A6
COMMUNITY/RECORDS
East Oregonian
The gift of failure
could forgive any of her wrongs.
Those voices of guilt, shame, fear and
regret that like to sneak into our lives when
CHRIS
we fail, well, they’re simply not how God
HANKEL
deals with failure. It’s almost off ensive.
LIVING WITH PURPOSE
At the drop of a hat, He can forgive and
forget the second you turn toward Him. He
Have you ever done something that you doesn’t hold a grudge, He isn’t passive-ag-
immediately regretted? Or perhaps you gressive, and He’s not going to use your
made a decision that you couldn’t go back failure against you later. So why do we hold
on and later came to realize was a huge onto our failure so tightly? He’s not.
mistake? Well, I have.
Now I’m not saying we should go out
Too many times to
and intentionally do
count.
things or make
THOSE VOICES stupid
I hate that feeling —
immoral choices. I like
the feeling that I was
to call that the spirit
OF GUILT,
wrong. The feeling that
of stupid, and it won’t
SHAME, FEAR
I tried and failed, or said
amount to anything help-
something stupid that hurt
ful. But I am saying that
AND REGRET
someone or made a choice
regret is not your friend,
that negatively impacted
and it will not do you any
THAT LIKE TO
someone I love. That sink-
favors.
ing feeling of remorse is SNEAK INTO OUR
If you can trust Jesus
always a humbling one.
with your failures, I think
LIVES WHEN
Sometimes we think
you’ll be surprised to fi nd
WE FAIL, WELL, He’s not as worried about
that God wants us to sit
in our failures and sit
them as you are. He has
in that state of regret. THEY’RE SIMPLY a plan to turn the things
As if somehow feeling
NOT HOW GOD you regret into something
beautiful. In Isaiah 61,
bad enough about our
DEALS WITH
mistakes will protect us
God talks about restoring
from making them in
Israel after their captivity
FAILURE.
in Babylon and promises
the future. And so we
to give them a crown of
become our punisher,
thinking God is pleased with our hatred beauty instead of ashes. If God can take
toward our behavior. But the Bible tells ashes and make them beautiful, imagine
what He can do with your mistakes.
a diff erent story.
There are countless examples of how
The next time you make a mistake and
Jesus dealt with mistakes, but one of my hear that siren call of guilt whispering your
favorites is the story of the woman who name, just say “Not today,” and run to your
got caught committing adultery in John 8. heavenly Father whose arms are wide open
The religious leaders decided she should be and eyes are beaming with pride, not disap-
shamed and punished, but Jesus’ response pointment.
was different. Rather than accuse, He
———
forgave. He wasn’t afraid of the amount
Chris Hankel is the lead pastor at New
of failure in her life because He knew He
Hope Community Church in Hermiston.
Thursday, August 26, 2021
Scarlet Gilia an eye-popping treat
BRUCE
BARNES
BLOOMIN’ BLUES
Name: Scarlet Gilia or Skyrocket Gilia
Scientifi c name: Ipomopsis aggregata
This is the last article for the “blooming
season” this year, and I thought I’d highlight
a spectacular, bright fl ower.
Although this plant doesn’t look anything
like phlox, it is a good candidate for “show-
off ” of the Phlox Family. It is eye-catch-
ing from a fast-moving car even though it
is usually only one foot tall with a single
stem. The lower third of the stem has inter-
esting, branching, string-like leaves, but I’ll
bet most people don’t pay much attention to
the leaves.
Scarlet Gilia is found in open or lightly
wooded, rocky slopes and drier meadows,
from lowlands to high elevations. It ranges
east of the Cascade summits from British
Columbia to Mexico, and east to Montana,
Colorado and Texas. There are 10 subspe-
cies or varieties of this plant; only two are
in the Blues: subspecies aggregata (pictured
here) and subspecies formosissima. Subspe-
cies aggregata is bright red and sometimes
spotted with white; subspecies formosissima
has anthers exerted from the trumpet-shaped
fl ower, which is 30 to 45 mm long.
Many western Indian tribes have used this
plant for several purposes. Medicinal uses
include treating mothers following a birth,
and for treating spider bites, high fevers,
rheumatism, colds, and to make one vomit. It
was used as a laxative, an eye wash, a blood
tonic, a disinfectant wash to relieve itching,
and to treat venereal disease. Other uses
include boiling the whole plant to make glue,
or to make a drink. Children sucked nectar
from the fl owers. It was also used as a deco-
ration, and for good luck in hunting.
Bruce Barnes/Contributed Photo
Scarlet Gilia, Ipomopsis aggregata.
Where to fi nd: In the Blues, the plant is
easy to fi nd at middle to upper elevations in
mid-summer.
———
Bruce Barnes directs Flora ID, produc-
ing plant ID software, found at fl ora-id.org.
Reach him at fl ora.id@wtechlink.us.
COMMUNITY BRIEFS
GriefShare off ers
encouragement
STANFIELD — A faith-
based grief support group
is starting soon at Stanfi eld
Baptist Church.
