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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 4, 2020)
OFF PAGE ONE Saturday, January 4, 2020 East Oregonian A9 Methodists propose split in gay marriage, clergy impasse By TRAVIS LOLLER AND GARY FIELDS Associated Press NASHVILLE, Tenn. — United Methodist Church leaders from around the world and across ideological divides unveiled a plan Fri- day for a new conservative denomination that would split from the church in an attempt to resolve a decades- long dispute over gay mar- riage and gay clergy. The proposal, called “A Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separa- tion,” envisions an amica- ble separation in which con- servative churches forming a new denomination would retain their assets. The new denomination also would receive $25 million. The proposal was signed in December by a 16-mem- ber panel, who worked with a mediator and began meet- ing in October. The panel was formed after it became clear the impasse over LGBTQ issues was irrecon- cilable. The next step could come at the church’s General Conference in May. Methodist Bishop Karen Oliveto, the denomination’s first openly gay bishop, said the United Method- ist Church leadership “was clearly at a point in which we couldn’t agree to disagree” over same-sex relationships. “I’m actually really sad that we couldn’t build a bridge that could have provided a witness to the world of what unity amid diversity and dis- agreement could look like.” Oliveto was challenged by the denomination’s high- est court, the Judicial Coun- cil, in 2017 when it declared that the bishop’s consecra- tion “was incompatible with church law.” However, Oliveto was allowed to remain as the res- ident bishop of the Moun- tain Sky Conference, which includes United Methodist churches in Colorado, Mon- tana, Utah, Wyoming and a section of Idaho. Asked what a post-separation world looks like for the church to move forward, Oliveto said, “We are no longer using LGBTQ people as scapegoats.” Members of the 13-mil- lion-person denomination have been at odds for years over the issue, with members in the United States leading the call for full inclusion for LGBTQ people. The rift widened last year when delegates meeting in St. Louis voted 438-384 for a proposal called the Tradi- tional Plan, which affirmed bans on LGBTQ-inclusive practices. A majority of U.S.- based delegates opposed that plan but were outvoted by U.S. conservatives teamed with delegates from Meth- odist strongholds in Africa and the Philippines. Methodists in favor of allowing gay clergy and gay marriage vowed to continue fighting. Meanwhile the Wesleyan Covenant Asso- ciation, representing tradi- tional Methodist practice, had already been preparing for a possible separation. Concern over the future of the church pushed mem- bers, led by Bishop John Yambasu of Sierra Leone, to convene a group to share ideas across the theological spectrum. New York Bishop Thomas Bickerton said that turned into the final panel, made up of moderates, pro- gressives and traditional- ists from Africa, Europe, the Philippines and the United States. Volunteers: Looking for compassionate people for disaster relief Continued from Page A1 heart that was there was the compassion and resiliency of the people who were affected by the fire,” McCrindle told KTVZ in Bend after her deployment. It’s that compassion and resiliency that McCrindle and Kristen Heath, the disaster program manager, are look- ing for in the volunteers they recruit in rural Oregon. “We send out volunteers to help those families on really the worst day of their life, and try to assist them with their immediate needs until some of the other community orga- nizations have time to catch up and get going to assist them,” Heath said. “That’s the biggest thing that we’re doing on a day-to-day basis. We also do smoke-detector installations, and so we’re as much as possible getting out there to the neighborhoods that need us, and get in there and help people test or install new smoke alarms as needed, because that’s what saves lives.” DAT volunteers arrive immediately after a home fire or other disaster to pro- vide compassionate care and comfort. They distribute relief supplies, and provide client assistance for tempo- rary lodging and other disas- HELPING OUT American Red Cross Photo/Virginia Becker Red Cross volunteers Carisa Hettich, left, and Kelly Broomall assess damage done to a home in Windsor, Calif., during the Kincade Fire in 2019. ter-caused needs. DAT volun- teers then can help victims get in touch with another group of Red Cross volunteers who make up an emotional care team who are able to offer some health services, mental health services and spiritual care. “When you see people fac- ing the worst days of their life, and you see the humanity that comes from people, complete strangers, wanting to help you or the community, it restores your faith in humanity, and there’s nothing that makes your heart fuller than seeing that,” McCrindle said. “And that has been my experience since I joined the Red Cross, is being with people like that.” Heath said an increase in the number of incidents requiring Red Cross response has put a strain on the lim- ited resources available. Since July 2019, Red Cross has responded to seven fires in Morrow County, above the The Red Cross of Central and Eastern Oregon has several volunteer op- portunities for residents in Umatilla and Morrow counties, including: • Providing food, shelter and comfort for those affected by a disaster, including home fires. • Teaching a class/training • Assisting members of the military and their families. • Working at local blood drives. • Assisting with local volunteer recruitment, engagement and appre- ciation • Supporting public relations, marketing and government relations locally. To volunteer or find out more, visit the Red Cross website at www.redcross. org/local/oregon. four to five it responds to in a year. That number goes up to 19 responses in Umatilla County since July 2019. The average for an entire year in the county, Heath said, is 16. “We would love to hear about every fire. A lot of times, people have family nearby that’s going to take them in and help them out and stuff like that and that’s great,” Heath said. “It is so much better to be with loved ones in a disaster, then have to be on your own in a hotel. But we do have those other teams — our health services team, our mental health team — that can assist, too. So even if you’ve