When our big family of 15 moved from near Lyle, Wash., to the Ladd Canyon area in 1936, it wasn’t long till my parents realized they should have sold more of their belongings before they made the move.

Soon some of the older ones started moving out, some to get married, others to take new jobs in other towns or to learn a new trade. But one thing I was glad about, they hadn’t sold the old covered wagon. We four younger girls used it for our playhouse. Although sometimes my Dad or older brothers would hook up the horses and take it to a mountain area that Pop had rented for pasture to get some wood.

One day a fellow saw the wagon parked out by the barn and made an offer to my dad to buy it. He wasn’t quite ready to let it go. The very next Saturday he asked Mama and us four younger girls if we’d like to go with him up the canyon in the wagon for our last ride.

COVE — A convention of about 275 Episcopalians, including delegations from Church of the Redeemer in Pendleton,

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in La Grande and St. Stephen’s in Baker City, on May 23 affirmed The Rt. Rev. Bavi Edna “Nedi” Rivera as the first-ever Provisional Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Oregon.

Rivera, who also is Bishop Suffragan — assistant to the bishop — in the Diocese of Olympia, will serve one-third time in Eastern Oregon, which has been without a bishop since The Rt. Rev. William O. Gregg resigned in 2007 to become assistant bishop of North Carolina.

COVE — “Coming home to the heart of God: A vision for mutual ministry” is the theme of the 2009 Lenten Retreat at Ascension School Camp and Conference Center in Cove Feb. 27 to March 1.

Featured presenters are the Rev. Marcus Losack, founder and executive director of Ceile De, an ecumenical organization in Ireland specializing in study and pilgrimages focuses on Celtic spirituality, and Regina Roman.

The retreat will draw upon the Celtic cycles of the seasons and Native Medicine Wheel teachings, offering attendees an opportunity to discern their identity as known by God.

Some 20 churches in Union County have been contacted and are expected to participate in the Souper Bowl of Caring this weekend.

After the holidays, generous donations of the season have been used for those who needed help during that time.

The post-holiday season is a time for replenishing needed supplies. The national Souper Bowl of Caring project has become an annual tradition for many congregations, schools and service clubs throughout the United States, which can make a big difference for charities who serve the community’s most vulnerable.

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.”

Even if you aren’t a believer you probably recognize the words and could hum the unforgettable melody.

The song’s author was John Newton. Unlike the song, the history behind its author is much less commonly known. A one-time slave ship captain, Newton transported slaves who were chained in the bowels of Newton’s ship. It is reported that the slaves could be heard groaning and/or humming the melody of the infamous song.

On New Year’s Eve 2007, 350 middle school and high school students found an answer to the age-old question, “What are we going to do tonight?”

On a night that is infamous for drug and alcohol use, teens made their way seemingly to the most unlikely of places, a church!

And what did they find in that church? The biggest party in town: the First Annual Drug- and Alcohol-Free New Year’s Eve All Night Party!

Some 40 passengers recently enjoyed a ride on the United Methodist Gospel Train, taking a five-hour excursion through the Minam Canyon. Submitted photo.

Music filled the air as the passengers sang their favorite music, listened to mini sermons, did faith sharing and related uplifting stories. The music could be heard until the train rolled into the Elgin depot, and many of the excited passengers asked if a third annual train ride could follow and become an annual event for the area.

FUNDRAISING FOR A CAUSE: Pastor Leroy Stolle and his wife Dodie helped the Imbler Christian Church raise over $11,000 through a yard sale — and the number’s still climbing. - The Observer/AMBER GLAZE

Pastor Leroy Stolle says, “We want to have a daycare, preschool and after school activities. We want to major on families and kids.”

Local Christian artist Stacy Shown will be performing today at 2 p.m. during the seventh annual Son Light Fest.

 Stacy, two-time first place Female Vocalist of the Washington State Christian Talent Contest and a two-time regional semifinalist of the Exalting Him! National Talent Search, performs and leads worship throughout the Northwest, such as The Bite of Seattle, Eastern Oregon’s Son Light Fest, the Maritime Gig Festival, The Puyallup Fair, Aglow International, West Hills Street Fair and various other settings.

Local author K.C. Stricker will be at La Grande Bible & Supply, 1120 Adams Ave., Thursday to give a book signing from 11 a.m. until at least 1 p.m. or as long as people come to see her.  Stricker’s new book, “Coming Out of Egypt,” (593 pages. Resource Publications. $47.50) is historical fiction combined with academic teaching woven together in one book.

The story of Exodus is dovetailed with the life of Yeshua (Jesus). The story within “Coming out of Egypt” is not only that of an exodus of the out of  the idolatry of ancient Egypt, but a personal exodus from the idolatry that permeates religion today.