COMMUNITY
A6 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2020
Jehovah’s Witnesses move convention online
HERMISTON HERALD
For the fi rst time since
1897, Jehovah’s Witnesses
have moved their annual con-
vention to a streaming plat-
form. Congregations, fam-
ilies, and guests have been
viewing the program during
July and August, according
to a news release, out of con-
cern for the health and safety
of local communities.
Attendees from northeast
Oregon were expecting to
travel to the Toyota Center in
Kennewick, Washington.
The fi rst convention in the
Tri-Cities area was in 1992.
Since then, thousands from
Central and Eastern Wash-
ington and Eastern Oregon
have attended the three-day
event. An English-language
convention was scheduled
for July 31-Aug. 2 and a
Spanish-language conven-
tion was scheduled for Aug.
7-9. The decision to can-
cel the conventions came in
early April after the outbreak
of the novel coronavirus.
“Our worship is centered
on mutual love for God and
each other, irrespective of
where we are physically,”
Robert Hendricks, U.S.
spokesman for Jehovah’s
Witnesses, said in a news
release. The two Christian
principles guiding the Wit-
nesses’ historic decision are
respect for the sanctity of life
and love of neighbor.
“As much as we long to
meet together, life is far too
precious to put at risk,” he
said.
The move to an online
format will enable many
more to view the program
and organizers are anticipat-
ing a higher than ever “atten-
dance.” The convention is
also being streamed in over
500 languages. All these
changes are taking place to
ensure the safety of attend-
ees and the community
during the pandemic.
The theme of the 2020
convention is “Always
Rejoice!” and it comes at a
time when many are strug-
Rotary Club performs service projects at namesake park
gling with how to fi nd hap-
piness amid the changing
world scene. “To be able to
have inner joy based on our
faith, our relationship with
our Creator, our relation-
ship with our neighbor, and
our families that is true joy
that can be sustained,” said
Hendriks.
The convention explores
questions like: What contrib-
utes to fi nding and sustaining
joy? How can you cultivate
joy in the family? How can
you remain joyful in diffi cult
times? A key feature will be
a Bible-based drama that
considers the life of Nehe-
miah and how he helped the
ancient nation of Israel fi nd
joy in their worship of God.
The virtual program is
being released online in six
installments from the week-
end of July 11-12 through
the weekend of Aug. 29-30.
Those interested in viewing
the convention can fi nd the
program on jw.org. There is
no charge for viewing the
convention.
Head Start offers several
programs for area residents
Umatilla
Morrow
County Head Start offers a
variety of programs to chil-
dren ages birth to 5 and
pregnant mothers. Eligi-
bility for federal and state-
funded programs is based
on income, with other pro-
grams considering higher
income levels.
Educational
settings
include part- and full-day
Head Start preschool, dual
language classrooms, thera-
peutic, programs, child care
partnerships, prenatal home
visits and more. All pro-
grams provide fun learning
environments, meals, trans-
portation, health screen-
ings, and advocacy.
For information about
programs offered in your
area, stop by the Head Start
administrative offi ce at 110
N.E. Fourth St., Hermiston,
call 541-564-6878 or visit
www.umchs.org.
WORSHIP
COMMUNITY
Photo contributed by Kimberly Rill
Members of the Hermiston Rotary Club’s Satellite Club and Noon Club pose for a photo on July 28 after completing a service
project. The Satellite Club has committed to maintaining the informal “Rotary Park” comprised of the walking trail and
landscaping along the west side of Highway 395 between Orchard Avenue and Locust Avenue. They spent an evening doing so,
catered by Tacos Xavi, and plan to spread bark chips at the site during their work meeting in August.
Mosquito control district
warns against West Nile virus
LANDMARK BAPTIST CHURCH
125 E. Beech Ave. • 567-3232
HERMISTON HERALD
The West Umatilla Mos-
quito Control District is
conducting its annual tar-
geted aerial mosquito con-
trol spraying, including
spraying that took place
the weekend of Aug. 9 over
5,000 acres north and east
of Hermiston.
According to the news
release, mosquito control
operations are designed to
decrease the spread of West
Nile virus that some mos-
quitoes carry.
While the virus mostly
affects birds, mosqui-
toes can also pass it on to
humans or horses when
they bite.
The risks of the virus
are low and most infected
people do not become ill
or develop mild fl u-like
symptoms, but in rare
cases West Nile virus may
cause dangerous swell-
ing in the brain, known as
encephalitis.