The GriefShare program
runs for 13 weeks. Each
session is self-contained, so
participants are welcome to
begin attending at any point.
The next cycle of groups
begins Wednesday, Sept. 8,
6-7:30 p.m. at the church, 310
E. Wheeler Ave., Stanfi eld.
The sessions include
video seminars featur-
ing grief recovery experts,
small discussion groups and
personal study through a
workbook. The non denom-
inational program features
biblical principles and off ers
help and encouragement after
the death of a spouse, child,
family member or friend. A
free workbook is provided.
For more information or to
register for the group, contact
Scott Zielke at 541-571-6886.
Pioneer Posse sets
royalty tryouts
M I LT ON - F R E E WA-
TER — The Milton-Freewa-
ter Pioneer Posse invites all
cowgirls in seventh through
12th grade to try out for its
2022 royalty court.
The yearly schedule,
rules, information and appli-
cation are available at www.
mfpposse.com. The appli-
cation must be submitted by
Wednesday, Sept. 1.
All applicants must
attend the pre-tryout meet-
ing with their horse Sept. 10,
at 6 p.m. at the Pioneer Posse
Grounds, 84581 Highway
11, Milton-Freewater. The
tryouts are Sept. 11, at noon,
also at the Posse Grounds.
For more information,
contact Sharee at 541-938-
0608 or competitornews@
yahoo.com.
Christian rapper
to perform
HERMISTON — A faith-
based rap and hip hop record-
ing artist will perform in
Hermiston.
In addi-
tion
to
taking the
stage during
Saturday
afternoon’s
Greater
Moss
Hermis-
ton CityFest
with Andrew Palau, George
Moss also will perform at
the Hermiston Church of the
Nazarene.
Presented by Elevate
St udent Minist r y, the
concert is Sunday, Aug. 29, at
6:30 p.m. The doors will open
at 6 p.m. at the church at 1520
W. Orchard Ave., Hermiston.
Admission is free.
In addition to performing
hip hop and rap, Moss is the
founder of OXEN Apparel.
Moss uses his platform to
encourage people to live a
lifestyle of love, understand-
ing and obedience to Jesus
Christ.
For more information,
visit www.hermnaz.com or
call 541-567-3677. For more
about Moss, visit www.
georgemossmusic.com.
Support group
for moms on hold
UMATILLA — Conex-
ion de Madre, a support
group for moms of all ages,
is on hold. The decision was
made because of the contin-
ued spread of COVID-19.
The group, which just
recently started, was to meet
on the last Thursday of each
month from 6-7:30 p.m. at
Umatilla City Hall, which
is temporarily closed to the
public. For more informa-
tion, call 541-922-3226 or
visit www.umatilla-city.org/
parksrec.
Heritage Station
announces closures
PENDLETON — Heri-
The Overlook Press/Contributed Photo
tage Station Museum has The Hermiston Public Library’s book club will read and discuss
suspended its normal operat- the international bestseller “The Phone Booth at the Edge of
ing hours on Saturday, Sept. the World” by Laura Imai Messina.
4, because the facility has
been rented out for an event.
In addition, it will be closed or shannong@heritagesta- Book club to
Sept. 13-18 during the week tionmuseum.org. For more discuss novel
of the Pendleton Round-Up. information about events
For more information, and activities at the museum,
HER MISTON — An
contact Shannon Gruenha- search Facebook or Insta- international bestselling
gen, marketing and tourism gram via @heritagestation- novel about grief, mourn-
coordinator, at 541-276-0012 pendleton.
ing and the joy of survival
MEETINGS
THURSDAY, AUG. 26
PENDLETON PLANNING COMMIS-
SION, 7 p.m., Pendleton City Hall, 501 S.W.
Emigrant Ave., Pendleton. (Jutta Haliewicz
541-966-0240)
SALVATION ARMY ADVISORY BOARD,
Noon, Salvation Army, 150 S.E. Emigrant
Ave., Pendleton. (541-276-3369)
UMATILLA COUNTY SPECIAL LIBRARY
DISTRICT, 5:30 p.m., via Zoom or phone,
online, Pendleton. Join the meeting at
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84924329644
or call 971-247-1195, Meeting ID: 849
2432 9644, for audio only. (Erin McCusker
541-276-6449)
FRIDAY, AUG. 27
No meetings scheduled.
MONDAY, AUG. 30
MORROW COUNTY HEALTH DISTRICT,
6 p.m., Pioneer Memorial Clinic conference
room or via Zoom, 130 Thompson Ave.,
Heppner. Join the meeting online at https://
us06web.zoom.us/j/89883299821?p-
wd=VFdaL0phcVkvYzZ2UXd0MTNxVVF-
CUT09, meeting ID 898 8329 9821, passcode
478061, or call 669-900-6833. (Jodi Fergu-
son 541-676-2942)
is the topic of the upcoming
Bookminders, the Hermis-
ton Public Library book
club.
