Salt Lake Tribune | 1998-12-05 | Page 14

__TheSaltLakeTribune RELIGION Saturda CompiledbyBobMims The Rev. JamesBlaine, pastorof St. Peter’s Parish, has been appointed chaplain for fe Boy Scouts of America’s six-state Region Small templewill cut travel time for Alaskan Mormons Don Ellefson, chairman of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, said Blaine will oversee diocesan scouting chaplains in , Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. Blaine comes to the new post well-prepared, having served as associate scout chaplain with Monsignor James Kenney of Og- BY BOB MIMS THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE ilies, is extreme. It can become an enormousfinancialsacrifice,” he said. The 24,000 members of the LDS Churchin the Anchorage, Alaska, area will have special reason to celebrate manyofour Saints are ableto live, in the coming of 1999: a newtemple will den in the Salt Lake Catholic Diocese Blainealso servedasinstitutional head for be dedicated there Jan. 9-10. Church President Gordon B. Hinckley is scheduled to preside over dedicatory and cornerstone-setting ceremonies at the 7,000-square-foot Boy Scout Pack 4114 oO Holladay Baptist Church has concluded an 18-month search for anew pastor by selecting structure, the second of the new class of ‘small’ temples being built. The first, in Monticello, Utah, was launched last July. With the new temple, Alaskan Mormons will no longer have to travel some 2,500 milesto Seattle to perform such sacred temple rites as eternal marriages, family sealings and bap- The Rev. Rodger S. Russell, who will be formally installed during Sunday morning worship. Russell is joined by his wife, Jennifer, and daughter, Amy, in taking on leadership of the church at 2780 E. 3900 South in Salt Lake ity. Russell is the fifth pastor the church has tisms for the dead. had since it was launched in 1957 as a mis- “We haven't thought of it in terms of miles, but in termsof time. Seattle is approximately three and a half hours sion. The ministry wasconstituted as a church five years later. Russell is a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological and Golden Gate Theological flight time, orup to five daysby car,” seminaries. said Brent Wadsworth, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- a daySaint's Anchorage Stake. “The cost of transportation into and The Rev. Joseph M. Mayo has marked his 25th anniversary as a priest, a stint of service that has included super y, December5,1998 LDS Temple in Anchorage Will Be Dedicated in January ase eee out of Alaska, particularly for fam- of the Salt Lake Catholic Diocese’s schools. Mayo, ordained in 1973 as a priest, celebratedhis Silver Jubilee recentlyat St. Francis Xavier Parish in Kearns, where he has served as pastor. “This will literally change the way terms oftheir church experience.” While the temple’s planis similarin most respects to the inaugural small temple built in Monticello, the Anchoragestructure will include a stee- ple topped with a gold-colored statue of the angel Moroni. Monticello’s statue of the angel, who Mormonsbelieve led the prophet Joseph Smith a book of gold plates he translated into the Book of Mormon,is white. A public open house will be held on the new temple’s grounds Dec. 29-31 Beginning Jan. 9, churchofficials will begin a series of seven dedicatory services that will conclude the following lay After that, the temple will be accessible only to church members deemed in good standing. The temple will serve LDS Church members from the Alaska Anchorage Mission, the Anchorage Bush District and the Anchorage, Anchorage North, Fairbanks, Juneau, Soldotna and Wa- silla stakes. Roman Catholics Celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe oO Bishop Joseph Alzehlaoui, who oversees the Orthodox Church’s Western region, will be visiting Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Christian Church in Salt Lake City. Alzehlaoui, born in Damascus and operat- BYBOBMIMS THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE ing out of a homeoffice in Los Angeles, will To an estimated 140,000 Latinos in Utah, the 1531 appearance of the Virgin Mary to a Mexican Indian named Juan Diego is an important apparition honored by the Roman Catholic speak Saturday, Dec. 12, immediately after the 6:30 p.m. serviceat the church, located at 355 S. 300 East. He also will preach on Sun- day, Dec. 13, during the morning services, Church. said the Rev. Mark Baker. The bishop's responsibilities include the 49 Orthodox churches of the Antioch jurisdic- That appearanceto Diego, followed by several more, amounted to a personal invitation by the mother of Christ — in their own ancient Aztec language, Nahuatl — for native peo- tion in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho and Utah. ples