“Whirled Peace”
As a kid I had no idea why I liked pinwheels. I just loved them.
Perhaps that’s why I find the Pinwheels for Peace initiative so fun and creative.
From 3 to 5 p.m today, Pinwheels for Peace: an International Day of Peace Celebration will take place at the Myriad Gardens, 301 W Reno in downtown Oklahoma City.
The event is sponsored by the Respect Diversity Foundation, headed up by Joan Korenblit.
The free event is to feature all kinds of activities and guest speakers. From the faith community there will be the St. George Greek Orthodox Festival Dancers and the St. Andrew Dung Lac Lion Dancers.
Best of all you can create your own pinwheel for peace.
The students at St. John Episcopal School have already put their creativity to work.
The students in preschool through eighth grade carried their handmade pinwheels out into the community to show their own version of “whirled peace,” a school administrator told me.
Their pinwheels are on display outside the CVS store on the corner of NW 50 and May Avenue today so stop by and take a look.
Covering religion for several years now, I can truly say that most of the faith traditions I’ve written about placed much value on peace.
This reminds me of lyrics from one my favorite songs: “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.”
Sounds like a good place to start.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Making of “Fireproof”
Get a behind the scenes look at the production of the movie “Fireproof” by tuning in to the telly this Sunday.
“The Making of Fireproof” will be featured on TBN (Cox Cable channel 23) at 11 p.m., following the TBN premiere of “Facing the Giants.”
Many folks already know that “Facing the Giants” was brought to the big screen by the same people who are bringing “Fireproof” to nationwide audiences come Friday.
Perhaps this “making of” special will serve to whet filmgoers’ appetite for the coming attraction.
By the way, we are looking for a few couples, perhaps two, who would like to come in after they’ve seen the movie to discuss their opinions of the film.
Let me know if you think you’d be interested in participating in that discussion. E-mail me at chinton@oklahoman.com.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Faithful Five: Weekend Events
Here’s my “faithful five” — five events going on in the faith community this weekend, Sept. 20-21. If what you read below intrigues you, go check it out for yourself:
1. Getting in the spirit. This just sounds like a whole lot of fun. First Presbyterian Church of Oklahoma City is hosting its annual SpiritFest beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday at 1001 NW 25.
2. Walk in mile in their shoes. Individuals recovering from alcohol and drug abuse will celebrate their recovery by walking in the annual Recovery Walk from Washington Park to the State Capitol. Registration for the free walk begins at 8 a.m. Saturday and the walk begins at 11 a.m. The fun doesn’t end there. After a short rally at the Capitol, walkers will return to the park, 400 N High, for food, music, children’s activities and fellowship.
3. Go in peace. Celebrating World Peace Day, a special meditation event will get underway at the State Capitol’s north plaza at 6 p.m. Saturday. Cost is $10. There’s still time to register online by calling 603-8844.
4. Tea for two … or more. St. Mary’s CME Church will serve tea at an annual event with the theme “Our Youth, Our Future.” Tea time is 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the church, 1201 N Martin Luther King. Ave. For more information, call 424-6854.
5. They had me at cello. The Kemp Concert Series will feature Cellos Ole Encore on Sunday at First Presbyterian Church of Oklahoma City. The concert begins at 4 p.m. at the church, 1001 NW 25. For more information, call 525-6584.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Promise Keepers’ leader returns
After attending a Promise Keepers men’s conference a few years ago at the Ford Center, I know one thing for certain: Many Christian men in Oklahoma love the Promise Keepers organization and its mission to help them continue their Christian journey as husbands, fathers, church members …
Now comes news of interest regarding Promise Keepers.
Religion News Service reports that Bill McCartney, the former college football coach who helped found Promise Keepers, has come out of retirement to lead the evangelical Christian group.
McCartney, 68, has returned as chief executive officer and chairman of the ministry. McCartney replaces Tom Fortson, who resigned voluntarily, Promise Keepers general counsel Ed O’Brien told the RNS.
The Religion News Service reports that in 1996, the group drew 1.1 million men to 22 stadium conferences; 10 years later, 18 conferences attracted some 132,000. Also, according to the RNS, the Denver-based group has dealt with a decline in gifts, grants and contributions.
McCartney, former coach of the
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Faith and science alert: Darwin gets apology
The Church of England vs. Charles Darwin is no more.
Yes, he’s been dead for 126 years, but the Religion News Service reported this week that the Church of England has issued an official apology to the naturalist for its 19th-century “misunderstanding” over his controversial theory of evolution.
Darwin’s thesis that all life evolved over millions of years was published in 1859 in his book, “On The Origin of Species,” and almost instantly triggered controversy that still continues, the RNS reported.
His critics, among them the Church of England, vilified him for questioning their creationist convictions that the universe and all its parts were solely the work of God.
But in a new section of the Church of England’s Web site, the Rev. Malcolm Brown (pictured below), director of missions and public affairs, addressed Darwin and “conceded that the church ‘owes you an apology for misunderstanding you, by getting our first reaction wrong.’,” the RNS reported.
Brown apparently said that the Church of England’s opposition against Darwin’s theory encouraged others to “misunderstand it as well.”
Read the Church of England’s overview of how its history intertwines with Darwin’s: “Church of England marks Darwin’s contribution to science as bicentenary approaches”
and read Brown’s remarks: “Good Religion Needs Good Science.”
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
A call for election eve prayer
Concerned Roman Catholics of America is calling on all Catholics and Christians to ask their pastors to allow them to conduct all-night prayer vigils on the night before the U.S. presidential election.
