'Unconstitutional'

Day of Prayer to

proceed on May 6

By JOHN FORTMEYER
CNNW publisher
     James Autry, Oregon state chairman for the National Day of Prayer, displayed an attitude probably shared by many when he spoke at the Christian Chamber of Commerce of the Northwest’s Marketplace Summit in Portland on April 16.
     Autry, who is also station manager of Portland’s KKPZ radio, noted that only the day before, a federal judge in Wisconsin had declared the annual National Day of Prayer observance to be unconstitutional.
“A judge yesterday declared the National Day of Prayer to be ‘illegal,’” Autry said, as many in the audience gasped.
    “Well,” Autry quipped, “I guess I’m going to be doing some ‘illegal’ stuff on May 6.”
     And likely so will many, many others, if the Actually, while public prayer itself is still legal, what was declared to be unlawful was the federal government’s formal recognition of the annual prayer day. Judge Barbara Crabb ruled that such recognition — which had been formally given by Congress and the President since 1952 but which can accurately be traced back to 1775 — violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.
     The Wisconsin-based Freedom from Religion Foundation, an atheist group, had challenged the constitutionality of the statute in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin.
     Christian leaders across the nation were quick to blast the ruling and some called for President Obama to immediately appeal it. A wide number of Christian legal organizations also vowed to file appeals.
     In the meantime, a massive list of scheduled activities are listed on the National Day of Prayer web site, www.nationaldayofprayer, org. and more are being added at press time. None have been canceled because of the judge’s ruling.
    In Oregon and southwest Washington, here are planned events, by community:

OREGON

Ashland: A National Day of Prayer Friendship Walk in Lithia Park. Participants should join at the park entrance between 6 and 7 p.m. to walk at their leisure in the park’s springtime setting. A $10 donation per person is asked, with proceeds going toward Heaven on Earth Inc.’s Acts of Kindness program. Participants then are to gather at the Pioneer Hall between 7:15 and 9 p.m. for dessert and a prayer time provided by Heaven on Earth Restaurant & Bakery. 541-837-3700 or heavenonearthrestaurant.com.
Aumsville: National Day of Prayer service, Bethel Baptist Church, 645 Cleveland St. 503-749-2128 or www.bethelaumsville.org.
Bend: Noon to 1 p.m., National Day of Prayer service, Eastmont Church, corner of Eagle and Neff roads, 541-382-5674.
Damascus: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m., Sanctuary of Christ the Vine Lutheran Church, 18677 S.E. Hwy. 212, Damascus, open to the public for quiet prayer. Prayer guides available. 503-658-5650.
Eugene: 8 to 8:30 a.m., Prayer gathering at the flagpole at Eugene Christian School, 4500 S. Amazon Drive. 541-686-9145 or www.eugenechristianschool.com.
Florence: 7 to 8:30 a.m., Second annual National Day of Prayer breakfast sponsored by the Florence Kiwanis Club, at the Elks Lodge, 1686 12th St. 541-902-9710.
Gresham: 7:30 to 9 a.m., East Multnomah County Prayer Breakfast with featured speaker Anna Song of KATU Channel 2 News, Greater Gresham Baptist Church, 3848 N.E. Division St., 503-962-9186 or riverandvine@verizon.net
Gresham: 7 to 8:30 p.m., National Day of Prayer service, River Hills Church, 1217 S.E. Fourth St., 503-663-4041 or www.riverhillschurch.net.
Hillsboro: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Prayer Journey at Helvetia Community Church, 11295 N.W. Helvetia road. Prayer stations set up, or traditional prayer in the church pews. 503-647-2266.
Keizer: 7:30 to 9 a.m., Keizer Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, Keizer Civic Center, 930 Chemawa Road N.E., Keizer. Speaker is Keizer City Councilor Cathy Clark. $15. 503-393-9111.
King City: 2 to 3 p.m., National Day of Prayer event for King City, at King City Clubhouse. 503-620-2161 or phailey1@verizon.net.
Lincoln City: Noon to 1 p.m., and 7 to 8 p.m., Two prayer services at Lincoln City Cultural Center, 540 N.E. Hwy. 101. Doors also open for individual prayer between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. 541-921-7943.
Newberg: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Prayer chapel on George Fox University campus open for individuals or groups. Sheet with suggested prayer topics available. 971-645-0794.
Ontario: Noon to 1 p.m., Prayer and praise rally in the parking lot of Kinney and Keele Hardware, 460 S.W. Fourth Ave.. 541-881-7691.
Portland: 6 to 7 p.m., National Day of Prayer service, Lynchwood Church of God, 3818 S.E. 174th Ave. 503-665-6638 or www.lynchwood.org.
Portland: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., K-LOVE National Day of Prayer event, Blessings Christian Resource Center, 10209 S.E. Division St. Prayer by local pastors and ministry leaders and acoustic worship by The Neverclaim. 503-896-3839 or www.klove.com.
Portland: Prayer for government leaders, Mt. Scott Church of God, 10603 S.E. Henderson. 503-760-1957.
Prineville: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Community-wide prayer service in covered area at Pioneer Park. 541-447-6975.
Rainier: Noon to 12:30 p.m., Prayer rally at flagpole in Rainier Park on A Street. Sponsored by Rainier Ministerial Association. 503-556-1961.
Salem: Noon to 1 p.m., Salem’s National Day of Prayer observance, Riverfront Pavilion in Salem. www.ndptf.org.
The Dalles: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., National Day of Prayer service, Sorosis Park shelter. 541-993-0550.

SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON

Camas, Wash., 7 to 8:30 p.m. National Day of Prayer service, Calvary Community Church, 2717 N.E. Third Ave.. 360-834-7522.
Vancouver, Wash., Noon to 1 p.m.. National Day of Prayer rally in courtyard in front of City Hall, 210 E. 13th St.. 360-574-2339.
Vancouver, Wash., 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., National Day of Prayer service, MacArthur Blvd. Church, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., 360-892-2327.