to accept the Gospel. “For us, it is like when Mary brought Jesusto Israel. We had heard nothing BULLETIN BOARD of the Gospel here. Yes, the Spaniards had broughtreligion, but not in the Compiled by Amelia Platt BAPTIST ‘The First Baptist Church will hold worship services Sunday,at 9:30 and 11 a.m. and 6 p.m,, at the church, 1144 W. Columbia Lane, Provo, For more informa. tion, call 374-8489, @ The All Saints Baptist Church will hold an open discussion Bible study to answer the question “Are MormonsChristians?", Monday, 7 p.m., athe church, 8560 S. 3520 West, Suite G (off Old Bingham High: way), West Jordan. For moreinformation, call 280- same language as the Indians,” said Misael Mayorge, director of Hispanic Ministry for the Salt Lake Catholic Di- ocese “This inspired faith with the Indi- ans,” he said. “Mary, for us, is honored as the Queen of America [because]this apparition was the [introduction] of the Gospel in America.” A Mass and diocesan celebration are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. today at Salt Lake's Cathedral of the Madeleine, 331 E. South Temple. However, commemorationof the ap- Hispanic Ministry office, the church is sponsoringa novena, or nine-day devotion. The 7 p.m.-8 p.m. novena began Thursdayat the Salt Lake City church, 715 W. 300 N., and concludes Dec. 11. A play about the apparition will be Dec. 12, the day dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe, at 7 p.m., also at the ‘The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Anartist's rendering shows what the new LDS temple in Anchorage, Alaska,wiil look like when construction is completed in December. Thestructurewill be the faith’s 54th temple worldwide. Hinckley has set a goal of having 100 operating temples by the time the 10 million-member churchenters the 21st century. Though the new breed of temples — roughly one-tenththesizeoftheir fullsized predecessors — wereenvisioned as operating one or two days a week, the Anchorage Temple already has a Belhlevars: long waiting list and expects to stay busyseveral days weekly. “Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays we'll be open,” Wadsworth said. ‘From the interest we'ye had expressed, we are goingto be able to keep the temple well-occupied dur- « ing those days.” Already, five weddings have been’ scheduled. { ideas andtrendsin faith and values Biblical Literali: Americansrankedthird in termsofbiblicalliteralism, meaning those whotake the bible as the actual word of God. In a 17-nation survey,the Philippines ranked highest in taking the bible literally, followed by Poland. church. Mexican refreshments and musical entertainmentwillfollow. It was on Dee. 9, 1531, a decadeafter Spanish soldiers had seized Mexico City, that Catholics believe Diegofirst saw Mary’s apparition and heard her calling, “Juanito, Juan Dieguito.” He climbed to the top of Tepeyac, a hill northwest of the city, and saw a womanclad in shining garments. She identified herself as, “the ever-virgin Holy Mary, Mother of the True God for whom welive, of the Creatorofali SC)olale(acy fon given Tklg literally, word for word. B. The Bibleis the inspired word of Godbutnot everything should be takenliterally word for word. C. The Bible is an ancient book of fables, legends, history, and moral precepts recorded by man. Those responding “Actual Word of God” things, Lord of heaven and the earth.” Her message, accordingto the Ency- clopedia of Catholicism, wasthat ‘the indigenous peoples of Latin America could embraceChristian belief as fully as the peoples of Europe.” The Guadalupe tradition recounts how, when Diegoscattered flowers cut from the apparition site before a dis- telRMtetBua1H A. The Bible is the actual word of Godandit is to be taken Philippines Poland United States Northern Ireland italy Israel Ireland Slovenia 54% 37 34 33 27 27 25 22 Austria 13% West Germany Norway Russia 11 10_ New Zealand Netherlands East Germany 9 8 8 6038, believing bishop, Mary’s image apGreat Britain z Hungary 19 ® The All Saints Baptist Church will hold a Thanks- parition will especially be the focus 2! peared as a drawing on a cloth around | the poor Indian visionary's neck. giving Fellowship following worship, Sunday, at 10:30 Mary's namesake, Our Lady of GuadaA temple was built at the site of her a.m., at the chureh, 8560 S. 3520 West(off Old Bing- lupe Parish, Along with the diocese’s ternational Social Survey MonicaSeaberryand David E. Anderson Programin the PublicPerspective reported appearance. ham Highway), West Jordan. For more information, ©1998 ReligionNews Service call Daryll or Sharonat 280-6038 a CATHOLIC acteristic of the Olympics will have a lasting impact tion Kol Ami and the Rev. Shinji Okada, from the The Cathedral of the Madeleine Women’s Society in creatinga spirit of unity within the religious