got a place to stay that night, a call can make some of those other resources avail- able to you.” McCrindle said volunteers go through a background check and extensive training to help them feel comfortable with situations before they are sent out to help families fac- ing tragedy. “We give them all of the training that they need to be able to perform the task that is required in terms of a disas- ter response,” she said. “And then they’ll go out on a few calls with (other volunteers). We don’t just train them, and then you’re sent off, ‘Good luck.’” Heath said there are some key skills volunteers should have to better equip them to deal with disaster response situations. “Having that compassion, having the ability to sit down and have those conversations, active listening skills, those are really important for the DAT responders,” she said. Adventure: Seeking change and positive world views Continued from Page A1 Staff photo by Ben Lonergan Maj. DeWayne Halstad, left, and Maj. Toni Halstad moved to Pendleton in June to take the reins of the Salvation Army Pendleton Corps. The couple, who have served with the Salva- tion Army throughout the western United States, look forward to the opportunity to discover Pendleton and serve the community. Neighbors: ‘We’re happy to be here’ Continued from Page A1 Eastern Oregon. “We really enjoy work- ing together and we equal each other out very well,” said Toni Halstad. “Where I may be weaker, he is strong, and where he is weaker, I am strong.” After more than two decades of service to the Salvation Army, DeWayne Halstad stepped away from the organization in 2004 to take a job at Nike working security with his eldest son — a move that he is thankful for to this day. In 2008, the Halstads lost their eldest son to a sneaker wave in Newport. DeWayne Halstad said the loss made it harder to go back to work and left him feeling lost. When the pair got a call from the Salvation Army to serve in Centralia, Wash- ington, several months later, they took the opportunity. “It’s a calling,” said Dewayne Halstad. “God calls us to do his ministries. He can make good of all.” While the Halstads con- tinue to mourn the loss of their son, DeWayne Hals- tad has said the experience helped open his eyes to the opportunity of helping other families who may have lost children. After serving in Centralia for several years, the couple relocated to Richland, Wash- ington, where they managed the Salvation Army until it was absorbed into the Tri-Cities program in early 2019. Despite the smaller size of the Salvation Army Pend- leton Corps compared to the Richland organization, the Halstads said they are read- justing to the town and look- ing forward to learning more about the community. “We have a really strong advisory board here,” said Toni Halstad. “They’re a tre- mendous help and they’re willing to do whatever needs to be done.” Although day-to-day operations at the Salvation Army are similar, the Pend- leton Corps has a store that helps to fund operations, something that Richland did not have. “The store operations really help keep us going,” said DeWayne Halstad. As for Pendleton itself, the couple said they are enjoying the adventure of the new town and looking forward to exploring the area and all it has to offer. While the Halstads were in Pendleton for Round-Up, they were operating a park- ing fundraiser and unable to attend the event, something they hope to do in the years to come. “We’re happy to be here,” said Toni Halstad. “We look forward to becoming more involved in the community and learning how we can help better.” wildly different than the one they left back home. Women wear black abayas and head coverings. The loose-fitting, robe-like dresses are worn by Muslim women in pub- lic. A common sign shows a woman getting her abaya caught in an escalator and warning of danger. The couple also noticed that eateries are segregated, though they have family sections. “Restaurants, even McDonalds, have curtains in the booths so you can take off your veil to eat without being seen.” Women are allowed to drive, but the Schulzes haven’t seen many female drivers. Muslim prayer time hap- pens five times a day, so restaurants, stores and other businesses pause for about 20 to 30 minutes. Many of the facilities have desig- nated prayer rooms where employees can go. The Schulze children (Adelade, 6, Samuel, 5, Theodore, 3, and Rosalie, 1) sometimes stop in their tracks to gaze at unfamiliar sights. Despite the cultural and geopolitical differ- ences, the couple marvels at the warmth of the Sau- dis they have met. One day in Riyadh, they unexpect- edly stumbled across thou- sands of Saudis celebrat- ing a national holiday at the capital building. The family was among very few west- erners there. “People smiled and encouraged us,” Noelle said. “They gave us free flags. They are proud of their country. They are proud of their heritage.” Everywhere they Contributed photo A Saudi Arabian woman wearing an abaya shakes the hand of Adelade Schulze as she and her mother, Noelle Schulze, explore the Kingdom Tower in Riyadh. go, Saudi people seem entranced by the Schulze children. Many, as did some Starbucks employ- ees recently in Khobar, ask to take selfies with them. Young Rosalie gets the most attention. Locals tell Chris and Noelle they are blessed. “We’ve seen great humanity in the people,” Noelle said. “When you get to know a person from another country, you no longer just have the gov- ernment in mind. You can know a person who is just like you, who has concerns and worries just like you.” “They’ve been so incred- ibly welcoming,” Chris said. “We’re not looked at as strange foreigners, but rather welcome guests.” Saudi Arabia recently decided to allow interna- tional tourists for the first time ever. Before, only workers, foreigners with business visas or visitors to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina could enter the country. The Schulzes enjoy being tourists too. They recently visited a place in the desert northwest of Riyadh called “The Edge of the World.” There, cliffs rise 1,000 feet from the barren desert floor. On the way to the site, their driver had to brake for a camel. The couple savors moments such as these. They had wanted adventure, change and a positive expe- rience for their children, and Saudi Arabia has delivered all three. “We have no regrets,” Chris said. “We are expe- riencing a wildly different place. There is something about the adventure that fills both of us.”
