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Ministry
begins weekly
services at middle school |
The establishment of a church within a school building
prompts questions of separating church and state |
By Schellene Clendenin, Newberg
Graphic Reporter
E-mail Schellene at sclendenin@eaglenewspapers.com
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The Newberg School Board passed an agreement recently to allow God Songs
ministries — a nondenominational worship group soon to be based in Newberg — to
begin holding services Sunday in a common area at Chehalem Valley Middle School.
The decision to allow the services was met with some resistance at the
meeting from school board member Bob Larson.
Larson said he voted against establishing a congregation at a school not so
much because of the division of religion and state issue.
Rather, he said he felt taxpayers who build schools for the kids in the
district shouldn’t be required to pay for a church, as well.
“It shouldn’t be done in a school,” he said. “Schools are
built to educate kids. Using the school buildings six or seven days a week, it will wear
out faster.”
Larson said he has nothing against the church itself. But he doesn’t
think school buildings should be used for that purpose.
“That’s how I felt and that’s how I voted.”
The school board accepted the request, however.
“I would say,” said Dr. Paula Radich, superintendent of the Newberg
School District, “that there would have to be a good reason to deny them.”
According to the school district’s facilities use agreement policy, as
long as the church knows that educational activities and maintenance will take precedence
over the church, and a certificate is provided to prove that the organization has
liability insurance, among other things, the school board can’t refuse.
“I see it as an opportunity for a consistent income,” said Warren
Parrish, a school board member.
Claire Hertz, director of business services for the school district, said
church services held in schools are common in Washington state.
The policy, she said, permits rentals as long as they are not occupying the
place.
“Taxpayers are paying for these buildings and these are members of the
community,” said Melinda Van Bossuyt, school board chairwoman. |
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From Oct. 18,
2003, Newberg Graphic
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