comOgden Buddhist community, fall into the latter catewill hold its annual Christmas craft, bake and whitemunity of Utah.” ory. elephantsale, Sunday, following the 8:30 and 11 a.m The Rev. David Randall, director of the United “It’s not only admirable, but necessary,” Wenger Masses, at the cathedral, 331 E, South Temple, Salt Church of Christ’s Wellness Health and Lifestyle said ofthe effort. "There will be a worldwide comLakeCity. For moreinformation, call 562-1663 Education program in Sandy, said an example of the ® Continued from B-1 munityofall faiths and all backgrounds gathering @ The Cathedral of the Madeleine Diocesan celebragroup's is its plan to seek advice from here and weneed to be able to reachout to them and tion in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe will be celeHowardClinebell put Utah’s best foot forward.” brated with a Mass, today, 1:30 p.m., at the Cathedral, Schaedler of Salt Lake’s Metro Fellowship invited Clinebell, a professor emeritus at the School of too, was pleased to see the region’s small 331 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City. For more infor. several local Christian churches — not including Theology at Claremont, Calif., is a popular religious butOkada, thriving Buddhist community represented. mation, call the Diocesan Hispanic Ministry Office at Mormons — to meetfor discussions on the Games. lecturer and author considered an expert on chap“Our peopleare veryinterested in the Olympics 328-8641, ext. 332. laincy and counseling. Schaedler, who did not return calls this week, apcoming here and support them,” he said, adding that parently has thrown his support to the Interfaith “The Mormon Olympics? From what I’ve seen so og his faith especially looks forward to encouraging far, it’s not that at all,” said Randall “Especially Relations Roundtable. He was amongclergy attendathletes to “compete with courage and peace of: LUTHERAN the inaugural meeting on Nov. 24. overthe pastseveral years, there's been a real openmind.” ‘The Grace Lutheran Church and Schoolwill hold an ingThe ness and spirit of cooperation by the Latter-day Rey. Robert Moriarty, representing the Itis a coalition of faith that Barnesis proudof, and advent worship service Wednesday, at 7 p.m., at the 100,000-member Saints to other churches.” Salt Lake Catholic Diocese, also atthe first fruits of the former Questar executive and church, 1815 E. 9800 South, Sandy. For moreinforma- tended, and plans on being a regularfixture at upThat is music to the ears of Reed Call, a retired one-time Olympic fund-raiser’s own efforts to jugglé tion, call 572-6375 coming roundtables. Granite School Superintendent who represented the personalfaith with public responsibilities. Q “{We] look forward to participating,” he said. LDS Churchat the first SLOC interfaith roundtable. Religions Gearing Up for The 2002 Winter Games METHODIST heritage and welcomesthe opportunity to share this “This effort will be broad-based, with people from all along the Wasatch Front and not all of them legacy. . “It is our hope that the sense of cooperation char- Christians,” hesaid. Rabbi Frederick Wengerof Salt Lake’s Congrega- Twice-Bitten Children Face Battle for Future mybrother right now. I'll glorify you.I'll praise you “The Catholic Churchin Utah enjoys a rich religious The Trinity United Methodist Church will hold a ‘Women’sSpirituality Group,” Sunday, 4 to 5:30 p.m., at 3770 Calvin Drive, West Valley City. For moreinformation, call Priscilla Heim at 963-8893. Oo MISCELLANEOUS The Evangelical Free Church will hold the Koinonia Christmas brunch Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., at the Willow Creek Country Club, 8300 S. 2700 East, Sandy. For moreinformation and reservations, call 943-0091 ™@The Lady of the Mountains Retreat House will @ Continued from B-1 treat, Dec. 11-13. Registration will be at 7 p.m. on Friday. Suggested donation is $85. For reservations jerking violently up and down kin, University of Utah division of medical ethics and director of the “Genetics in Society” program at the “Na-na-na-na-na-na-na,"’ the man says, his voice like a car engine trying to turn over. Brown is calm “God's still God, no matter what comes,” Brown says, his voice relaxed and reassuring, the fire and Brown said he was following God’s law when he defied a judge's order following the death of his wife else, God's still God.” Thesearehis last words of preaching. Brownstarts to fail. He walksin front of the altar, then backs up and pacesa little. He braces himself, his left hand on the pulpit, his right on Pastor Billy South Jordan. This festival is for teen-age girls and Summerford’s shoulder. His head is down and he swallowshard. his children from his in-laws, but with conditions: No poisonous snakes around the house and no more