WORLD NEWS & PERSPECTIVES
Fourth Commandment
Goes to Court
Oregon Rules Sports Schedules Must Accommodate Religious Beliefs
n what is believed to be the first-ever ruling of its kind in North America, Oregon's state court of appeals ruled that the state's high school activities association must make a reasonable effort to accommodate religion when scheduling tournaments.
According to the Oregonian newspaper, the ruling came about after Portland Adventist Academy's basketball team was barred from playing in the state championships. This decision, however, not only includes basketball, but it extends to 80 state championships in 16 activities organized by the Oregon School Activities Association (OSSA), including dance, cheerleading, and music competitions.
The Portland Adventist Cougars were not able to play in the Class 2A state tournament in March because the team observes the Sabbath-sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. Activities association rules say that all teams must agree to play all scheduled games in order to enter the tournament.
"What this is about is going to an entity that is nonbiased to settle an issue about inclusion," says Principal Matthew Stanfill.
Attorney Charles Hinkle argued the case on behalf of the students for the American Civil Liberties Union.
"This is the first time that any court in the country has ordered a state high school activities association to accommodate students' religious beliefs," Hinkle told the paper. "The OSAA was giving short shrift to very important values in our society-mainly the values of sincerely held religious beliefs of a substantial segment of our society."
In a unanimous ruling, the three-judge panel called it "illegal discrimination."
"For the OSAA to require a person to choose between a religious obligation and participation in a covered activity, without first attempting to find a reasonable accommodation for the conflict, is to act in a way that is fair in form but discriminatory in operation," the panel said.
But Tom Welter, the OSAA's executive director, said the ruling makes it unreasonable to expect his organization to adjust its tournament schedules to accommodate every religion.
"We're confident that when (the board) reviews the record and all the requested accommodations, they will determine that those accommodations place an undue burden on the association," Welter told the paper.
In 1997, the school filed a suit in U.S. District Court alleging that the association had violated students' civil rights. A federal judge ruled the association did not have to accommodate religious beliefs in scheduling tournaments, and the issue lay dormant until 2000 when the school qualified for the state tournament. Stanfill firmly believes that the students made the right choice in persevering.
"I think it's standing on principle. It came out of the Ten Commandments and I fully stand for it. This will be the measuring stick for what is to come. I'm glad to say that I stood up for something I believe in, and something the kids believe in."
Barry Black Named United States Senate Chaplain
Pastor Barry C. Black, a rear admiral and retiring chief of chaplains of the U.S. Navy, was named on June 17, 2003 to become the next chaplain of the United States Senate. Black will be the first military chaplain, the first African American, and the first Seventh-day Adventist to hold the post.
Pastor Black was selected by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, a Tennessee Republican.
"Admiral Black has provided spiritual guidance to thousands of servicemen and women during his years of service. We're honored he has offered to bring his moral leadership and counsel to the United States Senate," said Frist.
Black began his ministry serving as a circuit-riding pastor and evangelist of 11 Adventist churches in North and South Carolina from 1972 to 1976. He then entered the Navy first serving as Navy chaplain in Norfolk, Virginia; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Okinawa, Japan, and the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Black is ending his 27-year naval career to succeed former Senate Chaplain Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie.
Black said he was "deeply honored that the Senate is giving me this opportunity to continue my service to the nation. This is a truly humbling experience, and I shall pray for the strength to rise to the level of service Dr. Ogilvie gave."
During his service in the Navy, Black spent three years as chief of chaplains where he advised the Secretary of the Navy, Chief of Naval Operations, and Commandant of the Marine Corps on religion, ethics, and moral issues in the Sea Services. He also served three years as deputy chief of chaplains, coordinating ministry to over 600,000 Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard servicemembers and their families.
"Recent world events brought significant challenges to the Chief of Chaplain, and in every case, Admiral Black's unique perspective and wisdom was a calming and sobering influence. His addition as Senate Chaplain will be a continuation of Dr. Olgilvie's dedication and inspiring work," said Frist.
In the Navy, Black supervised 1,000 chaplains, as well as providing pastoral care for Naval members from more than 190 different religious traditions and backgrounds. In addition to preaching around the world, Black preached several times at the Maryland Presidential retreat, Camp David, at the request of former president Bill Clinton and former secretary of the Navy, Richard Danzig.
"It is a fitting tribute to Chaplain Black as a clergyman and a high honor to the Seventh-day Adventist Church to have him continue his chaplaincy career as he transitions into this new position," said Richard Stenbakken, director of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries.
Don Schneider, North American Seventh-day Adventist president, called Black "an excellent choice for the job."
Black will serve as the Senate's 62nd chaplain, effective after the Senate formally passes a resolution. As chaplain, Black will open the sessions with daily prayer and provide spiritual counseling to the Senate members and 6,000 staffers.
Black is a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and holds a bachelor's degree from Oakwood College, three master's degrees, and two doctorates.
Sources come from Adventist News Network, Religion News Service, and a press release from U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, June 17, 2003
Governor Visits Hawaiian Mission Academy
On May 21, officials of the Hawaiian state government met with the senior class, faculty, and administration of Hawaiian Mission Academy (HMA), located on the island of Oahu. Linda Lingle, governor, Lenny Klompus, senior advisor for communications, and David Pendleton, state legislator and HMA alumnus, visited over breakfast in the academy home economics room.