The group will discuss
“The Phone Booth at the
Edge of the World” by
Laura Imai Messina. The
book’s inspiration came
from a real disconnected
phone booth in Japan, a
place of pilgrimage and
solace si nce the 2011
tsunami.
The book club gather-
ing is Tuesday, Sept. 14, at
1:30 p.m. downstairs in the
library meeting room, 235
E. Gladys Ave., Hermiston.
Anyone that’s interested is
invited to attend.
The book club, which is
free and open to everyone,
meets the second Tuesday
of each month. A limited
number of copies of “The
Phone Booth at the Edge of
the World” are available at
the library. For more infor-
mation, call 541-567-2882
or stop by the library.
TUESDAY, AUG. 31
No meetings scheduled.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 1
BLUE MOUNTAIN BOARD OF EDUCA-
TION, 6 p.m., Blue Mountain Community
College Hermiston Campus, via telecon-
ference, via Zoom conference or phone,
Pendleton. 5 p.m. executive session, 6 p.m.
regular board meeting. Join the Zoom
videoconference (PC, Mac, iOS or Android:
https://zoom.us/j/995173234) or call in to
415-762 9988, Meeting ID: 995 173 234.
(Shannon Franklin 541-278-5951)
CONDON CITY COUNCIL, 7 p.m., Condon
City Hall, 128 S. Main St., Condon. ((541)
384-2711)
MEACHAM VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPART-
MENT, 6 p.m., Meacham Fire Department,
Meacham. ((541) 786-2069)
MORROW COUNTY BOARD OF COMMIS-
SIONERS, 9 a.m., Bartholomew Govern-
ment Building upper conference room, 110
N. Court St., Heppner. (Roberta Lutcher (541)
676-5613)
UMATILLA RURAL FIRE PROTECTION
DISTRICT, 7 p.m., Umatilla Fire Depart-
ment, 305 Willamette St., Umatilla. (541-
922-2770)
Sepulveda earns
master’s degree
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.
— Theresa Sepulveda of
Pendleton received a Master
of Arts degree from The
University of Alabama:
Master of Arts. The univer-
sity awarded more than 1,400
degrees during its summer
commencement ceremonies
July 31, 2021.
— EO Media Group
PUBLIC SAFETY
MONDAY, AUG. 23
3:04 a.m. — A domestic distur-
bance occurred at Key Lock
Storage, 4400 N.W. A Ave., Pend-
leton.
8:59 a.m. — The Umatilla
County Sheriff ’s Offi ce
responded to a reported assault
at the intersection of West Walls
and Craig roads, Hermiston.
12:11 p.m. — The Morrow
County Sheriff ’s Offi ce
responded to a report of a
vehicle theft at Goodwin Court
Apartments, South Main Street,
Pendleton.
1:03 p.m. — The Morrow County
Sheriff ’s Offi ce responded to a
report of a burglary on South-
east Cowins Street, Heppner. A
man told police that more than
a week ago a person took more
than $800 in cash and small
items.
2:29 p.m. — The Morrow County
Sheriff ’s Offi ce responded to
a report of a burglary on West
Orchard Avenue, Hermiston.
2:55 p.m. — A domestic distur-
bance occurred at McDonalds
on Southgate, Pendleton.
6:41 p.m. — A domestic distur-
bance occurred at Blue Moun-
tain Village Apartments, 2700
S.W. Goodwin Ave., Pendleton.
8:24 p.m. — A domestic distur-
bance occurred at the Stanfi eld
R.V. Park, 345 S. Main St., Stan-
fi eld.
TUESDAY, AUG. 24
9:17 a.m. — The Umatilla County
Sheriff ’s Offi ce responded to a
report of a vehicle theft on East-
side Connect, Milton-Freewater.
10:38 a.m. — A domestic distur-
bance occurred on East Wash-
ington Street, Athena.
1:57 p.m. — Pendleton police
responded to two reports of a
disturbance on Southwest Third
Street, Pendleton.
4 p.m. — A Milton-Freewater
man reported the theft of his
2004 Hyundai Santa Fe from in
front of his residence. An offi cer
responded, took a report and
entered the vehicle as stolen.
ARRESTS, CITATIONS
Aug. 23
The Morrow County Sher-
iff ’s Offi ce arrested a man for
allegedly stealing another
man’s dog. David Ryan Fear was
booked in the Umatilla County
jail on one count of fi rst-degree
theft with preliminary bail of
$10,000.
Umatilla Tribal Police arrested
Mckenzie Craig Bluethunder, 19,
for misdemeanors of disorderly
conduct, public intoxication,
minor possession of alcohol and
resisting arrest and felonies of
criminal mischief, dangerous
drugs and criminal activity in
drugs.
Aug. 24
Milton-Freewater police
arrested Jamie Marlene
Andrade, 44 of Stockton, Cali-
fornia, for driving under the
infl uence of intoxicants. An
offi cer took Andrade to the
Milton-Freewater Police Depart-
ment, where staff processed,
cited and released her.