is still so.
the image of the father.
When we ask for our
I pray for his health,
anxiety to be quieted, we
his ambition, for his pos-
sibilities. I pray that he
feel life surge through
becomes a lover of God
us, and hope is raised up
and a brave child who
in our breasts. I felt that
C olin
tests himself in this world
this week, when I was
B rown
praying, and all of a sud-
against all the challenges
COMMENT
den a bright confidence
that strengthen us.
rose up in me. The day-
I’ve been absent these
pages a little bit, please forgive light outside my window seemed
to flare up, and I felt a solid cer-
me.
I am going to be preaching tainty rise up in me. I reflected
on five types of prayer in our on my life, and all the difficult
Lenten services in Newberg, and moments, and how each of them
have been spending much time in had been washed away by what I
prayer and delving into the writ- remember as God’s certain pres-
ings about these approaches. I ence and openness showing up
reflected on how so much of my like a sunrise.
I pray for you, my dear friends.
head is either busy with trivia,
with the burning refuse of anx- I pray for my congregation at my
iety, with all the permutations Eastern Oregon church. I pray that
of thought that does not result in the rock of God’s love may anchor
much. Jesus told us to consider the you in peace and that his word
sparrow, how the father serves this sings in your hearts with joy. May
little fellow by providing the ber- God shine for you all the days of
ries and nuts of the wild woods your lives.
and what is needed is provided.
Amen.
In the same way, my new
———
grandson has arrived, and food
Colin Brown is the former pas-
is showered at him from all over. tor of Good Shepherd Lutheran
The economy of God is abundant Church in Boardman. He can be
reached at colin.brown@usa.net
for him. He is loved!
TEXAS
The Seaman’s Memorial
Tower in Aransas Pass used to
be topped by a cross, but it’s been
removed because of wear. The
80-foot-tall tower still has a cru-
cifix on its front, however. Lu
Arcemont, 82, who chairs a com-
mission that oversees the tow-
er’s maintenance, says she hopes
to see a cross topping the tower
again.
Arcemont is the keeper of the
tower’s history. It was dedicated
in 1970 as a memorial to area
fisherman who died at sea, their
names on plaques on the tower.
At first the tower was topped by a
22-foot wooden cross. A smaller,
metal cross later replaced it. As
for the crucifix on the tower’s
front, Arcemont says her husband
carved it out of a telephone pole.
Arcemont hadn’t heard of the
Maryland lawsuit, but she was
quick to distinguish her town’s
memorial. She called it a “living
memorial” because names con-
tinue to be added to it. People also
sometimes scatter family mem-
bers’ ashes at the site. “The rea-
son we have a crucifix and a cross
on our tower is so it represents
both religions — Protestant and
Catholic,” she said.
Aransas Pass is about 20 miles
northeast of Corpus Christi.
FAITH BRIEFLY
Ladies hymn sing introduces Impact Pendleton
PENDLETON — A faith-based sing-along will serve as an introduc-
tion to Impact Pendleton.
The Women’s Benefit Hymn Sing is Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Pendle-
ton Church of God, 712 S.W. 27th St. Light refreshments will be served.
There is no nursery service, but children may attend.
Ladies are encouraged to bring their friends to worship God with
classic hymns and learn about Impact Pendleton, a mentoring program.
After recruiting, training, and vetting its first group of mentors in the
fall of 2018, Impact Pendleton is excited about matching students with
volunteers. A love offering will be taken to benefit the program.
For more information, contact Danae Stack at danae.stack@gmail.
com or visit www.impactpendleton.com.
First Christian Church offers parental support
HERMISTON — A six-week campaign designed to address the most
important things all children need is being offered in Hermiston.
“50 Days of Parenting” will help parents find hope, solutions and
support. A faith-based approach, the program is offered through the
Hermiston First Christian Church. It includes small groups and wor-
ship services.
The program begins Sunday, March 10 at 9:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. at
the church, 775 W. Highland Ave., Hermiston.
While not everyone is a parent at the present time, everyone has/had
a parent and can contribute. With people of all ages interfacing together,
it provides an opportunity to make new friends with people of different
generations.
Participants will receive a free daily journal to help guide them
through a time of personal growth. There will be suggested readings
from helpful books.
For more information, contact 541-567-3013 or hermistonfcc@eot-
net.net.
Worship Community
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
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
SUNDAYS
Morning Celebration - 10am
Morning Kids Place - 10am
Evening - 6pm
Adult - Study
Youth - Small Group
Kids - Rangers & Girl’s Ministries
Faith Center Church
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
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
401 Northgate, Pendleton
Celebration of
of Worship
Celebration
Worship
Sundays 10:00 am
Youth: 0-6th grade
THURSDAYS
Midweek Service
Midweek Service
Celebrate Recovery - 6pm
Celebration Place - Kids - 6pm
The Landing - Teens - 6pm
Wednesdays 6:00 pm
Youth: 0-6th grade
Overcomer’s
Outreach
Jr./Sr. High
WEEKLY
’
Groups For All Ages
Pastor Sharon Miller
AN ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH
1911 SE Court Ave.
541.276.6417 • pendletonfi rst.com
541-278-8082
www.livingwordcc.com
Pastor Sharon Miller
1909 SW Athens Ave.,
Pendleton
Come join us for Worship
at 10:45am on Sunday
541-966-8912
FAITH LUTHERAN
CHURCH
Worshipping God
Loving People
108 S. Main • 541-276-9569
Pastor Jeff Geesey
Worship Service: 10:30am
pendletonfaithcenter.church
St. Johns
Episcopal Church
Join Us
Join
On Our Journey
With Jesus.
in Mission for Christ LCMC
Sunday Worship.........9:00 AM
Bible Study......10:00 AM
Scripture, Tradition and Reason
Red Lion Hotel
( Oregon Trail Room )
www.faithpendleton.org
Family service 9am Sunday
N.E. Gladys Ave & 7th, Hermiston
PH: 567-6672
We are an all inclusive Church
who welcomes all.
Seventh-Day
Adventist
Church
Good Shepherd
Lutheran Church
Saturday Services
Pendleton
1401 SW Goodwin Place
276-0882
Sabbath School 9:20 am
Worship Service 10:45 am
Sunday worship at
11:00 AM
Pastor Michael Smith
Community
Presbyterian Church
14 Martin Drive, Umatilla, OR
922-3250
Worship: 10 AM
Sunday School at 11:30
To share your worship times
call 541-278-2678
P eace L utheran C hurch
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
~Come and be at Peace ~
on 1290 KUMA noon each Sunday
541-481-6132
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
Offi ce 541-276-5358 M-Thr, 8:30-12:30
www.fccpendleton.org
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
The Salvation Army
Center for Worship & Service
Sunday Worship Service
LCMC
420 Locust St. • Boardman, OR
First United
Methodist
Church
9:30 - Sunday School
10:30 - Worship Service
Sunday Worship
10:30 a.m.
Mid-Week
Children & Youth
Weekly Adult
Life Groups
1711 SW 44th St.
541-276-6015
www.pendfmc.org
Wednesday Bible Study
5:30 Family Fellowship Meal • 6:00 Bible Study
COME AS YOU ARE
150 SE Emigrant
(541) 276-3369