During the breakfast, Lingle had the opportunity to address the senior class. She urged them to "take your values with you" upon graduation from HMA.
"It doesn't take much space at all in the suitcase," said Lingle. "But you will be glad you did when you are faced with a difficult situation and must do the right thing. Ask yourself whether you would be proud to have your parents read about what you are doing on the front page of the Honolulu Advertiser or Honolulu Star Bulletin. If you would be happy, then that is probably the right thing to do."
"It was a privilege for our seniors to share a meal with the governor of Hawaii," said Jerrell Gilkeson, HMA vice principal. "Governor Lingle is the first woman governor of this state, the first Jewish governor, and the first republican in many years."
After the breakfast, the governor addressed the entire student body in the chapel. She commended HMA for its commitment to educational excellence, to service for others, and for promoting those values which make the state of Hawaii and the United States great. She spoke of taking on challenges, working hard, and never giving up. She shared her own experience of losing her first campaign for governor in 1998. "While one might be tempted to quit or to feel embarrassed when people know of your failure, you should never give up," she said.
"It was terrific having her here," said Miki Hampton, parent of several HMA alumni and president of the alumni association. "I think our students really enjoyed and benefitted from hearing the governor speak straight from the heart."
Pocket-sized Pamphlet Allows Emergency
Ministry Across Denominations
Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries (ACM) has compiled an effective communication tool for clergy of any denomination. Simply called Emergency Ministry, the pocket-sized pamphlet is a collection of services and prayers from distinct faith groups.
"The information contained in this resource does not constitute a theological endorsement of any kind," said Dick Stenbakken, ACM director. "The aim of this tool is to enable people to minister from their own religious perspective to people of various faiths." Emergency Ministry was originally distributed to military chaplains to provide ministry in extreme emergency cases.
"In many cases, chaplains find themselves for the first time ministering to those of different faiths in extreme situations such as death. This booklet can help lead them through these difficult situations," said Stenbakken. Copies have been sent to chaplains and troops in the United States military who are stationed in Iraq.
Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries endorses and works with the professional chaplains of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Currently, the Church has 45 chaplains serving on active duty with another 50 in the various reserve forces in North America.
La Sierra Faculty Member Wins National Award
Susan D. Patt, chair and associate professor of the art department at La Sierra University (LSU) in Riverside, California, has been selected as an Outstanding Advising Award Winner in the Faculty Academic Advising Category as part of the 2003 National Academic Advising Association's National Awards (NACADA) program.
"Only five of these Advising Awards are given in the United States and Canada, and we are the only school west of the Mississippi to receive this award this year," says Iris Landa, LSU director of advising and orientation. "Susan goes way beyond the call of duty. She is the only faculty member to receive this award at La Sierra."
The award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated qualities associated with outstanding academic advising of students including strong interpersonal skills, availability, and helpfulness. Patt will be honored at the national NACADA conference in October, receive free registration for the 2003 National Conference, a recognition plaque, and a one-year membership in NACADA.
"My office should be a safe place where students can dream dreams or express their fears and concerns,"says Patt, "a place where they can talk about future possibilities even if it isn't what Mom or Dad want them to do. I see my role in this situation as not only a listener but a guide who encourages them to step forward boldly and do what is ultimately best for themselves."
News Notes
Deborah A. Yancer, president of Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, has been selected as one of Maryland's Top 100 Women for the year 2003. The annual award recognizes the professional, personal, and community-based accomplishments of leading women across the state. "Debi is well-deserving of this honor, and we are pleased she has been recognized for her very significant contributions in the field of health care," said Bill Robertson, president and CEO of Adventist Health Care, which owns and operates Shady Grove. "Throughout her career, and especially at Shady Grove, she has always sought to ensure that hospital services are closely linked to the needs of the communities they serve."
Hugh Roach, an Adventist pastor in the Bahamas, received the Queen's Honor of Order of the British Empire for his contribution as an outstanding minister, church administrator, and community leader for over 42 years. Dr. Roach was one of eleven who received "The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire." His name was submitted by the Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists after the Bahamian Government requested the conference to recommend an outstanding leader among its nearly 12,000 church members.
Sylvain Romain, senior pastor of five churches in Hamburg, Germany, was invited to preach in a Turkish mosque in April. The local religious leader insisted the sermon should take place at the main prayer time at noon on Friday, and should be preached from the Bible.
Romain presented the subject of why God allows suffering to about 250 Muslim believers. His 26-year work among Muslims allowed him to offer hope to the believers, while confronting them with new perspectives in a way they could understand and accept.
Afterwards, Romain was interviewed by Zaman, the largest religious Turkish newspaper, and other reporters. Representatives of the Turkish Consulate were also present.
Sophia Will, a Canadian Union College (CUC) student, submitted a commercial television script in an anti-racism competition held by the Central Alberta Diversity Project and RDTV, a local television station, celebrating the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Selected as one of the top five submissions, Will's commercial, along with the other top picks, was professionally filmed in a studio using a number of CUC students as actors in each of the spots. Will's submission ultimately won second place.
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