snake-handlingservices for the children. Now, the orphaned children are the objects of a new custody fight, pitting Appalachian tradition adult women. Tickets are $4. For more information, call 963-4935. Brown raises both handsin the air. His friends hold him up for a few seconds, then lower him to the grandparentagainst grandparent. Punkin Brown's parents, Peggy and John Brown, who have their own snake-handling church in Marshail, N.C., are seeking custody of Jonathan, 12; Ja- hold an “Advent Come Away to Pray and Rest” reand information,call 392-9231 @ The Humanists of Utah presentspeaker Jeff Bot- U., speaking on “HumanCloning: Risks, Benefits and Public Policy,” Thursday, 7:30 p.m., at the Unitarian Church, 569 S. 1300 East, Salt Lake City. For more information, call 273-7144. The Midvalley Bible Church will sponsor a “‘Ladies Christmas Fest,” Sunday, 6 to 8 p.m., at the White House Reception Center, 10575 S. Redwood Road, oO PRESBYTERIAN The Wasatch Presbyterian Church will hold a class on Presbyterian Church history in the West by Jack ‘Tykal, Sunday, 9:30 a.m., at the church, 1626 S. 1700 East, Salt Lake City. For more information, call 487- 7576. |The Presbyterian Men of Salt Lake will hold a series of advent luncheonsand programs, Wednesday, noon, at Le Parisien Restaurant, 417 S. 300 East, Salt Lake City. Cost is $12. For more information and res- ervationg, call 487-757, brimstone completely gone fromit. “No matter what lor. A video camerarolls, taking in the alarming scene and the incongruous, sweetly smiling face of an obliviouslittle girl. Someone asks Brown if he wants a doctor. He shakes his head and points to the sky. “JEEEEEsus, have your way, JEEEEEsus,” the congregation shouts in warbling voices, A womanin black starts screaming hysterically and convulsing, wagging the blond ponytail that reaches her waist. Another woman runs back and forth with wet cloths for Brown’s head. “Right now, God! Right now, Jesus,” the man in “a shirt screams toward the ok “Help After about 10 minutes, the simple green and white church goessilent, except for some muffled sobs, The littlegirl in the videostill smiles, uncom- prehending. Brownis dead. The New Testament’s book of Mark calls serpenthandling a “sign” true believers mustfollow. And John Wayne “Punkin” Brown Jr.,a rising star in the Pentecostal faith, was a true believer. in August 1995.The order restoredto him custody of against child welfare law, faith against science, cob and Jeremiah, 7; Sarah, 5; and Daniel, 4. But on Oct. 7, as their son’s body was laid out for viewingat a funeral home,a juvenile-court judgein Cocke County, Tenn., told the Brownsthat he needed to determineif the children they had helped raise would be safe with them. They, too, have admitted violating the order. In a preliminary decision, Judge John Bell gave temporary custodyto the children’s maternal grandmother, Mary Goswick of Plainville, Ga. She is a formerserpent handlerherself. The custody case has 4 believers to explain “DoI representa particularfaith? Well, yes and no,” Barnessaid. “Personally, I have a responsibility within my church [as a bishop], but in this position I represent the Christian, Jew, Protestant, Catholic, Buddhist, Muslim, ete.” their faith once again to a world they wish would Cynthia Porter, a serpent handler from Kingston, leave them alone. and a friend of the Browns, says the practiceis. misunderstood, But Melinda Brown's father, Lewis Duvall, says his grandchildren arebetter off away from allthat. Jonathan, the oldest, watched as the timberrattler ‘‘dog-bit” his mother, grabbing thesoftfles left arm in its fangs and shaking, refusing to hletofgoher as the blood flowed. She languished for two daysbefore succumbing. Ralph Hood, a psychology professor at the Univer-sity of Tennessee-Chattanooga and friend of the: Browns, says snake handlers forbid their childrento, touch serpents and often keep the kidsat the back of the church. He says he has never heard of a child beingkilled or injured at a snake-handlingservice. Removing the Brown children froma loving home’ + and from the church their parents diedforis notin their bestinterests, he says. “Within that tradition, the children can understand it that Godhas called[their parents] home, and that somedaythey will be reunited with them,”says Hood, who testified on Punkin Brown’s behalf following the wife’s death. Portersaysit is an outrage that families can be punished for risking their lives for religion when others risk theirs for money or fame. > “They don't take race car drivers’ kids away from them,” shesays. “They don't take boxers’ kids away | from them. They're standing there beating each other to death,literally. . . “I _know people say we're committing suicide. No. God giveth and God taketh away. Ourlives are in his hands — period.” k ’