Kenneth M. Fisher, the group’s founder and chairman, said Christians need to pray for God-loving and fearing candidates throughout the country ”so that the present course of moral decay, so evident today in our society, can be reversed and ‘One Nation Under God’ can be once again established, especially the ‘inalienable right to life’, ” Fisher said in a statement released through Christian Newswire.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Oklahoman nominated for Native-E Music Award
A song written by an Oklahoma Baptist University student has been nominated for an award at the first annual Native-E Music Awards.
Delana Deere’s song “The Flowers” has been nominated for “Best Gospel/Religion Song.”
Deere (pictured at left) is a senior from Norman, studying cross-cultural ministry.
The awards are to be presented on Saturday in Alburquerque, N.M.
Deere was one of 11 entries in her category and was selected as one of the top five nominees.
Deere’s American Indian name is Wah-Zhinga-Skah, which means “White Bird.” She is from the Absentees Shawnee and Ponca tribes.
She said her song is inspired by her life experiences. You can listen to the song by clicking here: ”The Flowers.”
“My Savior, who walks me through it all, inspired me to write this song,” Deere said in a prepared statement from OBU in Shawnee.
“He’s the reason I can walk through the valley. He is the reason I am able to stand with dignity as a Native American Christian Woman.”
For more information about the Native-E Music Awards, go to www.native-e-musicawards.com.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Palin bio book race
An earlier posting included information about Zondervan’s plans to publish a biography about GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin in October.
Well it seems there is a race between Zondervan and another evangelical publishing house, Tynedale House Publishers, to be the first to offer Palin’s bio.
Religion News Service recently reported that Tyndale House has begun distributing a paperback edition of a new book “Sarah: How a Hockey Mom Turned the Alaska Political Establishment Upside Down” by Alaska freelance writer Kaylene Johnson.
That book first came out in April as a release from Epicenter Press, according to the RNS, and Tyndale is now printing 250,000 copies.
Meanwhile, Joe Hilley’s book “Sarah Palin: A New Kind of Leader,” will be released Oct. 10 by Zondervan.
The RNS reports that both biographies highlight Palin’s Christian faith as a formative force.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Christmas in September
It’s not too early to think about Christmas — music that is.
Today my e-mail was full of news about upcoming Christmas-themed releases by contemporary Christian and Gospel recording artists. A couple of the holiday albums will be released in early October, but several will be available next week.
Get out your pen and start making your list just in case you want to grab a few of these when they hit the shelves:
1. “A pureNRG Christmas”is set for release Sept. 23. The compilation from Fervent 
Records’ tween group includes 10 tracks. The CD showcases a variety of Christmas classics done “pureNRG style.”
2. “Tennessee Christmas: A Holiday Collection” by Point of Grace will be released on Oct. 7. This new Christmas album combines songs from their two previous holiday collections, along with a new version of the song “Tennessee Christmas.”
3. “O Holy Night: A Live Christmas Celebration”by David Phelps will be released Sept. 23. The album was recorded live on Phelp’s farm in southern Tennessee.
4. “Home for Christmas”by BarlowGirl is set for 
release Sept. 23. This compilation allows fans to spend the season with sisters Alyssa, Lauren and Rebecca Barlow through 11 songs that include Christmas favorites and original recordings.
5. “And There Was Christmas”by Zomba Gospel Group will be in stores Oct. 28. The compilation of various Gospel artists includes Christmas songs from Kirk Franklin (shown below), Donnie McClurkin, 
Mary Mary, Marvin Sapp and others.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
Faithful Five: Weekend Events
Here’s my “faithful five” — five events going on in the faith community this weekend, Sept. 13-14. If what you read below intrigues you, go check it out for yourself:
1. Blessing our furry and feathered friends. A free Pet Blessing event is set for 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at 
United Methodist Church of the Servant, 14343 N MacArthur. Five Church of the Servant ministers will offer individual blessings for each pet at the event in the church’s east parking lot. The blessing is in partnership with the Central Oklahoma Humane Society.
2. All’s Fair in Health and Fitness. Two Oklahoma City churches are offering free health fairs on Saturday. Estes Park Church of Christ will host a health fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 440 NW 89. Health screenings and other activities are planned. For information call 818-4521. St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church is hosting a Fall Fitness Fair from 9 to 11 a.m. Health screenings, the Oklahoma Blood Institute’s bloodmobile and other activities will be featured. For more information, call 692-4242.
3. Celebrating Scope Ministries. An international ministry headquartered here in Oklahoma City, Scope Ministries International, will celebrate 35 years of ministry tonight at First United Methodist Church of Oklahoma City, 131 NW 4. The event will begin at 7 p.m., with Christian singer-songwriter Dennis Jernigan to offer praise and worship. It’s free and open to the public. For more about Scope, visit www.scopeministries.org.
4. Trouble in the jury room. The play “Twelve Angry Jurors” will be performed as part of a dinner theater offered at 6 p.m. Saturday at
5. It’s the end. An End Times Prophecy seminar with the Rev. Dean Moore as guest speaker will begin at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday at Family of Faith Church, 13500 SE 15 in Choctaw. The free seminar continues at 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday at the church.
BONUS: Yes, the faith and fun will extend on into Monday. Santus Real and Tenth Avenue North will perform 
in concert at the 7:30 p.m. Monday at the State Fair of Oklahoma (Toyota Stage). The concert is free with paid admission to the fair.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