The district recommends
seeking medical atten-
tion for unusual, severe
headaches.
Pastor David Dever
Sun. Bible Classes...................10:00am
Sun. Worship Service..............11:00am
Sun. Evening Worship..............6:00pm
Wed. Prayer & Bible Study......6:00pm
www.hermistonlmbc.com
Our Lady of Angels
Catholic Church
565 W. HERMISTON AVE.
DAILY MASS: Monday-Friday
...............................English 7:00 am
Thursday...............Spanish 6:00 pm
SATURDAY:.........English 5:00 pm
...............................Spanish 7:00 pm
SUNDAY:..............English 9:00 am
..........................Bilingual 11:00 am
..............................Spanish 1:00 pm
Office..............................567-5812
Staff photo by Ben Lonergan, File
Andrew Ross (left) and Rylie Smith use dip cups to check a small body of water for mosquito
larvae near Hermiston in 2019.
Things people can do to
help reduce mosquito pop-
ulations are to get rid of
opportunities for stand-
ing water on their property,
such as old tires or clogged
gutters, and fl ush ornamen-
tal ponds, horse troughs and
other needed water sources
regularly.
People should also pro-
tect themselves from mos-
quito bites by wearing
long-sleeved shirts and
pants outdoors, using mos-
quito repellent and main-
taining screens on windows
and screen doors.
Area
residents
can
report mosquito infesta-
tions and dead bird sight-
ings to the West Umatilla
Mosquito Control District at
541-567-5201.
MEDICAL DIRECTORY
URGENT CARE
MENTAL HEALTH
HERMISTON
FAMILY MEDICINE &
LET US BE THE ONE THAT HELPS!
URGENT CARE
Family Care • Minor Injuries
Sports Physicals • Minor Surgeries
• Adult, Child & Family Therapy
• Psychiatric Evaluation & Treatment
• Mental Health & Crisis Services
• Confidential & Professional Care
FAMILY DENTISTRY
St. Johns
Episcopal Church
Join Us
On Our Journey
With Jesus.
Scripture, Tradition and Reason
Family service 9am Sunday
N.E. Gladys Ave & 7th, Hermiston
t. PH: 567-6672
We are an all inclusive Church
who welcomes all.
First Christian Church
“Proclaiming the Message of
Hope, Living the Gospel of Love”
Sunday School...9:15 am
Worship Service...10:30 am
Children’s Church 10:45 am
567-3013
775 W. Highland Ave., Hermiston
NEW BEGINNINGS
CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
Worship Service 10:30 AM
Sunday School 9:00 AM
Pastor J.C. Barnett
Children’s Church &
Nursery Available
700 West Orchard Avenue
P.O. Box 933
Hermiston, Oregon
541-289-4774
Seventh-day
Adventist Church
Saturdays
Sabbath School........9:30 a.m.
Worship Service......11:00 a.m.
English & Spanish Services
567-8241
Hermiston Jr. Academy
1300 NW Academy Lane, • Hermiston
COMPREHENSIVE
CARE
A Better Way to Oral Health
We accept Medicare & some
Advantage Medicare plans
NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY
236 E. Newport, Hermiston
(across from U.S. Bank)
Hours: Mon-Sat 7:30am-7:00pm
DENTURES
BLUE MOUNTAIN
DENTURE CENTER
Affordable Care in Eastern
Oregon since 1991
TROY STEWART
Licensed Denturist
UMATILLA, OR:
1300 6th St., Suite G
BAKER CITY, OR:
2194 Court Ave.
541-519-4696 • 541-523-4752
CRISIS PHONE: 866-343-4473
HERMISTON: 595 NW 11th St. • 541-567-2536
PENDLETON: 331 SE 2nd St. • 541-276-6207
995 Orchard Ave.,
Hermiston, OR
RYAN M. WIESELER,
D.D.S, PC
WWW.LIFEWAYS.ORG
www.desertdentalsmiles.com
To advertise in the
Medical Directory,
please call
Jeanne
PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
541-564-4531
email:
jjewett@hermistonherald.com
Call Today! 541-289-5433
1060 W. Elm, Suite #115, Hermiston
(across from Good Shepherd Medical Center)
www.apd4kidz.com
Office hours: Mon-Fri 8am-4pm
To share your
worship times call
541-278-2678